Chapter 178: Industry (Final Two Days—Requesting Monthly Votes)

After seeing off "Red Boots" Franca, Lu Mian returned to the café with his two subordinates, Louis and Sacta, and sat at the table Baron Brignol usually occupied.

René, the manager of the Breeze Dance Hall, was already waiting there.

He was in his forties, with a gaunt face—whether from overwork or by nature, his light hairline receded as severely as a Ruin's.

He had been directly appointed by Gardener Martin, the head of the Sava Party, yet he still showed Lu Mian considerable respect, offering a fawning smile:

"Mr. Xia Er, would you like to learn about the dance hall's operations?"

"Yes." Lu Mian took the stack of reports René handed him and began carefully reviewing them.

Behind him, Louis and Sacta once again felt they didn't know their boss at all:

This young kid from the countryside could actually read such complex financial reports!

If it were them, they'd only get dizzy and sleepy.

Is he both tough and educated? Louis tore his gaze away from the stack of reports that seemed to carry "supernatural effects."

René seized the chance to give an introduction, helping his new "superior" better understand the Breeze Dance Hall's operations:

"On weekdays, we earn between 1,200 and 1,800 Ferkins daily; on weekends, that number can reach up to 5,000 Ferkins, normally around 4,000…

"Last year's total revenue was 645,425 Ferkins and 37 Kopecks. This year, based on current trends, there's some growth, but not much…

"We need to pay 12 bouncers, 4 bartenders, 6 waiters, 3 chefs, 6 kitchen helpers, 3 general laborers, 3 dishwashers, 4 cleaners, 1 head waiter, 3 accountants, 3 staff for alcohol and ingredient procurement, and 1 coachman… Their average annual salary is 1,000 Ferkins, and we also provide free lunch and dinner, totaling 53,000 Ferkins.

"As manager, my annual salary plus year-end bonus is roughly 7,000 Ferkins.

"According to our agreement with 'Red Boots,' we pay each dancer a base wage of 1 Ferkin per day… After they complete a transaction with a client, we take thirty percent… Transactions usually occur in the rooms on the two upper floors; if they leave the premises, they must pay the fee in advance to the bouncers at the door or the head waiter…

"The cost of alcoholic beverages—wine, champagne, beer, brandy, sweet liquor, absinthe—as well as flavored sodas, ice, and various ingredients is roughly 120,000 Ferkins annually…

"We own this building, so we don't pay any additional rent…

"Adding other expenses—horse upkeep, venue maintenance, gas, tap water, singers and band fees—we spend about 230,000 Ferkins per year…

"Of the remaining 410,000 Ferkins, the boss takes 200,000 Ferkins, another 100,000 Ferkins are needed to maintain good relations with officers at the Police Bureau, and Mr. Xia Er can freely dispose of approximately 110,000 Ferkins—covering your personal expenses, replenishing firearms and ammunition, rewarding subordinates, and compensating the families of the dead and injured…

"Unfortunately, the people in the Market District don't earn much, otherwise we'd make far more from alcohol sales…"

As Lu Mian reviewed the reports while listening to René, a clearer picture of the Breeze Dance Hall's operations gradually formed in his mind.

He couldn't help but think to himself:

A gang boss who controls a decent business really makes a fortune!

According to newspapers, magazines, and the various materials collected by his sister Aurora:

In present-day Intis, a minister of the republic earns only 100,000 Ferkins annually; although the government provides free housing, household textiles, silverware, and two private carriages, they must cover their own servants and banquet expenses.

Of course, Lu Mian also occasionally rewards his men and sets aside funds for potential casualties and weapons, but he doesn't need to live well, doesn't need servants, and has no need for banquets.

Rounded off, he's roughly equivalent to a minister.

The only problem is, ministers have more than just their official income.

Meanwhile, a laborer earns about 700 Ferkins annually, a live-in maid about 480, a construction worker only 1,000, skilled workers barely 2,500, and a senior engineer between 10,000 and 20,000 Ferkins per year.

Indeed, the "shortcuts" to making money are all written in the law code… No wonder Brignol refused to give up this dance hall… Lu Mian recalled something his sister had said.

If he spends frugally and treats his men well, avoiding sending them into frontline fights, the money left over each year would be enough to buy a Sequence 6 potion formula—or even its main ingredient!

When René finished, Lu Mian nodded and asked:

"Why pay the dancers a base wage?"

He wasn't stingy—just curious.

"All our Sava Party dancers fall under 'Red Boots' control. She demands we pay them a base wage and forbids forcing them to take clients—they can earn less if they wish, or starve if they prefer," René explained. "Besides 'Red Boots' dancers, there are also women controlled by the loan sharks—these used to be under Baron Brignol's management with no conflict. Now, how should we coordinate?"

Lu Mian's mind flashed through thought after thought, until he suddenly felt that "Red Boots" Franca and his sister Aurora shared certain similarities.

Was it because they both belonged to that secret organization? But if it were Aurora, she wouldn't handle it this way—she'd organize the dancers to rebel, establish underground schools to teach them knowledge, find them new paths… What would I do…? After a moment of reflection, Lu Mian raised his head and said to René, Louis, and the others:

"For now, leave everything unchanged.

