299: I'll make money too.

Inside Tian Ming’s office, Meng Xian and Ji Ruping were reporting on the recent situation.

Tian Ming sat at his desk, quietly listening to their narration.

“Boss, the automatic turrets on the Shelter city walls have been installed, and we need to build some extended strongholds facing north.

Elder Lin Yao said that once the base’s defenses meet the requirements, we should go rescue people.”

“Rescue people?”

Ji Ruping explained, “Boss, it’s about rescuing the population previously left behind in the base.

They are now controlled by Jiang Chen, and we can’t just sit idly by.”

Tian Ming nodded, not objecting.

The current brief stability was hard-won, and Jiang Chen wouldn’t always remain holed up in the north.

Even if Tian Ming didn’t go looking for him, he would eventually come over.

“Hmm, if we have the surplus, we can go rescue people, and it can also hone our combat effectiveness.”

Tian Ming nodded slightly, indicating agreement.

Meng Xian continued, “There’s one more thing that needs to be resolved.

Our Shelter currently has insufficient food production capacity, and our reserves are only enough for about another month.

Most people can’t eat normal food and can only eat modulated food.”

The modulated food Meng Xian referred to was a type of food produced by the Shelter’s food factory, designed to meet the basic nutritional needs of the human body.

This kind of stuff was similar to compressed biscuits and individual rations, mostly paste-like substances.

Many were Hex-tech products made of starch, dietary fiber, and vitamins.

This food had no taste whatsoever; it was merely for filling the stomach and sustaining life.

Meng Xian continued, “Our Underground City greenhouses have also started construction, and Phases Two and Three are almost complete.

These greenhouses are all vertical farming, but to ensure sufficient supply, we still need to expand at least a dozen more vegetable bases with an annual output of over 100,000 tons.”

Tian Ming glanced at Meng Xian and said, “Don’t let the Comprehensive Management Department build everything themselves.

You should designate an area in the Underground City for an agricultural production park and lease it out.

We have over two million people; can you supply everyone if we rely solely on ourselves?”

Ji Ruping agreed, saying, “Boss, it’s not that we don’t want to, but there are very few capable people like that.

Most of the talent is in our own hands.

Many people have the ability, but they don’t have money.

Currently, in the food industry, You Suowei’s food company is doing relatively well, and then Zhou Sumei emerged later…”

Ji Ruping stopped there, not continuing, and secretly observed Tian Ming’s reaction.

“Go on?”

Ji Ruping continued, “Zhou Sumei is now married to You Suowei, and with the two of them clashing like this, many people with money are starting to wait and see.

There are many merchants, but too few are as dedicated to practical industry as You Suowei.

Everyone is watching, and they are not very willing to get involved.”

Merchants always prioritize profit; if they don’t see clear benefits, they won’t easily get involved.

The conflict between You Suowei and Zhou Sumei also led many potential investors to choose a wait-and-see approach.

This incident was toxic for investors.

A swindler accumulated so much wealth; if You Suowei hadn’t stepped in to save Zhou Sumei, all the money those investors put in would have definitely gone down the drain.

Those who had accumulated a certain amount of wealth would naturally become more cautious.

After all, they had to observe the Comprehensive Management Department’s level of support for certain industries.

They would naturally not choose to participate in risky ventures.

Tian Ming looked at Meng Xian and Ji Ruping and said, “Don’t we have a bank?

Give them money, increase the intensity!

That’s how the economy will become active.”

“Boss, inflation!

The points system is inherently adjusted based on the Shelter’s output value.

Now that it’s connected to the intelligent core, how much money can be generated in the system is not decided by our Comprehensive Management Department.

Our trading system has been upgraded and is fully automated.

To have a lot of money, we can only invest more and increase output.”

Tian Ming smiled, “I understand.

You mean, to get money, you must first produce value, and then the system will generate points corresponding to that value, right?

So, your Comprehensive Management Department can’t provide more money for support?”

Ji Ruping nodded and said, “Yes, the investment in the development of the Underground City has already consumed the entire financial flow.

Currently, we are still in a state of loss.”

Tian Ming smiled and shook his head, saying, “Alright, I’ll handle the investment.

Get me a super VIP card.

I’ll earn money, and from now on, when you ask me to work, you’ll have to pay.

The value I create becomes money, and then I use the money I earn to invest.

That’s not too much to ask, is it?”

Meng Xian and Ji Ruping were speechless; the boss’s thinking was too unconventional.

The value created by the boss represented the inherent value of the Shelter itself.

Now, if the boss were to quantify his own value into funds, the Shelter’s ability to create value would decrease.

In simple terms, Tian Ming’s action was like removing the largest pipe from the capital pool.

The outflow from the pool would remain the same, but with less inflow and more outflow, the Shelter’s losses would gradually increase.

Ji Ruping said with a wry smile, “Boss, I’m afraid that’s not appropriate.

You yourself are the Shelter’s greatest asset.

If you withdraw the foundation, and the Shelter’s greatest value output is gone, we’ll be poor, and we’ll have even less surplus to provide support.”

Tian Ming waved his hand and said, “No, I’ve actually studied economic principles.

Doing this will not only not make the Shelter poorer but also drive some people to create more value.

When more people are working and everyone becomes prosperous, the entire capital pool grows larger, won’t there be more money then?”

Ji Ruping thought for a moment and said, “This approach seems correct, Boss.

Then let’s try it this way?”

Tian Ming nodded, deciding to implement his idea.

“Transfer some people from the economic department and set up an investment company in my name to help me oversee things.

I’ll earn the money.

Seventy percent of the profits will be submitted to the Shelter.

How about that?”

Ji Ruping nodded; such a profit margin was quite substantial: “Boss, then according to your wishes, we’ll transfer some people from the economic department and set up an investment company in your name.

This way, the value you create can be released to the common people.”

“Alright, you take the lead on that.

I’ll only be responsible for earning money.

Synchronize the Shelter’s material requirements list for me.

I’ll be going out for a while, and I’ll bring back the raw materials the Shelter needs.”

“Okay, I’ll have someone prepare it right away.”

Ji Ruping nodded and walked out of the office.

Meng Xian looked at Tian Ming and said with a wry smile, “Boss, does that mean I’ll have to pay you for work from now on?”

Tian Ming smiled and nodded, saying, “Of course!”

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