There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 450 Loves Infrastructure Construction

"Wow, this fiefdom...it's so pristine!"

Li Shuchen adapted well, even rubbing his hands together excitedly.

"Look at this terrain, surrounded by garbage mountains on three sides and facing a stinking ditch on the other side, the feng shui is amazing!"

The sewage system... oh, there isn't one at all.

This road planning... wow, it's all mud pits!

This public health...good heavens, it's a petri dish for plague!

She grumbled in modern terms while her eyes gleamed as she looked around, as if assessing a challenging game map.

Zoya was a little confused by her reaction: "Miss Li, you...you can still laugh?"

Laugh! Why don't you laugh?

Li Shuchen turned to look at her, his eyes sparkling.

“Princess, do you know? In the eyes of an architect… well, someone skilled in construction, the worse the foundation, the more rewarding it is to renovate! Because every bit of progress shines like a star in the night! What we need to do is, here, light up the first star!”

She took Zoya's hand and pointed downwards.

"Look, that area is slightly higher and relatively dry, suitable for building a command post and temporary medical point. That area is near the upper edge of the stinking ditch, we can try to dig a small canal to divert some of the dirtiest water. Those garbage mountains... well, they're a nuisance, but also a resource! Sort them! Burn what can be burned for heating and disinfection, bury what can be buried for composting, and if all else fails... we'll see!"

Zoya was infected by the enthusiasm and determination in her words, and her panic subsided slightly, replaced by a surge of indomitable spirit.

"But...we only have ten people and thirty silver coins."

"Ten people?"

Li Shuchen counted on her fingers

“Those who come from the palace, even if they are old or weak, at least know the rules and know how to serve others, right? We don’t need them to do heavy work, we need managers!”

"For example, Granny Wang is the oldest and can be in charge of keeping track of people and issuing numbers; Old Qian, who is lame, can sit at the door and watch over the supplies; Uncle Liu, who has a slight cough, can boil water and cook some large pots of herbal soup for epidemic prevention... Everyone has their own job!"

"Thirty silver coins?"

Li Shuchen took out a small notebook from his pocket, opened it, and said...

"That's enough to buy the first batch of basic supplies! Coarse linen (for making simple tents and masks), quicklime (for disinfection), the cheapest earthenware jars (for water storage), hemp rope, a few sturdy shovels... Ruan Jingshang has already gone to purchase them, guaranteeing quality and low prices. For the rest, we'll have to rely on work-for-relief programs and using local materials!"

"Work relief? Using local materials?" Zoya tried hard to understand these new terms.

Simply put

Li Shuchen pulled her down, avoiding a large, foul-smelling mud pit.

"We need manpower to get things done. The people in the camp are most in need of food. We don't have much food right now, but we can promise that anyone who helps clean up the garbage, dig drainage ditches, and build shelters will be given a thick porridge meal every day, and their family members will be given priority for medical treatment and medicine. This is 'work relief,' exchanging labor for a chance to survive. It's fair and can quickly screen out people who are willing to work with us."

As for using local materials

She kicked a half-buried broken wooden plank at her feet.

"These broken pieces of wood, stones, and even sturdy vines are all materials! We might even be able to find something usable in this garbage dump. We must put the wisdom of the working people to good use!"

The two walked to a slightly open muddy area in the center of the camp.

Ten assigned palace servants were already waiting there trembling with fear. Their average age was over fifty, and they all looked pale and had terrified eyes.

Nearby, a few apathetic refugees watched from a distance, their eyes filled with distrust and wariness.

Zoya took a deep breath, suppressed her nervousness, and stepped forward.

She tried to straighten her back and spoke in a clear but gentle voice.

"I am Zoya Saval. From this day forward, I am here on the King's orders to take charge of affairs here. I know it's tough here, I know everyone is struggling. I'm not here just to make empty promises. I've brought very few people and a little money, but I want to work with everyone to try and make things a little better, even if it's just a tiny bit."

She pointed at Li Shuchen

"This is Miss Li. She's very resourceful... Our first step is to clear out a clean area and set up a tent where people can get minor medical checkups and receive herbal medicine."

"Then, we'll dig a small ditch to divert the dirtiest, smelly water from the entrance. We need help. Anyone who's willing to come can get a bowl of thick porridge every noon. If you'd like us to treat your children or elderly relatives, you can also register."

The crowd fell silent for a moment, with only the buzzing of flies.

A woman holding a emaciated baby asked timidly, "Really... there's porridge? You're not lying?"

“Really,” Zoya said confidently, “the pot is set up over there, everyone can see it.”

A gaunt old man coughed: "Digging a ditch? I don't have the strength anymore..."

"Those who have strength can contribute their strength, and those who don't can help by picking up usable stones or wood, or looking after the children of those who are working; that counts as work."

Li Shuchen chimed in, his tone straightforward, "We'll distribute rewards according to work, no cheating the young or old!"

Slowly, a few brave men, who were so hungry they couldn't stand it anymore, came over.

Next was the woman holding the child.

Gradually, about twenty people gathered around, their eyes filled with doubt, but at least willing to give it a try.

Li Shuchen named this place the "Spark of Hope" construction site of Camel Camp.

The scene was already bustling with activity in just half a day.

Granny Wang sat behind a makeshift "registration desk" made of broken wooden planks, carefully recording names and hours of work on coarse linen with a charcoal pencil.

Beside them, two palace servants and several women helping out set up a large pot, cooking wheat porridge and herbal soup, the aroma attracting even more people.

In one corner of the camp, the largest garbage mountain had been partially moved.

Li Shuchen was directing several relatively strong refugees to mix the relatively dry soil they had dug up with the gravel they had collected, and to compact the foundation.

"Yes! Make sure it's solid! This will be our 'community center' and clinic from now on! A stable foundation is essential for the shed to stay standing!"

On the other side, Zoya, with her sleeves rolled up and her face smeared with mud, was weaving simple mats and curtains with several old people and women using old burlap and rattan.

"This can be laid on dry ground to keep out moisture, and this can be hung between sheds to block the wind and provide some privacy."

She learned quickly; although her fingers were red from being rubbed raw by the rough material, she worked diligently.

A burly man with fierce eyes, who seemed to be a local thug, stood with his arms crossed, watching coldly from a distance.

Li Shuchen had noticed him long ago. He walked over with a grin, took out a piece of coarse candy that Ruan Jingshang had gotten from his pocket, and handed it to a little boy next to the big man who was drooling with longing eyes.

Here, take this, sweet talker.

The burly man looked at her warily.