Chapter 157 Refugee Livelihood Issues
After Lin Xi explained his ideas to Song Heng and the garrison commander Qian Zetao, the research institute's experimental group held a short meeting and urgently changed the layout within two days.
These researchers, who were so focused on their experiments, enjoyed material support even when the apocalypse broke out. They were unaware of the potential dangers outside and simply followed orders.
Over the next two nights, they quietly tidied up the empty rooms in the laboratory building. Now that all projects except for the zombie virus research had been stopped, there were many laboratories available.
They then moved their belongings from their original dormitory building into the laboratory, and will remain there unless there are special circumstances.
What Lin Xi had to do was to completely isolate the experimental building from the refugees outside.
The researchers didn't understand these things, but the garrison commander, Qian Zetao, had a certain foresight and knew that the refugee riots that Lin Xi was worried about were very likely to happen.
But they are soldiers, and they have an innate protective instinct towards refugees, so they can't simply abandon them.
Qian Zetao moved half of the garrison and weapons into the laboratory to reduce the protection area, while leaving a portion to guard the key checkpoints of the entire research institute and be ready to deal with disputes on the refugee side at any time.
Hundreds of refugees are crammed into other buildings of the research institute, and have already had several disputes over stealing food.
Because of the presence of native researchers and garrison troops, victims often come to report and complain. However, when the complaints are investigated, the people who stole the supplies simply say that the supplies have already been eaten, with a shameless attitude of "what can you do to me?"
In peacetime, stealing a bag of biscuits usually only results in a verbal reprimand.
There are no real law enforcement officers now, and with food shortages, even a pack of biscuits is worth far more than usual. If this problem is not solved and allowed to continue, it will only exacerbate this chaos.
Lin Xi then convened a short meeting through Song Heng to explain the situation outside.
The research project has made no progress in a month. Everyone is trapped in the lab in a high-pressure and boring environment. Being pulled out to hold a meeting for the refugees outside has different feelings.
Some people are indifferent: "We've already moved into the lab building, so let them make a fuss, we can just ignore them, right?"
One impatient person said, "It's so troublesome. I shouldn't have let so many people in to take refuge in the first place."
Some people even tried to intervene: "My family members live in that building. They asked if there was enough food in our lab building. Could we share some with them?"
As soon as these words were spoken, someone immediately interrupted: "Give them your share. My relatives aren't here, so don't skimp on mine."
Ms. Ding Yan, who was going through this ordeal, suddenly found herself surrounded by onlookers. As a lab worker, she shared her supplies with her family, which were far from enough to eat. Over the past month, she had become emaciated and listless. Although still a lab worker, her lethargic state left her feeling utterly ineffective and unable to contribute anything to the lab. No one said anything to her.
Some sympathizers said, "They really have no food left; some haven't eaten for three days. If we have a lot of food in stock, let's share some to help them out. We can't just watch them starve to death."
"We don't even know how much food we have stored, and who knows when the next supply will be issued? There's been no news from the relevant departments for a long time. Everyone should just take care of themselves..."
Listening to everyone's insights, Lin Xi realized that the people in the laboratory still had a very shallow understanding of the changes in human nature after the apocalypse, just like herself in her previous lives.
Seeing that she remained silent, Song Heng touched his bald spot, which had widened again, and asked wearily, "Xiao Lin, what do you think?"
Lin Xi was waiting for Song Heng's approval, and stood up as soon as he asked the question.
Everyone was used to the young junior's management skills, and they all quieted down when she stood up.
Lin Xi: "We don't have much supplies left. I've roughly calculated that it can last until the end of August. But this only applies to the laboratory and the garrison. There are about four hundred people outside who don't have the status to provide supplies. Even if everyone agrees to provide supplies, it won't fill the gap."
"What can we do? I heard it's getting really hard to find supplies outside. We've gone out to look for supplies several times but haven't come back with any results. Are we just going to let them die if we don't provide them with support?"
"Haven't you heard? Giving us supplies won't fill the gap. We might as well save them for ourselves."
