Now that Shen Feng had stated his conditions, it was up to the other party to fulfill them. If they could not, Shen Feng would certainly not agree to cooperate.
Wang Ao Ye immediately said, "Since this matter is settled, I will now gather the resources of the seven southeastern provinces and help you build a large greenhouse production base. However, you must also provide some return. We are investing so much energy and materials in you, you must supply us with grain!"
"You can rest assured about that. As soon as your materials are delivered here and the production base is built, we will provide a large amount of grain! However, besides a lot of plastic, we also need a lot of soil, especially fertile soil. It would be best if you could directly provide us with fertilizer," Shen Feng said.
Currently, although Yuzhou had Chang Jian Yi, who could rapidly accelerate plant growth and make crops mature instantly, the world followed the conservation of mass and energy. To obtain grain, a large amount of energy transfer was necessary. Where did this energy come from? Naturally, from the soil and the air. The fertility of the soil would be quickly absorbed by the plants. At this point, a large amount of fertilizer or fertile soil would be needed to replenish this energy.
After Wang Ao Ye concluded his discussions with Shen Feng, he immediately returned to the southeast and contacted the people of the seven southeastern provinces. They promptly drove trucks to deliver the necessary supplies, especially large quantities of plastic film. These people, even on empty stomachs, worked in chemical plants to complete production and then delivered the plastic film to Yuzhou as quickly as possible.
Upon seeing that countless resources had been delivered, Shen Feng did not hesitate. He immediately ordered his subordinates to open the checkpoints and allow these refugees to enter his territory. At the same time, large porridge stalls were set up at the entrances of various cities.
Now, millions of disaster victims finally saw hope. They understood that they could finally survive. However, during the days they were blocked outside, hundreds of thousands of people had already starved to death. Their hope of survival was built upon the remains of their deceased companions.
"We can finally survive now, but it's a pity for those who died. They are now just bones!" someone cried as they crossed the checkpoint and entered Yuzhou's territory.
Many disaster victims had died, and their bodies were extremely emaciated. Many disaster victims had also committed suicide. After these people died, their bodies were targeted by others, then roasted and eaten. Their bodies transformed into energy to sustain others. The real world was this cruel; in critical moments, only by eating others could one maintain life.
At the same time, the seven southern provinces jointly issued a telegram to the entire world. Including Jinling, these southern provinces all recognized Shen Feng as their leader. This meant that Shen Feng had effectively become the master of the region south of the Yangtze River. As for the north of China, it had long been chaotic and was a living hell. Therefore, whether people there recognized him or not made no difference. He had finally become the Dragon of China.
This news spread through media such as newspapers, radio, and television, and Shen Feng's prestige increased immeasurably. Shen Feng also stated that in the future, he would donate a portion of the produced grain to other regions, meaning everyone had hope of survival again.
As soon as this matter was announced, Shen Feng's name underwent another change in reputation. Many people had previously complained that Shen Feng had stood by and watched, even when disaster victims came to his doorstep. But now that he had changed his strategy, countless people immediately began to praise him.
At this time, someone also came from Yanjing, sent by He Qiu An. He also had a request: "Since everyone is facing a crisis of survival, the more people who unite, the better the effect. How can I be left behind? Therefore, I hope the Northeast can also participate in this plan. I will not wait for the grain in vain; I have enough black soil here!"
The Northeast had abundant black soil, which was very fertile. In the industrial era, large-scale cultivation could yield a large amount of grain, so the three northeastern provinces had always been China's grain-producing regions, almost always at the forefront.
However, with the arrival of the Great Ice Age, the north was covered in ice and snow. Even in June, the height of summer, snowflakes would fall from the sky. As for Siberia and other places, they were completely frozen ground, making cultivation impossible.
He Qiu An's stored grain was also nearly depleted. After all, he had engaged in large-scale wars and construction before, consuming a vast amount of grain. Now, facing a situation where cultivation was impossible, if this problem was not resolved, he would also face a grain shortage.
Moreover, the Northeast was now completely frozen over. Even in summer, the ice and snow were not easily melted, making cultivation even more difficult.
While he was in despair, an old man suddenly arrived from the south. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Chen Yi De. He was also an elder to He Qiu An, although they had not seen each other for a long time. However, at this moment, He Qiu An recognized the elder at a glance and asked him for a solution.
