74: New policies implemented

Shen Xiaochuan stood by the old well, his fingers sliding across the interface of the Faith Mall.

He saw a boy running over with an empty bucket, and an old man whose hands trembled as he drew water.

This water was not enough; two trips a day were simply not enough to distribute.

He selected the "High-Quality Spirit Spring," which cost sixty thousand faith points.

He also bought three "Refined-Grade Springs," each costing twelve thousand points.

A total of ninety-six thousand points, and the System notified him that the payment was successful.

A ball of light appeared in the air and landed in his hand.

Shen Xiaochuan turned and said to the warrior, "Place one in the East District, West District, and South District each, and put the remaining one in the North shantytown."

The warrior took the light ball and left.

In less than ten minutes, four streams of water sprayed out from the ground and flowed into the newly built stone troughs.

The residents gathered around; some reached out to test the water temperature, while others cupped it in their hands to drink directly.

"It's drinkable!" a child jumped up and shouted.

The news spread quickly.

The people who were originally crowding the street corner to get water dispersed and headed toward the new water collection points.

No one was pushing, and no one was arguing.

An old woman knelt by the stone trough doing laundry, shedding tears as she washed.

Shen Xiaochuan did not stay long and headed toward the Administrative Hall.

Karl was already waiting for him, holding a registration form in his hand.

Upon seeing Shen Xiaochuan, he hurried over to greet him, "Lord Shen, the four thousand and three new arrivals have completed their Awakening talent test."

"Eighty-five people have undergone Awakening, with seven at C-rank, thirty-six at D-rank, and the rest are E-rank or unclassified."

"Give me the list." Shen Xiaochuan took the paper and glanced at it.

At the bottom of the form, it read: three thousand two hundred and fourteen able-bodied laborers, including four hundred and seventy-three youths aged 12 to 16, and three hundred and eighty-nine elderly people over the age of 60.

"Starting from today, the rules will change. Children under sixteen and the elderly over sixty will not participate in production tasks, nor will they be included in the conscription list." Shen Xiaochuan placed the paper on the table, his tone firm.

Karl was stunned. "But this will reduce the labor force by one-third."

"They are not labor," Shen Xiaochuan said. "Children need to grow up, and the elderly need to be cared for. The Divine Kingdom can afford it."

"But..."

"No buts." Shen Xiaochuan interrupted him. "Starting tomorrow, distribute basic rations and living supply kits to these people."

"Add a nutritious meal for the children every day, and have the elderly undergo a physical checkup once a month. The money will come from public expenditures."

Karl opened his mouth, but eventually lowered his head and noted it down. "I will adjust the ledger immediately."

"Also, do not allow anyone to kneel to receive items," Shen Xiaochuan added. "Go and tell all the administrators that Skydome City values contributions, not kowtowing."

Karl nodded and left.

Shen Xiaochuan walked out of the Administrative Hall, where Lilith and Lilia were distributing newly made clothes.

Seeing him approach, both of them stopped.

"I heard you are going to build a church?" Lilith asked.

"Anna wanted to build one, so I approved it," he said.

Lilia smiled. "She talked about it all morning and drew so many diagrams; she even figured out which way the windows should face."

Shen Xiaochuan nodded. "Let's go take a look."

The commercial district was busier than in the morning. There was a queue in front of the Blacksmith Shop, wounded people sat outside the Hospital, and footsteps could be heard from the Training Ground.

However, he noticed that the furnace fire for forging blades was not strong enough, the pharmacy window was crowded with people, and the Training Grounds were not big enough.

He walked into the Blacksmith Shop and looked at the craftsmen repairing weapons.

"A level four shop needs to have the ground turned over, and we need to replace the smelting furnace!" The craftsman widened his eyes, looking troubled.

"Upgrade to level four," Shen Xiaochuan said. "I want you to produce one hundred pieces of refined equipment every day."

"Start today." He turned around after speaking. "The same goes for the Hospital and the Training Ground; upgrade them all to level four."

The news spread quickly. Zhou Mingrui, who was in charge of infrastructure, was still wiping sweat when he rushed over. "Starting four level-four construction projects at the same time, the Materials might not be enough."

