Shen Feng quickly convened a meeting with the high-ranking officials of Yuzhou to discuss the establishment of an outer city outside Yuzhou. Everyone agreed with the proposal, as it meant more power for them. Tu Xuhuai was particularly pleased.
"It seems I can expand my staff again!" Tu Xuhuai thought to himself.
The true extent of a department's power was most visibly represented by its personnel. More staff meant more people to command, and power was manifested in the ability of superiors to casually direct their subordinates.
Shen Feng then proposed the establishment of schools, but was met with a wave of opposition.
"No, building the outer city will already strain our finances. If we then build schools, there will be even more problems. Not to mention the need for textbooks, recruiting teachers, classrooms, and the organization of examinations, all of which are costly."
"That's right. Haven't we managed for the past two years without schools? Everyone is still living their lives. Building schools is of no use."
"Aren't there private schools among the people? Since some people are already running schools, there's no need for the City Lord's Mansion to interfere. If schools are established, Yuzhou's expenses will skyrocket."
The crowd began to voice the difficulties of establishing schools, their collective message being that it was not worth the effort and should be abandoned. Shen Feng felt a pang of discomfort upon hearing their words.
Shen Feng was aware of the current state of education in Yuzhou. The people discussing in the conference room, including Tu Xuhuai and Zhou Xiaoxiao, all had children. However, they were not concerned about their children's education because they could afford private tutors, or even teach them themselves. Their children would undoubtedly not become illiterate.
But children from ordinary families could not. This was no joke. In many families, the parents' educational level was only elementary or junior high. Apart from literacy, they knew nothing else. They lacked the ability to teach their children, and children who did not attend school would inevitably have a lower level of knowledge.
Shen Feng looked at the people in the room, all chattering about the difficulties, and thought to himself, "These people probably have other motives. As long as their children receive an education, and others' children do not, they will have a significant advantage when it comes to finding jobs. They are now colluding to suppress the common folk!"
Shen Feng had seen through the calculations of his subordinates. They wanted their own children to exclusively enjoy high-quality educational resources, ideally fostering a scholarly elite to monopolize knowledge, ensuring their families' prosperity for generations to come. Their selfish intentions were truly malicious!
In response, Shen Feng stated directly, "There is no need to say more. I will definitely establish schools, and free enrollment will also be implemented. Opposition is useless. You should instead consider how to ensure Yuzhou has sufficient funds!"
Everyone looked at each other, surprised by the City Lord's firm stance. They could only nod in reluctant agreement. They had no choice but to agree, as the army was in Shen Feng's hands. As the instructors had said, power came from the barrel of a gun. In Yuzhou, Shen Feng was clearly in charge.
The discussion concluded, and Shen Feng finalized his plans. After the autumn harvest, preparations for building the outer city would begin. Additionally, schools needed to be established to prevent the next generation from becoming illiterate, providing a path for children from ordinary families.
Just then, news arrived from the Fengshen Palace that Chang Haojie had returned from the southern mountains and was currently arguing with Chang Jianyi.
Chu Chaoyan couldn't dissuade them and could only call Shen Feng to return quickly. Shen Feng sighed, realizing his own family was also a cause for concern. If they started arguing, wouldn't it make them a spectacle for others?
Shen Feng had to return home quickly to deal with the family matters.
...
Yue Hengyi drove Lin Yue and Cao Fuli to the outskirts of Yan Jing City. It was Lin Yue's first time here, and he was surprised by the towering city walls. The area within the walls was large enough to accommodate millions of people, vastly expanding the scope compared to the ancient Yan Jing city walls.
"This place looks very prosperous, befitting a capital city. It might be troublesome to enter!" Lin Yue said, marveling at the high walls.
Yan Jing had over a dozen city gates. Without so many gates, ordinary people's travel would be a significant issue. The gates were bustling with people, and the guards would conduct checks. Usually, one would flash their identification, and then be allowed to enter the city.
Cao Fuli observed the current situation and noticed that the guards were not thoroughly checking IDs. He said, "Gentlemen, watch closely. Don't forget I'm also an ability user!"
As he spoke, Cao Fuli activated his ability. Three plastic cards in his hand condensed together. From their appearance, they resembled the identification cards of many people entering the city, but a closer look would reveal they were not quite right.
"Will this work?" Lin Yue saw the three plastic cards and wondered if this was too casual a method to avoid scrutiny. What if they needed to swipe a card?
Cao Fuli pointed to the city gate and said, "Don't you see? These soldiers just glance at you. As long as you have an ID, you can enter. They won't check thoroughly. Besides, if we were to register honestly, we are from Yuzhou. Don't forget the City Lord has fallen out with Yan Jing. If we reveal our identities, we'll be arrested!"
Lin Yue thought about it and realized Cao Fuli was right. His Yuzhou identity could not be revealed in Yan Jing, so he couldn't register at the city gate. Otherwise, it would inevitably cause a commotion. Although these three plastic cards were a bit crude, it was worth a try. It seemed Yan Jing was not conducting thorough checks.
