Wasteland Survivalist: A Scientific Guide to Post-Apocalyptic Survival

The diesel fuel had been refueled, and Jiang Peng and his cousin went down from the flight deck to collect the wooden planks used for boarding.

Gu Lang pressed the switch on the hangar door, and the lifting door slowly descended.

He glanced at the fishing boat and vaguely saw Jiang Peng put his arm around his cousin as they walked into the cabin.

Back in the cockpit, Gu Lang pulled down the thruster control handle.

The speedboat smoothly withdrew from the convoy of fishing boats and quickly sailed away from the port side of the oil tanker.

After anchoring at a familiar outpost, Gu Lang checked the fuel gauge.

The pointer has reached 25,000 liters, leaving only 35% of the tank's maximum capacity of 35,000 liters.

Based on Jiang Peng's refining speed, it will be full in another day or two.

Even now, we have enough fuel to leave whenever we want.

Gu Lang did not let his guard down. He put on his headlamp, went to the fuel tank opening, and filled a can with diesel fuel.

I took it back to the cabin, poured it into a clear glass, and left it on the bridge for 20 minutes.

After the diesel sample had settled in the cup, he held the cup up to his headlamp for a careful examination.

The color is clear and light amber.

There was no oil-water separation at the bottom of the bottle, only a small amount of black sediment.

Judging from its appearance and smell, the oil is of good quality.

When gasoline is mixed with diesel, its viscosity decreases significantly, and it produces a pungent gasoline smell that won't fool a close inspection.

Gu Lang poured a few milliliters of diesel fuel from the cup into a glass dish.

I tried to light it directly with a lighter, but it failed.

Diesel fuel has a much higher flash point than gasoline, making it difficult to ignite directly with an open flame at room temperature.

This confirms that no gasoline was mixed into the diesel fuel.

He then tore off a small strip of cotton cloth, soaked it in diesel fuel, and lit the cloth with a lighter.

Once the cotton cloth is lit, the flame is stable and the color is a bright orange-yellow.

There were no crackling sounds or black smoke.

Gu Lang brought his nose close to smell the burning odor; it was the standard smell of burning diesel.

"It seems Jiang Peng hasn't tampered with the diesel fuel yet." Gu Lang breathed a sigh of relief.

Until a few hours ago, he had maintained a close cooperative relationship with Jiang Peng's gang.

The other party needs armed protection from speedboats and a "military background" to back them up.

They, in turn, need the other party's labor to quickly obtain diesel fuel.

Both sides got what they wanted, and they lived in peace.

But after Gu Lang rejected Jiang Peng's "enthusiastic invitation".

A clear rift has appeared in this relationship.

Next, Jiang Peng, having run into a wall, is very likely to resort to some underhanded tactics to sabotage himself.

The most direct and effective method is to add something to the diesel fuel.

The "ingredients" are readily available; just mix a certain proportion of gasoline into the diesel fuel.

Gasoline has an extremely low flash point. When mixed with diesel, it significantly reduces the anti-knock properties of the diesel, causing premature combustion of the fuel in the cylinder and resulting in knocking.

At best, it can cause piston ring breakage and connecting rod bending; at worst, it can directly penetrate the cylinder block.

In addition, water can be added to diesel fuel to achieve a similar effect.

Water can interfere with the normal combustion of diesel fuel, leading to insufficient engine power, difficulty starting, and eventually complete engine shutdown.

Once the engine breaks down, Jiang Peng will have the opportunity to bring his group of "relatives and friends".

They boarded the speedboat under the pretext of helping with repairs and entered the engine room.

In a confined space, it is possible to subdue or even kill oneself and seize control of the speedboat.

Gu Lang carefully put the glass away and set a new principle in his mind.

Next time you refuel, never insert the hose directly into the fuel tank opening again.

Jiang Peng's men were to first fill the diesel fuel into oil drums and hoist them onto the flight deck.

After he checked the quality of the oil, he personally filled the tank with it.

Of course, there is also the worst-case scenario—the other party delays or even refuses to provide diesel fuel.

Jiang Peng's team has now completely taken control of the tanker, and both sides are well aware that they cannot launch a forceful attack due to fear of unforeseen consequences.

With that thought in mind, Gu Lang put down his headlamp and returned to the hangar.

The two canvas bags were still lying on the floor inside the sliding door; they were brought by Jiang Peng's "cousin" earlier.

Gu Lang squatted down and unzipped the first canvas bag.

At first glance, it appears to be filled with food and drinks, all mixed together in a colorful mix.

The number of individual items is small, but the variety is extremely rich.

He dumped everything onto the deck and began arranging it.

After finishing, Gu Lang gasped and began to curse angrily.

"Translate this: what do you mean by 'fucking surprise'?!"

All of the things Jiang Peng gave him could be considered addictive.

Based on addiction efficiency, it can be divided into four levels.

The first tier is fairly ordinary, consisting mainly of refined foods like cola, cakes, instant noodles, and sausages.

These can be considered mildly addictive substances, as sugar and carbohydrates can also produce a little dopamine.

Second-degree moderate addictive substances are also common, such as coffee, tea, and energy drinks.

The caffeine and taurine it contains can refresh the mind and may cause some dependence.

The third category is already considered heavily addictive, including e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverages.

Alcohol and nicotine are the most common anesthetics, but given his constitution, he was not able to handle them.

Gu Lang had previously collected some tobacco and alcohol, most of which had already been traded away as hard currency.

He sorted the supplies and put them into the storage box, glancing at the last remaining portion with a complicated expression.

They are quite formidable, each possessing unique skills.

He classified it as a fourth-tier "Indian" addictive substance.

It includes a packet of betel nuts, a white cardboard box, and a packet of green grass.

Needless to say, betel nut is a Group 1 carcinogen, and its harm is systemic, not limited to the oral cavity.

Arecoline in betel nut is neurotoxic and can stimulate the central nervous system, producing a feeling of euphoria.

Once addicted, it is difficult to quit. Once you stop taking it, you will experience symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

Gu Lang opened the white cardboard box again, inside which was a row of silver metal gas cylinders, and a few children's balloons were thoughtfully placed inside.

Each gas cylinder was very small and had no markings on it.

But he was 100% certain that it contained nitrous oxide.

Its proper uses are as a cream foaming agent and beverage aerating agent in the food industry.

In the medical field, it is also used as an inhaled general anesthetic and analgesic.

But it has another more well-known name – laughing gas.

Inhalation produces a brief feeling of euphoria and hallucinations, and it was once very popular among young people, especially overseas students.

Long-term use can irreversibly damage the nervous system and interfere with the metabolism of vitamin B12.

It can cause numbness in the limbs, difficulty walking, and in severe cases, even lifelong paralysis.

Because of its widespread use in production and daily life, nitrous oxide is not listed as a controlled substance.

It is classified as a hazardous chemical, which has led to its widespread misuse.

Human beings have so many strange quirks and preferences that it's impossible to manage them all.

If we simply ban it, the chemical industry will never be able to develop.

Gu Lang himself encountered many people during his wanderings.

Some people inhale medicated oil, some inhale gasoline, some inhale paint, and some even like to inhale exhaust fumes.