Wasteland Survivalist: A Scientific Guide to Post-Apocalyptic Survival

Gu Lang connected his phone to his computer with a data cable and exported all the military magazines stored on it.

The main ones were "Modern Military", "Ordnance Technology", and "Weaponry Knowledge", all of which were old magazines that had long since ceased publication.

These PDF scanned volumes are the last traces left to posterity by traditional print media.

After some searching, he found several long feature reports on the US military's forward base defense system.

It details real-world cases from the Afghan War and the Iraq War.

It also includes detailed floor plans and cross-sectional diagrams, making it a highly valuable reference.

A standard combat outpost is typically divided into several clearly defined defensive layers from the outside in.

The outermost layer is composed of explosion-proof wall modules as the main barrier, and the top is wrapped with snake-belly shaped barbed wire.

Guard posts or observation towers are set up between the walls, supplemented by cameras or infrared alarms.

The only access point is the entrance control point, which is the most important part of the entire base's defense.

The lane must be designed as an S-shaped forced deceleration curve, with heavy barriers on both sides of the entrance.

Preventing vehicle collisions or car bomb attacks.

Once inside the base, an additional blast wall will be built around important buildings as an internal defense line.

The camp is dotted with several concrete bunkers, specifically designed to defend against indirect fire from mortars or rockets.

The observation tower at the highest point provides an all-around view, integrates all early warning and monitoring information, and unifies command and defense.

Overall, it is an "industrialized" defense system designed to counter asymmetric threats.

Instead of pursuing the exquisite craftsmanship of Japanese mountain castles that blend seamlessly with nature, the emphasis is on speed, standardization, and replicability.

The core equipment of this system is the blast-proof wall, also known as the HESCO Bastion.

Blast walls are the most iconic defensive structures of modern military bases.

Essentially, it is a foldable galvanized steel wire mesh cage with a high-strength geotextile lining.

Once unfolded, it can be filled with local sand and gravel to quickly form a sturdy blast-proof wall.

It can effectively defend against attacks from small arms, rocket launchers, and mortars.

The double-layered explosion-proof wall can even withstand the impact of a 30-ton truck traveling at 80 kilometers per hour.

Compared to traditional sandbags made entirely by hand, blast walls have obvious advantages, as they can be used in conjunction with engineering machinery to achieve rapid filling.

It is highly efficient, has a long service life, provides stronger protection, and can be quickly repaired after damage.

Unfortunately, it's not easy to find such readily available equipment, but fortunately, the structure and principle are very simple, and it's not difficult to make it yourself.

After several hours of mental work, Gu Lang wrote down a rough three-phase construction plan on a draft paper.

The first phase of the project will address energy and material needs.

The most urgent task is to retrieve the seals and increase the power generation capacity of the hydroelectric generator set as soon as possible.

Along the way, they also collected various building materials and supplies needed for construction.

Next, the power supply to the communication base station and camp was restored, and the water storage system of the wooden cabins was cleaned and disinfected.

They tested and built their own explosion-proof wall, and erected a simple outpost at the location of the communication base station.

The second phase of the project addresses security and defense issues.

Improve the main gate and watchtowers, and install monitoring and alarm equipment on the outermost perimeter wall to enhance the base's security level.

A second line of defense was added behind the suspension bridge, and the first blast wall was built using the space of the parking lot.

The roadway was transformed into an S-shaped forced deceleration curve, and shooting watchtowers and bunkers were set up along the way.

A third explosion-proof wall was built around the dormitory building and the power plant to physically separate the living area from the production area.

Even if the first two lines of defense are breached, the dormitory building can still serve as a defensive stronghold to continue resisting.

This provided a defensive position for Gulang to attack the enemy from a high vantage point on the mountain.

The third phase of the project addresses long-term sustainable development.

Expand the camp's cabins to improve water collection and storage efficiency, and construct planting and breeding facilities.

Radio stations were erected on the base station towers, and wind turbines were installed.

After organizing these three phases of the plan, he copied them one by one onto the computer and created a PowerPoint presentation.

Then, at the end of the presentation, a table was added.

A list of building materials and consumables for each project has been compiled.

Steel frame structure: steel wire, steel mesh, reinforcing bars, I-beams, threaded steel, galvanized steel pipes...

Explosion-proof walls: canvas, geotextile, burlap sacks, woven bags...

Equipment: Vertical axis fans, boiler fans, photovoltaic panels, infrared light grating alarm fences, surveillance camera systems...

Finally, the required quantity, acquisition priority, and potential collection locations for each type of material were calculated.

After saving the file, Gu Lang closed the screen.

I walked to the window, rubbing my aching wrist, only to find that it was already completely dark outside.

Stepping out of the room, the lights were on in the tea room, where He Ping was preparing dinner.

A pot of water was boiling on the induction cooker, and a basket of fruits, vegetables and eggs was on the table, which looked like it had just been delivered from Bai Lang's place.

The two of them ate a meal of vegetable and egg noodles together. The tomatoes were grown in a nearby greenhouse; they weren't big, but they had a very sweet and sour flavor.

Gu Lang ate two bowls in a row, and after putting down his chopsticks, he praised He Ping's cooking skills.

He Ping adjusted his glasses, indicating that fresh ingredients make the food taste better.

After finishing the meal, Gu Lang brought out his laptop.

"Director He, could you please take a look at my project proposal?"

He Ping took the glasses and looked at them over and over again several times, finally taking off his glasses and rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"I have no objection to moving to the mountain campsite; the temporary prefabricated houses are right behind the gate."

If any berserkers or other enemies break through the suspension bridge, this place will be the first to be hit, and you won't be able to sleep soundly.

Moreover, this place is too close to Bai Lang and his group, and it's also blocking their way in and out.

Living under someone else's roof for a long time inevitably leads to misunderstandings, friction, and other conflicts.

I just went out to check the Lynx assault vehicle in the parking lot and found that Bai Lang had left someone there to watch us.

"It's normal for strangers to come to your home. Take a look and see if there are any problems with the planning."

"The materials needed for the explosion-proof wall are too difficult to obtain. I see there are many trees here."

You could consider cutting down trees to make stakes and driving them into the ground side by side.

Then fill it with sand and gravel, compacting it layer by layer.

"Great idea, you've opened up my mind."

I think we could also collect tires from abandoned vehicles, stack them up, and then drive in steel bars to secure them.

Filling it with sand will also provide a good defensive effect.

"If that's the case, then empty oil drums can actually be filled with sand."

"That makes sense, no wonder he's a top student..."

After a brainstorming session, Gu Lang and He Ping refined the details of the construction plan.

"Hey, Bai Lang, are you asleep?" Gu Lang picked up the walkie-talkie and pressed the call button.

In a dense forest environment surrounded by mountains, the communication range of walkie-talkies is very limited, and the risk of being eavesdropped on is extremely low.

There was static on the walkie-talkie at first, then Bai Lang's voice came through.

"No, I'm still discussing things with my family."

"Do you remember our promise?"

"The job where you did the hard labor?"

"That's right, the feasibility study report is finished. Come and review it."