The east gate of Giant Rock City.
Next to the unloading point of the trading station, boxes of goods piled up into hills.
Standing next to a pile of grain, the loader and unloader with his naked upper body threw the dirty rag on his shoulders, reached out and pushed the sturdy sack, and surprise rose in his eyes.
Is this the batch of goods yesterday?
Henry still remembers it very clearly.
Yesterday morning, he had just removed the goods from the back of the two-headed cows, but he didn't expect to be put back so soon.
The coworker on the side said with his teeth bared.
It's Ah, the millet shipped from the south farm, smells as good as the clothes that have just been dried.
After June, the weather is getting hotter and hotter here, so it would be great if I could have a bottle of iced nuclear coke.
But with their income, they can't afford that kind of luxury.
Where are these goods going to be shipped?A tanned boy came over and asked curiously.
Henry remembered his name, which seemed to be Hang, who lived in a nearby slum. I don’t know if it was thirteen or twelve years old, but he was still not old.
The trading post is different from other places, where there are many employees coming from slums outside the giant wall.
I heard that these people are asking for less salary than them, and giving one chip and two spoonfuls of sticky nutritional cream every day is enough.
To be honest, Henry disliked these slum children because there were always people who were willing to endure lower standards of living, which led to their wages falling again and again.
A bargaining chip may be enough for him to live alone, but he has to support a whole family!
Send it to our neighbors.Henry said in a cold tone.
The loader and unloader on the side couldn't help complaining.
Damn... Why do those unscrupulous merchants just refuse to sell them to us cheaply?
If a kilogram of bread only costs one chip, they can still afford it, but usually it is only enough to buy a hard green wheat cake like a stone.
At this time, the manager of the trading post came from the side and happened to hear the complaints of the poor people, and rolled his eyes without thinking.
Are you having a fucking daydream!
Do you expect the food grown in the fields to be as cheap as nutritional paste?Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and work. If you don’t work hard, you can’t even afford to eat nutritional cream!
Under the urging of the manager, the loaders and unloaders who gathered in a group of complaining quickly dispersed, working hard and not talking more.
Although I am full of resentment and dissatisfaction, it is difficult to find a job these days.If they are fired, the whole family will have to be hungry...
……
It’s not just food that needs to be transported.
There are also bundles of cotton cloth, parts and equipment needed for construction, as well as lighting equipment and generators.
The total value of these goods is as high as 500,000 chips and weighs a full 450 tons.
If you can transport such 10 trips a month, the trade volume is 5 million, and it is 60 million in a year.
If the freight is also included, the 200 million chips are actually not that expensive...
At the same time, not far from the trading post, several fully armed players also completed the assembly.
Old Bai, wearing an exoskeleton and carrying a rifle, looked at the direction of the slum.
There was calm and quiet.
The faces with dull eyes were ordinary, and it was impossible to tell that a murder occurred here a few days ago.
I couldn't feel it at all, and someone cast a malicious look at this side.
Lao Bai breathed a sigh of relief.
As he expected, the Dagger Gang didn't dare to cause trouble for them at all.
Their alliance is very young, and its size is not as large as that of the Giant Rock City, which has led for two hundred years, nor is it as that of the military giants and city lords riding on the top of the giant wall.
But in front of a few gangs of predators, they are still considered an elephant.
Both sides are not of the same dimension at all.
The other party naturally knew this and it was impossible to cause trouble for a younger brother's life.
Of course, it is also possible that I am thinking too much, maybe it is just that there is no follow-up to that plot in the game program.
Just as Lao Bai was thinking about it, an office guard NPC came over and stopped in front of him and said.
The trading post is loading the goods, we have to wait for a while.
Lao Bai was not very good at talking about couplets, but just nodded and answered concisely.
It's okay, it's okay to wait for a while.
The trading post not far away is busy at this moment.
The naked loaders and unloaders shuttled back and forth between the pile of materials and the camel caravan, carrying the goods to the back of the two-headed cows and tied them up.
This cow with two heads is gentle and strong, with five or six hundred kilograms on one head. The mutant species can even reach an astonishing ton, as huge as a hippo.
The most important thing is that these animals are not picky about food, have an iron stomach comparable to mutant hyenas, and develop relatively quickly, so they are widely used as vehicles in wasteland.
Where tires and tracks cannot enter, they can be like walking on flat ground.
Although the speed is not fast, the victory is stable enough and can even be used as a cover when fighting.
Players are not surprised by the creatures like the two-headed cows, and they are in the Frost Spear Ranch in the northern suburbs.
However, what surprised the players was that the two-headed cow they saw this time was different from the past. Not only was they bigger, but they were also covered with metal utensils.
It looks like an exoskeleton.
Damn...even cows have exoskeletons?Looking at the camel caravan not far away, Killing Dai said in surprise.
Brother Dog, who was standing aside, followed his gaze, stared at the cows for a while, and said.
That's an unpowered exoskeleton.
What is a powerless exoskeleton?Killing Bi asked curiously.
The kidney fighter on the side explained.
There is no power supply or motor, which is equivalent to a wheeled cart, allowing you to unload part of the weight of the cargo on the ground.
Then why not just make a mechanical cow?
Brother Dog rolled his eyes.
It's just transported by rockets.
The kidney fighter casually said: Because the transportation cost of mechanical cattle is not a handful of grass for hundreds of kilometers, and we have to replace worn parts and regularly use engine oil... I guess.
This statement can be accepted by Killing.
However, equipting the double-headed cow with no power exoskeleton can be regarded as the word "useful" to the extreme.
It didn't take too long to load.
Lao Bai raised his arm and looked at it, and saw a row of pop-up windows appearing on the VM screen.
The escort mission begins.
They need to deliver the goods to the northern suburbs within 48 hours and ensure the safety of personnel and supplies.
The goods have been loaded.
Where is Fang Chang?Killing Dai glanced at him and found that there were fewer people.
Lao Bai casually said: He has something to do. If you want to stay here for a while, let’s get on the road first.
Brother Dog let out a howl.
Damn, this guy is eating alone again!
that is!I will definitely do bad things when I act alone these days!
