Most of the time, no, most of the time, Gao Qi couldn't even remember the Third Cataclysm.
Although he had experienced two energy outbursts and seemed to be the direct beneficiary of both outbursts, Gao Qi really couldn't connect the energy outbursts with the Cataclysm.
Knowing was one thing, but he didn't really take it to heart. Everyone knew that they would die one day, but before they really faced the crisis of death, how many people would worry about their own death all day long?
Therefore, Gao Qi didn't take the Third Cataclysm too seriously. If the Third Cataclysm really came, then so be it. If they survived, then they would live. If they couldn't, then they would die. After all, this was the same thing over and over again.
However, those who had experienced two Cataclysms seemed to be more sensitive and more afraid of the Third Cataclysm.
Shurian had left Zhaoxi City after two energy outbursts. Now that he thought about it, he finally left the city because of two energy outbursts.
"Professor, whether you're an idealist or a realist, if the Third Cataclysm really comes, what can you do by yourself?"
Gao Qi was really curious. He didn't want to question Professor Su's philosophy, but he really couldn't understand what Professor Su's suicidal behavior had to do with him saying that he didn't have time.
Gao Qi's question seemed to be difficult for Professor Su to answer.
After thinking for a long time, Professor Su finally said, "You've left the city and seen the lives of the disaster victims. If there's another large-scale Cataclysm, an apocalyptic one, do you think the disaster victims can survive?"
"I think that since the Desolate people have survived two Cataclysms, they should be able to cope with another one. Also, in terms of survival, the Desolate people seem to be better than the citizens."
Professor Su shook his head and said, "You shouldn't be the one to say such things. Compared to order and organization, which is more conducive to the survival of a species?"
"From the perspective of survival, I think that the situation of the Desolate Dwellers is better than that of the people in the city. If there really is a third cataclysm, and we don't know what kind of cataclysm it is, the people who gather in the city might not be better off than the Desolate Dwellers who live separately."
Gao Qi did not want to bicker with Professor Su. Instead, he adhered to the principle of making things clear. He was having a very serious debate with Professor Su.
Gao Qi seemed a little aggressive. He was polite, but his tone was very aggressive. "Professor Su, I think that what you are doing now is to satisfy your own inner desires. Without investigation, you have no right to speak. I know the lives of the Desolate Dwellers very well. If the Third Cataclysm really comes, the ones who will survive in the end might not necessarily be city dwellers!"
Professor Su was silent for a moment. Then he nodded and said, "You said that without investigation, you have no right to speak. This makes me very happy. Then, how deep have you investigated the disaster victims?"
Gao Qi was suddenly stunned. He realized that his understanding of the Desolate Dwellers and the Wastelands was not enough to be considered investigation.
At most, he would only take a cursory glance at it.
Professor Su sighed softly and said, "Let me tell you. 14 years ago, I was the one who conducted the first census of Chaoxi City after the beast war. At the time, there were 124,067 people in Chaoxi City, and there were about 30,000 disaster victims within a 100-kilometer radius of Chaoxi City."
Gao Qi did not say anything. He had said that without investigation, he had no right to speak. When Professor Su gave him an accurate number, he knew that he had lost this debate. He had lost completely.
"Nine years ago, during the second census, there were 171,402 people in the city. There were about 24,000 people outside the city. Nearly 50,000 people were born in Chaoxi City in five years, but the disaster victims outside the city did not leave on a large scale. Instead, more and more people moved into Chaoxi City. In five years, the number of people decreased by 6,000. That's one-fifth of the population!"
Losing one-fifth of the population in five years. What kind of concept was that?
Gao Qi's expression turned ugly.
Professor Su continued with a helpless expression. "Four years ago, during the third census, the population of Chaoxi City increased to 268,000 people. The growth rate was extremely fast. Because of the policy that encouraged childbirth, the first generation of post-disaster newborns reached the age of marriage and childbirth. When you were in school, many people of your age had already formed families and had their first child. Some even had their second child. But what about the disaster victims? Let me tell you, there are only 12,000 of them left! "
Another five years had passed, and the disaster victims had lost more than half of their population.
Gao Qi was speechless. He felt ashamed because what he had said and what he had done did not match.
"What is the reason for the large decrease in the disaster victims' population? The result of my investigation is that the mutated beasts in the wild reproduce very quickly, and their numbers increase very quickly. When the mutated beasts' living area overlaps with the disaster victims' living area without the protection of the city walls, the disaster victims will definitely die. However, the number of victims who die from mutated beasts is the minority. The most common cause of death is disease. The second cause is long-term malnutrition caused by the food shortage. The third cause is the struggle between the disaster victims for survival resources. The fifth cause is the cruel oppression of the disaster victims in the city.
