Chapter 199: Zheng Yan? Can We Still Exchange Things?
"Zheng Yan?"
Meng Ci and Shen Que did not drive on this trip.
Since they needed to buy some items and weren't using official channels, they had to mix with the crowd to find the right people.
Unexpectedly, the moment they arrived at the points exchange center, they bumped into Zheng Yan.
Hearing his name, Zheng Yan turned to look and, upon seeing Meng Ci and Shen Que, hurriedly approached them with enthusiasm.
"Hello!"
Zheng Yan had not forgotten that these two lived in the villa district. A thought crossed his mind, believing that there might be good news, so he kept smiling throughout the encounter.
Meng Ci, being the one responsible for social interactions, chatted briefly with him before asking how things had been lately.
Zheng Yan glanced around, then leaned in close to Meng Ci and whispered, "I've been doing some under-the-table deals lately."
Under-the-table deals?
In other words, bypassing the official channels for private transactions where anything goes.
"What have you been trading?" Meng Ci asked in a low voice.
Noticing Meng Ci's interest, Zheng Yan led them to a quiet spot and even took out a pack of cigarettes, offering them to the two.
Both Meng Ci and Shen Que politely declined, as they didn't smoke.
Zheng Yan slipped the cigarettes back into his pocket, though he didn't particularly like smoking either.
He had taken them out merely to show them his capabilities, to demonstrate that if he could get cigarettes, other things would be a piece of cake.
"Brothers, let's cut to the chase. Just name it, and my boss and I will do our utmost to get it for you."
Zheng Yan had previously lingered around the wealthy areas of West Mountain Wilderness, doing odd jobs as a middleman.
However, it became harder to trade goods alone, and he happened to meet a boss.
This boss was well-connected, gathered a lot of followers, and was quite capable, treating his followers well. Thus, Zheng Yan began following him.
These days, while his life wasn't as comfortable as Meng Ci and Shen Que's, it was still better than the average person's.
"I can even get you water!"
"And I guarantee the water quality is better than the official sources."
Zheng Yan whispered.
Meng Ci looked surprised. Considering the current water shortage, his ability to secure water shows he's not to be underestimated.
"I want an oil press or a mill," Meng Ci said seriously.
"Can you get those?"
"What do you need those for?" Zheng Yan asked, puzzled.
Meng Ci answered truthfully, "We've grown some wheat and corn ourselves."
However, you know, the official purchase price is too low, so we want to acquire a mill and make the flour ourselves.
The officials had long since released various drought-resistant seeds, such as wheat, corn, and other types of seeds.
However, due to the complicated planting process, which requires threshing and shucking corn, and the lack of suitable farmland, few people opt to plant them.
Even if someone does plant them, a jin of wheat exchanges for only five points.
Five points yield only half a jin of flour.
This means that the grain people work so hard to grow ends up losing half its worth.
So, it makes sense that Meng Ci and his group seek a mill.
"I'm unsure if I can obtain this," Zheng Yan replied honestly.
After all, no one has ever requested a mill before, and it also needs electricity to operate.
Although the Polar Night has ended, the officials still charge for electricity, though at a reduced rate.
However, after experiencing the Polar Night, the residents have become accustomed to the darkness and now prefer to spend their points on food.
As a result, no one prefers to use something as power-intensive as a mill.
Meng Ci said, "Look for it first. As for the reward, we can negotiate."
Meng Ci also showed Zheng Yan some of his trading goods—cigarettes and condoms.
Upon seeing these items, Zheng Yan's eyes lit up.
Especially the condoms, which the rich need most, considered scarce items without a fixed market price.
If they obtained these items, they would become incredibly wealthy.
"Brother!"
"Ah, no, big brothers, don't panic."
"I'll check with our boss and see if he can get a mill."
Once Zheng Yan finished speaking, he was about to leave but Meng Ci stopped him.
"Wait, you can go ask, but I don't want many people to know that we're looking for a mill."
"Do you get what I'm saying?"
Meng Ci could trust Zheng Yan, but he wasn't very confident about the boss Zheng Yan mentioned.
After all, with cigarettes and condoms in hand, what if that guy had other intentions.
Zheng Yan, through their several interactions, was just slick but had no malicious intent.
"I understand, I understand." Zheng Yan nodded repeatedly.
"Alright, since you understand, let's meet here at eight o'clock tomorrow."
"Also, don't forget that I've raised a wolf. I'll bring it tomorrow."
"If there's anyone else here besides you, then this deal is off." Meng Ci said seriously.
"No problem, no problem. I promise I'll come alone tomorrow and won't bring anyone else," Zheng Yan raised his hand and vowed.
He was firmly convinced that his boss wouldn't be someone who could be swayed by the lure of wealth.
So after parting ways with Meng Ci and the others, Zheng Yan hurried off to find his boss.
Meng Ci and Shen Que visited the exchange point, exchanging for two liters of water and two cans of bird meat, and also bought some vegetable seeds before heading home.
The bird cans were, of course, for Qiezi.
A few days after the polar night ended, the weather remained normal, with alternating day and night, making it feel like the apocalypse was over.
However, about a month later, the polar day period began.
The polar day lasted longer than the polar night, usually two to three months, with temperatures remaining around 40°C, and no other severe weather.
Therefore, the authorities began organizing everyone to cultivate land.
The current situation was somewhat reminiscent of the 1960s and 70s, earning points through work.
Working eight hours a day would earn twenty points.
You earned points if you worked, and none if you didn't.
Of course, besides farming, there were also jobs such as caring for pigs, sheep, cows, and tending to medicinal herbs and vegetables, all of which could earn points.
The authorities had also cultivated a batch of mealworms, which could be used to feed chickens and ducks, and also made into food.
Mealworms were nutritious, boosting immunity and providing nutrients.
More importantly, mealworms were much cheaper than other meats.
Once available at the exchange point, they became very popular in the base.
After learning about this, Meng Ci felt uneasy just imagining the appearance of mealworms.
He also couldn't imagine how to eat them.
Each time he went to the exchange point, Meng Ci would ask Shen Que to locate the mealworms, knowing he would never look in that direction again.