The Australian Revolution of 1828

The following day, March 23, 1828, after a day of preparation, Cui Wenzheng of the Mining Bureau approached Han Qingyun with the newly completed labor demand plan.

Han Qingyun also attached great importance to matters concerning increased gold production.

After reviewing the plan in detail, he pointed out some problems and said, "Director Cui, this plan is still not detailed enough and fails to explain the relationship between the Mining Agency's increased production and the labor force."

"When we do things, we must first let the data speak for itself, and second, let the facts speak for themselves!"

"You need to work backwards from the production target given yesterday to calculate the required number of workers. Only in this way can you have a qualified labor demand plan."

Han Qingyun's meaning was very clear: the Mining Agency's plan was too general and did not take into account the relationship between labor and increased production, which raised the possibility of favoritism and corruption!

In fact, the plans used by all the government offices in Hanyang were initiated by Han Qingyun, so that they would be clear at a glance and not be deceived by the various government offices.

Now that Han Qingyun has become the governor, his requirements are naturally higher, and he wants the plan to be quantified!

To make it easier for Cui Wenzheng of the Mining Bureau to understand, Han Qingyun didn't hold back and explained the details of the data calculation to him, saying, "Let's take yesterday's target of 10 taels of gold per month as an example!"

"Currently, the gold grade of the mine is 15 grams per ton, and each Negrito can mine 1.5 tons of gold ore per day."

While they were talking, Han Qingyun casually picked up a piece of white paper, wrote down all the known conditions of the gold mine, and marked them below the numbers.

Director Cui Wenzheng of the Mining Agency had attended night school for five years, was literate, and knew a little arithmetic, so he understood what he was saying.

Han Qingyun didn't waste any time. He put the two marked numbers in a separate column and placed them together, saying, "Wenzheng, you've studied mathematics, you should be able to understand this."

"Each month is based on the 30th day. Each person can mine ore for 30 days * 1.5 tons/day, totaling 45 tons per month."

Seeing that Cui Wenzheng was listening attentively, Han Qingyun was completely relieved and continued to explain the key points of the plan, saying: "Each person can mine 45 tons of ore per month * gold grade of 15 grams/ton, which will yield a total of 675 grams of gold. Therefore, each person can produce 13.5 taels of gold per month from the ore."

"Therefore, to produce 100000 taels of gold per month, 13.5 taels per person, a total of 7408 people are needed."

The same applies to other coal mines, copper mines, iron mines, and lead mines!

Of course, this is the data under ideal conditions. In reality, the number of workers transporting ore also needs to be calculated, which would easily exceed 8000.

As for the workers in the gold mining factories, they belong to the Industrial Department and are not under the jurisdiction of the Mining Department!

With just a few simple junior high school formulas, the required labor calculations were clearly explained, which made Cui Wenzheng fully realize the charm of mathematics.

Before he could even express his feelings, Cui Wenzheng from the Mining Bureau, meeting Han Qingyun's gaze with utmost admiration, said decisively, "Chief Censor, I will immediately recalculate the number of laborers needed for gold, coal, copper, iron, and lead mines."

Over the next three days, after Han Qingyun provided numerous instructions and revised the draft multiple times, the latest labor plan was finally finalized.

According to the latest calculations, with a monthly gold production target of 10 taels, another gold mine needs to be opened, and the total number of employees for the two gold mines will be approximately 10000.

The demand for coal is greater, requiring the introduction of 12000 workers. As for iron ore, copper ore, lead ore, and other mines, the demand is much smaller: 1500 for iron ore, 1000 for copper ore, and 500 for lead ore.

The total workforce across all mines is 25000!

As for the Chinese laborers already working in various mines, in preparation for war, some were transferred to serve as guards at the mines, while others joined various factories to produce war materials.

Han Qingyun considered it for a moment. 25000 workers was no small number. He said, "We can proceed as planned, but we need to discuss this with the Immigration Agency, the Trade Agency, and the Civil Affairs Agency. They are responsible for the introduction and resettlement of workers."

"The specific implementation details and policies need to be determined to avoid management chaos and unnecessary trouble when people arrive."

The Mining Agency's Choi Man-ching was naturally satisfied with the ability to bring in island laborers.

While pleased, he didn't forget the Mining Agency's enormous expenses and said seriously, "Chief, I also want to reduce the wages of island workers."

"The original indigenous laborers were all locals. Although their wages were not high, there were too many of them, and the expenses were still very large. I want to reduce the wages of the newly introduced laborers so that the mines can be more profitable, which will be beneficial to the war preparations in Hanyang."

