Chapter 346: Is Taoyang Crazy About Crystal Cores?
Su Tao glanced at District Chief Xie and got straight to the point:
“Is there something you need my help with, District Chief Xie?”
Everyone was an adult here. If District Chief Xie was doing all this without an ulterior motive, Su Tao wouldn’t believe it.
District Chief Xie chuckled twice, a hint of envy in his tone:
“I saw the photos of Taoyang’s office building on the official website. After seeing them, I felt like being a district chief was meaningless. Our district’s government building is so old and shabby—the paint is peeling off the walls, and there are even cracks visible. We sit inside, fearing the whole place might collapse on us…”
Su Tao smiled and asked, “So, how does District Chief Xie plan to rebuild the government office in West District Three?”
District Chief Xie’s face lit up with joy:
“Our West District Three has a small population and fewer administrative tasks. With me, a few ministers, and some clerks, there are only 26 people in total. A two-story building would be more than enough.”
Su “Deep Pockets” Tao agreed without hesitation.
A two-story building would only cost around 100,000 Federal Credits—pocket change for someone like her, whose total assets had exceeded a billion.
District Chief Xie immediately took advantage of the situation and pulled out a blueprint:
“I’ve already got the plans ready—please, Boss Su, I’m counting on you.”
Su Tao glanced at the blueprint—he came prepared, indeed.
District Chief Xie was a sharp and calculating man. He probably started drawing up the plans while figuring out how to bring down the Su family.
Su Tao tacitly approved of his behavior, took the blueprint, and nodded:
“I’ll arrange it according to West District Three’s inclusion plan as soon as possible.”
District Chief Xie, sharp as ever, immediately realized Su Tao not only approved of his moves against the Su family but also seemed to be silently thanking him for it.
Tsk, Su Jianming must have done a lot of heartless things to make Su Tao despise her biological father this much.
Since that was the case, District Chief Xie wouldn’t hold back.
He planned to find an excuse later to offer Su Jianming zero compensation. Once they were relocated to Dongyang without a house or money, Su Jianming would inevitably come crawling to his stepdaughter for help.
And from his investigation, Su Tao’s half-sister wasn’t an easy person to deal with.
At that point, getting a meal from her would be a miracle—let alone any real help.
Su Jianming wouldn’t give up easily either. He’d cling to his stepdaughter like a leech, making every day a living hell.
Let the dogs bite each other—it would keep them too busy to cause trouble for Su Tao.
If Su Tao was in a good mood, she might even install an extra air conditioner in the new government office—why not?
When Su Tao returned to Taoyang, the first thing she did was sit down in her office and review the West District Three inclusion plan.
West District Three covered an area of 125,000 square meters. To include it fully, she needed 1,250 crystal cores.
When she first heard the number, she almost fainted on the spot.
There was no way Taoyang could earn that many crystal cores in a short time.
Luckily, the old commander had guaranteed that all crystal cores obtained from future trade and exploration missions in Dongyang would go directly to her.
The goal was to gather 1,250 crystal cores within six months.
Still, Su Tao felt that was too slow. If it took six months to include one district, it would take three years to incorporate all six districts of Dongyang.
So, what was the fastest way to get crystal cores?
With enough crystal cores, everything could move forward quickly.
Su Tao wrote down two points in her notebook:
1/ Expand Taoyang’s business operations and attract more members to pay crystal cores for membership.
2/ Strengthen Taoyang’s private military and send them on missions to collect crystal cores.
These two methods were reliable and legitimate.
She also considered selling more land—buying it for five crystal cores and reselling it for fifty or even five hundred.
While this would work fast and efficiently, it was risky.
Unlike the easy-going Xiao Wenyu, the next buyer might not be so cooperative—letting someone too close could end up being a serious threat.
Shaking her head, Su Tao crossed that idea off the list.
Sigh. Why couldn’t zombies just die in front of her and drop crystal cores for free?
Leaning back in her chair, Su Tao gazed at the ceiling. If only Zijin were still here—leading the exploration army to sweep through zombies and collect crystal cores. With his help, they could probably gather enough to claim West District Three in just two or three months.
But there were no “ifs” in life.
For now, she would raise Taoyang’s membership fees—tripling them. From now on, membership would cost thirty crystal cores and only long-term cooperation would be accepted.
Taoyang’s reputation was spreading, and customers weren’t in short supply.
The only downside? A flood of complaints and backlash.
Whatever—they could complain all they wanted. As long as she could sign one long-term customer a day, she’d gather 900 crystal cores in a month.
Compared to crystal cores, angry complaints meant nothing—people would still come crawling back to buy supplies.
When she informed Lin Fangzhi of the price increase, he agreed without hesitation—completely unfazed by the fact that he’d bear the brunt of public outrage.
Su Tao laughed, “I’d never scold you—I’m too busy feeling sorry for how hard you work.”
Lin Fangzhi left happily. The busier he was, the more he enjoyed it—especially if it meant getting more attention from Su Tao.
After he left, Su Tao counted her crystal cores—222 in total.
Taking a deep breath, she withdrew 200 crystal cores, opened the system, and selected West District Three on the map.
As expected, the system prompted:
[To acquire management rights for this area: Consume 1,250 Level-1 crystal cores.]
[200 Level-1 crystal cores detected. Energy collection in progress… Collection complete. 1,050 crystal cores are still needed to acquire management rights.]
The map remained red—still beyond her control.
West District Three was all or nothing—partial management wasn’t an option.
Time to hustle for more crystal cores!
The next day, news spread like wildfire—Taoyang had tripled its premium membership fee!
From eight crystal cores to thirty—an astronomical increase.
Many small bases and settlements couldn’t afford it, leaving them filled with regret.
Even in Xindu, Ling Tianji was furious:
“Is Taoyang crazy about crystal cores?! Thirty cores?! Even twenty would’ve been acceptable—but thirty?! What are they doing, feeding an army of superhumans?”
He fumed and paced for an hour before finally relenting, ordering his staff to pay the thirty cores.
Taoyang’s supplies were too good to pass up—he had no choice but to pay up.
Far away in Qian’an, Luo Yan stared at Taoyang’s online store, tempted by the goods.
When his wife spotted the snacks and luxury items, she didn’t hesitate—forcing him to pay the outrageous membership fee.
Between angry curses and reluctant payments, Taoyang was raking in crystal cores at lightning speed.
