As dawn broke, members of the propaganda department drove around the streets with loudspeakers, announcing that everyone should voluntarily gather at the plaza for a meeting. They specifically stated that children and the elderly were exempt. Upon hearing this, many people preferred to sleep in. After all, the announcement said it was voluntary, so who would want to attend a meeting now? They still had to wake up and work later. It was better to sleep a little longer.
While some chose to sleep in, others decided to go to the plaza to attend the meeting, curious if something special had happened. Otherwise, why would there be a meeting for no reason?
When the crowd arrived at the plaza, they found it had completely changed. A high platform had been erected overnight. Dozens of people were tied up and kneeling on the platform, weeping profusely. Around them, members of the combat groups stood guard with weapons. At this point, people began to inquire amongst themselves and learned that these individuals had attempted to rob firearms and rebel the previous night, were caught, and were to be executed today.
Approximately ten thousand people had gathered in the plaza. From the high platform, it appeared the plaza was almost full. Shen Feng then stepped forward and addressed the crowd from the platform, saying, "These people are scoundrels. Their existence threatens Luzhou. Last night, they tried to seize firearms. I ask you all, what would our future lives be like if such cowardly individuals obtained guns? I dare not imagine. These people who cower when facing zombies but are the first to step forward to rob their own kind – what would happen if they were to rule us!"
Afterward, Shen Feng observed the reactions of the crowd below, noting that everyone was listening quietly. He continued, "The decision regarding these heinous criminals is in your hands. What do you say we do!"
"Kill them! Kill them..." the crowd below erupted. Everyone's emotions had been stirred by Shen Feng. They now harbored hatred for those who had tried to steal firearms and proposed killing them.
In reality, many individuals in the crowd had been strategically placed as "atmosphere setters" to guide the sentiment at critical moments. The opportunity had now arrived. A few people shouted slogans, and the rest followed suit, with no room for independent thought.
Shen Feng, as if taking their advice, announced, "Execute them!"
Yang Chang led a group of people onto the platform. Each person found their designated victim, gripping large sabers, ready to strike.
Shen Feng loudly declared, "From now on, anyone who dares to rebel, cause trouble, or commit crimes will face this fate."
Yang Chang shouted, "Kill!"
Following this, everyone acted in unison. Dozens of people were beheaded on the spot. The concept of severed heads falling to the ground was a distant memory, but only such a bloody spectacle could deter those with restless intentions. Witnessing this scene, some in the crowd fainted on the spot, while others displayed fervent expressions in their eyes, and still others showed deep fear. They understood one thing from this execution: if anyone dared to cause trouble, Shen Feng's side would indeed kill them!
Seizing this opportunity, Shen Feng announced the arrangements for the Self-Aid Association. All members of the Self-Aid Association would be integrated into the City Lord's Mansion. Departmental assignments would be announced later. As for the combat groups, they would be split into three divisions: the City Defense Army, the Expeditionary Army, and the Guards Army. The ministers of these divisions would be Li Xiang, Guo Pinming, and Yang Chang, respectively. These three individuals were either exceptionally capable or had followed Shen Feng from early on, thus earning their current positions of importance.
Immediately, the members of the Self-Aid Association below cheered. They all knew that the Self-Aid Association had previously been merely a civilian organization, but now they had been legitimized, transforming into the administrators of Luzhou. No, they would likely be called Jiangyang in the future, as it was rumored that the name would be officially changed once the city walls were completed.
Shen Feng took this opportunity to announce that the City Lord's Mansion would soon conduct talent selections. Anyone with a specialized skill could be given an important role and join the City Lord's Mansion.
Following this, more people cheered. Previously, they had been envious of how easily members of the Self-Aid Association had become part of the City Lord's Mansion. But now, with the opportunity laid before them, they wished they could join the City Lord's Mansion immediately, as the benefits offered were truly exceptional.
Xu Xing, watching from below with a samurai sword in her hand, gazed at the majestic Shen Feng on the platform with longing. She too wished to join the City Lord's Mansion and to fight!
Therefore, Xu Xing said to her mother beside her, "I want to join the City Lord's Mansion too, and I want to be a member of the Guards Army. I'll show Brother Shen Feng my samurai sword now; he'll definitely agree."
However, Xu Xing's mother frowned upon hearing this and said, "Absolutely not. You are just a high school student, and a girl at that. You are not allowed to fight! I don't care if you want to join other departments, but you absolutely cannot join the combat departments. Don't you know how dangerous it is?"
"I've heard that the benefits for joining combat departments are the best. I can earn a lot of food for you. Why don't you agree?" Xu Xing said unhappily to her mother.
Her mother shook her head helplessly and said, "I am a worker at the textile factory now, and I can support both of us. If you go to a combat department and are constantly fighting, how can I live without worrying? So, you either join another department or stay home obediently and don't run around."
Xu Xing nodded helplessly. She couldn't win against her mother's advice. Although she desperately wanted to fight, it wasn't something she could just do. For now, she had to choose another department.
Thus, Xu Xing and her mother found a girl with a red cloth tied around her arm, handed her the samurai sword, and said it was Shen Feng's intention. The girl dared not delay and quickly took the samurai sword to Shen Feng to ask for his opinion.