"René, handle all dealings with the police officers for me during this time. Once I'm more familiar with my position, I'll speak with them properly."

…………

After changing the passwords on two mechanical safes and, as before, informing the manager René of one, Lu Mian returned to the Golden Rooster Inn before lunch.

He went straight to the fifth floor and knocked on Charlie's door.

Charlie had just been gnawing on a long loaf of bread with weak beer when he saw Xia Er appear at the door.

He asked happily:

"Where have you been these past two days? You haven't come to the bar for a drink."

Lu Mian didn't answer, but asked instead:

"There's a job opportunity—would you consider it?"

"What job?" Charlie was worried—his savings were dwindling, and he saw no hope of new work.

Lu Mian smiled and said:

"How about working as a waiter at the Breeze Dance Hall? You don't need to join the Sava Party. You'd earn about 70 Ferkins monthly, tips are yours—but you know as well as I do, people in the Market District never give tips, unless you turn into a woman and sleep with them.

"Well, some female clients do seek waiters for that kind of thing—you've got experience here, no need for me to elaborate."

"The Breeze Dance Hall?" Charlie's eyes widened. "You've already won Baron Brignol's trust?"

He could assign people to work as waiters at the Breeze Dance Hall—and without joining the Sava Party!

Lu Mian smiled:

"You don't need Baron Brignol's approval—the Breeze Dance Hall is mine now."

"What?" Charlie doubted his ears.

Lu Mian explained with a smile:

"I killed 'Iron Hammer' Ait. The head of the Sava Party gave me the Breeze Dance Hall."

"Oh?" Charlie first understood, then blurted out in shock, "You killed 'Iron Hammer' Ait too?"

Lu Mian nodded.

"Don't tell anyone about this—I'm afraid the police will cause trouble."

"… " Charlie was speechless.

After a few seconds, he muttered:

"Shouldn't the Thorns Gang guys go pray at a nearby church to change their luck? Since you came to the Market District, their bosses have been dying one after another—I can't even imagine how they feel now."

"Good idea," Lu Mian commended.

If the Thorns Gang bosses actually dared to pray at the churches of "Eternal Sun" or "God of Steam and Machinery," the gang would cease to exist.

Of course, Lu Mian didn't want them doing anything so foolish before Louis Lund paid another visit.

Charlie thought for a moment and said:

"Alright, I'll go to the Breeze Dance Hall this afternoon—who should I ask for?"

"Ha, I rarely went to dance halls before—I had no money. Now I can go every day."

"Ask for Manager René. Say you're a tenant of the Golden Rooster Inn," Lu Mian replied simply, his gaze shifting sideways.

Two cleaning women were sweeping there—one looked to be in her early fifties, but upon closer inspection, seemed only in her forties; her original hair had been flaxen, but she wore a bright golden wig, applied eyeshadow and powder, masking fine wrinkles but unable to hide her exhaustion.

"Who's that?" Lu Mian asked Charlie.

Charlie chuckled:

"You don't know? Our stingy landlord changed his ways—he no longer hires cleaners just once a week. Now he employs two cleaning women to work half a day each morning.

"Tell me, tell me—isn't this a huge miracle? Only slightly less miraculous than when I got lucky!"

Having just reviewed the Breeze Dance Hall's financial reports, Lu Mian instantly recalled a cleaning woman's salary:

70 to 80 Ferkins monthly.

But that was for working from morning till night; someone working only half a day earned at most 45 Ferkins.

"Two cleaning women working half-days each won't cost more than 100 Ferkins monthly. A weekly deep clean costs 18 Ferkins per session. Mr. Ev promised to increase it to twice a week—that's about 150 Ferkins monthly.

"This isn't generosity—it's meticulous budgeting!" Lu Mian scoffed.

He suspected that if a single cleaning woman could finish the entire inn's cleaning in half a day, no one would take such a job—and Mr. Ev wouldn't hire two.

"Really?" Charlie scratched his head.

His math couldn't keep up with Lu Mian's words.

When the two cleaning women moved into unoccupied rooms to swat bedbugs, Lu Mian pointed with his chin:

"Why does one wear a wig and eye shadow?"

What kind of cleaning woman dresses like that?

Charlie lowered his voice:

"I asked. Her name is Elodie. She says she used to be a stage actress and just keeps dressing that way.

"No one knows if it's true. When I worked as a waiter at the Swan Hotel, the kitchen staff told me many prostitutes, once too old and rejected, end up as dishwashers or cleaning women…"

Lu Mian recalled Elodie's appearance—she must have been quite attractive in her youth. Whether she'd once been an actress or a streetwalker had nothing to do with her current role as a cleaning woman.

After bidding Charlie farewell, Lu Mian ate something simple in the first-floor dining room, then took a public carriage to the Boulevard District.

He was going to tell Mr. K: your task is complete!

ps: Last two days—please vote for monthly tickets~

(End of Chapter)