Living like a salted fish in the end times

"Mr. Mitch, what do you think of the war in the Middle East? Are you in favor or against it?"

Professor Chen tried to ask.

Mr. Mitch shook his head: "Of course I am against it. War will kill people. No one likes war, except for those capitalists. The environment is too bad. They are on the verge of bankruptcy one by one, and they are counting on the war to turn around."

"Then do you think you can win?"

"It's hard to say, it depends on whether the Federation is willing to pay the price. If the Federation chooses to be tough to the end, then we are definitely not opponents, there is no doubt about it."

"So you're betting?"

Professor Chen frowned.

Mr. Mickey adjusted his glasses: "Speaking seriously, it's not that we want to gamble, it's that those big consortiums want to give it a go in order to pass on the crisis."

"What's the attitude of the people? I haven't seen a few anti-war protests at all during my journey here?"

"It's normal not to see it. Many young people choose to immigrate to Africa. There are many opportunities there. Those who stay are old people like me. They don't have a few years to live. As long as the government issues food stamps on time, Whether we fight or not has nothing to do with us."

Mr. Mitch explained helplessly.

Professor Chen frowned and asked, "Mr. Mitch, why don't you go to Africa? Anyway, it's warmer than Europa."

"Mr. Chen, you are thinking too much. Although Africa is warm, the infrastructure is too poor. Young people used to look for jobs. We went there and died."

"It seems to be true. The development of Africa does not happen overnight. It will take at least ten or twenty years of continuous construction." Professor Chen echoed.

"Oh..." Mr. Mitch couldn't help but sighed: "Actually, in my opinion, occupying Africa is definitely a loss-making business, and I don't know how the decision is made."

"Oh? How do you say that?"

Professor Chen instantly became interested.

Mr. Mitch immediately replied: "Mr. Chen, in terms of the current climate conditions, Africa is too short of water, especially in North Africa, which is not suitable for human survival at all except for deserts.

Instead of going south to Africa, I personally think it is better to choose to go east to Tianzhu Peninsula, where both precipitation and average temperature are more livable.

Moreover, occupying the Tianzhu Peninsula has another great advantage, that is, the Middle East has become a rear area, which will not affect production and life.

Otherwise, once the war heats up, not to mention the exploitation of oil and gas resources in the Middle East, even Europe and Africa will be affected by the war. "

"Occupy the Tianzhu Peninsula?" Assistant Zhu Tao couldn't help interjecting, "Without the cooperation of the navy, how can you go there? Besides, Tianzhu is different from Africa. It has a basic industrial foundation, so I'm afraid it will not be so easy to occupy."

"Hehe, occupying Tianzhu is only difficult in the early stage, and it will be more beneficial later on. Moreover, Tianzhu has rich coal reserves, which is much stronger than the huge Africa."

Mr. Mitch evaded the important point and said lightly.

Professor Chen secretly tugged at the hem of the assistant's clothes, signaling to the other party to stop arguing, and then immediately changed the subject: "Mr. Mitch, how is life here in Oxford? Do you have enough to eat every day?"

"Life is generally okay! However, it is still difficult to eat enough. I heard that you Dongfang don't need to be hungry?" Mr. Mitch envied.

In fact, the real situation is even more serious than what he said, especially the few days at the end of the month, which are the most difficult, and many people starve to death every month.

"Can't you get grain at the flea market?"

"It's very difficult. Even if you can buy it, the price is not affordable for ordinary people. I don't know about other places. The water, electricity and heating bills here in Oxford are astonishingly expensive. I can't live happily."

Mr. Mitch couldn't help complaining.

Professor Chen immediately asked, "Mr. Mitch, have you ever thought about emigrating?"

"How could you not have thought about it? The best immigrant destination at present is your Eastern Region, and other regions are not as good as ours!
It's a pity that the travel expenses are too expensive. A boat ticket to the East costs 30 yuan, which our family can't afford.

What's even more frustrating is that you don't accept everyone at your side. To tell you the truth, I tried to apply before, but it didn't pass. "

"Mr. Mickey, the East is not as good as you think. There are also hungry people there, and there are a lot of problems."

Professor Chen quickly comforted him.

Mr. Mitch shook his head, but did not speak again, and the car fell silent for a while.

After more than ten minutes like this, the destination arrived.

Compared with a few months ago, the current Oxford University is even more decayed. The lights on the campus are much dimmed, and there are not many students along the way.

