novelraw Chapter 679: The Deal is Struck
Chapter 679: The Deal is Struck
There must be a solution.
Jing Shu and Jun Bao had everyone on tenterhooks, with one playing the villain and the other the hero.
This raw material wasn’t something that could be bought with money; it was truly scarce. How much blood can one person have? Even if you forced people to give blood, once it was gone, they’d be dead. Then what?
If Jing Shu were someone without backing or power, it might have been acceptable to capture her and keep her like a prized animal. Unfortunately, they had just learned from Jun Bao that not only did Jing Shu have a good relationship with the Township Government, but she was also Jin Tianci’s lifesaver. Crucially, she owed a huge debt to the Township Government.
In other words, Jing Shu’s interests were tied to Wu City. Whether it was Jin Tianci or the Township Government, both would have to protect her well.
That alone would have been significant.
When Jun Bao diplomatically mentioned that Jing Shu also owed a large sum to the Imperial City Pharmaceutical Association and was currently overseeing the production of a new public vaccine at the medicine factory—funded by upper-level subsidies for manpower and capital, with repayment expected over ten to twenty years—everyone became even more troubled.
Finally, Jun Bao added that Jing Shu also owed him many things, and they had signed an agreement for at least five years, during which Jing Shu was to provide a variety of items. At this, everyone backed off. After all, one couldn’t offend the Imperial City Pharmaceutical Association. If they did, they might not even have medicine when they got sick!
How did this woman manage to accumulate so much debt? They immediately dismissed any thought of using force. To meddle with this woman would be to meddle with their interests; taking someone’s source of income was like killing their parents. Even their Imperial Sword was useless because the interests behind her were too significant.
Not only could they not make any demands, but these people probably also wanted Jing Shu to live a long life until she had repaid all her debts. Just moments ago, when Jing Shu sneezed, Jun Bao had anxiously told someone to move the heater closer, fearing she might fall ill and lose the ability to repay her debts.
Interests are the most loyal companions.
Jun Bao said with a smile, "We in Wu City can’t bear to see Jing Shu overburdened. We’ve never meddled with the Red Earthworm Factory; whatever it produces, that’s how much we get. No matter the amount, it has already saved so many lives. We wouldn’t dare to ask for more."
The unspoken message was clear: We in Wu City can’t bear to force or overburden her. Do you lot have the nerve? Where’s your sense of shame?
Although what Jun Bao said contradicted his earlier words, no one was dwelling on it at that moment. After all, the pressing matter of the day was how they would survive. What were they to do?
Jing Shu took a sip of the rich cream of corn and mushroom soup and sighed contentedly. This soup is indeed delicious, she thought. I’ll have to make some at home to stock in the RV. Once we move, I can enjoy it openly. I’ve learned a lot of new preservation methods recently; it’s like a new door has opened for food storage in the apocalypse. If I could manufacture something like Soup Treasure, I could concentrate all kinds of flavorful soups. For example, after making this cream of mushroom soup, adding some Fish Maw or gelatin sheets and refrigerating it would turn it into a jelly-like substance, convenient for carrying and storage. Anytime, anywhere, like fish jelly, I could take out a piece, heat it up, and enjoy a fresh and delicious soup. So, coming to West Mountain this time has had its benefits. At the least, I can learn more about cooking and preservation methods. They have many such alternative storage techniques, making semi-prepared products that are ready to eat with just a little heating—so convenient! The initial effort and hassle don’t matter. I’ll have plenty of time to work on these later.
Seeing that Jun Bao had stopped talking and everyone was eagerly watching her drink her soup, Jing Shu said with a troubled expression, "As you can see, that’s the situation..." Seeing everyone’s faces fall in despair, some even showing do-or-die expressions, Jing Shu continued, "However, it’s not entirely impossible. To prevent the factory from being unable to operate, I previously prepared several months’ worth of medicine. It wouldn’t be a problem to give some to you for this emergency..."
Everyone’s expression became urgent once again. Wang Dazhi and Zhou Yun were the most agitated. If the factory couldn’t continue operating, not only would it disappoint people, but it would also result in various punishments, affect their families above them, and give their enemies a chance to trample them.
"Just say what you need, we’ll all agree!"
"Right, just state your demands."
Negotiations shouldn’t be conducted this way, but this time, they had no choice.
Jing Shu looked troubled again. "This takes care of the emergency, but what about next time? And the time after that?"
Right, if it only operates once and then shuts down, that seems even worse.
Everyone’s faces turned pale again. It wasn’t that they blamed Jing Shu, but the situation was taking their hearts on a rollercoaster—giving them hope only for it to be snatched away, then offered again, then withdrawn. This was no game.
Truth be told, Jing Shu hadn’t expected her cooperation with Jun Bao to be so flawless.
At this moment, Jun Bao said firmly, "I can’t stand by and watch my friends head into a dead end. I can reduce the Wu City factory’s allocation and divide the Wucheng Town Government’s share among you."
Though the blood was limited, a slight redistribution meant everyone could at least have some "soup" to share.
Jing Shu also gritted her teeth and said, "Since Jun Bao has said so, I’ll provide some more medicine in the future. If necessary, I’ll buy Blood Mushrooms at a high price from Qian Duoduo. It’s a pity that Blood Mushrooms are rare and expensive, and not so easily obtained..."
Jun Bao’s usually calm and smiling face almost twitched. He glanced at Jing Shu imperceptibly. She’s being too ruthless, he thought. She mustn’t think I don’t know that the Blood Mushrooms flow from her hands to Qian Duoduo, who then ships them to the Imperial Capital for auction at a high price. As for how the money is divided between them afterwards, that part I don’t know.
"Since Miss Jing Shu is being so righteous, we must cover the cost of the Blood Mushrooms. It will be part of our expenses."
"For the eight factories, not only will the Wucheng Town Government have shares, but Miss Jing Shu must also have a stake."
"Virtual Coins aren’t worth much now. We’ll sign a long-term contract. Future profits from all major factories will be paid with equivalent specialty goods. These goods can be transported back to Wu City every month. But as for shipping costs... Miss Jing Shu, the Wucheng Town Government, and we will each cover a third."
Wu City was too remote, and these people found it difficult to shoulder the full shipping costs.
Jing Shu pursed her lips. If this were in the past, and they dared suggest Wu City wouldn’t get free shipping, I would never have agreed. But now... it seems I’ve lucked into a huge advantage.
Jing Shu and Jun Bao, working in tandem, emphasized how difficult and unique the medicine was. Using both threats and enticements, they directly secured half the profits. Jing Shu felt not the slightest pang of guilt.
It was simply a case of the victor and the vanquished. When she had disappeared, these people had coveted her factory. Now that she was back and they hadn’t succeeded, they had to pay a price.
The meal satisfied everyone, especially Jun Bao. He had used the Wucheng Town Government’s thirty percent share in the Red Fragrant Worm Factory to exchange for specialty goods from eight other factories—items worth much more than Insect Cake.