Throughout the history of ancient times at home and abroad, waterways have often played an important role in human travel choices, and were once considered the best routes.
The reason for this status is supported by multiple factors.
First of all, from the perspective of carrying capacity, the huge advantage of ships makes them dominate waterway travel.
Compared with carriages, livestock and other means of transportation on land, ships can carry more goods and passengers, thus achieving larger-scale transportation.
For example, more than two hundred people gathered from the four major territories were all accommodated in just one light frigate.
If it were on land, it would take at least four or five buses.
The second reason is that waterways are relatively safe, especially canals that are not bordered by the sea.
As long as there are no forces entrenched on both sides of the canal, it will be difficult to threaten ships in the canal.
The wide field of view determines that any ambush is difficult to achieve. In addition, ships have innate defense capabilities that are much stronger than vehicles, and their ability to escape is also better.
If we really want to start a war, the final victory or defeat is really uncertain.
But now, Liu Zhi and the other four have deeply felt this!
When the frigate started moving at a speed of thirty-five knots, equivalent to a speed of sixty-five kilometers per hour, it was simply outrageous.
The scenery on the shore is like pressing the fast forward button, continuously retreating backwards.
If we can keep cruising forward at this speed, we only need to return to the place where the Honghua Gang is.
Liu Zhi calculated silently in his heart and couldn't help but curse secretly.
"The difference between a human being and a dog is simply greater than that between a human being and a dog."
The biggest advantage of water transport is that it can run around the clock at night as well as during the day.
At a speed of sixty-five kilometers an hour, it only takes one day to return to Honghua Gang.
And how long did it take for them to come?
It took eight and a half days while traveling along the current!
If he hadn't been lucky enough to hitch a ride, it would have taken ten days to reach the Tianyuan territory.
It takes more than half a month to go back and forth!
"We have to think of a way. It's easy to go with the current when we come here, but it's harder to go against the current when we go back."
"Let's see, we don't have enough money. I don't know if we can do it first." Let’s go on credit.”
“It would be great if I could buy a boat with Tianyuan Territory. I just heard from the sailor that this boat doesn’t have fuel!”
"If you don't refuel, how can you run?"
"It seems to be solar energy? I didn't hear it clearly. Anyway, it can drive thousands of kilometers on a single charge."
"This is a good feeling. If we can buy it, wouldn’t it be much easier for us to go back?”
The four of them stood on the deck and chattered about the information they had just received.
As envoys from the territory, their main purpose of coming this time is to trade.
The first is to see if we can apply with the Tianyuan Territory to open up a sea route between the two territories.
The second is to use the supplies you carry when you go out to buy some in-demand items that the territory needs and go back.
As for what counts as “short supply”?
This is quite simple. Ships of all sizes are hot commodities under everyone’s feet.
Of course, there is no need to think about the central command ship and frigates. These big guys are definitely not cheap.
The four of them almost simultaneously set their sights on the seven-meter-long guerrilla boat, and planned to purchase it as a joint venture among the four territories.
Once the purchase is successful, it will be the same as now.
A guerrilla boat has a long row of sampans hanging from the back, sailing easily in the river.
"Dear distinguished guests who have come from afar, our current location is about three hours' flight from the dock specially used for connection in the territory."
Behind the deck, A sailor in a white and blue shirt walked up.
He turned slightly, looked at the somewhat astonished Liu Zhi and the others and continued: "Due to the emergency situation when we just met, we inadvertently disturbed everyone's lunch time. We are deeply sorry. In order to express our apology and thank you Thanks to the support and trust from all of you who have come from afar, the captain specially ordered to prepare a simple meal on board for each guest.”
“After landing, the territory will also carefully arrange a meal to catch the wind and wash away the dust. Dinner, let’s apologize.”
As he finished speaking, the sound of wheels rolling over wooden boards was heard on the deck, and two dining cars were seen pushing over one after the other.
A steaming steamer with five large steamers on it exudes a mouth-watering meat aroma.
The other cart contained stacks of palm-sized cold dishes, filled with aroma, which instantly aroused everyone's appetite.
"This cage is for meat buns, and each person can get three."
"This cage is for cold side dishes, one for each person."
"Please line up in an orderly manner, we Make sure everyone can receive it in full."
