Chapter 71 Bird in a Cage <TOC> Chapter 73 The Doctor Levels Up
Translator: SumTLMan
The two merchants were very satisfied with Jade Emerald City, but they said they still needed to go back and prepare. There were many things to move in, and with heavy snow in winter making road conditions poor, they agreed to come back in a month.
Qian Su, however, stayed directly.
“Business is not doing well now; I’m planning to take a break this winter.”
The young female merchant adjusted her fake bangs and talked about the current state of the industry: “Customers naturally distrust small merchants. Many people think we’ll run away after a single deal, which might indeed be the case.”
“The cities are also very wary of us, often calling us ‘tax thieves’ behind our backs. But that doesn’t make sense. To sell goods, we have to set up stalls at designated market locations, first pay a stall fee. There are special patrols there, and every transaction must be taxed on the spot.”
“Opening a shop, if not in the city but in towns, it’s hard for someone like me who sells weapons to recoup costs. This kind of business requires going everywhere to find opportunities, actively seeking customers——”
Opening a shop in a big city is the best choice.
Those places have large populations; various organizations with purchasing power have branches in big cities, and there are many Enhancers——just one small problem.
Too expensive.
For Qian Su personally, this is a big problem.
Zhou Yi was puzzled: “Your business targets Enhancers; the profits shouldn’t be bad. How come you don’t have enough funds to open a shop?”
“That’s just how it is.”
Qian Su sighed, a trace of worry on her face: “Products involving Light Print techniques are regulated goods. Not only are the taxes exorbitantly high, but opening a shop can only be in specialized stores, and maintaining such a store is extremely expensive.
“If it weren’t for life’s pressures, who would be willing to run around non-stop every year? If your place here becomes bustling, develops into a big city, my business would be easier——I believe that day will come sooner or later.”
Zhou Yi understood now.
Here in Jade Emerald City, she is half an owner and doesn’t have to pay rent, saving a sum. She also is optimistic about Jade Emerald City’s development, believing that the population here will grow, so she came early to secure her footing.
But bringing in Qian Su to settle down is also beneficial for promoting Jade Emerald City’s development.
It’s another way of talent introduction and settlement.
“Allow me to ask a presumptuous question.”
Qian Su suddenly said: “Mr. Zhou, you intend to build a whole new settlement here, right?”
Zhou Yi didn’t hide it: “I do have that plan.”
“No wonder; first reclaiming farmland, and then encouraging people to come and try living here during winter.”
Qian Su seemed unsurprised. She looked over seriously: “Since you truly want to build a whole new settlement, I believe, with your resources, you can definitely achieve it.”
After all, this person before me is a Celestial.
To her certainty, Zhou Yi basically saw it as business flattery and just said: “Still need to explore step by step.”
“Mr. Zhou, I have a small suggestion.”
“Please go ahead.”
Qian Su proposed: “Why not consider bringing in some Enhancer residents? They have strong adaptability and are at the forefront in understanding and recognizing new things.”
“Jade Emerald City is open to the public; logically, promoting to them should yield the best results.”
Zhou Yi had thought about this issue.
But he also had concerns.
It would be troublesome to manage if Enhancers move in.
In case these guys do something outrageous, or have criminal records, using the access control system to evade external capture, or leveraging Jade Emerald City’s power to lure monsters in the Dead Sea to fight——that would be a headache.
Such actions, they are entirely capable of doing.
Zhou Yi suddenly thought: “Are there retired Enhancers like Zheng Tao?”
“Yes.”
Qian Su frowned and thought for a moment: “Sand Port itself is in a border area and is relatively stable. There are quite a few elderly Enhancers who have left the front lines, but they are all here to enjoy their retirement——these people are only a bit stronger than ordinary people and may be difficult to put to use.”
“That’s not a problem.”
Zhou Yi asked: “Can you find these people? If they are willing to come, they can directly live here for free long-term. I have an idea for Building No. 3 in Jade Emerald City——to build it into a retirement and leisure residence.”
“Retirement… leisure?”
