Chapter 266
The harsh winter on Tianyun Star lasts for three months each time.
The temperature will gradually drop to below zero with the arrival of winter, and will rise suddenly with the departure of winter.
The coldest time of winter is not at the beginning or the end, but the month in the middle.
So by the time the harsh winter was almost over, the temperature outside had returned to around minus three to five degrees Celsius, which basically would not have much impact on the Zerg.
Therefore, the female insects that had been nesting at home for more than two months began to come out and move around after the temperature warmed up.
The entire gathering place also became lively from being quiet.
As a result, many female insects found that the environment they lived in had changed and there were many things they had never seen before.
The most obvious one is the exchange point managed by the unicorn.
At the end of the harsh winter, everyone has almost eaten up the food they have stored at home. This is the time to go to the exchange point to exchange for some new food.
But seeing the greatly changed exchange point, the female insects who came to exchange things stood at a distance hesitantly, not daring to get too close.
The exchange point originally had only a small counter facing the outside, and the one-horned man had the final say on what could be exchanged.
Now the counter space has been widened and the area of the entire exchange point has increased several times.
7-shaped counters are located on the left and right sides of the entrance and exit. Each counter is equipped with a card reader and terminal, and there is even a scale next to it.
The entrance and exit were blocked by a metal baffle that was about as tall as the waist of an adult female insect, indicating that the business had not yet officially started... Inside were rows of shelves filled with redeemable goods.
Behind the counter, except for a one-horned man, all the others are female insects hired to help.
After all, the number of one-man teams is limited, so of course they have to recruit a few employees to help them when they are short of manpower.
It can also promote employment for female insects in the gathering place, and allow these female insects to spread the changes in the gathering place to their relatives and friends.
The unicorn 024 glanced at the time, then glanced at the female insect employee who was recruited to help. She tried to remain calm but could still see some income.
These female insects have previously participated in insect censuses and performed tasks such as information registration. They have also been trained on how to use the equipment, so starting their work right away shouldn't be a problem.
"It's time, open the door." The unicorn 024 waved to the employees.
He did not fail to notice the female insects standing outside, looking at them curiously but not coming closer.
"Don't waste time, find a way to get them to come."
"You are of the same race, so it is easier for you to communicate than for me."
The one-horned people have a bad reputation in the gathering place.
Although the female insects in Area 23, which he was in charge of, were not particularly afraid of them, they were not very friendly to them either.
Unicorn 024 said, "Bei, I asked you to find some female insects you know to help. Have they arrived yet?"
Some of the female insects that came had a lot of things in their hands, while others did not.
The female insect closest to Unicorn 024 also responded when he called her name: "Yes, I'll call them over right away."
Bei glanced at the familiar faces among the female insects standing outside and waved in that direction. This was the secret signal they agreed upon.
The two female insects standing in the group of female insects watching looked at each other, and one walked forward with something in hand and the other empty-handed.
Their actions attracted the attention of other female insects. Seeing that nothing happened when they came forward, the other female insects looked at each other and decided to move closer to take a look.
The one-horned man 024 watched this scene, trying to maintain a relatively kind expression.
We had previously announced through the radio that there would be some changes in the residential area after the severe winter, but it was obvious that the preventive measures were not very effective.
Never mind, now plan B comes in handy.
Bei looked at his friend in front of him and said to him calmly, "Give me the ID card."
The empty-handed female insect took out a thin card from her pocket and handed it over.
After the identity information is entered, basically all the female insects in the residential area have an ID card.
When they saw this thing, many female insects subconsciously took out their own ones.
The broadcast notice told them to bring their IDs when they came to the exchange point, saying that this would be beneficial to them, and the exchange point would refuse to exchange for those who did not bring their IDs.
No female wanted to make a wasted trip, so they all brought it with them.
The ID is a small, thin piece of paper that you could easily forget where you put it, but no female insect would be so careless.
The radio broadcasts this almost every day, talking about the importance of ID. It is very troublesome to get a new one if you lose it, and you will not be able to enjoy a series of benefits.
Although they didn't know what the benefits were, after hearing these instructions and some female insects who had attended literacy courses explaining the reasons, everyone was generally more accepting of the idea of carrying a credit card when going out.
Bei picked up the ID card and swiped it on the card reader, then pressed a button and the activation program that had been installed earlier started running directly.
The account was successfully activated in two seconds.
The credit point balance that originally showed as 0 suddenly jumped to 500, with a small lock hanging on the number.
In the past, in addition to squeezing profits from the female insects, the exchange points would also distribute a small amount of food to prevent too many from starving to death.
That part of the food is free.
It's still free to exchange, but you'll need to pay with credit credited to your account.
"The ID card is linked to a personal account. On the first day of every month, a certain amount of credit points will be deposited into the account. You can use the credit points to redeem the supplies you need."