Lin Xi glanced at the person who said those words, and everyone's eyes followed. The person, thinking he was about to be reprimanded, silently lowered his head.
Unexpectedly, Lin Xi said, "These supplies are not meant for us. They were originally intended for our lab. Our food is not something they saved for us."
This is a matter of sovereignty. The research institute took in the refugees and provided them with accommodation. The research institute is not currently a refuge and has neither the obligation nor the capacity to care for so many refugees.
Hearing her say that, the man breathed a sigh of relief and said leisurely, "That's right, we have no obligation to take care of them."
Lin Xi coughed lightly: "But I suggest we take good care of her."
Under the complicated gazes of everyone, Lin Xi clicked on several video clips on the conference room's large screen.
Excerpt 1: Someone broke into someone else's residence in the middle of the night and secretly took away a few food-like items.
Scene 2: Several people got into a fight over two packets of instant noodles in the hallway.
"There are so many clips like this, I just want everyone to know their situation." These images were all collected and organized with the help of Xiang Xin, the little angel.
After watching the clip, someone said, "So what? They can only cause trouble over there; they can't steal from us."
"That's right. As you just said, our food sovereignty is in our own hands. We also have guards here with guns on our side. No matter what they do, they can't affect us."
Lin Xi clicked on the next clip; the footage was moving, clearly shot from outside a drone window. The image finally stopped on a window, from which voices could be heard:
A: "There are supplies in the laboratory building. I heard they can still have three meals a day now."
B: "Damn it, we eat only once every three days, why do those people get to eat three meals a day?!"
A: "Isn't it all thanks to them that we can research vaccines? They are humanity's hope."
C: "Researching vaccines? Ha! It's been two months since we caught the zombies, have you heard anything about any research results?"
A: "How can we expect results so quickly? Look at AIDS and the like, it's been around for so many years, have we developed any effective vaccines?"
B: "If you ask me, it's impossible to develop a zombie vaccine. No matter how much time they have, they won't be able to."
C: "Exactly! If they can't develop a vaccine, those researchers are just like us—useless in the end! They don't deserve so many supplies! They should share the supplies with everyone."
The drone footage remained fixed on the closed window. The conversation inside was very quiet, but the difference in tone and timbre suggested it was a small group of people talking.
This footage was captured by Xiang Xin during a drone patrol.
After listening to this discussion, the people in the meeting room showed expressions of either indignation or helplessness.
Those who can get into the Nanhua Biological Research Institute are all top students with high academic qualifications. They were outstanding in all aspects when they were students, and they will always be respected by others when they enter the research institute. This is the first time they have faced such direct rejection.
Some might think, "What do they know? Scientific research is never something that can be accomplished overnight, especially against such a powerful zombie virus. How could they possibly achieve results in just two months?"
But precisely because of this, they are even more aware of how difficult this path is.
As they say, some viruses have remained unsolved for over a century.
They didn't know how long it would take to overcome the zombie virus, but regardless of hope, they could only persevere.
However, when faced with doubt and disdain, people inevitably feel angry and disappointed.
Lin Xi turned off the screen and said solemnly, "I'm not showing this to you to stir up your emotions. What I want to tell you is that without food, these refugees will not be able to hold on."
Someone asked, "But taking care of them isn't our research institute's responsibility."
Lin Xi shook her head: "It's indeed not our responsibility, but we're in the same area as them now."
"Just ignore them. We're in the lab building, protected by guards. No matter how much they cause trouble, it won't affect us. Do you think they'd dare steal anything from the research institute?"
In their view, research institutes hold a dominant position. These refugees belong to one category; they fight for what they want, but dare not try to take it from the research institutes.
Lin Xi stared at them intently.
Like her previous lives, many people think that as long as they live their own lives well, they don't need to care about others.
But in reality, it's hard to avoid being affected by the environment you live in. In the end, whoever has the resources becomes the target of everyone's attacks.
There are precedents like the dog food factory and the Changsheng factory, where those who were originally in high positions lost their corresponding social status in the apocalypse, and others could succeed in overthrowing them by force or by sheer numbers.