Old Man Chen's suggestion was very simple. The Northeast might not have much else, but its black soil was absolutely fertile. In peaceful times, people had continuously dug up this black soil and sold it. It was enough to make money by contracting a piece of land and secretly digging it up. Now, due to the temperature, this black soil could not be used to grow crops. It would be better to sell it directly for grain, and during this period, they could conserve their strength and rise again when the opportunity arose in the future.
"This black soil is certainly a treasure, but if these treasures cannot produce grain, they are useless now. I suggest you sell all this land and exchange it for enough grain. Also, temporarily acknowledge Shen Feng's leadership status and let him become the Lord of China, but you can still contend for supremacy in the future!" Old Man Chen said to He Qiu An.
"This is indeed a good plan. I will contact them immediately. However, for the next decade or so, Shen Feng will probably become the leader for all of us. It can be said that he will have a significant place in future history books!" He Qiu An said helplessly.
When Shen Feng saw the letter from the Northeast, he was incredibly excited. He had not expected to have accomplished such a remarkable feat that even the Northeast had acknowledged his leadership. Wouldn't this mean that both the north and the south recognized his status?
"Now we have energy, we have materials, we have manpower, and we have immense prestige. Now, it truly feels like standing at the summit, looking down at all other mountains. Lounging on a beauty's lap when drunk, holding power over the world when sober – this is the dream of many men, and I never expected to achieve it today!" Shen Feng said excitedly.
"This is indeed a very fortunate matter, because you have now become the leader of China, and everyone can only call you Feng Shen. However, I must dampen your spirits a bit. Our core territory has not changed, and the only thing that can increase is our many grain production bases. But in the future, when the temperature gradually returns to its original level, and other regions can also gradually produce grain, your status will disappear!" Chang Jian Yi said.
Chang Jian Yi was very happy to see her husband reach this position, as her own status had risen accordingly. The higher Shen Feng's status, the higher her status would be.
However, Chang Jian Yi had a great concern. If Shen Feng became complacent because his status was now above everyone else, he might develop an arrogant attitude. If he became too arrogant, it would eventually lead to retribution.
It was at this moment that Chang Jian Yi spoke up to dampen his spirits, making him understand that his current status was illusory. What was important now was to focus on the real benefits at hand, and their core territory was still the three southwestern provinces.
Shen Feng smiled bitterly upon hearing his senior's words, "Can't you let me be happy for a little longer? Waking me from my dream now will cause me immense disappointment, and I can't accept it immediately!"
Shen Feng knew this principle and understood that he could not be too arrogant now, as it would lead to serious consequences. However, he still wanted to be happy for a while, but he did not expect his senior to see through his thoughts and directly shatter his dream.
"If you indulge in your dream for too long, it will be difficult for me to wake you up. Since you are awake now, hurry up and preside over the meeting. Our original plan was not to engage in large-scale construction because it would consume manpower. But now, with massive material support, we must accelerate the progress of building enough greenhouse farms to strive for grain production even in winter, otherwise, our grain pressure will still be very great!" Chang Jian Yi said calmly.
"I understand. I will do it immediately. Also, how are things at home?" Shen Feng perked up, filled with energy and eager to proceed with his plans.
As a result of Shen Feng's question, Li Ke Yi said in a low voice, "Jing'er's condition is not good. She is getting weaker and weaker. Chao Yan cries every day. Please find time to visit her soon and don't let the mother and daughter spend their days in sorrow!"
Upon hearing this bad news, Shen Feng's previously happy expression vanished. He now had to face a terrible consequence: his own daughter might die young. If such a situation occurred, it would be too tragic.
Shen Feng had consulted many doctors to treat his daughter's illness, but these doctors were helpless because they could not even identify the illness. Their final diagnosis was congenital weakness.
The so-called congenital weakness was simple: the child was born very weak and could not survive in a harsh environment.
Recalling the time of Jing'er's birth, Chu Chao Yan had been with Shen Feng on campaign, facing countless terrifying insects, and spent her days in fear, unable to get proper rest. This situation was particularly detrimental to the fetus. The fetus received insufficient nutrition, resulting in its extreme weakness at birth.
If the environment had been better, the child might have held on for some time. However, at this moment, the air was filled with volcanic ash, making the already weak child even more uncomfortable and greatly increasing the probability of premature death.
"I know about this. I will find time to visit her later. You should also ask Shen Yi Shi to visit Chao Yan more often!" Shen Feng said with a somber expression.
After this, he went to the City Lord's Mansion to address the issue of establishing grain production bases. He now had an important task: to mobilize the entire nation to build a massive grain production base. The grain produced in this base would supply the entire nation, allowing everyone to survive even during the Great Ice Age.