After Apocalypse, I Got Rich With Superpower

Chapter 47: Chapter 45: Choosing People Again

Chapter 47: Chapter 45: Choosing People Again

They grabbed bags of flour and bran that were already packed and brought some fruits and vegetables for the brothers at the base, as well as some herbs. Meat, they weren’t short of lately; to prepare for the winter, several teams took turns hunting and had stockpiled plenty of meat at the base.

At home, they needed to feed the mutant animals, so stockpiling meat and food was essential.

“Boss, we just went to the orphanage and took two more kids to work at the farm, just letting you know,” one of them said.

“Good, but you still need to sign electronic contracts, don’t give anyone a handle to grab onto,” the Base Commander quickly reminded. Without proof, some unscrupulous people would twist the truth and turn it against you.

“We signed it, here, look; I brought some food and meat to them,” he replied, offering the contract for inspection.

“Thanks to you for being willing to take care of them, I’ve been worried sick. The orphanage eats a lot but does little. Some people are unhappy and are complaining to higher-ups, saying they want to shut down the orphanage and send the kids with superpowers to the front lines, leaving the others to work in the rear to save on food.”

“To hell with that, the youngest kid there is only three years old. What the hell kind of work can they do? They can’t even talk properly. Which son of a bitch lacks so much decency to come up with such an idea?”

Upon hearing this, Xue Dong couldn’t help but curse in anger. He must have been raised on shit.

The Base Commander rubbed his buzz-cut head, “You think I don’t know that? I already had a row with someone over it, and for now, it’s settled. But what to do later?”

“Just stall for now. Isn’t that my responsibility too? Those kids actually don’t eat that much.”

“It’s not about the food. It’s that almost all the kids there have superpowers, they have their eyes on the kids and want to take them away,” the Base Commander said, frowning with teeth clenched in anger.

“Keep stalling then, and watch out for the kids’ safety.”

“That’s all we can do. I’m thankful for your help, and the orphanage director can hold some sway. He had some connections before and could make his voice heard. It’s suppressed for now. Let’s take it one step at a time.”

“By the way, I heard some farms were given up, what’s the plan moving forward?”

Xue Dong asked the Base Commander while they were eating.

“Three farms have been returned. They can’t open new fields there for the next ten years, and right now, no one is renting them. We’ll have to wait until next spring to see. Oh right, the No. 7 Farm diagonally across from yours is also being given up. Do you want it? I’ll give it to you. The price is cheap this time, tax breaks too. The policies from above are favorable. This is an official document.”

The Base Commander quickly followed up.

Xue Dong touched his chin and turned to look at Li Pan, seeking her opinion.

“Well, it’s not that we can’t do it, but can we handle it? We don’t have enough hands,” she said.

“If you’re short of people, I have some here. The kids from the orphanage are easy to manage and sensible. The vast majority have superpowers; they’ll grow up in a few years. I trust you to look after the kids. If you can handle it, I’ll apply for some more favorable conditions for you. Your farm is right next to it, and the plot is quite big, over a thousand mu. It has a river and is backdropped by mountains, with fifty mu of cultivated land and the houses are already built.”

“What do you think, brother? Do we have enough money at home?” Li Pan asked, her courage not as great, but she saw it as a good opportunity.

“I say we go for it, let’s be bold. Your superpower is outstanding, and you’re a skilled farmer. We don’t need to worry about lacking people; the base has plenty,” he assured her.

“Right, my team will need to send off some people soon. If you’re short on hands, I’ll pick some honest and capable people for you.”

“But she gave up the lease; we still have to pay for those items, right?”

“You have to pay a bit, but I can lower the price for you; no one wants them right now. If you lease, you lease the whole farm as a package. You don’t need to deal with them directly; the base will handle the interface with her. Just worry about leasing the farm, I’ll take care of all the rest, not letting you meet them to avoid any disputes over accountability.”

This was to protect Li Pan; even if she agreed to lease, she would be dealing directly with the base, not the former farmer. The base would take the rent and only then give a portion back to the original farmer.

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“Bro, do you really think I can handle it?”

“I’m with you, what’s there to fear? If the sky falls, we’ll hold it up together. Could it be worse than those days when we couldn’t afford food? At the very least, we have crops growing in the fields,” he said encouragingly.

Xue Dong clasped her hand, offering encouragement and affirmation.

“Alright, we’ll lease it.”

“You should think about it again. Once you’ve decided, I’ll handle the procedures for you. It’s okay even if you regret it later.”

“No regrets. Let’s do it. You’re right, how much worse could it get? At least the land yields crops.”

Li Pan also smiled, deciding to be bold for once.

“Ok, I’ll go and process the paperwork for you. Did you bring money?”

“Yes.”

The Base Commander took the two of them to handle the paperwork, leasing the neighboring farm of over a thousand acres to them, still under Li Pan’s name.

Considering the significant losses several farms had faced this year, and the grim outlook elsewhere, they offered very favorable terms. Since Li Pan completed her tasks, she wouldn’t have to pay taxes this year, but she would need to pay next year.

However, as Li Pan had contributed a lot of grain, the Base Commander had calculated her taxes, meaning she wouldn’t have to pay taxes next year either. By also leasing No.7 Farm next door, there would be no taxes for the next year, since No.7 would be in its first year of reclamation and the past years wouldn’t count towards Li Pan.

No.7 Farm had the same tax and welfare benefits as No. 8 Farm, but was eligible for a three-year tax exemption. Even if they lost money this year, as a special arrangement for discontinuing the efforts of a Wood Power User.

As for her No.8 Farm, since a considerable amount of grain had been handed over to alleviate the crisis, the Base Commander had decided to reduce her taxes by ten percent for the next year and by twenty percent the year after, which was ten percent less than expected.

No matter how one looked at it, she was quite satisfied with these conditions.

“Brother, in that case, I’ll still need someone with Wood Power to work with.”

“Maybe choose from the team.”

“Let’s pick from the orphanage first. I think the kids are quite sensible, their superpowers can grow, and hiring the kids is trouble-free and reassuring. They can work for a long time.”

“Then I’ll go and talk to the director.”

Xue Dong agreed.

After completing the paperwork, both No.7 and No.8 Farms belonged to Li Pan. All she had to do was pay taxes for one more year and complete the task of reclaiming a hundred acres, and then the two farms would be entirely hers for two hundred years. When that period was up, her direct descendants would have the priority to renew the lease.

First, they went to the orphanage to pick up the children and casually asked the director for another Wood Power User to help with the work.

After hearing her request, the director introduced her to a nine-year-old girl, “Xie Ling, she has an Advanced Talent in Wood Power.”

“Wow! That’s impressive.”

Xue Dong was a bit surprised. Not many people reached an Advanced Talent level. Li Pan was one, possessing an outstanding talent, which meant she was just a step away from top talent.

In fact, Li Pan had always been protected by the Base Commander, hardly ever leaving the base. He didn’t pay overt attention but would check in regularly, ensuring that she remained under protection even as she led an inconspicuous life.

“Xie Ling, would you like to work for me? If you do well, it’ll be long-term, and you’ll work alongside your brothers and sisters.”

“I’m willing. I’ll listen to Grandpa.”

At nine years old, Xie Ling generally went along with whatever her grandfather said.

“Alright, then you’ll receive the same treatment as Sun Wenwen and the others. Let your brothers and sisters guide you in your work.”

“Thank you, Sister, for wanting to employ me. I can farm, dig, plant seedlings, and supply the crops with Wood Power. I can do the simple tasks and don’t eat much as I’m young.”

The child was eager to prove that she could work, afraid that Li Pan might not need her after all.