Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person - Chapter 311 - 260: Dunbar’s Number
“The prisoner confessed that the Cyan Dragon Corps won’t send someone to investigate the situation of the Grain Collection Team until at least tomorrow. We still have some time to prepare, so let’s set off in the evening when it’s better to act under the cover of darkness!”
Zhang Su made the decision.
Everyone nodded. Compared to acting hastily, spending some time preparing and resting made them feel more confident!
“Alright, let’s plan tonight’s operation in detail now!”
Then, the group began to formulate a detailed plan for the upcoming blitzkrieg. To better understand the situation of the Cyan Dragon Corps, Zhang Su specifically brought the cooperative prisoner Xin Qi to the restaurant to explain the layout of the Cyan Dragon Corps headquarters to everyone.
Initially, Xin Qi answered all questions without knowing what the people of Celestial Horse Island intended to do. But as the discussion deepened, he suddenly realized that this group was about to pull off something big!
“You, you guys… You’re planning to attack the Corps headquarters?”
For convenience, Xin Qi’s hands were untied, and he was tied to a chair. At this moment, he was clutching both sides of his head in disbelief, looking at everyone.
Zhang Su looked calmly at Xin Qi: “What’s the matter? Planning to fool us with false information?”
“No, no, no, I don’t mean that. I just think you’re really brave. The camp’s defenses might not be impenetrable, but it’s tough to break in, especially with so few people. It’s really challenging, so be careful.”
Xin Qi’s expression was exaggerated, feeling that this world was too crazy.
“You don’t need to worry about our affairs. Just answer our questions. We’re giving you a chance to redeem yourself, so don’t fail to appreciate it. If there are logical inconsistencies, you can wait to die.”
Zhang Su threatened with a hint of interest: “Here’s something I’m curious about: you’re supposedly part of the Cyan Dragon Corps combat department, yet you seem to not care much about the Cyan Dragon Corps?”
Xin Qi smiled awkwardly and said, “Well, how should I put it? I don’t have a strong sense of belonging to the Cyan Dragon Corps. It’s more fitting to say I’m a mercenary rather than part of the combat department…”
According to Xin Qi, the Cyan Dragon Corps treats non-core members with a policy that inevitably weakens the cohesion of peripheral personnel, not to mention a sense of belonging.
Zhang Su was extremely pleased with this news because he intended to conquer sixty percent of the Cyan Dragon Corps’ members, which was very advantageous for him. So he quickly asked: “According to your perspective, are the scientific and logistics departments also disconnected from the core departments?”
“It’s not so severe as being disconnected; they just care more about their own interests. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be people specifically coming down to gather information and divide factions.”
Xin Qi shrugged, showing a helpless expression.
“Hey, so do you think our Celestial Horse Island compares how to the Cyan Dragon Corps?”
Zheng Xinyu crossed her arms and asked.
Xin Qi thought seriously and said, “You see, you guys are like a big family. The atmosphere is much better than the Cyan Dragon Corps, which feels more like a bunch of unfamiliar people gathered to complete tasks. There’s lots of maneuvering between different groups, and it’s exhausting.”
Zhang Su nodded seriously, believing that the harmonious coexistence on Celestial Horse Island owed a lot to having a strong leader, but also to the issue of population size. Once the population level reached that of the Cyan Dragon Corps, it would inevitably trigger various issues.
“Dunbar’s number.”
Yuwen, sitting in a corner, pushed his glasses and mentioned a term that confused everyone.
“Teacher Yu, what number?”
Zhang Su asked in surprise.
“Dunbar’s number, also known as the 150 rule, can be roughly understood as the number of stable social network individuals human intellect can manage, is a hundred and fifty people, with individual differences but not by much. This theory’s proposer is Robin Dunbar, hence named Dunbar’s number.”
“Researchers have applied Dunbar’s number to studies in economics and military groups, discovering that cooperation efficiency decreases in groups that exceed this number. If the number of people is too much, effective communication becomes impossible. So, we currently have quite a bit of room before efficiency drops.”
Zhang Su looked peculiarly at Yuwen, amazed to learn social psychology in the apocalypse, chuckling: “Our Celestial Horse Island population just surpassed forty people, indeed far from one hundred fifty. Then, Teacher Yu, is there an explanation for how to avoid efficiency drops in groups exceeding Dunbar’s number?”
“Of course there is, which involves creating fiction. Um… we should find another time to discuss this slowly.”
Yuwen stopped abruptly when he was speaking passionately, casting a meaningful look at Zhang Su.
Zhang Su instantly understood Yuwen’s insinuation that some things, or certain management methods, are not to be disclosed!
“Alright, let’s stop derailing. Let’s continue discussing the issue of attacking the Cyan Dragon Corps. Come, Xin Qi, start by explaining the patrol times and external sentry posts of the Cyan Dragon Corps you know…”
This battle is extremely crucial; from dusk until dawn, three plans are set to deal with different situations.
