Chapter 1766 Qinglong Bridge
Li Luo nodded slightly, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the backpack strap as the vehicle swayed gently.
Those days spent exploring the capital with Shi Xinxin were the most vivid memories for the two of them. Now, seeing the former prosperity reduced to this state, their hearts were heavy with indescribable melancholy.
The convoy slowly drove across an open area. In its heyday, this place was filled with high-rise buildings, dense commercial districts, and neon lights that shone all night long. But now, only ruins and overgrown weeds remain. Only the occasional patrol vehicle from the base can give people a sense of life.
“It’s not all ruins.” Chu Yuanqing’s voice suddenly rang out. He looked out the car window into the distance, his eyes filled with a complex emotion, a mix of nostalgia, emotion, and a hint of barely perceptible excitement. “Look over there, the fortifications on both sides of the road, and those neat greenhouses in the distance, they should all have been built by the Youzhou base.”
Li Luo followed his gaze and saw that the facilities were becoming clearer as the vehicle drove through a relatively smooth section of road.
At intervals along both sides of the road, there is a semi-underground bunker-like defensive fortification, with heavy weapons mounted on top. Several soldiers in uniform are vigilantly observing the surroundings. When they see the convoy passing by, they simply nod from a distance and do not go forward to stop it.
Clearly, this is the outer buffer zone of the base, which allows for basic identification of friendly personnel coming and going.
Further out on the plain, a continuous stretch of white greenhouses spread out along the terrain, with orderly passageways between them, and people could be vaguely seen moving around inside.
"That's the base's planting area," Qin Fenglin pointed in the direction the convoy was heading and explained in a timely manner. "The Youzhou base relies on the water source of Yanshan Mountain to carry out large-scale hydroponics and greenhouse planting. It can not only be self-sufficient, but also occasionally provide assistance to small survivor settlements in the surrounding area."
“No wonder you said before that food wasn’t in short supply.” Shi Xinxin suddenly realized, tapping the car window with her fingertip. “Such a large-scale planting area is indeed enough to support a lot of people.”
“That’s not all,” Li Nana added, her tone revealing her approval of the base. “The base also has a dedicated breeding area, a water purification plant, and even a small processing plant that can produce some simple daily necessities. Moreover, the rules are very humane. As long as you are willing to work, you can get accommodation and supplies, unlike other small bases where everything depends on force.”
As Li Luo listened, his impression of the Youzhou base gradually became clearer.
As the capital of Country Z, it lived up to expectations. Unlike some small and medium-sized bases that were chaotic and disorderly, it built a relatively stable paradise in the apocalypse by virtue of its natural geographical advantages and sound management system.
This relieved her somewhat; at least, the destination they were escorting the reagents to was a reliable place.
Just then, as the convoy rounded a bend, Lu Jingcheng suddenly spoke, his voice a few decibels lower than usual:
"Qinglong Bridge is just ahead."
Li Luo looked up and, as the vehicle drew closer, a dilapidated yet still sturdy stone bridge came into view, spanning the dry riverbed ahead.
The bridge showed obvious signs of repair, and heavy guardrails had been installed on both sides. Several guards were on duty at the bridgehead.
She vaguely remembered that during the prosperous times, this bridge seemed to be a tourist attraction, with clear river water flowing beneath it and weeping willows swaying along its sides.
