There are four major currencies in use in Kausao City, as well as dozens of oth- er currencies from far off lands. Most mine workers know the jade market price better than the major traders. The farmers know the value of what they sell as well, in measures of jade. While no one gets paid in jade (it is far too valuable to use in such a mundane way) everything is traded in Jade Weight, which is handed out for a day’s work in the form of scrip issued by the various mining or agricul- tural companies. These, in turn, can be converted into any of the local currencies by a money changer. Money changers are common in most neighborhoods. Every day the Bureau of Economics and Trade releases a master list of the Jade Weight exchange rates; if you can find an honest money changer you can get this price for your jade. Most money changers are corrupt as they come, though, as it is easy to substitute the wrong exchange rate for the day. Wise citizens learn to check the daily exchange rate before visiting a money changer, and they still expect to have to haggle with for a fair deal. In the end almost everyone accepts some form of markup when dealing with a money changer.
Industries
Being home to so many people, Kausao City is rife with industry of all kinds, but a few stand out as especially important to the city’s well-being.
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Mines
The mines are owned by many different companies and corporations, often in turn owned by larger conglomerates and super companies. The big five mining compa- nies are the Python Mining Corporation, the Dayuu Corporation, Xiaiyo Mining, Yestas Mines, and Kinzo Kaia. The Python Mining Corporation is controlled by the Four Winds Trading Company. They were founded in the red jade mines of Aerum, and to this day have the most advanced methods for extracting that type of ore. The Dayuu Corporation is controlled directly by the emperor of Túyang, and is the second oldest mining company in the City. Xiaiyo Mining is the newest of the mining companies, founded by a couple of miners who managed to strike it rich and hold onto their rights, no easy feat. They are ruthless and make extensive use of indentured employees. Yestas Mining represents the middle-of-the-road mining operation. Founded by the second son of one of the Khalifas of Naramel, it has blossomed into a powerful force in the city. Kinzo Kaia, formerly the Kaiyu clan who first discovered Kausao Village and soon after broke all ties to their nation, is the oldest mining corporation in Kausao City. Having no nation to fall back on, Kinzo Kaia is heavily invested in several trading companies, forming a protective network of economic redundancies.
Farms
The Naramel established the farming infrastructure around Kausao City. Before then, it had been just a few individuals with small plots of land selling food to the growing city. A great many of the Naramel who run the farms are also heavily invested in the various alchemical research firms in the city, seeking more efficient agricultural methods that require less people to work the fields, thus increasing profits.
Though the Naramel control a large portion of the city’s agricultural econo- my, they are challenged closely by the Túyang, who use their ancient methods of terrace farming to work the fertile soil of the mountains closest to the water. This technique was unheard of outside of Túyangan lands and has given them an edge in the market.
Refineries
Most refineries are owned by the big mining corporations, though there are a few smaller companies that operate smaller powderies and almost miniature refineries, many of them amount to little more than blacksmiths with access to the lowest grade jade ore available.
This hasn’t deterred many companies from trying to break into the industry. Every day, it seems, a new powdery or refinery crops up hoping to become the next big name in Refinery Row.
Transport
A few companies maintain ricksha cab services, but they are usually little more than unions formed under the pretense of protecting the interests of ricksha driv- ers. In the end, they only serve as a means to exploit their members by charging high rates to maintain the many licenses and permits it takes to stay in operation.
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Government
The Council of Nine rule over the affairs of the city, but in modern days its mem- bers are little more than puppets controlled by the governor. There are various lower magistrates, who do the actual day-to-day legislating. Below them is a com- plex web of city watchmen, city guardsmen,
tax collectors, and the various guilds and organizations of the city. But the system is rife with unscru- pulous folk. So long as you are clever about it, being corrupt is the fastest way to power.