Hearing the complaints from his teammates, Lao Bai smiled heartily.
No matter he is, he has his own business to deal with, and he will come back naturally when he handles it.
Looking at the camel caravan behind him, he waved forward neatly.
Set off!
The team began to set off.
Escorting more than 200 double-headed cows and hundreds of tons of supplies, the group, under the gaze of wasteland tourists, embarked on a journey to the northern suburbs.
The people escorted the caravan not only a few players from the Burning Corps, but also two local mercenaries from the Stone City, with a total of more than a hundred people.
For such caravans, most plunderers hide far away when they see them.
Not to mention relying on testing, these guys who bully the weak and fear the strong dare not look here.
It is said that the new alliance also plans to renovate the subway tunnel from Giant Rock City to the northern suburbs and seal off all forks, so that the original two-day journey can be shortened to within one day.
If you lay cables and arrange a few trams to travel back and forth in the tunnel, it may take two or three hours to go!
Originally, the straight line distance from Giant Rock City to Bet Street was only ten kilometers, and it was only fourteen or five kilometers to Linghu Wetland Park.
However, this project has not been agreed upon.
The Giant Stone City Hall was not willing to pay the money, and Duro gave quite a lot of reasons. They could not spend the taxes of the people in the outer city outside the huge wall.
Although the new alliance said it could repair the tunnel itself and be responsible for the operation of the tunnel, such a huge project cost astronomical figures.
With the current financial situation of the new alliance, it can only afford to borrow money from Jishi City Bank.
Although President Melvin said that he was hoping that the new alliance would borrow another 100 million points, he had just thrown out the 200 million and had not seen the effect yet. He was also a little upset and planned to see the results first.
Chu Guang did not urge him.
Things like wool grabbing have to be scrupulous.
The most perfect situation is that after spending the first chip he borrowed, Stone City just ushered in the first round of inflation, and the prices of commodities priced with chips began to soar.
But if the other party's production capacity is overdrawn, it is not his debt, but the money he just borrowed...
……
To the northwest of Shuguang City, this is the granary in the northern suburbs.
Standing next to the towering mill, Chu Guang was inspecting the situation in the field accompanied by Old Charlie.
After a series of reforms and personnel changes, Charlie has resigned from the Trade Union and transferred to the Union's Ministry of Economic Affairs as Minister.
The vacant position of president of the Trade Fair Association is the former head of the trading post.
This is also the advice of Old Charlie himself.
The staff at the trading station often deal with traders on the wasteland, especially managers promoted from the grassroots level. They are not only familiar with the nature and transaction process of those wasteland customers, but also easily deal with their relationship with those wasteland customers.
It is perfect for the head of the trading station to manage the business association!
The Shangshang Guild mainly serves players, but not only serves players.
This institution is more like a service department, acting as a bridge between players and NPCs in the trade field.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs is more responsible for the formulation of macro strategies and serves the entire alliance, which is more significant.
Although there is only one office at present, and all the staff can count with one hand, the position of this department in the alliance will become more and more important in the future.
The work of reforming the alliance management has finally been completed, and Chu Guang has rarely had time recently.
When he wasn't too busy, he liked to come around the farm to relax and see how the crops in the fields looked.
Sometimes he comes over alone, and occasionally brings others with him.
The most spectacular one is probably the rice fields. The crops in the fields are growing very gratifyingly, and the thick dark green seedlings have already seen a little yellow.
The improved seeds cultivated by CNC planting towers, combined with fertilizers produced by chemical plants, and hardworking little players and survivors, the harvest in the fields this year will surely be quite gratifying.
Maybe the yield per mu in the first year will exceed a thousand pounds!
At present, the area of arable land in Xinlian has increased from 30,000 mu to 40,000, and most of them are high-yield corn and rice.
Wait for another two months.
By August, the grain produced from this fertile soil will fill the alliance's granary!
Looking at the endless farmland, Chu Guang couldn't help but smile like an old father on his face.
very nice!
but……
This alone is obviously not enough.
...I originally thought that the initial plan of 30,000 mu was enough, but I didn't expect that the plan could not keep up with the changes.
Ideally, 1 to 2 acres of land can feed a survivor, and 3 acres of land can feed a player.
With the population of Shuguang City, the 30,000 mu planned by Chuguang in the early stage is enough.
What's more, in the expansion pack of "Casting Swords as Plows", the actual land reclaimed by players is 5,000 acres more than he actually planned.
In Chu Guang's vision, the food produced by these lands can not only fill the stomachs of the residents of the new alliance, but also enrich a lot.
However, at the beginning of the year, he didn't expect it. By the middle of the year, the permanent population of the new alliance had doubled several times, from 3,000 to nearly 30,000...
This is not a super edible player and more than 20,000 slaves from the prisoner-of-war camp.
Due to the drastic population fluctuations, the granary of the new alliance is like Schrödinger's cat, constantly switching back and forth between enough and not enough.
Our population growth is indeed a little faster...the growth rate is far beyond our arable land area.Following Chu Guang's side, Old Charlie also had a little worry in his eyes.
Of course, it is a good thing to have a large population. In the wasteland, population itself is a valuable asset.
However, this is also a double-edged sword.
People can only have the energy to work when they are full, they can understand shame when they have clothes, they can only be loyal when they have a room to sleep, and only when they form a family can they think about the future of the next generation.
If the demand for rapid growth cannot be filled, the excess population will become a burden.
There is no way, you can't leave those people alone.Looking at the survivors working in the fields in the distance, Chu Guang replied concisely.
He once lived on Bet Street for a considerable period of time.
For him, those survivors are alive, not just a number.
It is precisely because of this that so many people are willing to offer loyalty to the alliance from the bottom of their hearts.
In fact, there are still many ways to think about it optimistically.
He has many cards in his hand that can be used.
...Thirty-five thousand acres of arable land are far from enough, we need to reclaim more farmland.Before the sowing of winter wheat begins, we must ensure that the arable land area is expanded to 50,000 mu, and before the spring plowing next year, it will reach 100,000 mu.
After thinking for a moment, Chu Guang continued.
