Si Cheng and the others hadn't really expected this. In the apocalypse, they had seen many lakes larger than this one dry up. But things hadn't reached the final stage yet. When the water level dropped, everyone would start to worry. At least the village could survive a year longer than other places.

In the days that followed, Yunqi ignored her parents' advice and cooked non-stop every day, trying to prepare enough food for the next few years. She made use of the pots she had previously stored, and they gradually piled up on the shelves in her storage space.

They wanted to stop her, but Si Cheng persuaded them to let her do it; the food wouldn't spoil anyway, and at worst, no one would have to cook for the next few years. Seeing that their son-in-law agreed, the old couple let her do as she pleased.

As for the crops in the field, perhaps due to the addition of farmyard manure, they are indeed growing better than before. However, the leaves appear somewhat yellow, possibly because they haven't received enough sunlight.

As for the city, the military conducted a thorough review of all the villages surrounding the city and began preparing to assign personnel to go to the countryside.

Just as they finished compiling the list and were about to release it, they discovered that people had run up from the lower county town. They were covered in red bumps all over their bodies, and looked quite frightening.

"Doctor, could you please find a doctor?"

"Doctor, help!"

As soon as those people arrived in the city, they arrested people and shouted at them.

Seeing the red bumps all over their faces, everyone avoided them and reported the incident to the army.

After examination by doctors, the cause of the illness could not be found, and it could not be determined whether the disease was contagious. Therefore, they could only isolate them for the time being.

Because this group made such a big fuss when they entered the city, many rumors started circulating. As a result, the group that was supposed to go to the rural areas started to back out and instead went to the office to protest.

“We can’t go down now. What if it’s a plague? That would be pushing us to our deaths.”

"That's right. There aren't even any hospitals right now. If you get infected, it's a sure way to die."

"No, you need to give me an explanation."

The noise and protests made the whole scene extremely noisy.

"Quiet down, everyone, listen to what we have to say." After shouting several times through a megaphone, the crowd gradually quieted down, but some people were still muttering to themselves.

“Going down to the countryside is a must, and the subsidies have been distributed to everyone. The sooner we go down to the countryside, the sooner we can settle down.”

"With so little food, and nothing at all, how are we supposed to live in the countryside?"

When the grain was being distributed, these people had a completely different attitude. Everyone was happy then, thanking the government profusely. Now that the grain is in their hands, they've become even more demanding and greedy.

"I've explained this to everyone before. When we get to the village, we'll distribute land to everyone so you can farm it yourselves. Farm tools will also be given to you on the day you arrive."

"What about the house? Where will we live when we go downstairs?"

"This is also something we're about to announce. According to reliable sources, the weather will be hot and dry in the coming days, so you can build a simple house first. These materials can still be found in the countryside. Over the years, everyone can gradually accumulate them in the countryside. As long as you have a pair of hardworking hands, you can solve any problem. There is nothing that cannot be overcome."

“You make it sound so simple. Integrating into a place isn’t easy. Besides, you said there will be a drought. How are we supposed to survive?” The group of leaders kept bringing up the issues they had discussed.

"But if you're in the city, everyone's food reserves aren't very high either. You'll face a shortage of water and food. How long do you think you can hold out then?" The instructor sent out to reassure everyone laid out all the issues openly and frankly with everyone.

“At least when you go to the countryside, as long as you are diligent, you can still make a little bit of a harvest. Moreover, according to our visits, there are many mountains here. During this period, most villagers are searching for wild vegetables and mushrooms all over the mountains. This is what people call living off the land. If you stay in the city, even if you want to pick them, there is nowhere to pick them.”

"Isn't there still the country? The country's grain reserves may be able to sustain us for a while."

"Since everyone has brought up this issue, let me do the math for you. From last year until now, almost a year has passed, and the entire country has essentially had no harvest. Moreover, so much land has been lost, several coastal provinces have been completely wiped out, and with the earthquake, so many houses have collapsed, and so many supplies have been lost. Think about these losses. And then think about how everyone has basically been living off their reserves for over a year, plus the grain that has just been distributed to everyone. How long do you think we can last?"

Hearing this, everyone fell silent. But the instructor continued, "You know that our soldiers, besides patrolling every day, also have to go to the outskirts to clear land, just to be self-sufficient in the days to come. If you don't believe me, you can look at their hands and feet; they're covered in thick calluses. I'm not saying this to elicit your sympathy, but to make everyone understand that in the days to come, if you don't work hard and diligently, you'll have nothing."

“It’s not that we’re not going to the countryside, it’s just that we’re worried about the plague.” Hearing this, many people softened their stance and expressed their concerns.

"There was no plague at all. Who told you it was a plague? It was because too many people died in their county at that time, and the bodies were not disposed of. The hot and humid weather produced a kind of toxin. These diseases are not contagious."

“It’s so dangerous there, and you’re sending us down there? Can you guarantee that the disease won’t be fatal? What if there’s a shortage of medical supplies? Isn’t this just sending us to our deaths?” Hearing this, the scene descended into chaos again, with everyone expressing their concerns.

"Those are just a few counties. We'll take you around there. If there are no problems, go and see where you've been assigned. Pack your things as soon as possible." The instructor finished speaking and turned to leave.

"Wait, we have one more question." Several people standing in the front row quickly spoke up to stop the person in charge as they were about to leave.

"Any more questions?" The instructor looked directly at them, while thinking to himself that he would have his men arrange for them to be placed in a more remote location later.

"What if we can't grow food in the countryside in the future? After all, we weren't farmers before. How many more years will you continue to subsidize us then?"