In the Apocalypse, Hoarding Supplies with the System's Hundredfold Critical Hits

"Chief, the prices of our seafood are indeed the highest, but they are genuine and of high quality. Whether it's the quality, aroma, color, or size, everything is top-notch. Even the large-grain salt we give away is detoxified and free of impurities."

Li Ming nodded in agreement, and then they went straight to their own directly-operated store.

When Li Ming arrived near the directly-operated store, he asked, "Manager Lu, do we directly collect rent for our market operations here?"

"Chief, the operation of our seafood exchange is different from the market. We don't charge rent for shops or stalls. Our operation relies mainly on collecting a percentage of the transaction amount."

"The highest percentage we charge is 10% of the transaction amount, and the percentage varies depending on the transaction amount. After these merchants pay the percentage, there are no other costs for opening a store here. The percentage they pay will become the cost of maintaining the market's operation."

"Generally speaking, to accomplish this, we adopt a unified settlement method. That is, when buyers and merchants reach a transaction, the seller will issue a receipt to the buyer, and then the buyer will go to our service center to complete the payment procedures with the receipt."

"After we collect the points ticket, we will issue a delivery note to the buyer, proving that the money has been paid. The buyer can go directly to the seller to pick up the goods with the delivery note. Everything must go through our hands."

"Finally, we will settle the payment for the goods with the seller every month. Since the merchants have a copy of the ticket, everything is easy to calculate."

Li Ming frowned slightly, "Isn't this settlement a bit troublesome?"

"Chief, in fact, this method of charging a percentage of the transaction amount is beneficial to both us and the merchants. After all, no one can guarantee that their business will definitely be good. In this case, charging a percentage of the transaction amount to maintain the market will reduce their risks, because all costs are related to the transaction amount."

"Moreover, we have also found that as long as the market's traffic is considerable, charging a percentage of the transaction amount to maintain the market is also very beneficial to us, and we can earn more. It's a win-win situation."

Li Ming stopped frowning after hearing the explanation. At the same time, he also understood the mystery, which is to strengthen the role of the market. To put it bluntly, it is to let everyone know the great role of this seafood exchange. We are just a platform, just operating on a percentage basis.

Of course, it is right for the market to charge commissions. After all, not charging rent has already reduced your operating costs in the early stage. If you don't charge commissions, the market will not be able to make a profit and will not be able to continue operating.

Therefore, merchants generally recognize the commission method. You should know that this seafood exchange provides not only services such as shops, but also electricity services, as well as related information services.

In addition to a dedicated service hall, there will also be a trading hall. In this hall, the market will also choose to cooperate with some merchants to advertise and update transaction information.

This transaction information includes a lot, such as the quality of various seafood, the price of seafood, etc., which will be announced. It can be said that the elderly who come to this seafood exchange to buy things know that if you want to buy high-quality and cheap goods, this trading hall is a must-go.

Not only individuals come here to buy things, but also some communities conduct group purchases. Of course, there are also many merchants from the mainland who come here to purchase goods. It can be said that this is one of the most important locations in the entire market.

He looked at Lu Xu, "Old Lu, how many garrison troops do our markets have?"

"Chief, currently, each seafood market has approximately two light infantry battalions stationed there," Lu Xu replied, somewhat puzzled.

"No, we have to send more troops!" Li Ming said, and then the group turned around and began to leave here, heading straight to the supporting facilities area around the market to take a look.

............

Now it's already past seven in the evening. The sun has set, but it's not completely dark yet, and there's still some light.

Li Ming and his party found that the market was really lively at this time. It was bustling with noise and very prosperous. Obviously, everyone was trying to avoid the high temperatures. After all, the temperature at night was only 40 degrees Celsius, while during the day it was close to 60 degrees Celsius. This difference of nearly 20 degrees Celsius is the difference between life and death for people.

Li Ming was walking on the street and actually saw someone selling barbecue.

"There are still people selling barbecue in this apocalypse?" Li Ming asked with surprise.

He was indeed quite surprised, because the things and varieties on this barbecue stall were really not few, including squid, cuttlefish, kelp, and other things.

Lu Xu shook his head, "Chief, life is nothing more than eating and wearing. This barbecue stall basically has no other seasonings except salt. As for cumin and chili powder, those are extremely precious things. Without these things, can you imagine how fishy the smell of barbecue would be?"

"Actually, this barbecue is not bad. Some seafood cooked in soup can make you vomit on the spot. It's full of fishy smell. Various seafood is mashed and put inside to cook. The fishy smell can float three miles against the wind."

"Of course, even such things are not affordable for ordinary people. There are many people who are short of money. Did you see those people carrying buckets?"

Li Ming looked in the direction Lu Xu was pointing and saw more than a dozen people placing buckets in front of them. He asked, "What are these people doing?"

"Selling water. The water in those buckets is basically extracted groundwater, which is the kind of water after seawater intrusion that I told you about before. It has a salty and fishy taste. This water can still be drunk after being mixed with distilled fresh water in a certain proportion, and it can also replenish some of the salt loss in the body."

"And Chief, look over there? That stall sells something similar to rice balls, which are also made of seafood."

Li Ming beckoned, and a guard with a modified Scorpion submachine gun stepped forward. Li Ming explained a few words to this person, and then the guard went to the stall and bought a few rice balls.

Li Ming, Lu Xu, and others each took a rice ball. He looked at the color of the rice ball. To be honest, the color of this rice ball was too terrifying.

The color looked a bit greyish-black, and as soon as he took it in his hand, a pungent fishy smell wafted over.

Lu Xu took out a small knife and cut the rice ball in half, pointing to the rice ball and saying, "Chief, two such rice balls cost one point ticket, which is indeed very cheap. It is the staple food for many refugees who have fled to the coast to make a living."