CHAPTER 338: CHAPTER 154: SELLING GUNS

The overarching directions for the military, industrial, and agricultural sectors were all completed without any delay. Once Fu Xi provided a more detailed plan and it was validated by Chen Jian and others, the plan immediately began to be implemented.

The first thing they did was set the mountains on fire.

In fact, even though Fu Xi had already controlled the construction machinery team to carry out extensive clearing work around the 011 facility in the early stages, and the level-two monster had also occupied many areas originally meant for woody plants, the forest that had grown for over 300 years was not something to be underestimated.

It couldn’t be cut down completely, not at all.

Therefore, after using bulldozers to create firebreaks in advance, everyone in the base also began to burn low-value trees in sections.

The tar produced by the coking plant was the cheapest ignition material, and several Holy Blood individuals carried oil pots to set fires everywhere. It didn’t take long to ignite the entire forest.

Flames soared into the sky, and the hot air flowed around the ruins, dispelling the coldest winds of mid-February.

The refugees working outside the base took off their heavy clothes and, during their breaks, climbed to high places to watch the distant fire with fascination.

Such fires usually meant disaster and were something they avoided at all costs.

But now, they clearly realized that the power they relied on had fully mastered the power of fire.

The land devoured by flames was about to be reborn.

----So, what crops will be planted in that fertile land?

The refugees curiously looked at the area outside the main passage of the fortifications, which had been leveled into a "square." There, Chen Jian was meeting merchants from the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce who had rushed from Jinling City.

"....Master, as per your instructions, we have collected the majority of crop seeds from Jinling City."

"Potatoes, peanuts, corn, rice, wheat... and many vegetables."

"These are all high-quality seeds, some of which we purchased at high prices from large landowners."

"In terms of quantity, these seeds are enough to sow on 30 square kilometers of land."

"Spring is fast approaching; you just need to scatter the seeds, and after a few spring rains, they will grow on their own..."

"Very good."

Chen Jian grabbed a handful of soybeans, examined them closely, and then clapped his hands and said:

"Then let’s prepare for the transaction---- how much are these seeds worth in total?"

When he asked this question, Chen Jian had actually already estimated in his mind.

Based on the area of the fields in and around Jinling City, as well as the food consumption of the urban population, the harvest from one square kilometer, which is about 1500 mu of land, can feed 50 to 60 people.

So, roughly the output from 30 mu of land equals about 365 grams of gold.

Of course, this number reflects the final food output, and in terms of seedling prices, seedlings that can cover 30 mu of land would be worth at most around 10 grams of gold.

Now, the other party said these seeds could be sown on 30 square kilometers of land. Roughly calculating, this deal should be worth 15,000 grams of gold.

This price...

It’s not excessively high, but Chen Jian really didn’t want to pay it.

After all, the gold reserves at the 011 facility were not abundant. Even with continuous accumulation through transactions and plunder, the inventory currently held only 240,000 grams of gold.

To spend 15% all at once was already touching the monetary safety line.

So Chen Jian was prepared. If the price demanded by the other party was too high, he would directly barter with equipment.

As expected, the other party quoted a rather exorbitant price.

"18,000 grams of gold."

The merchant coughed and continued before Chen Jian could speak:

"Of course, you can exchange other valuable items."

"I think the Huaxia Army hasn’t been in business long and probably doesn’t have much gold, but the things you possess... are desired by many."

"For example... your weapons."

"I’ve heard that you have many repeating rifles in stock."

"You know, in Jinling City, people are already offering 100 grams of gold per rifle."

"If you are willing to trade with these weapons, I think a mere 18,000 grams of gold is not such a high price for you, right?"

What he said made sense.

Chen Jian nodded slightly.

To be honest, the 191 rifles currently possessed by his team, which were well-preserved and powerful, were hard currency anywhere. Although guns were not as valuable as ammunition these days, 100 grams of gold per rifle was quite a reasonable price.

Selling a few hundred of them casually, the Huaxia Army could achieve financial freedom.

This was indeed a feasible path.

----But of course, Chen Jian wouldn’t do that.

He had better things in mind.

So, he quietly shook his head, then said to the merchant:

"We can sell guns, but you must inspect the goods first."

"Of course, of course!"

The merchant’s face lit up with joy. Chen Jian signaled to Huang Yu, who had been waiting on the side, and the latter immediately stepped forward and handed the Type 75 rifle in his hands to the merchant.

In addition, he thoughtfully said:

"This is our new gun, lighter and more powerful than the original one."

"Ah?"

The merchant was stunned.

He looked at the rugged rifle in his hand, which even seemed a bit "roughly made," unsure for a moment if the other party was just joking.

Does this thing... differ from the single-shot rifles produced by the Mechanical God Sect??

It just has an extra magazine, right?