In addition, we have to launch prisoners of war to reclaim the land from the east of Xizhou Lake to the south bank of Tianshui.Although the terrain there is a little rugged, it is better because of its fertile soil.When the lake embankment on the east bank of Xizhou Lake is completed, it will be no big problem to collect 100,000 mu of arable land.
Before we can fully achieve food self-sufficiency, we can only import from farmers in the south as much as possible.Regarding trade issues, you and the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Affairs need to pay more attention.
Old Charlie nodded seriously.
I will pay attention.
Fortunately, the industrial products of the New Alliance are quite popular in the south.
Especially the LD-47 series rifles and various large-caliber weapons, it is very suitable to deal with mutants active in Jinchuan Province.
Those green-skinned muscle men have strong recovery and fierce melee ability. They are just like nothing they can do when they get shots, but even so, they can't withstand the strafing of 7mm full-power bullets and the 20mm high-explosive bullets fired by rifle.
Recently, many farmers have sent their servants to come over and want to buy some propellers and planes to go back.
But flying this kind of aircraft requires some skills.
The farmers' plan was to send a group of loyal servants to study and learn to drive the plane back directly.
Of course, they will pay for their tuition with food.
The profit of selling airplanes is much higher than selling rifles. Although it is a propeller aircraft, it can fly at least.
It is no problem to return a plane with rations for one or two thousand people.
After talking about his future plans, Chu Guang looked at Old Charlie and continued with a smile.
Say something happy.
This morning, Luca and I had a phone call and said that we had already set off for the materials we had spent 500,000 yuan to import.This includes the food we need, cotton cloth, equipment needed to build the power grid, and tools for construction, etc.
Two days later, he will arrive in the northern suburbs with these 450 tons of supplies, and then a large number of new supplies will be delivered to us every three days.
With these goods, our construction site in Dawn City will achieve twice the result with half the effort.Maybe it will take less than two years, and before the end of this year, our new settlement will be on track!
Looking at the manager with joy on his face, although Old Charlie also squeezed out a smile from his face, the smile was somewhat amused and crying.
Can this be considered good news?
500,000 chips Ah...
In just one day, they spent the life of five old leeches.
All this money has to be paid back...
……
Big Rock City.
A mansion close to the inner city.
Sitting on a luxurious chair, Alyssa stretched out her white index finger and gently teased the black shorthaired cat lying in her arms.
Listening to the cat's coquettish purr in his arms, the slightly curled eyelashes bent into a soft crescent moon.
Next to her chair, two bodyguards and a servant stood.
One of the bodyguards had electronic eyes full of metal texture in their eyes, staring at the strange guest in the room intently.
Although he was staring at the three-double eyes, Fang Chang didn't care.
It's NPC.
Isn’t it normal to pay attention to players when the plot is triggered?
What made him care more about was the girl sitting in the chair.
She was wearing a long skirt that looked very expensive, and her dark brown hair was tied very delicately, revealing her fair neck.
Unlike Dolly, she has an indescribable temperament, as if she does not belong to this world.
If you think about it carefully, it is not surprising.
After all, standing in this mansion, no matter which window you look out, you can't see a little bit of wasteland.
Looking at the girl sitting on the chair, Fang Chang couldn't help but sigh that the game production team should really add two more chicken legs to the modeler's lunch box.
Three completely different artistic styles are incorporated into the same map, and the scene switching brings a strong visual contrast without any inconsistency.
What is the ninth art?
Is this the ninth art?
Thank you, Mr. Mercenary.
I thought I would never see my little black again.
The pleasant voice pulled Fang Chang back to reality. When he came to his senses, he withdrew his gaze and replied politely.
You're welcome.It is my honor to make you worry.
Recently, his people's couplets have become more and more proficient. Based on the principle of being able to speak, he said a few more words.
However
Maybe it's because your expression is not accurate enough, or there is something wrong with the grammar.
The bodyguards and servants beside the NPC named Alisa were all staring at themselves in amazement.
Alisa was obviously stunned.
However, the girl who came to her senses just smiled laughing, then blinked and said in that beautiful and pleasant voice.
Maybe you want to express something else.
No matter what, thanks to your help, I can get Xiao Hei back.
Two days ago, when the unknown newspaper found her, Alyssa didn't actually have much hope.
However, what she didn't expect was that they actually found Xiao Hei who was lost.
Out of curiosity, she asked the servant to bring the mercenary to her.
It's different from what I imagined.
She thought that the mercenaries were all thicker people with beards and scars than wrinkles, but she didn't expect that a young man who looked at him was looking at him.
Alisa asked with interest after staring at Fang Chang for a while.
Can you tell me, how did you do it?
The square expression was a bit subtle.
Of course, he couldn't say that he spent 200 silver coins to ask for help from a fat mouse to find the stupid cat jumping up and down on the waist of the giant wall.
Of course, it was not all due to the brothers who were forced to do anything. Dolly also helped him a lot these two days.
The black kitten, which looked like a briquette, was a little afraid of him for some reason, but was not very afraid of Dolly.
Is it because the smell of engine oil smells like it?
In any case, the commission, which was personally requested by the head of the alliance office, was finally completed.
The reward is 25 chips in total.
He did not consider the contribution points and regional reputation, but from the perspective of the amount alone, he lost a little.
This is a long story...
...It seems that it is a secret that is inconvenient to reveal, so I won’t ask.
Alisa didn't ask, comforted the cat in her arms for a while, and then gently put it aside.
Looking at the man standing in front of her again, she suddenly blinked playfully.
In exchange, can you tell me about the world outside the giant wall?
Outside the huge wall...
Fang Chang was a little troubled and showed a headache. The range was too large. Where should I start?
Alisa said.
Let's tell your story.For example...where did you come from?
Northern Suburbs.Fang Chang said truthfully.
Hearing this answer, a hint of surprise appeared in Alyssa's eyes.
Are you a resident of the Northern Suburbs?
Yes, what's wrong?
Well, it's nothing, but I've always heard my father talk about that place recently.
