Throughout the history of ancient China and foreign countries, 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 advantages of ships make 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 this was done on land, it would take at least four or five buses.
Secondly, waterways are relatively safe, especially canals that do not border 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 vision makes it difficult to implement any ambush. In addition, the innate defense capabilities of ships are much stronger than those of vehicles, and their escape capabilities are also better.
If we really want to start a war, the final victory or defeat is really not certain.
And now, Liu Zhi and the other four have deeply felt this!
The frigate's speed of up to thirty-five knots, which is equivalent to a speed of sixty-five kilometers per hour, is simply outrageous when it starts moving.
The scenery on the shore is like pressing the fast forward button, continuously retreating backwards.
If you can keep cruising forward at this speed, you only need to return to where the Honghua Gang is.
Liu Zhi silently calculated in his mind and couldn't help but curse secretly.
"The gap between this person and a human is simply greater than that between a human and a dog."
The biggest advantage of water transportation is that it can operate around the clock at night just like during the day.
At a speed of 65 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 a full eight and a half days while traveling along the current!
If I hadn't been lucky enough to hitch a ride, it would have taken ten days to reach Tianyuan Territory.
One round trip takes more than half a month!
"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 wonder if we can get some on credit first."
"It would be great if I could buy a boat with Tianyuan Territory. I just heard from the sailor that this boat doesn't need to be refueled!"
"If you don't refuel, then why are you running?"
"It seems to be solar energy? I didn't hear it clearly. Anyway, it can drive thousands of kilometers on a single charge."
"This relationship is great. If we can buy it, wouldn't it be much more convenient for us to go back?"
The four of them stood on the deck chattering and discussing the information they had just received.
As envoys from the territory, their main purpose of coming this time is to trade.
First, let’s see if we can apply with Tianyuan Territory to open up a sea route between the two territories.
The second is to use the supplies you brought with you when you went out to buy some in-demand items that the territory needs and return home.
As for what counts as “short supply”?
It's 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 through a joint venture with four territories.
Once the purchase is successful, it will be the same as now.
A long row of sampans with ropes was hung from the back of a guerrilla boat, sailing easily in the river.
"Dear guests who have come from afar, our current location is about three hours' flight from the territory's dedicated dock."
Behind the deck, a sailor wearing a white and blue shirt walked up.
He turned slightly, looked at the somewhat astonished Liu Zhi and the other four 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 has specially ordered to prepare a simple ship meal for each guest."
"After we get ashore, the territory will carefully arrange a dinner to wash away the dust and apologize."
As his voice fell, 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.
There were five steaming steamers inside, exuding a mouth-watering meat aroma.
The other cart contained stacks of palm-sized cold dishes, which were full of aroma and instantly aroused everyone's appetite.
"This cage is filled with meat buns. Each person can receive three."
"This cage is made of cold side dishes, one dish for each person."
"Please line up in an orderly manner, we will ensure that everyone can receive enough."
The sailor smiled and made an inviting gesture, his tone full of sincerity and enthusiasm.
Meat buns?
Side dishes?
hiss.
Many people swallowed their saliva and involuntarily touched their dry and flat abdomen.
Although the four territories were not considered wealthy, they did not deduct 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?
The scent of this oil is simply an irresistible temptation for those who have not touched oil or water for a long time.
Soon, the sound of feasting could be heard on the deck.
"These meat buns are so delicious. Damn it, I'm willing to come to Tianyuan just for these three buns."
"Fortunately, I didn't eat much at lunch. It would be a shame if I was full."
"Shredded potatoes, cold fungus, damn, are we in heaven?"
"Is there any brother who sells steamed buns? Can I sell one to my brother?"
Just have 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 the 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 into 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 200 people were stunned to taste a completely different taste.
"Brothers don't seem to have enough to eat. How about we go negotiate and see if we can buy some?"
After Liu Zhi finished eating three buns, he wiped his mouth and said with some unfinished thoughts:
"Furthermore, we can also get a feel for the price of this 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 subsequent transactions."
The three of them nodded at the same time and sighed angrily:
"It's been a hard journey all the way here. We originally planned to give the brothers a good 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 each fumbled in their pockets twice and handed out a golden bean.
"Friends, I want to buy some more meat buns with you. Is it convenient?"
Liu Zhi took Pang Pang Yuan with him, and they approached the sailor who spoke first and asked shamelessly.
"purchase"
The sailor looked surprised, then nodded: "Of course, but"
"We pay with this!"
He quickly took out the golden beans from his pocket, and 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 like this is about the size of a fingertip, weighing 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 haven't used this thing, 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 value-linked 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 used copper coins and iron coins, and instead used 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 are teaching a group of indigenous people to use it, it will be an extremely long process, and you must first develop 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"
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? Which territory wouldn’t 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's by swiping the card, No, it's just this card, just swipe it."
He took out the identity card from his pocket and waved 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 was establishing its reputation, no one could let their guard down.
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 all the steamers being snatched away, Song Chunrui and Wang Bi were still a little stunned when 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 supplies 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 buns?"
"Price increase?"
Liu Zhi and Pang Pang Yuan looked at each other with confused expressions on their faces.
"No, I mean these things cost nothing, they gave them away for free."
"What? Free delivery?"
Song Chunrui seemed to have been covered by someone, and his face instantly turned red.
Even the words that had just rushed to his throat were swallowed a few times, and they were all swallowed back into his stomach.
"No way, it's free? Are they doing charity?" Wang Bi couldn't believe it until he got Liu Zhi's affirmative nod.
"Yes, it was too troublesome for them to collect the golden beans, so they gave them to us directly."
"What the hell?"
Is it still troublesome for Jindouzi?
Are you sure you're not kidding me?
"As hard as it is for you to believe it, it's true. And they told me.
If you exchange it with Tianyuan territory, one golden bean can be exchanged for about fifty Tianyuan copper coins.
The price of each meal per person 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 90 copper coins.
This means that four gold beans can be exchanged for nearly 400 copper coins.
However, when the sailor calculated with Liu Zhi, he used the price of materials after territorial subsidies.
In the absence of immigration subsidies, the price of three meals a day for immigrants is about 2 copper coins.
After this calculation, there is actually no difference in purchasing power.
Four golden beans weighing more than 100 grams were 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."
“Enough for all of us to eat there all day, breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
"Three meals?"
When it came to the latter part, Wang Bi gritted his teeth almost every word.
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 freebie!
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 in the mouth hard to make him sober up.
"If you don't believe me, just ask. Unless they lie, and I don't think they would lie about this kind of thing, there is no need to give us a hundred meat buns for free."
Liu Zhi frowned and whispered softly:
"The matter has come to an end, why not take a good rest first, and when we go there in the afternoon, take out the Tianyuan Territory, and we will know for ourselves whether it is true or not."
"Of course if it's true, I think the three of you should understand."
"What an opportunity this will be for our respective territories!"
