Wasteland Border Inspector

Chapter 186 Population Ratio: A Dilemma of Choice!
On-site, practical assessment?

What should have been a one-day assessment was stretched to three whole days before a winner was decided.

Cheng Ye raised his eyes discreetly, observing the reactions of the Western inspectors opposite him, paying particular attention to Garcia, who had participated in a contract-based assessment once.

Sure enough, the Westerners' expressions varied: some were solemn, some were joyful, and some were bewildered.

When it came to Garcia, despite his best efforts to restrain himself, the twitching at the corner of his mouth and the flickering in his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil.

The rules for the first and second batches of assessments have clearly changed.

Whether it's the overt or covert hints between prosecutors, or the elimination of a group of people, the levels of information they originally possessed were different, so there was no question of absolute fairness.

But now the rules have changed drastically, and everyone is back on the same starting line, facing entirely new challenges.

"A team of 500 people is deployed simultaneously to designated work sites to begin construction."

"What a great gesture!"

Cheng Ye clicked his tongue in amazement, marveling at the sheer amount of investment the checkpoint had made in this round of assessments.

Thirty-two groups, sixteen thousand people, were formed to test the prosecutors' abilities.

Compared to the first batch, which focused on settling people as quickly as possible, the second batch took a different approach, no longer prioritizing speed of resettlement but instead emphasizing the actual construction of satellite cities.

Cheng Ye couldn't help but guess that the current change was partly due to the dissipation of the fog. The biggest threat shrouding Shi Province had disappeared, naturally freeing up space for more detailed assessments.

On the other hand, the rain line is about to shift, the rainy season in Happiness City is about to end, and the real autumn construction is imminent, so it is natural to set up a battle plan in advance and completely ignite the competitive momentum.

Of course, there is another crucial reason.

The 25 inspectors selected may have already been part of the checkpoint's plan. The assessment was just a formality; the goal was simply to set up the framework and send out the personnel, without any rigorous testing.

The second round of testing will truly determine the prosecutors' capabilities and select the most suitable personnel.

However, a problem arises: even if the six towns, such as Xipo Town, Tantou Town, and Dabo Town, are divided into two groups, it may be difficult for them to spread out their operations and each occupy one side for development.

More importantly, if one group is eliminated, what should be done with the mess left behind during the assessment?

We can't just throw away all the materials, supplies, and everything that was built in three days; that would be too wasteful.

In places like Hexi Town and Wanzi Town, which are not large in area, having four groups crammed together to compete and two thousand people crowding into construction will likely result in a huge waste of materials and resources.

These questions flashed through Cheng Ye's mind, but he remained calm and continued flipping through the documents.

He didn't believe that the checkpoint, which set such performance targets, wouldn't have considered these crucial details.

The answer to the question must be hidden in the detailed assessment rules later on.

Skipping over a long description of the on-site assessment categories, Cheng Ye went straight to the second half of the document.

After reading carefully, he quickly found the answer he was looking for.

[Based on the extraction of topographic maps of 12 satellite city locations by the supercomputing system and the analysis of preliminary questionnaires submitted by the inspectors, the estimation of various assessment tasks has been completed.]

During the assessment period, inspectors are only permitted to lead teams within designated areas; all other forms of activity are prohibited. Any unauthorized movement is strictly forbidden, and violators will be immediately eliminated. All activities must be strictly carried out in accordance with the mission objectives; the means of execution are not restricted.

[Inspectors within the team can choose their own assessment tasks and select external teams. Assessment tasks will be determined randomly. Once the assessment tasks are determined, all assessment teams must complete them within the specified time, and scores will be calculated based on the progress made.]

[Example: If the standard task of "clearing ruins" is selected, the supercomputing system will delineate the work area based on the actual geographical conditions and ruins distribution of the satellite city, ensuring that the workload of each team is completely equal. After the task starts, all participating teams must carry out the clearing operation simultaneously. The final clearing effect will be calculated comprehensively based on the completion rate, compliance, and efficiency of the ruins clearing, and this will be used as the basis for the score.]

Resources redeemed using initial points are for the sole purpose of satellite city development and construction, and must not be taken out of the assessment area. Waste is strictly prohibited. If malicious waste is verified, a corresponding amount will be deducted from the personal assets of the involved inspector as compensation.

"So it turns out that you can't just do whatever you want, but instead compete in real-time for the assessment tasks you've been assigned?"

Cheng Ye pondered to himself.

With these restrictions in place, the initial assessment criteria become easier to understand.

The core indicator is the completion of basic campsite setup. These four elements are crucial to the scoring, and although the percentage of the total score is not explicitly stated, they must account for at least 50%.

Throughout the process, the supercomputer must also complete tasks of varying sizes.

Since it is a supercomputer arrangement, there will certainly be no waste of human and material resources.