Gao Qi sighed softly. "I'm sorry."
Professor Su ignored Gao Qi's apology and continued in a low voice. "It only took ten years to go from 34,000 people to 12,000 people. After that, I didn't have the chance to conduct another census. However, I know that the number of disaster victims outside Chaoxi City has continued to decline. It's a precipitous decline. Look, look at the gathering points outside the city. How many of them are empty?"
"Professor, please don't say anymore …"
Sighing softly, Gao Qi said with difficulty, "So you went out of the city and established the disaster victims' mutual aid association. You would rather have Chaoxi City send troops to attack, but you still wanted to give the Desolate people who are scattered outside the city and hiding in the mountains a little bit of hope?"
"Yes."
Professor Su said firmly, "I can't drag this out any longer. I can't take things slowly. If I develop in secret for a few years and then make my activities public, then … I don't even know if I'll be able to save anyone. You should understand something by now. When the population drops to a certain level, there's no turning back. Any civilization, any kind of civilization, even if it's just for survival, needs a certain population base!"
Gao Qi said helplessly, "But, but even if you're right, and the Desolate people really don't have time and can't delay it any longer, you should at least do a better job of keeping it a secret. If you act so brazenly in public, Chaoxi City will definitely send City Guard to eliminate you!"
Professor Su nodded and said, "You're right, but you've overlooked a problem."
"What problem?"
"The problem of cost and profit. Perhaps the disaster victims' mutual aid association has indeed crossed the bottom line of the people in power in Chaoxi City, but don't forget that there's a price to pay to protect the bottom line. If the price is too great, the bottom line can be appropriately shrunk."
"Shrunk the bottom line? What do you mean? "
Professor Su was very serious and solemn. He was just as serious and serious as when he was teaching Gao Qi in class.
"Distance. Distance is always the most important consideration in any military battle. This is because distance is related to the delivery of troops, weapons, logistical supplies, and the speed of reinforcements. It can be said that distance creates beauty."
Gao Qi suddenly felt enlightened. He now felt that he was too stupid. However, when he thought about how long it took for Muken to contact Professor Su, as well as how long it took for Professor Su to arrive, he felt that perhaps Professor Su was too naive.
"Then, how far is the distance needed to create beauty?"
Professor Su smiled and said, "The answer is very simple. The straight-line distance is 130 kilometers. This number depends on the maximum distance of Chaoxi City's wireless power supply."
Gao Qi was stunned.
Professor Su continued calmly, "What is the basis for the city's absolute military advantage over the disaster victims? Sufficient supplies, sufficient ammunition, heavy firepower, well-trained soldiers, and better organizational skills. But aside from the level of training of the soldiers, what is the basis for everything else? Energy, in other words, electricity. Now, let me tell you, Morning Dawn City's armored vehicles can only move within a range of 120 kilometers. Beyond this range, they will not be able to operate. "
"That's not right! Can't the trams travel hundreds of kilometers? And the armored vehicles, can't they still travel hundreds of kilometers on battery power? "
Professor Su smiled disdainfully and said, "The light trams can be powered by batteries, but what about the trucks used to transport goods? What about the armored vehicles used to carry heavy loads? Let me tell you, the armored vehicles don't have batteries installed at all. They can only move by relying on wireless charging technology. So, the armored vehicles' maximum combat range is 120 kilometers. Within this range, the armored vehicles don't have to worry about energy issues. But beyond this range, the armored vehicles are just scrap metal. "
"That's not right! I took a helicopter today. The helicopter can fly very far. Beyond the range of the wireless power supply, it has to rely on batteries to fly. "
Professor Su asked warily, "What helicopter?"
"The latest product from City One. Chaoxi City doesn't have it. I understand. Chaoxi City doesn't have such technology …"
Professor Su nodded and said, "These are all strictly guarded secrets of Chaoxi City. They are military secrets and must be kept secret both internally and externally. Now, I can tell you. I brought people to a mountainous area 130 kilometers away from Chaoxi City and established the first gathering place for the disaster victims. At this distance, Chaoxi City won't send the City Guard to attack because Li Jin wouldn't dare!"
When he said that Li Jin wouldn't dare attack, the scholarly Professor Su was full of pride.
However, Gao Qi couldn't help but say, "Even if the distance is so far that they can't use the armored vehicles, why wouldn't Speaker Li dare to attack? After all, even if the City Guard were to fight without the protection of the armored vehicles, the City Guard would still have the advantage, right? "
Professor Su nodded and said, "That's right. The City Guard would have the advantage. But the problem is, if I were to hide in the mountains and fight guerrilla warfare with the City Guard, how many casualties do you think the City Guard would suffer? Can Li Jin bear such a price?"
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