Dragon Transformation in the Apocalypse

Chapter 200 Preparations before departure

The next morning, Li Chenglong first led the investigation team on a tour of the Dawn Building and some functional areas of Dawn City. Wang Ruyan, like a curious child, kept asking various questions, which Wang Shuang answered one by one. Xu Qingming said in surprise, "My father came to your Dawn City's first anniversary celebration last time, but I didn't. He came back and happily told me that Dawn City had undergone earth-shattering changes. At first, I didn't believe it, but seeing it today, the changes are indeed huge. The area has increased several times, there are several more functional areas, and people are living in peace and contentment. You can't tell at all that this is the end of the world."

In fact, the five people from the Northwest Military Region and the Central Military Region were partly investigating the situation in the Southeast Military Region, and partly an observation group to see Shuguang City. Their high-ranking officials had watched the live broadcast of Shuguang City's first anniversary celebration; some expressed surprise, some disbelief, and some envy. Before the three people from the Northwest Military Region departed, General Chen Guoqiang personally told them, "Use your three eyes to see Shuguang City carefully, not only their army, but also the people in their most remote areas."

The group first arrived at the Logistics Department, behind which lay a massive 20-square-kilometer storage base, the lifeblood of Dawn City, storing the vast majority of its food and various supplies. To ensure the safety of these supplies, the Young Pioneers, the City Defense Department, the Joint Logistics Support Department, and the Material Support Team each stationed personnel here. In addition to these personnel, a professional team of superhumans was responsible for reconnaissance and guarding. Every important shipment entering or leaving the storage base required the signature of someone at least a section chief in the Logistics Department, as well as the signature of the commander of one of the four units responsible for material protection.

Looking at the enormous yet crammed-full storage base, Lu Mingyuan couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, "Although our Northwest Military Region also has several large bases, I estimate that all the supplies combined are only as much as those in Dawn City." The Northwest Military Region is relatively barren, making resource acquisition very difficult, but it is also relatively safe. Yun Qian, along with her assistants Ma Yuanyuan and Xiao Ya, gave the group a brief tour, explaining the various functional areas of the storage base and the inventory of some items.

After leaving the Security Department, Li Chenglong led his group on a tour of several commercial streets. These streets offered almost everything imaginable: food streets, clothing streets, department stores, entertainment streets, and even KTVs and small bars. This was part of the policy Li Chenglong had initially proposed for Shuguang City: decentralizing some commerce to the people, with the expectation that proper management would prevent problems. Each commercial street now had an office for the Commerce and Industry Department, facilitating complaints from Shuguang City residents and the management of businesses.

After arriving at the clothing street, Wang Ruyan entered a beautifully decorated women's lingerie store. Li Chenglong and the others naturally didn't go in; only Wang Shuang was pulled along by Wang Ruyan to offer her advice. As soon as they entered, a smartly dressed middle-aged woman approached. The store wasn't very large, but it was exquisitely decorated. The middle-aged woman immediately smiled and said, "What would you two ladies like to choose from? We have all kinds of lingerie in every size imaginable, all produced in the First Industrial Zone of Shuguang City. Although they don't have brands, the quality and comfort are unparalleled."

Wang Ruyan nodded: "Boss, do you have any products you'd recommend?" The female boss smiled and said, "Of course! I just got a batch of underwear made from exotic silkworm silk. It's very comfortable to wear, highly elastic, stain-resistant, breathable, warm in winter and cool in summer, and very flexible. And this bra, in particular, makes your bust look especially good. I wear one myself. I can't just talk about it; you can try it on." As she spoke, the female boss opened a brand-new bra from the packaging and handed it to Wang Ruyan. Wang Ruyan curiously took it and went into the dressing room at the back.

Normally, she definitely wouldn't let anyone try on these exotic silk lingerie, because they're very expensive, and if someone tries them on but doesn't buy, how would she sell them later? But she felt relieved when she saw the person accompanying this female customer. She had met Wang Shuang once before; she was from the special forces. After saying that, she started chatting with Wang Shuang, and the two talked about the styles of lingerie and their own figures, getting along very well.

A moment later, Wang Ruyan came out, satisfied. "Boss, I'll take this set, and I'll also get a new one." The female shopkeeper happily replied, "Great! Two sets of exotic beast silk underwear for a total of five level-three orange crystals." Wang Ruyan nodded, feeling the price was reasonable, and paid immediately. The female shopkeeper smiled, wrapped the two sets of underwear, handed them to Wang Ruyan, and welcomed her to come again next time.

They ate lunch at a restaurant on the commercial street. The restaurant owner, Li Chenglong, was very familiar with him. He recognized the young couple he had met at the Feiyun Base. They had also traveled a long way to get here and opened a restaurant with their savings. The business seemed to be doing quite well.

Upon seeing Li Chenglong lead his group in, the proprietress said happily, "Lord, what brings you here today? It's an honor to have you here." Li Chenglong smiled and said, "I've been too busy lately to come over. Today I brought a few friends, and we haven't eaten yet. Proprietress, do you have any private rooms available? A small private room would be perfect for us, as there are only seven of us."

At this moment, the male boss also came out of the kitchen and said happily, "The small private rooms are all booked. There are quite a few people coming to eat today, so Lord, we will arrange a large private room on the third floor for you." Li Chenglong thought for a moment and said, "That's fine. Then you must show off your skills, boss. These guests have come from afar." The male boss said, "I will definitely do my best. Wife, you take the Lord and the others up first."

The proprietress led Li Chenglong and his group to a large private room on the third floor. Li Chenglong had everyone order some dishes, and then they went downstairs together. He went to the counter and asked, "Have there been any people recently who are eating and drinking for free, dining and dashing, abusing their power, or charging irregular fees?" The proprietress shook her head. "No, the Industry and Commerce Bureau is managing things very well now. We haven't seen any such incidents. However, a few days ago, a shop was shut down by the Industry and Commerce Bureau for repeatedly selling inferior goods." Li Chenglong said with satisfaction, "That's good. In the future, if you encounter any such incidents, you can directly tell the management department on each street. If they don't handle it, just tell me." The proprietress thanked him repeatedly, saying that she rarely saw someone as considerate of the people as Li Chenglong.

Everyone enjoyed lunch. In the afternoon, they inspected the light and heavy industrial zones. Later, at Lu Zhenhua's request, they even visited the sewage treatment plant and garbage disposal plant in Shuguang City, as these places are the best indicators of whether a place is all show and no substance. To their great surprise, the water treated at the sewage treatment plant not only had no strange smell, but its color was exactly the same as normal water. Several large garbage disposal plants were also processing garbage around the clock, with countless pieces of sorted garbage being sent to the appropriate places for further processing.

Their final stop was Military Zone 1. Currently, the 11th Division of Military Zone 2 was out clearing zombies and temporarily not in Dawn City. The group arrived at the 4th Regiment of the 7th Division, commanded by Chu Xiu, a former special forces member. Chu Xiu was overjoyed by the group's visit, especially the arrival of Li Chenglong. Under Chu Xiu's guidance, the group toured the recruit training facilities, the canteens, and dormitories of each battalion. They had originally planned to visit the Dawn City Air Force Base, which was under construction, but Li Chenglong declined, citing its ongoing construction. Lu Mingyuan and the others felt disappointed but didn't say much.

After a day of rest, they sat down together that evening to discuss their route south in detail, preparing to set off early the next morning.