In this way, even if some competing teams are eliminated, it is equivalent to helping the remaining teams complete the preliminary cleanup and infrastructure work.

As for the minor, non-malicious material losses during the mission, Happiness City, with its size, can fully afford them.

“Not bad.” Cheng Ye secretly praised, “The assessment tasks are the same and the workload is equal, which can better show the inspector’s eye for people, the ability to command during the process, and can also take into account the initial points spent, the ability to appease people’s hearts, and a series of infrastructure-related abilities.”

Thinking of this, he turned to look at Wang Kang.

It seems that those three posters gave Wang Kang confidence, and he was indeed not flustered at this moment.

Looking further down, the prosecutors in the first two rows, who were in the third and fourth phases of their cases, were all frighteningly calm.

On the contrary, most of the people in Phase 1 and Phase 2 next to them looked unwell and could not hide their anxiety.

It's not surprising, since inspectors with three or more years of experience have all come from the era of great development and have experience leading people in construction. On-site practical assessments can actually give them an advantage.

The first and second phases were mostly promoted gradually after the end of the Great Development Era. Like the academics on the East Asian side, they could talk a good game, but when it came to practical application, they were often all talk and no action.

However, looking at the first and second phases of the Western team, their performance wasn't much better.

After all, they were leading not just one or two hundred people, but five hundred at the very least. Even with partners to help them, it was a situation they had never experienced before, so it was inevitable that they would be in a state of confusion.

"Brother Cheng, this is our advantage."

Noticing Cheng Ye looking at him, Wang Kang turned his head and lowered his voice, unable to hide his excitement, "When the community was being built some time ago, I dealt with at least seven or eight hundred people every day, so dealing with five hundred people won't be a problem at all."

This is where the advantages of the idealist approach become apparent.

Cheng Ye nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

Although the migrants outside are not as obedient as the people in Tianyuan Community, the two have different means at their disposal and can manage them more strictly.

But as soon as the idea came to mind, a new problem arose.

If it's simply a matter of competition, the disadvantage of choosing a family will be very obvious; once faced with heavy physical labor, they'll almost certainly be out of commission.

After all, children are also considered human beings, and it's far more direct to choose five hundred able-bodied men.

Could it be that the so-called initial score is not fixed, but determined by the profile of the selected population?

Otherwise, each satellite city would be vying for young and able-bodied men, so it would be better to simply assign the same population to each group.

Since the construction was led by the team, and the core purpose of the satellite city was to accommodate displaced people, the elderly, weak, sick and disabled should be compensated. Otherwise, no satellite city would be willing to accept such people.

After a while.

Most of the prosecutors in the room had finished reading the documents and were whispering among themselves, tilting their heads.

Ding Yishan coughed, and Harlin immediately understood, standing up to maintain order: "Silence!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.

"The standards for the practical assessment have been clearly explained to everyone. Now we will officially begin the assessment process."

Harlem's voice carried throughout the venue through the microphone.

"The checkpoint has completed the preliminary preparations for all inspectors, identifying 20,000 potential migrants. All migrants are participating voluntarily in this assessment; inspectors only need to enter the designated area to screen individuals. Remuneration will be paid by the checkpoint after the assessment." "The portraits of the migrants are now being publicized. Single young adults comprise 30% of the total, or 6000 individuals."

Wow.

Before Harlin could finish speaking, the prosecutors in the audience couldn't help but gasp in amazement.

Six thousand able-bodied men?

The group was divided into 32 groups, with an average of only 187 people per group, which is far from the target of 500 people.

If any group can attract more young and middle-aged people, their advantage will be immeasurable.

Harlin had clearly anticipated this reaction, and instead of stopping them immediately, he allowed the crowd to discuss for a minute before raising his hand to signal for quiet.

After the room quieted down, he continued, “Besides young adults, couples without children make up 15%, totaling 3000 people; families with children make up 30%, totaling 6000 people; and families with both children and elderly members make up 25%, totaling 5000 people.”

Another uproar erupted.

As the detailed composition of the personnel was released, the actual situation differed more and more from everyone's initial expectations.

"Didn't the first round of assessments say that we could select only young and middle-aged people?" Rokuk turned to look at Garcia.

“You said it yourself, that was the first round.” Garcia looked stunned. “Maybe the first batch of 12 satellite cities were unwilling to accept these people, so they forced us to pass the assessment to accept them?”

No one knows the answer, but one thing is certain: each assessment team must make a decision.

The key to making this choice clearly lies within these demographic data.

"The initial points distribution rules are now announced: 1 point for each person who chooses young adults; 1.5 points for each person who chooses a childless couple; 2.5 points for each person who chooses a family with children; and 3 points for each person who chooses a family with both children and elderly members."

After the scores were announced, the room fell silent instantly.

Everyone fell silent, instead rapidly calculating the gap in points.

The points gap between young adults and families with children and elderly is a full three times, which is truly outrageous.

