Wasteland Border Inspector

Chapter 16 Happiness Coin Contribution Points, Natural Disaster Threat!

Happiness Coins are essential for ordinary residents who want to settle down and make a living in the Sanctuary City.

Its anchors are the inexhaustible energy of the hydroelectric power station, the mineral resources that have been mined around Happiness City for decades without being exhausted, the powerful industrial strength of the inner city, and the military force that is enough to directly defeat a small-scale wave of infection!

With this combination of "resources + industry + military force", Happiness City can easily obtain large quantities of agricultural and sideline products from several surrounding sheltered cities, large settlements, and small communities without even expanding its arable land, thus meeting the daily needs of millions of people.

Even though the leaders of Happiness City often make idealistic decisions on a whim, such as waiving all electricity bills during the rainy season when water is plentiful, or reducing the price of nutrient syrup by one Happiness Coin during the harvest season, the market can still maintain stable operation.

Residents will spontaneously save money to cope with the price increases caused by resource shortages in winter and spring.

In addition, timely government intervention has ensured that Happiness Coins retain some purchasing power even when they leave Sichuan City and go to other cities or Shelter City.

However, the underlying logic and anchor of contribution points, which are one level higher than Happiness Coin, are completely different.

All items that can be redeemed with contribution points are strategic-level resources and controlled items.

For example, improved versions of firearms, those tuned to military standards, not only use rare alloys to enhance durability but also undergo special ballistic optimization, resulting in lethality far exceeding that of commercially available firearms.

For example, high-tech electronic products, military-grade communication devices, thermal detectors, and special equipment for dealing with infected individuals are all life-saving tools for navigating the wasteland.

Of course, there are also the cold weapons that Cheng Ye is now borrowing money to buy.

For modern people, the technology of making cold weapons is no longer the difficulty; the difficulty lies in the materials used.

For example, 'Damask steel', '52100 steel', and '15N20 steel' are often seen in knife forging competitions.

However, once in the wasteland, these steels are no longer considered top-tier forging materials. What's truly valuable, and what needs to be purchased with contribution points, is the "extraordinary ore" that Cheng Ye only learned about today.

Its original form may have been just an ordinary piece of iron ore, but after being contaminated by superhumans or infected individuals, it has a chance to develop incredible properties.

The price of ores varies greatly depending on the degree of pollution.

Take Liu Bi's short sword as an example. It contains less than 20g of ordinary extraordinary ore, which is enough to maintain its sharpness while also possessing excellent hardness and toughness, something that modern materials cannot achieve.

"Yes, of course I know that."

I knew the staff must have seen his intern status, which is why they kindly reminded him, afraid he might be punished for not knowing the rules.

Cheng Ye didn't find it strange and nodded slightly.

Given how precious contribution points are, and the inability to determine their anchor, it is reasonable that they should not be allowed to be freely traded or circulated.

Moreover, in Happiness City, the channels for individuals to obtain contribution points are extremely limited.

Only certain specific positions have fixed ways to obtain rewards. For example, inspectors can receive a certain contribution reward for finding infected individuals who have sneaked into the city. Similarly, the Public Works Department can receive a certain contribution reward for achieving better-than-expected land reclamation efficiency. Engineers can receive a certain contribution reward at regular intervals for ensuring the normal operation of city facilities.
In addition, contribution points are only awarded to those who have made genuine contributions to Happiness City.

For example, if a sentry accidentally discovers a hidden group of infected individuals while out on patrol, he can earn contribution points after reporting and verifying the information.

For example, if a scavenger finds something valuable in the ruins of a city, he can submit it and receive contribution points depending on its value.

This is a highly stimulating policy, but if contribution points can be traded freely, its value assessment and behavioral guidance significance will be greatly reduced.

Therefore, Happiness City has a clear rule that contribution points can be lent out, but each person has a maximum limit within a cycle.

Ordinary residents can only get a maximum of 10 points every six months.