He shook his head gently, and there was obvious curiosity in Alyssa's eyes. Can you tell me what kind of place it is?
It's hard to describe it. If I were asked to evaluate it, it wouldn't be rich, but it's a place full of hope...
Fang Chang sorted out his thoughts for a moment and used a limited vocabulary to simply describe the situation there.
He thought the girl would not be interested, but he didn't expect that she would listen unexpectedly seriously.
After about ten minutes, Alyssa closed her eyes and thought for a while, and a smile suddenly appeared on her face.
Thank you for chatting with me for so long.
You're welcome... By the way, can you please write a thank you letter?Suddenly remembering the matter of the NPC named Hal asking him for help, Fang Chang quickly added.
Very dangerous.
Almost forgot the important thing.
No problem, I've written it.Alyssa smiled and nodded to the servant beside her.
The slightly old servant stepped forward, took a letter from his arms and handed it to Fang Chang.
Fang Chang took the letter from him and politely refused the invitation to afternoon tea. After thanking him, he left the luxurious mansion under the escort of two guards.
Turning two streets, he saw Dolly holding her arms under a street light.
This short green girl is kicking the bottle cap on the floor with her toes to pass the boring time.
Seeing Fang Chang coming from the corner of the street, she immediately stopped and asked.
Did you give Xiao Hei to her?
Well, I have developed a relationship in just half a day?Fang Chang looked at her and said teasingly.
Dolly raised her eyebrows.
How is that possible? I... just asked casually.
Fang Chang said with a chuckle.
I believe it.
He could feel that this little girl actually liked the clingy little black guy.
But she also knew in her heart that it was someone else's pet after all.Not to mention that she can't even take good care of herself, and that kind of picky eaters will only suffer with her.
Hello.
What's wrong.
Is that bank president's daughter beautiful?Dolly asked curiously.
Fang Chang replied casually.
Very beautiful, a dignified and elegant girl.
Dolly moved her nose. It seemed that her curiosity was satisfied, but her expression was quite intriguing.
...After that being said, are you interested in the entrusting of 25 chips?
Chips are not my goal, what I need is this letter.Fang Chang gently shook the envelope that was pinched on his fingertips and took it back into his pocket.
25 chips are just part of the mission reward.
If it were just for money, he would not have accepted the commission at all.
But it's too troublesome to explain this to NPC.
It’s not that no one has tried it, but they can’t even understand what the game is. It’s too rude to just say that your world is just a game.
Perhaps this is part of the setting.
letter?
Well, valuable mission props.
……？
Without explaining to Dolly, Fang Chang took her straight to the newspaper.
If you hand this letter to the newspaper’s NPC Hal, the mission will be completed.
Although I don’t know what the new NPC named Hal is, there will always be no mistake when I brush my favorability.
Looking at Fang Chang who was in a happy mood, Dolly following him, her face was filled with complex expressions.
She still didn't understand why the man in front of her who could easily take out more than 50,000 chips was interested in the commission of just 25 chips.
Do you like cats?
But it's not like Ah.
Or...
He wanted to get close to the daughter of the president of the Rock Bank through Xiao Hei, become Mr. Melvin's Sn in Law, and then leapt into the wealthy family.
Thinking of this, the expression on Dolly's face was no longer complicated, but contempt.
She sneered.
...I really know how to dream.
Um?What did you just say?
nothing.
After throwing this sentence, Dolly turned her face to the side. This time it was Fang Chang's turn to be confused.
The two came to the newspaper.
The room was noisy, and there were dark circles on every face, but everyone was very motivated.
Even excited.
After listening to Hal's plan, the senior executives of the league immediately granted them a monthly budget of 200,000 chips.
200,000 chips!
And it's monthly!
When they heard the news, the editors who had worked under Mr. House were so excited that they almost forgot to breathe.
"The Voice of the Rock" can't make so much money in a year!
And their boss is actually willing to pay such a huge sum of money every month and continue to sponsor their careers without seeing any returns.
With this money, it's enough for them to do a lot of things!
Just as the people in the newspaper were discussing their next plan, the door of the office opened.
Looking at Fang Chang who was returning with the thank-you letter in his hand, Hal immediately showed an overjoyed expression on his face and took the letter.
Great, you are finally back, my friend!We are discussing the next issue's layout, and it's time to come!
I actually don’t quite understand. Does the cat who found the daughter of the bank president... have anything to do with your newspaper?Looking at Hal, who was holding the envelope in his hand, he couldn't help asking curiously.
Before Hal could speak, the editor beside him said for him with a gaze.
We intend to make a special page in the newspaper to publish commissions.How to attract people in need to write to us?The best way is of course to let them see the effect.
Another bald editor also came over and said.
That’s right, and I’m sure those mercenaries who are never interested in reading newspapers will start buying our newspapers from now on!
Why don’t we open a Mercenary News?An editor interrupted.
Hal's eyes lit up and he snapped his fingers.
This is a good idea!
Fang Chang coughed dryly.
If you ask me to say... you might as well write novels in the newspaper, which will be 500 words in three days, and stop at the most critical place every day. I can guarantee that your newspaper will be sold out.
Hearing this sentence, Hal was slightly stunned for a few seconds.
Suddenly, he suddenly reacted, and an expression of ecstasy appeared on his face.
This idea is simply awesome!My friend, why don’t you come to work in the newspaper?
I don't have to... Fang Chang coughed dryly, and he suddenly felt like he had a bad idea.
but……
He was actually quite curious about what the novels serialized by NPCs would look like.
At this moment, Fang Chang's eyes suddenly fell on the advertisement for recruiting reporters, and his heart couldn't help but move slightly.
Are you short of people here?
Hal, who had just expressed disappointment, saw Fang Chang's intention to change his mind, immediately nodded excitedly.
Of course, we lack reporters, editors, everything is missing... It would be great if you are willing to help us!
Ahem, I'm not a product in this industry, but I can recommend an expert to you.There is nothing she doesn’t know about in the entire Stone City, and even if she doesn’t know, I believe she will definitely have a way to know...
Speaking of this, Fang Chang looked at the short-haired girl with arms held and a look of nothing.
