Du Bai didn't hide it, anyway, almost all of this news was public, and Qin Bai would be able to inquire about it sooner or later.

Du Bai said: In fact, everyone understands that if the overall unified planning of the Laizhou mining area is perfected, the production efficiency will be greatly improved and the cost will be greatly reduced. However, it is because of the juxtaposition of Jingjiazhuang that the various mining areas are intertwined, and fragmentation is formed.

Of course, several major companies such as Hefu and Wangjia also have their own large mining areas, which are relatively well planned and have relatively high production efficiency. In fact, Du Bai is one of the craftsmen responsible for the management and planning of the Hefu mining area.

And the management efficiency of these large mining areas is also relatively high, and even the treatment of miners is not bad, at least mine slaves are rarely used, and the wages given can make the miners barely make food and clothing. In some ways, it is already very similar to the black-hearted capitalists in the early days of the Industrial Revolution. Although the squeeze is hard enough, at least it can keep the miners alive.

These large mining areas have one of the main advantages – they are well located. The location here is good, and the main thing is that it is close to the waterway. Transportation in and out is basically dependent on shipping. And the shipping in this era basically has the tendency to crush. For example, Jingjiazhuang also has a very important water transportation wharf, not to mention a large and small city like Laizhou City. And it is not like modern at all, the water flow of Shandong in the Ming Dynasty is very large, the water system is quite developed, and it is very convenient to travel in all directions through shipping.

Therefore, Du Bai told Qin Bai that in fact, Shanglin Village and Xiaohongling are relatively poor mining areas, and at most they barely have mining value. It's not because the ore quality here is poor, it's because there is no river, the transportation cost is too high, the investment is too large, the income is very small, and the fight is fierce, like a chicken rib. That's why people like Qin Bai were given a chance, and several families allowed them to own their own private mines.

And these private mines form a kind of vicious circle. If too much investment is made, the construction of a better mining area will attract the eyes of countless people, and even a few people will not let it go easily. But without investment, efficiency cannot be effectively improved. Therefore, I can only use mine slaves, desperately squeeze regardless of life and death, and get by every day.

Qin Bai had already heard that Du Bai's words meant that he actually wanted to increase the wall project in Shanglin Village. However, he also understands that this is the reality, and Du Bai's words are not exaggerated.

……

Back in Shanglin Village, Dong Chuan was still busy planning to settle accounts, and when he saw Qin Bai and them entering the house, Dong Chuan immediately stopped: "Second Brother Bai, the student has already calculated, every 10,000 catties of ore can earn 922 yuan, if it is calculated at 800,000 catties, our monthly income can be less than 740 taels, ask Fenglong Money Shop to borrow 5,000 taels, half a cent of interest per month, we have to repay 250 taels." Not counting the capital, your monthly income is less than 500 taels? ”

A few days ago, Hefu has increased the purchase volume, reaching 800,000 catties per month, and the extra part has also promised to buy, that is, if it exceeds 1.2 million catties, it is necessary to notify in advance so that Hefu can be prepared. In addition, He Fu was also satisfied with the quality of the new ore, and promised to raise it to 6 yuan and 5 cents per 100 catties. It should be said that the total income will be greatly increased in the future.

However, the increase in total income does not mean an increase in Qin Bai's income. As a result of the insistence on paying wages, providing adequate food, and distributing welfare items such as bedding, shoes, and socks, the wear and tear of tools, and the purchase and use of livestock, the total profit was greatly reduced. If you add the transportation costs of the Zhenwei Martial Arts Pavilion, as well as the investment in new projects, and the interest expenses on loans, Qin Bai really didn't make a lot of money, and even lost money whenever there was a stir.

Seeing that Li Dang beside him wanted to persuade him, Qin Bai smiled and said: "Don't you want to think about it, if we wait for the construction to be completed, we can save at least more than 100 people, and it can easily be increased to 1.2 million catties?" How much more can you earn by that? ”

But Li Kang was still very worried: "Second Brother Bai, Master Du reminded me right just now, what if someone comes to rob it?" We have to guard against it? You should always prepare more military pay, right? ”

Qin Bai smiled slightly: "There is no reason to prevent thieves for a thousand days, let's not scare ourselves first." If this place is built, there will be more people and more money, and this is the right way. We have to do the right thing, don't just want to fight and kill all the time. ”

After saying this, Qin Bai turned around and asked Wang Qiwa: "Qiwa, what did you do that you arranged?" ”

In the past few days, Wang Qiwa has been responsible for leading these mining people. He hurriedly bowed: "Second Master Bai, according to your orders, run the mountain twice in the morning and evening, and line up during dinner." There are only 9 people who can do it all. ”

"Oh?" Qin Bai frowned slightly, "Did you explain it to everyone?" Can you add 100 Wen per month? ”

"I promise it's clear. Not a single one was missed. Wang Qiwa seemed worried that Qin Bai would blame, so he hurriedly explained, "At the beginning, I can basically do it, and everyone wants to take more money." But then I couldn't hold on, not only running the hills, but also when eating, seeing that others were in front, I could only take the rest, and I couldn't help it. I've been persuaded a few times, and I'm all worried, but there are still fewer and fewer people to listen to. ”

"Hmm." Qin Bai nodded, "Qiwa, then have you persevered?" ”

"Second master, you gave me this life, can you not believe me. Every time I run first, I take the last to eat. If I lie to you a word, I will be killed by lightning when I go out! ”

"Okay, let those nine people come over, including you. You all go to Xiaohongling with me, and let Xiao Dong take care of the mining in advance. ”

"Huh?" Wang Qiwa looked a little lost, and seemed to be a little reluctant to put up her position. After all, being able to manage hundreds of people and earning a lot of money is a life that Wang Qiwa never dreamed of before.

Qin Bai scolded with a smile: "You just want to be the head of a mine sunspot for the rest of your life?" Learn more from me, learn well, and I can use you with confidence in the future. ”

The hill here is not very big, and it is not a burden to run two laps in the morning and evening. However, there is still work to be done during the day, and it is inevitable that some people will be lazy. As for queuing up to get food, Qin Bai fancy whether he can abide by discipline. Therefore, we will select diligent and disciplined people, and they will be cultivated as their core in the future.

……

Leading these 10 people, Qin Bai and the others soon came to the village of Xiaohongling. And the whole stockade was completely closed by this time. All mining matters, including the transportation of ore from the Zhenwei Martial Arts, will be transferred to Shanglin Village in the future.

When Qin Bai and the others entered the stockade, they saw that the original yard had been emptied, forming a large flat land. On the flat ground, there are more than a dozen people learning to ride horses. On the side, Cao Dacai was constantly scolding, correcting the wrong actions of the horseback rider.

Finding that Qin Bai was coming, Cao Dacai smiled and beckoned: "Hehe, you're here?" This group of melons is going to be angry to death. Do you want to slip around a few laps? Can I take the opportunity to whip you a few times? ”