Zhou Yi carefully observed the new work of the mechanical bulls for a few days.

They seemed relaxed and at ease in the Dead Sea, with no stress, as if they were back in their hometown—even their movements were lighter than on land.

The iron ingots and iron tools from Steel Refining City were transported to the Sand Port Region by the mechanical bulls.

At the same time, cooling coal and refrigeration boxes from Steel Refining City were officially put on sale within the Development Alliance.

A mechanical bull usually carries four to eight refrigeration boxes, plus matching boxes of cooling coal, delivered all the way from the sea floor to Jade City and Shell City.

These new equipment are not cheap, but the company's employees are well-paid and due to the environment, they dare to consume. Therefore, as soon as the refrigeration boxes are delivered, everyone lines up to snap them up.

The refrigeration box that can preserve freshness and store food long-term, has become a hot commodity eagerly purchased by all parties.

More refrigeration boxes are delivered to farther areas such as Tree Monster Territory, Cotton and Hemp Land, and Glass Castle via ships and mechanical bulls.

Steel Refining Lord was the first to report online: "Mr. Zhou, the refrigeration box market is booming. We now have orders with prepaid payments for 7,000 refrigeration boxes and 510,000 pieces of cooling coal."

"We have initially decided to take a unified pricing in cities, with additional shipping costs. The price of a refrigeration box is 600 mushrooms each, with Number 1 coal for refrigeration priced at 38 mushrooms per piece, and Number 2 coal for freezing priced at 50 mushrooms per piece."

"The current total income from orders is about 7 Light Seeds, with a net profit of 60% of the total income, which is 4 Light Seeds. Our main revenue in the future will be the continuous need for cooling coal."

"We are currently working overtime on production."

"As we need to first distribute some goods to promote and let the outside world know their usefulness, the internal supply is currently limited, please understand."

Zhou Yi also highly approved of this strategy.

On the other hand, Duke Beidu also brought good news: "Mr. Zhou, the Mushroom Houses have been selling well recently! This spring, we have sold a total of 172,114 Mushroom Houses, making a profit of 1530 Light Seeds! The detailed list has been sent to Red Kestrel, please review it."

Zhou Yi was a bit surprised this time: "172114 Mushroom Houses? The demand is so large?"

"The demand from ordinary city residents is growing, but a total of 61,000 units were sold for civil use."

Duke Beidu happily said: "This time, the main buyers are various military forces. They found that Mushroom Houses are cheap and safe as watchtowers and do not require long-term maintenance. Sentinels can stay and lookout on the mushroom caps during the day, and enter inside to rest at night."

"Besides, giant mushrooms serve well as military barracks because they provide sufficient concealment, can accommodate several soldiers for rest, and can also serve as protective walls."

"Sea lords are buying in large quantities; the Heavenly Kingdom alone bought 60,000 in one go. Our Mushroom House installation staff are a bit stretched, many are busy on their side."

Duke Beidu continued: "Also, the Dead Sea Knights' Second Fleet, Track Knights, Mechanical Knights, Tianjin Knights have all ordered Mushroom Houses from us, with orders exceeding 30,000."

"The Alchemist Association is also negotiating with me. They are planning to create a Mushroom House area to facilitate research on plants, which will also be used to accommodate the families of Alchemists. The orders will not be less than 10,000."

"All parties are still concerned that the price of Mushroom Houses is too low, not allowing us to freely buy and sell in various cities, but this trend is unstoppable. Lifting buying restrictions is the general trend."

This mechanical sea lord spoke with pride: "There are various merchants coming to us for cooperation, to act as agents for selling Mushroom Houses. They have all heard the rumors and want a share of the business."

Zhou Yi reminded: "I'll leave the sales to you, I won't interfere with the specifics. However, one thing, although our Mushroom Houses are cheap, meant to ensure most people can afford housing, we can afford to make concessions, but quality control must be strict."

"Rest assured, I understand that."

Duke Beidu said: "However, I need to consult with you about one matter, some specific groups also want to purchase Mushroom Houses."

"Go on."

"Mainly the Night God Church, Pillage Group, and the rebels."

He explained: "These three groups are more negatively than positively viewed in mainstream society. I'm not sure whether to conduct business with them."

"The Night God Church wants to use Mushroom Houses in the wild to build some concealed residences or meeting places similar to churches."

After a brief thought, Zhou Yi said: "The Church is fine. We just sell houses, how the buyers use them is uncontrollable. But the Pillage Group... they also want to buy houses?"

"Yes."

Duke Beidu explained: "I was contacted by two large Pillage Groups. Their bases are basically in dangerous areas, transporting various materials is not easy, and the natural environment is harsh. So the local living conditions are poor, often affected by disease and weather, especially their family members have a hard time."

"They hope to purchase slices of giant mushrooms from us, then take them away for cultivation themselves, with our technicians providing printed manuals for technical guidance."

No problem.

The core slicing technology is exclusive to the Mushroom Forest.

