"More than fifty years ago, Pingtan Shelter actually had several times as many residents as it does now—over four hundred thousand. But over the years, as industry gradually recovered and battles began breaking out periodically again, the population kept shrinking until it reached its current size."
"What about the other shelters? Did they have about as many people as Pingtan Shelter?"
"Some had more, some had fewer."
Liu Lu continued at a rapid pace.
"The largest and most populous is naturally Qinggang Shelter. Not only did they build a massive fortress underground, housing over two hundred thousand people, they also occupied and restored a large aboveground industrial zone in the north, bringing basic industrial production back online."
"I know what you want to say. The reason we don't trade with Qinggang Shelter isn't that they're unwilling. It's because the journey there is simply too dangerous."
"You mean...?"
Su Mo pondered.
"There are no friends in Qinggang City, only interests. You never know who's attacking you. It could be a Mutated Beast, a mutant, a Marauder, a wanderer, or even people from another shelter who came disguised after hearing the news."
"The Foundation has powerful armed forces and can deliver the goods listed in the order intact to the entrance of our shelter. Elsewhere—even at Qinggang Shelter—if you want to trade, you can only go to their entrance to collect the goods, while enduring whatever dangers you might encounter along the way."
"If you don't believe me, I can tell you how to get there. You can go and see the situation for yourself."
Liu Lu explained everything clearly, showing no intention of hiding anything.
Su Mo smiled but did not hurry to ask further.
More than two hundred thousand people, and an industrial zone that had already resumed production? That