Chapter 119: The Ministry of Science and Technology's Zombie Report and Reforms

"One direct indication that zombies possess ant-like characteristics is their tendency to aggregate. They gradually form swarms, and once formed, they act like army ants, devouring all flesh in their path.

"Currently, the only way to eliminate a zombie is to destroy its brain. The durability of a zombie's skull is comparable to that of a human."

"Furthermore, that ant researcher suggested that similar forms of brain control have appeared in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, caused by plant fungi in 'zombie ants.' Many archaeologists have also discovered evidence of similar fungal-controlled zombie ants dating back approximately 48 million years. The reason this researcher was studying the psychological patterns of ants in Shenzhen is that, upon returning from the Brazilian rainforest, he discovered that a specimen he had brought back had gone missing in Shenzhen."

"In fact, China has long had examples of Cordyceps, a fungus that controls bat moths and turns them into zombies."

"However, the current zombie virus is entirely different from fungi; it is merely similar in certain mechanisms, which can serve as a reference for human research. The specific form of the zombie virus is still under study. The analysis above reflects only the characteristics of zombies and zombie swarms observed jointly by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health."

"The roar of a zombie is produced by airflow passing through human-like vocal cords and does not convey information. After we surgically removed the vocal cords of several zombies, they were still able to transmit information normally."

"Regarding the meteorite incident, using the supercomputer at the National Supercomputing Center in Tianjin, we searched all past astronomical observation records. We discovered that this meteorite had already been on an orbital path toward Earth 500,000 years ago. It should not be an intentional invasion by extraterrestrial life... though it is difficult to judge an aimless invasion..."

The conference hall broke into a buzz again. The moderator pounded his gavel vigorously.

Someone raised a hand to speak.

Wu Tianxiong glanced at Minister Liu, who showed no sign of objection, and pointed his gavel at the individual to signal his approval.

"How did you discover it was there 500,000 years ago?"

Minister Liu replied, "We calculated it based on the light observed from 500,000 years ago..."

This was far too profound. Everyone fell silent. Minister Liu wiped sweat from his brow; he had only caught a few words from the astronomers and knew nothing more if pressed further. He realized then that it would have been better to let the researchers explain it themselves. It is all well and good for leaders to take the spotlight, but not when one lacks the professional expertise.

"Moreover, Earth periodically passes through the meteor belt where this object resides. Aside from this time, the most recent occurrence was 4,800 years ago. It is highly likely that the zombie ant fungus from that era was related to this."

Another uproar ensued. This was grave news—did this mean a periodic assault on Earth? And had ants once ruled the planet?

Wu Tianxiong swung his gavel again...

"Based on the aforementioned observations, we have tested the plate armor proposed by the General Logistics Department. A 2-millimeter-thick high-quality steel plate is sufficient to withstand the powerful grip of a zombie. However, due to human mechanics, it cannot withstand a zombie's charge. We suggest using shields with braces to hold against such charges."

"We approve the General Logistics Department's plan to standardize firearms to 7.62mm caliber, their plan to use multi-warhead shells, and their plan for wire entanglements."

The General Logistics Department glared at him several times. Had all the credit become theirs? Had they not been studying how to kill for years?

The briefing concluded. Upon returning, Minister Liu initiated the deployment and promotion of the "Scientific Research Law" proposed by the National People's Congress.

Li Fengyi also went to inspect the progress. He knew that researchers forming their own project teams was a positive development, as it allowed experts to lead experts more effectively.

The only drawback was that, in this situation, researchers were being utilized as project managers. Not every researcher is suited to be a project manager; that is a leadership role, not something one can handle simply by being technically brilliant.

It was necessary to assign a Party organization member to handle logistics in such cases, but history had proven that this approach often stifled progress, resulting in years without any breakthroughs.

After discussing with everyone, they decided to divide departments by function. Each professional was assigned to a corresponding group with a set base salary. If more hands were needed, they could be recruited from society; if there were more people than the project required, some had to be let go, and those dismissed would have to find work in the various companies that had recovered in society.

When a project arose, the lead researcher would select personnel from various groups. If an individual was brilliant but lacked a cooperative attitude, they might not be selected for any research team.

For example, if a project required cooperation between optics, electronics, software, and mechanical personnel, the lead researcher could select technical staff from the corresponding departments and then pick a Party worker from the logistics department to handle the trivial administrative and ideological matters.

Regardless of whether they were selected or achieved results, personnel in all departments would face salary reductions the following year. Currently, this meant a reduction from six steamed buns a day to five, then to four the year after, until they eventually left the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Long-term strategic plans were the exception; they were permitted to go without results for longer periods, but they were subjected to stricter supervision, with teams dispatched by the National People's Congress to conduct regular audits based on classification—the security requirements of the Ministry of State Security had been implemented across all sectors.

The original leaders of the Ministry of Science and Technology were very unhappy, as their power had been stripped away and diverted to individual departments and project groups, leaving them with only coordination duties.

However, they were civil servants who had only passed their exams after the apocalypse, and most had been ordinary citizens before. Lacking the ingenuity to devise complex methods of resistance, the reforms were ultimately pushed through.

When the new project plans were announced, the researchers were suddenly flooded with applications, all hoping to join a high-performing team to achieve results and improve their status.

Once all the new projects were claimed by various teams, Li Fengyi was astonished to find that the supplies required were over 70% less than the previous method!

"Damn it! Those animals! We are out there risking our lives fighting zombies, and those bastards were embezzling!" General Liu was furious, wanting to execute the corrupt elements in the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Li Fengyi did not immediately agree to take such measures. He understood deeply the difference between an excellent technician and a project manager.

A few projects did encounter setbacks, but on the whole, they ran smoothly. Only when the new research results began to flow in did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

This group of technical personnel, serving as project leads, had been tempered. From now on, a virtuous cycle could be formed. Scientific research was finally no longer dominated by academic despots and administrative bureaucrats.