Read Novel Full Chapter 234: Urgent Shortage of Materials
Chapter 234: Urgent Shortage of Materials
Dealing with wise and rational people is so easy and pleasant.
Jiang Ning was in a good mood. After saying goodbye, she returned to Building 5.
The He family also ran out of salt. When he returned, He Tian used an iron pot to roast the sea salt for half an hour, then soaked it in warm water and drank it.
Saying he wasn’t worried would be a lie, but knowing it was from Huo Yishen and Jiang Ning made it more reliable than what he could find outside.
During these days out, he had seen a lot of salt, but none matched the quality and purity of what the two had given him. The impurities were especially abundant in the others.
After eating it for three days straight, he felt his tired and weak body improve significantly.
He was overjoyed and immediately contacted the two through the walkie-talkie, wanting to buy as much as possible.
“Captain He, they don’t have much either. They wanted 1 pound of salt for 12 pounds of sweet potatoes. Ah Shen bargained hard with them and even brought up the time when he saved their lives. The other side finally agreed to compromise, maybe a few hundred pounds at most.”
This kind of negotiation was better handled by women. Jiang Ning took the initiative, “I’ll try my best for you. I estimate that around 3 pounds per person shouldn’t be a problem, and the price will follow the market, 1 pound of salt for 10 pounds of sweet potatoes. This price can’t go any lower.”
Knowing the importance of repaying kindness, He Tianming couldn’t not appreciate it. He thanked her profusely, “Okay, thank you so much.”
He was very happy to be able to get more than five hundred kilograms of salt at a time. It turned out that Jiang Ning and Huo Yishen really had connections.
He Tian felt somewhat embarrassed, but for the sake of the residents of Aoyuan, he had to swallow his pride, “Are you sure about the seeds?”
“We have maize and vegetable seeds. We might be able to gather a few pounds, but considering the prolonged natural disasters, we can’t guarantee the germination rate.”
He Tianming knew the situation. Old seeds had low germination rates. Finding them was already a stroke of luck, so he hastily agreed.
There was indeed no problem with the supply. He did not hide anything. He announced the news truthfully and accepted registration. When the members learned that they could get salt, they were all very enthusiastic. In order to buy more salt, they even registered their children. There was no way. The lack of salt was too uncomfortable. It could last them for several years if used sparingly.
While it was bustling over there, Jiang Ning was equally busy.
The seeds from the space were too new, which couldn’t deceive He Tianming.
Huo Yishen swept some dust into them and stirred them repeatedly with his hands until they looked more natural.
On the day of the exchange, the two returned in a truck loaded with salt and seeds from outside and exchanged them for several thousand pounds of sweet potatoes.
The sweet potatoes grown in extreme heat were just like that. Don’t expect them to look good; they weren’t planning on eating them anyway. If there was demand, they’d trade them away.
Going door-to-door to distribute the collected salt, He Tianming patiently instructed the community on how to roast it, “The salt is fine, but don’t be too stingy with the firewood.”
There weren’t many seeds, but he ensured fairness and made sure every household received some.
With the arrival of the third rain, the authorities finally released a detailed plan for the new city construction.
Construction wasn’t the issue; the problem was the urgent shortage of materials.
While the relevant departments requisitioned materials from Steel World, they also hoarded materials from other construction factories or stores. However, to build the new city, the materials on hand were far from enough.
In times of emergency, they could only mobilize the masses.
Building a beautiful new homeland was everyone’s responsibility.
Materials could be found where there were shortages, and if there was no other choice, they could be salvaged from ruins.
The official detailed material plan spanned 30 pages, with different quantities of points exchanged for each material, varying between old and new.
Reading through it item by item would take three days and nights.
The neighborhood committee in Aoyuan collapsed, and the staff relocated with the majority. They would gradually move to Wangwan in the future, and it was suggested to go to the municipal center for information.
Listening to the radio, He Tianming’s brows furrowed tightly.
Yang Weimin was anxious, “Old He, do you have any plans?”
The new city district was built in Wangwan, about fifty kilometers away from Aoyuan. Once the official military withdrew, it meant the old city area would be abandoned.
Although the city area was devastated by the earthquake, there were still many buildings left, which were likely to become battlegrounds fought over by criminal forces. Even if the people of Aoyuan were united, they couldn’t compete with them and were likely to become their reserves or accomplices.
However, just surviving was already difficult enough; there was no energy left to settle safely in the new city district.
“If we don’t want to die, we must follow the authorities.”
It might be difficult, but it was still safer than being alone.
“But we have nothing. What can we use to accumulate points? Even if we accumulate enough points to qualify to buy a house, we can’t exchange for the materials.”
“Don’t worry for now. Let’s go to the municipal center tomorrow and find out.”
As long as they were united, there would always be a way.
Although the temperature was dropping, the daytime sunlight was still intense. The two set out on foot at five o’clock.
The destructive power of the super earthquake was strong. It buries many survival resources underground. Very few were dug out, making the survival environment even more harsh.
The authorities resettled a large number of refugees, reducing the wool available for the criminal forces to fleece.
So, going out meant taking risks.
For safety, He Tianming not only carried a knife but also had several pockets filled with sand.
Even so, the two didn’t dare to relax their vigilance. They constantly look around to guard against danger.
Some died, some escaped. As refugees were resettled, the once lively city was now desolate, with ruins and broken walls.
The mist hadn’t cleared, and the air was dull, giving off a lifeless feeling.
Along the way, not to mention human shadows, there weren’t even ghostly ones.
Yang Weimin shivered, “Old He, if the authorities really move away, we’ll be smashed into bone ashes in Aoyuan, and no one will know.”
Aoyuan didn’t collapse in the earthquake, which was both their luck and misfortune.
If the influence of the authorities couldn’t reach them one day, they would surely be taken over by others.
Whether their homeland was taken or not was secondary; it was uncertain if they could survive.
Feeling the same this time as they came out, He Tianming said, “Let’s go and understand the situation first, then come back to make plans.”
As they went to the municipal center, Huo Yishen and Jiang Ning also had plans, but they woke up late.
The road was rough, and walking was too slow. Jiang Ning took out an electric scooter, wore a helmet and carried Huo Yishen with her.
The pair of long legs that had nowhere to go made Huo Yishen, who was sitting on the back seat of the scooter, very uncomfortable. However, he didn’t say anything and stared vigilantly. It was more than nine o’clock when they set out, and scavengers could be found from time to time in the ruins.
Most of those who dared to come out to scavenge were not pure and simple characters.
Sure enough, suddenly a stone was thrown from behind the ruins, heading towards the two…
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