Extreme Cold Era: Shelter Don't Keep Waste

Although the work schedule, according to the Countess's statement, requires all workers to perform at maximum efficiency during working hours, prolonged work will only lead to decreased labor efficiency and errors. Since the operation is already running 24 hours with three shifts, there's no need to compete for those extra hours of work.

Labour didn't quite understand what the Countess said, but he knew at least one thing: the Countess let him work only ten hours a day.

So even though he was very worried about his two children at home, Labour still carefully instructed his son to take good care of his sister at home, not to open the door to anyone, and not to run outside to play before going to work.

Before the disaster happened, Labour's son was already attending public primary school, but with the occurrence of the disaster, public schools basically all stopped.

In addition, with the death of the woman in the family, Labour didn't have any relatives or friends to help take care of the children, so he could only let his nine-year-old son take care of his five-year-old daughter.

After taking some time to get to the construction site, Labour had to first find the foreman to sign in before he could receive today's food ration.

This is one of the Countess's benevolent policies; she first gives the workers a day's food ration so they can complete today's work with peace of mind, without worrying about finishing the work but lacking food.

Moreover, from another perspective, if a worker hasn't had breakfast, the food ration can at least fill their stomach first.

In fact, Labour knew more than one worker who would eat a quarter of the food ration in the morning.

The reason for not eating it all at once, besides saving some for dinner, is mostly because, like Labour, they need to take the food ration home.

However, just when Labour had tucked away the food ration and was ready to go to work, the foreman stopped him.

"Labour, I remember you said you've worked as a foreman in a construction crew before, right?" the foreman asked, looking at Labour.

Labour nodded, not knowing what the foreman wanted, but he answered honestly, "Yes, I used to be a foreman in a construction company, for about four years."

The foreman nodded with satisfaction at this and then asked, "I remember you have two kids? Is the food ration at home enough?"

"The kids are barely getting by; although I'm a bit hungry, I can have a meal at the site at noon, so it's not a big problem," Labour answered honestly, having a faint guess but keeping his emotions in check.

The foreman was more satisfied with Labour and then explained, "The Countess has issued a new order, requiring each site to strengthen control over the workers, allowing the promotion of foremen from among the workers to oversee shifts, ensuring that each crew has at least one leader.

Previously, I was in charge of all the crews in your shift, and now according to the Countess's orders, we need to promote one leader from each of your three crews.

Labour, you're the most hardworking and honest in your crew, and besides, with your work experience and respect for the Countess, you're one of the three leaders.

You can get an extra food ration daily and have two meals at the site as part of the leader's extra benefits."

"Is this true? I've been promoted?" Labour was overjoyed at hearing this news. Despite a sudden, inexplicable feeling that his promotion was inevitably linked to his respect for the Countess, the joy made him not dwell on it.

Getting an extra food ration every day is a huge help for Labour; their living conditions significantly improved immediately.

Especially since Labour can eat two meals a day at the site, it means he can save both food rations for his children, eating only at the site himself.

After all, eating at the site doesn't require the same frugality as at home; though each portion is fixed, it's enough to fill an adult.

This whole time, Labour could hold on, thanks mainly to that one meal at the site.

Now being able to eat two meals a day means going from half-starved to at least half-full for Labour.

The foreman understood Labour's happiness well, nodding affirmatively, "Yes, you've been promoted to the leader of your crew; your crew members are now under your charge."

"Rest assured! I will manage them well and ensure all tasks are completed daily on time!" Labour assured the foreman seriously, as this was the only thing he could promise.

However, the foreman shook his head and said, "Completing work earnestly is your due responsibility and must-be-done tasks; being a leader, you're responsible for more than just this!"

Seeing Labour seemed to really not understand, the foreman had no choice but to explain helplessly, "The Countess's reason for promoting you leaders is not to push workers to work earnestly—though there's indeed this requirement—but if that's all, having foremen is enough.

The Countess set up leaders to urge workers not to engage in illegal assemblies not permitted by the Empire during this period and not to believe in some baseless rumors, let alone any heretical sects!

Labour, your job is to ensure these workers focus on their work daily and not participate in any illegal gatherings or being instigated to join some protest!"

Hearing this from the foreman, Labour suddenly remembered that before the construction of the site began, there were indeed some religious activities in the outer and lower cities.

But what they advocated was contrary to the faith promoted by the Empire's mainstream Church. Labour didn't pay it much mind but did mention it to a patrolling officer while passing a police station.

After that, he didn't see such people much anymore.

Having been reminded by the foreman now, Labour understood what exactly he should do.

Though Labour didn't care about politics at all, he understood these things that were almost close to home quite clearly.

So, with the foreman's earnest expectations, Labour nodded seriously, "Rest assured, I will seriously urge every worker! I will never let them go down the wrong path."

In response, the foreman showed even more trust in Labour.

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At this time, on the route from Langton to the Northern Territory, Perfikot was taking her Flying Airship back to the Northern Territory.

In such a crucial moment, it was reasonable that Perfikot should not leave Langton.

However, Perfikot had some very important matters requiring her return to the Northern Territory, so after arranging everything and briefly handing over work to Eldest Princess Annie, Perfikot took her Flying Airship back to the Northern Territory.

For the ordinary citizens of the Empire, such matters did not affect or burden them.

Even as currently the entire Empire was caught in a food shortage, for ordinary citizens, Perfikot's trip wouldn't plunge them into food scarcity.

After all, food doesn't pop out from rocks, nor does it disappear for no reason.

For ordinary people, Perfikot's trip indeed brings impact, but when the impact actually reaches ordinary citizens due to various reasons, it's almost imperceptible.

Such an effect is certainly a result of Perfikot's meticulous arrangements along the way.

Not only that, she issued several new orders targeting Langton's nobles, successfully making the nobles covered by the decrees gnash their teeth at her, while ordinary citizens praised her benevolence.

Perfikot could, of course, oppress the ordinary citizens to maintain the interests of the noble class, but compared to sacrificing some of the nobility's interests for the people's benefit, Perfikot deemed it better for a few to suffer than the masses?

One noble's loss can feed many ordinary citizens.

So let the nobles cry and curse her, she would bear it!