"These credit points can only be used to redeem nutritional supplements and cannot be used for anything else."
Bei raised his voice and explained to his friend in front of him, and also to clear up the confusion of the female insects watching.
"Depending on whether you're an adult or a minor, the number of credit points added to your account will be different, and it will automatically be cleared on the last day of every month."
"One nutrient costs 10 credits. Just one is enough to meet the daily energy needs of an adult female insect. It's also rich in all the nutrients the body needs."
For female insects that need to work, if one is not enough, just add half a stick to make up for the remaining one. The extra 200 credit points exist for this purpose.
Bei took out a nutrient solution and deliberately raised it high and turned it around to make sure everyone could see it.
"The maximum purchase amount at one time is 10, and the monthly purchase limit is 30. Purchases must be made with an ID card."
Credit points are not unfamiliar words to female insects who listen to the radio on time every day.
But before this, apart from the working insects, other female insects had only been heard of but never seen.
A female insect lowered her head and looked at her ID over and over again, then looked at the female insect who was using credit points to buy nutrient supplements. The nutrient supplement was only the size of a palm, could it really last a whole day?
"Can we only use credit points from now on? What about the things we brought with us?"
The female insect holding something in her hand asked loudly, "How can I exchange it for something else?"
Unicorn 024 stepped forward and moved the microphone beside his mouth. "We'll continue to exchange it the same way as before, but it won't be directly exchanged for supplies."
In the past, the female insects would bring things in exchange, and the amount of exchange depended on their mood.
If you still dare to do this now, you will be banned and unable to get up. Besides, now that female insects have started to study, they are not as easy to deceive as before.
"We have a detailed set of exchange rules. You can ask someone who can read to read them."
While the unicorn was speaking, a female insect took out a poster as tall as a person and pasted it on the steel plate at the door.
"Everything you redeem will be converted into credit points at the same ratio and deposited into your account."
Unicorn 024 raised his hand and pointed at the items on the shelf behind him. "Everything is clearly marked with a price. Whether it's food or daily necessities, you can buy them with credit points."
"Of course there's also the issue of seeing a doctor."
Thanks to the strong bodies of female insects, except for the young insects that are prone to illness, adult female insects are basically unlikely to get sick.
"You can also use credit points to buy medicine when you're sick."
"If you find any cubs are sick, you can go to the hospital behind the exchange point. They are open now."
"You will know the specific medical procedures when you need them."
A five-story building was built next to the exchange point. It was made entirely of welded building panels, so it only took five days to build a five-story hospital covering an area of 1,500 square meters.
With 40,000 to 50,000 Zerg in a residential area, even the simplest hospital would require a certain amount of space.
"If the district hospital can't handle it, we'll transfer it to the town hospital..."
According to Qi Heng's plan for the gathering place.
There is one hospital in each district, and ten districts constitute one town. Each town has a medium-sized medical center that can basically solve 97% of diseases.
If that doesn’t work, there is a central hall further up that is located on the site of the original dead egg pit. It is also a large medical center.
The unicorn 024 kept talking, his voice carried through the microphone to the speakers hung everywhere, and the content of these explanations was not just for those who came to exchange for some female insects.
He glanced at Bei and gestured.
Bei Liangran nodded and said to the female insects gathered in front: "Everyone line up and come one by one. It's okay if you have any questions."
"Starting today, the exchange point will be renamed Wujin Store."
"The store is open every day, from 7am to 6pm... All supplies are provided by the Wujin Chamber of Commerce, and they will definitely meet everyone's needs."
The Wujin Chamber of Commerce is also a familiar yet unfamiliar word, occasionally appearing on the radio - it assisted in the construction of the gathering place and ensured the supply of daily necessities after the harsh winter.
Others appear in recruitment units serving the entire No. 2 gathering area, offering very good salaries.
The North tried to express its meaning as clearly as possible to avoid bank runs and supply shortages.
The changes in the exchange points, as well as the appearance of unfamiliar objects and buildings, made the female insects in the residential area confused.
However... although they still have some doubts, they can all feel that these changes are good for them.
As soon as the first female insect came forward, the second one followed. The female insects who didn’t mind trying it in advance lined up and decided to experience this new change.
The female insects who still had doubts decided to wait and see.
This reflects the difference between having attended literacy classes and not having attended classes. The more you know, the more willing you are to try.
The unicorn 024 stood aside, explained it again, and then pressed the recording repeat button.
I guess today will be very busy.
He took the ID card from the female insect queuing in front of him. When he worked at the exchange point before, no one cared whether they worked or not.
It’s different now. This exchange point is responsible for supplying materials to the entire 23rd District. Even if only one-third of the female insects come to exchange, there are more than 10,000 brothers.
——Don’t even think about taking a break this month.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
