Shen Feng and Xu Xing enjoyed a life of luxury within the manor, feeling no guilt as their enjoyment was the result of a fulfilled transaction. The resources they received came from affluent families, not from exploiting the common people, thus their indulgence was deemed acceptable.
Within a week, nearly all the financial consortiums in the New York region had joined the initiative. They amassed a considerable number of conscripted soldiers. These soldiers required no firearms, as every impoverished individual possessed a weapon; those without had already been eliminated. Consequently, a large army could be assembled instantly with just money.
Initially, Tom's plan for this locust extermination involved only New York. However, Philadelphia and Boston soon joined, swelling the army's ranks to over a hundred thousand. Such a scale was rare in this post-apocalyptic era.
Shen Feng and Xu Xing traveled separately in a sedan towards the Great Lakes region. The areas surrounding the Great Lakes boasted fertile soil, thanks to the abundant water sources. However, recent years had seen a drought in North America, leaving the land parched. Locusts then appeared, not only reducing crop yields but also devouring the remaining harvests.
"It seems that not only China has encountered drought and floods, but other countries are also experiencing extreme weather. Now, with the onset of a mini ice age, it's like adding insult to injury!" Xu Xing lamented, shaking her head.
Enduring a mini ice age during a time of peace was already challenging. Now, with humanity facing an apocalypse, the Earth had entered a mini ice age, leading to extreme weather patterns across the equatorial regions. Temperatures soared to over fifty degrees Celsius, capable of killing people, while the north experienced sub-zero temperatures that could freeze individuals alive. This was indeed a dire situation for humanity.
"Don't pity other countries now. It's much better here than in China. The plains here are far superior to China's, and the area is vast. If they can clear the locusts, one harvest will sustain them for three to four years!" Shen Feng told Xu Xing.
As the army advanced, gunfire suddenly erupted ahead, followed shortly by artillery. Shen Feng, turning to the translator beside him, inquired, "Are there any powerful enemies remaining in North America? Why is there combat during our advance?"
"Respected Lord Fengshen, this is not an encounter with a powerful enemy, but a minor band of thieves. They will be dealt with. In North America, the greatest power resides in the major cities. However, there are always those in outlying areas who believe they can defeat us, so they frequently set up toll booths. We simply use artillery against such individuals," the translator quickly explained.
"So, there are bandits in North America too. I thought they only existed on the Eurasian continent. It turns out every place has these private armed groups!" Shen Feng nodded.
The term "toll collection" was merely another name for robbery. Typically, only local governments could levy tolls. Now, any small group of thugs could set up roadblocks along the roads, effectively acting as bandits.
Xu Xing whispered to Shen Feng, "You haven't watched enough movies. If you were familiar with Westerns, you'd know that horse bandits often appear in rural areas, the kind who would engage in gun duels at the slightest provocation."
"I haven't watched many of those movies. I'm only now realizing that the western regions of North America are also not peaceful. However, the Great Lakes should be in the eastern region, right?" Shen Feng asked.
"I'm not sure about that, but it seems we're nearing our destination," Xu Xing replied.
The army was advancing along the highway. If any foolish individuals dared to rob them, the army possessed cannons capable of shattering any obstacle.
Upon learning of the army's progress, many small-time bandits promptly avoided the roads, not wanting to attract the army's attention and risk being annihilated.
After a day of travel, the army finally reached the shores of the Great Lakes. The lakes had begun to shrink, with shorelines receding into the water.
Numerous locust nests dotted the areas surrounding the Great Lakes. The soil excavated by these locusts formed mounds. Besides locusts, there were also many termite mounds. The termites' construction skills were even more advanced, forming towering structures directly from the ground. Typically, no one lived in these areas, as anyone who ventured there would surely be consumed by termites or locusts.
"I didn't expect so many locust nests here. Clearing them all at once doesn't seem easy," Xu Xing gasped upon seeing their destination.
Earlier, Xu Xing had considered the mission to be simple, merely the extermination of hibernating locusts. Such an easy task seemed within their grasp. However, upon arriving at their destination, she realized her assumption was too naive. The sheer scale of the area made the hundred-thousand-strong army appear insignificant.
"If we rely on manual clearing, we won't be able to complete the mission within a month. But don't forget, my special ability is specifically related to influencing the climate!" Shen Feng declared confidently.
With that, Shen Feng ascended into the sky, soaring back and forth as if searching for something.
