Chapter 3, Benefits for Travelers

Is anyone there? May I ask if anyone is present? Chen Qiang began to shout to his surroundings, his voice growing louder, while he cautiously observed the area around him. However, there was no response, and not a single blade of grass stirred in the vicinity.

However, when he approached the door again, Chen Qiang suddenly hesitated. Based on his experiences from the previous two times, every time he pushed the door, that cold voice would sound.

In just a few minutes, a steady sound of breathing began to emanate from Chen Qiang, as he had already fallen into a deep sleep

Chen Qiang's pace was not particularly fast; he was running at the speed he usually maintains during his morning exercises. After running for more than 1 minute, he had covered approximately 200 meters

Shanghai was, after all, the most prosperous city in China at that time, with a large population and a vast market, resulting in numerous newspapers being published and a correspondingly high number of readers. Being a newsboy, although it was the most menial of jobs, at least allowed one to have a meal and not starve on the streets

The building ahead is a table tennis hall, and there is a large table tennis paddle sign at the entrance

To get back to the point

When Chen Qiang initially fled to Shanghai, he supported himself by working as a newspaper boy. Having received an education and being literate, he had a distinct advantage in this role.

Try again. Chen Qiang pushed the door of this building.

Chen Qiang shivered again, and at this moment he finally realized that the sound was actually coming from the sky

In the task, running 10,000 meters; completion progress: 0%; remaining task time: unlimited

Chen Qiang walked directly towards the nearest building, which was the fitness training center indicated on the sign.

He looked up and saw the text appearing above his head, which read: Task in progress, run 10,000 meters; Completion progress: 0%; Remaining task time: unlimited

Next, Chen Qiang began to contemplate the content of that voice

As for the round coins with square holes that had been in use for nearly two thousand years, by 1929 they had largely withdrawn from circulation, as they were of little value. Just imagine, 3,000 wen equaled one silver dollar, and dining out required carrying at least a sack of copper coins, making it difficult to order substantial dishes. Even purchasing a newspaper necessitated counting out over a hundred copper coins, which was truly inconvenient

Subsequently, Chen Qiang took out a few silver coins and a handful of copper coins from his person

Chen Qiang looked at the signpost, each side of which indicated a different location

The current completion rate should be at 2%, right? Chen Qiang thought to himself

Is the completion rate still 0%? Is there a mistake? Although I may not be running fast, I have at least covered 2000 meters in these 10 minutes, right? Why is the completion rate still 0%? Is it because my running speed is too slow?

These silver dollars contain pure silver amounting to 6 mace, 4 candareens, and 8 grains, thus their value is the same, and they are all treated as "one yuan" for use

It is settled then, I will go to deliver newspapers as a newsboy early tomorrow morning; it is essential to survive in this old Shanghai!

Where did this thing come from!" Chen Qiang was startled, and then he saw the content of the text:

The surroundings were very quiet, but the quieter it became, the more uneasy Chen Qiang felt. He instinctively thought it would be better to leave this place, so he took a step forward and walked in another direction

Beginner task, run 10,000 meters, no time limit for task completion, task reward: 100 points. Do you accept?

After running for 5 minutes, Chen Qiang already felt extremely fatigued, yet the completion rate remained at 0%

There were also nickel coins and copper coins. In the early Republic of China, there was only one type of nickel coin, which was the five-cent nickel coin. The copper coins included two cents, one cent, five li, two li, and one li. Ten li is equivalent to one cent, and ten cents is equivalent to one dime. After the abolition of the tael and the establishment of the new currency, twenty-cent and ten-cent nickel coins were also issued.

As soon as the thought of "accepting the task" flashed through Chen Qiang's mind, the text above his head changed.

There was no one around, yet someone was speaking, which gave Chen Qiang a chilling feeling, and he felt afraid

Chen Qiang immediately became angry

Upon contemplating this possibility, Chen Qiang continued to run.

"There is no one in the sky either." Chen Qiang increasingly felt that this place was very strange, and his fear intensified a bit more as he quickly ran towards another venue

The training space has been activated ... ... A cold voice awakened Chen Qiang, and he suddenly opened his eyes to find himself standing next to a pillar. Four directional signs were nailed to the pillar, pointing towards the east, west, south, and north.

Ten minutes later. The content on the electronic screen remains: Task in progress, running 10,000 meters; Completion progress: 0%; Remaining task time: unlimited

In fact, due to the high value of silver and the low value of copper, silver dollars can be exchanged for a greater number of copper coins

Is it locked? Chen Qiang thought to himself

At that time, there were many types of foreign currencies, such as the Guangxu Yuanbao minted during the Qing Dynasty, which was referred to as "Dragon Currency" because it featured a dragon; the Mexican silver dollar, known as "Eagle Currency" due to the depiction of an eagle; and the British silver dollar, which bore the standing figure of Queen Victoria, thus called "Standing Currency". Additionally, there were various silver dollars such as "Sun Da Tou" featuring the portrait of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, "Yuan Da Tou" with the portrait of Yuan Shikai, and "Li Da Tou" depicting Li Yuanhong, along with a variety of other silver dollars. The British silver dollar, which bore the standing figure of Queen Victoria, was thus referred to as "Standing Currency". Furthermore, there were silver dollars like "Sun Da Tou" featuring the portrait of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, "Yuan Da Tou" with the portrait of Yuan Shikai, and "Li Da Tou" depicting Li Yuanhong, along with various other silver dollars.

