Chapter 296: Giving You 5% Equity

Jing Shu nodded slightly. She had storage space but couldn’t take out fresh vegetables to use. Fresh vegetables couldn’t be kept long, so the only option was to dry them. Dried vegetables lost some nutrients, but if there were truly dehydrated vegetables, that would be extremely good for the apocalypse—convenient and nutritious, just soak in water and it’s like eating fresh vegetables anytime, anywhere.

The old man called Liu Lao by the butler said, “Dehydrated vegetables have great potential. I think it’s necessary to get this technology so we can develop agriculture vigorously. The apocalypse is coming; we can’t treat these as rare goods. No one knows what disasters will come next, so stockpiling dehydrated vegetables is very important.”

“Yes, having food in the apocalypse keeps the mind calm. Without vegetables, our old bodies won’t hold up.”

Obviously, everyone present was tempted by the idea of dehydrated vegetables. Previously, vegetables couldn’t be stored long unless pickled or salted. Now with better options and conditions, everyone supported this.

Qian Duoduo calmly rolled a walnut in his hand. These people thought like him: dehydrated vegetables were strategic reserves and very necessary. He pointed at the butler, “Xiao Cai, explain why we use American technology, then talk about the next steps.”

The butler smiled and stepped forward, clearing his throat while holding processed sauerkraut. “Let’s first explain the difference between dried vegetables and dehydrated vegetables. Dried vegetables are sun-dried for a long time, losing much nutrition, and soaking in water can’t restore them.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. Jing Shu thought the dried vegetables grown in the spiritual spring were actually okay, maybe because the vegetables grown there were more nutritious.

“Dehydrated vegetables are not only tasty and colorful but also retain original nutrition. They are smaller in volume, lighter, and restore quickly in water. They are convenient to transport and eat, making them strategic reserves in the apocalypse.”

“Why use American technology? Because most of China uses high-temperature heat pump drying, which overheats and takes too long. In short: high energy consumption! Energy is precious now. We can’t afford domestic technology. Using it would bankrupt us and produce little.”

Jing Shu raised an eyebrow. She didn’t know dehydrated vegetables had so many intricacies, only that the cost was high.

The butler continued, “We’re not saying the foreign moon is rounder, but compared to traditional tech, America is a bit more advanced. They improved the kang-style hot air dehydration method, using vacuum drying to reduce steps and costs. However, it requires sparse planting and other supporting cultivation techniques. So the whole set, including vacuum drying machines, must be imported from America.”

Liu Lao laughed, “Just tell us what benefits we get and what we pay. Don’t give us all that nonsense we don’t understand.”

Qian Duoduo laughed, “Haha, Liu Lao is straightforward. I’ll let Xiao Cai explain first, or you’ll say I’m asking too much. You see the potential of dehydrated vegetables—they’re lifesavers in the apocalypse, with longer shelf life and easy to carry.”

“But importing this from America isn’t easy. Honestly, it’s reliable because the team going to America is backed by government and military, so it will succeed. Your investment will 100% pay off. But the travel and transport costs and risks—who bears them? We do, right? These people risk their lives. If it works, we won’t lack food or vegetables in the apocalypse. Add some poultry farming, and we can wait out the apocalypse without worry.”

Jing Shu felt something was off. “Hmm??? Is this about Yang Yang going to America next year? If so, she’s going too. This Yang Yang is clever, already persuading Qian Duoduo to start fundraising for travel expenses before even leaving. Isn’t that supposed to be reimbursed? No, she’s making extra money, right?”

Jing Shu was speechless.

“Yes, Mr. Qian, just tell us the price.”

“Alright, everyone here is family. Those willing to invest can exchange their equity shares. Professionals will evaluate how much of my shares you occupy based on the apocalypse market. This way, I have your shares but won’t pay dividends. Instead, I need your products to expand the base. The base population grows, so does demand. You also have shares in the Xishan base and can take products as dividends daily or monthly. No virtual coins or money here—just barter.”

Brilliant!

Qian Duoduo’s move was clever. No wonder he rose from an outsider to Wu City’s richest man in just twenty years. This empty-handed wolf absorbed many people’s equity shares, essentially using their apocalypse goods as Yang Yang’s travel expenses to America. Later, there would be a continuous supply of goods. Though barter, vegetables are always the most valuable.

Liu Lao looked troubled. “Mr. Qian, you know my family deals in hemp and cotton. The quality is poor now, down 60%. I can’t even exchange my 20% shares for your 5%.”

Qian Duoduo pretended to ponder, then said, “Liu Lao, you’re smart. Though less than 5%, if production increases, you’ll get dozens of pounds of dehydrated vegetables daily. Selling some will earn you more than your current dividends. Virtual coins are set prices for the public. Real valuables can’t be bought with virtual coins.”

Everyone nodded.

“Think it over. The dehydration tech hasn’t arrived yet. This equity is a big deal. But I’m only offering 45% total. Think carefully. Once given out, no more. The rest must stay under my control,” Qian Duoduo said calmly.

No one hesitated. Qian Duoduo’s technicians immediately began evaluating the shares’ value.

At this moment, Qian Duoduo approached Jing Shu with a smile. “Jing Shu, I reserved 5% equity for you. Come, sign here!”

If you want, I can help with summaries or more translations!