The sailor smiled and made an invitation gesture, his tone full of sincerity and enthusiasm.
Meat buns?
Side dish?
Hiss.
Many people swallowed their saliva and involuntarily touched their dry and flat abdomen.
Although the four territories are not considered wealthy, they have not deducted any money from their own missions traveling to Tianyuan.
The necessary dry food and necessary preparations are basically treated according to the highest standards.
But you don’t have the luxury to use this big meat bun?
This oil fragrance is simply an irresistible temptation for people who have not touched oil and water for a long time.
Soon, the sound of feasting sounded on the deck.
“These meat buns are so fragrant. Damn it, I’m willing to come to Tianyuan just for these three buns.”
“Fortunately, I didn’t eat much at lunch. If I had eaten It would be a shame to be full.”
"Shredded potatoes, cold fungus, damn, have we come to heaven?"
"Is there any brother who sells steamed buns? Let me sell you one?"
Just some side dishes, A bite of meat buns, a bite of vegetables, and a bowl of warm water to quench your thirst.
A group of people devoured their food and quickly devoured all the buns in their hands.
As for the side dishes, most people still had half a plate left, and some were reluctant to chew and swallow them.
I don’t know what seasonings were put in it, but when I taste it, I feel like I can’t help but cry.
It seems to be the smell of home, and it seems to be the smell of mother.
Even if it was just a bite of ordinary shredded potatoes, more than two hundred people tasted it with a completely different taste.
"Brothers don't seem to have enough to eat. How about we negotiate and ask if we can buy some?"
Liu Zhi finished three buns and wiped his mouth. The meaning is still unfinished:
"Furthermore, we can also get a feel for the price of Tianyuan. If it is expensive, don't mention it when buying a boat. Otherwise, we will be regarded as bumpkins by others, which will inevitably be detrimental to the next transaction."
The three of them. They nodded at the same time and sighed angrily:
"It's been a hard journey all the way. We originally planned to treat the brothers to a meal, but now it's just right. I think they still have a lot of steamed buns left. Let's try it."
After discussing their opinions, the three of them fumbled twice in their pockets and handed out a golden bean.
“Friends, I would like to buy some more meat buns with you. Isn’t it convenient?”
Liu Zhi took Pang Pangyuan with him, and they approached the sailor who spoke first and asked shamelessly.
“Buy”
The sailor looked surprised, then nodded: “Of course, but”
“We will pay with this!”
Hurry Taking out the golden beans from his pocket, Liu Zhi handed them over with a happy face. As the saying goes, antiques in prosperous times are gold in troubled times.
Precious metals inherently have their own value, and they still have considerable purchasing power even in the wasteland.
A golden bean the size of a fingertip weighs about 25g.
On earth, the price of gold would be at least over 10,000 yuan, and a meat bun would be enough to kill everyone present.
In various major territories in the wasteland, one golden bean can be exchanged for dry food for 18-25 people.
Four, that's the standard for nearly a hundred people.
However, what surprised the two was that the other party seemed to have never seen gold used as currency for payment.
After taking the golden beans, I looked at them again and again, and finally stepped back in embarrassment.
“I’m sorry, we have never used these things, how about I just give you some more?”
From the very beginning, Tianyuan Territory did not implement the gold standard-linked system, but adopted a similar system. The principal value linking method.
Whether it is Tianyuan copper coin or Tianyuan iron coin, it has a certain value in itself.
After the territory’s credit endorsement, it became a currency that can be circulated.
Later, with the further development of the territory, especially after the completion of digital construction, more and more people no longer use copper coins and iron coins, and instead use more convenient identity cards.
All wages will be automatically transferred to the identity card and stored at the end of the working day.
When purchasing items, you only need to click on the credit card machine, similar to the meal card in the university cafeteria, to easily complete the payment process.
I have to say, this is very modern.
If you teach a group of indigenous people to use it, it will be an extremely long process, and you must first cultivate enough trust.
But for a group of modern people who have just traveled through time, all it takes is an announcement to accept it.
"This"
After being forced back by the sailor, Liu Zhi and Pang Pangyuan looked at each other, and for a time they suspected that they had heard wrongly.
Never used Jindouzi to pay?
Isn’t this the hard currency of the New World now? Which territory would not use this for payment?
"Then what did you use?"