In addition, there are copper coins, commonly referred to as copper plates. These copper coins are not the round coins with square holes; the copper coins from the Republic of China do not have holes in the center.

According to this exchange rate, one silver dollar is equivalent to 3,000 round hole copper coins.

There are two types of copper coins, namely the ten copper coins and the twenty copper coins. According to the then current "National Currency Regulations," one silver dollar could be exchanged for 300 ten copper coins or 150 twenty copper coins. Furthermore, one ten copper coin could be exchanged for 100 cash, while one twenty copper coin could be exchanged for 200 cash

Chen Qiang counted and, including that silver dollar, he had a total of 1.73 yuan in his possession, which constituted all of his wealth

Who is speaking? Where is the sound coming from? Chen Qiang shivered in fright and then looked around, only to find that there was no one else in his line of sight except for himself

Points can be earned through tasks, so that's how it is. This task involves running 10,000 meters. Although the distance is not short, there is no time limit, which means I can run slowly. This is very simple, and I can accept this task

After Chen Qiang made up his mind, he went to the corner of the thatched shed and dug for half a day, eventually unearthing a silver dollar, which was an eagle dollar

Chen Qiang put away the money and fell asleep immediately; he needed to rest well in order to get up early tomorrow to sell newspapers

This silver dollar is the savings of the previous individual "Chen Qiang". He fled to Shanghai and, after several months, managed to save up this silver dollar.

Before the "Currency Reform of 1933", China primarily used gold and silver as its main currency, and the currency system was extremely chaotic. A variety of currencies were mixed together, making conversions quite complicated. Those who were not good at mathematics or accounting might as well stay home and avoid shopping to prevent being taken advantage of.

Chen Qiang thought of this and quickened his pace

The sky is a vast expanse without clouds, a clear blue, yet there is no sunlight.

Chen Qiang walked to the front of the fitness training center, pushed the door, but found that the door did not budge at all

This time, Chen Qiang was somewhat prepared, so he was not frightened; instead, he displayed an expression of "as I expected"

This voice says that there are insufficient points and that it cannot be used. In other words, if one wishes to enter, it is necessary to have points. However, how can these points be obtained?

... ...

Indeed, that cold voice descended from the heavens again: "Insufficient points, unable to use the sports rehabilitation center"

"How much is this worth again..." Chen Qiang began to search through his memories, trying to understand the value of currency in this era

The athletics field, tennis court, basketball gym, swimming pool, table tennis hall, and fitness training center... all of them are sports venues! Chen Qiang muttered to himself while looking around, and only then did he notice the surrounding buildings, which, from their appearance, should be the sports venues mentioned on the sign.

According to the prices at that time, if 1.7 yuan were used for meals, Chen Qiang could manage to eat for more than a month by being frugal. However, since Chen Qiang had decided to sell newspapers, this 1.7 yuan was his capital for purchasing newspapers.

Is this the task? Fine, then let's run. After completing 10,000 meters, I should be able to earn those 100 points and gain access to these sports venues!" Chen Qiang steeled his resolve and then took a step forward, beginning to run.

This money should be sufficient to purchase newspapers from the news vendor, and after acquiring the newspapers, they must all be sold on the same day. If the newspapers remain unsold and accumulate, there will be no capital left to buy new newspapers. Go to bed early today and head to the news vendor early tomorrow

As Chen Qiang was pondering how to obtain this so-called "points," a line of text suddenly appeared above his head out of nowhere

"Insufficient points, unable to use the table tennis hall." That cold voice echoed for the third time

... ...

Chen Qiang jogged over and then pushed the door, which was still locked

I have been running for so long, yet the task completion rate has not increased at all. This thing can't be deceiving me, can it

In addition to silver dollars, there are various subsidiary coins. For example, "silver jiaozi" refers to subsidiary coins made of silver, which are divided into three types: one jiao, two jiao, and zhongyuan. One yuan is equivalent to ten jiao.

In large transactions such as buying houses and land, gold is used, while the main circulating currency in the market is the silver dollar, commonly referred to as "daiyang".

Meanwhile, that cold voice sounded once again: "Insufficient points, unable to use the physical training center"

The completion progress is still 0%. I should have run about 200 meters in this minute! Could it be that the distance is too short to display? Or is there a delay in data statistics?