Apocalyptic Reincarnation: Start with a 30-million Bonus

Now that Southern Paradise wants to trade, it’s just the right time to exchange for some things we need.

However, the items for exchange don’t necessarily mean Big Camphor Tree Base is in urgent need of them; they’re just strategic materials to stockpile as much as possible.

But Southern Paradise is unaware of their situation.

Just now, Xiao Jun mentioned a quota trade to make Southern Paradise understand one thing: although we are willing to trade with you, it doesn’t mean you can trade as much as you want; our production is also limited.

This is to emphasize the preciousness of petroleum and gain bargaining chips in the negotiation.

At this point, Ju Tianrui mentioned the oil well repairs, also aiming to achieve this purpose.

Zuo Ruxue then said, "Mr. Ma is still over there repairing! It’ll probably take a few days to fix it."

"Let him hurry," Ju Tianrui remarked.

"Alright."

Xiao Jun, who grasped the situation, continued:

"Captain Chen, our oil well production is limited, and we need repairs soon; no petroleum can be produced during repairs. It’s been several days already."

Chen Er, hearing Xiao Jun’s words, asked nervously, "After repairs, it can continue producing, right?"

"It can, but our production is indeed limited; otherwise, Director Li wouldn’t set a quota of 80 tons per trade, right?"

"As long as it can resume, that’s good. How about this? The exchange rate, I’ll take a step back, how about one-to-five?" Chen Er said after a moment of hesitation.

Xiao Jun coughed and replied:

"Still too high."

Chen Er frowned and asked, "One-to-one is definitely impossible, how about you propose another exchange rate, and I’ll see if I can accept it."

The discussion between the parties is just a game.

If you retreat, I advance; if I retreat, you advance; and as both sides gradually align closer to each other’s expectations, an agreement is likely to be reached.

"How about one-to-two?" Xiao Jun said after some silence.

"Uh...this..." Chen Er appeared troubled, as this didn’t even meet Mr. Hu’s minimum threshold.

If they negotiate with a one-to-two exchange rate, even if successful, Mr. Hu would severely scold him upon returning.

Chen Er said with difficulty, "I can’t explain this, one-to-five, this is really the sincerity from Southern Paradise,

Remember, these salt sugars are... extremely valuable in the apocalypse."

Chen Er elaborated endlessly on the utility of salt sugars and their challenging production process.

Yet, despite his lengthy explanation, Xiao Jun still made no concession.

The negotiation stalled once again.

Seeing the situation, Ju Tianrui turned to Zuo Ruxue and asked, "Go get the refined gasoline and diesel, let them see it."

Observing Ju Tianrui closely, Chen Er’s eyes sparkled upon hearing this. They had always traded petroleum, which, after acquisition, needed refining at Southern Paradise.

Unfortunately, they used the simplest ways for refining, in a rudimentary workshop style.

The refining rate barely reached twenty percent.

Meaning one ton of petroleum could only produce 0.2 tons of gasoline and diesel.

But anyone could deduce that in Oil City, with proper instruments, equipment, and personnel, surely there is a professional refinery, possibly exceeding a sixty percent refining rate.

This is substantially better than their strenuous efforts resulting in less than twenty percent.

Shortly.

Zuo Ruxue brought in two cups of gasoline and diesel using measuring cups.

Ju Tianrui gestured, indicating to show them to Chen Er and his partner.

"These are our refined gasoline and diesel; honestly, the quality is quite good, take a look," Ju Tianrui said.

Ma Yingxue and Chen Er both lowered their heads to sniff; the light brown one was diesel, and the transparent yellow one was gasoline.

Chen Er pondered over the difficulties encountered in oil refining at Southern Paradise, then asked, "Could we directly exchange this for gasoline or diesel?"

Ju Tianrui responded, "Yes, at a one-to-two rate."

Chen Er’s mind raced, considering that with petroleum exchange, they could swap one ton of salt sugar for five tons of petroleum, refining it yields just one ton.

One ton of salt sugar = exchange for one ton of gasoline + diesel = five tons of petroleum.

Now, one ton of salt sugar could directly swap for two tons of gasoline or diesel.

Doubling the benefit.

Even a fool could see this significantly benefits them.

