Just as Zhou Tao and many other drivers returned to Finch Spacetime, Zhang Tianyuan also finished his many trivial matters in the Day After Tomorrow Spacetime and arrived here as well.
He first came to North America, where Instructor Yin had previously attended the Day After Tomorrow Spacetime, had already returned.
For the past period of time, he has been in charge of North America rescue operations in this timeline.
Back here, Zhang Tianyuan immediately inquired about the changing situation, "How's the situation here now? Has things stabilized with the Cleveland Family?"
Instructor Yin said, "They've now completely retreated and are holed up in their bunkers, refusing to come out. Considering our unfamiliarity with the situation, we haven't launched a full-scale attack. However, we've extended the blockade to within a kilometer of the bunker entrance, and the area within a few hundred miles is under our control. They're like turtles trapped in a pool; they can't escape."
Zhang Tianyuan nodded. "How to negotiate with them is up to you and Director Wu to decide; that's your area of expertise."
"My demands are not high. Even if they detonate the nuclear bomb on the spot, it doesn't matter. Just be careful. If necessary, contact me in advance using your privileges, and I will immediately relocate you."
Instructor Yin stood at attention and saluted. "I'll handle it, don't worry, Chairman."
His expression was quite relaxed.
Zhang Tianyuan knew that dealing with the Cleveland Family was not a difficult task for Instructor Yin and his group.
Although this family managed to seize missiles and nuclear weapons before the apocalypse, these things are actually more effective in deterring conflicts between nations.
It would be largely ineffective against the various Mutual Aid Society organizations currently operating in North America.
The only worry for Instructor Yin and Wu Yisi was that the Cleveland Family might detonate a nuclear bomb on the spot when all hope was lost, which might implicate those around them.
This is currently the only way the Cleveland Family could potentially harm the Mutual Aid Society.
Even if they successfully launch a nuclear missile, it won't matter.
The bunker was already surrounded by anti-aircraft missiles; at a distance of 100 kilometers, no missile could evade the air defense system's interception.
Before a heavy nuclear missile can gain enough acceleration to break through the atmosphere, it will inevitably be shot down by a small and agile anti-aircraft missile.
So all this nuclear-armed family needs to do is continue the siege; they'll eventually have to come out and surrender.
Moreover, this method can be used against any force in North America and the entire Finch Spacetime that may possess nuclear weapons.
This is the safest approach.
"Oh, right, I also have another matter to discuss with you. The Fifth Branch is finally fully established. You'll be attending the opening ceremony with me."
Instructor Yin smiled knowingly, "Their speed is really slow."
"That's normal, there's nothing to criticize about that."
"So, will I be stationed there from now on?"
Zhang Tianyuan pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "No need. Elder Tan and the others might be sensitive to this kind of thing, and besides, the atmosphere in San Francisco is currently 'recovering,' so you need to keep a close eye on things. Therefore, it's best to continue staying in San Francisco from now on."
Instructor Yin nodded. "What about Jack? Is he going too?"
Zhang Tianyuan's expression hardened as he suddenly remembered that there was someone in this time and space who had caused him so much trouble.
This Jack is not the Jack from the Day After Tomorrow Spacetime, but the big swindler who founded the " Mutual Aid Society Divine Church ".
Has his missionary work subsided during this period?
"He himself has toned it down a bit," Instructor Yin said with a helpless expression, "But the followers he's built up are incredibly fanatical. They've naturally recruited the people we just rescued without him even having to lift a finger."
have to!
Although many regulations prohibiting proselytizing have been introduced, it is clear that there are always ways to circumvent them, and the fanatical believers simply do not heed them.
Even those who were proselytized were willing participants; their empty souls desperately needed comforting.
Instructor Yin handed over a report, "According to Director Wu's latest observations, survivors in North America generally lack trust in people, which may be one of the reasons why they instinctively try to deify us."
Zhang Tianyuan took the report and glanced at it, only then realizing that during the time he was away from the Finch Spacetime, the " Mutual Aid Society Divine Church " had evolved once again.
The newly added doctrines are basically a replica of the Mutual Aid Society's ideas; at a glance, every word emphasizes unity, friendship, kindness, and tolerance...