When Shen Feng descended, he was filled with confidence.
"Mr. Shen, what are your plans for eliminating the vast number of locusts? We cannot continuously excavate the locust nests," Tom approached Shen Feng to inquire about the situation.
"In the coming days, I plan to induce colder weather, causing heavy snowfall and freezing the entire ground. My subordinate here can cause earthquakes, which will collapse all the underground burrows. At that point, the army can systematically excavate the insect nests. As long as we can get ice and snow into the nests, that will be sufficient!" Shen Feng stated confidently.
"That's a good idea, but can it truly be achieved?" Tom expressed his doubts.
"I am confident in this matter, but I will also require your meteorological satellite assistance. When the cold front moves south, I will create a massive cyclone in the sky, causing the cold front to linger in the north. This will result in continuous snowfall, covering the entire north with ice and snow," Shen Feng explained.
Tom nodded and replied, "No problem, I will ensure the soldiers cooperate fully. When do you plan to begin, Mr. Shen?"
Shen Feng responded, "We will begin tonight!"
Tom nodded and proceeded to issue the orders.
After dinner, Shen Feng took to the sky and unleashed his abilities. The surrounding tens of kilometers were affected by fierce winds, forming a massive cyclone. This cyclone pulled the cold front rapidly southward, while areas near the cyclone stagnated. The collision between the cold front and the warm front directly resulted in heavy snowfall.
In the middle of the night, the soldiers noticed something peculiar. The wind howled, and the temperature dropped drastically. Soon, the soldiers shivered uncontrollably and sought refuge in their tents for warmth. By midnight, large snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
Fortunately, the army had ample supplies. Soon, solidified fuel was distributed. Lighting this fuel provided long-lasting heat.
Xu Xing, huddled in her tent, studied a map. This was her first time in the Great Lakes region. On the map, the Great Lakes appeared minuscule, but upon arriving, she realized the vastness of the lake area. Clearing all the locusts in the vicinity was no simple task.
Fortunately, heavy snow was falling from the sky, inflicting casualties on the ground-dwelling insects. Countless insects hibernate in winter as a survival strategy, conserving energy. They bury their eggs in the soil, which hatch in spring.
However, the natural enemy of these insects was extremely low temperatures. No matter how deep the eggs were buried, they would be frozen to death by the ice and snow.
Shen Feng maintained the cyclone at high altitude and could not descend for the time being. However, he could communicate with the ground via a walkie-talkie he carried.
"Mr. Shen, please hold on in the sky. We will clear the locusts as quickly as possible. Do not leave during this time. If you require any supplies, we will send helicopters to you!" Tom told Shen Feng.
"As long as you continue to provide me with supplies, I can sustain the cyclone in the sky. However, you must deliver the supplies to me promptly, as I am expending a great deal of energy. If I go hungry, I will descend immediately!" Shen Feng said with a smile.
"Please rest assured, we will deliver the supplies to the sky immediately!" Tom quickly replied.
In the following days, the army began clearing the insect nests on the ground. Most of these were locust nests. By simply excavating the entrances to the locust burrows, ice and snow would naturally flood in, freezing any locusts within to death due to the extreme cold.
During the process of clearing insect nests, Xu Xing proved to be the most outstanding. She understood that Shen Feng had agreed to this transaction partly to accommodate her desire to bring the national treasures home. Therefore, Xu Xing was determined not to let Shen Feng bear the burden alone and resolved to give her all.
When Xu Xing acted, her movements were simple. She instructed everyone around her to move away, then stomped on the ground. The earth began to churn, creating waves that extended outwards. The vibrations shook the insects beneath the ground, forcing them to the surface, where they were instantly covered by ice and snow.
"Amazing! Is this the power of Chinese espers? Truly formidable!" Many soldiers were astonished by this display, having never witnessed such an efficient method of extermination.
However, the subsequent conversation veered off course:
"I heard that this beautiful woman from Asia is still unmarried. If you perform well, you might win her favor!"
"That idea is utter nonsense. How could an esper fancy ordinary soldiers like us? I've heard that Asian women are very pragmatic. Even if they like foreigners, they prefer those who are wealthy and handsome."
"If you all give up, then the opportunity is mine alone, because I have substantial capital!" declared a burly man, thrusting his waist forward as if to boast of something.
The soldiers, having been awestruck by the prowess of Shen Feng and Xu Xing, were now filled with renewed confidence.