230: Chapter 230: Chamber of Commerce Branch Opening

"Huatong Chamber of Commerce Baisha Branch Grand Opening Sale: Apply for a membership card on-site, top up 10 to get 1 back, top up 100 points to get 110 points."

"Spend and enter a lucky draw. Every 100 points earns one draw chance, with luxurious prizes waiting for you."

...

People flooded into the department store area on the first floor, with various marketing voices rising and falling.

Everyone felt as if they had returned to the pre-apocalyptic era.

The difference was that the scene before them was a bit incongruous.

The department store area was meticulously clean, appearing magnificent under the illumination of various lights. However, the people shopping were disheveled and ragged, and due to long-term malnutrition, they generally looked sallow and emaciated.

"This pancake smells so good! If only I could eat one!"

"It's steamed buns! Oh my goodness! There are actually steamed buns!"

At this moment, people had little interest in other things; they all gathered in the dining area.

Even if they couldn't afford it, smelling it was good enough! If they were lucky, picking up half a bun that someone else couldn't finish would be even better.

The noodle area was already overcrowded, and the meat area was so packed there was no place to stand.

"Damn it! This is actually chicken! Is there still chicken in this day and age?" Someone exclaimed in shock.

"Braised pork! Stewed ribs! Oh my god! I can't take it, if I keep looking, I'll bite my tongue off!"

"How immoral! They're actually grilling lamb skewers! Can't they be less cruel?"

"Slurp ~" Many people watched while vigorously sucking in the saliva that flowed from their mouths.

"Hello, dear customers, welcome to the Huatong Chamber of Commerce. All goods within the Chamber of Commerce will be transacted using membership cards. Customers who need to apply for a membership card, please go to the service desk for consultation." An advertisement sound came from the broadcast.

However, most people simply pretended not to hear.

They also wanted to apply for membership cards, but the problem was they had nothing in their pockets. How could they apply? They could only watch.

"Good news, good news! In order to quickly restore normal life order to the Baisha Shelter, after deliberation by the Command HQ, it has been decided to provide small, interest-free point loans to Citizens of this Settlement aged between 16 and 60. Those in need can go to the service desk for consultation." Another broadcast sounded.

To ensure that everyone could hear, these messages were broadcast repeatedly.

"What? Point loans?"

"Interest-free?"

"Let's go check it out!"

Upon hearing this news, people began to gather at the service desk.

Many staff members were already on standby in the service area. They provided detailed explanations to those who came to inquire.

The small, interest-free point loans varied in amount depending on each person's situation. They were comprehensively assessed based on age, education, and whether they were married with children.

People aged between 30-50, with an education, and who were married, could obtain the highest loan amount, reaching a terrifying 300,000 points.

For other situations, the amount decreased in sequence, but the minimum was still 100 points.

Most people, after understanding the detailed situation, chose to apply.

Survive first, consider other things later.

Several staff members operated simultaneously at the counter, so the speed of processing membership cards was also very fast.

People who received their membership cards, without thinking twice, rushed directly into the dining area.

Eat a full meal first!

If everyone just watched and no one could eat, people wouldn't have any thoughts.

But now, more and more people were carrying bowls, eating skewers, their mouths dripping with oil, and that was unacceptable. Who could stand just watching?

Under this stimulation, more and more people flocked to the service area, scrambling to apply for membership cards.

As for whether there would be a trap or if they would be deceived, no one cared anymore. Anyway, everyone was doing it, so they wouldn't be the only ones to suffer a loss.

Basically, with this wave of small, interest-free loans, most of the points in the Settlement members' accounts were spent. However, the Command HQ didn't feel bad at all.

These points needed to circulate.

Once people had points in their hands, they had the prerequisite to unleash productivity. As points circulated, value was created, the Settlement's taxes could be raised, and the market could become active.

Compared to the bustling Huatong Chamber of Commerce, the Mercenary Guild seemed a bit deserted.

The head of the Guild was not in a hurry; he just had to wait.

People borrowed points from the Command HQ; they would have to repay them, right? To repay, they would have to find work, and that's when the Mercenary Guild's business would pick up.

The situation at Baisha Shelter was still good.

After all, combat equipment had already been popularized among Security Guards, so people were not unfamiliar with these things. Therefore, intermittently, quite a few people came to browse the Mercenary Guild.

However, no one dared to rent weapons and equipment from the Guild yet, and they didn't know what they could rent them for.

The situation in other Settlements was not as good.

In some Settlements, after an entire morning, very few people visited the Chamber of Commerce.

However, this situation had completely changed by noon.

People who had visited first, after eating and drinking their fill inside, spread the news. When people nearby saw the steamed buns and flatbreads carried by those spreading the news, they couldn't resist and successively rushed to the Chamber of Commerce.

Word spread from ten to a hundred, and under the temptation of delicious food, within a few hours, the Chamber of Commerce's traffic reached an exaggerated level.