Chapter 337: Chapter 337

The more Yang Yang tried to suppress his emotions, the more Jing Shu could detect the feelings behind his words. At this moment, Jing Shu was not so much excited as she felt like ten thousand grass-mud horses were galloping across the prairie!

For a moment, Jing Shu was extremely conflicted.

Originally, according to her plan, she had intended to spend at least a month or two getting ready before heading to the United States with Yang Yang and the others. That way, Jing Shu would be thoroughly prepared and could go to the United States with peace of mind.

The main issue was that the third year’s earthquake had just occurred, and everyone was still unclear about its implications. It was just like when the floods first started; they all assumed it would be over in a few days, or at most, things would calm down in a month or two. But many other dangerous factors were hidden within.

There were just too many accidents this year. For example, in her previous life, her Uncle, Aunt, and their family had died in an earthquake. In this life, Jing Shu was determined not to let them die. Fortunately, that particular incident wouldn’t happen for another six months, by which time everyone would be an "old hand" at dealing with such situations. So, she somewhat trusted her own judgment, but she still had to remember this when the time came.

Because they frequently had to evacuate and change shelters, this year felt more like a guerrilla war against the earthquakes.

Jing Shu also wanted to use the first couple of months to teach her family how to most effectively assess dangers during an earthquake. Although practice made perfect, and everyone would probably grasp the techniques thoroughly in a few months, Jing Shu still wanted to teach her family quickly to provide an extra layer of security for their safety.

I don’t want to go to the United States only to return and find everything lost. That would greatly diminish the meaning of my survival in the apocalypse.

Another factor was the unforeseen change in her parents’ jobs, which filled Jing Shu with all sorts of unknown fears about this third year. In my previous life, I at least knew where the major dangers lay and could take some preemptive, almost prophetic, measures against disasters. But in this life, I’ve changed the main storyline, so the entire plot is different now. How can I leave Huaxia for the United States with peace of mind under such circumstances?

Moreover, the Magic Cube Space hadn’t upgraded. This meant I could carry far fewer items and couldn’t make adequate preparations. This trip to the United States is a rare opportunity; I have to make the most of it. I’d be worried sick if the Magic Cube Space still couldn’t be upgraded there...

All these concerns made Jing Shu fall into a somber silence, and the atmosphere grew tense. After a long pause, Jing Shu finally asked, "Didn’t you say it would be at the beginning of the year? The New Year hasn’t even passed yet."

The classmates around them pricked up their ears, listening intently to Jing Shu. They all remained quiet; some were shivering from the cold but didn’t dare to stomp their feet and disturb her.

"Because earthquakes are happening globally, and the United States is particularly chaotic due to them. Strike while the iron is hot. Now is the best opportunity. If we miss it, it will be much harder to fish in troubled waters once peace and prosperity return," Yang Yang’s voice was full of temptation.

Jing Shu considered it and realized he was right. These first few days of the earthquakes were indeed the most chaotic times for the entire world, including Huaxia, partly because the sudden earthquakes had disrupted every country’s plans.

Huaxia’s plan had naturally been to recuperate, focusing on agriculture to ensure everyone had enough food. But with the earthquake, planting was out of the question. First, they needed to settle the disaster victims, then lead people to evacuate, and also provide food supplies. The government must have been at their wit’s end these days.

Russia, known for its fighting spirit, had organized groups to catch polar bears bare-handed. They intended to capture wild animals for food or breeding. However, an earthquake caused nearby snow-capped mountains to collapse, and avalanches buried some border cities. The plan to catch polar bears bare-handed had to be canceled because the earthquakes had buried the polar bears.

A mention must be made of Japan, which was already on the brink of extinction. Currently, less than 1% of its population was hiding in Mount Fuji. The earthquake had also disrupted their plans. To seek refuge, these daring people were flying in rumored perpetual-motion airplanes, supposedly prepared for the apocalypse. They stayed in the sky 24 hours a day, living their entire lives airborne. To avoid lightning, they had to fly at low altitudes.

Amidst the earthquakes, what was the United States doing?

Its citizens were holding banners, demanding a change of president and a share of the grain. The newly appointed president was busy seizing power and purging officials from the previous administration. State governments were clashing with private farm owners. Unlike in Huaxia, where grain reserves were state-owned and compulsory, food in the United States was controlled by private farmers. Major farm owners were forming alliances and fighting against citizens, the government, and anyone else who dared to eye their grain.

The intensification of these conflicts initially harmed the farmers’ interests because the United States government suppressed the rise in grain prices. This eventually led to all grain owners halting their operations.

At this moment, the United States, after two years of apocalyptic civil war, was already riddled with problems. But even a lean camel is bigger than a horse. Besides, the United States hadn’t yet reached the point of food scarcity. The first year had been a struggle for power, the second for profit. After great difficulty, the country had unified, but now the people were dissatisfied with the current welfare system and were still clamoring for grain distribution.

The American public had learned from international news that the whole world faced a dire food shortage. However, a few developed countries with sparse populations and strong industries, like the United States, still lived relatively comfortably. Yet, the day would come when their food ran out. Many large grain producers had already hoarded substantial amounts of grain and even formed gangs.

The United States had not restricted grain purchases. In fact, over these two years, under strong capital control, prices had not increased. But now, a situation had arisen where grain couldn’t be bought because private farm owners were hoarding it and refusing to sell. Chapters fırst released on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩•𝗳𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝕟𝕖𝕥

For their own interests, citizens also began to clamor. They demanded that regardless of how farm owners handled their grain, the president must distribute enough food to everyone, or face replacement.

The newly appointed president hadn’t even warmed his seat before being overwhelmed by public opinion. What was worse, refugees from neighboring countries like Mexico and Cuba kept pouring in. The United States employed various methods, but there were too many refugees, and they couldn’t be stopped, especially since it was easy to sneak in under the cover of darkness.

So, every day in the United States, countless robberies and murders occurred!

This period in the United States could be described as the most chaotic time in its history. It epitomized the extreme pursuit of personal interests by the capitalist class, a situation where one couldn’t even step outside without several guns.

Compared to this, the six months in Huaxia when humanity seemed lost were mere child’s play. If Huaxia’s turmoil was a third-rate martial arts film, what was happening abroad was a sci-fi gunfight blockbuster—not on the same level at all. However, this also served to better illustrate the fact that public security in Huaxia was indeed good.

At this moment, the United States was like a big, fat sheep, with many neighboring countries eyeing it. If not now, then when?

"Alright, you pick a time. I’ll prepare as soon as possible," Jing Shu said seriously, having come to an understanding.

"The earliest would be the day after tomorrow morning. First, we’ll go to the Imperial Capital and assemble with the main team there, then depart from the Imperial Capital."