Chapter 294: Chapter 294

Jing Shu gave a slight nod. I have space storage, but I can’t just take fresh vegetables out to use. Fresh vegetables couldn’t be kept for too long, leaving her no choice but to dry them. Dried vegetables lost some of their nutrients. If one truly had dehydrated vegetables, they would be extremely beneficial in the apocalypse—convenient and nutritious. Soaking them in water would be like having fresh vegetables anytime, anywhere.

The old man, whom Housekeeper Cai called Mr. Liu, said, "These dehydrated vegetables indeed have great prospects. I think it’s necessary to acquire this technology. Then we can vigorously develop agriculture. With the apocalypse upon us, it’s not that we intend to hoard them as rare commodities; no one knows what other disasters will occur in the future, so it’s very important to stockpile dehydrated vegetables."

"Yes, having grain in the apocalypse means peace of mind. If we only have grain and no vegetables, our old bones won’t be able to take it."

Clearly, everyone present was excited about the vegetable dehydration technology. Previously, vegetables couldn’t be stored for long unless they were pickled or salted. Now, with a better option available and the means to support it, they were, of course, even more in favor.

Qian Duoduo, calmly playing with a walnut in his hand, was composed. These people were thinking just as he had expected: dehydrated vegetables were strategic reserve supplies and indeed very necessary. He pointed at Housekeeper Cai and said, "Xiao Cai, first explain to everyone why we’re choosing the United States technology, and then we can discuss the next step."

Housekeeper Cai smiled, nodded, and stepped forward from the crowd. Clearing his throat and holding up some processed sauerkraut, he said, "Let’s first talk about the difference between dried vegetables and dehydrated vegetables. Dried vegetables are made by sun-drying them, which leads to a significant loss of nutrients over the long drying time. Even soaking them in water won’t restore them."

Those seated nodded in agreement. Jing Shu, however, thought, The vegetables dried using the Spiritual Spring are actually quite good, perhaps because vegetables grown with Spiritual Spring water are more nutritious to begin with. Latest content publıshed on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽

"Dehydrated vegetables not only taste delicious and retain their bright color when eaten but also preserve their original nutritional value," Housekeeper Cai continued. "They also have a smaller volume, are lighter in weight, and can be easily restored upon hydration, making them convenient for transport and consumption. In the apocalypse, they are undoubtedly strategic reserve supplies."

"As for why we need the United States technology, it’s because in Huaxia, we largely use high-temperature heat pump drying technology for dehydrating vegetables. This involves excessively high heating temperatures and overly long drying times. To sum it up in one sentence: energy consumption is massive! I don’t need to elaborate on how precious energy is now. In the current apocalypse, we simply can’t afford the domestic technology. If we were to use that technology, we’d go bankrupt before producing much."

Jing Shu raised an eyebrow. So there’s this much to dehydrated vegetables? I only knew the cost was high.

Housekeeper Cai continued, "We’re not saying foreign moons are rounder. Compared to traditional techniques, the United States is indeed a bit more advanced. They’ve improved upon the traditional hot air drying methods by adopting vacuum drying technology, which reduces production steps and lowers various costs... COUGH, COUGH... and it also requires complementary planting techniques, such as sparse cultivation. So, this entire set of technology, including the vacuum drying machines and so on, all needs to be brought over from the United States."

Mr. Liu chuckled. "Just tell us directly what benefits we get and what price we need to pay. Skip all that other stuff; we don’t understand it anyway."

Qian Duoduo laughed. "Haha, Mr. Liu is indeed a straightforward man! I had Xiao Cai explain things first precisely so you wouldn’t accuse me later of making exorbitant demands. You’ve all seen the prospects of dehydrated vegetables—they’re life-saving items in the apocalypse, with a longer shelf life and convenient to carry...

"But getting this technology from the United States isn’t simple. To be frank, this venture is reliable. And why is it reliable? The people going to the United States are from Wu City’s First Detachment, backed by the government and the military. It’s bound to succeed, so your investment will yield a 100% return. However, consider the round-trip travel expenses, transportation fees, and the many risks that must be undertaken. Shouldn’t we all share in bearing these burdens?

"Those people are risking their lives for this endeavor. If it succeeds, we’ll no longer lack grain or vegetables in this apocalypse. We could even raise some Domestic Poultry. Then, while we wait for the apocalypse to end, we wouldn’t have to live in constant fear, would we?"

The more Jing Shu listened, the more something felt off. Hmm? This... isn’t this about Yang Yang, who’s supposed to go to the United States next year? If that’s the case, then she’ll be involved too. This Yang Yang... emmm, she’s truly sharp. The trip hasn’t even begun, and she’s already gotten Qian Duoduo to start fundraising for travel expenses! Aren’t these things usually reimbursed by the higher-ups? This doesn’t seem right. Is Yang Yang trying to make some extra money from this? Jing Shu was rendered speechless.

"Right, Mr. Qian, just tell us the price," someone said.

"Okay, everyone here is like family," Qian Duoduo stated. "Those willing to invest can do so by offering up silent shares from your own businesses. A professional appraiser will evaluate these shares based on current apocalyptic market conditions to determine the corresponding stake you will receive in my new dehydration venture, which will be part of the West Mountain Base.

"Through this exchange, I will then hold shares in each of your companies. However, I won’t be taking cash dividends from your businesses. Instead, I’ll require your products to help expand this base, as its population and needs are growing.

"In return for your investment, you will hold shares in the West Mountain Base’s new venture. You’ll be able to directly receive its output—these valuable dehydrated goods—as your dividends, whether daily or monthly. Here, we’re not talking Virtual Coins or money; we’ll be dealing directly with goods."

Brilliant! Qian Duoduo’s move was truly brilliant. No wonder he could rise from an outsider to become the richest man in Wu City in just twenty years! This kind of ’empty-handed wolf capture’—a scheme to get something for nothing—allowed him to instantly absorb many people’s silent shares from their own businesses. It was tantamount to taking these people’s apocalyptic goods for free to fund Yang Yang’s trip to the United States. Moreover, he would secure a continuous supply of these resources thereafter. Don’t be fooled by the barter system; considering current market prices, vegetables and similar goods will always be the most valuable.

Mr. Liu looked troubled. "Mr. Qian, as you know, my family deals in hemp and cotton. It’s not doing well now, having shrunk by 60%. At that rate, my 20% share in my company wouldn’t even exchange for 5% of your new venture."

Qian Duoduo pretended to ponder before replying, "Mr. Liu, you are indeed a discerning man. But you must understand, even if your stake is less than 5%, think about the future. If we achieve mass production, you could receive dozens of pounds of dehydrated vegetables daily. If you then sell even a portion of that, wouldn’t your returns be far greater than the dividends your current shares provide? Virtual Coins are priced for the general populace; truly valuable items often can’t be bought with them at all." The crowd nodded in agreement.

"So, why don’t you all consider it carefully?" Qian Duoduo said calmly. "After all, the dehydration technology isn’t here yet, and exchanging these silent shares is a major decision. However, I am only making 45% of the shares in this venture available. Think it over well. Once this 45% is allocated, no more will be offered. I need to retain control of the remaining portion."

At that, any hesitation evaporated. Qian Duoduo’s technicians immediately stepped forward and began evaluating the value of the shares presented by those in attendance.

Then Qian Duoduo came over, grinning at Jing Shu. "Jing Shu, I’ve reserved 5% of the shares just for you. Come on, sign here!"