Chapter 58 Highway (2)

The Ministry of Civil Affairs recorded everyone’s behavior. Those who caused trouble today would have no food tomorrow; all their provisions and weapons would be confiscated, and upon returning to base, they would be assigned to a labor reform unit for further punishment. Depending on their conduct before returning, their penalties could be increased or lessened.

Li Fengyi witnessed the scene and silently resolved to send these people where they belonged, leaving no hidden dangers behind. To oppose the powerful was not a feat ordinary folk could accomplish; it was as absurd as a pauper with a few coins trying to compete with Bill Gates in a battle of wealth.

The original plan had been to deploy defenses along the river, guarding against zombies east of the Wenyu River. Now, with zombie hordes appearing on the west side as well, effective defense became impossible. Li Fengyi, his advisers, and the battalion and regiment commanders convened to discuss the matter.

In the end, they decided to head east along the airport expressway’s branch, then south at the second airport expressway, entering Dongba from the east side to reclaim the machinery factory first.

The army advanced eastward in a winding column, the open fields beneath the expressway stretching endlessly, a green carpet dotted with scattered clusters of dark gray. Through binoculars, the figures were clear—zombies wandering aimlessly, few and far between.

After reaching Guantou Bridge, they paused briefly and rescued over a hundred survivors trapped on the highway. With the example set by the privileged second generation, the survivors this time were compliant, following instructions to clear roadblocks and move south along the second airport expressway.

There weren’t many vehicles along this stretch, making it easy to clean up. Three regiments plus the reconnaissance battalion had nearly a thousand vehicles, stretching for thirty kilometers—a magnificent sight.

Sun Xiaoshan and Li Fengyi rode in the same vehicle. Sun gazed at the vanguard, its head lost in the distance, and glanced in the rearview mirror at the endless line of vehicles behind them. The military convoy was like a dragon, winding relentlessly along the highway. Feeling inspired, he began to sing:

“Battling hardships with heroic spirit, laughing at wind and rain, our hearts fixed on the nation, forging ahead through adversity, with no burdens, crossing perilous passes, heroes compete, riding the waves with valor, the seas and fields echo with ancient legends, spears and armor, swords dancing in the sky, seven-foot men, eagles soaring, roaring amidst heaven and earth, unafraid of snow or ice, burning like fire, who says ambitions cannot be fulfilled? Through mountains and rivers, love and hatred become a jug of strong wine, watching the rise and fall of the world as clouds drift across the sky. Even if ties are severed, dominance sweeps ahead, leaving behind a legacy, men untroubled, grand plans for the world, mountains enduring, rivers flowing, blade and sword, fearless through time, let the bloody storms turn gentle, fate not dictated by gods or demons, the Yangtze ever flows east, mountains and rivers linger beneath our feet, standing tall in the northern wind, waving sleeves as distant flags flutter, a million troops marching—what grandeur!”

He repeated the refrain, stirring the spirit of the moment.

This was Sun Xiaoshan’s favorite song. Li Fengyi couldn’t help but join in, singing, “Standing tall in the northern wind, waving sleeves as distant flags flutter, a million troops marching—what grandeur!”

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“Fifth Brother,” Sun Xiaoshan addressed Li Fengyi according to their family custom, as he had taken Li’s mother as his godmother. Li Fengyi was the fifth among five siblings, Sun Xiaoshan the sixth. “This whole industrial area is focused on machinery manufacturing. I insisted on reclaiming Dongba, not Chaolong or other hardware equipment zones, because those other areas have new equipment—difficult to install and calibrate. Here, the factories are ready to use. Of all the industrial zones I know around Beijing, only Dongba is a machinery park.”

Li Fengyi, well versed in the characteristics of industrial production, agreed wholeheartedly. “Sixth Brother, I’ll lead people to establish a defensive line around Dongba. Once you restore production, start manufacturing weapons and equipment. We need to set up a second base.”

He pushed open the car door to get out, paused, and added, “See if you can reestablish contact with the base.”

Sun Xiaoshan replied without hesitation, “We need to find radio equipment. The base is too far—walkie-talkies won’t reach.”

Li Fengyi ordered the staff to summon battalion commanders for a meeting to discuss operational orders.

“This terrain is flat, roads are accessible, rivers are numerous, population is dense, buildings are mainly factories and villagers’ homes, with a complex and chaotic layout,” an adviser explained, pointing at the map laid on the jeep’s hood.

“We’ll first build defensive lines along the rivers and roads, then move inward to clear villages and factories,” the adviser said, sketching on the map. “The new defensive lines are: northwest to the airport expressway, northeast and east to the Wenyu River, south to Bahe, west to North Xiaohe. Each regiment will send two battalions forward to these lines. The eastern Wenyu River has a broad surface; after blocking the bridges, set up sentries and arrange regular patrols. Each regiment will dispatch a battalion plus the reconnaissance battalion under Director Li’s command to clear Dongba.”

“Each battalion must set up its own training company. As we advance, survivors must be screened, and all personnel related to the machinery factory—even the cleaners—must be sent back,” Li Fengyi nodded in agreement, adding, “This is our first base outside Beijing city. We’ll temporarily name it the Post-Apocalypse Beijing Special Task Committee Second Base. Leadership will be based on headquarters-appointed commissioners. My command post will be on the west side of Dongba Street’s overpass. Our walkie-talkies are five-watt units; if the signal is unclear, each unit must relay messages to ensure smooth command.”

He stood up. “We must act quickly, restore production, and reestablish contact with headquarters.”

Everyone stood at attention and saluted, replying, “Yes!”

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Each regiment dispatched two battalions to the designated defensive lines. Li Fengyi sent sentries to the Wenyu River and began the operation to clear and reclaim Dongba.

All regiments were now experienced in fighting zombies. First, a company would rush ahead to their defensive line and establish reconnaissance, then the main force would advance in a sweeping line, reclaiming villages and clearing zombies as they went.

Suddenly, Li Fengyi thought of something and asked Sun Xiaoshan, “Does Dongba have a power plant?”

Sun Xiaoshan was stunned. After a moment, his whole body began to tremble, his face turning pale—he had completely forgotten about electricity!

Dongba had no power plant! Even if they reclaimed Dongba, they couldn’t operate the equipment!

He staggered back two steps, lost his balance, and collapsed to the ground, curling up and burying his head in his knees, unable to speak...

This was a meaningless expedition.

This expedition had cost many lives, disturbed the zombie horde, and all because of his proposal.

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