Saving money is certainly a good thing, as it allows limited funds to be used for the development of Hanyang.

After hesitating for a moment, Han Qingyun still hadn't made a final decision, and said, "Let's make a list together, and then we can all sit down and discuss it later."

Cui Wenzheng's proposal was submitted the next day. Han Qingyun didn't want to waste time either, so he wanted to finalize the articles of association as soon as possible and start the introduction work to facilitate increasing the mine's output.

During the meeting, Choi Man-cheng of the Mining Agency addressed the issue of laborers, stating, "Gentlemen, given the surge in gold demand and in order to expedite war preparations, I propose introducing island laborers to increase gold production."

"Six hundred kilometers east of Hanyang Prefecture, the Mining Bureau's exploration team has discovered another rich gold deposit. The gold grade of the ore above 6 meters above the surface is conservatively estimated to be as high as 23 grams per ton. The gold grade of the ore between 6 and 20 meters is on average 5 grams per ton. Further down, it is even lower, possibly averaging 1 gram per ton."

"As long as island laborers are brought in, the Mining Bureau can increase the monthly gold production by 3 taels on top of the existing 7 taels, bringing the total monthly gold production to 10 taels."

All of you here are directors of your respective departments, each in charge of a specific area, and your need for funding is substantial.

The gold mines are now planning to increase production, which is beneficial to everyone, so naturally no one objects. However, bringing in laborers is not so easy, and a war is inevitable.

Dai Zhicheng from the Civil Affairs Department, no longer displaying his previous emotional state, appeared quite proactive and dutiful, asking, "Director Cui, do you have a specific plan for implementation?"

Regarding how to implement the labor policy, Cui Wenzheng of the Mining Bureau was indeed unable to get involved and could only hand the issue over to the Immigration Bureau and the Trade Bureau, saying, "Director Dai, the Mining Bureau has no soldiers or generals, so how can we talk about implementation?"

"This matter requires the assistance of the directors of the Immigration Agency and the Trade Agency to finalize the labor issue!"

Hearing that it sounded like military force was about to be deployed, Luo Bingzhong from the Immigration Agency and Li Guochen from the Trade Agency both turned to look at Han Qingyun.

Han Qingyun also understood that the Governor-General's Office needed to set the tone for this matter; otherwise, Luo Bingzhong of the Immigration Bureau and Li Guochen of the Trade Bureau would not dare to act on their own.

To expedite the process, Han Qingyun acted decisively, issuing the order: "Regarding the labor issue, I hereby issue the following orders!"

"First, the newly introduced island laborers do not have Hanyang household registration; they are simply laborers. If a laborer does not want to continue working, he can return to his hometown after repaying his loan. The Governor-General's Office will not interfere too much, nor should the mines interfere."

"Secondly, the laborers sent to the mines were placed in collective dormitories. They had no individual housing, no right to buy houses or land, and no freedom of marriage."

"Third, wages will be paid uniformly at 5 silver dollars per month, to be used to repay the loans, and no mine may withhold them without cause!"

"Fourth, all workers are only allowed to take out loans for essential expenses, such as food and drink, while loans for property or marriage are not permitted."

"Fifth, the Home Affairs Department should promptly develop feasible policies in accordance with these requirements and communicate them to all departments to avoid any misunderstanding of the relevant labor policies and any omissions in their implementation."

"Sixth, after the island laborers entered the mines, all the Chinese laborers were withdrawn from the mines in batches, some of them becoming security guards at various mines, and some becoming factory workers."

"Seventh, this labor importation operation for the islands is being jointly implemented by the Immigration Agency and the Trade Agency, utilizing prepared funds to ensure a successful outcome!"

"Eighth, the naval forces should make active preparations for combat to ensure complete preparedness, and the Grand General's Office shall be responsible for implementation."

"If there are any objections to the above eight points, you may now raise your dissenting opinions or express your own thoughts. If there are no objections, all government offices must implement them without fail!"

"Remember, this matter is a top secret of Hanyang Prefecture. No one is to divulge it to anyone outside, nor to their family. Anyone who violates this rule will be dealt with according to the law. Do not jeopardize yourselves!"

Warnings should still be issued to prevent anyone from taking them lightly and spreading rumors about what happened at the meeting. Although there are no foreigners in Hanyang Prefecture and no risk of leaks, such matters, if they get out, will still have a significant impact on the public.

Whether the impact is good or bad, we must do our best to avoid major fluctuations in Hanyang Prefecture!