Chapter 36: Trade Route
Regardless, the explanation was convenient and convincing at the same time.
Zhao Chenwu thought momentarily before he opened his mouth.
“The workforce is not a problem. In general, the labor force in the ghetto remains excessive
even to this day. Although on paper it is prohibited to sell non-criminals...” a mischievous
smile flashed across Zhao Chenwu’s face, “...if there are not a lot of people, I can create some
accidents and make them part of the tradeable population.”
Rules are set by people. Therefore there are always ways to exploit within the rules as long it is
within reason.
Jiang Chen nodded.
“Not a lot, I think 30 should suffice.”
30 people compared with a population over ten thousand is like a drop of water in the vast
ocean. No one would use 30 people as an excuse to attack him, Zhao Chenwu immediately
agreed to the proposition.
“As to the necessary equipment. I included everything on this list.” Jiang Chen smiled as he took
out an electronic card and gently put it on the table.
These graphene produced cards could store up to 12 gigabytes of full-sensory information. It
could be charged directly under the sun which made it incredibly easy to use. The Sixth Street
market sold it for a low price.
Zhao Chenwu accepted the card. He didn’t seem bothered as he clicked the start button on the
left side. A list appeared in front of his eyes.
“Anti-corrosive Concrete Mixer, Nanotube Generator, Graphene Cutting Bed. These should be
okay. There are some stored within the Sixth Street storage. I'll just use Zhao Corporation's
name to purchase it. However, the Firearm Production Line and the Nanochip Production Bed."
A puzzled look appeared on Zhao Chenwu's face. "These type of goods are difficult to obtain.
Firearm-related production is strictly prohibited to be sold at any survival base. The Nanochip
Production Bed is not only massive and difficult to transport, even if you purchased it, without
some technical background, nothing would be manufactured from the machine."
Zhao Chenwu didn't lie. The Nanochip has a comprehensive application, especially in the
production of full-sensory equipment which will be critical to entering the full-sensory
computer market. However, to produce the Nanochip, a series of accompanying production
lines were necessary. The nano-sized silicon board must be cut by a high precesion machine.
Since both parties managed to come to an agreement in the trade, they entered the discussion
phase in regards to the details of the deal.
After a careful deliberation, the details of the agreement were finalized. The female assistant
named Su Lei professionally produced the electronic agreement and handed Jiang Chen and her
boss a copy each. After Jiang Chen had examined the items were consistent in the deliberation,
he pressed his thumb onto the contract. Zhao Chenwu was confident in his assistant’s ability as
he only scanned the document for a few seconds before stamping it with his fingerprint.
When two genetic ID appeared on the electronic contract, it symbolled the enactment of the
contract. It was rather symbolic because business ethics were not enforced within the
apocalypse. The key to honoring the agreement was profit for both parties.
The fruit cans were priced at 30 crystals, the meats varied between 10-20 crystals based on its
composition, and the crackers sold at 1 crystal per piece. The price of the goods was not higher
only because Jiang Chen was planning to sell in bulk quantities. An item was valued in
proportion to its rarity. When Jiang Chen sold the 20 cans, the high price of 50 crystals was well
justified. However, since a stable trade agreement was signed, there would be a continuous
supply of the canned food. Hence, such high price would not be seen anymore.
The price was certainly not cheap, the hefty price tag was still five times the cost of mutant
beef. He would also have to adjust the sale price if he sold through retail. If the price were
higher, even the rich would not be able to afford it.
The different types of equipment Jiang Chen needed had a different cost. The Anti-Corrosive
Concrete Mixer only costed 300 crystals, whereas the Graphene Cutting Bed had a price of
11,000 crystals, which was the price after a small discount from the market price.
The Sixth Street’s mass produced Destroyer Rifle was sold at 20 crystals each. The efficient
assault was part of NATO’s standard weaponry. It used the same 7.62mm bullet as the PK200
Jiang Chen used. The gun was weaker overall but made up it in the stability category which
meant it has an advantage in man-to-man combat. Jiang Chen bought 40 of them, along with
Despite the good being exchanged at the Sixth Street, Jiang Chen didn’t want to make a trip
down every single time. He would have no time to do anything else except to trade goods. Jiang
Chen didn’t have any concerns as he drew a line on the full-sensory map. It was the safe
underground sewer map he explored.
The usage of the underground sewer system as a mean to trade goods was common in the
apocalypse. This world’s Wanghai city had a robust drainage system that made the tunnel wide
enough to pass a car. It would only take some modifications along the way with some of the
alley passes blocked to build a golden highway for trading. The only drawback was that the
tunnels were not entirely compatible with the ground routes, therefore not every survival base
had the privilege of using this kind of trade route.
Zhao Chenwu was ecstatic when he heard that an underground sewer tunnel connected with
Jiang Chen’s base. He gladly took on the deed to modify this route. Jiang Chen didn’t want to
owe a favor, and since the intention of trade was to benefit both parties, Jiang Chen also
provided 1,000 crystals to fund the project.
Modification work was not complicated. A few pieces of high-density polyethylene and
aluminum compound boards would seal all alleys in the tunnel. This type of material was not
only light but also durable. Even vicious mutant creatures like the Death Claw could not destroy
it. Both parties controlled the entrance of the tunnel. Zhao Chenwu sent out his force to secure
the tunnel at the Sixth Street side whereas Jiang Chen was responsible for establishing a station
After the completion of the trade, Jiang Chen not only acquired all the necessary products and
equipment, he had 210 crystal left over. Zhao Chenwu without hesitation ensured Jiang Chen he
would deliver everything to his door. Jiang Chen didn’t refuse the proposition.
The storage dimension’s size was limited. Since the production equipment was large, it would
be unsafe to travel through the underground tunnel multiple times.
The negotiation was successful. After he had managed to sign a big deal like this, Zhao Chenwu
was ecstatic. He extended an invitation to Jiang Chen to visit the Sixth Street’s industrial area
and his properties inside. Jiang Chen gladly accepted the invitation as he came along with his
personal ride.
The ambitious leader that possessed one-tenth of the Sixth Street. How much power does he
possess here? Jiang Chen was curious to find out. Since his partner wanted to show off his
power, Jiang Chen had no reason to refuse.
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