Using virtual coins to buy carrion scavengers and squeeze out labor from these people turned out to be way more beneficial than Jing Shu expected. Even though she had to spend a lot of coins, even more would flow back in, creating a healthy snowball effect. And that snowball of hers just kept getting bigger.
When she stepped out of the house, there wasn't even a crowd outside anymore. That was rare. Her villa used to be the most luxurious spot in the area, always drawing eyes and gossip. But now, people couldn't care less. They were all carrying baskets, digging through dirt fields and filthy ditches, hunting for bugs.
As she passed by, she overheard two people chatting.
"Why don't we just search around here? Why go so far? That's too dangerous."
"You don't get it. We're going to the pond. There's a ton of them there. Remember, they've gotta be alive, live ones sell for more.
It's not easy finding a factory willing to buy carrion scavengers, and they're paying one virtual coin per 130 kilograms. Who knows how long that'll last? I heard they've already bought from over ten thousand people these past few days.
We'd better hurry. Remember how red nematodes went wild last year? They were wiped out in no time. Now everyone knows bugs can earn virtual coins. If we're too slow, someone else might fill the quota before we do."
"Carrion scavengers can't be eaten or used as feed, so what're they buying them for? Hope they're not turning them into food again. I don't wanna get poisoned a second time."
"What're you afraid of? Xiao Li said the bugs are just used for feed. It's called a Red Nematode Processing Factory. Besides, anything without an Apocalypse Operation License is illegal now. Report one of those and you get a fat reward. The factory's right between the new district and Xishan. If they don't have a license, we'll report them. If they do, who cares what they make, as long as it doesn't kill us, we'll eat it."
"But who're we even selling to? Aren't red nematodes extinct? I thought they couldn't reproduce."
"Who knows? Maybe they figured it out. Someone comes here every day to collect at fixed spots, but the price's lower. If we carry it to the factory ourselves, the pay's higher. There's always a crowd waiting at the gate. Everyone says the factory's paying big for these bugs. No clue why. Xiao Li said the workers inside fight over them to earn points or something. Don't really get it."
"Brother, I wanna work there too."
"Keep dreaming."
Watching the two walk off, Jing Shu stepped on the gas, the amphibious shark submarine roaring down the road. But she couldn't help thinking, "So the net for collecting carrion scavengers has already spread this far? I wonder how long Wu City's bugs will last? A month? Three?"
She clicked her tongue. "Looks like the dominant scavenger bug with no natural enemy might actually go extinct this time."
When she finally arrived at her Red Nematode Processing Factory, the massive energy-efficient lamps shone brightly over the entrance. The whole place was crowded and noisy, like a morning market or flea fair. People carried all sorts of containers, shouting and bargaining.
The place had completely transformed. It now looked like a massive fortress, surrounded by high stone walls. The foundation work, repairs, and cementing were all done. The slanted walls were specially built to divert mudslides to either side.
Hard to believe such a huge project was finished in just a few days. The factory was now completely enclosed, with only one front and one back gate leading in or out.
You really had to hand it to the Chinese people—once they decided to work hard, their efficiency was terrifying.
Jing Shu was pleased. At least next year, the mudslides wouldn't bury her factory.
At the front gate stood a long line of people, at least a hundred. In front of them were standard weighing scales, and behind were huge sacks wriggling faintly with bugs inside.
Those in thick coats and hats, looking healthier and well-fed, were clearly factory workers. They'd earned points and exchanged them for proper supplies.
Meanwhile, the ones carrying baskets and plastic bags full of carrion scavengers looked miserable—tattered clothes, sallow faces, and skin clinging to bone.
"Young man, just weigh this whole bag, will ya? Why're you picking through it one by one? No one else does that!"
"Auntie, our factory's strict. Even a bit of sand, dirt, or pebbles means rework. I'll get bad marks if I accept this. You'll have to sell it elsewhere."
"There's no such thing as clean bugs!"
"Then please sort them out first before coming back."
"You're too picky. I'm not selling anymore."
"Alright then, take care."
The auntie huffed off to another buyer, but every stall was the same. They all inspected carefully, refusing anything with impurities. Some bad-tempered buyers even grabbed megaphones and shouted:
"Attention, all carrion scavenger sellers! If there's any foreign objects in your goods, no one here's buying. Check your bugs first so you don't waste everyone's time. Anyone caught trying to cheat will be blacklisted, and we'll never buy from you again!"
People started picking through their bags right away, flicking out dirt and stones.
Jing Shu couldn't help smiling. That argument had been going on for days inside the factory. The collectors wanted leniency, but the inspectors were strict because a perfect check earned them a 10-point bonus. If they found dirt or stones, they could mark the batch unqualified.
With no clear standard, everyone argued nonstop.
In the end, Director Su had to step in and set a rule: "For every 100 kilograms, impurities can't exceed 10 grams. Anything more, and the inspector gets the collector's reward."
That one rule changed everything. Some opposed it at first, but the diligent ones quickly started outperforming the rest. The complainers soon gave up and got serious. Inspections became more thorough, and quality improved fast.
If you wanted better treatment than everyone else, you had to work harder too.
"Move aside! The shark's here!"
"What's that thing? Never seen a car like that, even before the apocalypse."
"Holy shit, the boss is here! That's Jing Shu, the owner of our Red Nematode Factory! She drove this same shark sub to the dorms the other day, and Manager Tuo went out to greet her himself. Makes sense she's here today, it's opening day after all."
"Hurry up and finish weighing! So many people are already inside. Let's go!"
By the time Jing Shu walked into the factory, more than thirty unfamiliar people were already seated inside. Manager Tuo stood respectfully at the side like a loyal assistant. Her Maternal Eldest Uncle was pacing anxiously in circles.
When he saw her, his eyes lit up. "Jing Shu, finally! We've been waiting for you!"