After a day of investigation, the three girls took a bus back to Crossrail. They met Fangzheng again in his office.
"I've read your report."
Fangzheng put down the report in his hand and nodded to the three girls in front of him.
"Now, tell me your opinions. Who's first?"
"I have a question."
As soon as Fangzheng's voice trailed off, Allein raised her hand. Fangzheng looked at her with interest and nodded.
"Okay, you go first."
"Mr. Fangzheng, I'd like to ask why Crossrail declared that all the land was owned by the state. According to my investigations, many of the residents of Mahinds are worried about this. They are afraid that this land will no longer belong to them, and they may face the threat of being evicted at any time …. I think this is the main reason for this conflict. From my conversations with the townspeople, I can see that they have doubts about this policy of Crossrail, and your plan to seize the mines by force has increased their uneasiness …. "
"Good question."
Upon hearing Allein's question, Fangzheng once again looked at the girl with long blonde hair, a pretty face, and a serious and serious expression.
"Have you read the relevant policy explanation?"
"Yes …. Crossrail's new policy shows that the land ownership in Crossrail belongs to the state, and individuals only have the right to use the land and own the house …. But I don't understand. Aren't houses built on the land? If you do this, it will only make people more uneasy …. "
"Hahaha, that's true."
Fangzheng nodded.
"I don't deny that your worries are reasonable, because in this way, I do have the power and means to forcibly evict them from this land. For example, if I want to use a piece of land for public use, but they refuse to budge, I will use coercive means. "
"This …"
Hearing Fangzheng's answer, Elle was stunned. She originally thought that Fangzheng would explain a little. Maybe she was wrong, but she did not expect Fangzheng to admit it directly. However, before Allein could react, Fangzheng asked again.
"So, which do you think is better, the state or the individual?"
"Of course it belongs to the individual!"
This time, Allein answered without hesitation.
"This way, everyone can own their own land and property. They have a home protected by the law, and they don't have to worry … Isn't that wonderful?"
"Yes, it is indeed beautiful."
Fangzheng nodded.
"If I were just a businessman, I would agree with this."
"… …?"
"Miss Alleyn, I remember … you're from Calvard, right? If I remember correctly, the law of Calvard is that the land belongs to the individual?"
"Yes."
"Then let me ask you, have you seen any tramps on Calvard Street?"
"… …."
This time, Allein was speechless. She was stunned for a while before she stammered.
"Well … there are indeed tramps, but there are similar ones in every country … and most of them are homeless because of business failures or something like that. I think …"
"Hehehe."
Listening to Allein's explanation, Fangzheng chuckled. Then he reached out and knocked on the window.
"Miss Allein, do you know what the biggest difference is between me and the people below?"
"… …? Sorry, Mr. Fangzheng, this … … I'm not very sure. "
"It's simple. I'm richer than them."
"… …"
Perhaps Fangzheng's words were too straightforward, Allein, Elfen, and Miao Jie all showed subtle expressions at this moment.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm telling the truth. And this also meant that as long as I have money, I can buy the land I want at will. If it's in Calvard, I can buy a block or half of the city. "
"But … … most people won't sell their homes just for some money."
"Of course, but I have money. I can harass them in all kinds of ways. For example, I can first buy the land of other people who are willing to sell their houses, then cut off the path of those stubborn people and turn their homes into isolated islands. By then, do you think they will sell or not? Or I can give them usury. When they can't pay back the money, won't the land belong to me? "
"This … … this is too much!"
Hearing this, Allein clenched her fists hard.
"It's wrong to do this!"
"From a moral point of view, but from a legal point of view, since that land already belongs to me, I can do whatever I want. I can also build a wall on it to enclose other people who are unwilling to move. At that time, it's not up to them to choose whether to move or not. "
As he spoke, Fangzheng spread his hands and looked at Allein with a smile on his face.
"You see, this is the power of capital, the power of money. Miss Allein, rich people and ordinary people are not considered the same kind of people. When you said that anyone can own their own property and land and live on it in peace. I think you may not have considered this. "
"This … …"
This time, Allein was speechless, but she quickly recovered.
"But, what's the difference between this and nationalizing the land?"
"Of course there is. It's very simple. The greed of capitalists lies in their need to obtain more power. As the ruler of a country, I don't need to increase capital through this means. Instead, I need to coordinate the internal affairs. Although in theory, I can drive those people away, demolish their houses by force, and occupy the land. But what about those people themselves? Rich people don't need to think about these problems. They just need to occupy the land and drive people away. But the country can't. As you said, if they lose their homes, they will become an unstable factor in society, and may even cause crimes or terrorist activities. As the ruler of the country, of course, I will not allow such things to happen in the country. "
"Woo … woo … …"
Faced with Fangzheng's answer, Allein frowned. She wanted to say something, but she didn't know what to say.
"And in this way, as the ruler, I can also exercise my rights and return fairness to those people. If the things I described before happen in Cloisbell, I can rule that their actions are invalid and illegal. Because in Cloisbell, they only have the right to use the land, not the ownership. And when they buy the land, they must explain how the land will be used. For example, if the land is used for farming, it can't be used for digging pits or building walls … Otherwise, it will be against the law. This means that they can't do whatever they want. "
"That's true, but … …"
"Think about it carefully."