"The situation of the rebels looks a bit similar to that of the Pillage Group?"

"Yes."

"Then it's no problem."

Zhou Yi stated: "Mushroom Houses are simple housing; as long as they are not our direct enemies, we can sell to anyone who has a demand from the outside."

"Understood."

...

Two days later, the winter wheat planted last year officially entered the harvesting season.

Agricultural machines began to roar. The black and red Agricultural Machinery Brothers, and the blue Leiwo Team, all entered the wheat fields to massively harvest the golden waves of wheat, threshing out the grains.

The harvested wheat was then placed in open air for drying, followed by storage in granaries.

Then, the flour mill purchased by the Ministry of Agriculture ground wheat and other grains into flour, which was then sifted to separate the flour from the bran.

Zhou Yi brought back a bag of flour produced by the company and tried making dough himself.

He actually didn't know how to make pastries, but he could manage to knead the dough and flatten it into cakes.

He added green onions from Green Onion Town, chopped them into small pieces, and put them into the pancake.

A bit of oil was added to the frying pan, and the pancake was cooked.

A simple scallion pancake was thus made.

The freshly baked pancake was hot and fragrant, and Zhou Yi enjoyed it with a chilled Coke from the cooling box, feeling completely satisfied.

After the successful experiment, he made a large batch of scallion pancakes and shared them with Zheng Tao, Yuan Tong, Qian Su, Gong Zheng... letting everyone have a taste.

Life as it was known in the past seemed to return little by little.

Zhou Yi then announced some simple flour processing techniques, allowing employees and residents to try them out themselves.

The large production of flour expanded the company's menu once again. People's craving for carbohydrates went wild in front of flour, and everywhere, people were seen munching on pancakes, slurping noodles, and drinking noodle soup.

This made Zhou Yi a bit worried—The flour from my 2000 acres of land might not last very long.

Minister of Agriculture, Zheng Tao, smiled and said, "Chairman, you're underestimating our land. This year's wheat yield per acre is 320 kilograms, totaling 640,000 kilograms."

"It's convenient to preserve as flour, with about a 20% loss, so we'll end up with approximately 510,000 kilograms of flour. That's not even counting the previously sun-dried beans, a large amount of dried mushrooms, and coarsely made sweet potato flour."

"According to standard calculations, 1 acre of land can support at least 2 people, so our land can sufficiently support 4000 people. By autumn, another new 2000 acres of land will also start sowing wheat. Just with the current farmland alone, we can feed at least 8000 people."

Zheng Tao pointed eastward, "Another point is our suspended layer. The company's aerial farmland is gradually expanding, currently counting 20 plots, a total of 200 acres. Although mainly for growing vegetables, the potential is enormous."

"At least for the company, there is no issue with a food shortfall. However, to supply the entire Sand Port, we still need to expand the farmland."

Zhou Yi gazed at the coastline.

Over there, Bone Man Wu Yi had developed many suspended layers, looking like giant mushrooms growing out of the Dead Sea. The new reclamation approach was showing initial results.

Upon calculating,

From starting reclamation and farming, it's already been the third year.

Finally, we have achieved self-sufficiency in agriculture.

In the Wasteland World, only those who truly engage in farming know that it's incredibly challenging.

"Chairman, have you tried this year's sweet red melons?"

Zheng Tao suddenly said.

Zhou Yi responded, "Fetch a whole one for me to try."

The two headed to the melon field not far from the wheat fields.

This year's watermelons were much smaller than last year, each weighing about 2-3 kilograms.

Zheng Tao took out a small knife, skillfully selected a melon, and cut it open.

The cut was smooth, and the inside was evenly red and had few seeds.

Zhou Yi took a slice Zheng Tao cut for him and took a bite.

The taste was refreshing and delicious.

Just that the skin was a bit thick.

Zhou Yi took another two bites, realizing, "Old Zheng, is this specifically chosen for easier transport?"

"Yes, Chairman," Zheng Tao nodded. "Last year's melons had thin skins, which were not good for transportation. This is a new variety we selected after discussions with the farmers from the United Farm."

"This year's melons can be sent to Steel Refining City, Shell City, and even further areas."

Zhou Yi continued enjoying the melon, thinking it wasn't bad at all.

"Besides, we also tried planting some other fruits, such as sweet and sour fruits. In fact, they can grow here too, but we just need to select and test them."

Zheng Tao pointed to a distant place, fenced, with various fruits and vines inside it, seemingly the Ministry of Agriculture's experimental field.

"What everyone in the company gets to eat depends on your department's capabilities."

Zhou Yi smiled and said: "Next year, my menu is counting on you, Old Zheng."

"Chairman, please rest assured, we will do our utmost to bring you some good food," Zheng Tao assured with a confident smile.

In this fruit-abundant season, a new guest quietly visited.

Red Kestrel said, "Zhou, Tree Monster Duke has arrived outside Jade City and wants to meet you."

At this moment, Zhou Yi was kneading dough and making cakes.

"Bring him up."

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