Chapter 83

Chu Guang hadn't even walked away from the notice board for two minutes after the decree was issued when he was surrounded by excited young players.

"Manager, how do we write the application?"

"Dawn Leader, are there any restrictions on the type of business? Can any industry be included?"

"I want to build a large greenhouse to grow vegetables!"

"I want to suggest making a generator!"

"I want to open a toilet!"

"I want to sell poop!"

"Damn! Are you crazy?"

"..."

There was always someone who said what Chu Guang was thinking, saving him the trouble of pointing it out.

To maintain order, Chu Guang raised his hand, signaling for the players to quiet down. He then cleared his throat and continued solemnly.

"To apply for industrial land, please submit a written application; oral applications will not be accepted!"

"The paper needed for the application can be purchased from the warehouse at the forward base for one copper coin. For any questions, please contact my assistant. He will inform you about the details of writing the application and the rules for using industrial land in half an hour."

"Everyone, disperse and go about your business!"

The paper needed for the application can be bought from the warehouse at the forward base. It is mainly sourced from scavenging in places like apartment buildings and office ruins.

Although it sounds unbelievable, the paper in this world does indeed last longer than expected.

Especially for documents, a small amount of currency, collectible paintings, or books, as long as they haven't been exposed to the elements or dampness, they can survive the test of time relatively well.

Perhaps some antioxidant material has been added, or it's not even made from wood in the traditional sense?

Chu Guang couldn't explain the reason, just as he couldn't explain the principles of controlled nuclear fusion.

Technology that is 20 years ahead is considered advanced, but technology that is a century ahead is almost indistinguishable from magic. It degrades when needed and preserves when necessary.

Occasionally, the shelter can still recover some usable waste paper, though it's not luxurious enough to use for wiping, but a small amount of office consumption is acceptable.

However, when he saw the pile of applications, Chu Guang couldn't help but doubt his pricing.

One copper coin per sheet of paper.

It's indeed too cheap...

In front of the sanatorium, a crowd gathered.

Although there were only a little over 40 life profession players, they still formed a considerable group.

"Respected Manager, I think our forward base lacks a bit of烟火气 (liveliness). What is烟火气? Of course, it's barbecue! So I want to apply for a 20 square meter industrial land to open an old street barbecue—"

"Food and beverage, please go to the north gate market. Next."

"Papermaking! Manager, I want to open a toilet paper factory! An area of about 1,000 square meters is enough! Using moss is too uncomfortable, I accidentally grabbed a clump last time—"

"Next."

"Boss! Look at me, I want to open a tavern! An area of about 200 square meters is enough, a tavern in a fantasy game always feels like something is missing!"

Emmm...

That's still within the realm of normal.

Chu Guang took his application, but after a quick glance, he returned it to him.

"Change the business to brewing, and adjust the area to less than 100 square meters, then reapply."

"But, I want to open a cat-tail tavern..."

"Next."

Some people just don't understand the concept of industry or the difference between industry and commerce.

Although it's partly his fault for not explaining clearly, Chu Guang felt it should be self-evident.

Is it really that hard to understand what the Manager needs?

Not at all!

Anyway, any bizarre, unnecessary, or morally questionable industries and businesses will be rejected by Xiao Qi.

Things like opening a toilet, a barbecue stand, a restaurant, a tavern, or a KTV... It's not that they are absolutely forbidden, but it depends on the context and whether they are needed.

For example, the forward base currently lacks bricks, so opening a brick factory is fine.

Opening a tavern...

Do we have the extra grain to make alcohol?

If you're really craving it, take off your helmet and drink outside!

However, if someone wants to open a distillery to produce ethanol, Chu Guang would support it with both hands. As one of the most widely used industrial raw materials, there are many uses for it.

The warehouse has orders for 70% and 95% ethanol for industrial and medical purposes, with current inventory needs of 20 liters and 10 liters, respectively. The order prices are good, and even if you only get one or two ounces of alcohol per pound of grain, you can still make a profit.

Some top players have already made koji from smartweed and other wild grasses and are trying to brew alcohol using the method of making vodka from potatoes.

Someone tried green wheat before, but it didn't work, as it contains a small amount of hard-to-remove oxalic acid, which seems to affect yeast.

If someone wants to apply for industrial land to research brewing techniques, Chu Guang would consider approving two plots to see the results.

As for the tavern...

Forget it!

Just as the player who wanted to open a tavern left with his application in hand, looking dejected, Teng Teng, who had been waving her arm high, finally managed to push through the crowd of onlookers.

"Me, me, me, me!"

She clutched her application, her face flushed, and said nervously without catching her breath.

