Chapter 37: The Salt and Iron Storage Is Initially Completed

Salt and iron, these two precious materials that sustain the lifeline of Jiao Tu Zhen, must not suffer any loss.

Chen Wen knew this well!

Establish a safe and efficient management system.

Its importance is no less than opening up a new field or forging a useful tool.

Just as work began on the new granary, a more special building with stricter defenses

—the storehouse commonly called the Salt and Iron Storage by the townspeople—was completed first.

The storage's location was carefully chosen, on a slightly elevated north-facing slope just north of the town center.

Far from the noisy residential area and workshops, its surroundings offer an open view, making it hard to approach unnoticed.

The building itself is constructed entirely of sturdy logs, with extremely thick walls.

It has only a single thick wooden door sheathed in iron and a few small ventilation windows high up.

Rather than a storehouse, it is more like a sturdy small fortification.

On the day the storage was completed, Chen Wen personally organized a brief inauguration ceremony.

He dispensed with formalities, instead gathering all the townspeople in the open space before the storage.

In the sunlight, that tightly closed iron‑sheathed wooden door exuded a calm yet imposing aura.

"Folks!"

Chen Wen's voice rang out clearly across the crowd.

"Behind this door lies what our Jiao Tu Zhen now needs most—salt and iron!"

"With salt, we have strength and can stay healthy;"

"With iron, we have tools to reclaim land and defend ourselves!"

"This is what all of us have earned with our sweat, even our lives!"

His gaze swept over faces that were either hopeful or tense:

"These things are precious, so we must establish rules!"

"Starting today, I will personally hold the key to the Salt and Iron Storage!"

"The storehouse's daily registration of incoming and outgoing salt and iron will be handled by Aunt Wang—each tael of salt, each catty of iron!"

"Every entry must bear the handprints and records of both me and Aunt Wang!"

He paused, then pointed to the four sturdy militiamen standing on either side of the storage's door.

These four were repeatedly screened by him and Zhang Cheng; their families reside in the town, and they are steady and loyal.

"They will work in two shifts, keeping round‑the‑clock watch!"

"Without my order, no one may come within ten steps of the storage!"

"Those who violate the order will be treated as traitors to the town!"

The last four words, Chen Wen uttered with decisive firmness!

Carrying an undeniable aura of lethal solemnity, it made everyone's heart shudder.

In troubled times, harsh laws are needed—everyone understands this principle.

【Establishing core material management system, establishing rules and authority, management ability greatly increased (x Bonus)!】

Diligence Points (WP) +150!】

【Current WP: 5161】

Rules are set; the key lies in execution and distribution.

Chen Wen deeply knows that fairness is the most important glue that binds people's hearts.

He had Aunt Wang produce two thick ledgers, one being the "Material In/Out Clear Ledger".

The other is the "Town Labor Contribution Register".

The establishment of the Contribution Register embodies Chen Wen's eight‑fold management thinking.

It does not merely record who did how much work; it attempts a more refined measurement.

For example, reclaiming one mu of wasteland earns a certain number of "work points".

Forging a qualified hoe earns a certain number of "work points".

Participating in night‑watch patrols also earns a certain number of "work points".

Even for the elderly, weak, women, and children, there are corresponding contribution records.

Such as gathering wild vegetables, mending clothing, caring for the injured, etc.

Each evening, the heads of the various groups report the day's work‑point totals to Aunt Wang.

Aunt Wang and a few literate women jointly verify and record the entries.

The accounts are made public, posted once every ten days, and anyone can query and check them.

The greater the contribution, the higher the work points!

When future distribution of living supplies and improvement of living conditions occurs, priority will be higher.

When this system was first implemented, some confusion and dispute were inevitable.

Some felt their work was more tiring yet earned fewer work points than others;

Some could not understand why the elderly and weak could also earn work points.

Chen Wen's handling of this demonstrated eightfold patience and insight.

He did not simply suppress dissent, but gathered those who had questions.

Together they went to the site to assess the intensity, difficulty, and importance of different work.

He personally demonstrated, patiently explaining why reclaiming hard wasteland earns more work points than harvesting mature crops.

Why forging an iron knife yields far more work points than mending an old garment.

Our town needs to survive and grow; it depends on everyone's strength and also on everyone's heart.

Chen Wen, after mediating a dispute, said to the onlooking villagers.

"Strong laborers sweating like rain is a contribution; elders at home watching children so the strong laborers can work in peace is also a contribution."

"Women sewing clothes and cooking to guarantee everyone is fed and warm is also a contribution!"

"What we record is not just work points, but everyone's effort!"

"Only when effort receives its due reward will everyone feel that life has a prospect."

"Only then will we truly regard this place as home!"

After these words, everyone was convinced, and even those who had originally harbored resentment lowered their heads.

Fairness is not simple egalitarianism, but letting every valuable contribution be seen and respected.

【Optimizing contribution distribution system, improving fairness and cohesion, leadership and coordination ability improved (x Bonus)!

Diligence Points (WP)+180!】

【Current WP: 5341】

This day was the first time extra food salt was formally distributed according to 《Contribution Ledger》.

Besides the basic living quota, Chen Wen decided to take out a portion of salt as a reward for outstanding contributors.

Aunt Wang held the account book, loudly calling out names and the amount of salt they deserved.

Those whose names were called beamed with pride and joy.

Amid the envious gazes of the crowd, they stepped forward and received from Chen Wen's hand a small pinch of snow-white salt wrapped in clean leaves.

The amount was small, but the significance was great.

An elderly farmer who had meticulously tended the seedlings and promptly spotted pests was rewarded with extra salt.

Trembling hands received the salt packet, eyes moist:

"After living over sixty years, this is the first time I feel that this sweat was not shed in vain!"

Watching this scene, Chen Wen felt relieved.

The establishment of the system was not only for management.

It was also to arouse everyone's initiative, twisting scattered strength into a single rope.

"The Salt and Iron Small Fort protects not only supplies, but also this newly ignited spark named 'Hope'."

However!

In this orderly, hope-filled atmosphere.

A hint of disharmony was also caught by Chen Wen's eightfold keen senses.

On the outskirts of the crowd, a recently arrived refugee with a sallow complexion.

His gaze did not focus on the award ceremony like everyone else's.

Instead, he occasionally and swiftly scanned the structure of the Salt and Iron Small Fort, the guards' positions, and Chen Wen himself.

In that gaze, a fleeting look was not envy or joy!

But rather an ineffable scrutiny and calculation.

Chen Wen's heart stirred slightly, but his expression remained unchanged.

He merely memorized that person's appearance silently.

The warning of the Li Family Village traitor still echoed in his ears; Jiao Tu Zhen, this just-sprouting paradise.

It was far from the time to rest easy.

Internal management and defense were as important as external expansion and protection.