System: Build My Own Territory Chapter 851 - 268: Literacy Campaign (10K)_2

With just a single thought, he checked their status panels.

Nearly all of them boasted loyalty levels above 90%.

Lynn nodded, fully satisfied.

This was crucial to verify.

These individuals led the key sectors and workshops throughout the territory.

He had chosen them personally.

Having assigned them major duties, it stood to reason there'd be no dips in loyalty or any betrayals.

Lynn faced the group of over a dozen ahead and declared.

"Gentlemen, you're likely wondering why I've abruptly summoned you all here."

A few less perceptive foremen nodded instinctively at Lynn's statement.

Lynn went on: "As heads of your respective industries, you probably understand better than me what your operations need most to boost production efficiency."

Several foremen furrowed their brows involuntarily.

Lynn turned to Gavin up front and questioned, "Gavin, you're overseeing three thousand workers on land development right now."

"So, tell us, how can we enhance development efficiency?"

Gavin responded promptly to Lynn's question.

After pondering briefly, he shared, "Master, I'm not sure if I'm correct, but this is just from my own observations and instincts."

All eyes around shifted to Gavin.

Noticing Lynn's approving nod, Gavin continued straightforwardly: "We truly have tons of farmers now! An abundance, really."

"Before, tending to the hundred thousand acres of developed and planted land only took two hundred farmers."

"What does that imply?"

"It meant we returned to rest at dusk and set out again at first light."

"Work was always left incomplete."

"The planting and development areas were simply too expansive."

Wilbur, positioned behind Gavin, gave a subtle nod, his expression showing clear agreement.

For he was among those two hundred farmers Gavin referenced.

"But things have changed now!"

"Master, you've sent us a massive labor force!"

"Two thousand farmers now handle just the care of those hundred thousand acres."

"Three thousand more are clearing the overgrown wasteland for summer crops."

Gavin's voice grew hesitant here: "That said, Master, something still feels off to me."

Lynn urged, "Speak your mind openly."

Gavin paused a bit longer: "The workforce has indeed grown larger."

"Like in land development now, we've got far more oxen drawing the wheel plows."

"But efficiency hasn't risen!"

"They've never encountered a wheel plow and can't operate the heavy plow for land work..."

"I must assign folks to spend heaps of time instructing them on wheel plow usage for development..."

Lynn caught the point right as Gavin explained.

"Put simply, the workers lack the necessary skills!"

Gavin's eyes brightened, and he affirmed swiftly, "Precisely, Master, that's it exactly."

Lynn nodded, then scanned the remaining foremen.

"Are your workshops facing the same problems?"

Ehrelo jumped in before Lynn could question each: "Master, my Blacksmith Workshop suffers the same issue."

"The labor influx is huge, yet I have to divert people to teach and train them."

"At first, it doesn't boost production—in fact, their arrival hampers it."

"Plus, blacksmithing isn't like basic jobs."

"Such as coal mining, where tools and strength suffice..."

"Turning a blacksmith apprentice into a full-fledged smith requires years at minimum..."

Lynn nodded once more, eyeing Colin.

Colin chimed in: "Master, you're right—training apprentices demands a lot of time."

With Gavin, Ehrelo, and Colin leading, the other foremen and leaders started voicing their thoughts too.

A few minutes passed.

Lynn lifted his right hand faintly.

The reception hall, buzzing moments before, fell utterly silent.

In a resonant tone, Lynn proclaimed: "This is precisely why I've called you to the castle."

"I intend to roll out night classes for every townsman in the territory."

Eyebrows shot up, faces etched with bewilderment.

"Night education?"

Lynn proceeded to clarify.

"Post-work, all townsfolk will gather into groups for scholar-led night classes on reading and writing."

"I'll release an official decree."

"Those who master literacy and writing, earning scholar certification upon graduation, will gain one hundred military merit points!"

"With this, they can trade for one acre of land, securing private ownership of it."

"Apart from a minor tax payment, all crops grown on that land will fully belong to the townsfolk!"

The foremen's eyes widened in astonishment at Lynn’s words.

One hundred military merit points.

Enough to redeem a full acre of real land.

Master Lynn declared that townsmen could claim it simply by mastering reading and writing.

Forget the townsmen.

Even the foremen felt a surge of excitement.

Lynn easily spotted the flicker of temptation in their gazes.

He went on, "You lot are included as well."

"Master literacy and writing, and the land is yours."

Lynn shifted his tone then, "But hear this clearly."

"Townsmen must cultivate this acre themselves, right outside the city walls!"