This is also what was most lacking in the post-apocalyptic society of the previous decade or so.
Furthermore, he wasn't the only one in the Mutual Aid Society to be deified; almost every member of the Mutual Aid Society who frequently appeared in San Francisco was given a divine title.
People like Instructor Yin Wu Yisi were all included, becoming "gods" only one level below him.
Moreover, survivors in North America today take pride in joining Mutual Aid Society, as if joining Mutual Aid Society and starting work means walking with God, which gives them a great sense of honor.
After reading the report, Zhang Tianyuan had mixed feelings.
"Forget it, let's bring Jack along. After all, he's the representative of North America now. But make it clear to him that he needs to behave himself when he's out in public."
With the establishment of the Mutual Aid Society Fifth Branch, it is neither reasonable nor ethical to ignore Jack.
Instructor Yin said, "Then I'll go inform him now, and also call the others. He's very obedient under our watchful eyes."
"Go ahead, I'll wait for you here."
Soon, Instructor Yin returned, bringing not only Jack, but also Wu Yisi and other key members of the North America Mutual Aid Society Association.
Wu Yisi, whom we hadn't seen for a long time, still had long black hair and bright red lips, and smiled sweetly at Zhang Tianyuan.
Zhang Tianyuan nodded to her as a greeting.
Then he looked at the other key members. Some of them came from No. 1 Spacetime, some from No. 3 Spacetime, and some foreign faces with particularly excited and proud expressions. They were obviously from Finch Spacetime.
"Let's go, let's set off."
Zhang Tianyuan opened the Spacetime Tunnel and led the way inside, with the others following.
On the other side of the tunnel was Elder Tan, who was waiting for Zhang Tianyuan with the others.
Upon seeing the people coming from the other side of the tunnel, he warmly went up to shake hands and welcome them.
Zhang Tianyuan shook hands with him, exchanged greetings, and then continued opening the Spacetime Tunnel. Soon after, Elder Zhou and several other branch presidents from other timelines arrived in the Finch Spacetime with their respective groups.
Of the other five branches, only Elder Zhong from the Day After Tomorrow Spacetime did not come. His branch was in dire need of reconstruction, and he simply could not spare the time. However, the newly established Sixth Branch also sent a delegation.
People can understand this situation.
Welcome, welcome!
Elder Tan then went forward to shake hands with the others.
The team following behind Elder Zhou and the others were also curiously looking around, observing this space-time that had previously seemed so distant from them.
"Let's go to the venue now; our key members are already waiting there."
Once everyone had arrived, Elder Tan led the way, walking briskly and steadily. In no time, he brought everyone to the meeting place, then personally opened the door and led them inside.
As usual, the setup was very simple. A few red banners with cheerful and inspiring slogans were hung in a spacious hall, along with some plastic flowers and transparent vases, creating a festive atmosphere.
Zhang Tianyuan was already used to this simple style. Although the others he brought were slightly surprised, they didn't care much. Compared to the vibrant and thriving scene in North America, they were already quite content with the peace and tranquility here.
As for those who came from other timelines, they had also heard about the things in Finch Spacetime and were mentally prepared for the frugal lifestyle here.
However, some people were still surprised, not expecting that they could be so frugal.
As Elder Tan said, many people have gathered in the meeting room now, all of whom are key members of this branch.
Ever since Elder Tan opened the door and led everyone in, the eyes of these key members have been fixed on Zhang Tianyuan and his group, exchanging glances from time to time, their emotions running high.
Among the people at the scene, they are probably the only group in the country, besides the truck drivers, who are clearly aware of the existence of the Mutual Aid Society.
They even learned about everything the Mutual Aid Society did there through Wei Ding and his group, who had previously traveled to the Day After Tomorrow Spacetime.
Many of the members in the Fifth Branch were new, and they had been worried about a new wave of mass extinctions that might occur. Many were even pessimistic, believing that humanity would also become extinct.
It wasn't until they came into contact with the Mutual Aid Society and learned about everything that happened in the Day After Tomorrow Spacetime that they suddenly realized a completely new path lay hidden before them—
We need Mutual Aid Society!