How do you think of her?
Next to the unloading point of the trading station, boxes of goods piled up into hills.
Standing next to a pile of grain, the loader and unloader with his naked upper body threw the dirty rag on his shoulders, reached out and pushed the sturdy sack, and surprise rose in his eyes.
Is this the batch of goods yesterday?
Henry still remembers it very clearly.
Yesterday morning, he had just removed the goods from the back of the two-headed cows, but he didn't expect to be put back so soon.
The coworker on the side said with his teeth bared.
It's Ah, the millet shipped from the south farm, smells as good as the clothes that have just been dried.
After June, the weather is getting hotter and hotter here, so it would be great if I could have a bottle of iced nuclear coke.
But with their income, they can't afford that kind of luxury.
Where are these goods going to be shipped?A tanned boy came over and asked curiously.
Henry remembered his name, which seemed to be Hang, who lived in a nearby slum. I don’t know if it was thirteen or twelve years old, but he was still not old.
The trading post is different from other places, where there are many employees coming from slums outside the giant wall.
I heard that these people are asking for less salary than them, and giving one chip and two spoonfuls of sticky nutritional cream every day is enough.
To be honest, Henry disliked these slum children because there were always people who were willing to endure lower standards of living, which led to their wages falling again and again.
A bargaining chip may be enough for him to live alone, but he has to support a whole family!
Send it to our neighbors.Henry said in a cold tone.
The loader and unloader on the side couldn't help complaining.
Damn... Why do those unscrupulous merchants just refuse to sell them to us cheaply?
If a kilogram of bread only costs one chip, they can still afford it, but usually it is only enough to buy a hard green wheat cake like a stone.
At this time, the manager of the trading post came from the side and happened to hear the complaints of the poor people, and rolled his eyes without thinking.
Are you having a fucking daydream!
Do you expect the food grown in the fields to be as cheap as nutritional paste?Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and work. If you don’t work hard, you can’t even afford to eat nutritional cream!
Under the urging of the manager, the loaders and unloaders who gathered in a group of complaining quickly dispersed, working hard and not talking more.
Although I am full of resentment and dissatisfaction, it is difficult to find a job these days.If they are fired, the whole family will have to be hungry...
……
It’s not just food that needs to be transported.
There are also bundles of cotton cloth, parts and equipment needed for construction, as well as lighting equipment and generators.
The total value of these goods is as high as 500,000 chips and weighs a full 450 tons.
If you can transport such 10 trips a month, the trade volume is 5 million, and it is 60 million in a year.
If the freight is also included, the 200 million chips are actually not that expensive...
At the same time, not far from the trading post, several fully armed players also completed the assembly.
Old Bai, wearing an exoskeleton and carrying a rifle, looked at the direction of the slum.
There was calm and quiet.
The faces with dull eyes were ordinary, and it was impossible to tell that a murder occurred here a few days ago.
I couldn't feel it at all, and someone cast a malicious look at this side.
Lao Bai breathed a sigh of relief.
As he expected, the Dagger Gang didn't dare to cause trouble for them at all.
Their alliance is very young, and its size is not as large as that of the Giant Rock City, which has led for two hundred years, nor is it as that of the military giants and city lords riding on the top of the giant wall.
But in front of a few gangs of predators, they are still considered an elephant.
Both sides are not of the same dimension at all.
The other party naturally knew this and it was impossible to cause trouble for a younger brother's life.
Of course, it is also possible that I am thinking too much, maybe it is just that there is no follow-up to that plot in the game program.
Just as Lao Bai was thinking about it, an office guard NPC came over and stopped in front of him and said.
The trading post is loading the goods, we have to wait for a while.
Lao Bai was not very good at talking about couplets, but just nodded and answered concisely.
It's okay, it's okay to wait for a while.
The trading post not far away is busy at this moment.
The naked loaders and unloaders shuttled back and forth between the pile of materials and the camel caravan, carrying the goods to the back of the two-headed cows and tied them up.
This cow with two heads is gentle and strong, with five or six hundred kilograms on one head. The mutant species can even reach an astonishing ton, as huge as a hippo.
The most important thing is that these animals are not picky about food, have an iron stomach comparable to mutant hyenas, and develop relatively quickly, so they are widely used as vehicles in wasteland.
Where tires and tracks cannot enter, they can be like walking on flat ground.
Although the speed is not fast, the victory is stable enough and can even be used as a cover when fighting.
Players are not surprised by the creatures like the two-headed cows, and they are in the Frost Spear Ranch in the northern suburbs.
However, what surprised the players was that the two-headed cow they saw this time was different from the past. Not only was they bigger, but they were also covered with metal utensils.
It looks like an exoskeleton.
Damn...even cows have exoskeletons?Looking at the camel caravan not far away, Killing Dai said in surprise.
Brother Dog, who was standing aside, followed his gaze, stared at the cows for a while, and said.
That's an unpowered exoskeleton.
What is a powerless exoskeleton?Killing Bi asked curiously.
The kidney fighter on the side explained.
There is no power supply or motor, which is equivalent to a wheeled cart, allowing you to unload part of the weight of the cargo on the ground.
Then why not just make a mechanical cow?
Brother Dog rolled his eyes.
It's just transported by rockets.
The kidney fighter casually said: Because the transportation cost of mechanical cattle is not a handful of grass for hundreds of kilometers, and we have to replace worn parts and regularly use engine oil... I guess.
This statement can be accepted by Killing.
However, equipting the double-headed cow with no power exoskeleton can be regarded as the word "useful" to the extreme.
It didn't take too long to load.
Lao Bai raised his arm and looked at it, and saw a row of pop-up windows appearing on the VM screen.
The escort mission begins.
They need to deliver the goods to the northern suburbs within 48 hours and ensure the safety of personnel and supplies.
The goods have been loaded.
Where is Fang Chang?Killing Dai glanced at him and found that there were fewer people.
Lao Bai casually said: He has something to do. If you want to stay here for a while, let’s get on the road first.
Brother Dog let out a howl.
Damn, this guy is eating alone again!
that is!I will definitely do bad things when I act alone these days!