At the door of a certain basement, Professor Chen personally stepped forward and knocked on the door: "Boom boom boom..."

"Squeak", the door opened.

Andre hugged Professor Chen: "Chen, my old friend, you are finally here."

"Andre, I haven't seen you in a few months. Why have you lost so much weight? I can hardly recognize you?"

"It's hard to say, let's go into the room and talk slowly!"

Andre welcomed the two into the house.

This is a room of more than 40 square meters, with a small kitchen and a small bedroom separated by wooden boards, which looks very crowded.

After entering the room, Professor Chen took off his coat, looked around, and asked casually:
"Andrei, where's Pinna? Isn't she at home?"

Pina is Andre's wife. The couple have a son and a daughter, both of whom are married.

Andre stopped pouring water, and then showed a trace of sadness: "Chen, Ping Na has passed away."

"How is that possible? What happened?"

Professor Chen was taken aback.

"Chen, Jimmy's family had a traffic accident in Africa. Only one child survived, but he was seriously injured. Ping Na was not in good health, and she left within two days after hearing the bad news."

Jimmy in Andre's mouth is his own son.

"Andre, my condolences!"

Coach Chen immediately offered comfort.

After receiving such a big blow all of a sudden, it's no wonder that the other party lost so much weight.

Andre sighed: "It's all my fault. If I accepted your invitation last time, Jimmy and the others wouldn't have to go to work in Africa."

"Andre, I can't blame you for this."

Andre waved his hand: "I have limited conditions here, so I can only treat you to drink plain water."

After speaking, he picked up the water glass and put it in front of the two of them.

Professor Chen and Zhu Tao quickly said thank you.

After exchanging pleasantries, the two parties deliberately avoided any misfortune, and soon talked about work.

"Chen, I want to ask, does your previous invitation still count?" Andre asked proactively.

"Of course it counts, otherwise I wouldn't be here." Professor Chen nodded solemnly.

Andre breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good!"

"Andre, have you figured it out?"

Professor Chen suppressed his excitement.

"I figured it out. Even without Jimmy, we plan to move. The war has already broken out. This is not a place to stay for a long time. We need a stable living environment." Andre nodded.

"Andre, you are right to think so. Zhucheng is now the capital of the Federation, so there is absolutely no problem with safety."

Andre couldn't wait: "Chen, can I still buy a boat ticket now? I want to leave immediately."

"Because of the war, the passenger ship has been suspended. If you are in a hurry, I can help you inquire and see if there is any other way."

"That's troublesome. Sam is seriously injured. The conditions here are limited. I want to take him there to recuperate as soon as possible."

Andre quickly explained.

Sam is his only grandson.

"Where is Sam now?"

Professor Chen asked along the way.

Andre said a place name: "Maputo."

"Maputo?"

Professor Chen repeated subconsciously, he didn't remember which city it was for a while.

Andre quickly added: "Maputo is the second largest coastal city in South Africa. To the west is the famous South African coal field, and it is also the first stop for developing Africa."

The entire African continent, including South Africa, has large coal mines, and of course the Europeans will not miss it.

"That's just right, just enough to avoid the war zone in the Middle East." Professor Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

If it is too close to the war zone, even with his relationship, there is no way to ask the cruise ship owner to take risks.

"Chen, I have another concern?"

"What concerns? You just say it."

"Is there no danger at sea? I mean, will there be warships intercepting us and preventing us from leaving?"

After all, it was about the safety of the whole family, and Andre had to be more cautious.

Professor Chen comforted him with a smile: "Andre, don't worry about this. Although the Federation has temporarily lost in the Middle East, it does not affect the overall situation. As long as you are not an official, there will be no entry and exit restrictions on both sides."

"Is the news accurate?"

"I went to the relevant department to verify it myself. There is nothing wrong with it. Besides, I won't hide it from you. On the second day after the war broke out, I personally sent a group of people away."

"Then my identity?"

Professor Chen waved his hand: "It's also not a problem. Among the people who left before, there are two who are not much lower than your status, and the customs let them through."

"Strange? Logically speaking, it shouldn't be?"

While feeling at ease, Andre couldn't help but wonder.

It’s fine if they are ordinary people. For top talents like them, it’s definitely not that easy to leave. If it’s a small thing, it’s a brain drain, and if it’s a big one, it’s an enemy, and the consequences are very serious.

