"But if we do this, will the seven southeastern provinces and the Yan Jing region in the north still support me? It's equivalent to me stripping away their grain allocation rights. They will definitely have smart people who can see our intentions!" Shen Feng said hesitantly.
"We cannot directly advance this plan because everyone has formed a habit, and we don't have a legitimate reason to change the other party's allocation structure. While it's feasible to directly implement this plan, the efficiency won't be too high. We can wait for the right time, and once the opportune moment arrives, we can directly push this plan through!" Xie Mu'an said.
"What kind of opportune moment do we need to wait for?" Shen Feng still felt confused. Would something strange happen?
"Because the world is never fair, those who hold power crave more resources. And what is the most important resource now? It's nothing more than grain. Without grain, nothing else matters. Therefore, after the grain we sent out reaches many large cities, it will be intercepted at various levels. Guess how many people will engage in corruption during this process? Will the grain originally intended to support countless people there truly reach the people below?" Xie Mu'an chuckled.
"I see. You mean that many people will definitely embezzle this grain, and the grain distributed to the public will be insufficient, leading to famine. When this incident is exposed, countless people will pay attention, and at that time, we can seize the opportunity to proceed!" Shen Feng understood immediately. Upon hearing about the potential embezzlement of grain, he realized that as long as a major crisis occurred, these people would spontaneously wish to control the grain allocation rights, especially the authorities in smaller cities.
After explaining his plan, Xie Mu'an said, "City Lord, I have told you the general aspects of the plan. As for the final outcome, it's hard to say. I have been traveling for a long time and now I want to rest!"
Shen Feng nodded and said, "No problem. From now on, you will be my advisor, and you can consult me for my opinion at any time. I will have someone take you to find a detached house to live in within the inner city. Although it might not be too luxurious, don't be too picky in the inner layers, because many plots of land have already been occupied by others. I can't find suitable locations for you, but at least you'll have food and clothing, and your treatment will be better than many others!"
Many buildings and land in the city had already been bestowed by Shen Feng. Some of his subordinates who had made contributions were rewarded with something, as it would not be appropriate not to reward them. Thus, many people were granted numerous buildings, and they could live a life of comfort just by renting out their properties to collect rent daily, even if they did nothing.
By now, many houses in the inner city were gone. Even if they wanted to find suitable housing for others, they could only search in more remote areas.
Xie Mu'an said, "I am already very satisfied to have a separate house to live in. I can also bring my wife and daughter here later. It has been more than two years since I last saw them. I don't know what they look like now. If I hadn't been imprisoned in the north for two and a half years, I would definitely be by my wife and daughter's side now."
When Shen Feng heard him speak of sad matters, he could only comfort him, "Life will definitely get better in the future. Don't be too sad now!"
...
In the following period, although it was spring, it still snowed frequently across the country. Because of the volcanic eruptions, there would be a long winter lasting more than ten years. Even in the peak of summer, many northern regions were still frozen. In such conditions, farming was impossible.
Chang Jianyi and Li Keyi had also returned. The two of them had been traveling for a long time. As long as they could obtain enough fertilizer and soil, farming could continue. However, they had to stop now. It wasn't because the temperature in the greenhouses was too low; with the greenhouses, farming could be done even in winter. The reason for stopping work was the lack of sufficient soil.
Currently, the soil obtained in Yuzhou mostly came from the three northeastern provinces. In the summer, they would send large excavators to dig up a lot of black soil from the ground. This black soil was very fertile, and after transporting the soil layers to Yuzhou, it could be used to grow crops three times before its fertility was depleted.
However, by now, the north was still frozen. Many areas were not just covered in snow; in many wild regions, ice was freezing everywhere, and the ground had directly formed permafrost. Digging into the soil with a hoe would cause the palms to ache, and the tiger's mouth could even crack.
Now, this soil had become extremely hard because countless water molecules within it had solidified and frozen. It was not easy to excavate, so the source of black soil had been cut off.
Therefore, Chang Jianyi and Li Keyi discussed it. Since farming was not suitable in this situation, it was better to return to Yuzhou to rest for a while and deal with it later. Anyway, they had already produced enough grain, and there would be no grain pressure in the short term.
Taking this opportunity, Shen Feng presented Xie Mu'an's plan and hoped to discuss it.
Chang Jianyi thought the plan was very good because it considered the future ten years later, when the great ice age would end, and the whole country would erupt into chaos. Everyone would accumulate strength during this period, and whoever could gain more strength would have a greater advantage in future conflicts.
