Winning Hearts, Change

"If we secure this money and divide it among ourselves, each of us will get at least several thousand taels. Isn't that better than embezzling ten years' worth of expenses?"

This sect reward policy did not apply only to the Cold Iron Mine. Many other production operations had similar policies, intended to encourage production and generate greater profits.

At this point, Chi Bencheng and Shi You gradually realized what Lin Lin intended to do.

So this young senior brother was not trying to take a bigger cut for himself. He wanted to increase the Cold Iron Mine's output and earn more Sect Contribution!

The two of them wholeheartedly supported Lin Lin's idea in principle.

If the Cold Iron Mine's output could increase severalfold, they would be laughing even in their dreams.

But as for actually carrying it out, forget it.

Still, since Lin Lin was not trying to smash everyone's rice bowls, everything remained open to discussion.

Chi Bencheng earnestly advised, "Senior Brother Lin, we understand that you want to earn more Sect Contribution as quickly as possible, but these miners' productivity has already reached its limit. Under our whips and watchful eyes, they are basically working without stopping for a single moment."

"If you want to increase production further, they will have to work longer hours. We overseers do not mind continuing to supervise them, but those miners who have never practiced martial arts cannot endure it. When the time comes, people really will freeze to death in large numbers."

"Miners are already difficult to recruit. If word spreads that people are dying on such a large scale, not only will their families cause trouble, but we will also be unable to bring in more miners. It may even cause the Cold Iron Mine's output to decline. The losses would outweigh the gains."

At the side, Shi You also persuaded him, "Senior Brother Lin, Brother Chi is speaking the truth."

"If you want more Sect Contribution Points, you can have these miners work a little longer each day. Also, buy slaves to fill those ghost-payroll positions and increase the number of miners without raising costs. Then, when the Cold Iron Ore exceeding the quota is handed in at the end of the year, you can receive an additional share of Sect Contribution Points."

"You must not kill the goose that lays the golden eggs at a time like this!"

Lin Lin looked at the two suddenly agitated men, somewhat baffled.

After thinking for a moment, he realized that they probably believed he intended to increase the miners' output by extending their working hours.

Lin Lin did not know whether to laugh or cry.

How could he possibly fail to understand a principle that even these two understood?

After the two had calmed down, Lin Lin explained, "We will not extend their working hours. We need to mobilize these miners' Subjective Initiative, make them willing to work hard on their own, and increase productivity per unit of time. You should have noticed that none of the miners are giving their all while they work."

"If all of them dug and gathered with their full strength, perhaps their mining efficiency would not increase two or threefold, but it could at least double."

Chi Bencheng asked in confusion, "I have already whipped these miners, yet they still cannot go any faster. Senior Brother Lin, how can you tell that they are not giving their all?"

Lin Lin merely smiled.

He did not explain the difference between forced labor and working willingly from the heart, and only said, "For quite a long time to come, I will be focusing on cultivating Superior Martial Arts. The harsh environment of this Cold Iron Mine is beneficial to my cultivation, so unless something unexpected happens, I will be managing this place for at least two or three years."

"For the next month, how about you do as I say? If it proves effective and significantly improves these miners' efficiency, then from then on, all of you will follow my methods."

"If it does not work, then we will use your old methods. I will no longer interfere in the affairs of this mine. How does that sound?"

Hearing Lin Lin say this, Chi Bencheng and Shi You exchanged a glance and saw the temptation in each other's eyes.

They believed Lin Lin when he said he wanted to use the Cold Iron Mine's harsh environment to cultivate Superior Martial Arts. After all, becoming an Elite Disciple at such a young age was enough to prove both his talent and his extraordinary background.

If someone like him had not taken a liking to the Cold Iron Mine's environment and wanted to use it for cultivation, there was no way he would come to this miserable place to serve as its manager.

Although they had no confidence in Lin Lin's claim that mining efficiency could be doubled or even increased severalfold, allowing him to do as he pleased for one month in exchange for several peaceful years afterward was still a very worthwhile deal.

It meant that they could steadily line their pockets for the next few years.

"For the next month, we will follow Senior Brother Lin's every instruction. We only ask that Senior Brother Lin remember today's promise. If there are no results after one month, the Cold Iron Mine will continue operating as before."

"After work tonight, I will gather all the overseers to receive Senior Brother Lin's guidance."

Chi Bencheng and Shi You spoke at the same time as they bowed.

Lin Lin nodded in satisfaction.

Although he knew that the two were only outwardly submissive, it was enough so long as they temporarily obeyed his command. He would naturally use actual results to win them over afterward.

Their discussion came to a temporary end. The overseers went about their respective duties, while Lin Lin began his daily cultivation.

He did not follow the advice of Qiao Mo, the previous manager of the Cold Iron Mine, to find a less frigid place to practice martial arts and enter the Mining Area every hour or two for an inspection.

Instead, he directly took his tools and went deep into the mine tunnel to begin excavating Cold Iron Ore.

The coldness continuously radiating from the Cold Iron Ore in the air caused Lin Lin's qi and blood to boil instinctively.

Within his body, he used Dual-Mindedness to circulate his Inner Power Cultivation Method, tempering every meridian and acupoint. Combined with his constant digging and cultivation of the Boulder Skill, his entire body was subjected to intense tempering, inside and out.

Whenever he cultivated for a while and began to feel somewhat lacking in stamina, Lin Lin would take a Hundred Flowers Heart Clearing Pill.

While his qi, blood, and stamina recovered, he would inspect the Mining Area to stretch and restore his body. Along the way, he practiced his movement technique and did some thinking.

Once he found nothing unusual, he would return to the Mining Area and resume excavating ore. He balanced work and cultivation without neglecting either, unwilling to waste even a moment.

Amid such intensive cultivation, a day quickly passed. Not only did Lin Lin make progress in his cultivation, but he had also more or less worked out how to change this Cold Iron Mine and improve its efficiency.

After work, Lin Lin did not immediately leave the Cold Iron Mining Area.

Instead, he waited for the overseers to come see him under Shi You and Chi Bencheng's lead. Only after assigning them their tasks did he leave work and return home.

Early the next morning, Lin Lin's arrangements began to be carried out.

Thanks to Huaihuai Xuanxuan and the late Boss Xia for the tips.