Chapter 112: Golden Real Estate

Chapter 112: Golden Real Estate

"The survivor base, Danlin City's advantage is its distance from the earthquake zone. It was originally a city with complete infrastructure including water, electricity, medical facilities, and basic construction facilities."

Zhu Zhuan swiftly opened a presentation, displaying a flat map of Danlin City with key facilities like water plants and power stations already marked.

He continued with a sparkle in his eyes: "Considering long-term strategies, we are initially planning to divide the construction into several areas:"

"First, the residential area, centered around Yunding Mountain Villa near the reservoir, which will be converted into the city lord's mansion."

"The residential area's public facilities and services will mainly focus on water and electricity, medical and health services, kindergartens, schools, cultural and sports venues, trading markets, as well as the construction of a data information center, a radio station to maintain network and communication, and a city hall to manage the city."

"Second, the agricultural and livestock production zone. The production zone will be divided into two parts: one part for greenhouse farming and small-scale indoor livestock and aquaculture, and the other part for outdoor planting areas and farms outside the city. I suggest building the outer farms directly around the Nanshan Herb Garden's existing farms, which can be expanded if the population increases in the future."

"Third, the industrial zone. Currently, we are considering small-scale industries and processing closely related to everyday life. Deep processing industries for agricultural products, pharmaceutical factories, sewage treatment stations, garbage disposal stations, food processing, textile and clothing, and home goods, etc., can be gradually developed."

"Additionally, considering the needs of infrastructure, mining and processing of minerals are also essential. The extraction of river sand, various ores, limestone for cement, and the production of concrete are all necessary for the construction of the city walls."

He raised his voice a bit: "This presents our current challenge. Building concrete walls is hard to implement under current industrial conditions, so we must resort to ancient methods of quarrying followed by cementing. Of course, with earth-type psychic powers, the workload can be somewhat reduced, but it is indeed a long-term project that requires professional planning."

"Finally, the security and defense zone, which is the construction of military barracks. This is suggested to be planned and coordinated by General Guan in the future."

It was his first time reporting these plans in front of Guan Yuanfeng, and under his cold, serious, and focused gaze, he was somewhat timid, speaking more concisely than usual.

Guan Yuanfeng nodded: "I will arrange follow-ups, thank you for your hard work."

He glanced at everyone at the conference table: "If anyone has any suggestions, please voice them."

Everyone was silent.

The meeting room was quiet, not even a whisper.

Guan Yuanfeng turned to Zhou Yun, who said: "The current tasks are: first, to plant giant column cacti after marking the boundaries; second, to renovate the barracks in preparation for the stationed troops; third, to prepare for winter grain planting. After that, prioritize the full construction of the residential area, let's divide the work."

Master Xinhai spoke up first: "The wall planting group, I will lead the core members of the planting guild first, and we need to arrange some guards to prevent disturbances from wild mutated beasts and zombies."

Qin Sheng volunteered: "I will lead the old street gang members to protect the wood-type guild members."

Qin Mu smiled: "Zhu Zhuan and I will organize prisoners to cultivate farmland and plant a batch of grain crops first."

Ge Chen said: "Li Ming, Zhang Guangming, and I will be responsible for the setup of the military barracks."

Guan Yuanfeng said: "You should coordinate well with Jiang Rongqian and Dong Kexin."

Ge Chen's face immediately became serious: "Yes!"

Zhou Yun then finalized: "Then that settles the division of labor."

Ge Chen asked: "Will we still be able to live in the city lord's mansion?"

Zhou Yun said: "Of course."

Ge Chen laughed: "Shen Lan said he wants to open a doomsday tavern. He saw a good bar shop at the foot of the mountain last time and said he would occupy the place first. The land prices in our Guixu City are sure to rise, and the golden shops around the city lord's mansion will rise even more."

Zhou Yun: "..."

Qin Sheng was already eager: "A tavern is good! I used to be in a band! Let's tell Brother Shen we want to be the resident band!"

"And! My brother, Zhu Zhu, and I also want to pick a villa in the city lord's mansion!"

Master Xinhai also said, "Amitabha, I was just about to mention that the incense-burning temple on the nearby mountain can be tidied up to worship Guanyin. I've checked online, and the Guanyin Temple in Danlin City is quite powerful. I've discussed with Taoist Master Yunyin, and we plan to divide the mountain into two parts, one for the temple and the other for the Taoist monastery."

Zhou Yun: "...Master, as you wish."

Qin Sheng continued, "As for the nearby commercial street, I see that the plan is still for a commercial street. Can we get a few shops for our Old Street community first?"

Guan Yuanfeng coughed lightly.

The meeting room immediately went quiet.

Guan Yuanfeng said, "We'll plan these future matters later. Let's first complete the three tasks the city lord just assigned."

Qin Mu, Zhu Zhuan, and others responded, "Received."

Guan Yuanfeng said in a deep voice, "Meeting dismissed."

