Royal Gold Magistrate

Chen Siwu followed the crowd expectantly as Manager Wang led them away.

They moved to another location, arriving at a courtyard.

The courtyard was bustling with people, many of them queuing up.

Chen Siwu craned his neck to look, and his eyes immediately widened.

Inside, there was a small mountain of clothes… and the people queuing in front were receiving clothes?

Chen Siwu’s heart started beating faster again.

What was going on? They had just received one set, and now they could get another?

As he was pondering this, he heard Manager Wang shouting: “Everyone, change into these clothes here. From now on! You’re not allowed to wear the clothes you have on now!”

“The clothes you’re wearing now, unless you leave the Sun mansion, you’re not allowed to wear them again!”

“Whether it’s for daily life or work, you can only wear the clothes issued by our Sun mansion. Do you all understand?”

“We understand!” Everyone shouted excitedly!

Wow, they hadn’t done any work yet and had already gotten two sets of new clothes.

Isn’t this getting rich?

Everyone clumsily changed into the new clothes and pants. This set was also quite nice, also covered in printed words.

However, all the advertising text had changed to the Sun family’s.

Of course, the workers didn’t know this.

Chen Siwu changed into the clothes but felt like something was missing. Suddenly, he remembered they hadn’t discussed wages.

So he called out loudly: “Master! Master! How much will we be paid for our work?”

Manager Wang frowned and reluctantly answered: “The first month is a probation period! Two meals a day, all you can eat! If you work well, you can stay. In the second month, we’ll pay you retroactively for the first month. The exact amount depends on how well you work.”

Everyone mulled this over in their minds.

Alright, two full meals a day is fine, should be better than porridge!

Not to mention they had gotten two sets of new clothes, right?

Manager Wang continued: “If you don’t pass the probation period, you won’t be paid, and you’ll have to return the clothes! So wear them carefully!”

“……….”

When everyone was ready, Manager Wang waved his hand and said: “Everyone follow me! I’ll take you to the dormitory area. That’s where you’ll be living from now on!”

With that, Manager Wang turned and left the house.

The crowd followed behind him in a grand procession.

After walking for a while, everyone once again arrived outside the city.

Chen Siwu felt a sense of happiness rising in his heart.

Finally… finally, would he have a home that could shelter him from wind and rain?

As he expected, Manager Wang led everyone directly to the Sunshine Community.

However, there were government officials guarding the entrance to this community. As soon as they saw Manager Wang approaching, they immediately raised their hands to stop him.

“Which household are you from? Report your name.”

Manager Wang, with a smile on his face, said: “We’re from the Sun family. Please, sir, help us settle in. Let me just…” As he spoke, he tried to slip some silver into the yamen runner’s hand.

The yamen runner frowned and discreetly pushed it back, whispering: “Don’t mess with me, do you want to get me killed!”

Manager Wang awkwardly withdrew his hand and stammered: “Well… thank you for your trouble, brother officer.”

The yamen runner nodded coldly.

Then he beckoned to the crowd behind Manager Wang: “Sun family workers, all follow me!”

Manager Wang also called out to everyone: “Once you’re inside, follow all the instructions from the officials. I’ll come back tomorrow to arrange your work!”

With that, he turned and left.

The yamen runner led everyone into the Sunshine Community. After walking for a while, they stopped in front of a wooden house.

There was a sign on the wooden house that read 【Sun Mansion C3】

The yamen runner pushed open the door, revealing the interior.

It was called a dormitory, but it was actually a large communal sleeping area with bunk beds. One building could house dozens of people.

The building was very roughly constructed. To speed up construction, there was no need to mention the foundation.

It looked less like a house and more like an oversized wooden shipping container.

Except that it had doors and windows.

Such houses would be little different from paper in the face of larger natural disasters.

However, Chen Siwu was still overjoyed.

From now on… this would be his temporary “home”.

He no longer had to live like a wild man, eating and sleeping outdoors.

The yamen runner spoke: “Alright! From today on, you’ll be living here. Someone will come later to register you and make new tags.”

“The tag is your only form of identification, so make sure to keep it safe!”

“There’s one set of bedding per person on the beds. There are washbasins under the beds, and you can divide the soap and towels among yourselves.”

“Also, the compartments on the wall are for you to store your things. Put your belongings away properly.”

Chen Siwu glanced sideways and saw that there was a row of wooden racks on the wall opposite the beds, just like in the bathhouse, but with small doors.

“When you start working and earn money, you can buy locks to secure your things.”

The yamen runner walked to the wall and pointed at a sign covered in colorful engravings.

“The community has everything you need. There are special shops selling goods, and things are cheaper than outside. It’s best to spend your money here when you earn it.”

“This sign is a map. This smiley face is the mediation room. You absolutely must not fight in the community! Otherwise, you’ll be kicked out!”

“If there are arguments or conflicts, come to this place. Someone will help resolve them.”

“Next to the mediation room is the life services room. If you have any questions, go there to ask.”

He pointed to another icon: “This is the well where you can get water. Next to it is the medical clinic. There are three clinics in each community, all free. Go there promptly if you get sick.”

“Also, government officials patrol the community daily.”

“It’s best not to go out at night. The red areas on the map are women’s living areas! Entry is strictly forbidden without relatives!”

“If you’re longing for women, there will be performance schedules in the community every month. Everyone can go watch. Then it’s up to your own abilities.”

“For those with children who can’t take care of them immediately, send them to school. Children under 16 can attend school for free for half a year, meals included!”

“It’s always free for 12-year-olds.”

“No urinating or defecating anywhere in the community. The latrines are at…..”

The yamen runner explained tirelessly, and everyone in the room felt a warmth in their hearts.

This place… seemed even better than living in their old homes….

“This dormitory was built by the Sun family! The dormitories in the community were all funded by different merchants from the city. It’s best not to wander around unnecessarily.”

“If relatives or friends come to visit from other dormitory areas, remember to register with the officials.”

The yamen runner took out a notebook and turned to the last page: “Finally, the most important point!”

“Master Fang said that you need to negotiate your own wages!”

“Don’t be afraid to speak up! Be bold, eat your fill! A happy life requires your own efforts to strive for it. Unite together, don’t let yourselves be bullied.”

“Don’t think that living in a particular family’s dormitory means you’re sold to that family. If you’re not satisfied with the work, you can leave anytime and switch to another family!”

“If anyone receives unfair treatment, you can immediately report it to the yamen! His Highness the Crown Prince and Master Fang will stand up for you!”

By this point, many people were already choking up.

They lowered their heads, eyes glistening with tears, feeling inexplicably moved.

The yamen runner closed his notebook and looked at everyone with a smile.

“Ahem! All items have been communicated!”

“My name is Zhao Dong! Later, when someone comes to investigate, remember to give me a five-star rating, understand?”

Chen Siwu rubbed his red and swollen eyes and asked: “Sir, what’s a five-star rating?”

Zhao Dong smiled and said: “Don’t ask too many questions about that! Anyway, someone will come to ask you later.”

“Each of you can give me a five-star rating. It won’t be in vain that I came all this way. Thank you!”

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now!”

With that, Zhao Dong turned and left, leaving a room full of workers still pondering what a five-star rating was.