"Can I open a tailor's shop? 48 square meters is enough, or 40 if that's not possible."

"Give me the application."

Chu Guang took the written application from Teng Teng, glanced at it, and kept it.

"Approved!"

"Industrial land applications approved by noon will be allocated in the evening. Please prepare the necessary materials and tools for construction."

Construction might be a bit of an exaggeration.

Currently, building materials at the forward base are a bit expensive, so building a house might be difficult.

When this player gets the land, she will likely start by setting up a small stall with wood, not much different from her previous work environment.

However, Teng Teng was very happy to upgrade from a worker to an individual business owner, excitedly jumping and waving her fists.

"Yay!! Nice!"

Seeing Teng Teng, who couldn't even jump as high as himself, Chu Guang smiled inwardly but maintained a serious expression.

Happy?

Ha, it's too early to be happy!

After opening a tailor's shop, the clothes and armor she makes can indeed be sold, whether to the warehouse or to other players, and the money earned will be hers.

However, the high-quality furs in the warehouse are not free.

A complete deer skin currently costs 6-8 silver coins in the warehouse, and the price will rise a bit in winter but not too much. It's enough to make 2-3 pieces of clothing.

Completing NPC warehouse orders, the profit per piece of clothing is about 2-3 silver coins. Chu Guang will actively control this number to prevent players from earning too much from NPCs, which could affect the game's balance.

As for selling to other players, it's up to the market.

The market will naturally balance out a reasonable price, and beautiful clothes will always sell well, with higher profits being reasonable. However, the players' purchasing power and the market size are fixed, so it depends on their skills.

In short,自负盈亏 (自负盈亏 means "自负盈亏" which translates to "自负盈亏" in English, but in this context, it means "自负盈亏")!

No matter how you look at it, saving on wages is a better deal.

In addition to Teng Teng's tailor's shop, Chao Dan's butcher shop was also approved.

After some thought, the butchery industry is considered food processing, which is light industry, so it's fine to place it in the industrial zone.

In any case, a butcher stand is more reliable than a barbecue stand.

However, with winter approaching, there are fewer prey, and the peak season for the butchery industry has passed. Is it really more profitable to start a business now than to just hang around as a butcher and collect a basic salary?

I don't understand.

Anyway, it's good that he doesn't have to pay, so Chu Guang doesn't care too much about these small players.

In less than half an hour, Chu Guang reviewed all the applications, rejecting the不合格 (不合格 means "不合格" which translates to "不合格" in English, but in this context, it means "不合格") ones and only keeping the reliable ones.

This included a 6x8 meter tailor's shop, a 6x8 meter butcher shop, and a 20x10 meter steel smelting workshop, totaling 298 square meters.

What surprised Chu Guang was Mosquito.

He thought this guy would open a woodworking shop, but unexpectedly, he filled in "Goblin Technology" in the business category and "Chemical" in the scope of operations.

"Your application is不合格 (不合格 means "不合格" which translates to "不合格" in English, but in this context, it means "不合格"). You can't just write 'chemical.' You need to specify the specific products and their uses."

Mosquito scratched his head and said hesitantly.

"Can I change it to weapons? Including the production of raw materials!"

Chu Guang thought about it and found no fault.

"Sure, but you need to provide at least one product that works and that someone is willing to use. You can then list it as your main production item. If you have additional items, you can register them with my assistant. I need to ensure that every piece of industrial land I approve is effective. Do you understand?"

Mosquito nodded repeatedly.

"I understand! Hehe, I'll rewrite it right away!"

I hope he really understands.

Chu Guang doesn't oppose him doing some creative experiments, but he hopes he doesn't go overboard and affect other players.

The warehouse's order board has orders for gunpowder and smokeless powder, and the weapon shop has orders for homemade grenades and Molotov cocktails.

These don't require much creativity and are quite profitable.

As for woodworking...

It's not particularly lacking.

At least five of the new players know woodworking, so filling the vacancy isn't a problem.

"His workshop should be located far from the respawn point."

"Don't blow me up."

Chu Guang thought to himself and made a mental note.

At this moment, it suddenly started snowing.

Before long, the snow got heavier, and the temperature dropped significantly.

Although the blue coats at the shelter change material properties to reduce heat conduction and keep warm in cold weather, they can't replace coats and down jackets.

Feeling a chill on his neck, Chu Guang turned around, intending to go back to the shelter to put on his deer skin coat.

However, at this moment, a commotion came from the west gate of the forward base.

A fisherman, holding a plastic bucket and a homemade fishing rod, ran in the heavy snow, shouting in fear, and even lost one of his shoes.

"Crabs!"

"Crabs are eating people!"