"Let's discuss this plan in a few days, but we must ensure that the content of our discussion does not leak out, otherwise it will inevitably cause a shock. Large-scale discussions are not suitable, so let's find some trusted confidants and hold a small meeting to finalize this matter!" Chang Jianyi suggested.
There is a very strange phenomenon in China, which is that major events are discussed in small meetings, and minor events are discussed in large meetings.
Often, trivial matters would be discussed in large meetings, with everyone debating and expressing their opinions. It seemed like a heated discussion about the distribution of power, but in reality, it was about trivial matters.
Many major events required meetings, but often only a few core leaders would discuss them, and others wouldn't even have the right to attend. Externally, it was said to be due to confidentiality, but in reality, power always revolved around them.
At this moment, Yuzhou welcomed a few special guests. It turned out that Mu Ying had come to Yuzhou with her son.
When Shen Feng saw the child, he was quite excited because, after all, the child was partly his, so he wanted to go forward and greet him.
Mu Ying said to her son, "Quickly say hello to Uncle. He is also your uncle. I will also take you to see your cousin later!"
The child, who appeared quite well-behaved, immediately bowed and said, "Hello Uncle, my mother and I are visiting relatives!"
Shen Feng was surprised to hear such an address. He thought about it carefully, and this was indeed the most suitable address. Considering the child was his son, but their identities had not been made public, it would be inappropriate for him to call him father at this time.
"Good, good! What's your name? How old are you?" Shen Feng couldn't help but ask.
The child standing before Shen Feng appeared to be only three or four years old, but he was already very sensible. When he saw someone he didn't know, he was very polite, completely unlike a child.
Shen Feng also carefully observed the child's appearance. He looked similar to himself, which was normal since it was his genes, and it was certain that he would resemble him.
Shen Feng then got down to business and asked, "Speaking of which, I still don't know why you came here. Weren't you in the Dabie Mountains before? Why are you looking for me now?"
At this time, Chu Chaoyan was also by Shen Feng's side. Seeing the expressions on Shen Feng and Mu Ying's faces, she instinctively felt that the atmosphere between the two was somewhat abnormal.
Moreover, the most important thing was that Mu Ying had always been alone. Now, she suddenly had a son, and Shen Feng seemed to have known about this for a while. Therefore, Chu Chaoyan had a bad premonition. Could it be that the two of them had some unspeakable relationship before?
When Mu Ying heard Shen Feng's question, she said, "I'm here to freeload. We've run out of food on the mountain. I had previously frozen many mutated beasts, but they couldn't last for a year and a half of eating. Farming is also impossible now, so I have no choice but to come to you for grain!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Feng said, "It's very simple to get grain. Let this child become my godson, and then I will supply you with grain!"
Shen Feng felt very unwilling. Although the child before him was conceived through IVF, his body still contained his genes. If the child continued to call him uncle, he would be extremely unwilling. Therefore, at this moment, when the other party needed him, he seized the opportunity to propose his condition.
Upon hearing this condition, Mu Ying asked her son, "Do you like this uncle? If you like him, call him Dad, and then you'll have plenty to eat. The decision is yours now."
Shen Feng originally thought the child would definitely agree, thus establishing a good relationship with the child.
However, children's logic is always so strange. When he was in the mountains, he had heard many unfortunate women talk about people selling their children. Now, hearing his mother and this stranger uncle discussing these matters, he suddenly had a bad feeling and misunderstood the situation.
So he immediately grabbed his mother's pant leg tightly and said, "I won't call him that. Mom, don't sell me. I'll be good."
Mu Ying said, "I'm not selling you. I'm asking you to call this uncle your godfather. From now on, you'll be his godson. You're so obedient, how could Mom sell you?"
Now that the child heard the explanation, he could only timidly say to Shen Feng, "Hello, Godfather!"
Shen Feng was still not entirely satisfied with this address, but it was much better than being called uncle. So Shen Feng had to accept it. Then, Shen Feng said, "Hurry and go to the Fengshen Palace. I'll have Xiao Long come to see you!"
Strictly speaking, the only blood relative Xiao Long had was Mu Ying. Xiao Long was also very familiar with his aunt, although they hadn't seen each other for several years. Now was an opportunity for them to meet, and they shouldn't miss it.
If anyone else had come to ask for grain, Shen Feng would generally not have agreed, because grain was now extremely precious, and he couldn't just let them take it away with a few casual words.
However, the person who appeared before Shen Feng was Mu Ying. Her bringing the child here already indicated her attitude. Even if Shen Feng didn't give her face, he had to give the child face, so he could only give a positive answer.