"If we can negotiate a lower price, besides the commission from the budget, the saved funds also belong to you, and you can earn an extra cost control award."

"Purchaser? Escort?" Cheng Ye pondered for a moment, instantly catching the meaning.

Bulk trades between cities require someone to step up and negotiate prices, sign agreements, and also ensure the safe transport of resources back.

In Happiness City, the most suitable candidates are the inspectors familiar with the Wilderness and authorized to coordinate checkpoints.

"Currently, inspectors who have gone out and haven’t returned are mostly undertaking procurement tasks, essentially taking at least one caravan out, which actually already violates the rules of the checkpoint."

Matthew Lee paused, his tone becoming serious, "Here’s my understanding: the rules prohibit inspectors from using their power to seize ordinary people’s jobs, for instance, starting a caravan to exclusively run established routes and squeeze out original small caravans. This is called unauthorized profiteering, and the upper management will certainly investigate and penalize you."

"But procurement tasks are different. Leading a caravan is to secure urgently needed resources for Happiness City, making a contribution. If you can transport these things back, whether it’s the station master or the higher-ups, they’d be happy, far from punishing you; they’d even give you extra credit."

"So, if we want to run a caravan, we must first understand one thing."

Matthew Lee spoke without any humor, word by word, "Do you want to rely on the inspector’s power to wreck ordinary people’s livelihoods for quick money? Or do you want to take advantage of procurement tasks, contribute to Happiness City and Satellite City, and earn reasonable profits legally, eventually feeding back into local development?"

"Not understanding this, if we leave loopholes for other inspectors at the station to exploit, even if we manage to start the caravan, it would be useless; one word from above and it’s over."

A very genuine inquiry.

Given Matthew Lee spoke so seriously, he must have been absolutely confident that this situation would occur.

Cheng Ye didn’t rush to answer, leaning back against the chair, unconsciously rubbing his chin with his fingertips.

Matthew Lee’s intention clearly required not only self-consistency but also to shut other people’s mouths.

This meant that the simple approach of buying low and selling high to earn a margin must be overturned, necessitating a reconstruction of a tighter logic more aligned with contributing to Happiness City, with the ultimate goal falling on promoting Satellite City development.

After a moment of silence, Cheng Ye suddenly raised his head, looking at Matthew Lee: "It’s doable, but I must first ask you a question: Can you accept the caravan initially only spending without income, having no earnings for a period of time?"

Matthew Lee was taken aback for a moment, then couldn’t help but laugh: "The shop at Giant Wall Station I’m eyeing, even if it loses money for the first one or two years, I can withstand it. What’s the big deal if the caravan makes no profit? As long as it makes money later, the groundwork can take as long as necessary."

"Alright, here’s what I’m thinking." Cheng Ye straightened his posture, speaking faster, laying out his new idea, "We establish a caravan but don’t engage in trading for profit, instead specializing in free delivery for each major Satellite City and fair-priced selling. Whatever the factories in Satellite City produce, we help them transport to the Buffer Zone or other Satellite Cities, selling to consumers at the price we acquired from Satellite City, without earning a single cent in markup."

He paused, adding, "But there are two prerequisites: First, all goods must pass quality standards; defective and inferior products won’t be accepted, as it would ruin the caravan’s reputation. Second, a post-sale service system must be established, exchanging rather than repairing problematic purchases, and defective products must be recycled by the supplying Satellite City."

"Huh?" Matthew Lee was completely stunned, "Free transport, fair-priced selling, this indeed avoids the suspicion of profiteering, but what’s in it for us? Later, when the free service turns to paid, we’ll still face the same issues."

"Well..." Cheng Ye chuckled but didn’t continue the conversation.

This rogue strategy of grabbing market share has indeed been overused in modern times. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

But in the Wasteland, in Happiness City, it’s the first time.

Satellite City is just starting, lacking the routes to disseminate goods, whereas consumers are eager for reliable purchases and affordable options, while the caravan perfectly fills this gap.

The initial method of free plus fair pricing seems like a loss but actually uses all Satellite City’s goods to help the caravan build reputation, with Satellite City factories backing up after-sale services to establish credibility, while cleverly identifying sales channels.

Once enough time has passed and all consumers recognize the caravan’s fair-priced genuine goods, will selling become a challenge?

There are countless ways to profit, even at the very least through advertising, the earnings unknown in amount.

However, Cheng Ye does not intend to disclose these thoughts to Matthew Lee.

Just as with the construction of Dapo Town, he can accept joint investment, given the caravan requires a large initial capital, so having someone to share the pressure is beneficial, but he won’t accept a partnership.

When it comes to control, Cheng Ye intends to retain one hundred percent decision-making authority.

As for whether Matthew Lee would choose to invest before having a clear understanding, it depends on his vision and judgment; the ideas mentioned already suffice.

As expected.

Matthew Lee hesitated, repeatedly pondering Cheng Ye’s proposed ideas, his eyebrows suddenly raised.

"Market?"

"You guess!"

Matthew Lee instantly grinned, without the slightest hesitation in his tone: "Stop beating around the bush, tell me, how much do you need me to invest initially?"

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll scam you, causing a loss?"

"Aren’t you afraid I would relay what you just said to others?"

"Haha, you’re good."

Cheng Ye couldn’t help but laugh, giving a thumbs up.