Scientific Travel

Time returns to the present.

Four months have passed, and despite their best efforts to save money, they can only watch helplessly as the food dwindles.

The vegetables grown on the sixth floor don't get enough sunlight for a long time, so they grow wilted and small. Food that can be eaten in two or three days takes a month to grow.

It's not that I haven't thought about going out to buy some, it's just that everyone who goes out comes back empty-handed.

Food is controlled by a few people and is simply unavailable for purchase.

No one knows when this disaster will end. Those who have food are afraid they won't live to see it all run out, so they can't possibly sell it.

In the past, when food was scarce, hunting was an option.

But now there are rivers everywhere, how can any prey survive in the rivers?

Have.

fish.

During rainstorms, it was alright; I could still catch a couple of fish every now and then. But ever since the hail started falling, I haven't been able to catch any fish at all.

Fish are easily startled; the slightest disturbance will frighten them away. Now, with all the splashing sounds everywhere, who would dare to take the bait?

Fortunately, the water level has dropped, and some skilled swimmers braved the hail to go fishing themselves. They caught a small fish but got three cuts on their heads.

How could a human possibly be faster than a fish?

If you catch them off guard, you might have a chance, but right now the fish are all scared and darting around. You can only see fish swimming around, none of them are sitting still and waiting for someone to catch them off guard.

Mei Shengke knew they wanted to catch some fish to improve their meals, but this was simply ridiculous!

Mei Shengke issued a military order forbidding anyone in the army from going into the river to catch fish, under penalty of military law.

Mei Shengke only forbade catching fish outside, but did not forbid catching fish inside the building.

The first floor was completely flooded, and half of the second floor was flooded. Mei Shengke had several people skilled in water sealing up all the windows on the first and second floors, leaving only one open.

He would go down to check every hour.

If there are fish, seal all the windows. Open them again when you've caught the fish.

This method is indeed effective, not very dangerous, and makes it easier to catch fish.

But there were just too many people. After catching fish all day, all we could manage in the evening was a bowl of fish soup with a small piece of fish meat in it.

The fish's habitat has improved, but their numbers haven't increased much. After catching them for several days, it seems like all the fish in the area have been caught; at most, only two or three can be caught each day.

Training has been suspended for a while. We were already struggling to get enough to eat, and if we added more training, even someone made of iron wouldn't be able to handle it.

The people below were not getting enough to eat, and Mei Shengke and Wei Wujiang were no exception.

During this period, Mei Shengke's face became increasingly sharp, and the baby fat that used to be on his face has now completely disappeared.

Wei Wujiang was the same; his cheeks were sunken from thinning, and his eyes were not as bright as before.

This can't go on. Who knows when this damned natural disaster will end? Even if we don't die in the disaster, we'll all starve to death.

Wei Wujiang took the cloak handed to her by Mei Shengke, but before she could put it on, she heard Mei say, "I'm going out for a while. Keep an eye on these people and don't let them go out fishing."

"What are you going out for?"

It's so dangerous outside right now, and Mei Shengke has caught a cold. If he goes out, he could easily have an accident.

Before Mei Shengke could answer, Wei Wujiang immediately said, "No, it's too dangerous. I don't agree."

"I'm going to get some food supplies. Going out is dangerous, but if we don't go out, everyone will starve to death here, which is even more dangerous."

Mei Shengke was pale, but his words were firm and resolute.

Wei Wujiang understands Mei Shengke; once she's made a decision, it's hard for anyone to change it.

"You can go out, but take me with you."

“No,” Mei Shengke refused without hesitation. “If you and I both leave, what will happen to these soldiers? Someone has to stay behind to manage them.”

"Then you stay here, I'll go get the supplies."

"You?" Mei Shengke laughed. "If you could have gotten the supplies, I wouldn't have had to go through all that trouble last time."

Mei Shengke put his hand on Wei Wujiang's shoulder and said earnestly, "Don't worry, what would you do if I didn't come back? Even if it's just for that, I will come back alive."

"Pah, pah, pah, what unlucky things are you saying?"

Even though she's already a general, Wei Wujiang is still as childish as ever.

"Okay, okay, ptooey, ptooey." Mei Shengke knew how to coax a child. She said soothingly, "If you're really worried, then repair the boat again, make it more sturdy, so that I'll be safer when I go out."

Wei Wujiang compromised, but still added, "Even if you don't take me, you have to take two more people with you, otherwise I absolutely will not let you go. Don't forget that military orders are absolute, and I am the general."

Mei Shengke raised his hand and patted him on the head, without holding back, but because of the long period of hunger, the force was much lighter than before.

"So you're using your power to intimidate me now, huh? Are you going to keep taking advantage of me from now on?"

Wei Wujiang rubbed the spot where he had just been hit. It didn't hurt, but he pretended to be in a lot of pain.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch! Stop hitting me! You're making me stupid. I'm a general, how dare you disobey me?"

Mei Shengke smiled.

She proved with her actions that she was indeed capable of defying authority.

"Have I been too lazy to discipline you? Are you itching for a beating?"

Mei Shengke slapped Wei Wujiang's head repeatedly until his hands were red.

Wei Wujiang was beaten so badly that she covered her head and ran around on the ground. It can only be said that the old fox is spicier. Even though she was only a year older, Wei Wujiang could never escape Mei Shengke's slaps.

......

In ancient times, military orders were as immovable as mountains; today, Mei Shengke can move mountains.

Mei Shengke ultimately didn't bring those two people with her; it wasn't convenient for anyone to accompany her to the places she was going.

In terms of pure martial prowess, Wei Wujiang is no match for Mei Shengke.

In terms of merit, Wei Wujiang is not qualified to be the general.

A major reason he got to where he is today is because Cui Wuji became emperor.

Mei Shengke's father is the older brother of the previous Crown Princess's father.

Cui Wuji could not allow Mei Shengke to remain in a high position, even though the Crown Princess was dead.

It's definitely impossible to buy grain openly now, so Mei Shengke plans to contact her mother's former subordinates to see if they can get a batch of grain from elsewhere.

Knowing that Mei Shengke was leaving, Wei Wujiang gave her twenty cakes before she left.

These twenty pancakes are breakfast for forty people.

Mei Shengke did not refuse. Firstly, she did not know how long the trip would take, and secondly, if she did not accept the money, Wei Wujiang might really follow.

If the emperor were to find out about this, his official career would likely come to an end.

After the Crown Princess died, Mei Shengke's parents resigned from their official posts and returned home, leaving her behind as she was still on the battlefield, a step too late.