Chapter 484: Chapter 484

As for the detailed proportions of these five parts, it would depend on the factory’s output. They would store more if production was high and less if it was low.

However, according to Jing Shu’s calculations, the factory’s daily output could currently guarantee the minimum consumption for hundreds of thousands of people. Mind you, this was the bare minimum—mostly water with just a bit of insect protein at the bottom, the kind that took ten minutes to chew before swallowing to maximize the feeling of fullness.

If people wanted to eat their fill, the daily capacity could only provide food for less than one hundred thousand people, which was about ten tons of red earthworms.

Although there’s still a large gap to feed millions, isn’t this all about development?

You might think I’m engaging in a losing trade, with loans and investments in various materials, seemingly coming out with nothing, but I’ve done the math. Once fully mature, the daily profit will be at least fifty thousand Virtual Coins! What does that imply? And this doesn’t even include the batch of food saved for emergencies, which might not earn much, but at least could be traded for something valuable.

After establishing a positive cycle, I wouldn’t have to do anything but sit back and count the fifty thousand Virtual Coins coming in daily. That adds up to one and a half million Virtual Coins a month! It won’t be long before I not only break even but also earn more Virtual Coins! By then, these Virtual Coins will represent a truly long string of numbers for me!

I really want to experience the feeling of being wealthy, Jing Shu couldn’t help but salivate, even starting to dream about what to buy with all those Virtual Coins.

No, no, I simply don’t want Stone Garden to be requisitioned by the Government a year or so later, nor do I want the trouble to spill over onto myself. As long as Qian Duoduo is alive, he’s always at the forefront. Once Qian Duoduo is gone, wouldn’t it be my turn? So, I’m just helping Stone Garden avoid treading the same old path.

How come I’ve somehow started a factory to make money in the apocalypse?

"Alas, I can only accept this reality passively now," Jing Shu mused contentedly and hastened to Jin Tianci’s residence.

Her first task was to check on Jin Tianci’s injuries. As it turned out, Jin Tianci was recovering well. All the medical equipment had been removed, and he looked much more spirited, although he still needed someone to help him walk. Jin Tianci’s recovery was expected. After all, in his previous life, he hadn’t passed away so soon. He managed to drag on for another year, but what about after that year? Would he still need that medication to sustain his life?

The second reason for her visit was, of course, to plead poverty. Right, pleading poverty takes skill and preparation. Most importantly, I need to know what I want.

"I’m so poor! Now I realize how difficult it is to start a factory. Young and ignorant, I’ve invested all my wealth, only to find the factory can’t continue. I even promised to feed more than two thousand people, lightening such a heavy burden for Wu City..."

Upon hearing this, Jin Tianci smiled warmly. He was fully aware that Jing Shu had a motive but couldn’t bring himself to feel annoyed.

"Just be straightforward. What do you want? Whatever difficulties you have, bring them up, and I’ll help you solve them. You’ve even established rules and regulations and whipped up people’s appetites. I’ve heard from my subordinates that you’ve classified workers into different tiers and even adopted your own factory’s points system."

"People have been working their hardest these days. You wouldn’t *not* have a next move planned, would you? Hmm... just tell me straight up what you’ve set your sights on now."

Jing Shu smiled faintly. "To be honest, I have everything ready except for one critical element. You know about the scrap metal left by the previous owner, right? Those large pieces of equipment are industrial-grade, and they’re of little use to me. Most importantly, they take up space. I want to melt them down and remake them into the equipment I need."

"I’ve thought it through. Those big machines in the factory are embedded there and aren’t movable. So, what if I set up my own furnace and make the equipment myself?"

Jin Tianci was stunned for a moment before he chuckled wryly. "You, you’re really dreaming big. Do you know that in the first year of the apocalypse, the country reclaimed all scrap iron and various metal weapons to build the Artificial Sun? They’re at a critical point in the research right now."

"Moreover, equipment for melting iron is all registered; it’s not something you can get just because you want it. However... I could ask Jun Jia to lend you an industrial frequency induction furnace. It would require high-power electricity, and you’d also need skilled workers to manipulate the molten iron and cast it into molds..."

Jing Shu quickly followed up, "The electricity won’t be an issue. As for the workers, board and lodging are covered, and I’ll even throw in a bonus."

Jin Tianci nodded in approval. "Then there’s no problem. Most of these workers have a day or two off. If you’re in a hurry, I’ll call in more people and have everything set up for you within two days, without inconveniencing anyone."

"The sooner, the better."

With the factory equipment matter settled, there were truly no issues remaining. The equipment needed wasn’t primarily electrical; it was essentially control stations, conveyor belts, and breeding chambers, along with standard processing equipment. I believe the experienced craftsmen would understand this. The main idea was to allow the workers to form an assembly line, facilitating increased efficiency.

"Is there something else?" Jin Tianci asked, looking at Jing Shu, who seemed to be lost in thought. Fresh chapters posted on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✶𝓷𝓮𝓽

Jing Shu nodded. "Yes, I’ve managed to acquire a large batch of Sulfuric Acid Ants, and it’s possible to extract sulfuric acid from them. You see, sulfuric acid will have many uses later on and can also be used as fertilizer and feed. I’ve reserved a section of the factory for this, but I don’t have the equipment, nor do I dare to proceed without it..."

"What kind of yield can you expect?"

"Not much, but if things stabilize, over a hundred kilograms per day shouldn’t be a problem," Jing Shu stated conservatively. Now, with my Spiritual Spring nourishing the aging Sulfur Ant Queens that were once close to death, it’s as if they’ve unlocked their energy pathways. They’re laying several times more eggs per day than before, and the number is steadily increasing. These Sulfuric Acid Ants might be small, but the concentrated sulfuric acid in their bodies, once diluted, amounts to quite a bit.

Jin Tianci’s eyes lit up. Before the apocalypse, sulfuric acid plants were ubiquitous and often produced above standard levels annually. Now, after the apocalypse, they were practically nonexistent. Sulfuric acid might not seem that important, but in reality, it was needed for many applications, even if the amounts weren’t large. Moreover, sulfuric acid is corrosive. If someone inhaled it by accident, it could have serious consequences, let alone if it spilled onto their skin. But sulfuric acid was indeed needed now.

"How about this: the Government will provide the technology and personnel, and you supply the Sulfuric Acid Ants. We go into partnership? I take thirty percent, you take seventy..."

Jing Shu readily agreed. Seeing that she had asked for and received everything she wanted, she still didn’t leave.

"Is there anything else?"

"Oh, I’m really out of money. I was thinking of borrowing some from the Government to tide me over."

Jing Shu coughed. I do have a large amount of materials that could be traded, enough to get by, and there are also various materials from the United States. But to be honest, a virtual currency like Virtual Coin is always just a number; it doesn’t provide the same reassurance as having tangible materials in hand. Besides, I have other uses for these materials.