"It may be related to our project! In any case, controlled nuclear fusion is related to the survival and well-being of all mankind, and everyone hopes that it will succeed."

Professor Chen tried to guess.

But having said that, since the outbreak of the war, not only has his travel not been restricted, but he can continue to enjoy various preferential treatment.

For example, there is never a need to grab a train ticket, as long as you make a phone call, someone will come to your door, and even the food stamp you just received is twice as much as the average person.

This is one of the reasons why he is not in a hurry to leave.

Andre nodded and didn't continue to dwell on this question.

Next, the two parties discussed the specific action plan, and finally agreed to meet in the Fog City half a month later. The main reason why it took so long was that Andre had to wait for the arrival of his daughter's family.

Before leaving, Professor Chen asked a question unintentionally: "Andre, when I came here, I found the campus a bit quiet, can you tell me, how many students are there?"

"Less than 500 people."

Andre didn't hide.

After all, you can't hide this matter even if you want to.

"So little?" Professor Chen asked in surprise.

"There is no way, not only us in Oxford, there are not many students left in Cambridge next door. Most of the students either dropped out of school and went home, or immigrated with their parents. Some students also chose to join the army."

Zhu Tao asked curiously, "Why didn't they stay and continue their studies?"

"In such a turbulent age, do you think they can still study with peace of mind?"

"It's a pity." Professor Chen shook his head.

Andrei stared into the eyes of his old friend for a while, and then said frankly:

"Chen, this is a good opportunity, you can stay for a while, maybe you will have unexpected gains."

Professor Chen nodded slightly: "I also have that intention."

……

After leaving Oxford University, Professor Chen directly lived in a small hotel near the school. In Oxford in April, the lowest temperature at night was more than minus 40 degrees, and the hotel was also opened underground.

After putting away his luggage, Professor Chen used the public phone in the hotel to immediately contact an old acquaintance. The other party was the main person in charge of Huicheng's office in Wudu. The two parties had a lot of contacts before.

"Director Zhao, I'm Chen Benrong, did I bother you?"

"Professor Chen?"

Director Zhao's tone was full of surprise.

"It's me, if I remember correctly, we haven't contacted for a month, right?"

"Professor Chen, I have had a hard time finding you!"

Professor Chen was taken aback: "Why are you looking for me?"

"Professor Chen, during the period when you lost contact, the local side was going crazy. They relied on several layers of relationships before they finally contacted me and asked me to find ways to ensure your safety."

Director Zhao quickly explained.

"Hey, the local communication is cut off. I can't do anything to report safety, but don't worry, everything is normal here, and basically there is no danger."

"Professor Chen, where are you now?"

Director Zhao couldn't wait to say.

"I'm at Oxford."

"Oxford? What a coincidence, the distance is very close, you stay there and don't move, I will arrange someone to pick you up."

"Why pick me up? I still have a mission to do, so I can't do without it for the time being." Professor Chen declined.

Director Zhao immediately persuaded: "Professor Chen, your safety is a major issue. Even the Consul Ji has intervened. The higher-ups hope that you can return to the mainland immediately."

"What danger can I be in? Director Zhao, you can report my safety later, I guess I will have to wait a few more months before I can go back."

"Professor Chen, if it's a matter of work, you can leave it to our office..."

Director Zhao offered to propose.

The purpose of the other party's business trip this time is actually not a secret, and many people know it.

Professor Chen interrupted on the spot: "No, no, no, only if I come forward in person can I appear sincere."

"Professor Chen, we're not in a hurry. We'll talk about it later. Are you in trouble when you call me?" Director Zhao used the tactic of procrastinating.

"Well, there is indeed something I would like to trouble you with."

"What's the matter? Professor Chen, you don't have to worry about it."

"I would like to ask, when will the passenger ship flights back to China resume?"

Director Zhao smiled bitterly: "I really don't know about this, as far as I know, all the passenger ships here have been requisitioned temporarily, and there is no way to restore them in a short time.

However, Professor Chen, you don't have to worry. Although the passenger ship has stopped, I still have other ways to go back here. As long as you want, you can leave at any time. "

"Oh, what channel?" Professor Chen said in surprise.

"Private cruise ships. In order to avoid the war, many wealthy businessmen have chosen to immigrate. Their first choice is usually Zhucheng. I am sure to get you a few tickets."

ps: Ask for recommended tickets and monthly tickets!