Shen Feng had decided to go to Siberia and subsequently had the City Lord's Mansion issue a notice stating that he would be leading a few ability users to investigate the mutated birds in Siberia, ideally to ascertain their habitat.
When the notice was published, it did not cause much of a stir, as it was merely the departure of a few ability users, and they were only going for an investigation. It was nowhere near as attention-grabbing as the battles in Dabashan. Only a minority of people felt something was amiss.
"Our Yuzhou hardly gets any migratory birds. What is the City Lord investigating in Siberia? Besides, the Yan Jing headquarters isn't going to Siberia, so why should we?"
"I don't understand this either. The mutated birds are currently rampaging in North China. At most, we have millions of mutated birds in Dabashan. Isn't this worry a bit premature?"
"You are all too young. The City Lord's vision has always been very far-sighted. Many people opposed him when he decided to attack the mutated birds in Dabashan, but what do they say now? Our Yuzhou is fine, while other places are plagued by mutated birds during the autumn harvest."
"That's true. The City Lord's vision has always been far-sighted. We don't need to worry unnecessarily. Anyway, we had a good harvest this year, and there's definitely enough food to eat. We've bid farewell to the hard times of the past!"
People in the teahouse chatted while sipping tea. Although they were puzzled by Shen Feng's decision, they did not doubt his foresight.
In the teahouse, people were drinking tea and watching a play. A few years ago, hardly anyone would choose to watch a play. The entire opera industry was in decline, with people feeling it was too cliché and that this art form was outdated and should not exist.
But after the apocalypse, there was nothing new online, and everyone was struggling to survive. The film and television industry was hit hard. Thus, when people had free time, they preferred to watch plays in teahouses rather than stay at home watching television. Times had changed.
The teahouse now offered the latest snack: dried meat jerky. It could be eaten directly after tearing it apart, and it was spicy, savory, and fragrant. This was recently made and sold in the city, and it was made from mutated birds brought back from the front lines. Anything not consumed on the front lines was sent to Yuzhou to be made into dried meat.
Meanwhile, in a room in the teahouse, a group of people were discussing what to do. They were all important figures from the entertainment industry in the past, but in the apocalypse, they could only make a living by doing manual labor. Now, they all wanted to change their fate.
"Honestly, a bunch of people are squatting in a teahouse watching outdated stuff. A group of people in colorful clothes are making noises on stage. What's so interesting about that?"
"It's because people in Yuzhou don't like watching TV or movies. If we had policy support, we could return to our former lives."
"Save it. In Yuzhou, even selling pirated books makes more money than making movies. Shouldn't we go somewhere else to do this line of work?"
"Forget it. Other places are even more dangerous, and the people outside are too barbaric. They all hold guns and resort to assassination if things go south. We'd better stay in Yuzhou!"
In the room, these entertainment moguls were discussing their future prospects. They longed to live like they did before the apocalypse. Back then, they could make a bad movie, hire online trolls to hype it up, get high ratings, and money would pour in like a stream. They lived in villas, drank wine, and controlled resources, making male and female stars flock to them, as if they could control everything.
But now, the apocalypse had arrived, and everyone was struggling to survive. Who was still staring at their phone screens and smiling foolishly? No one would invest in those bad movies anymore. As a result, these people's living standards plummeted, and they could never return to their former glory, nor did they have the ability to live comfortably.
At this moment, a portly man said, "Shut up, all of you. That's because you haven't found the right connections. If you had connections, wouldn't you be able to make movies and TV shows again? To be honest, I've already established a connection!"
"What connection have you established?" everyone asked eagerly.
The portly man said, "Let me tell you, I established a connection with Lu Xian, a high-ranking official in Yuzhou, a while ago. He wanted to release his album, so I catered to his interests and got to know him. From now on, as long as we can persuade him to join us, won't we be able to live our former lives again?"
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately became admiring. This was influence! When everyone was struggling to find a way out, someone with extensive connections had already met an important figure in Yuzhou.
Afterward, someone opened the door and called for a waiter, "Bring another plate of your discounted peanuts over quickly. We're making millions by the minute, don't waste our time."
The teahouse waiter heard the voices from the room and gritted his teeth, thinking, "A bunch of cheapskates. They booked a room but only eat peanuts, and they only dare to order one bottle of beer. They can only drool over the meat jerky and still dare to boss me around. How detestable!"
In fact, the teahouse waiters also had performance bonuses. The more food or drinks they sold, the more bonuses they received. Therefore, in the eyes of the waiters, customers who consumed more were their benefactors, while those who occupied a room without consuming were eyesores.
When Shen Feng went to find Lu Xian, Lu Xian was on the rooftop, singing and playing his guitar, looking quite dejected. After being isolated for two months, his condition was not good.
Lu Xian had participated in many battles and had even made contributions. He owned five high-rise buildings in Yuzhou. When Shen Feng arrived on the rooftop, he saw Lu Xian's dejected expression. He had not shaved, and his face was covered in stubble. He was no longer the handsome young man he once was, but rather like a disheartened youth.
"Lu Xian, are you very idle?" Shen Feng asked with a smile as he sat down.
Lu Xian was surprised by Shen Feng's appearance. He quickly put down his guitar and asked, "City Lord, why are you here? I only have plain water here. Would you like some?"
