The King of Black Fog

"Dockworkers, rickshaw drivers, coachmen, paperboys, laborers, sailors, nightsoil men, prostitutes, beggars..."

Li Changzhou flipped through the documents in his hand, understanding the living standards of these lower-class citizens.

Take the paperboys for example, their average daily income was three cents, with an average monthly income of nine yuan, working an average of six hours a day.

They didn't starve, but life held no meaning, no hope—days without prospects. If they had no house locally, they were doomed to rent for life, only able to share housing, squeezed together with a bunch of people, never having a home of their own.

The living environment was also extremely poor; not to mention fire hazards, sanitary conditions could prove fatal at any moment.

Now with chaos from war and robbers rampaging, burning and looting had caused many people from outside the city to abandon their ancestral homes. These families flooded into the city, exacerbating this situation.

In the city, these people could only rent and were forced to work, the women in the families also had to contribute—even if they made just a dime or two a month, for not working might likely mean starving and begging on the streets the next day.

Take the coachman's family as an example.

Their total average monthly income was 28.38 yuan, including a wage of 27.66 yuan from physical labor and an income of 0.72 yuan from family members and others. Should anything happen to the coachman, the whole family would be left homeless on the streets.

If the coachman's vehicle was rented, an additional 10.98 yuan (average) had to be paid monthly for the rent, and only the remainder could be used for family expenses.

Conclusion: A life akin to that of beasts of burden.

"Commander, these are data from a few years back; recent wars and heavenly disasters have shifted circumstances, such as the porters at the docks who would never have foreseen this year's sea freeze," said Finance Minister Wang Moren.

"In this world, the only constant is transformation," Li Changzhou set down the documents.

He picked up his teacup and took a sip, pondering as he drank.

About how to integrate the fragmented Song City, forcibly unified under the powerful grip of the Li Clan warlords, he did not plan to consult anyone and decided to figure it out himself.

Gathering a wide range of ideas was good, but it wasted time, and he did not care about success or failure.

The Finance Minister remained silent, silently waiting for him to speak.

Li Changzhou had no management experience, but from reading "Dream of the Red Chamber," he knew about increasing revenue and reducing expenditure. In the current situation, this meant creating jobs and reducing unemployment risk.

Right, there was also "work relief."

"You—"

As soon as Li Changzhou spoke, the Finance Minister immediately leaned forward, ready to listen.

"Gather those unemployed porters, not just porters, but all the jobless, to build houses."

"Build houses?" the Finance Minister asked, puzzled.

Li Changzhou said no more but called for a servant to bring pen and paper and drew dormitories on the spot.

Considering the era and costs, the dormitories were simplistic, comprising only one room with small dimensions, a single window, one door, and shared baths and toilets.

As he drew, struck by inspiration, he added a dining hall to his plans.

"Can you understand these?" he asked the Finance Minister.

"Commander, are you planning to employ these workers and build dormitories for them?" the Finance Minister ventured.

Li Changzhou nodded.

"Commander," the Finance Minister spoke cautiously, "the Commander has given you a lot of money to pay salaries. Constructing dormitories is certainly feasible, but if most of the funds are used here, other areas—"

He didn't continue.

Spending all of it there did not really matter, since Li Changzhou would leave once the task was completed, but such direct action wouldn't enhance "ability."

"Of course, I will not be paying out of my own pocket," Li Changzhou said.

It was simply another case of increasing revenue and reducing expenditures.

"Land will be granted for free by the government, as close to the docks as possible. The dormitories will be rented out to the workers at low prices, one yuan per month for a room, one yuan and fifty cents for rooms with a kitchen.

"Moreover, starting today, notify all the newspapers within Song City and any other cities where we can spread the word. Publicize the hardships of the lower class citizens of Song City. Write about the direst situations, take many pictures, and include this project of mine, appealing for help from all sectors. Make sure the donation channels are clearly communicated and the donation methods are convenient," Li Changzhou instructed.

The Finance Minister nodded repeatedly and eventually used the pen and paper on the table to jot down everything Li Changzhou had said.

After writing, he asked, "Commander, I understand about the dormitories, but this dining hall... are you planning to create a canteen for the workers that operates on volume to mainly satisfy hunger?"

"Hmm," Li Changzhou nodded, "We will run it ourselves, and the dining hall can employ family members living in the worker dormitories."

"Great!" the Finance Minister wrote a few more notes.

Li Changzhou pondered thoroughly, considering what aspects he might have overlooked, and then thought of two more items.

One, rental qualifications must be strictly controlled, allowing only laborers, manual workers, street vendors, small traders, and impoverished women from Song City to rent; if it is just one person, they must share, maximizing the use of space;

Two, manage disputes within the dormitories in the surrounding area while also ensuring their safety.

"That will be all for now," Li Changzhou said, "I am focusing solely on this right now. Get it done well and quickly, and hire as many people as needed."

"Rest assured, Commander!" the Finance Minister bowed, "On matters benefiting the nation and the people, how could I dare delay."

"Alright, go handle it now."

The Finance Minister bowed and was led out by a servant. When he reached the entrance of the living room, he suddenly stopped.

"Commander," he raised his voice slightly, "I thank you on behalf of the workers of Song City!"

He bowed deeply and then briskly departed.

A smile flickered across Li Changzhou's heart. Wang Moren had not uttered a single flattery since entering, yet he delivered a set as he left.