Chapter 280: Chapter 280: Chains of Ownership

"As large amounts of machinery enter the site, the mine will need fewer and fewer miners, but the ironworks will need more and more people. To get miners to enter the ironworks where income is lower, we must use certain methods."

Lava General’s expression under his exoskeleton armor was actually somewhat conflicted, but his voice still showed no fluctuation: "We’ll sell new-style houses to everyone living in this area, but we can’t collect all the money directly..."

"Or rather, from the start, you never intended to collect it all."

"First step: let all current workers earn some money."

"Second step: the house price is divided into two parts—one part is the down payment, one part is the mortgage. The down payment is the money they’ve earned recently. The mortgage is like when you borrow money from Dragon Bank—you need to pay certain interest."

"But you must remember: the amount they repay each month must be less than what the factory pays in wages... Roughly enough to let them live normally, with the rest of the money all going back to you. Of course, this needs a time limit—say, twenty years."

Lava General stopped there.

But the mine managers were shocked by his words.

Going back and forth like this, what actually trickled down to these miners and refugees was still pitifully little—just barely enough to maintain their lives. But they’d have no choice but to work hard, work diligently, even more desperately than normal.

Because if they persevered, after twenty years, they’d own their own house...

That was hope.

But after owning their own house, could they leave here?

They’d still need to work hard.

Though by that time, maybe a bit more would fall into their hands.

But who cared about what would happen in twenty years?!

In twenty years, anything could happen.

What they saw now was: as lords and managers, they only needed to provide a house and some very low wages to get a large group of workers striving hard.

New-style factories, tons of workers working desperately—compared to this, what did that investment count for?

This plan was absolutely brilliant!

It was just too perfect.

No wonder Lava General had asked them to build these strange houses before—so this was why!

They could even take it further—for instance, requiring people to buy a house before they could work. Once they worked, they could own their own house. That way, everyone would form this closed loop...

Hiss—

The mine manager couldn’t help but gasp.

A genius idea!

How had he not thought of such a good method?

No wonder Lava General had suddenly pulled out such a weird house blueprint for them to build—so this was it!

Seeing their expressions, Lava General knew things were basically settled.

Honestly, he felt this was a form of exploitation of these workers and actually quite unfair.

But Viscount Roster was right—nothing in this world was perfect. To achieve certain goals, having some people make certain sacrifices was unavoidable. It was just like situations on the battlefield.

Besides, this wasn’t completely screwing them over.

Right now, many of the conscripted peasants and refugees had no source of income but needed to work every day.

Even eating was a problem.

Working people to death or starving them was extremely common.

But with this incentive, the mine would most likely pay some money. With that money, they’d most likely get through the first hurdle and not starve to death.

Once the new-style houses were built, they’d also have a decent resting place—much safer and warmer than current shacks. When Frigid Moon arrived, the probability of freezing to death would also drop significantly.

These were all things very difficult to obtain in this mining area.

Hard to get even after earning money.

A three-way win situation would unfold from this action. At the very least, all three parties would feel they’d gained something, and magic-tech would develop rapidly.

"Your suggestion is really good. I’ll report it to His Majesty as soon as possible. Personally, I think this plan is highly likely to be adopted."

After a long while, the mine manager finally calmed down and spoke very respectfully.

He was genuinely impressed.

He hadn’t expected Lava General to have such skills in management.

Or maybe everyone in the Church of Technology was good at this?

"Actually, I have another idea that, combined with this plan, could bring even better results. But I won’t require you to do it—I’ll just lay out the pros and cons."

Lava General nodded slightly but didn’t explain anything.

"Please speak?"

"What do you think commoners care about most?"

On the way to the mine, he planned to explain more things needed in the magic-tech era. As for how much the other party was willing to accept, that was up to them. What mattered was that today’s conversation could spread.

Reform wasn’t something that could be completed overnight. Right now, he just wanted to plant a seed along the way.

"Food, of course." The mine manager didn’t hesitate.

"What about after having enough to eat?"

"Warm clothing? Not starving to death?"

"Yes, enough food and warm clothes—that’s the basic survival need. Then comes literacy and education, understanding principles—that’s the necessary means for them to improve their status."

Lava General spoke slowly: "So I think you should establish lots of schools to match the needs of the mine and ironworks, to cultivate the miners’ descendants..."

This matter also had many benefits. Of course, it would also bring some instability and opposition from some traditional nobles.

Right now, he temporarily didn’t have the energy to do this, so he was just giving pointers.

If they could invest part of the mine’s income into these areas, they’d inevitably get greater returns.

Just like that, everyone chatted, and they soon arrived near the mine tunnels.

By this time, many combat clerics from the Church of Technology were already guarding various intersections, with large numbers of personnel inside beginning to explore and clear out threats.

Quite a few passing miners looked nervous, seemingly full of wariness toward these combat clerics.

Some fear.

Almost at the same time.

Roster’s Territory.

Wild Mage and Apprentice were also having a series of discussions surrounding this special newly appeared species.

"If everything is as we guessed, this time we’ll definitely be able to manufacture qualified tires. Then the final piece of the magic-tech vehicle puzzle will be complete."

Apprentice couldn’t help but say with some emotion: "Magic-tech vehicles... Ultra-high-speed trains plus magic-tech vehicles—this world’s operational efficiency will far exceed our imagination."

Having been involved in ultra-high-speed train R&D, production, and manufacturing for so long, how could they not have realized its advantages and disadvantages?

The appearance of magic-tech vehicles would greatly compensate for many of its existing disadvantages.

The entire transportation system would undergo a transformation!