"In any case, we cannot let this excellent opportunity slip by."
Chance!"
This was the common thought revealed in almost everyone's eyes.
Zhang Tianyuan could feel their passion, and occasionally when his eyes met those of some people, he would smile and nod at them.
Elder Tan walked onto the stage and addressed everyone:
"Comrades, today is the official establishment day of our Mutual Aid Society First Branch. We are honored to have invited comrades from the Mutual Aid Society headquarters and other branches to attend."
Previously, our colleagues at headquarters and various branches had provided us with a great deal of assistance, demonstrating through their actions that we were not alone on this difficult journey ahead...
Before Elder Tan could finish speaking, thunderous applause erupted from the audience, and the members of the five groups made no attempt to hide their excitement.
As a result, Elder Tan's speech was frequently interrupted, but even so, he simply smiled and waited for everyone to finish venting their emotions.
Zhang Tianyuan smiled and clapped along with the others.
People in the other branches also deeply felt the excitement of those around them.
Amidst thunderous applause, Ning Jihua, with a smile, loudly said to those around him, "The atmosphere was pretty much the same when we drove off the monster."
Sun Deyi, who was beside him, also laughed and said:
"This atmosphere still isn't right. When we first joined the Mutual Aid Society and learned that there are other dimensions in the world, we were much more excited than these people. We almost caused two underground cities to collapse from shouting."
Ning Jihua shook his head. "Keep dreaming!"
If you could really cause two underground cities to collapse, then what would be the point of building Planetary Engine?
Send the inhabitants of those two underground cities into space, and if each of them blew a breath, wouldn't they blow the Earth away?
Elder Zhou and Tong Wenshi exchanged a knowing smile, fully understanding the atmosphere on the scene.
Behind them, a photography team silently recorded everything.
Night falls.
Zhou Tao and Xue Liangping took a bus back to the building where they had lived for more than ten years. Besides them, there were more than forty other people in the building who had also responded to the call and joined the freight team.
With those two included, there are exactly fifty people.
Under the cover of night, fifty people who had returned from a parallel universe stood outside the building, all feeling a mix of trepidation and a sense of returning home.
However, the people inside had received word early that they would be back for a day off, so as soon as they opened the door, they were warmly welcomed.
Welcome home!
Zhou Tao and his companions shook hands and hugged all the neighbors, then held tightly to their wives and children's hands before realizing that there were actually quite a few people in the building.
He asked curiously, "Doesn't anyone have to go to work?"
The old building manager chuckled and said, "Didn't a government official come over last time and say they wanted to implement some kind of industrial reform? Since then, fewer and fewer people have been coming to work."
"Now, as long as you apply based on your pre-apocalyptic work experience, you can temporarily defer your work and relearn your previous skills and knowledge, so many people are responding to the call."
Zhou Tao then remembered that such a thing had indeed happened.
They joined the freight team out of a sense of purpose, only to discover that the cargo would be transported to a parallel universe...
"Let's not talk about that. We can't guess what the higher-ups are thinking. Anyway, we're not going to work now, and the dried earthworms we were given out before should last us a long time."
When the topic of dried earthworms came up, Zhou Tao suddenly remembered something and excitedly opened the large backpack he had brought back.
"I brought some things back for everyone to try!"
His action triggered a chain reaction, with Xue Liangping and the others also putting down their backpacks and opening them.
The old building manager was also puzzled as to why Zhou Tao and the others were carrying so many bags and packages. After opening them, he went over to take a look.
That one glance left him completely stunned.
Not just him, but everyone who saw what Zhou Tao and his group had in their backpacks was surprised.
The backpack, about half a person's height, was crammed with all sorts of food and toys. There was a whole bag full of the apple that the entire building had only received last time, and even some rather exquisite-looking boxes—clearly not ordinary items.
"Where... where did you get these things?"
The old building manager turned his head and found that the backpacks of the others contained similar items: food or toys, all things that were quite rare in the post-apocalyptic world.
This discovery surprised him even more.
In his memory, weren't Zhou Tao and his group out hauling goods?
It's like they went out scavenging; they brought back so many rare things.