"I will take care of the Materials," Shen Xiaochuan said. "You just focus on leading the construction. How long will the construction period be?"

"Normally it takes three months."

"I'll give you ten days."

Zhou Mingrui swallowed hard, his gaze turned fierce, and he patted his chest, saying: "Rest assured, My Lord! I will get it done even if it kills me!"

"There is one more task." Shen Xiaochuan took out a blueprint. "A level three church, located in the open space between the residential area and the commercial district. Anna is in charge of the design, and you will coordinate the construction."

Zhou Mingrui took the blueprint and looked at it. "Her design... is different from what we usually build."

"No need to follow the old ways," Shen Xiaochuan said. "Let her build it however she envisions it. As long as it is safe and sturdy, that's fine."

"Understood!"

After Zhou Mingrui ran off, Lilith whispered: "Anna has been revising the diagrams constantly; she hasn't even eaten."

"Let's go check on her."

Anna was sitting at the long table in the side hall, with several sheets of paper spread out in front of her. Her pen moved across the page, and she would stop from time to time to rub her wrist. Hearing footsteps, she looked up, and seeing it was Shen Xiaochuan, she immediately stood up.

"You're here."

"Haven't slept yet?"

"I want to adjust the position of the pillars again." She pointed to the blueprint. "The lighting is better here, so the morning sun can shine in. The Believers will be able to see the light as soon as they enter."

Shen Xiaochuan looked at the dark circles under her eyes. "If you are sleepy, go rest and continue tomorrow."

"I'm not tired," she shook her head. "This church is not just a place for worship. I want it to be a place where everyone is willing to come. A place to sit when tired, to be treated when sick, and for children to study. You let me build it myself, and I don't want to mess it up."

Shen Xiaochuan paused for a few seconds. "Then do it as you envision. If you lack anything, apply to Karl; it will count as a public project."

Anna's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"My word is final."

She looked down at the blueprint, her fingers gently tracing the lines. "Thank you."

Shen Xiaochuan didn't say anything else and turned to leave.

Returning to the commercial district, the first batch of Materials had already arrived. Zhou Mingrui directed the workers to mark out the areas, and the cement floor began to be poured. The wall of the Blacksmith Shop was pushed down, the Hospital's perimeter wall was expanded outward, and the Training Ground's foundation was being re-measured.

Shen Xiaochuan walked to the side of the church construction site and looked at the outline just drawn on the ground.

Several children gathered around, pointing at the chalk lines and discussing.

"Is a high platform going to be built here?"

"There must be a bell! I heard Sister Anna say there will be bell chimes to tell the time!"

"Can we hold weddings here in the future?"

"Of course!"

Shen Xiaochuan listened, touching the copper gear in his sleeve.

Clanging sounds came from the distance as the new furnace frame for the Blacksmith Shop was being erected. A short queue formed at the entrance of the Hospital, but the order was much better. An old man leaning on a crutch sat under a new sunshade drinking water, with a volunteer handing him medicine nearby.

Lilia ran over. "The first batch of nutritious meals is ready, prepared to be distributed to the children."

"Distribute them," he said.

"Also, the living supply kits for the elderly are ready; should we deliver them now?"

"Deliver them together. Choose a prominent time so everyone knows the policy has been implemented."

Lilia nodded and ran off.

Shen Xiaochuan stood still, watching the workers erect the first steel beam.

Zhou Mingrui walked over holding a tape measure, wiping the dust from his face. "The foundation will be finished tomorrow morning. You said ten days to complete it, and we will definitely do it."

"I believe in you."

"My Lord, look at what we are doing now; this is what makes it feel worthwhile! Before, we fought just to survive, but now building houses is about letting everyone live like human beings!" Zhou Mingrui grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

Shen Xiaochuan didn't speak, looking into the distance.

The sun was setting, with the light shining obliquely on the unfinished wall. Dust floated in the light like little stars.

Anna walked over holding the blueprints, stopping three steps away from the foundation. She looked at the steel beam and didn't speak for a long time.

Shen Xiaochuan walked to her side.

"I want to add a door tomorrow," she said. "Open an entrance on both the north and south sides. The north door connects to the residential area, and the south door connects to the commercial street. Anyone can come in, and no one will be blocked out."