Hearing the complaints from his teammates, Lao Bai smiled heartily.
No matter he is, he has his own business to deal with, and he will come back naturally when he handles it.
Looking at the camel caravan behind him, he waved forward neatly.
Set off!
The team began to set off.
Escorting more than 200 double-headed cows and hundreds of tons of supplies, the group, under the gaze of wasteland tourists, embarked on a journey to the northern suburbs.
The people escorted the caravan not only a few players from the Burning Corps, but also two local mercenaries from the Stone City, with a total of more than a hundred people.
For such caravans, most plunderers hide far away when they see them.
Not to mention relying on testing, these guys who bully the weak and fear the strong dare not look here.
It is said that the new alliance also plans to renovate the subway tunnel from Giant Rock City to the northern suburbs and seal off all forks, so that the original two-day journey can be shortened to within one day.
If you lay cables and arrange a few trams to travel back and forth in the tunnel, it may take two or three hours to go!
Originally, the straight line distance from Giant Rock City to Bet Street was only ten kilometers, and it was only fourteen or five kilometers to Linghu Wetland Park.
However, this project has not been agreed upon.
The Giant Stone City Hall was not willing to pay the money, and Duro gave quite a lot of reasons. They could not spend the taxes of the people in the outer city outside the huge wall.
Although the new alliance said it could repair the tunnel itself and be responsible for the operation of the tunnel, such a huge project cost astronomical figures.
With the current financial situation of the new alliance, it can only afford to borrow money from Jishi City Bank.
Although President Melvin said that he was hoping that the new alliance would borrow another 100 million points, he had just thrown out the 200 million and had not seen the effect yet. He was also a little upset and planned to see the results first.
Chu Guang did not urge him.
Things like wool grabbing have to be scrupulous.
The most perfect situation is that after spending the first chip he borrowed, Stone City just ushered in the first round of inflation, and the prices of commodities priced with chips began to soar.
But if the other party's production capacity is overdrawn, it is not his debt, but the money he just borrowed...
……
To the northwest of Shuguang City, this is the granary in the northern suburbs.
Standing next to the towering mill, Chu Guang was inspecting the situation in the field accompanied by Old Charlie.
After a series of reforms and personnel changes, Charlie has resigned from the Trade Union and transferred to the Union's Ministry of Economic Affairs as Minister.
The vacant position of president of the Trade Fair Association is the former head of the trading post.
This is also the advice of Old Charlie himself.
The staff at the trading station often deal with traders on the wasteland, especially managers promoted from the grassroots level. They are not only familiar with the nature and transaction process of those wasteland customers, but also easily deal with their relationship with those wasteland customers.
It is perfect for the head of the trading station to manage the business association!
The Shangshang Guild mainly serves players, but not only serves players.
This institution is more like a service department, acting as a bridge between players and NPCs in the trade field.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs is more responsible for the formulation of macro strategies and serves the entire alliance, which is more significant.
Although there is only one office at present, and all the staff can count with one hand, the position of this department in the alliance will become more and more important in the future.
The work of reforming the alliance management has finally been completed, and Chu Guang has rarely had time recently.
When he wasn't too busy, he liked to come around the farm to relax and see how the crops in the fields looked.
Sometimes he comes over alone, and occasionally brings others with him.
The most spectacular one is probably the rice fields. The crops in the fields are growing very gratifyingly, and the thick dark green seedlings have already seen a little yellow.
The improved seeds cultivated by CNC planting towers, combined with fertilizers produced by chemical plants, and hardworking little players and survivors, the harvest in the fields this year will surely be quite gratifying.
Maybe the yield per mu in the first year will exceed a thousand pounds!
At present, the area of arable land in Xinlian has increased from 30,000 mu to 40,000, and most of them are high-yield corn and rice.
Wait for another two months.
By August, the grain produced from this fertile soil will fill the alliance's granary!
Looking at the endless farmland, Chu Guang couldn't help but smile like an old father on his face.
very nice!
but……
This alone is obviously not enough.
...I originally thought that the initial plan of 30,000 mu was enough, but I didn't expect that the plan could not keep up with the changes.
Ideally, 1 to 2 acres of land can feed a survivor, and 3 acres of land can feed a player.
With the population of Shuguang City, the 30,000 mu planned by Chuguang in the early stage is enough.
What's more, in the expansion pack of "Casting Swords as Plows", the actual land reclaimed by players is 5,000 acres more than he actually planned.
In Chu Guang's vision, the food produced by these lands can not only fill the stomachs of the residents of the new alliance, but also enrich a lot.
However, at the beginning of the year, he didn't expect it. By the middle of the year, the permanent population of the new alliance had doubled several times, from 3,000 to nearly 30,000...
This is not a super edible player and more than 20,000 slaves from the prisoner-of-war camp.
Due to the drastic population fluctuations, the granary of the new alliance is like Schrödinger's cat, constantly switching back and forth between enough and not enough.
Our population growth is indeed a little faster...the growth rate is far beyond our arable land area.Following Chu Guang's side, Old Charlie also had a little worry in his eyes.
Of course, it is a good thing to have a large population. In the wasteland, population itself is a valuable asset.
However, this is also a double-edged sword.
People can only have the energy to work when they are full, they can understand shame when they have clothes, they can only be loyal when they have a room to sleep, and only when they form a family can they think about the future of the next generation.
If the demand for rapid growth cannot be filled, the excess population will become a burden.
There is no way, you can't leave those people alone.Looking at the survivors working in the fields in the distance, Chu Guang replied concisely.
He once lived on Bet Street for a considerable period of time.
For him, those survivors are alive, not just a number.
It is precisely because of this that so many people are willing to offer loyalty to the alliance from the bottom of their hearts.
In fact, there are still many ways to think about it optimistically.
He has many cards in his hand that can be used.
...Thirty-five thousand acres of arable land are far from enough, we need to reclaim more farmland.Before the sowing of winter wheat begins, we must ensure that the arable land area is expanded to 50,000 mu, and before the spring plowing next year, it will reach 100,000 mu.
After thinking for a moment, Chu Guang continued.