Clearly, the confrontation with the Cyan Dragon Corps is exceptional. Even Corgi Good Fortune cannot stay out of this, and her speed will be used for bomb placement, a very important task.
“Old Wang, take care, the logistics chores are up to your people in United Village. We’re going to rest for a bit!”
The fighting personnel were finalized, with only Wang Xingui from United Village traveling with them, while Wang Longzhong stayed on Celestial Horse Island.
“Don’t worry, Boss Zhang, we’ve got plenty of muscle. Leave it to us and take a good rest!”
Wang Longzhong agreed earnestly. Now that their United Village had thoroughly integrated into Celestial Horse Island, they were inextricably linked in fortune and disaster, making them naturally active in their responsibilities.
After the meeting, people gradually left the restaurant, and those who had time to rest did so promptly.
“You must be tired. Go get some sleep. Leave things to us!”
Zheng Xinyu said with concern.
“Yeah, you’re the backbone for so many of us now. If you’re not in good shape, that’s not okay. Go take a nap; we’ll handle the trivial matters!”
Zhong Xiaoshan said.
Both she and Zheng Xinyu would accompany the journey to Cyan Dragon Corps, but they obviously had fewer issues to think about than Zhang Su and bore less pressure, so they didn’t feel exhausted.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got a sense of things. Let’s go…”
“Mr. Zhang, has the situation been resolved?”
As soon as Zhang Su stepped out of the restaurant, he saw Fu Weijun sitting in a wheelchair waiting in the courtyard, his half-long hair quite messy. Duan Wuhu, who had attended the meeting with them previously, stood by his side.
“It’s safe for now. By the way, the Survivor Alliance folks heard the explosion and came over, led by someone named Gong Chengming!”
Zhang Su walked into the courtyard, lit a cigarette, and indicated for Zheng Xinyu and Zhong Xiaoshan to head back first.
“Director Gong?”
Duan Wuhu was immediately surprised: “Are you sure Gong Chengming led the team out?”
“Yes, that’s right.” Zhang Su nodded, puzzled, “What’s up?”
“Damn, this is serious. Gong Chengming is the second-in-command in the Survivor Alliance, just below Liao Youzhi in status. To be honest, in some ways, his words carry more weight than Liao Youzhi’s. For him to come in person…”
“Well, that proves you two are important to the alliance, haha.”
Zhang Su nonchalantly laughed it off. After their brief encounter earlier, he was confident that the Survivor Alliance wouldn’t cause trouble for the time being.
“As a defector, I’ve got no such pull. Jun, it’s you who has the sway!”
Duan Wuhu patted Fu Weijun on the shoulder.
Fu Weijun shook his head with a bitter smile: “There’s no pull involved. Liao Youzhi hopes I can save his son, which is clearly an impossible task. From a biological standpoint, his son is no longer human; most of his cells have been replaced by the Zombie Robot, how could it be reversed.”
“Brother Zhang, did Gong Chengming say anything?”
Duan Wuhu was more concerned about the immediate matters.
“He inquired about your whereabouts, and I gave him the usual story, then they left. Oh, that Zhang Xin who came looking for you earlier was also there, with about twenty people in total!”
“It’s okay as long as everything’s fine…” Duan Wuhu nodded with lingering fear, then continued, “If there’s no gain from this trip, this matter might just be shelved. Brother Zhang, I’m sorry for the trouble.”
Zhang Su smiled, waving it off; trouble comes with benefits. Having accepted Fu Weijun’s scientific support, the consequences must also be borne.
“About that!” Fu Weijun’s mind wasn’t on the inquisitors from the Survivor Alliance at all; his expression filled with excitement as he pointed toward the parking lot, “Mr. Zhang, I heard from Old Duan earlier that the Cyan Dragon Corps brought a modified zombie, is it that big zombie lying in the parking lot?”
Zhang Su nodded subtly, indeed, the only thing that could make Fu Weijun wait so coolly here was the zombie…
“Dr. Fu, the Cyan Dragon Corps calls it 003. It has extremely destructive power and needs to be controlled with electric currents. I think this modified zombie is very dangerous, and if you want to study it… someone will need to assist you.”
“Sure, that’s not a problem at all. You make the arrangements, and I’ll comply!” Fu Weijun lowered his stance completely for the sake of research.
“That’s not the issue…” Zhang Su suddenly felt that Fu Weijun’s emotional intelligence was a bit lacking, though that was understandable—presumably, it all went to his intellect. He pointed to the busy crowd: “We need to focus on dealing with the current matters right now; there’s no one available to assist you with research, and… we’re preparing to head to the Cyan Dragon Corps, and we’ll have to bring 003 along!”
“That… will 003 be able to return?”
Fu Weijun nervously gripped the handles of his wheelchair, his expression akin to a lover at the train station asking, “Will you come back?”
“All I can say is, we’ll do our best… By the way, there’s something I need you to help with. We urgently need to produce some bulletproof materials during the day today, same as before; no need to sew, just cover the vital areas.”
Zhang Su gestured to Fu Weijun, indicating the size.
