The Ministerial Meeting today is another important day. Because the Cabinet held office for precisely three months, Zhao Lingxin ordered all ministries to report their operations' results within three months to the emperor.
There were more people inside the hall. The Cabinet is regularly replenished. Unlike the first few people, All 3 offices, 8 ministries have come together, Including Zhao Lingxin. There were 12 people at the conference table. Here are the 12 most influential people in the Empire. The Government of the Shenzhou Empire
"Our steel mill is working at full capacity. Our steel production capacity will be ten thousand tons per year," said Major Lian Aun, Minister of Industry, reported.
The listening Zhao Lingxin frowned because the rate of iron production was too low.
"Absolutely not. Our steel production capacity is too low. The Ministry of Industry can do whatever it takes to increase the steel production to 100,000 tons per year," Zhao Lingxin ordered.
"The Ministry of Industry plans to add two more factories by the end of this month. But according to estimates, it would be challenging to reach 100,000 tons per year. "
Major Lian Aun explains the critical reason.
"What about private steel factories? I have received a report that the Sun family has received a steelmaking technology concession. If private-sector production is included, the steel production rate should reach 100,000 tonnes per year," Zhao Lingxin asked with suspicion because steel was urgently needed to develop the empire.
It is not an exaggeration to produce 100,000 tons of steel per year. It should be noted that the British Empire in 1900. It is the world's largest steel producer with a production rate of 1.1 million tonnes per year.
If the Shenzhou Empire could not keep up with the British Empire. It would be challenging to develop the country Zhao Ling Xin has set a development goal in England. He hopes that his industries will outpace or equal England.
Steel is the heart of most national development. There will never be a shortage of steel in the developed country. Many things require steel: railways, cars, tanks, warships, armaments, which are important in iron.
Therefore, Zhao Lingxin pays excellent attention to the steel production rate. The amount of iron currently is insufficient and is required at least ten times that of today to support the insane growth of the empire.
"Your Majesty, if we include the private factories as well, The rate of steel production would be up to a certain number, but this time we had a problem with a labor force," said Major Lian Aun, referring to the problem.
"Are our labor shortage?" Zhao Lingxin asked.
"Yes, Your Highness. This is an acute crisis that we are going through so hard."
Major Lian Aun began to summarize the report.
The labor shortage crisis is a serious problem that Shenzhou is facing a severe problem.
In just three months, the population of Shenzhou City had once again reached its peak: three hundred thousand people, the equivalent of several years ago.
In the past, many refugees from different regions have flown to the capital. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has also continued to publicize, persuading residents to find work in the capital.
Not long ago, Shenzhou City absorbed a large population. Fill the empty capital to be crowded again
But with the rapid economic growth, so many jobs were employed, not even a single beggar. Growing industries require large numbers of labor, although some work is imported from other cities, but this is not enough.
There was a labor shortage problem throughout Shenzhou. Besides, the Labor Act protects workers well, not allowing merchants to take advantage of slavery. The merchant was inevitable to need much labor to replace the hard work. There is a struggle to buy a skillful person from other factories.
This made laborers puzzled that they were suddenly as precious as gold. Merchants vie for salary negotiations to convince them to go to work. This situation has resulted in significant labor shortages for both the public and private sectors. The problem escalated into a chain until it broke out.
"How can we manage this crisis?"
Zhao Lingxin placed his hopes on the Council, hoping that they could develop a good plan.
"The Ministry of Industry can propose using advanced machines to replace many people," said Major Lian An.
"That is impossible. Our workers are not ready to operate those advanced machines. Needless to say, where are we going to get those machines now? "
Zhao Ling Xin immediately rejected this plan.
In fact, he was able to bring more advanced machines from the system. But that was too much of a waste. It also does not really solve the problem. After leaving it for a while, another question will follow.
"Your Majesty, this issue cannot be resolved suddenly. All labor problems need time. We can only absorb the refugees now. And shipping caravans to pick up workers from other cities, persuade them to settle in the capital.
And I heard that in Dalian, slavery was traded. We will buy those slaves to work in factories. "
General Guo Ling, Prime Minister, proposed.
"Probably only this way, labor problems cannot be solved soon. Time is needed." Zhao Lingxin could only accept the offer.
Populations are not vegetables that can grow in a few months. Shenzhou still had control over the capital, unable to direct people from other cities. Moreover, slave trading should be another option.
A tribal system governs Dalian. 70% of the area is desert. And the rest is pastures. There were many battles in Dalian, taking people into slavery for sale. These stories made Dalian similar to the Mongols and the outpost tribes of China.
"Your Majesty, aside from the labor crisis, we are also experiencing a food shortage crisis," said Major Fang Han Jing, Minister of Internal Affairs.
"How about it, you guys quickly talk about this," said Zhao Lingxin. The problem of tying for food is more important than the shortage of labor.
Food is an essential element of life. Parents are so focused on this. Because if you let a problem happen, People may rise against it.
"On this matter, I ask the Ministry of Agriculture to report to His Majesty," Major Fang Hanjing assigned this matter to the Ministry of Agriculture.
"The Ministry of Agriculture has calculated the reserve seed quantity and found that it is enough for the people to live for another three months," said Major Xiayang, Minister of Agriculture.
"How does the problem of food shortages arise? Why is the Ministry of Agriculture not responding to this problem?" Zhao Lingxin was furious at his Cabinet, not being careful about this time reserve. And he had to reason for this very quickly.
"Major Xiayang, what's going on?" Zhao Lingxin said.
This time, Major Xiaoyang did not answer. Instead, Major Fang Han Jing, the Minister of Internal Affairs, was sitting on the side.
"Your Majesty, the number of immigrants entering the capital is more than what the Cabinet estimates. We are unable to manage our food reserves on time. "
Zhao Ling Xin, who had heard that sentence, suddenly realized. The capital of Shenzhou has attracted a large number of immigrants. The city's population is three times more than several months ago. It is not uncommon for food shortages to occur.
"Why do labor and food crises come together like this?" Zhao Lingxin sighed.
All kinds of problems gradually beset the government until it is almost impossible to solve the problem.
"Don't worry, Your Highness, the Cabinet has already put some of your actions on hold," said Major Fang Hanjing.
"Well, the Minister has any plans, just say it."
Zhao Lingxin said with slight relief. Fortunately, the Cabinet is not a group of idiots. They are professionals, have prepared a plan.
"We plan to buy food from neighboring lands. Even now, we lack money to buy food. But we still have enough modern products to exchange grains for a reserve. Enough to take care of this for a while but to solve this long-term problem, we need to fix it."
"If you guys have a short-term plan, act quickly. The long-term plan is a problem for some of us." Zhao Lingxin ordered the establishment of a caravan to exchange products for food quickly.
A short-term plan can take the breath of the capital for a while. However, it is not acceptable in the long term because it shows that Shenzhou cannot stand on its own. Need to rely on food from other lands
The Cabinet debates a solution to the problem. But it has not yet demonstrated any tangible method. Zhao Lingxin, who was in the position of chairman, watched the cabinet debate. Then he turned on his system to see if anything would fix this immediate problem.
At that moment, Zhao Lingxin had discovered something.
"This should help us," Zhao Lingxin said in a loud voice. In the blink of an eye, the controversial Cabinet calmed down.