In addition, we have to launch prisoners of war to reclaim the land from the east of Xizhou Lake to the south bank of Tianshui.Although the terrain there is a little rugged, it is better because of its fertile soil.When the lake embankment on the east bank of Xizhou Lake is completed, it will be no big problem to collect 100,000 mu of arable land.
Before we can fully achieve food self-sufficiency, we can only import from farmers in the south as much as possible.Regarding trade issues, you and the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Affairs need to pay more attention.
Old Charlie nodded seriously.
I will pay attention.
Fortunately, the industrial products of the New Alliance are quite popular in the south.
Especially the LD-47 series rifles and various large-caliber weapons, it is very suitable to deal with mutants active in Jinchuan Province.
Those green-skinned muscle men have strong recovery and fierce melee ability. They are just like nothing they can do when they get shots, but even so, they can't withstand the strafing of 7mm full-power bullets and the 20mm high-explosive bullets fired by rifle.
Recently, many farmers have sent their servants to come over and want to buy some propellers and planes to go back.
But flying this kind of aircraft requires some skills.
The farmers' plan was to send a group of loyal servants to study and learn to drive the plane back directly.
Of course, they will pay for their tuition with food.
The profit of selling airplanes is much higher than selling rifles. Although it is a propeller aircraft, it can fly at least.
It is no problem to return a plane with rations for one or two thousand people.
After talking about his future plans, Chu Guang looked at Old Charlie and continued with a smile.
Say something happy.
This morning, Luca and I had a phone call and said that we had already set off for the materials we had spent 500,000 yuan to import.This includes the food we need, cotton cloth, equipment needed to build the power grid, and tools for construction, etc.
Two days later, he will arrive in the northern suburbs with these 450 tons of supplies, and then a large number of new supplies will be delivered to us every three days.
With these goods, our construction site in Dawn City will achieve twice the result with half the effort.Maybe it will take less than two years, and before the end of this year, our new settlement will be on track!
Looking at the manager with joy on his face, although Old Charlie also squeezed out a smile from his face, the smile was somewhat amused and crying.
Can this be considered good news?
500,000 chips Ah...
In just one day, they spent the life of five old leeches.
All this money has to be paid back...
……
Big Rock City.
A mansion close to the inner city.
Sitting on a luxurious chair, Alyssa stretched out her white index finger and gently teased the black shorthaired cat lying in her arms.
Listening to the cat's coquettish purr in his arms, the slightly curled eyelashes bent into a soft crescent moon.
Next to her chair, two bodyguards and a servant stood.
One of the bodyguards had electronic eyes full of metal texture in their eyes, staring at the strange guest in the room intently.
Although he was staring at the three-double eyes, Fang Chang didn't care.
It's NPC.
Isn’t it normal to pay attention to players when the plot is triggered?
What made him care more about was the girl sitting in the chair.
She was wearing a long skirt that looked very expensive, and her dark brown hair was tied very delicately, revealing her fair neck.
Unlike Dolly, she has an indescribable temperament, as if she does not belong to this world.
If you think about it carefully, it is not surprising.
After all, standing in this mansion, no matter which window you look out, you can't see a little bit of wasteland.
Looking at the girl sitting on the chair, Fang Chang couldn't help but sigh that the game production team should really add two more chicken legs to the modeler's lunch box.
Three completely different artistic styles are incorporated into the same map, and the scene switching brings a strong visual contrast without any inconsistency.
What is the ninth art?
Is this the ninth art?
Thank you, Mr. Mercenary.
I thought I would never see my little black again.
The pleasant voice pulled Fang Chang back to reality. When he came to his senses, he withdrew his gaze and replied politely.
You're welcome.It is my honor to make you worry.
Recently, his people's couplets have become more and more proficient. Based on the principle of being able to speak, he said a few more words.
However
Maybe it's because your expression is not accurate enough, or there is something wrong with the grammar.
The bodyguards and servants beside the NPC named Alisa were all staring at themselves in amazement.
Alisa was obviously stunned.
However, the girl who came to her senses just smiled laughing, then blinked and said in that beautiful and pleasant voice.
Maybe you want to express something else.
No matter what, thanks to your help, I can get Xiao Hei back.
Two days ago, when the unknown newspaper found her, Alyssa didn't actually have much hope.
However, what she didn't expect was that they actually found Xiao Hei who was lost.
Out of curiosity, she asked the servant to bring the mercenary to her.
It's different from what I imagined.
She thought that the mercenaries were all thicker people with beards and scars than wrinkles, but she didn't expect that a young man who looked at him was looking at him.
Alisa asked with interest after staring at Fang Chang for a while.
Can you tell me, how did you do it?
The square expression was a bit subtle.
Of course, he couldn't say that he spent 200 silver coins to ask for help from a fat mouse to find the stupid cat jumping up and down on the waist of the giant wall.
Of course, it was not all due to the brothers who were forced to do anything. Dolly also helped him a lot these two days.
The black kitten, which looked like a briquette, was a little afraid of him for some reason, but was not very afraid of Dolly.
Is it because the smell of engine oil smells like it?
In any case, the commission, which was personally requested by the head of the alliance office, was finally completed.
The reward is 25 chips in total.
He did not consider the contribution points and regional reputation, but from the perspective of the amount alone, he lost a little.
This is a long story...
...It seems that it is a secret that is inconvenient to reveal, so I won’t ask.
Alisa didn't ask, comforted the cat in her arms for a while, and then gently put it aside.
Looking at the man standing in front of her again, she suddenly blinked playfully.
In exchange, can you tell me about the world outside the giant wall?
Outside the huge wall...
Fang Chang was a little troubled and showed a headache. The range was too large. Where should I start?
Alisa said.
Let's tell your story.For example...where did you come from?
Northern Suburbs.Fang Chang said truthfully.
Hearing this answer, a hint of surprise appeared in Alyssa's eyes.
Are you a resident of the Northern Suburbs?
Yes, what's wrong?
Well, it's nothing, but I've always heard my father talk about that place recently.
He shook his head gently, and there was obvious curiosity in Alyssa's eyes. Can you tell me what kind of place it is?