Qian Su was suddenly stunned: “But, can this really be profitable? I mean, these people are past their prime, have limited influence, and may not really be willing to help Jade Emerald City.”
“They themselves are resources.”
Zhou Yi patiently told this young person from the Wasteland Era: “These Enhancers who have withdrawn from the front lines are at least experienced in certain fields; this experience is valuable in itself. If they move in, they are equivalent to advisors for Jade Emerald City.”
“Another thing is, they have relatives and old friends; these information networks are also resources.”
“But this is just a concept; whether it can work still needs practical confirmation.”
A look of realization appeared on Qian Su’s face: “No wonder there’s such convenient and comfortable basic amenities inside; so from the beginning, it was aimed at the elderly. For the underappreciated elderly Enhancers, these conditions are indeed very attractive.”
“I’ve heard a proverb before: ‘Who controls the past controls the future; who controls the present controls the past.’ As long as you capture those from the past, people now will be influenced by them. This strategy is very visionary.”
Zhou Yi was not surprised.
Being able to independently conduct arms business everywhere, Qian Su was an excellent wasteland merchant.
Many things just need a hint to be understood.
“I know what to do now.” Qian Su’s eyes turned, seeming to have an idea: “I will do my best to try; I won’t let you give me a luxury residence for nothing.”
She hastily took her leave, driving a heavy truck into the wind and snow.
Three more days passed.
Red Falcon returned from its travels, also bringing back the upgraded Electronic Rat.
Nemo’s appearance was largely unchanged, except wearing a pair of round tactical goggles. Its four legs had become more flexible claw types, and there were two small white cylinders on its back.
“These are spare claws, Chairman. Claws are my tools; if they have problems, they can be replaced.”
Nemo’s synthesized voice was rather sharp: “I have now equipped a voice module and speaker, built-in with multiple basic languages, and can directly communicate with humans in most places.”
“Red Falcon and I have established signal connection; within a 10-kilometer range, it and I can communicate quickly.”
“Besides, Red Falcon customized this shell based on my previous shape. It’s very light and thin but has D-Class impact resistance. My speed, endurance, and body strength have all been greatly improved.”
“Thank you very much for your expense! I will definitely contribute all my strength to the company!”
Zhou Yi was satisfied with this result.
Red Falcon reported the expense list through the remote control screen.
From physical examination to parts replacement, to existing function upgrades——a total of more than a dozen items.
The total expenditure was 198 Light Seeds. Red Falcon continued its style of trying its best to use up any given budget.
Just, how come I don’t see another member?
Zhou Yi asked: “Where is that doctor?”
Red Falcon said: “Da Vinci is already working.”
Its lens turned toward Building No. 2 in Jade Emerald City, where a group of people were gathered.
A tall mechanical lifeform with four arms was moving swiftly, seemingly performing a cutting operation on a large milky-white sphere, creating bursts of bright dazzling light. The one with four arms was Da Vinci.
The one being operated on was Hunter Sea.
Zhou Yi was puzzled: “What’s wrong with Hunter Sea? Why is it undergoing surgery?”
“Wait a moment, I’ll contact Da Vinci.”
After two seconds of silence, Red Falcon said: “Da Vinci scanned and found shrapnel inside Hunter Sea, caused by a special weapon, which cannot self-heal.
“This has severely affected Hunter Sea’s body operation, energy consumption is far beyond normal Ridge Spine Hunters, easily causing fatigue and weakness, much weaker than normal Ridge Spine Hunters.”
“This internal damage continues to affect the light absorbing organs, causing continuous pathological changes until failure. The final result is that Hunter Sea would be polluted by Dead Light radiation, turning into a completely out-of-control monster.”
“Da Vinci believes that the shrapnel must be removed as soon as possible, and the light absorbing organs must be sutured and repaired,”
“It is performing excision and suturing.”
Zhou Yi’s heart tightened.
So the reason for Hunter Sea’s own lack of strength was due to this.
What a close call.
Having a doctor in the team is indeed the right choice.
Chapter 71 Bird in a Cage <TOC> Chapter 73 The Doctor Levels Up