Wucheng’s law enforcement finally found an excuse to act!
With a population of four million, aside from the local police and public security forces, Wucheng also hosts around 160,000 armed police personnel, accounting for about 4% of the population—signifying a highly efficient police force!
This is why Wucheng’s pharmacies, supply stores, and supermarkets have been silently controlled and their goods “requisitioned” with stocks being hauled away. Sales of medications were halted, with only a small number of perishable foods being sold sporadically.
For those businesses that cooperated with the requisitions, they were regarded as national strategic partners, set to reap benefits and gains afterward. Those who resisted were invited for lengthy “tea sessions” at military facilities, where they were kept comfortable until they complied, with the promise of compensation to be discussed post-Dark Days.
This situation led to several bloody incidents and the detention of various industry leaders, encouraging many companies to cooperate under such intimidation.
Jing Shu later learned that local governments had planned all these measures well in advance, which is why, even in the fifth year post-apocalypse, they were still able to distribute expired foodstuffs, heavily linked to the immediate control over supplies.
However, some selfish entities refused to cooperate, hoarding large amounts of food like canned meats and various other canned goods under the guise of production halts.
Consequently, daily news reports exposed various companies: one for using growth enhancers in violation of food safety, another for adding harmful additives, and another for using moldy fruits in canned goods—all were confiscated by the state.
The report also commended companies like Master Kang, which, despite having ceased production, had donated 150 million instant noodles, starkly contrasting with those who were exposed to malpractice.
Wucheng cracked down on all non-compliant food manufacturers, consolidating the remaining facilities under government control. The government then began slaughtering poultry and livestock en masse.
Two months passed, and a significant portion of Wucheng’s poultry perished from the heat, requiring daily burials and disinfections. Initially, there was hope they might survive, so slaughtering was reluctantly carried out.
Given the prolonged high temperatures, it seemed unlikely that any remaining poultry or freshwater fish would survive much longer. The decision was made to slaughter and convert them into cooked foods sooner rather than later, considering there would be no feed available for the next two years.
Wang QiQi, 13, posted in the community chat: “@everyone, the government is hiring workers at the west city site for poultry slaughtering, plucking, gutting, and cooking. Both men and women are welcome. Meals provided, with wages paid for cooked food, settled weekly. Working hours are from 2 AM to 7 AM with transportation provided. Interested parties, please sign up with me.”
Several community members quickly expressed interest, preferring to work rather than idle.
Jing Shu sighed, resigned to the fact that this massive culling would lead to years post-apocalypse where poultry and livestock would be nearly extinct. An egg or a glass of milk would become treasures.
Even if this drastic action wasn’t taken, the epidemic and invasive species from decaying carcasses due to irresponsible stockpiling by certain unscrupulous farms would have posed a severe threat.
As the outside world grew increasingly grim, Jing Shu’s family finally saw the opportunity for her mother to advance in her career.
Like in her previous life, her mother clung to her collection of stamps, reluctant to part with them, while her father sat helplessly by.
“We have a senior official who loves collecting stamps. This is a limited-edition Mao Zedong stamp. Should I give it or not?” her mother deliberated while nibbling an apple.
“Maybe you shouldn’t,” her father suggested cautiously.
“What else can I give then? All other candidates have strong backgrounds, and I don’t. I’ve been in this position for over a decade!” her mother exclaimed, glaring at him.
“Then perhaps give the stamp,” her father ventured again cautiously.
“But this is my favorite. I heard Yu Cai Ni give someone three sets of collectible editions. Mine might seem inferior,” her mother lamented.
“Then maybe don’t give it after all.”
Jing Shu brought over five packages of various mushrooms, two trays of fresh green garlic shoots, a box of grown soybean sprouts, and a box of chives.
“Mom, why not take these to your senior official for him to taste how good they are?” Jing Shu suggested.
“Give vegetables? Though veggies are expensive and scarce now, they can still get them through their channels. Once the Dark Days are over, they won’t be worth much.”
Jing Shu sighed, “Aren’t you all working on agricultural research for the Dark Days? What he needs most now is achievement! What you’re giving him is achievement! And even though he can get vegetables, none will be as tasty as ours.” It seemed her mother hadn’t grasped the treasure she had, still dreaming of a return to normalcy.
Enlightened, her mother’s eyes sparkled, and her father silently praised Jing Shu for resolving the dilemma.
Thus, her parents quickly packed the vegetables and set off in the energy car to present their unique gift. Though her mother lacked powerful connections, she had Jing Shu, the strongest support she could ask for.
In this life, Jing Shu was determined to ensure her family would secure a place within the system—not for luxury but for protection and priority in emergencies, enhancing their comfort and safety in the apocalypse. In any case, rules are often just tools to control the vulnerable.
Jing Shu kept the house purchase a secret from her grandmother, planning to surprise her when the entire family gathered next week. After her parents left, she spent the day roasting quails she had prepared, providing a tantalizing aroma that wafted throughout the neighborhood.
Fat Ni 25 commented in the chat: “Who’s cooking meat? Can you close your windows? The smell’s wafting over here, and don’t you know I’m on a diet? It smells so good—it’s unfair!”
Living just 100 meters from the villa, it seemed making delicious food was becoming a significant issue post-apocalypse. Jing Shu resolved to cook as much perishable food as possible in the coming days to store in her space.
—
Taking a breath, I need to reorganize the plot outline; I still owe four updates. More to come tonight!
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