More than 400 refugees, though they seem divided now, who knows what they might do when faced with food problems.
Lin Xi: "They can't survive without food. At that point, who will care about the research institute or who's in charge? Life comes first. All these status and sovereignty are meaningless."
She dissected the situation step by step: "Now some people are saying that research institutes are useless. In some people's eyes, if we can't develop a vaccine, we are just like them, refugees, and have the same significance to humanity as a whole. They think this way to justify their scramble for resources."
Cheng Ling: "But there are guards in the laboratory building, so they can't make a scene."
Lin Xi: "The garrison's duty is to attack zombies and protect the laboratory. These people come asking for food, as long as they don't vandalize the laboratory. Without food, they can't survive anyway, and they might very well band together to plunder the laboratory's supplies. Would the garrison shoot at them for that?"
Lin Xi thought it wouldn't happen.
Moreover, no one can predict how the other members of their kind will react after a shot is fired at someone who is starving and wants to steal food and instigate a riot.
Were they intimidated or enraged?
She continued her analysis: "Even if we can suppress them, what if these people feel resentful because they don't get any food, and they risk their lives to drag us down with them?"
Someone pointed out, "They can't even get into the lab building..."
Lin Xi: "We don't need to go into the laboratory building, smash the doors, break down the research institute's defenses, or make a big commotion to attract zombies. Can our small place hold out?"
Some people didn't believe it: "What you're saying is too exaggerated. Who would do that?"
Lin Xi: "They're about to die, of course we have to take a gamble. If they don't survive, they might hold a grudge against us for starving to death and drag us down with them."
Cheng Ling, however, was more in favor: "I agree that in extreme situations, many people develop a desire to retaliate against society."
Song Heng, who was looking distressed, finally spoke up: "Xiao Lin, you always manage to analyze these situations in advance, whether it's about zombies or people. It's like you know the apocalypse very well."
Lin Xi gave a helpless, bitter smile.
Song Heng added, "So these things are up to you. I didn't call everyone here just to vent your feelings. Just tell me what you want to do."
Lin Xi sighed again, who said that Song Heng only knew how to study things and lacked emotional intelligence? He was too good at subtly shifting blame and manipulating his subordinates to get things done.
The mess that was managing the research institute was simply dumped on her by an intern.
But she is indeed more experienced than others. With her current abilities and knowledge, she can't really help much in the lab; she can only put in some effort in this particular matter.
Lin Xi looked at the group of senior brothers and sisters: "My idea is that we need to nip this in the bud before their emotions explode, they turn on each other, or they unite to riot. The only way to do this is to provide supplies. The supplies belong to everyone, and I have no right to make decisions alone, so it depends on everyone's opinion."
The question has come full circle, and before anyone could ask, Lin Xi explained directly:
“I’m not talking about directly distributing supplies. Giving them directly makes it hard for people to appreciate them; they will still take it for granted.”
"There aren't many people with such ideas yet; most people are quite honest. We need to first clarify our stance: we won't stand idly by and will offer some assistance. Make it clear that we are the main people here and will provide help. Most people will be grateful."
"Then supplies can't be given out for nothing. We need to assign them some work, whether it's useful for survival or not. The important thing is to let everyone get a little food reward based on their labor, so that they won't have any other ideas. The amount of food reward should be controlled, not too much, but enough to ensure they don't starve to death."
"This method maintains control over food while being acceptable to the majority of people, thus eliminating the opportunity for a few who want to gain without effort or cause trouble to incite everyone to unite."
The meeting room fell into deep thought; some nodded, while others questioned.
But no one objected, because Lin Xi was right. They had no obligation to take care of those four hundred people, but they couldn't afford to risk a riot by those four hundred people if they didn't.
After waiting a few minutes and no one raised any objections, Lin Xi continued, "In this case, everyone will have to be careful with their food rations, and there may only be one full meal a day."
Lin Xi didn't forget to offer a glimmer of hope: "Just hold on until the underground city base opens and the relevant departments come to provide support."
The meeting agenda was approved by a majority vote.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
