Wasteland Border Inspector-Chapter 70 - 58: The Caravan’s Generosity, a Small Profit!
Its function is similar to the supernatural plants affected by S-3, possessing numerous magical effects.
For example, the trauma medicine mixed by Master Tian contains some crystal powder.
Another example is the special lubricant used in the critical machines in the Buffer Zone, which also includes crystal powder to significantly extend the machine’s lifespan.
However, ordinary people find it difficult to utilize the Mutated Crystals because their effects are indistinguishable from their appearance.
Even a Super Shelter City like Happiness City cannot accurately identify the function of each crystal.
They can only be roughly categorized using a set of special equipment, but this has allowed Happiness City to become one of the first Shelter Cities to achieve large-scale utilization of Mutated Crystals.
"The unit price for ordinary-quality Mutated Crystals is 2 Contribution Points."
"17 of them..."
Cheng Ye does the mental math quickly, calculating a 30% entry tax, just this item alone brings in 10 Contribution Points.
It’s simply a fortune, and today’s first transaction completed a third of the goal he set last night!
"It seems the heavy rains of the past few days did indeed hold up a batch of goods for entry, which turned out to be a bargain for me."
Cheng Ye secretly cheers himself up.
He looks further down.
Apart from the Mutated Crystals, the Flying Bird Merchant Team also brought back various by-products of mutant beasts and precious metals.
[Mutated Beast Fur, Quality: Ordinary - Excellent, Quantity: 25]
[Mutated Beast Bone Powder, Quality: Poor, Quantity: 750kg]
[Crimson Beehive Honey, Quality: Ordinary, Quantity: 12 jars (250g jars)]
[Bone Rot Flower Seed, Quality: Ordinary, Quantity: 3 bags (25g bags)] 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
[Ancient Era Amber, Quality: Poor, Quantity: 71 pieces]
[Gold Bars, Quality: 24k, Quantity: 380g]
[Silver Jewelry, Quality: 800 Silver, Quantity: 71kg]
[...]
No need to elaborate on the fur and bone powder.
The former is the best material for winter clothing, and the latter is used in construction.
Bone powder mixed with clay makes bone mud bricks, which are much harder than ordinary red bricks, and are one of the most demanded items for large construction projects in autumn.
Crimson Beehive Honey is a by-product of mutant beasts, highly toxic, not valued highly but popular among scavengers because it’s very effective when applied to arrowheads for hunting mutant beasts.
The Bone Rot Flower is used in conjunction with the honey, as the dried and ground powder of the flower attracts some carrion-eating mutant beasts, creating opportunities for hunting.
As for Ancient Era Amber, it resembles a kind of gamble; many believe it contains supernatural plants or special mutant seeds, hoping to leap to success overnight.
Thus, even though the market is not large, the demand for purchase has never waned.
However, fake products are rampant, especially in some small settlements where it’s often a pillar industry.
"1.5kg of gold, this would be worth over 300,000 in modern times..."
"Unfortunately, in Happiness City, gold’s industrial value has long been replaced by synthetic metals, so even 100g is only worth 20 Contribution Points now."
Memorizing material purchase prices is a test that Intern Inspectors must pass.
Cheng Ye didn’t understand why before, but at this moment, he suddenly realized.
This is what inspectors need as their fundamental stance!
Ordinary Happiness Coins circulated by common people can’t buy superior weapons or improve strength.
It must be through collecting entry taxes, accumulating funds little by little.
Calculating from this, the materials the Flying Bird Merchant Team could purchase with Contribution Points account for as much as 133 points.
The 30% tax collected reached a staggering 34 points.
"It’s only the start, and it’s already hit my target expectations, this..."
Cheng Ye couldn’t help but shake his head with feeling.
It’s not that he thinks his target was set too low, but ever since he arrived at North Station, it seems his luck has been quite good.
Similar situations to today’s are rare even in ten to fifteen days, and multiple conditions must be met:
Natural disasters causing delays, stationed in Area A, encountering merchant teams, and the merchant team’s full return.
All four conditions were indispensable.
Moreover, in the cargo report envelope, two 100 Happiness Coin bills were enclosed.
It’s a crazy profit!
"Is anyone injured?"
"No."
Seeing the smile on Cheng Ye’s face, Carson knew this was a secure wave.
In fact, the 200 Happiness Coins were slipped in when he entered the channel, fearing he’d be deliberately made things difficult.
Fortunately, this batch of returned goods was indeed plentiful, several times the usual amount, and whoever the inspector might have been, they would be in a good mood.
"I’ll call, follow the procedure to come in for inspection."
"Okay!"
A merchant team with three vehicles is already considered medium-sized in the Buffer Zone.
A total of 13 people got off the vehicles, and everyone swiftly took off their clothes, showing no visible wounds.
Upon report, the data was all normal too.
This is the status quo; if everyone who went out came back injured, requiring thorough inspection, no merchant team would dare venture out.
"Drive the vehicles in, I need to have someone inspect the goods, any problems with that?"
"Of course no problem, whatever Inspector says, we will fully cooperate with!"
Carson plastered on an honest visage, completely at ease now.
Compared to roaming city ruins and the wastelands, who wouldn’t long for the safety of a Shelter City?
Even if there’s exploitation here, isn’t it justified?
Shelter Cities need development, inspectors need to get stronger, and if left to a gaggle of powerless weaklings, what protection is there for tens of thousands of residents in the Buffer Zone?
This fee, he was more than willing to pay!
The three cars drove slowly into the inspection area, and Cheng Ye called upon two staff members to verify the goods against the report list, item by item.
Within moments, the inspection was complete.
The inventory matched the report in essence, with only a 15% overstatement in weight.
"Everything’s normal, you understand the rules, right?"
"Of course, I’ll arrange the vehicles to wait by the checkpoint gate for your shift change, Inspector."
Compared to Carson’s familiarity, Cheng Ye felt he was indeed like a rookie.
But then he thought about the easy 34-point gain, as the convoy left, he couldn’t help but smile.
The 30% entry tax indeed needs to be collected, and it is an absolute must.
Just before, a thought did flash by his mind, if they confiscated all the goods, he could quickly save enough to purchase a set of equipment.
Fortunately, the regulations were there to hold back such temptations.
If there were no such regulations...
Generators, batteries, water purifiers, ventilation equipment, heating devices, surveillance, central computers... and various household appliances, these are all necessities that require Contribution Points to obtain.
Perhaps he doesn’t need them now, but if he plans to build a shelter outside the city, every one of these will be indispensable.
Contribution Points, the more the better, without a doubt!
"Sir, the security deposits have been tallied, they’re sorted into these bags by group!"
Raven’s voice came from behind.
Cheng Ye turned to see him carrying four file bags filled with slips of paper.
"So fast?"
He raised his eyebrows, "Start categorizing, help me pick out the top 5 highest and lowest security deposit holders in each group!"
...
