Chapter 264: The Foundations of Douluo's Infrastructure, Part I
With the matter of tracking down corruption resolved, Ye Wen turned his attention to the crucial task ahead. Transitioning a civilization to a higher level was never a quick process it required careful, incremental planning. Although every person on the Douluo Continent was born with a Martial Spirit, only a small percentage possessed innate soul power, allowing them to cultivate. Why was this?
The answer lay in innate soul power. Ye Wen's years of study revealed that innate energy, the "qi" present at birth, wasn't a stable resource. It gradually dissipated, impacted by a range of factors. Similar ideas existed in his previous world, such as young children allegedly seeing ghosts due to an "uncleared natural qi." While this could be folklore, it hinted at a real phenomenon: certain environmental factors appeared to influence the retention of innate energy in children.
Ye Wen's research also identified a correlation between a child's innate ability and their parents' vitality. The better the parents' health and internal energy, the higher the likelihood their child would inherit a Martial Spirit with natural soul power. Wealthier, more powerful families naturally had greater resources and healthier lifestyles, resulting in children with stronger Martial Spirits and more potential for cultivation.
Collecting data from thousands of noble households, Ye Wen found that over 80% of children born into powerful families inherited strong Martial Spirits. For the remaining 20%, however, deviations could be attributed to less traditional unions nobles marrying commoners, for example, or even weaker noble families being unable to secure strong matches.
The primary factors influencing Martial Spirit inheritance seemed to be cultivation level and vitality. Wealthier families passed on strong bloodlines, but even commoners might see talented offspring if they maintained a healthy lifestyle. Ye Wen's conclusion was clear: innate soul power was directly affected by a child's environment and nutrition.
To foster the emergence of more soul masters among the common people, Ye Wen decided to launch reforms within the Saint Soul Empire. He began with the basics: sanitation and housing. If the people had cleaner surroundings, many more would be able to retain their innate energy.
For Ye Wen, another significant issue was illiteracy among the lower classes. Knowledge was largely confined to soul masters or the wealthy; ordinary citizens lacked the means to acquire it. Though Ye Wen could force existing teachers to educate the public, he knew that they would likely cut corners. Instead, he decided to use incentives to boost participation.
Basic level soul masters currently received a monthly allowance of five silver soul coins. Though meager, it was sufficient for one person, especially when considering that Tang San's work in a blacksmith shop once provided just two or three coins per month. However, many soul masters had grown accustomed to living extravagantly, resulting in dissatisfaction with the new policy. Ye Wen disdained their complaints. Why should you feel so entitled? You're only slightly more capable than an average adult.
Ye Wen drafted a new directive, then sent it out for implementation:
Saint Soul Empire Literacy Plan
Position: Literacy Teacher (Strength level unrestricted)
Monthly Salary: Five silver soul coins.
Responsibilities: Teach literacy in designated areas of the Saint Soul Empire, focusing on the Douluo Continent's standard script.
Special Incentives: The top three teachers in each region will receive training from a specialized instructor within the Martial Spirit Hall, as well as an additional ten gold soul coins.
Alternative Rewards: Teachers may exchange this prize for the resources to acquire their first or second soul ring, or a one time reward of one hundred gold soul coins.
This modest salary, paired with the job's minimal risk, would undoubtedly attract applicants from the commoner class. Most rural soul masters came from these villages, so returning to teach in their hometowns wouldn't be too objectionable.
Ye Wen even devised a "performance reward" as a strategic motivator. This little trick had worked wonders for bosses in my previous life, he thought with satisfaction. Although only a few would earn the actual reward, the competition would drive everyone's efforts and efficiency.
Smiling to himself, Ye Wen noted that he was truly becoming an expert strategist. A bit of capitalist thinking goes a long way. Though literacy was a crucial step, the real challenge lay in improving the living environments of the people.
Ye Wen's mind filled with images of architectural styles from his previous world. Eventually, he settled on a concept inspired by the traditional round Hakka dwellings of Guangdong province, structures once mistaken for missile silos by foreign satellites. These buildings were well suited for large communities, offering natural protection against bandits and invaders.
This "Roundhouse" design, available in both square and circular layouts, would accommodate entire villages under one roof, streamlining management and improving safety. Ye Wen decided on circular Roundhouses to align with Douluo's aesthetics. He paired these housing reforms with a comprehensive "Sanitation Regulation" policy, linked closely with the literacy initiative. With the possibility of becoming soul masters as motivation, Ye Wen was confident that the people would enthusiastically comply if not, parents would likely enforce the changes.
It might seem unfair, but changing people's habits takes a bit of tough love, he mused with a smirk.
Ye Wen then focused on the details of other supporting facilities, applying some basic financial principles. Large scale reforms couldn't happen overnight, but by spreading the process over three to four years, the Saint Soul Empire could stimulate internal demand and mitigate the economic strain caused by tensions with the other empires.
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