Invasion of the United States

"Victor, do we really need to buy food?" Lucy stood by the roadside, arms crossed, her brow furrowed.

She watched as Zhou Qingfeng unloaded several bags of flour, butter, and sugar from a delivery truck, looking puzzled and somewhat resigned.

A crowd gathered on the blocked road, curiously observing Zhou Qingfeng's actions and occasionally commenting.

To them, Zhou Qingfeng's actions seemed over the top—spending thousands of US Dollars just to buy these ordinary groceries?

For most people, seeing the National Guard block the road was just strange; hearing about the virus spread just meant they thought society and the economy would face tremendous pressure.

As for shelters? That seemed like a bizarre idea from the Cold War era, too far-fetched and long abandoned.

However, to Zhou Qingfeng, seeing the National Guard's roadblocks immediately set off alarms in his mind.

Instinct told him he needed to quickly stock up on food and fuel to prepare for the impending crisis.

When he unloaded the fifth bag of flour, the driver's face already showed discomfort, clearly thinking he had bought too much.

Zhou Qingfeng didn't say much, simply pulling 2,000 US Dollars from his pocket and handing it to the driver. The driver's expression instantly changed from gloomy to bright, his smile stretching to his ears.

"Sir, you are very generous!" The driver said, laughing as he actively helped Zhou Qingfeng with several large barrels of milk, two baskets of vegetables, and even condiments like salad dressing.

Afterwards, the driver enthusiastically patted Zhou Qingfeng on the shoulder, with a hint of flattery in his voice, "You have the best crisis awareness I've ever seen."

Zhou Qingfeng coldly glanced at the driver, "I don't lack money. I'd rather be over-prepared than starve when it matters."

The pickup truck set off again, the back filled with food and supplies.

Zhou Qingfeng's gaze fixed on the road ahead, trying to find other possible routes out of Washington D.C.

However, both the radio and shortwave transmissions conveyed unsettling news.

The radio host was relaying a special executive order from the White House: Effective immediately, Washington D.C. was entering a lockdown, and strict control over movement would be enforced.

Everyone was urged to quickly find a hotel, apartment, or similar accommodations and to stockpile enough essentials to cope with the potential "emergency state."

Yet, the radio didn't mention what the "emergency state" was, leaving a foreboding feeling with its vague wording.

With phone and internet down, Zhou Qingfeng could only use his car's shortwave radio to contact Chen Rui.

Chen Rui also sensed something was wrong, "While the outside communication is relatively normal, the lockdown on Washington D.C. is extremely shocking.

Rumors are rampant online, with the hottest one being a military coup.

But so far, no military personnel have stepped up to take responsibility, and the Pentagon is entirely silent." The full series lives on My Virtual Library Empire (M|V|L0EMPYR).

"By the way, that president who loves posting online has also gone quiet. People believe he might have already taken refuge in the bunker under the White House."

After listening, Zhou Qingfeng's brow furrowed, dismissing the possibility of a military coup, and instead offered his own speculations.

"The 'X' virus has strong immune escape capabilities, and RNA vaccines are not 100% effective. If the president's luck was a bit worse, he might already be sick."

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The pickup continued driving south. Upon entering the city, the streets appeared emptier.

Zhou Qingfeng's eyes scanned the roadside signs, slowing down in front of a gray and white museum.

"Why are we stopping?" Lucy looked around and saw that the usually bustling museum had few people about.

"Hmm, getting a map." Zhou Qingfeng got out of the car and walked to the side of the museum's entrance. In a corner stood a lone vending machine selling city tourism and traffic maps.

After buying a map with coins, Zhou Qingfeng returned to the vehicle, his fingers tracing over the streets and landmarks on the map.

His fingertip finally stopped at the Potomac River. Across the river was the Arlington Community, still within the lockdown range although part of Virginia.

He folded the map, restarted the engine, and drove towards the river.

"Where are we heading now?" Lucy asked.

"To the Thomas Family." Relying on the map and his memory, Zhou Qingfeng stepped on the gas.

"Thomas from the Ministry of Efficiency? Isn't he dead?" Lucy's voice rose sharply with surprise.

"Yeah, he's dead, but his house isn't going anywhere, and it's vacant now." Zhou Qingfeng replied, "We need a place to stay, we can't be picky right now."

No one in the car was suited for hotel or motel living, and they needed to settle down quickly. Otherwise, stricter road controls would leave them stuck.

The vehicle got on the Potomac River bridge, with urgent "dee-doo dee-doo" sounds as several ambulances sped past on the opposite lane, their lights flashing red.

After crossing the river, the scene on the streets became even more disturbing.

From time to time, medical personnel in white protective suits hurried into an apartment building, while others carried stretchers out.

The stretchers often carried elderly people with haggard faces, weak breathing, and oxygen masks.

While the white population in the United States controlled the country, the aging problem was getting worse.

Especially in power centers like Washington D.C., where the elderly enjoyed the best medical resources and lived longer. Once an epidemic hit, they were the most to die.