Wasteland Development Diary.

Chapter 138 Investing in Humanity Upper Limit
A day later, Zheng Tao and Zheng San drove back to Emerald City and brought some equipment with them.

He introduced them to Zhou Yi one by one.

Zheng Tao first pointed to a simple machine with two metal funnels and a rocker next to it and said, "This is a hand-cranked thresher, 4 gold per unit. The beans from Jitou Town and Oasis Town are threshed with it, and finally the shells are removed, leaving only the beans, which can be sold after being dried."

"Just throw the peanuts in and shake the rotating rod to crush the shells. Although it is manually operated, not as good as the electromechanical city which only needs an energy pack to drive it, the good thing is that the speed and the screen inside can be adjusted to keep the loss at a relatively low ratio."

"The second step is to fry the peanuts, because that will give the oil a fragrant aroma. This can be done by heating the Emerald City, so I didn't have to buy an extra iron bucket for stirring and heating."

“The third process is crushing.”

The crusher is shaped like a large iron pot, with a rotating spiral iron knife inside. Just turn the handle to crush the peanuts inside. Price: 3 gold.

The last step is pressing.

The press is the largest piece of equipment in this set.

It looks like a simple mini locomotive, all wrapped in iron, with a funnel for pouring raw materials in. The front port discharges oil, and the rear port squeezes out residue.

Zheng Tao touched the metal machine and said, "This is also the most expensive equipment in the entire pressing process. I bought it from the Artisan Association for 5 light seeds."

"In human cities, only the Craftsmen's Guild can make it. The parts inside are relatively complex and require high craftsmanship. However, it can only be driven by energy packs. One energy pack can last for 1-16 hours. If it is turned off frequently, the energy consumption will increase greatly, so it is best to concentrate on using it."

"I used to have several bean fields and also pressed oil. I used this set and also the high-end ones from the mechanical and electrical city."

He recalled: "High-end products are indeed more practical, but they also have high requirements for the environment. A special house must be built to seal and remove dust. The supporting requirements are too high. The products of the Artisan Association are more suitable for most environments. They are sturdy and durable, but they are more susceptible to wear and tear and have more residues, but this can be solved by filtering with a clean cloth."

"Finally, boil the filtered oil once, cool it down, put it into airtight jars and cans, and seal them with oilcloth. This is the finished oil."

"In addition, I also bought three types of grinding tools and pressing tools according to your request. The total cost is 3 gold."

Zhou Yi looked at these machines.

There seemed to be fewer steps in the oil pressing process than he remembered, but it was basically the same.

Zheng Tao asked Zheng San to find a few people and start the three machines.

Loud creaking and clanging noises were heard outside the Emerald City.

The machine also brings out a lot of debris and dust.

Zhou Yi saw that the shelled peanuts were threshed, roasted, crushed and poured into the press, and then a brown oil flowed out, and on the other side was peanut residue that was pressed like tree bark.

The peanut residue needs to be pressed twice to extract all the oil.

Zheng Tao picked up a piece of steaming peanut dregs from the barrel, his face full of nostalgia: "This peanut cake, when I was poor, I really thought it was delicious, fragrant and filling. Unfortunately, this thing is not cheap. It is sold in stores on the market, but ordinary people only buy a little occasionally."

Zhou Yi also grabbed a piece and put it in his mouth to taste it.

A little hot and very fragrant.

Zhou Yi asked: "If we expand production, can we lower the price of these foods?"

"Hit it down?"

Zheng Tao was stunned: "Are you trying to occupy the market with low prices?"

Zhou Yi ate another small piece of peanut cake: "Actually, I just want everyone to eat something good. If these things are so expensive, no one can afford them. Humans in this era have a hard time."

Zheng Tao frowned: "Chairman, agricultural business requires high investment and long cycle. If you can't get a lot of benefits in the market, it's not worth it."

"but."

He suddenly laughed: "It's great that you are willing to do this kind of thing."

"First, let the people in this area live a good life, and then they will become the most loyal supporters of the company. This support will be deeply rooted and unbreakable from the inside out. Following the pace of the company, they will have a safe and good living environment, high-paying jobs far exceeding their peers, and cheap and reliable high-quality food."

Zheng Tao sighed with emotion: "Now I find that my previous understanding seems to be wrong again."

"Whoever controls the grain controls the people's hearts. This is a simple and ancient truth. However, those who control the grain are unwilling to take the correct path because it is too difficult and slow. Most of them choose the shortcut that is more beneficial to themselves."

Zhou Yi licked the residue on his fingers and said, "Although we humans are not physically strong enough, we are smart and can create and use various tools. If we can solve basic survival problems and cooperate peacefully, we can show stronger creativity."

"No matter what others think, I believe that humans are no worse than photonic species and electromechanical life. It's just that our innate physiological disadvantages cause us to lag behind step by step."

"I want to start with the Shangu Town area and invest in the upper limit of humanity."

He had witnessed the heyday of human civilization.

Today's electromechanical life is just a latecomer standing on the legacy of the old humans.

Although the new humans are now suppressed and have to hide during the day and come out at night, becoming third-class people below the photosensitive species and mechatronic life forms, they may be able to restore their former glory when conditions are ripe.

Zheng Tao's face also turned serious: "I understand. I will promote the company's food strategy around the goal of developing the human population!"

"There's no rush for this, take your time."

