Extreme Cold Era: Shelter Don't Keep Waste
Chapter 129: Centralized Quarantine

Chapter 129: Chapter 129: Centralized Quarantine

Mikhail was knighted, and only then did Perfikot find Foster, who had been directing the soldiers to clear the snow.

The busy old steward looked as composed as ever, even seeming somewhat calm and assured.

His composure ensured that the surrounding soldiers maintained their morale and accurately executed his orders.

This is an essential quality for a qualified military leader: to stay calm regardless of the situation, or else the soldiers will break down before the general does, and morale will become irrelevant.

While Mikhail’s method of building snow shelters was a key to their safe passage through the snowstorm last night, Foster’s calm and collected direction undoubtedly played a significant role.

Without it, relying solely on that Roshar strongman? He might save a few more people, but it would be challenging to save everyone.

"Miss, you’ve arrived!" Seeing Perfikot appear, Foster greeted her with concern: "In such a snowstorm, you should remain stationed at Eagle’s Beak Cliff. With me here, there won’t be any issues."

"Precisely because of the snowstorm, I couldn’t be at ease," Perfikot shook her head, not agreeing with Foster’s suggestion: "Moreover, the railway is already completed, so taking the train here is not dangerous."

"Miss, you always insist on your views." Foster, although resigned, did not say much more, only reported the camp’s situation to Perfikot: "Currently, everything is normal in the warehouse area. I specially assigned extra personnel last night, Miss, your design is quite reliable. I even considered relocating everyone to the warehouses, as they are sturdier.

As for the camp, since Miss, you have already met Lieutenant Mikhail, it means you’ve been to the barracks, so I won’t elaborate further.

The biggest issue now is frostbite. Although Lieutenant Mikhail’s snow shelters helped us through the night, many soldiers still have varying degrees of frostbite on their hands and ears.

Though we do not lack food and fuel, quite a few soldiers were frozen last night. Cold and influenza can be extremely deadly! We must find a way to address these issues."

Foster’s biggest worry wasn’t the other issues. Tents being collapsed could be re-erected, even houses falling or soldiers being crushed by snow was something Foster could accept and had prepared for.

In facing such a blizzard, the lack of casualties was unexpected.

And compared to the real pressing issues they had to face, these were not problems.

The frostbite and illnesses brought by the cold, in this era, were the most deadly; they could directly cause a military force to lose its combat effectiveness!

"Are there any empty warehouses still available?" Perfikot asked Foster, slightly frowning, seeming to have an idea.

"No empty warehouses, but if some warehouse goods are organized, we should be able to free up an empty warehouse." Foster wasn’t quite clear on Perfikot’s intent but provided an answer nevertheless.

He had been stationed at the fjord camp for a period, aside from training the guard unit, his main duties included managing the camp’s warehouse supplies.

Before the fjord was completely frozen, Perfikot had purchased and requisitioned large quantities of supplies from the Empire’s mainland and New Continent colonies to ensure ample provisions to endure the winter.

The warehouses were packed with supplies, their reliance for winter survival, entrusted only to her most trusted person.

Foster did not fail Perfikot’s trust, managing everything efficiently.

"In that case, Grandpa Fu, enlist some healthy soldiers to organize an empty warehouse, and move the soldiers with colds and influenza in for isolation, assigning personnel to provide them with food and treatment." Perfikot thought of the quarantine system employed in her world for handling epidemics, a method effective at curbing the spread of infections while concentrating limited medical resources on them.

Upon hearing Perfikot’s suggestion, Foster’s expression changed slightly with an unpleasant association.

In this era, concentrating sick or wounded individuals typically implied only one thing: allowing them to fend for themselves, or worse, resorting to more harsh methods to reduce personal burdens.

Initially, Foster didn’t expect Perfikot to choose this method, but recalling what happened previously in New Shaker City, he wasn’t sure if Perfikot would indeed do so.

The old steward hesitated a moment before advising Perfikot: "Miss, they only have colds and influenza. With sufficient food and hot water, plus appropriate treatment, they can make it through on their own. There’s no need to isolate them."

"What are you talking about? Isolating them is for better care and treatment! Our medical resources are limited, and we lack ample space in the camp to settle them. Leaving them in the snow shelters would cause problems!" Perfikot immediately frowned, not understanding why Foster opposed her plan: "Warehouses have sturdy and insulated walls to better fend off the cold, and the ventilation structure ensures air circulation, preventing widespread propagation and secondary infection!

Keeping them in the camp needs more personnel to care for, dispersing them increases the risk of cross-infection. Why oppose concentrating them?"

Faced with Perfikot’s irate demand, Foster was embarrassed, but he still explained in a low voice.

After hearing Foster’s explanation, Perfikot felt frustrated, unexpected that in this era, quarantine implied this meaning, but said nothing further, simply ordered Foster to execute her intention.

She also dispatched two Steam Knights to assist Foster while preparing to inspect the stored supplies here, particularly the steam knight armors yet to be used.

Though having seventy sets of steam knight armor parts modified for use by formal knights, Perfikot only activated ten sets, keeping three as spare parts and fifty-seven still sealed in the warehouse.

Despite her trust in Foster, Perfikot needed to inspect these critical supplies and other provisions.

Foster, upon seeing this, requested only one Steam Knight for assistance, leaving another to continue guarding Perfikot.

Though the fjord camp was currently safe, the blizzard’s abruptness could lead to wild creatures emerging from the forest, requiring protection around Perfikot.