The sound of the rain was pitter-pattering.

It kept falling, and for He Chao and the others who had already entered Weng City, it felt like they had found the safest place.

They didn't mind the cold weather outside and just sat on the ground to rest.

Li Yu thought for a moment, then said to He Chao, "Come up here. I want to talk to you."

Upon hearing this, Dapao lowered the steel staircase.

Without any hesitation, He Chao turned to walk up. But just as he stood up, a pair of hands pulled on him: "Daddy."

It was his daughter, Xiao Ya.

He Chao felt his daughter's forehead, which was burning hot.

Her little face was flushed red, and she was in very poor condition.

These days, there had been a sudden temperature rise, followed by rain and a drop in temperature. His daughter had gotten a fever.

Although she had taken some cold medicine, it hadn't improved at all.

Looking at his daughter, an idea suddenly surged in He Chao's heart.

He gently said to her, "Be good, Daddy will be back soon."

Then he ascended the steel staircase.

At this time, as Li Yu watched He Chao slowly come up, a concept that had been somewhat vague before became clearer upon seeing He Chao.

The base needed to expand and become more complete, even the size of the base needed to be strengthened.

However, bringing in too many people all at once would disrupt the team atmosphere that they had struggled to maintain and would be difficult to manage.

Moreover, if the newcomers had not been vetted and turned out to be harmful to the base, what then?

Additionally, taking in too many people would put a particular strain on food supplies.

Therefore, one should be cautious about accepting new members.

Now, outside of the base, there were some survivors, as well as many people from Jiefang City.

How could he make these people useful to him?

Li Yu thought of a method.

The first step was to trade supplies, using the need for food to get these people to search for the things the base needed.

Or issue some sort of recruitment call for these people to help with.

In this way, Li Yu and his team wouldn't need to risk their lives to do certain things.

The second step was to find a spokesperson outside the base, preferably someone loyal; or have a steady ally outside the base.

The third step was to conduct assessments during cooperation. If someone made a significant contribution to the base, they would have the chance to join after passing the assessment.

Thus, making the Big Camphor Tree Base the ultimate haven in the hearts of the survivors outside.

Everyone longed to enter the Big Camphor Tree Base.

How to get in? An assessment through a points system, and after making enough contributions, they could join.

Moreover, if there were any disturbances nearby, these people could also exchange information for food.

Once these steps were perfected, the Big Camphor Tree Base would wield unmatched influence in the area, and there would be numerous free informants outside.

...

In just a moment, a myriad of ideas flashed through Li Yu's mind.

Some of those ideas still needed to be perfected.

He Chao's arrival from the staircase interrupted Li Yu's thoughts.

He Chao walked slowly over, and then he noticed the group beside Li Yu, carrying rifles on their backs but holding crossbows in their hands.

He Chao addressed the man in the center, saying, "Director Li, you called for me."

Li Yu nodded and said, "This is the only way I can help you, and that house down there, some things have been placed in there. Don't let them go in later.

It's raining now, and I'll have them set up some tents for you in a bit."

He Chao showed a grateful expression and quickly said, "Thank you, Director Li. No amount of words can express my gratitude."

Li Yu waved his hand, indicating it was nothing to worry about.

Then he threw a cigarette to He Chao and lit one for himself.

The rain was light and the wind slight.

Li Yu turned his back to the rain and took a drag of his cigarette, then spoke to He Chao; "Our base has many people who have come from Jiefang City.

Even some of my family members were found there.

But you are also aware of the reasons why Jiefang City ultimately fell.

I do not want to make the same mistakes, so we must be extra careful when selecting our companions.

Additionally, it's not that we cannot let you join; practically everyone who has joined our base contributed to it.

You'll have your chance, as long as we continue to cooperate and you show us your sincerity.

Moreover, the fact that we opened Weng City to let you in shows we already hold some level of recognition for you.

You can serve as Extra Staff, so if there is a Zombie Tide like before, you can turn to us for help, like now, taking shelter in Weng City.

Regarding the food, in addition to the previous trading rules.

I can provide each of you with two kilograms of food per person, per month.

In return, I hope you can help me gather information outside. If there's any trouble, you can contact me. Together, we can help resist the zombies and safeguard the interests and safety of the base.

If the cooperation goes well, you'll even have the chance to go from Extra Staff to directly joining the base.

Think it over yourself and discuss it with your brothers."

Li Yu said a lot, and Second Uncle, listening on the side, had eyes that grew increasingly bright.

