Chapter 564: Chapter 564

If it were just about using the produce from Stone Garden to feed 50,000 people, that would be absolutely impossible. Take the current Stone Garden, for example. Due to its limited planting area, insufficient feed for breeding, and other constraints, even if all labor was efficiently divided and every usable resource was maximized, the food grown and livestock raised could support 20,000 people at most.

Furthermore, profit dividends and the mandatory 20% storage of products had to be factored in, reducing the number of people it could sustain even further.

Therefore, Jing Shu’s statement that providing shelter wasn’t an issue, but providing food was a significant problem, held true. Feeding 50,000 people would require more than the combined resources of two Stone Gardens; even then, it would fall short without additional contributions.

And let’s not forget, managing the daily necessities—eating, drinking, and sanitation—for thousands was already challenging, let alone for 50,000 people. Wasn’t that absurd?

Insects? Which batch of insects? Could insects really feed 50,000 people? The shareholders all turned to Jing Shu. Even though Qian Duoduo’s expression seemed a bit odd, it wasn’t enough for them to grasp her meaning.

Jing Shu smiled. "Something like that. It’s not just about that batch of Insect Meat; we can also expand our operations and find ways to produce more food. Making Earth Worm Cakes, for example, would save a lot of resources. In short, the government has no reason to refuse the condition of us feeding 50,000 people."

Previously, the government had arranged for Stone Garden to house 20,000 people. If Stone Garden Phase Two could now help solve the housing and food supply issues for 50,000 people, it would indeed alleviate a massive burden for them.

"How much Insect Meat would it take to provide daily rations for 50,000 people?"

Old Xu tapped on the counter and looked up at Jing Shu. "If the government agrees and the output from Stone Garden Phase Two belongs to us, how do you plan to profit? How will you ensure dividends for shareholders while continuously feeding 50,000 people, and still make a profit for yourself? You can’t run a business at a loss, can you? If your food supply chain breaks and there’s a shortage, what will you do then?"

Old Xu’s questions were sharp and to the point. From everyone else’s perspective, there seemed to be no way to profit from this. No matter how they calculated it, it looked like a losing venture. Moreover, if the food supply chain did break, how would they feed the 50,000 people reliant on Stone Garden? Food was incredibly scarce in the apocalypse. If their plans fell through, the consequences would be dire.

Jing Shu chuckled lightly. The chances of the food chain breaking were small; besides, she had backup plans to ensure its continuity.

"As for profitability... I can only say that breeding a large number of new-type insects also incurs costs. They also require plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains to sustain themselves. Trading a small amount of luxury goods for double the amount of Insect Meat—enough to feed more people—seems like a worthwhile deal to me. Besides, this is mutually beneficial. I am also a shareholder of Stone Garden, and I am very willing to protect the interests of Stone Garden Phase Two."

The shareholders furrowed their brows. Some of the quicker ones already understood Jing Shu’s meaning: they could trade fresh food produced by Stone Garden for Insect Meat, which could then feed a large number of people.

"As for what happens if the food supply chain really breaks... Mr. Qian, do you think I would be out of options?" Jing Shu countered. Most of the shareholders were unaware of Jing Shu’s red worm factory and her Insect Cake collaboration with Qian Duoduo. Therefore, even if the food supply chain were to break, Jing Shu still had a large stockpile of Insect Cakes. These Insect Cakes were another trump card she held in reserve.

"Old Xu, there’s no need to worry about that. Even if her food supply chain breaks temporarily, she has the ability to restore it. I just want to ask," Qian Duoduo said seriously, "do you truly have enough Insect Meat to feed 50,000 people? When can the first batch of meat enter production? If you can really do as you say, then everything else is negotiable. Stone Garden won’t let you take a loss!"

Jing Shu coughed. "More or less. Of course, we’ll need to supplement it with other things. The first batch is already in Wu City. Whenever you’re ready, we can start production immediately!"

"Good! Good! Good!" Qian Duoduo exclaimed, repeating "good" three times in his excitement. "Look, the daily output of Stone Garden Phase Two, aside from the dividends distributed to shareholders, all other products will go to you, Jing Shu. What do you think? If that’s not enough, we can even reduce everyone’s dividends."

Qian Duoduo knew that since Jing Shu had proposed it, the terms must be advantageous to her. However, he was willing to concede even more. Even if Insect Meat wasn’t as valuable as rice and vegetables, it was still sustenance that could keep people alive. In this apocalypse, where food was becoming increasingly scarce, any food was precious.

Even Old Xu chimed in, "I’m willing to reduce my dividends too. Securing our dividends is good enough; it’s better than getting Virtual Coins."

"Yes, I’m willing as well."

Jing Shu smiled. "There’s no need to lower the dividends. We’ll distribute them according to Stone Garden’s current policies. However, I do need to take the other products to exchange for Insect Meat."

Initially, she had only intended to act as an intermediary, but unexpectedly, fortune smiled upon Jing Shu. The government had presented Stone Garden with a dilemma. Now, to resolve it, Qian Duoduo and the others had no choice but to concede some profit, which conveniently benefited Jing Shu. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝔫𝔢𝔱

Jing Shu closed her eyes, already contemplating how to best utilize the surplus fresh food.

I just didn’t expect Jun Bao wouldn’t tell Jin Tianci the exact numbers and details. Otherwise, he would surely know how many people such a large batch of insects could feed. I wonder if Jin Tianci will regret this. Jing Shu knew that selling to the government wouldn’t bring in this much. Besides, the government didn’t have an ecological garden capable of supplying such a large quantity of fresh food.

"So it’s settled then. Let us raise our glasses to thank Jing Shu for her generosity and ingenuity in solving this major problem for us." Qian Duoduo raised his glass for the first time, let out a sigh of relief, and then said, "Now, let’s go see the first batch of Insect Meat. Then, we’ll approach Jin Tianci with sincerity and discuss this properly. I think he’ll be very willing."

Without delay, Qian Duoduo dispatched people to take charge of the first batch of 200 sizable Abdominal Foot Worms. When these enormous Abdominal Foot Worms were transported into Stone Garden Phase Two from the outskirts, filling the first-floor hall and emitting hissing sounds, many people were so scared they nearly wet themselves.

Especially the cafeteria chefs, who were preparing to make a new batch of food; the knives in their hands began to tremble. They were just chefs, not executioners!

These creatures were practically the size of elephants. The sharp blades on their legs glinted menacingly, instilling fear in anyone who looked at them. It left no doubt that if anyone dared to try and kill them, they would face fierce resistance and might even be killed in return!

"They’re alive? Alive? How are we supposed to turn these into cooked food? Killing these insects will be a major hassle, won’t it?"

"Weren’t we just supposed to cook? No one said anything about slaughtering insects!"