District One was basically ready after several weeks of preparation.
Counting those who wanted to come later, those who brought their families, and those Lu Dongnuan had found, there were now over 100 people.
Humans are social animals, but living in a group inevitably brings numerous problems.
The safe point was clearly not enough for over 100 people, so Lin Mo expanded the area, demarcated the residential zones, and established rules.
He planned to turn them into booklets to distribute.
At the very top of the rules were three bottom lines marked in red.
First, the Silence Rule: it was strictly forbidden to attract outsiders or disclose any information about the safe point in any form.
Second, the Unity Rule: internal theft of resources was strictly forbidden, and no one was allowed to attack one another in any form.
Third, one must obey Lu Dongnuan’s orders.
Below that were the basics.
He established a point system where points could be exchanged for more and better items.
Points were earned through labor, and different types of work yielded different amounts of points.
Initially, they would follow a simple four-level distribution system:
[Survival Quota:The minimum daily water and calories. Everyone was equal and received this unconditionally.]
[Labor Quota: Extra rewards based on the hardship and danger of the position, such as Sentinels and Exploration Teams.]
[Skill Stipend: Key technical personnel like doctors, mechanics, and radio operators received special quotas, such as priority access to Medicine and tools.]
[Contribution Quota: Those who made outstanding contributions, such as finding critical supplies, were granted one-time high rewards or privileges.]
The reason they dared to establish their shelter in the City was entirely dependent on Lu Dongnuan’s power.
In Ruerke, even capable people who chose to build shelters would not do so in the City.
They either chose the countryside, deep mountains, old forests, or even underground.
Compared to the endless Zombies in the City and the elusive, difficult-to-deal-with Mutated Infected, staying away was the best choice.
Although Tang Kezhi was a Semi-Infected, her subordinates were not.
According to her, most of the supplies came from her scouting, which was why she had been carrying such a large bag when Lu Dongnuan first met her.
However, the City’s resources were limited.
It was not static; like its appearance, it was gradually decaying along with the silent corpses within.
Lin Mo speculated that she would eventually take her people and leave the City.
Although he was from Ruerke in his previous life, he had not chosen to stay here back then.
He had stayed specifically for Lu Dongnuan this time.
His thought at the time was simple: eradicate this enemy who would cause him great destruction in the future as soon as possible.
But Lu Dongnuan was too tactful, and her abilities were too convenient.
Even though she was dangerous, he chose to let her be for a while.
Once the authorities regrouped, it wouldn’t be too late to deal with her and go find his sister, Lin Mu.
As for now…
Lin Mo thought of Lu Dongnuan, who was as attentive as a newlywed wife.
He didn’t know what she had been like in the past.
The Lu Dongnuan he had met was a pure, man-eating zombie disguised as a normal person.
She had lived with him as his wife for three years, sharing the same bed, and then suddenly went mad.
She slaughtered his team in front of him, ate his sister, destroyed the City he lived in, and turned him into a monster.
‘Don’t worry about how I got infected; it won’t happen again anyway.’
As time passed, Lu Dongnuan gradually cleared the Zombies in this area, which gave them enough space.
At 6:00 AM, Lin Mo woke up amidst the mist and dim light.
Outside the window was the silhouette of the silent City.
Today, he had an appointment with Tang Kezhi to discuss bringing her people here.
Tang Kezhi had readily agreed; after all, it was better to lean against a big tree for shade.
He slowly walked downstairs.
He had been using his brain intensely for a while and hadn’t slept well, so he was quite exhausted.
In the dining room below, Lu Dongnuan had already prepared breakfast.
He glanced at it; it was all things he liked.
Lu Dongnuan waited for him to come down with a smile and handed him a glass of warm water.
The temperature was just right.
Lin Mo took it naturally, just like in his previous life.
“What are we doing today?” Lu Dongnuan asked.
“I have an appointment with Tang Kezhi. In a few days, drones will come to drop weapons and equipment. I didn’t stay in Ruerke before, so I don’t know the specific locations.”
“Oh, so you need a local,” Lu Dongnuan responded, then asked, “Do you need me to clear the way?”
Lin Mo took a bite of a pork knuckle.
“No need. However, people from other shelters will likely come to snatch them. I’ll ask Tang Kezhi about it.”
He took another sip of water, and Lu Dongnuan refilled it for him.
“Eating meat in the morning, isn’t it too greasy?”
“It’s better to eat it early. Once all the meat rots, we’ll have to wait a long time to eat it again.”
As he spoke, he tore off another piece of meat and stuffed it into his mouth.
“Her people aren’t like this group of wealthy ones—tender and lacking combat power. So, it’s necessary to include her people.”
Lu Dongnuan nodded.
***
After eating, Lu Dongnuan and Lin Mo went out to go about their separate tasks.
The printing press in the downstairs warehouse had been humming all night.
When Lin Mo walked in, the smell of ink hit his face.
Dozens of booklets, still warm, were piled on the table.
The cover read “District One Provisional Regulations” in handwritten script.
Li Gongyi, a middle-aged man who used to work in a printing factory, was carefully tidying up the last booklet.
“Brother Lin, they’re all printed.” Li Gongyi wiped the grease from his hands, a long-lost focus in his eyes.
In the Apocalypse, being able to return to one’s old profession—even if it was just printing survival rules—felt like returning to the past.
“Thanks for the hard work.” Lin Mo picked up a booklet and flipped through it.
The red text was striking, and the black-and-white print was organized and clear.
Tang Kezhi arrived very early.
She didn’t take a booklet but simply leaned against a pillar in the front hall.
Her gaze swept over the survivors who were gradually gathering, finally landing on Lin Mo.
“The rules are well-established,” she said as she walked over, her voice low, “Especially the third one. You’re roasting your little girlfriend over the fire.”
“It’s not roasting,” Lin Mo said calmly, “It’s pointing out the only way to survive. Everyone here must be clear on why they are alive.”
He didn’t refute the “little girlfriend” label.
Tang Kezhi curled her lip, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
“I’ll go find No. 2 first. We can talk after you’ve settled things.”
Lin Mo nodded.
At 10:00 AM, the first general meeting was held in the front yard.
Over 100 people stood together, their clothes tattered and their faces haggard, but most of them still had a faint flame of hope burning in their eyes.
He had changed into a clean gray jacket and stood on a makeshift wooden crate.
He looked somewhat thin, and the crowd fell silent.
Lin Mo read the rules aloud.
When he reached the third one, the air visibly froze for a moment.
He could feel countless gazes—searching, reverent, puzzled, and even implicitly resistant.
He stood quietly, his gaze sweeping across their faces, showing no extra emotion.
Predictably, a problem arose.
A middle-aged man pushed to the front, his face flushed red.
“Mr… Mr. Lin, we understand everything else, but why should we all listen to a young girl? What kind of skills does she have?”
Behind him were several others with hesitant faces.