In terms of the overall situation in the wasteland, a family with this kind of configuration, with the middle couple, usually has enough labor to be counted as 1.2 young adults.

Children can be counted at most as 0.2, while the elderly are estimated at 0.4.

Based on one child and one elderly person, the total labor force for such a family of four is 3.

Compared to young adults, the labor cost is 2 points lower, but you can get three times the points in return, which is definitely a worthwhile deal.

However, it is clear that the extremely simple situation of one child and one elderly person will not appear in this assessment.

Ding Yishan seemed quite satisfied with the prosecutor's reaction, and even took the microphone and said:
"All families with children have two children, one boy and one girl."

"Families with children and elderly members typically consist of three children, two elderly members, two men, and one woman."

"For the second batch of satellite cities, what I need you to show me and Xingfu City is inclusiveness, wisdom, and the ability to find development in adversity."

"Ask yourselves honestly, if you were just leading a group of young and strong people to carry out construction, would you need inspectors like you?"

"What I want to see is your confidence and courage to select these families and make up for your labor disadvantage with your abilities. Whoever has the ability will be assigned the second batch of contracted tasks. If you're scared now, you can submit an application to withdraw from the competition and leave!"

The resounding words fell silent.

The group continued to calculate in their minds:

For couples without children, the woman is counted as 0.7 laborers. Compared to two able-bodied men, the difference is 15%, but she can get an extra 50% of the points.

A family with two children has a total labor force of 2.4, compared to four young adults, a labor force gap of 40%, but can earn 150% more points.

A family of seven with three children and two elderly members has a total labor force of 3.8, compared to seven young adults, representing a 45% labor force gap, yet they can earn 300% more points.

The data shows that choosing a childless couple is far more cost-effective than choosing a young adult.

Further down the line, if you want to take a gamble, choose a family with children and elderly members. The labor force difference is only 5%, but you can get double the points.

However, can reality truly match the calculated numbers perfectly?
Managing five hundred young adults is on a completely different level than managing seventy families.

These families that can still maintain three generations living together today are either people with extremely strong risk resistance or groups with maximum self-reliance.

It might be fine to guide them through the construction process gradually, but the key point is that this assessment is a competition between the groups.

What if these families are unwilling to undertake heavy labor tasks or dangerous work?
Faced with numerous practical problems, even Cheng Ye couldn't help but start to think seriously.

Determining personnel allocation without knowing what points can be purchased is indeed a difficult problem.

But as Ding Yishan said, he wants to see prosecutors have the confidence and courage to select these families.

If people know in advance what they can redeem with points, their choices will become purely based on self-interest, which would defeat the original purpose of building satellite cities and evaluating inspectors.

"Brother Cheng, how should we choose?"

Seeing that the other inspectors had started discussing, Wang Kang turned around and asked.

"Let's not rush to make a decision. We need to go out and see those who volunteered for the assessment, and understand their qualities before making a decision."

As Cheng Ye spoke, his fingers flipped through the documents in front of him, his gaze falling once again on the first page.

Of the four elements of the core indicators, only the fourth element, information entry, does not require supplies. The others, whether it is a residence, sentry post, or supply point, all require a certain amount of supplies to meet consumption needs.

The information below specifically states that the assessment will provide initial points that can be used to redeem supplies.

It seems to be telling everyone that initial points can be exchanged for resources to complete the objective, but in reality, it hides a huge trap.

How many points are enough?
Could we be eliminated if we select too many young adults, resulting in insufficient points to purchase basic materials?

In addition, practicality, efficiency, and innovation account for 80% of the scoring criteria, and all three require sufficient resources to achieve a high score.

Even the most skillful cook cannot cook without rice; without resources, no matter how ingenious the construction plan, it is impossible to catch up with competitors who have abundant resources.

Conversely, if people focus solely on exchanging resources for points, leading to a labor shortage, not only will completing the assessment tasks be difficult, but even setting up temporary shelters, sentry posts, and supply points could become problematic.

Therefore, the difficulty in selecting personnel lies not only in studying the proportion of the population, but also in having the eye to choose the right people.

A reasonable population ratio may compensate for a lack of insight and experience.

Conversely, if one has a keen eye and the methods are convincing enough, even with extreme proportions, one can still guarantee the final score.

The so-called optimal solution truly tests the prosecutor's personal abilities, and there is no fixed answer.

"Has anyone abstained?"

Ding Yishan asked again, and seeing that no one raised their hand, he immediately waved his hand.

"Alright, you have half an hour left to think it over. We'll be leaving promptly at 2:30!"

"Each group has four hours to select participants, and after that, they also have four hours to determine which supplies to redeem with points."

"The selected personnel will be escorted by the Legion to the satellite city by bus at seven o'clock tomorrow morning."

"Supplies will be delivered to designated locations in the early morning to ensure that supplies arrive as soon as people are there!"

(End of this chapter)