Cave Refuge

Because of this, the project, originally initiated by the Officials, which was meant to be mutually beneficial, was put on hold. Within the designated Plantation Area, only a few contracted areas began soil filling, while the remaining areas remained vacant even if contracted.

The Officials did indeed have a specially trained Special Forces, which definitely included Martial Artists who had chosen the Submersible Navigation branch for selecting Companion Spiritual Treasure, but it was inappropriate for the Officials to intervene directly at this time.

It was not because of any nonsense about "competing with the civilians for profit," but because this Special Forces unit was on a special mission and temporarily had no time to go underwater and dig.

The timing of Dong Tianyu's return was quite fortuitous; had he delayed his return, either those forces would have reached a compromise with Lone Wolf and formed a cooperation, or the Official's team would have finished their mission and returned. By that time, securing more contracted land in the Plantation Area would likely become very complicated.

After listening to Master Ye's explanation, Dong Tianyu didn't beat around the bush but asked the core question directly, "Uncle Taylor, although our families have a good relationship, as the old saying goes, 'clear accounts make good brothers.'

I'll put my cards on the table first: Could you tell me how our cooperation would work if I were to join?"

Upon hearing Dong Tianyu's question, Master Ye glanced at Ye Liuyun, who immediately stepped forward and said, "Zachary, we've known each other for so long, you know me well, and I won't play games with you.

I'll be responsible for contracting the land from the Officials and will manage all subsequent administration. I don't care how much those outside forces are splitting the profits, at least in my case, I'll offer you a 10-90 split, myself taking ninety, you ten.

Although it's rumored that those forces are offering a 40-60 split, and the digging Lone Wolf gets sixty, you can guess there's a catch, as those forces prohibit Lone Wolf from selling the soil.

I can't guarantee anything else, but as long as the Taylor family keeps contracting that land, the percentage given to you will not change. If you think this split is still not secure enough, just name your price, and if it is reasonable, I can pay directly to purchase it."

Hearing Ye Liuyun's earnest words, Dong Tianyu was actually indifferent because even if Ye Liuyun were willing to split fifty-fifty, Dong Tianyu didn't care about the output of that land.

After all, compared to the new planting area developed by the Officials, Dong Tianyu's Cave also contained land with better planting results.

Furthermore, even if the agricultural crops planted on that contracted land yielded a harvest, Dong Tianyu didn't believe that in the short term, the output from the land in the Plantation Area could compare to those in his Storage Space.

Honestly, even if the contracted land were used for planting now, it would most likely not be used for food crops or staple food. Although Dong Tianyu guessed that the Officials probably wanted the contractors to plant staple food, likely, more contractors would choose to plant fruits or other cash crops.

Currently, due to the presence of aquatic creatures, although the edible parts of these creatures are not abundant and taste quite bad, these creatures appear in swarms, and a lot can be caught with each cast of the net.

Thus, currently, the majority of people still eat Food Bricks, but these are now adapted to the local conditions, not only incorporating many plant fibers but also mixed with some powdered meat from aquatic creatures.

Processed through technology and hard work, once boiled into a paste, the taste is not delicious, but at least it's not bad.

Currently, the upper-class people in the base have meals that aren't much different from before the natural disaster, as there are specific Hunting Groups deliberately merging ordinary boats with Mysterious Ships to unlock this type of Secret Realm, thus bringing out large quantities of various materials from this merged realm.

After all, as long as a sufficient price is paid, obtaining some materials common before the natural disaster is not difficult.

So at this time, contracting the land opened by the Officials in the Planting Area, if done in good order, is definitely a secure and profitable business; the only difference is in the amount earned.

But to be honest, Dong Tianyu actually doesn't value these benefits much, but to keep his father busy and give him some work, Dong Tianyu first turned his gaze to Mr. Thompson.

Seeing his son suddenly turn his head to look at him, Mr. Thompson quickly guessed his son's thoughts.

After all, Dong Tianyu seldom comes back, and each time he stays in the base isn't long, so if Dong Tianyu agrees to this cooperation, Mr. Thompson will likely end up handling everything other than digging, which is eventually where the cooperation matters would likely fall.

Thinking of this outcome, Mr. Thompson hesitated only briefly before nodding his head.

Seeing Mr. Thompson's response, Dong Tianyu understood his father's thoughts, so he no longer hesitated and directly said to Ye Liuyun, "You go rent the land from the Officials first, then estimate for me how much soil will be needed based on the rented area."

Hearing Dong Tianyu say this, Ye Liuyun knew that Dong Tianyu had agreed to their cooperation. As it was soon time for dinner and the Officials had gone off work, Ye Liuyun didn't rush to do the paperwork but continued to listen to the elders chatting in the study.