However, Jiang Ye's current financial resources were not enough to be considered.
A mere few million couldn't even buy resurrection insurance, let alone the position of planet governor.
He needed to make money quickly!
Jiang Ye set himself a small goal: to have at least fifty million in cash.
While fishing or mining were profitable, earning fifty million would take too long.
He had to find other ways to generate income.
Hiring labor!
He would hire people to raise chickens and ducks, hire people to farm, hire people to can, and then take a cut of the profits.
Jiang Ye didn't look for citizens of Cao County. He decided to contact a group of laborers himself, which would not only earn him money but also help him build his own influence.
Without delay, he opened his friend list.
He clicked through the chat records one by one.
He looked for those who were polite and enthusiastic, seemed reliable, and had expressed loyalty.
As he found them, he modified their friend categories and moved them into his "Employees" group.
Soon, over three hundred people were moved.
Jiang Ye composed a message and sent it to everyone:
I have some chickens, ducks, and feed equipment here. I'm looking to hire some people to help with the raising. If you're willing, I'll give you all the supplies. After selling the eggs and duck eggs daily, we'll split the profits, you get 40% and I get 60%. If you're interested, we can discuss further.
The message was met with enthusiastic responses:
Holy crap, what a great opportunity! I'm in! Boss Jiang, carry me!
Benefactor! You're truly my benefactor! Not only did you save my life, but you're also helping me make money!
I want to do it, but I've never raised chickens or ducks before and I'm worried about killing them. But I'll try my best!
I'm willing, I'm willing! Please hire me first! I can take only 30% of the profit!
Is this for real? Such a great opportunity! Of course, I'm willing!
Most of the responses were overjoyed.
After all, the vast majority of people on this planet did not have a stable source of income. They lived by scavenging and begging. Now, to suddenly have a job, they were naturally delighted.
A small minority expressed doubt, but Jiang Ye didn't waste his time with them, directly moving them out of the "Employees" group.
In the end, 220 people remained in his "Employees" group.
Jiang Ye worked tirelessly, negotiating with each one individually.
He laid out all the unpleasant details upfront, making sure the hired employees considered carefully.
Once both parties reached an agreement, Jiang Ye would explain:
The reason for the 40/60 split instead of 50/50 is that I provide the feed daily, and the feed is very expensive. I hope you can understand.
Everyone expressed understanding. For the employees, let alone getting 40% profit, even 30% or 20% was a considerable income, much better than being unemployed.
Finally, the number of hired employees settled at exactly 200.
Jiang Ye clicked on the Livestock Assistant and began purchasing large quantities of farming equipment, chickens, ducks, and cheap feed.
Next, he proceeded to transfer the chickens, ducks, and equipment to the employees one by one.
He was busy until 2 AM before all the items were delivered.
Jiang Ye's account balance was a meager 2,000 yuan.
He had essentially spent all his money.
It was getting late. After settling the chickens and ducks, it was time for bed. Work hard, and there will be more profitable businesses in the future. Wishing you early prosperity!
With this final message to all the employees, Jiang Ye went to bed.
He woke up at 9 AM.
He had slept soundly and felt completely refreshed.
The soreness in his muscles had mostly subsided, and the feeling of weakness was gone, replaced by a surge of energy.
Sitting up in bed, he looked out the window.
It was a cloudy day with a cool breeze.
Jiang Ye immediately decided to complete the 100-kilometer ultra-marathon today!
His physical condition was good, and the weather was pleasant. No harsh sunlight, and the wind wasn't strong, making it perfect for running.
He got out of bed, picked out the most suitable sportswear from a pile of clothes, and put on his running shoes.
He went downstairs, took some vegetables and meat from the storage, chopped them, and put them in a pot to stew.
Since the stew would take some time, Jiang Ye decided to start running first.
He opened the base panel and selected "Base Upgrade."
The familiar prompt popped up again:
[Ultra-Marathon Challenge Commenced!]
[You have run 0 kilometers. There are 11 hours and 59 minutes remaining until the end of this challenge.]
Jiang Ye took a deep breath, pushed open the base door, and stepped out to start a slow jog.
The wolves that had been fishing by the sea gathered around him, running behind him.
Jiang Ye didn't run far, instead circling around the base.
After two laps, he returned to the base and checked the control panel.
[You have run 1 kilometer. There are 11 hours and 54 minutes remaining until the end of this challenge.]
He breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that circling also counted towards the kilometers. Therefore, there was no need to run further afield; circling would suffice. When he felt tired or thirsty, he could return to rest at any time.
The stew was simmering. Jiang Ye turned off the heat.
He ran for two kilometers and then returned to eat breakfast.
After eating, he walked around slowly for a few laps, then continued running.
One lap, three laps, five laps.
Ten laps, thirteen laps, sixteen laps.
The feeling of exhaustion returned.
Jiang Ye went back to the base to drink water, and after drinking, he went out to run again.
He didn't rest, fearing that if he rested, he wouldn't be able to continue running.
He started running at 10:30 AM, and time flew by.
12:30 PM.
1:30 PM.
3:30 PM.
5:30 PM.
The sun had set, the sky was filled with sunset clouds, and the sea was reflecting golden and red light.
The wolves had given up following Jiang Ye and were lying down neatly around the base, looking up at their master as he circled.
Every wolf's eyes were filled with confusion. They couldn't understand why Jiang Ye was suddenly acting so strangely, running all day.
At 6:30 PM, night fell.
Jiang Ye was still running.
His body had reached its limit, and he felt like he could collapse at any moment from exhaustion.
He staggered back to the base and checked the base panel.
[You have run 89 kilometers. There are 2 hours and 59 minutes remaining until the end of this challenge.]
[Only 11 kilometers left, keep going! Crawl if you have to!]
Jiang Ye turned on the faucet and drank water greedily.
He had already taken off his clothes, which were now wet and thrown in a corner. Sweat poured out of him as if from his clothes.
Jiang Ye's chest and back were well-muscled. Sweat soaked every inch of his skin, making him look as if he had just crawled out of the sea.
After drinking his fill of water, he staggered out.
He was almost finished, and he still had plenty of time. He decided to walk slowly for two laps to recover some strength.
The wolves were all asleep, lying peacefully on the ground. Many wolf couples or mothers and pups were snuggled together, their fluffy fur looking very comfortable.
Jiang Ye walked slowly through the wolf pack. The sound of his footsteps occasionally startled one or two wolves. But these wolves were familiar with him; they merely lifted their eyelids and went back to sleep.
[You have run 94 kilometers. There are 1 hour and 59 minutes remaining until the end of this challenge.]
[Only 6 kilometers left, keep going! Crawl if you have to!]
Jiang Ye started to jog, intending to run the last six kilometers at a steady pace, and then return to the base to collapse in bed.
Suddenly, a few wolves raised their heads and looked in one direction.
Immediately, all the wolves woke up, stood up, and looked uneasily towards the northern night sky.
Jiang Ye stopped and frowned, looking north. What could have disturbed the sleeping wolves?
After a moment, he finally heard a familiar rumbling sound.
It was the sound of a giant spaceship breaking through the clouds, the same sound that accompanied Isabel's delivery spaceship every time she arrived.
A pinpoint of light flashed in the dark night sky.
The light grew brighter and brighter, and finally, it landed with a roar next to the docking bay.
That's right, it was Isabel's delivery spaceship!
Jiang Ye found it strange. He hadn't ordered anything large, so why was she here?