It's hard to describe it. If I were asked to evaluate it, it wouldn't be rich, but it's a place full of hope...
Fang Chang sorted out his thoughts for a moment and used a limited vocabulary to simply describe the situation there.
He thought the girl would not be interested, but he didn't expect that she would listen unexpectedly seriously.
After about ten minutes, Alyssa closed her eyes and thought for a while, and a smile suddenly appeared on her face.
Thank you for chatting with me for so long.
You're welcome... By the way, can you please write a thank you letter?Suddenly remembering the matter of the NPC named Hal asking him for help, Fang Chang quickly added.
Very dangerous.
Almost forgot the important thing.
No problem, I've written it.Alyssa smiled and nodded to the servant beside her.
The slightly old servant stepped forward, took a letter from his arms and handed it to Fang Chang.
Fang Chang took the letter from him and politely refused the invitation to afternoon tea. After thanking him, he left the luxurious mansion under the escort of two guards.
Turning two streets, he saw Dolly holding her arms under a street light.
This short green girl is kicking the bottle cap on the floor with her toes to pass the boring time.
Seeing Fang Chang coming from the corner of the street, she immediately stopped and asked.
Did you give Xiao Hei to her?
Well, I have developed a relationship in just half a day?Fang Chang looked at her and said teasingly.
Dolly raised her eyebrows.
How is that possible? I... just asked casually.
Fang Chang said with a chuckle.
I believe it.
He could feel that this little girl actually liked the clingy little black guy.
But she also knew in her heart that it was someone else's pet after all.Not to mention that she can't even take good care of herself, and that kind of picky eaters will only suffer with her.
Hello.
What's wrong.
Is that bank president's daughter beautiful?Dolly asked curiously.
Fang Chang replied casually.
Very beautiful, a dignified and elegant girl.
Dolly moved her nose. It seemed that her curiosity was satisfied, but her expression was quite intriguing.
...After that being said, are you interested in the entrusting of 25 chips?
Chips are not my goal, what I need is this letter.Fang Chang gently shook the envelope that was pinched on his fingertips and took it back into his pocket.
25 chips are just part of the mission reward.
If it were just for money, he would not have accepted the commission at all.
But it's too troublesome to explain this to NPC.
It’s not that no one has tried it, but they can’t even understand what the game is. It’s too rude to just say that your world is just a game.
Perhaps this is part of the setting.
letter?
Well, valuable mission props.
……？
Without explaining to Dolly, Fang Chang took her straight to the newspaper.
If you hand this letter to the newspaper’s NPC Hal, the mission will be completed.
Although I don’t know what the new NPC named Hal is, there will always be no mistake when I brush my favorability.
Looking at Fang Chang who was in a happy mood, Dolly following him, her face was filled with complex expressions.
She still didn't understand why the man in front of her who could easily take out more than 50,000 chips was interested in the commission of just 25 chips.
Do you like cats?
But it's not like Ah.
Or...
He wanted to get close to the daughter of the president of the Rock Bank through Xiao Hei, become Mr. Melvin's Sn in Law, and then leapt into the wealthy family.
Thinking of this, the expression on Dolly's face was no longer complicated, but contempt.
She sneered.
...I really know how to dream.
Um?What did you just say?
nothing.
After throwing this sentence, Dolly turned her face to the side. This time it was Fang Chang's turn to be confused.
The two came to the newspaper.
The room was noisy, and there were dark circles on every face, but everyone was very motivated.
Even excited.
After listening to Hal's plan, the senior executives of the league immediately granted them a monthly budget of 200,000 chips.
200,000 chips!
And it's monthly!
When they heard the news, the editors who had worked under Mr. House were so excited that they almost forgot to breathe.
"The Voice of the Rock" can't make so much money in a year!
And their boss is actually willing to pay such a huge sum of money every month and continue to sponsor their careers without seeing any returns.
With this money, it's enough for them to do a lot of things!
Just as the people in the newspaper were discussing their next plan, the door of the office opened.
Looking at Fang Chang who was returning with the thank-you letter in his hand, Hal immediately showed an overjoyed expression on his face and took the letter.
Great, you are finally back, my friend!We are discussing the next issue's layout, and it's time to come!
I actually don’t quite understand. Does the cat who found the daughter of the bank president... have anything to do with your newspaper?Looking at Hal, who was holding the envelope in his hand, he couldn't help asking curiously.
Before Hal could speak, the editor beside him said for him with a gaze.
We intend to make a special page in the newspaper to publish commissions.How to attract people in need to write to us?The best way is of course to let them see the effect.
Another bald editor also came over and said.
That’s right, and I’m sure those mercenaries who are never interested in reading newspapers will start buying our newspapers from now on!
Why don’t we open a Mercenary News?An editor interrupted.
Hal's eyes lit up and he snapped his fingers.
This is a good idea!
Fang Chang coughed dryly.
If you ask me to say... you might as well write novels in the newspaper, which will be 500 words in three days, and stop at the most critical place every day. I can guarantee that your newspaper will be sold out.
Hearing this sentence, Hal was slightly stunned for a few seconds.
Suddenly, he suddenly reacted, and an expression of ecstasy appeared on his face.
This idea is simply awesome!My friend, why don’t you come to work in the newspaper?
I don't have to... Fang Chang coughed dryly, and he suddenly felt like he had a bad idea.
but……
He was actually quite curious about what the novels serialized by NPCs would look like.
At this moment, Fang Chang's eyes suddenly fell on the advertisement for recruiting reporters, and his heart couldn't help but move slightly.
Are you short of people here?
Hal, who had just expressed disappointment, saw Fang Chang's intention to change his mind, immediately nodded excitedly.
Of course, we lack reporters, editors, everything is missing... It would be great if you are willing to help us!
Ahem, I'm not a product in this industry, but I can recommend an expert to you.There is nothing she doesn’t know about in the entire Stone City, and even if she doesn’t know, I believe she will definitely have a way to know...
Speaking of this, Fang Chang looked at the short-haired girl with arms held and a look of nothing.
How do you think of her?
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