As for other common items like kerosene, and lubricants derived from crude oil, they’re scarcely produced due to technical inadequacies.

Too much waste! They should just negotiate refinements with Oil City directly.

Upon realizing this, Chen Er said, "If exchanging refined gasoline or diesel at one-to-two is acceptable!"

Upon hearing Chen Er’s agreement, Xiao Jun and his team were delighted too.

After all, Southern Paradise had technical deficiencies in refining, but Oil City’s refining rate was triple theirs.

They could achieve refining rates of gasoline 0.215 tons, diesel 0.394 tons per ton of oil, with an output rate of sixty-three percent.

And that’s without counting other derivatives like kerosene and lubricants.

The main costs are merely time and labor.

Time, this commodity, is abundant for many in the apocalypse.

Both parties were thoroughly delighted.

Chen Er seized the opportunity to suggest swapping medicine for gasoline and diesel as well.

Previously, one ton of medicine exchanged for six tons of petroleum.

Chen Er’s side could refine only 1.2 tons of gasoline + diesel from six tons of petroleum.

Hence, Chen Er proposed a one-to-three exchange rate.

Oil City could refine 3.6 tons of gasoline + diesel from six tons of petroleum.

Again, not counting other derivatives like kerosene and lubricants.

If one-to-three, it’s indeed lucrative.

Simply better for Oil City than previous methods.

Thus, the two sides reached an agreement.

One ton of medicine exchanges for three tons of gasoline/diesel, and one ton of salt sugar exchanges for two tons of gasoline/diesel.

They brought thirty tons of salt sugar, plus ten tons of medicine, totaling ninety tons of gasoline/diesel in exchange.

"It’s over by ten tons, so let me report to Director Li, please wait here," Xiao Jun said.

"Alright, no problem, go ahead, by the way, is Director Li in Oil City? I’d like to meet him," Chen Er smiled.

"Haha, he’s not here right now," Xiao Jun replied.

Chen Er smiled and nodded, saying with some regret, "What a pity."

However, inside he was roiled with waves, realizing Director Li wasn’t present yet could be contacted.

This means, they possess a communication tool for long-distance interaction.

Chen Er and his team have walkie-talkies, but their range is only ten kilometers.

On Chen Er’s first visit, accompanied by Feng Wei, they had scoped all within ten kilometers of Oil City and found no other bases.

Plus, they saw Director Li departing in a helicopter last time, which meant Oil City isn’t near the mentioned headquarters, Big Camphor Tree Base.

Long-distance communication.

Chen Er swallowed hard, extremely envious.

Like when they venture out for missions, it’s difficult to contact the base; if they don’t return this time, Mr. Hu has no clue about their status.

They truly envy this!

What communication tool might it be?

Chen Er speculated internally, also casting a look of faint envy at Ju Tianrui and his team.

Soon.

Xiao Jun returned hurriedly.

A face filled with smiles, he said to Chen Er, "Our leader agreed, after much persuasion finally consented. Old Chen, Director Li mentioned that next time, you can trade one hundred tons."

"However, the next trade must wait for a month."

"One month? That’s fine," Chen Er thanked with clasped hands, nodding.

Seeing the gist of the negotiation confirmed, Ju Tianrui said, "Alright, then let’s start the trade. Ninety tons of gasoline or diesel, which do you want?"

Before the apocalypse, generally gasoline was more expensive, with higher purity than diesel, hence higher refining costs; both priced similarly, but in equal volumes, diesel traveled further.

Nevertheless, during the apocalypse, it depends on individual needs.

Chen Er stated, "Then forty tons of gasoline and fifty tons of diesel, thank you, thank you."

"Okay," Ju Tianrui nodded.

Later, they escorted Chen Er and Ma Yingxue out.

Outside the gate, in the car, Chen Er, with a profound look, said to Ma Yingxue:

"This Oil City, far stronger than us... "

"Why do you say that?" Ma Yingxue asked.

"..."

....

In Oil City.

Xiao Jun and Ju Tianrui both laughed. This trade reached the optimal outcome Director Li envisioned.

This considerably benefits both Oil City and Big Camphor Tree Base.

...

(Ask for monthly ticket)