Shen Feng and Qian Bu Fei found the oil pipeline. There were many problems here; the equipment could not operate, and the pipeline had been damaged. It needed extensive repairs to function.
At this moment, Qian Bu Fei said in a low voice to Shen Feng, "Mr. Shen, in fact, besides conquering the Mushroom Forest, Dian Province has another important purpose. This matter was kept secret because it was extremely important. But now that the mutated fungi are escaping and the oil and gas pipeline can be reconnected, I can tell you more. Mr. Shen, Dian Province needs a port."
Shen Feng had actually known about this before. He thought this matter would be kept secret forever, as the people of Dian Province were still keeping secrets from headquarters. This also showed that headquarters' control over the various provinces had weakened. Otherwise, they would not have dared to openly form alliances in the southeast.
However, Shen Feng pretended to have just learned about it and asked, "You need a port? A port on the Yangtze River? If it's a port on the Yangtze River, I remember you already have one. Why do you need another?"
Shen Feng was clearly feigning ignorance and deliberately steered the conversation to the Yangtze River.
Qian Bu Fei quickly explained, "Not a port on the Yangtze River, but a port on the coast. To be honest, Dian Province would not be so poor. Dian Province originally governed areas further south. But a hundred years ago, areas like Kokang were carved away by external forces. These places all speak Chinese. Although they are foreign countries, we are actually relatives, and they should be reclaimed."
Shen Feng found this amusing. He thought, "These people even need a plausible excuse when they want to seize something. They talk about reclaiming lost territory, but their real intentions are not that simple."
Then, Shen Feng deliberately pretended to be confused and asked, "But as far as I know, these Chinese-speaking states are not close to the sea. Even if lost territories are reclaimed, you still won't get a port."
In Myanmar, there are seven provinces and seven states. The so-called states are areas not controlled by the Myanmar government. The people there are mostly warlords, hence the term "states." These areas are mostly dense forests, located inland, and the situation is relatively chaotic.
Originally, Qian Bu Fei intended to trick Shen Feng. He thought Shen Feng's geographical knowledge was average and wanted Shen Feng's support.
Shen Feng was, after all, a young man, and his decision-making was often more radical. As long as slogans were shouted, words that could ignite the fighting spirit of young people, such as reclaiming lost territory or punishing evil and promoting good, Shen Feng could likely be swayed.
As a result, Shen Feng discovered the loophole in Qian Bu Fei's words and stumped him.
So, Qian Bu Fei could only continue, "Besides reclaiming lost territory, we also want to punish evil and promote good. Instability in the south affects the stability of the Yunnan-Myanmar Highway. Why not go all the way and seize the port of Yangon? This way, Dian Province will have an outlet to the sea, and Chongqing will have a protected Yunnan-Myanmar Highway. Everyone will have a bright future."
Shen Feng shrugged and said, "If you want a port, then have a port. I don't care about these things. I'll be going back in a few days. My mission is complete. I've been away for a long time. My wife is about to give birth, so I have to go back."
Shen Feng generally did not consider matters that did not benefit him. Therefore, even if Dian Province successfully occupied the port, it would be of no consequence to Shen Feng because it brought him no benefit. It already took a long time to travel from Chongqing to the border of Dian Province, and Chongqing would certainly not be able to manage a port far away on the coast.
Qian Bu Fei quickly said, "Mr. Shen, please stay a little longer. Even if you don't participate, at least take a look. I've already sent a message to Wang Ao Ye in the southeast. When we take Yangon, he will send people. Don't you still need to discuss smuggling? Isn't this a good opportunity?"
When Shen Feng heard this, he was indeed persuaded. As Qian Bu Fei said, among the Southeast Asian powers, Wang Ao Ye was definitely very strong. Before, they were smuggling in the mountains, but that route was cut off by headquarters. This meant they would have to use the Yunnan-Myanmar Highway. Moreover, there was oil and natural gas in Myanmar, and transporting goods in the future would be easier, without worrying about ambushes.
Thinking of this, Shen Feng nodded and said, "Alright, I'll wait a bit longer. I really don't have much time."
Qian Bu Fei did not understand why Shen Feng was always eager to return to Chongqing at this time. If it were about hometown treasures, people from Dian Province would have more say. This was because most people in Dian Province did not like to venture out; they lived according to their circumstances and continued to live in their hometowns if they could. However, he did not expect Shen Feng to be so attached to his home.
In reality, Shen Feng's statement about not having much time was not referring to himself but to Du Xin Shi. After spending months together, Shen Feng knew about Du Xin Shi's health. Her condition was deteriorating, and she might not be able to hold on much longer, especially since she was pregnant.
For ordinary people, childbirth is a painful process. The reason is simple: the child develops in the mother's body and naturally requires nutrients. Where do these nutrients come from? Naturally, from the mother's body. Du Xin Shi's health was already poor, and childbirth would only worsen her condition.