Everyone got up and left to assign their duties.

Zhou Yun smiled at Guan Yuanfeng, "Let's go and finalize the city gate first."

Guan Yuanfeng nodded.

The gate of Guixu City was established at the entrance of the former highway toll station.

Like many city toll stations, this one was built at great expense to showcase the city's image.

The imposing toll station had a massive steel frame structure, with a sleek and modern stainless steel dome at the top. The sign "Welcome to Danlin" had faded and chipped, no longer as clear and vivid as before.

The bougainvillea and jasmine on the green belts along the highway had long withered in the scorching heat, but after the typhoon rain, some green grass and sprouts stubbornly emerged. A group of zombies lurked around the toll station and booths, their muscles withered and eyes sunken, but each looked tall and fierce.

Guan Yuanfeng parked the car, and Comet leapt out first, skillfully luring the zombies to gather.

Zhou Yun got out of the car, squinting in the bright sunlight as he looked at the steel dome. "After the city walls are completed, we need to conduct a full sweep inside the city, getting rid of the zombies and mutated beasts."

Guan Yuanfeng said, "Let the garrisoned forces handle it when they arrive. It'll be good training for them."

Zhou Yun, seeing his stern and stoic demeanor, thought that he must lead his troops with the same strictness, feeling quite impressed. He smiled, "I have an idea."

Guan Yuanfeng waved his hand, conjuring a group of dark tornadoes that swept toward the management building behind the toll station. Soon, the howls of electrocuted zombies echoed, one after another. "Go on."

Zhou Yun said, "The troops coming from Central Base must have made a long journey by vehicle, right?"

Guan Yuanfeng replied, "Yes. They will return in batches and gather at the base to report. About three thousand troops of various branches will arrive at Guixu Base within a month."

Zhou Yun said, "Actually, it's quite challenging for bases everywhere to support ordinary people, especially as winter approaches. I want to issue a recruitment announcement online for Guixu City, recruiting a group of residents from Central Base without any requirements for psychic powers, profession, gender, or age, only that they have no criminal record."

"These residents, as the first batch to take up residence, will enjoy a one-year tax exemption, free dormitory, and free job placement."

"After the one-year tax exemption period, children under twelve and those over sixty will be tax-exempt, and appropriate living allowances and relief will be provided to vulnerable groups."

"Professional technicians, experts, and scholars who can provide pre-catastrophe professional technical certificates, academic qualifications, and work experience can also be offered correspondingly favorable job positions and treatment based on actual conditions."

"If they are willing to come, they can schedule a departure with the garrisoned forces and be escorted along the way. These are just some simple ideas, and the specifics will need to be refined by professional managers."

Guan Yuanfeng thought for a moment, "That works. I'll talk to General Tan and have Dong Kexin recruit talents there. It will also help alleviate the population pressure at Central Base, especially with the winter strain. Along the way, we'll advertise for residents at the bases we pass."

"But you should be prepared. The people who come may not be highly skilled professionals; most might be ordinary people and vulnerable groups attracted by the tax exemption."

Zhou Yun smiled, "Talent is the cornerstone of a base's survival. The children will grow up soon."

He walked into the toll lane to inspect the systems, indicator lights, and surveillance cameras, and was delighted to find smart toll robots in the booth. He exclaimed, "These facilities are in good shape, well-kept, and fully operational."

Guan Yuanfeng said, "Yes, this place is the first checkpoint at the city gate. The management building behind can be used as a barracks for the defense team."

His tornado had already scouted the area quickly: "The management office, staff dormitories, monitoring room, kitchen, and garage are all complete in the back."

Zhou Yun extended his hand and summoned thorny tendrils and giant cacti from the soil under the steel frame, beginning to accelerate their growth.

In the greenish glow, wood psychic abilities, like a soft spring breeze, infused the area with vibrant energy.

Several giant cacti took root underground and shot up. The emerald-green stems, bristling with hard thorns, grew at an astonishing pace, as if infused with infinite life force. They surged with unprecedented growth, awakening and bursting forth, shooting skyward.

The cacti soon grew into towering green columns, standing tall beside the steel frame. Their thick stems were so large it took several people linking arms to encircle them, and the buds at the top swelled and bloomed into colorful, dazzling flowers.

This cactus forest, grown rapidly through psychic powers, each stood fifteen meters tall, with thick and straight stems, resembling green giants. Their bark was tough and thick, iron-hard, with thorns as sharp as needles. The intertwined stems formed a green barrier, appearing mysterious and spectacular.

Meanwhile, the thorny tendrils coiled and twisted, their fleshy stems swelling steadily, section by section, rising like agile green dragons climbing onto the high steel frame of the toll station.

Countless branches and leaves sprouted and grew wildly, spreading in every direction, winding their way into the steel frame, emitting a soft rustling sound. Soon, they covered the entire high steel frame. The tops of the thorny tendrils quickly sprouted flower buds, which swelled and bloomed under the urging of psychic powers, their petals soft and radiant like silk.

