Chapter 729: Successful Exchange, Have I Seen You Before? Part 1
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
‘Currency? The new lord of Origin Territory dared to issue currency?’ Looking at the crowded exchange center, Su Mo finally discovered a new understanding of this new territory lord.
It was not bold and enterprising but could be described as arrogant.
Although a new currency could not be used for circulation in the outside world, it would still encounter countless problems even if it was used within the territory.
Firstly, it would consume a lot of human resources and s.p.a.ce to manufacture and circulate the currency within the territory.
Any accidents or problems that occurred during the process would lead to a shortage and be insufficient to satisfy everyone’s trading needs.
The consequence of being unable to meet the needs was a collapse of the credibility of the territory’s leaders.h.i.+p.
The best-case scenario would be that the territory residents sense the danger and fight for their benefit. In the worst-case scenario, they would rise, overthrow the territory lord and redistribute resources.
Secondly, the prices of resources were not fixed or regulated by Origin Territory.
There were countless merchants, and the consumption by more than 30,000 people was not insignificant.
A cabbage could cost 1 coin today, but it might rise to 2 coins tomorrow.
Most people could purchase a cabbage today with 1 coin, then suddenly find out that they could only buy half a cabbage with the same amount.
It would be hard to maintain a stable operation of currency with unregulated market prices. When the prices skyrocketed, it would inevitably lead to turmoil.
Thirdly, what would the territory lord do with this currency after it is collected?
In the era of civilization, the currency could be collected to trade with people or purchase more a.s.sets. Therefore, they could keep growing the economy and the currency would be used as income by the authorities.
However, in the wasteland, currency circulation would be extremely slow. The residents would rather stock up their resources than trade them for currency.
Getting involved in the currency system would be dangerous since once the territory’s economy collapsed, they would be in debt to the outside world.
Even the Demon Clan’s Freedom City was unable to solve these three problems. They could only regulate the prices by announcing a unified price every morning.
‘How can Origin Territory be more advanced and powerful than the Demon Clan?’
“Mr. Yang, please don’t get me wrong!”
Huang Bing glanced at Su Mo, who was standing idly. He did not step forward to queue up to exchange currency nor did he express his concerns.
Huang Bing scratched his head but came up with a reason.
“Most places don’t require currency if you want to trade for food and clothes. There are only a few things…such as the exchange center, buying meals, and some official channels that require money.
“No matter how the material prices change, it won’t fluctuate much. You don’t have to worry about devaluation by using our currency.”
“You can bring the money here and exchange them for materials if you haven’t used all of it before you leave.”
Huang Bing did not come up with this rather well-organized explanation on his own.
A month ago, when the exchange center first opened, most people in Origin Territory had the same concerns as Su Mo, and almost no one was willing to exchange the materials in their hands for money.
Even with the territory lord’s rea.s.surance, it could not immediately change everyone’s minds in an instant.
However, those living in the territory had to accept the reform unless they left.
After two and three days of explaining the new reform, the citizens’ salaries were replaced with currency.
All who chose to stay had to accept it even if they did not want to.
Gradually, most people found that using currency was much more useful than h.o.a.rding resources, and currency began to be implemented in the territory.
“Alright, let’s go in and have a look!”
Su Mo did not let Huang Bing continue explaining and was already confident that the new territory lord had some sort of “plan” in mind.
Implementing currency in the territory’s current condition was only going to cause problems.
Anyone in their right mind would never make such a stupid move and leave so many loopholes.
However, the new territory lord decided to take this path.
There had to be an unspeakable reason or profit from it.
Su Mo stepped forward and joined the queue.
As he lined up, Su Mo thought about the loopholes that could be exploited.
Unexpectedly, the people in front turned around and saw a seemingly strong mountain bandit standing behind them with guns.
As soon as they saw Su Mo, their reactions were surprisingly uniform.
They suddenly pretended they had an acquaintance looking for them and naturally left the queue, allowing Su Mo to go to the front.
Then, they casually rejoined the queue as if nothing had happened.
It only took less than a minute, and thirty or so people ahead of him behaved exactly the same, giving way to Su Mo to head directly to the stone house.
“Guest, please read the instructions next to you before you enter the exchange center.”
The guard seemed accustomed to the protocol.
He was immediately on guard after seeing the gun on Su Mo’s waist and pointed to the wooden sign hanging on the side.
The wooden sign had the rules of the exchange center on it.
The rules stated that weapons were allowed inside but were not allowed to be used as a threat against other people.
Once a weapon was pulled out, no matter the reason for doing so, he would be directly regarded as an enemy of the territory. The perpetrator would be surrounded and kicked out.
Additionally, the other rules stated that traders were not allowed to make loud noises, disrupt the order, and so on.
These were the most basic rules for those who had lived in the doomsday wasteland for so long.