When Shen Feng saw the sword, he immediately remembered that he had been saved by a mother and daughter when he went to a Buddhist temple to attract zombies. He had given the samurai sword to the young girl and promised to help her in the future. He never expected her to seek him out now.
Therefore, Shen Feng asked Yu Renshu to preside over the meeting, while he himself went to find Xu Xing and her mother. They eventually met below the high platform.
"Brother Shen Feng, we meet again. You were so majestic just now," Xu Xing said happily upon seeing Shen Feng and quickly stepped forward to speak.
Xu Xing's mother looked at her daughter with great concern. She had seen Shen Feng announce the execution, and dozens of heads had fallen to the ground at that moment. The scene had terrified her. To her, Shen Feng was a terrifying figure, one who could be described as killing without batting an eye.
Shen Feng smiled and handed the samurai sword back to Xu Xing, saying, "This sword was originally given to you. What help do you need from me this time? Just say it."
"Can I join the City Lord's Mansion?" Xu Xing asked quickly.
"Yes, yes, you can. Just tell me which department you want to join!" Shen Feng was quite good to Xu Xing. Fortunately, Xu Xing had thrown down a rope from the second floor, saving him. Otherwise, he would have been eaten by zombies. Therefore, Shen Feng intended to fulfill Xu Xing's request as much as possible.
Xu Xing glanced at her mother, noticing the threatening look in her eyes. She then said with a dejected tone, "I want to work in a safe department."
Xu Xing's mother added, "Preferably one that is a bit leisurely, without requiring physical or mental labor."
Shen Feng frowned. If Xu Xing had asked to join a combat department, he would have given her a bottle of evolution potion. But now, it seemed Xu Xing merely wanted a safe and leisurely position, which was equivalent to seeking a sinecure. However, Shen Feng did think of a place and directly said, "Then go to the orphanage. You can play with the children there. Generally, you won't need to fight. It should be fine to take care of children, right?"
"This position is good. It's safe and leisurely," Xu Xing's mother quickly nodded, indicating Xu Xing's agreement.
Xu Xing could only nod helplessly, holding the samurai sword. Shen Feng then informed her of her work schedule and left.
Xu Xing actually yearned to become a chivalrous hero, like those described in novels – a person with a long sword, wandering through the ends of the earth, upholding justice, and earning the admiration of others. Unfortunately, her mother had chosen her position for her, and in the end, she could only go to the orphanage to accompany a bunch of brats.
"It seems I'll never get to fight in this lifetime," Xu Xing cast a resentful glance at her mother and then followed her home.
After the combat groups were officially divided into three departments and the personnel assignments were completed, Shen Feng approved their request to receive firearms, but ammunition would not be provided for the time being. Therefore, the subsequent training did not include target practice. The total amount of ammunition was insufficient even for killing zombies, let alone for target practice.
However, even without ammunition, the members of the three combat departments were still very happy. No ammunition was fine; they would eventually get ammunition in future battles. Having guns was enough for now!
Each of the three departments had eight hundred people, and their combat effectiveness was not particularly high, as most of them were newly recruited. Anyone over sixteen years old could join a combat department. For training, Guo Pinming introduced some retired veterans to assist. The most crucial aspect needing training was discipline. The discipline of the combat troops was currently very poor. Especially last night, Shen Feng discovered that over twenty people guarding the building were having a barbecue. He said nothing at the time, but he privately instructed Guo Pinming to ensure that his subordinates paid attention to discipline.
In the afternoon, Chang Haojie ran to Shen Feng's office, excitedly saying, "Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, my sister is awake. You should hurry back and see her."
At this moment, Shen Feng was idly browsing underground websites in his office. Since the subordinates handled the official duties, he only needed to sign documents. Unexpectedly, Chang Haojie ran in with this news. Shen Feng immediately got up to go home. Four days had passed, and his senior sister had finally woken up.
Then, Shen Feng followed his younger brother-in-law back to the villa. As soon as he entered, he was stunned by what he saw. As he walked into the courtyard, he noticed the plants in the garden growing wildly. In just two minutes, the grass in the yard had grown to waist height. Shen Feng quickly picked up Chang Haojie and headed towards the house.
Shen Feng guessed that the rapid growth of the plants in the yard must be related to his senior sister. As expected, as soon as Shen Feng opened the door, he saw that the entire house was covered in vines. Chang Jianyi, sitting on the sofa, was touching the vines with great interest. Upon seeing Shen Feng return, she happily exclaimed, "Afeng, come quickly, I can catalyze the growth of these plants!"
After waking up, Chang Jianyi finally obtained the superpower she had always dreamed of and was overjoyed. She discovered that she could control plants to grow rapidly, so she focused on the climbing ivy outside the window. With a slight use of her ability, the entire house was soon filled with climbing ivy vines and leaves, making it look lush and green.
"Senior sister, I think you should go outside and take a look. The range of your influence is not limited to the climbing ivy inside the house," Shen Feng said helplessly.
Chang Jianyi quickly went outside to look and was stunned into silence. The previously low bushes had now grown to two meters tall, and the grass in the lawn was already about a meter high. She immediately realized that her superpower seemed to be area-based rather than single-target.
"Is this superpower this powerful? I never expected it," Yu Renshu, who was a second-tier esper, also hadn't expected her superpower to be so potent, capable of making plants grow so quickly in just a few minutes.