Chapter 495: Chapter 495

The populous province finally survived thanks to the tenacious efforts of the Scavengers, and daily newscasts reported on new species that had been discovered and were edible.

So, it was no surprise that Wu City had red earthworms. Jin Tianci certainly made it known to those higher up.

"However, this is a bit tricky to handle," Jing Shu murmured, stroking her chin. In fact, I had long been prepared for the eventuality of national attention, with plans already in place, but I hadn’t expected things to unfold so soon.

As Jing Shu daydreamed, Uncle Su Yiyang jogged to the front, leading the various leaders on a tour of the entire factory. Jing Shu followed behind Jin Tianci. The incessant CLICKING from several photographers’ cameras was annoying. Occasionally, a reporter would express their views on the spot, which was quite impressive as their words flowed effortlessly.

Manager Tuo started shouting through a loudspeaker, announcing the official commencement of work for all employees. In an instant, everyone sprang into action. Except for the Collectors, who had nothing else to do but follow Jing Shu and watch the bustle, everyone else was busy earning points. A celebratory banquet and recognition ceremony were also scheduled for today. After all, why else would anyone bother to come to a ribbon-cutting ceremony if not for that?

Factory Director Su began his prepared speech, "Distinguished leaders, please observe. The first stop is our factory’s rotten corpse insect storage facility. Each iron container is designed to hold 1 ton of fresh rotten corpse insects, with a maximum capacity of 5,000 tons. In recent days, Wu City has already collected 500 tons of rotten corpse insects, generating considerable income for the public.

"After five days, these living rotten corpse insects can grow by about 10%, and after six days, they require a small amount of corpses for feeding. Their containers are made from previously melted-down equipment, which prevents the rotten corpse insects from burrowing out and escaping."

Jing Shu was also very curious, as this was her first visit to the reformed factory. But honestly, whether in my previous life or this one, it’s my first encounter with so many rotten corpse insects. These insects are known for eating anything. The iron containers constructed by the Government-contracted skilled workers are exceptionally well-made.

The leaders walked through a large warehouse composed of gigantic iron containers. By merely standing on tiptoe and looking down, they could see masses of writhing rotten corpse insects inside, resembling maggots. Any dead insects were quickly devoured. Truly dreadful.

The iron containers featured a curved design, so any rotten corpse insects climbing towards the top would fall back down due to the curve. Some still managed to escape, at which point workers assigned to oversee the rotten corpse insects would manually push them back in. The workers were busy. Inspectors were responsible for counting and verifying the number and weight of the insects, while others organized the records and input data into the app, and so on.

Everyone had clearly defined tasks; there were even women working with babies strapped to their backs. In short, it was a hive of activity, and the cameras captured this lively scene.

Jin Tianci nodded in approval, and the surrounding leaders also expressed their recognition and praise. Someone even personally grabbed a handful of rotten corpse insects to show to the camera, only to get bitten and instantly develop a dozen red welts. Factory Director Su reminded everyone that gloves were necessary when handling rotten corpse insects.

Factory Director Su then led the group onward into an adjoining workshop. Dıscover more novels at 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝕟𝕖𝕥

"This area is our factory’s green algae cultivation base. These patches of green algae are a new variety developed by our person-in-charge after investing millions of Virtual Coins. Through costly chemical agents, the green algae filter out viruses from the rotten corpse insects they consume. Don’t judge these grimy-looking algae. Right now, they are already suitable for feeding various Domestic Poultry. However, due to their high value, it’s not cost-effective if the proportion used as feed is too high.

"A huge advantage of green algae is that as long as there is a continuous supply of food, they can grow exponentially. Thus, rotten corpse insects are an essential feed."

The original factory equipment had been entirely removed, revealing a massive cultivation base made of stone, arranged in grid patterns. There was a layer of mud on the ground, and the green algae bubbled as they secreted a sticky green liquid, devouring the wriggling rotten corpse insects. The usually resilient rotten corpse insects, in this liquid, became ensnared as if caught in a spider’s web, unable to move, and quickly decomposed into nutrients.

The workers busily began pouring boxes of rotten corpse insects into the green algae, akin to tirelessly shoveling coal into a furnace. The green algae swelled, growing significantly larger in the blink of an eye.

Factory Director Su grabbed a handful of green algae and shook off the half-dead rotten corpse insects. After wiping the sticky liquid from its surface, he said to Jun Jia, "You can taste it. The flavor is similar to grass, just a bit bitter."

Jun Jia’s face turned an awful color, and his forehead broke out in a cold sweat. How could he dare eat such a thing? It looked absolutely disgusting!

However, Jin Tianci picked up half a piece and chewed it for a bit. The surrounding cameras CLICKED away, capturing this precious moment. Jun Jia, the large man, turned green with regret. Acting, acting, couldn’t he do that!

"It’s indeed a bit bitter, but as raw material, it’s actually not bad," Jin Tianci commented.

"Next, please come and see the factory’s main breeding variety, the red earthworm. Look, these earthen pools have been fired, waterproofed, and brick-lined. This is the red earthworm breeding base. Each pond can accommodate about 10 tons of red earthworms. Currently, there are only 20 ponds, and each pond can be interconnected. If permitted, we will scale up later.

"This is also our integrated processing room, where the assembly line for red earthworms is completed."

One could see that most of the equipment from the former factory, having been melted down, had been repurposed into the conveyor belts and assembly line machinery now in use.

The workers also began the busy assembly line process of making cooked red earthworm food.

"Each ton of rotten corpse insects can cultivate 0.75 tons of green algae. Each ton of green algae can provide the daily breeding feed necessary for 0.75 tons of red earthworms. This conversion ratio has come at an extremely high price, not to mention the sky-high costs of these two chemical agents, labor, materials, electricity, and various other expenses..."

Factory Director Su was following Jing Shu’s script and lamenting their expenses when Jin Tianci glanced at Jing Shu, who was touching her nose. Enough with the sob story, he thought. People only get 1 Virtual Coin for one hundred kilograms of rotten corpse insects, and only 10 Virtual Coins for a ton. With 10 Virtual Coins, she can harvest hundreds of kilograms of red earthworms. Even after deducting these costs, how outrageously profitable is she?

Now, how much red earthworm can you buy with 10 Virtual Coins? At most, ten pancakes, just a few kilograms!

Jin Tianci even felt a bit dizzy. I used to think Jing Shu’s factory was great; 1 Virtual Coin could buy a buffet meal. But now it seemed merchants were truly ruthless. Then again, their research costs were evident, and developing these chemical agents must have cost a lot.

Thus, Jin Tianci had to interrupt Factory Director Su, "What’s the growth cycle of these red earthworms? How many tons can they produce per day?"

Factory Director Su shot Jing Shu a helpless glance. "To be honest, it’s still..." he hesitated.