Yue Hengyi considered that his face was too recognizable. He had been on the news before. To avoid being recognized, he had to wear a mask to conceal himself somewhat.
The three drove into Yan Jing. As they passed through the city gate, all three held their plastic cards in front of them. The soldiers did not look closely, only seeing that the person had an ID and letting them pass. They had to check tens of thousands of people every day, and the workload was too great to meticulously verify each one.
After entering the city, Lin Yue breathed a sigh of relief and said, "We're in. Let's find a place to stay. We need to investigate the changes in Qin Kewei over the next few days. It's best to find a place close to the Ability Administration Bureau!"
Upon hearing this, Yue Hengyi immediately recalled a hidden location near the Ability Administration Bureau. It was an old, dilapidated residential complex with few residents. "I know a place that's very secretive. It's a residential complex, but it's very old and run-down, with few people living there. Let's go there!"
Yue Hengyi drove them to an old district in the city. The buildings were constructed in the 1970s, commonly known as "tongzilou" (dormitory buildings). At that time, living in these buildings was not simple; only outstanding workers could receive such housing as a reward.
Cao Fuli frowned as he looked at the rusty fence outside the complex and asked, "This place is too old. Isn't Yan Jing the capital? How can there be such buildings? I can't understand it!"
Yue Hengyi explained as they walked, "You don't understand. Precisely because it's the capital, the cost of reconstruction is very high. If you were to demolish it and build a new complex, you would have to pay resettlement fees. If you don't give millions to each household, they'll become 'nail households.' So, no one dares to demolish it. Later, during the doomsday, nine out of ten people died, and there were more than enough houses to live in. Who would bother demolishing this complex? So, it has remained dilapidated!"
Lin Yue interjected, "It's fine, we're just staying for a few days. It's better to be discreet. Once the mission is complete, we'll go back. It's best not to be exposed in Yan Jing. If we're captured, we'll become hostages, and the City Lord will have to ransom us back!"
Cao Fuli pouted and said, "You're quite cheerful. It doesn't matter where we live. I pursue a life of luxury and enjoyment. Life is short, and if you can't enjoy it properly, you've lived in vain."
Despite his words, Cao Fuli did not refuse to stay in the complex. It was only for a few days, and he could endure it. Once they returned to Yuzhou, he would still have luxurious accommodation and servants to attend to him.
"Rent a place? In terms of grain, the staple grains are rice and flour. Corn is barely acceptable. Ten pounds of staple grain for a month's stay. Grain coupons are also acceptable, but only those exchanged in Yan Jing!" An old man in the complex who rented out rooms stated the price.
Yue Hengyi took ten pounds of cornmeal from the car and handed it to the old man, saying, "One month's stay!"
In this world, grain was not only a life-saving resource but also a currency for trade. The former monetary system had collapsed. Paper money, apart from being used for heating, could only exist as souvenirs. Grain was always a hard currency.
The three of them stayed in a two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment. This meant only two people could sleep in the bedrooms, and one would sleep on the sofa. Although the facilities were old and the buildings in the complex showed signs of weathering, the interior was relatively clean and often swept. It was habitable.
Yue Hengyi volunteered, "You two sleep in the bedrooms. I'll sleep on the sofa! You are both guests, and I wouldn't dare let both guests sleep on the sofa!"
Lin Yue and Cao Fuli did not refuse and readily accepted.
Next, the three began to discuss how to proceed with the investigation.
Cao Fuli's suggestion was: "Let's split up to gather information. For example, we can look for newspapers. Many newspapers have a good grasp of rumors. Also, there are bars. If there's a black market, buying information there would also be a good option."
"No, we must not split up! We must act together. Otherwise, if an unexpected situation arises, we won't be able to support each other!" Lin Yue immediately objected.
"That's right. If the information can be obtained from newspapers, it's no longer a secret. Splitting up to gather information is not suitable. Let's think of a good plan and find a starting point!" Yue Hengyi also offered his opinion.
Yue Hengyi did not believe that the changes in Qin Kewei were something that small newspapers could know. Information from bars was also rampant and unreliable. As for the black market, although its reliability was somewhat increased, it might not be able to gather crucial information. The Ability Administration Bureau was not a place that just anyone could enter.
"Alright, alright, you decide. I won't offer any more suggestions!" Cao Fuli, hearing his ideas rejected, decided to remain silent and wait to hear a plan from the other two.
Yue Hengyi hesitated for a moment and said, "How about focusing our investigation on He Kanwen? I'm not seeking personal revenge. I just find it suspicious. How could someone who has always been disliked by Qin Kewei happen to appear by her side at this time? Starting with him is a good approach."
Lin Yue nodded, thinking it was a good idea. Finding someone to start with was always good. Moreover, as the saying goes, if you can't solve the problem, solve the person who raised the problem. Since He Kanwen had taken Yue Hengyi's lover, they should deal with He Kanwen.