"It's fine, plain water is enough. No need to make tea. I'm just here to inform you of something. We investigated Hong Yehui's content and confirmed that you were not involved, so your days of staying at home are over. You will accompany me to Siberia to find someone, and you will remain in the army from now on," Shen Feng said with a smile.
Shen Feng felt he was bringing good news to Lu Xian, but after hearing Shen Feng's words, Lu Xian's mood instantly became heavy. "So, Hong Yehui is really a traitor?"
Lu Xian could not accept the fact that his wife was a traitor at that moment. After all, since they got married, she had always treated him gently, handled all the household matters well, and he never had to worry about family issues. The older generation did not put any pressure on him, and their relationship was very good. Who knew that his wife had secretly betrayed Yuzhou?
Shen Feng sat beside Lu Xian, poured a glass of plain water, and held it in his hand. "It's okay, there are plenty of fish in the sea. Why cling to one flower? There are plenty of beautiful women. If you want a gentle, virtuous, and knowledgeable wife, I can help you. Don't worry."
Shen Feng intended to introduce Lu Xian to someone so that he could get over his grief sooner.
However, Lu Xian suddenly said to Shen Feng, "City Lord, I have a humble request, and I hope you will grant it."
Shen Feng smiled and said, "Tell me what your request is. If I can fulfill it, I will definitely help you."
Shen Feng had always known Lu Xian to be reliable, so he did not find Lu Xian's request problematic. However, Lu Xian said seriously, "City Lord, I hope you can spare Hong Yehui this time. I will repay you in the future."
Shen Feng's smile instantly vanished. He then asked, "Lu Xian, what are you thinking? Hong Yehui is selling out Yuzhou! She even hid this from you, which means she doesn't truly love you. She only used you as a tool to complete her mission. You don't even have children together. Why are you still pleading for a traitor?"
Shen Feng hated traitors the most. In his opinion, traitors were the most detestable scoundrels, and Hong Yehui could not be forgiven.
Lu Xian said sincerely, "City Lord, I know you hate traitors the most. I've also heard that you crippled those who betrayed you. But I still want to say, a day as husband and wife creates a hundred days of kindness; ten years of cultivation leads to sharing the same boat; a hundred years of cultivation leads to sleeping in the same bed. Since I married Hong Yehui, I cannot abandon her easily."
Shen Feng shook his head helplessly, sat on the chair, and began to ponder. He didn't know what divorce felt like, but upon careful consideration, it would still be difficult to watch his wife die.
Before, there were often jokes online about the three great joys of middle-aged men: promotion, wealth, and the death of their wives.
However, such words were not meant to be spoken by normal people. When a loved one has been by your side for a long time, love gradually turns into affection. How can this affection be easily severed? Those who call the death of a wife a joy must be heartless and unrighteous people. How can companionship that lasts for a long time be casually dismissed and called a joy?
Shen Feng also recalled an article he had studied in high school, "Xiang Ji Xuan Zhi," in which Gui Youguang said, "There is a loquat tree in the courtyard, planted by my wife in the year she died; it is now tall and provides shade."
He thought that directly killing Hong Yehui would make Lu Xian feel bad, but Yuzhou had lost over four thousand people killed by the bastards of the Tianlong Bureau. If the traitor was not dealt with, it would be difficult to explain to the families of those who died.
"It's possible to let her go, but letting her go is easy, yet punishment cannot be avoided. Think of a way to have her accept punishment, preferably lifelong punishment," Shen Feng then said to Lu Xian.
Shen Feng had heard about the reasons for abolishing the death penalty in foreign countries, and one of the reasons was to commute the death penalty to lifelong hard labor, punishing criminals with arduous labor, making them wish for death but unable to die. Unfortunately, later generations often overlooked the option of lifelong hard labor, and it became mere imprisonment.
Now that Lu Xian was pleading, it was not appropriate to kill Hong Yehui directly, but lifelong hard labor could be chosen as a form of punishment.
Lu Xian showed a grateful expression upon receiving Shen Feng's answer. "Thank you, City Lord. I will go through fire and water for you and will not hesitate to die!"
Lu Xian thought his life was over, but now he saw hope for his wife's survival and many future possibilities.
Afterward, Lu Xian thought for a moment and said, "Hong Yehui used to run a private school. She can teach. Let her teach, without pay, as long as she can live."
"Alright, let her teach elementary school students. She cannot be idle during winter and summer vacations either. If the logistics department needs help, she must also go and help," Shen Feng added.
Teaching was not an easy task, especially teaching elementary school students. This was a form of torment, but teachers had winter and summer vacations. Shen Feng did not forget this, allowing Hong Yehui to teach but also requiring her to work during winter and summer vacations as a necessary atonement.
With a result that satisfied everyone, Shen Feng prepared to leave. Before leaving, he did not forget to remind Lu Xian, "Pack your things and be ready to depart at any time. It's very cold in Siberia, so bring more clothes."
At this moment, Lu Xian was disheveled, with a stubbly face, wearing only a single layer of clothing while sitting on the rooftop. Such attire would not only be insufficient for Siberia but would also be extremely cold even on the grasslands. Therefore, Shen Feng kindly reminded Lu Xian once more.