Captain Zhou and the others weren’t sure, but since senior military officials were in charge, they were probably the last to retreat.

It was more likely that they would use a warship or plane.

Jiang Ning’s expression wasn’t good. “The last to retreat?” 

Huo Yishen saw through her worries and asked Captain Zhou, “Do you know the mission of other military bases?” 

Captain Zhou shook his head. If it hadn’t been for their encounter with 2688, they wouldn’t have known the task of the Eastern Military Base was to build a new homeland. 

The weather was good, and after two days of rest, the two submarines were ready to set sail when 0945 spotted a ship at 3 o’clock. 

Not wanting any unnecessary trouble, 2688 intended to dive and leave, but Captain Zhou and the others noticed a red five-pointed star painted on the side of the ship. 

This was a symbol of faith. 

Captain Zhou and the others were curious and wanted to learn more.  

Jiang Ning, worried about safety, tossed him a loudspeaker. 

“Comrades on the other side, where are you from?” 

The ship in the distance also discovered the submarine. Someone came out to look. Hearing the familiar language, they excitedly waved and shouted, “Fellow countrymen, we’re from the Northwest Military Base.” 

The Northwest Military Base? 

While happy, Captain Zhou remained cautious. “Where is the Northwest Military Base located?” 

“Qindu.” 

“Qindu, right? By the way, how do you make Roujiamo?” 

As expected, food is a priority in life. Jiang Ning almost burst out laughing. 

Just knowing how to make Roujiamo is not enough. Captain Zhou threw another difficult question. “Since we’ve met by fate, why don’t you sing a ‘Xintianyou’ for us? 

To their surprise, despite being starved and weak, someone on the other side actually started singing. 

At first, only a few joined in, but gradually more and more people chimed in.  

Throughout, Captain Zhou observed their lip movements and expressions throughout the whole process, and his expression gradually became serious. 

He discussed with 2688, “We have people from the Northwest on our submarine. We think the survivors on the ship on the other side are not a big threat. They are all fellow countrymen. Should we take them with us?” 

The ship was running on the surface, while the submarine traveled deep underwater. If the other side had any ill intentions, they would still be at a safe distance. 

Jiang Ning had no objections. “Sure, you can guide them.” 

Being a submarine captain meant being an experienced veteran. 

There are hundreds of survivors on the ship. For safety reasons, Captain Zhou did not tell the other party the coordinates of the location but said that the country has established a new base and they can follow them. 

The other party was also cautious and inquired about the origin of the two submarines. 

When they learned they were from the Southern Military Base, they took the chance to counter, “What do you like to order for morning tea?” 

“We have everything for morning tea: chicken feet, shrimp dumplings, rice rolls, pineapple buns.” 

The other party was still not reassured. “How do you curse people?” 

“I curse your lungs, you worthless person!” 

Hearing these familiar insults, the other side wasn’t angry but overjoyed. After half an hour of discussion, they agreed. 

So, 2688 led the way, with 0945 in the middle raising the periscope to guide the ship, and watch for any movement on the ship. 

For three days, they sailed continuously. When the sea conditions were good during the day, they sped up. At night, they slowed down for rest. 

After observing for several days, they found nothing unusual on the ship. 

With a new goal, the survivors on the ship became more lively. “Fellow countrymen, we’re growing vegetables on the ship. Would you like some?” 

“What kind of vegetables?” 

“Shanghai greens, chickweed, napa cabbage.” 

Jiang Ning was unceremonious and took out the drone. 

The sea was calm. Huo Yishen switched the drone to an angle mode and flew it over to the ship to take pictures. 

Oh, they really had planted vegetables. 

They were planted in broken jars and bottles, and they grew pretty well. 

The always suspicious Captain Zhou smiled. “Hey, why didn’t you tell us earlier?” 

It was confirmed—the only people in the world who inherently knew how to grow vegetables were right here. 

Satisfied, they happily shared the coordinates for the new homeland.  

The weather was good, and Captain Zhou, with his rich naval experience, avoided the multiple storms at sea. 

After more than 20 days of sailing, they were now just over 200 nautical miles from the new homeland’s coordinates. 

The seabed was rising, and the ocean currents were not as complicated as other sea areas. 

Sonar detection feedback also showed that the seabed was only more than 300 meters, unlike the 9,000 meters from half a month ago. 

When they surfaced for a breath and rest, a J-series fighter flew over their heads. 

The survivors on the ship jumped up excitedly. “A fighter jet! Our country’s fighter jet!” 

Heavens! There’s really a new homeland; they have a home again! 

The J-series fighter jet circled twice in the sky, then rushed up and left. 

0945 was equally excited and could not help but float up to celebrate. 

2688 was much calmer and continued to move forward silently. 

As they got closer to the coordinates, the greater the chance of finding other survivors. 

At one point, 2688 came across a massive vessel: the 035-class Ming nuclear attack submarine, which was a national weapon before the natural disaster. 

Huo Yishen, who knew a bit about the military. He explained when he saw the submarine’s identification number, “This one originally belonged to the North Sea Fleet, but it’s unclear which military base it’s assigned to now.” 

The submarine surfaced and slowly moved forward. 

In the distance, they saw a towering structure rising from the sea. 

At first glance, it seemed like an offshore drilling platform. Eight massive orange-red steel pillars pierced deep into the seabed like the stabilizing pillars of the earth.  

Waves crashed against them, but they stood unwavering.  

Above the steel pillars was a giant platform, neatly arranged with welded rectangular containers.  

The platform rose like a hollowed-out octagonal pagoda, with each level stacked with containers. The structure reached seven stories high in total.  

There are giant work boats around the construction platform to assist in hoisting the containers up continuously. 

As they got closer, it became clear that each container had eight doors, likely leading to divided rooms. 

The room is not big, but the constructed platform is large enough. It is estimated that one platform can accommodate thousands of people. 

There is a giant platform every five kilometers, and there are six under construction at the same time. 

This was the power of infrastructure giants. They claimed it could house 100,000 people, and 100,000 was just the minimum capacity. 

Offshore transport ships, aircraft carriers, warships, various massive marine construction equipment, and helicopters hauling supplies…  

Before coming here, facing the sunrise and sunset every day, Jiang Ning often couldn’t help but wonder how many survivors could survive such a natural disaster. 

She even dreamed that everyone died, and in the end, only the three of them and Coke were left to grow old slowly.  

But can a civilization made up of just three people and a dog still be considered a civilization? 

Now, facing the huge offshore base, she deeply feels how small the power of an individual is, and how absurd and ridiculous her previous thoughts had been. 

What she was witnessing now—that was the power of a nation. 

Humans were small, but the strength of the nation was immense. 

In the face of natural disasters, it may have been battered and bruised, but it had never fallen. 

It had always been there. 

Standing tall and strong!