Zhou Yi waved his hand and changed the subject to something lighter: "I also learned a few snacks. Can you help me with some advice?"

"Zheng San, you look over here and give guidance to everyone." Zheng Tao made arrangements.

"Yes, sir."

Zheng Tao explained to Zhou Yi: "Although Zheng San is a little slow in interpersonal communication, he works very well. I taught him a lot in the past, including soybean oil pressing. He is actually an old hand in this area."

Zhou Yi smiled and said, "You're really nice to him."

"He and I have a connection." The old man looked at the servant behind him, his eyes softening.

Then the two took a can of oil and started to tinker in the Emerald City. That day, they made four snacks.

Fried peanuts, fried chicken bones, fried chicken fillets, and fried mushrooms.

As for fried food, thanks to sweet potatoes.

After the sweet potatoes are crushed and filtered, they can be made into sweet potato paste, which is then wrapped in cloth and the water starch in the paste is repeatedly squeezed out. After being dried in Emerald City, the water starch becomes the simplest sweet potato flour.

Use sweet potato flour instead of fried chicken flour, wrap it on bones, thinly beaten chicken and mushrooms, fry them in a pan for a while, and the aroma will come out immediately.

Finally, sprinkle a little bit of salt and it will be a great snack.

Zheng Tao closed his eyes and tasted each one with his enhanced organ "tongue". He stroked his beard and an intoxicated smile appeared on his face.

"well!"

“This is good too, it tastes great!”

"Not bad, not bad. Deep-fried mushrooms have a unique flavor."

……

Zhou Yi was not surprised.

These are all common foods that have been verified and served on the table. As long as humans still like high-oil, high-sugar and high-carb foods, it doesn’t matter.

Including the peanut cakes, a total of 5 snacks received high praise from Zheng Tao.

Then the most critical thing is how to use it.

Zhou Yi's idea is: "The company should open a small shop first, and gradually sell these snacks from the inside to the outside. The price should not be too high, but should be close to the people, so that they can be sold and affordable, and then gradually promote it to the outside."

Zheng Tao thought for a while and said, "Chairman, I have a bold idea."

"Why don't we get Lashahaigong to join us, and all the towns in the Shagang area to participate in the production of these five kinds of food? We have the technology and farmland, and they have the population and external sales and transportation channels."

He explained: "In this way, we only need to share a part of the profits to get the labor force of the entire Sand Port area moving, and the Sand Sea Duke will also vigorously promote this matter for its own interests. With you here, the Sand Sea Duke will not dare to play tricks. In a short period of time, we can integrate the external food exports of the entire region and form a scale effect."

"The company can not only obtain sustained and stable profits, but also make Shahaigong and us a real alliance of interests. Because although the profitability of the grain industry itself is average, the sales of processed specialty foods have always been very good, which can improve the industry rating."

The agricultural consultant smiled and said, "Chairman, the improvement of the industry rating will increase Shagang City's credit rating among the electromechanical cities."

“If the credit rating is raised to B, Shagang City will be able to seek loans from the Mechanical and Electrical City and enter high-speed development.”

“Highly rated cities are more attractive to professionals. Professionals of all kinds prefer to settle in high-level cities.”

Zhou Yi generally understood.

The credit rating represents the strength of a city’s voice.

Similar to the division of first-tier, second-tier and third-tier cities in the past.

Snack exports are considered part of the food industry.

He asked Hong Jian: "What is the credit rating of Sand Harbor City?"

"E-level."

There is still a lot of room for growth.

Zhou Yi drove the Emerald City all the way to the outskirts of Shagang City, attracting the attention and discussion of many citizens. This time they were finally no longer afraid, but curiously looked up on the street, looking at the towering buildings outside the wall.

Lord Shahai was invited to enter the Emerald City again.

After hearing Zhou Yi's idea, it was overjoyed and said, "This is exactly what I wanted!"

"Mr. Zhou, you don't know that I have been troubled by this. You said that our fish fry, chicken, cattail grass and other things have very low profits after being sold, and we can't compete with the outside world at all. The Steel Refining City next door has achieved a D rating thanks to its steel industry...Shagang City lacks a unique export industry."

Lord Shahai rubbed his large paws and said, "We have plenty of manpower. Don't worry about processing. We can also sell to other places. Although we are a small place, we have made little progress over the years and now have 12 friendly cities where we can sell our products at any time. As long as the sales of these foods can reach a certain standard, our industry rating can be improved!"

The two sides hit it off.

The details were still left to Zheng Tao and Chen Jiadong to negotiate.

Lord Sha Hai clenched his claws and swore on the spot: "Don't worry, Mr. Zhou, I promise that Shagang City will not let us down! I will keep an eye on this place the whole time..."

Zhou Yi suddenly frowned: "I have something to do, I have to go back first."

"Oh ok, do you need any help?"

"No, it's a piece of cake."

The Emerald City put down the Duke of Sand Sea and turned to rush towards the base camp.

Just now, Building No. 5, the main structure of which had just been completed, suddenly left its original location and came to the side of Maria Hospital, circling there.

Emerald City was also confused by this: "It's too far away, I can't get accurate feedback from it."

"I just got a vague feeling that it didn't like being quiet and liked movement."

“It came alive after I left.”

Zhou Yi felt a headache after hearing this.

This is a high-rise residential building with ADHD, and it might be a bit difficult to manage.

(End of this chapter)