For trainee prosecutors like Cheng Ye, the quota will be increased tenfold, to 100 points.

Of course, this set of rules is not without loopholes. For example, if Cheng Ye wanted to buy a pistol worth 20 points, he could simply borrow Liu Bi's help to buy it and then "gift" it to himself, thus bypassing the personal lending restrictions.

The staff member's reminder just now was exactly this point. Happiness City also has a monitoring mechanism in operation. Minor violations of the rules may be overlooked, but if someone reports a targeted violation, the additional fines are enough to bankrupt the violator instantly.

"Okay, I've already signed it."

Cheng Ye nodded and handed the application form with his name filled in to the window.

The staff quickly typed on the keyboard, and a few seconds later, Cheng Ye's defense communication device vibrated.

[Happiness Bank Buffer Zone Branch]

【新纪35年6月26日18.47】【来自工务署的‘宋永峰’向您转账‘100’贡献点】

Current balance: 143 points

"Why is it 143?"

Cheng Ye casually clicked on the payment record below to take a look.

【新纪35年6月26日07.00，正常工资转入‘24’贡献点】

[Balance: 43 points]

[Note: The period of infection source has been verified; rating: early stage II]

"So the reward for the Deathrattle Tentacle was settled together with the initial reward."

At 7 o'clock, Cheng Ye was on the phone with Ding Yishan and did not notice the transfer message.

The 5 points previously promised to Garcia were not transferred in time because Garcia was beaten up by Liu Bi and had to go to the emergency room.

"After deducting 20 points for buying a pistol, 143 points is definitely enough to buy materials. Even if extraordinary ore is expensive, I will add a little more to meet my current needs."

With food in hand, one has nothing to fear.

Cheng Ye doesn't have much need for firearms; he can just buy the same Bison pistol as Brother B for self-defense.

When it's time to go out on field missions, we'll see if it's necessary to switch to a more powerful submachine gun or rifle.

But cold weapons are different; a good weapon requires the user to practice and get used to it over a long period of time.

Like Liu Bi's short sword, although the initial forging materials were average, he patched and used it for more than ten years without ever replacing it.

"Xiao Cheng, Sister Luo, now that the points have been transferred, I'll head back to the Public Works Department."

After taking the transfer slip and putting it in his backpack, Song Yongfeng turned to the two of them and smiled, revealing wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

"Fortunately, this wave of rain came intermittently, giving our buffer zone drainage system a breather. Otherwise, if it had continued for another day, the suburbs would have been okay, but the city would definitely have been paralyzed by flooding."

"Old Song, didn't your Public Works Department predict how many more days it will rain?"

As the three walked outside, Luo Xiaoxue couldn't help but ask worriedly, "My husband went to the hydroelectric power station to help out. If the heavy rain continues, he'll probably have to stay there for a while."

"According to the forecast from the Inner City Weather Service, it will last for at least half a month."

"Such a long time?"

"Yes, since the beginning of this year, the news from various sheltered cities has not been optimistic. The weather stability is becoming increasingly chaotic, and we don't know what strange things will happen next."

Speaking of this, Song Yongfeng's smile faded, and a hint of worry inevitably appeared on his face.

The threat posed by weather disturbances is by no means less than that of a surge in infections.

Right now it's just a downpour, and the buffer zone can still be alleviated by clearing the drainage channels. But what if it turns into a blizzard?

Even setting aside the blizzard, if the following autumn's crop yields are affected and the damage spreads to Happiness City, it will create a disaster that affects everyone.

In addition, the activity patterns of infected organisms are closely related to celestial phenomena, such as hydrophilic infected organisms that move with the rainstorm line.

If the celestial phenomena continue to be so disordered, it's hard to say whether a large-scale wave of infections will break out around Happiness City around winter.

"Uncle Song, take care."

I watched Song Yongfeng get on the bus and drive away.

The two then looked away and walked side by side to sit down on the bench in front of the bank.

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(End of this chapter)