Pang Pang Yuan asked subconsciously, and received a natural answer from the other party: "Of course it is to swipe the card, No, it is this card, swipe it That’s it.”
Taking out the ID card in his pocket and waving it in front of the two of them, the sailor took a step back rather uncomfortably.
Good guy, why do these guys' reactions seem like they came from ancient times?
Have they never swiped a card on earth? No, who in this era has never used mobile payment?
"We will send you another hundred, is that enough?"
On the other side, the sailor who was pushing the cart also came over and stared at the two of them curiously.
Pay in gold?
It's really retro, I seem to have only seen it in costume TV series.
They wanted to take it back and show it off to other sailors, but at this critical moment when Tianyuan Territory became famous, no one could let it slip.
If the captain found out that they dared to keep their property secretly, I'm afraid he would have to skin them and deduct at least half a year's salary!
So, feeling dizzy and carrying three cages of steamed buns, the two of them returned home with a full load.
Seeing the steamers being snatched away, Song Chunrui and Wang Bi were still a little stunned until they came over.
"What's wrong? Is their price too high?" Wang Bi frowned. If more than a hundred grams of golden beans can only be exchanged for a hundred meat buns, then the resources they brought may not be enough to buy a guerrilla boat.
Of course, this is indeed the normal price in the New World, and it can even be said to be lower than the normal price.
At this stage, the price of food materials is obviously much higher than before, and as the reserves of major territories gradually approach the warning line, prices are still rising steadily every day.
"No" Pang Pang Yuan shook his head stupidly, his eyes still looking blankly at the position where the two sailors were standing.
“No?”
Song Chunrui was stunned, and couldn't help but asked with an ugly face: "Is it possible that you have increased the price of these steamed buns?"
"Increased the price?"
Liu Zhi and Pangda Yuan looked at each other, confused. force.
“No, I mean these things cost nothing, they give them for free.”
“What? Free?”
Song Chunrui seemed to have been covered by someone, and his face instantly turned red.
Even the words that just came to his throat were swallowed a few times and all returned to his stomach.
"No way, free of charge? Are they doing charity?" Wang Bi couldn't believe it until he got Liu Zhi's affirmative nod.
"Yes, they gave it to us directly because it was too troublesome to collect the golden beans."
"What the hell?"
Is it still troublesome for Jindouzi?
Are you sure you're not kidding me?
"Although it is hard for you to believe it, it is indeed true. And they told me.
If you exchange it with Tianyuan territory, one golden bean can be exchanged for about fifty Tianyuan. About a copper coin.
And the price of each meal is only 1 copper coin, and four golden beans are enough for all of us to eat for a whole day.”
Fifty copper coins is actually an ancient price.
As early as when the territory first explored Qinggang City, this recycling price was offered to the wanderers.
Later, because the gold that could be found in the city was so scarce, there was no further price adjustment.
In fact, according to the current inflation prices, one golden bean can be exchanged for at least about ninety copper coins.
This means that four golden beans can be exchanged for nearly four hundred copper coins.
However, when the sailor calculated with Liu Zhi, he used the price of materials after territorial subsidies.
Without the immigration subsidy, the price of three meals a day for migrants is about 2 copper coins.
After this calculation, there is actually no difference in purchasing power.
Four golden beans weighing more than 100 grams are still enough to feed more than 200 people present for a day.
“Wait a minute, did I hear you right? You mean these four golden beans”
"It's enough for all of us to eat there for a whole day, breakfast, lunch and dinner."
"Three, meals?"
Wang Bi said almost every word He gritted his teeth and said.
He felt that Liu Zhi and Pang Pangyuan were playing tricks on him. Such a price could no longer be said to be charity.
This is simply a free gift!
If before setting off to Tianyuan Territory, if someone had told him that there was such a place with such low prices.
He will definitely slap the other person hard in the mouth to make him sober up.
“If you don’t believe me, just ask. Unless they lie, which I don’t think they would lie about, there is no need to give us a hundred meat buns for free.”
Liu Zhi frowned and whispered softly:
"The matter has come to this, why not take a good rest first, and when we go to take out the Tianyuan territory in the afternoon, we will know the truth."
"Of course, if it is true, I think the three of you should understand"
"What kind of opportunities this will be for the territories behind us!"
(End of this chapter)