After bringing Ma Di back to the base,
Li Yu discussed some of the things Ma Di had mentioned with Uncle at the base,
and reiterated them to Second Uncle and others.
On top of the wall, Second Uncle exhaled a puff of smoke, then turned to Li Yu and asked:
"Li Yu, what do you think?"
Li Yu pondered for a moment and replied:
"I think, some of what he said is true, and some is false, but it's unclear which is which. However, I believe this person has some capabilities."
Second Uncle then said:
"If we retreat to the west as he suggested, could there be a gathering spot in the west? What is its strength? Who comprises it?
On the other hand, regarding the formation of zombies, he has no need to lie; that should be true."
Li Yu nodded, frowning as he said:
"Right, that point indeed warrants caution. Let's keep him detained at the base for now and observe him slowly.
It's not a good time to interrogate him forcefully.
Someone is specifically watching him; he can't escape. For now, focus on finishing the construction of the second Outer City,
which is the most crucial matter."
Second Uncle nodded in agreement.
Both of them looked outside at the walls of the base,
which were vigorously and urgently being constructed.
The wall was already 90 percent complete.
It was expected to be finished in a day or two, and although there were guards around clearing zombies, they were still exposed.
It often struck fear into their hearts.
Once the wall around the second Outer City is completed, they can carry out construction inside the walls.
Security would substantially increase!
Even at night, they could work within the walls.
At present, they have to stop working at dusk,
even though they could work at night since the base has sufficient electricity.
But in Li Yu's philosophy, he values the lives of those who have joined the Big Camphor Tree Base highly.
So, he wouldn't let them take risks.
Because of such arrangements made by Li Yu, people in the Outer City grew even more convinced and appreciative of him.
Another evening approached.
The evening glow was beautiful.
However, Li Yu was somewhat anxious; these days had been fortunate with no rain.
The construction of the Outer City's walls was progressing smoothly. If this pace continued, it would soon be completed.
Still, the uncertainty of when it might rain was unsettling to him.
It wasn't clear when it might rain.
Li Yu called He Chao over to inquire about the current stockpile of building materials.
After arriving, He Chao brought a notebook and said:
"We've produced 500 tonnes of cement,
and have 1380 tonnes of sand,
1200 tonnes of stone,
and the most collected was the steel, nearly 20,000 tonnes,
other materials like gravel are comparatively easy to...
Based on the current construction speed, the remaining materials for the Outer City are sufficient and even surplus.
The excess can be used for building houses in the Outer City."
Li Yu roughly understood and replied:
"Good, thank you all for your hard work. Have Ding Jiu and Xiao Qian come over later."
After He Chao stepped down, he sent for Ding Jiu and Xiao Qian.
Li Yu slowly spoke to the two:
"Make a plan for constructing a 20-mu underground agricultural facility in the second Outer City. How can we achieve this?"
Ding Jiu and Xiao Qian looked at each other; this requirement had not been mentioned when constructing the houses before.
Ding Jiu paused for a moment, mostly pondering why Li Yu suddenly had this idea and what the primary purpose was.
Seeing that they did not respond, Li Yu straightforwardly told them the reason:
"The last time, there was a locust plague. I think the crops exposed on the surface at the base are too vulnerable,
so building underground would spare us this problem."
Ding Jiu spoke, "Director Li, are you planning to build it in the second Outer City or..."
Li Yu thought for a moment and replied, "If not in the Outer City, where else could it be built?"
Ding Jiu responded, "Actually, it's entirely possible to excavate under the paddy fields and build an underground planting point. This way, it could also be separated from residential buildings."
Li Yu, intrigued, asked, "But wouldn't the paddy fields above cause any leakage issues to the underground facility?"
"As long as it's waterproofed properly, it'll be fine. He Chao previously collected a lot of waterproof materials from outside, and it's still not all used up."
Li Yu nodded and said:
"Alright, make two proposals. One is incorporating the agricultural layer beneath the residential buildings, maybe one, two, or three layers of underground agriculture.
The second is building it below the paddy fields underground."
But Ding Jiu specifically stayed behind,
seeing him standing there, Li Yu asked curiously:
"Uncle Ding, is there anything else?"
After thinking for a while, Ding Jiu finally said: "Director Li, I want to speak honestly.
My view is that the majority of our food supply should be controlled by the people of the Inner City to maintain absolute authority.
So, I think we shouldn't build the crops facility underground in the second Outer City, as that would put our crops in the hands of Outer City folks.
You might think my idea is somewhat selfish, but I believe it's safer to be cautious."