Shen Feng wanted to find time to be by Du Xin Shi's side, but due to various unforeseen circumstances, this goal could not be achieved. Shen Feng had originally planned to complete the mission within two months, but now, time had been dragged on and on, and Shen Feng still could not return. He felt uneasy, feeling that he had failed Du Xin Shi.
At this moment, Chu Chaoyan returned to Shen Feng's side carrying a box filled with selected jewelry. In the past, such behavior could only be attributed to two types of people: the wealthy, who could have as much jewelry as they wanted, or robbers, who would emerge from jewelry stores with full hands.
"Ah Feng, look, I chose so many pieces of jewelry! Wear this imperial green ring. I see many important people wearing thumb rings on their thumbs. You are the Lord of Chongqing, so you naturally need something to adorn your status." As she spoke, Chu Chaoyan handed a precious thumb ring to Shen Feng.
Shen Feng remained noncommittal. In the past, such a thumb ring was something Shen Feng would not have dared to dream of. What is a luxury item? This is a luxury item. But now, with his true power, he felt indifferent. Truly important people never needed these ornaments to prove their status.
However, since it was a gift from Chu Chaoyan, Shen Feng still put it on his thumb and said, "It fits perfectly. I accept it."
While the people in Dian Province were preparing, headquarters discovered an anomaly. Satellites had detected the disappearance of the Mushroom Forest, suggesting that Dian Province's conquest had been successful. However, Dian Province was still mobilizing trucks towards Ruili, which caused confusion. Trucks had not been mobilized during the battle, but now that victory was achieved, trucks were still being mobilized. What did this mean?
Furthermore, headquarters also received another piece of news: Shen Feng and Chu Chaoyan of Chongqing had appeared on the battlefield. This news was too important. They had just learned about the Southeast Alliance, and this issue had not yet been resolved. Now, people from Chongqing appearing on the battlefield in Dian Province implied that secret alliances were also forming in the southwest of China. This news was shocking.
Headquarters sensed that something was amiss. Shen Feng had appeared in Dian Province, and Dian Province's army was now gathering at the border. Even with only over ten thousand troops, they could not be underestimated.
Headquarters immediately issued an order: "Since the Mushroom Forest in Dian Province has been resolved, the troops should return to their respective garrisons. Leave the workers to repair the oil and gas pipelines. Do not gather for extended periods. There is a mutated avian flu outbreak in foreign countries. Be careful of contagious diseases if you gather."
The reason headquarters found was quite reasonable. Many countries in the Southern Hemisphere were experiencing outbreaks of avian flu and avian tuberculosis. These highly contagious diseases were appearing in the Northern Hemisphere with the return of migratory birds. Therefore, headquarters required people not to gather unless necessary to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
This situation was attributed to North America. In dealing with mutated birds, North America chose to use viral and bacterial attacks. Initially, the effects were good. After the mutated birds were infected with bacteria and viruses, hundreds of thousands died. The black people on the African savanna had plenty to eat every day because they could often find mutated birds falling from the sky just by going out.
Normally, the viruses and bacteria used by North America would not infect humans. However, viruses and bacteria also mutate, especially viruses, whose mutation speed is terrifying. After billions of mutated birds died, the viruses and bacteria mutated and became capable of infecting humans.
The most famous was influenza. Not only were birds dying in large numbers, but humans were also heavily infected. At this time, the Northern Hemisphere was also in crisis due to viruses and bacteria. This crisis was not caused by mutated birds but by human creation. The beacon of North America had killed hundreds of thousands of people, and if it continued, more people would die from viruses.
The people of Dian Province dared not disobey headquarters' orders. The reason was simple: nominally, headquarters was still the superior of Dian Province. To disobey at this time would be to defy headquarters, and if this continued, headquarters would take action.
However, as the saying goes, "When you have a plan, I have a counter-plan." I cannot disobey your orders, but I can stall for time.
Dian Province then stated, "The mutated fungi have not been completely eradicated at this time. There are still two thousand soldiers who have not recovered, so the army needs to continue monitoring the mutated fungi until they leave."
Headquarters was speechless. If they ordered the army to disband now, it would be considered unfeeling towards the soldiers, as two thousand soldiers had not yet recovered and could only wait for them to recover quickly.
However, as time passed, the soldiers of Dian Province were ready. Once the roads were clear, hundreds of trucks carrying soldiers headed south. After a month of recuperation, the soldiers had regained their combat effectiveness. Moreover, with Dian Province's strength, there were few rivals in the surrounding areas.
At this time, the soldiers received orders from their superiors: "Brothers, Dian Province has been poor for decades. The opportunity to change this poverty is now before us. For our descendants, for the future of Dian Province, brothers! March south! If we seize the port, we will also have a chance to go to sea and let our descendants have the chance to see the sea!"