There is no machine in the world that can perfectly convert energy, and losses are always present. We don't know whether losses can be ignored for a huge system, but at least, losses are fatal to an isolated system.
"The junction station will be abandoned!" This was Jiang Ling's conclusion after some inquiries. She didn't look for the "Three Yang Caravan," presumably because Old Yang hadn't contacted anyone else for a reason. In a sense, her plan had indeed been realized. Shortly after parting with the two exoskeleton warriors, the station's broadcast announced the evacuation order.
The reason wasn't particularly surprising; the site had lost all its functions, including industry, energy, transportation, communications, and even residential functions. In fact, even the remaining population consisted mostly of street vendors and laborers. The broadcast didn't mention what they would do with the abandoned site; the most cost-effective solution was, of course, to seal it up. As soon as the sun showed, these bacteria, succumbing to the effects of sunlight, would return to their happy home.
Jiang Ling "ran into" Mole and Flying Squirrel in a temporary administrative center illuminated by searchlights. They were chatting with several men in blue hazmat suits. She moved slightly closer, and the soldiers standing guard didn't stop her. Soon, she could hear what they were talking about.
"...At least five kilometers away! Only ten hours left, let's get started!" said the Mole calmly.
"But we have more than 30,000 people, some of whom are old, weak, sick and disabled... Organizing them requires manpower, and we don't have that many people." A man wearing glasses said, and his tone sounded negotiating.
"Don't worry, you will be assigned to another station later. It's not your fault!" The mole patiently argued with them, and Jiang Ling felt his blood pressure rising.
"That's good, that's good!" The other person got the answer he wanted and nodded hurriedly.
Then, they began assigning tasks. After a short while, the group dispersed, and the sound of them informing each other continuously echoed through the dim underground space. Their efficiency was actually quite high, and it was unclear what had slowed them down earlier. As they passed Jiang Ling, the mole and the flying squirrel nodded at her but didn't stop. They were surrounded by several people and led to a command vehicle.
The car's thin exterior wasn't enough to shield Jiang Ling from hearing, but she wasn't interested in their specific discussion. These high-level meetings, meant to conceal their true intentions, usually had little to do with ordinary people, and most of them didn't involve their interests. For some, the meager supplies in ordinary people's wallets were too meager, and they might just want the person themselves.
The people who were issuing the orders were quick, and after a while, they began organizing personnel to distribute supplies. Jiang Ling received two filter canisters from a long line. It looked like another difficult journey to the surface would follow.
The vanguard had already set out, and the troops stationed here were obviously very familiar with the evacuation process. Perhaps they had completed several similar missions before Jiang Ling arrived.
Jiang Ling found a less crowded corner and sat down. She'd been walking all day, and while she was fine physically, she was mentally exhausted. She watched as several experienced managers lined up people in a long line. Their protective suits were then inspected one by one. Once they were ready, the leader, holding a banner, led them out through the station's exit.
Some of these people had indeed never been to the surface before, and they were still carrying a lot of bags and bags, just like before. So, they were ordered by the administrators to dispose of their luggage. Jiang Ling's butt quickly piled up a lot of discarded suitcases. Most of them contained useless bedding and clothing, but some were also heavy household appliances.
Judging by their obedience, Jiang Ling felt they'd had enough of the site's suffering. They didn't want to be left behind in this evacuation, so they followed every word the managers said almost perfectly. These grassroots workers had clearly learned a lot of management techniques; coercion and inducement were so simple and reliable, and that's exactly what they did this time.
They drew a line around the luggage they carried; anyone exceeding the limit had to walk agonizingly, while the rest could ride. As for those who couldn't bear to part with their belongings, they didn't waste time talking to them. They had to choose between obeying the order or staying and dying, right?
Jiang Ling sat on the garbage heap, watching people make their choices, finding them amusing. People always make choices that serve their own interests, but those choices have long been predicted by the wise. There are only five types of people in the world: the extreme left, the extreme right, the middle, and two groups in between. In this probability distribution proposition, all they need to do is win the support of the majority. So, while most people appear to be making free choices, they are trapped without realizing it.
The station gradually emptied out. Witnessing the recalcitrant attitude of the others, some diehards dared not rebel, instead retreating into the shadows to consider other options. A man squatting beside the command vehicle saw that the time was almost up, so he stood up and knocked five times on the door. The door then opened, and two Countermeasures Bureau investigators, along with the others, exited.
They announced: "Fellow citizens, this NT0201 station is now abandoned. To control bacterial contamination, this station will be rendered harmless."
Jiang Ling stood up, brushed off the non-existent dust on his butt, and then walked towards those people.
"Are you still here? I thought you had left." The flying squirrel saw Jiang Ling approaching and whispered to her away from the crowd.
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