Chapter 282: Zombie Power Project

"Come on, come on, lock it up first!"

Zhang Su gestured for someone to attach the iron chain to Zero-03's collar, then said: "Stone-skin zombies are most affected by low temperatures, regular zombies less so—yet this modified thing shows zero effect?"

"I guess… I think the stone-skin zombies' skin has increased vitality and hardness, which restricts joint movement, so they're hit hardest; regular zombies don't have this issue, so they're actually stronger. As for why the modified zombie isn't affected, maybe the intensity isn't enough to reach the critical threshold—I really want to dissect and study it."

Fu Weijun watched Zero-03 with keen interest.

"Hmm…"

Zhang Su rolled his eyes and quickly added: "We can't dissect Zero-03 yet! Uh, Xiao Wang, turn on the power—don't let it wake up again. By the way, does this vehicle need to keep running all the time?"

"Absolutely," Wang Xin said while operating the controls. "If we shut it off, the battery won't last long. Done."

He switched on the power connected to the iron chain; a soft click followed, and current flowed steadily.

"We can't keep this vehicle idling forever—we can't afford the fuel. Fu Doctor, didn't you figure out the critical voltage to control Zero-03? Teacher Yu, tell Master Jia to modify the generator or solar panels or something—anything to cut the energy consumption."

Standing beside the cargo box, Zhang Su stared at the exhaust pipe spewing white smoke, pained by the fuel waste—even idling, it burned nearly two liters an hour. In the past, such consumption meant nothing, but now…

Zhang Su turned to look at Fu Weijun, seated in his wheelchair.

Fu Weijun thought for a moment, then nodded with a strangely expressive expression: "Actually… it might work."

Feeling the odd stares, Lu Yubo smiled awkwardly: "What? Why are you all looking at me?"

Lu Yubo listened, stunned, then clapped his hands repeatedly: "Holy shit, that's a brilliant idea! Strap the zombie to a track, hang a bloody pig's head in front—it'll run itself to death!"

"Uh…" Duan Wuhu scratched his head suddenly. "Zombies are like perpetual motion machines—they move just by soaking up sunlight. Could we study using zombies to generate electricity?"

Zhang Su rubbed his forehead, staring at Lu Yubo in frustration.

"Damn!" Zhang Su smirked. "Duan, next time anyone says PE teachers are strong in limbs but weak in brains, I'll punch them. Such a genius idea—and we never thought of it? Wait… I feel like I've seen this before…"

"Heh, I saw it in a silly zombie movie. Just popped into my head." Duan Wuhu didn't hide it—he spoke plainly.

"It's a good idea," Fu Weijun agreed wholeheartedly, then added: "Generating electricity is easy; storing it's the problem. We should stockpile extra batteries. This project's great—I think we can start today."

"Burn them? Zombies are pretty fire-resistant—better than coal," Lu Yubo joined in, his comment instantly silencing everyone.

As days passed, fuel reserves dwindled, and gathering fuel from outside became increasingly difficult—every drop must be saved.

"Burn? Burn your ass—you think this is a coal plant?"

The simple, quirky idea instantly drew several pairs of eyes.

"Yes, yes! It might seem absurd, but it's worth considering. Fu Doctor, do you think it's feasible?"

Duan Wuhu grinned: "Heh, Xiao Lu, we're not talking about coal power—we're talking bioenergy generation. Put zombies on a conveyor belt driving a generator—electricity's free."

*Shhh.

"Alright, Duan, since you came up with it, you lead it. Talk to Master Jia for the generator—he's an old electrician. Ask Teacher Yu if he can develop some energy storage. If you need help, speak up. If you solve the power problem, you get major credit—and everyone involved gets a reward!"

Zhang Su immediately approved and launched the Zombie Power Project.

"This is great—if zombies can really generate power, our future security…"

"Brother Su…"

Just then, Tan Huajun, wearing an apron, stepped out of the small Xingyun courtyard, looking frustrated: "The water's cut off!"

"Already?" Yu Wen's wrinkles twitched. "I thought it'd last longer…"

"Without heating, this reservoir won't resist freezing…"

Zhang Su froze, then hurried toward Xingyun, saying: "I used tap water when I woke up—now it's gone?"

"Just stopped. I saw the flow shrink to nothing," Tan Huajun said, flour still on her hands, pointing toward the kitchen. "Half the meal's ruined."

"Man, this is bullshit!"

Zhao Dezhu, also a cook, walked out of the kitchen holding a rolling pin, his face dusted with flour and annoyance.

"Send someone to check—did the pipes freeze, or did the reservoir freeze solid?"

Zhang Su looked toward the direction of the pipes and spotted Pang Dankun emerging from the woods—he waved urgently: "Thief, where've you been?"

"Uncle!" Pang Dankun rushed over, pointing uphill: "Brother Liu said the temperature dropped suddenly and warned us about the reservoir freezing—I went to check. Damn, it's frozen!"

Everyone exchanged glances.

"Wait… this Tianmayu Reservoir isn't huge, but it's not tiny either—froze this fast?"

Zhang Su had still held a sliver of hope.

"Not fully frozen—just a thin layer, about this thick," Pang Dankun said, gesturing with his fingers, looking helpless.

The pipes had only basic frost protection—they couldn't withstand minus twenty degrees Celsius. Unless we increase water flow—keep it running constantly—but that's unsustainable. If temperatures don't rise, freezing is inevitable. We must find another water source!

The pipes had only a basic freeze-proof layer and could not withstand temperatures below minus twenty degrees; unless the water flow was increased—that is, kept running continuously—but that was not a sustainable solution; as long as the temperature didn't rise, freezing was inevitable, and other methods for obtaining water had to be considered!

"Don't worry—we still have several tons of stored water. There's a deep well in Madian Village—forty to fifty meters deep, won't freeze. We'll just haul water back from there."

Zhang Su shrugged. Temperature drops were beyond control. Just when we figured out power, water failed—but at least it's a hassle, not a total cutoff.

With temperatures plummeting and a major battle just ended, Zhang Su didn't send anyone out to clear the area—he kept everyone at camp to rest. Every household needed windows sealed and reinforced; heating alone wasn't enough. Many facilities also required better insulation.

The reclamation work in Madian Village halted due to lack of leadership. All members of the United Village threw themselves into Tianmayu's tasks, working diligently—even without reclamation, they maintained several key wells.

Several injured during the battle with the Qinglong Army's grain team had fully recovered. Yang Wenjie had put her clothes back on and stretched her limbs, her face filled with disbelief.

She'd thought her arm was permanently ruined—yet after taking some medicine, it healed at lightning speed, leaving her feeling like it was all a dream.

Yang Wenjie and Guo Dachao personally thanked Zhang Su and Fu Weijun, subtly probing for details about the medicine—but in the end, they learned nothing useful…

For this, Yang Wenjie and Guo Dachao specifically thanked Zhang Su and Fu Wei for their military service, subtly probing during the conversation to find out what they had eaten, but in the end, they learned nothing useful...

(End of Chapter)