While Li Hang stood to the side, he had a feeling that Director Li was sugar-coating the situation, and he felt a bit sorry for He Chao.

But what Li Hang didn't know was that for He Chao, this was already the best possible outcome.

It was truly a display of conscience.

In this apocalyptic world of extinction, most of the food outside had been scavenged clean.

The constantly changing weather, the occasional appearance of zombies, and sometimes the rain, like the Zombie Tide today, meant that it was extremely difficult to find a place to safely cultivate and develop.

For people like He Chao, after leaving Jiefang City, they had come to understand one truth more clearly.

Having food to eat and a safe place to stay was what mattered most.

Staying alive was the most important thing!

He Chao, somewhat excitedly, said: "Director Li, I can give you an answer right now, there's no problem at all, we agree."

Li Yu nodded in satisfaction and responded:

"Okay, let's settle it then, you guys stay in Weng City. Later, we will help set up your tents. Alright, if there's nothing else, you may go."

He Chao then turned around, but as he did, an idea popped into his mind:

Since Director Li and the others need people like them, and since they can be considered as Extra Staff, perhaps he could suggest his daughter join the base first.

This thought arose because he understood how difficult it was to survive in the apocalyptic world.

Throughout their journey, his daughter had suffered so much hardship following him.

If she could join the base, at the very least she could have her basic needs met without worry.

And based on his understanding of people like old Lü and old Xie, they would definitely take care of his daughter.

Moreover, through their few meetings,

he had gained some understanding of the people in this base. Although Director Li and the others could be quite cold and he had witnessed their ruthlessness in action, it was true.

But when he saw the change in old Lü and others after they joined, and especially during the last exchange of supplies, he had even seen an elderly man.

It was said to be Director Li's Grandpa, which shocked him even more:

Even the elderly in the base could maintain such good conditions.

Furthermore, if he made this request, it was very likely that Director Li and the others would agree—if his daughter was with them, she could be a bargaining chip for them.

But then again, he felt somewhat reluctant; which father would want his child to leave his side?

However, he quickly recalled the sight of his younger daughter's death, which hardened his resolve.

Li Yu watched He Chao standing there, unmoving, and then asked: "He Chao, is there anything else you need?"

He Chao bit his lip and then said:

"Director Li, here's the situation.

My daughter has been running a high fever for the past couple of days, I was wondering if you could have someone take a look at her?

Also, I have another request, I don't know if you would be willing. My wife and younger daughter are both gone.

Now I just have my 11-year-old elder daughter left; she is my only remaining relative. She has suffered so much following me, with all these zombies outside.

So I was thinking,

if possible, could my daughter join your base first? She is so young, and it's just too dangerous for her to run around with me outside.

If my daughter could be placed in the base, I would be at ease, and I could serve you better outside."

After saying this, He Chao seemed to have exhausted all his strength.

His words surprised everyone present.

No one had expected He Chao to make such a request, could it be that he didn't love her?

But then they thought, perhaps this is what fatherly love is like.

Li Yu looked at He Chao, eyed him for a while, then turned his head, as if unintentionally glancing at Second Uncle.

Second Uncle slightly nodded, indicating that he thought it was a good idea.

Li Yu became even more convinced in his decision, and said:

"It's possible. We currently have education available in the base. Once your daughter recovers from her illness, she can study just like a normal child."

Upon hearing this, the excitement on He Chao's face intensified. He had not expected that there were schools in the base where one could study normally.

He Chao nodded firmly and sincerely said: "Thank you, Director Li, I will do my best for you."

Li Yu laughed and said: "It's settled then, you can still come by to see your daughter in the base.

Didn't you say your daughter was sick? I'll have a doctor look at her, have your daughter come up."

He Chao quickly nodded and said: "Alright."

He then hurried down from the wall.

Watching him go,

Li Yu then said to the people around him: "The rain intensifies the tension. Double the guard forces on the wall.

Keep five people guarding the gate at all times, and those near the gate, remember to keep an eye on the inside of Weng City; don't open either the gate to the base or the city gates.

Report at once if there's any disturbance."

Everyone acknowledged the instructions.

Soon, Doctor Meng Yu and Li Yuan arrived.

After He Chao went down, he told the crowd below about the agreement he had just reached with Li Yu.

The people from Jiefang City, upon hearing that they could be considered as Extra Staff, celebrated joyously in place.

Cheers erupted.

Shortly thereafter, He Chao brought his daughter up to the wall, and Li Yu let them into the duty room.

The duty room by the main gate was the largest of the five duty rooms, spanning thirty square meters.

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