The once faded and peeling sign now looked freshly painted in emerald green, the dense stems and waxy leaves gleaming in the sunlight, becoming the most striking feature along the highway.

Zhou Yun was quite satisfied: "Tonight, I'll write some large characters, choose the best ones, and have Qin Sheng carve them into wood, paint them, and hang them up. That will be the gate of our Guixu City."

===

In the evening, Shen Lan arrived with Yao Huan, Taoist Master Yunyin, and others, saying that the herb garden was relatively stable and that they needed manpower to help build the city.

However, Qin Sheng whispered to Qin Mu privately: "This is a great chance to claim some land! We must also pick a good house. I've got my eye on the one by the lake, closest to Team Guan and Zhou Yun!"

Qin Mu didn't object: "Get one for Zhu Zhu too, with a shop downstairs, one for Green Bird Pharmaceuticals, and a guild hall."

Yao Huan laughed: "Building a city is great. I'll fix up my house properly. Where are my books?"

Guan Yuanfeng: "..."

Zhou Yun smiled and covered for him: "They've all been packed and sent over. He was in a rush this time."

Yao Huan said, "Hmm, I heard. Team Guan was formidable, killing and besieging, yet escaped unharmed."

Guan Yuanfeng's ears turned red: "Back then, if I hadn't killed them, they would've killed me first... Shotguns, rocket launchers, and sniper rifles—everything was used..."

Yao Huan waved his hand: "No need to explain. I know you're not someone who kills indiscriminately. You dared to challenge the deputy commander of the alliance with so few people. I can imagine how dangerous it was. Although the matter was suppressed, many who should know about it do. This is good too. The kind get pushed around. Now you're about to take control of a region. It's not just kindness that will keep you in power."

Guan Yuanfeng couldn't help but glance at Zhou Yun, only to see him smiling at him, seemingly pleased to see him embarrassed, not bothered by his killing. Guan Yuanfeng felt a bit relieved.

The group made a noisy dinner and then each went to tidy up their houses. Master Xinhai and Taoist Master Yunyin went to Yao Huan's new house to advise on how to arrange it.

Guan Yuanfeng watched as people tidied up the kitchen, noticing that Zhou Yun had disappeared. He assumed he had gone to Yao Huan's place and felt a bit empty. Once everything was on track, would Zhou Yun... also go to live with Yao Huan?

Strictly speaking, this villa was indeed his house. Zhou Yun's house was on the 30th floor, although they had once been inseparable, spending many days and nights here.

He had carefully maintained this villa, and one could even say that Zhou Yun was more like the master of this villa than he was.

The carefully tended garden and vegetable garden, every immaculate room, all the kitchen tools were his favorites and most convenient, and the well-organized refrigerator, cabinets, and toolbox with neatly arranged household items. If he needed anything, he had to ask Zhou Yun.

But what about the future?

Thinking of this, he felt a bit uncomfortable for some reason.

He found himself walking up to the 30th floor and pushing open the door, only to see Zhou Yun intently spreading a piece of paper and writing. Beside him, many written characters like "Guixu" and others were drying. It was clear that he had been writing for quite some time.

Hearing the sound, Zhou Yun looked up at him and smiled, "Has it quieted down downstairs? Come and see which character is written better."

Guan Yuanfeng, seeing his familiar attitude and natural smile, couldn't help but feel reassured, "They all look good."

Zhou Yun chuckled, "Don't be too perfunctory."

Guan Yuanfeng sat down on the sofa beside him, watching him write, "I don't understand these things, but each one looks beautiful, just like the inscriptions on those famous historical sites—very classical, powerful, and effortlessly elegant."

Zhou Yun knew that Guan Yuanfeng was doing his best to compliment him, and he suppressed a smile as he glanced at Guan Yuanfeng's feet, "Where's Comet?"

Guan Yuanfeng replied, "He's playing frisbee on the grass with Zhao Yi and the others. With them around, we don't have to walk the dog anymore."

He noticed that Zhou Yun's sleeves were rolled up high, revealing his fair arms and slender fingers. His wrist holding the brush was suspended, his profile completely focused, exuding a quiet refinement as he concentrated, his long eyebrows slightly furrowed. When he wrote, it was fast and urgent, done in one go. After finishing, a smile played at the corners of his eyes and mouth, and he couldn't help but look at him proudly, as if showing off.

He returned Zhou Yun's smile, struggling to find words of praise for characters that all seemed alike, picking out the well-written ones. He couldn't help but think, what kind of family could have raised such a fine person—living with someone like this is truly a comfort.

Thinking of this, he swallowed back the question about his future plans for the city lord's residence. It's just... living like this for now is also quite good.

After all, when the troops arrive one after another, he will definitely spend most of his time in the military camp. He feared that asking might make Zhou Yun overthink and feel unwelcome, worrying he'd no longer be allowed to stay in the downstairs villa, which wouldn't do.