Chapter 154 - Construction of the Territory (2/2)
Although the Magic Web could provide ‘wireless energy supply’, where transfer of magical power could occur above the Magic Web or close to it, doing so wasn’t efficient. If they reserved many ‘Magic Web interfaces’, it would be in preparation for the future urbanization developments: for example, connecting to street lamps or providing magical power to every household.
“Now there’s another problem,” Heidi hesitated for a moment, but still decided to speak of it. “It’s about the night education that you pushed on.”
Gawain instantly frowned. “Night education? Those general-studies classes? What has happened?”
“You required every person in the territory to receive education, but now that people are surging in in large numbers, and all of them essentially being completely illiterate peasants, the number of teachers we have are completely insufficient,” Heidi said in a troubled manner. “We have established learning sites in the middle, west, and south of the territory and got all soldiers, craftsmen, and department heads that are literate to take turns in giving classes after finishing work, but things are still too busy. The capacity of every ‘class’ is limited, and those new residents lack discipline. Once there is a big number of people, the extent of the chaos is virtually a disaster. And if we reduce the number of people… we would have to increase the number of classes.”
“Increasing the number of classes would mean needing more teachers.” Gawain frowned. “Didn’t Tanzan Town send some clerical apprentices over?”
“They’ve been dispatched to teach, but we’re still lacking.”
“Then recruit them from the ‘100-men aid team’,” Gawain decided. “Other than ‘high-end talents’ like Jenni, some of the ordinary craftsmen or apprentices are also literate. They would probably be interested in the extra allowance for teachers. In addition, you have to start publicizing job recruitments for the steelworks and mechanical research station. Tell the residents, both freemen and serfs can enter the factories to work, but they must be able to read and count before they can sign up, and by working in factories, they would receive extra food allowance like the craftsmen. Only like this would they be motivated in learning. It would also be easier to maintain discipline.”
Heidi nodded lightly. “Yes, I understand now.”
Gawain thought for a while and asked, “Is there anything else you need to report?”
Heidi looked towards Amber at the side. “Her ability to sleep while walking is really very formidable.”
Gawain faltered and turned his head for a glance. In the end, he found that this half-elf was really following beside him with her eyes closed as if she’d been sleeping for some time already.
“When did this rascal fall asleep?!”
Heidi wore a helpless look. “When we first started discussing the building of houses.”
Gawain was stunned. “…In a way, she’s also a talent.”
And he’d just finished sighing when he saw Amber leisurely sober up. Miss Half-Elf rubbed her eyes, stared at Gawain and Heidi, and curiously asked, “You two are finally done discussing?”
The corner of Gawain’s lips twitched as he intentionally looked at Heidi. “Now about the production output of steel…”
Amber closed her eyes. “Wake me up when food’s ready.”
Gawain instantly had no way out. He was just thinking of casually grabbing Amber’s ear and twisting it to see if it would wake her up when he suddenly saw a soldier running over from the corner of his eye.
“Lord!” The soldier ran to Gawain and swiftly stood still before bowing. “A stranger has come to the territory!”
“Stranger?” Gawain faltered, not knowing what was so urgent about such a matter. “Is it a refugee from the north? If he came to seek refuge by himself…”
“No, that person was dressed in clothes of the Church of Holy Light. He seemed to be a missionary, but for some reason, he’s currently working at the building site.”
“Huh?”