Looking at Allein, who still had a distressed look on her face, Fangzheng chuckled. He had stayed in Calvard before, so he naturally knew the situation there. To put it bluntly, Calvard was very similar to the United States. They both preached individual rights and freedom. This was also the reason why Calvard's commercial trade was flourishing, but it was extremely black. Basically, the number of foreigners who went to Calvard to do business was uncountable.
For example, Ling's father was one of them.
Allein had grown up in such an environment, so her way of thinking must be capitalist. When she suddenly heard this statement, her worldview was completely shattered and subverted. It was natural that she couldn't accept it for a while.
Allein frowned and retreated to the side. The second person to come over was Miao Jie.
"Mr. Fangzheng, I've talked to the families of the miners in the small town of Mainz. They are happy that their husbands and fathers don't need to continue to risk their lives in the mines, but they are also worried about their future sources of income. Many miners say that the new machines are too complicated for them to learn and master …. "
"You've seen the solution I've provided, right?"
"Yes, miners who are willing to continue working can apply for a new job and study. If they can't adapt to it, they can retire early. You'll give them a pension and severance pay …."
"Yes, that's it."
Fangzheng nodded.
"As you said, although the new mining machines are more convenient, ordinary miners can't casually master them. If they really feel that they can't master it, then they can find another way to make a living. In addition to giving them a sum of money, I'll also give them various preferential policies, such as introducing them to other jobs. If they open a shop, there will be tax discounts. "
Hearing Fangzheng's answer, Miao Jie's blue eyes blinked, then she looked at Fangzheng with a strange curiosity.
"But what if they accidentally spend all the money?"
Facing Miao Jie's somewhat tentative question, Fangzheng narrowed his eyes.
"That's their choice, Miss Miao Jie. I can guarantee that the money will be enough for them to live a relatively comfortable life for a long time. During this time, whether they continue to look for new jobs or indulge in debauchery, that's their own business. If they work hard and have a new start, that's naturally good. But if they indulge in debauchery and squander without a plan … .that's their freedom. "
Saying till here, the corners of Fangzheng's mouth slightly curled up.
"I gave them a choice. They made the choice, so they have to bear the consequences."
"I understand. Thank you, Mr. Fangzheng, for your answer."
Hearing Fangzheng's answer, Miao Jie smiled, then respectfully bowed and stood to the side. Until then, Elfen walked over to Kieran.
"So, Elfen, what do you think?"
Looking at the princess in front of him, Fangzheng asked with interest. The latter hesitated for a while before speaking with some uneasiness.
"With all due respect, Mr. Fangzheng, I think the reason for this protest is because … .they're afraid."
"Oh?"
Hearing Elfen's answer, Fangzheng raised his eyebrows.
"Go on."
"Yes."
Elfen nodded and took another deep breath.
"I think … .they're just afraid. They're afraid that they'll be replaced. After all, they've been miners for generations. Some even work in the mines for three generations. They used to think that the world would be the same as they knew it to be, unchanging. Miners will always be miners. They can mine ore with the knowledge they've inherited and the tools in their hands. But … .suddenly, everything changed. "
Elfen clenched her hands.
"I don't know how to put it … .it's like … .they're no longer the only choice …."
"That's right."
Fangzheng snapped his fingers. It should be said that she was indeed the imperial princess. Her position was different, and she saw things from a different perspective.
"This is the essence of this protest. Although what you two said is one of the reasons, Elfen has grasped the essence."
"Is … .is that so?"
"That …."
Hearing this, Alleyn and Miao Jie also frowned and pondered.
"That's their biggest uneasiness and fear. In the past, they didn't have to worry about this problem at all, because mining is the responsibility of miners, and it's something that only miners can do. It's true that miners' work is dangerous and not well-paid, but it's' a job that only they can do '. It's this sense of pride that has supported them from generation to generation. "
While speaking, Fangzheng picked up the teacup.
"However, as I told you before, productivity will develop. When a new relationship of production replaces the old one, for a certain period of time, because it meets the requirements of the development of productivity, it will promote the development of productivity and liberate the productivity bound by the old relationship of production. But with the further development of productivity, the relationship of production will change from being suitable to being unsuitable, and it will even gradually become a shackle to the development of productivity. At that time, the contradiction will intensify and eventually lead to revolution. "
Having said this, Fangzheng took a sip of tea and continued.
"This is the same logic as the Empire …. Elfen, if you're the owner of that mine, and you find that the other mines have begun to use machines that can operate 24 hours a day, don't need to prepare food or worry about casualties, and can also mine in large quantities, but you're still using the manual mining method of three shifts. Do you think your ores will be competitive in the market?"
"…."
Elfen shook her head silently.
"That's right. So in order to catch up, you have to upgrade your mine and use new machines. But … .this doesn't matter to the miners. They don't care about the long-term profits of the mine or the market competition. All they know is that they've lost their jobs because of a machine.
They can no longer return to their familiar lives. They can be replaced, just like the nobles. "
"Is … .is this really the only way? Isn't there any other way? "
"This is the contradiction between the economic base and the superstructure."
Facing Elfen's question, Fangzheng shrugged.
"The superstructure is built to adapt to a certain economic base and serves the economic base. Just like how the nobles are also built to control and manipulate the masses of the lower class. But when the lower class gradually gains power and knowledge, with the development of productivity, the economic base will begin to change. The relationship of production, that is, the relationship between classes, will no longer be able to adapt to the development of productivity. As a result, there will be a sharp confrontation between the superstructure and the economic base that requires change in productivity. In the end, through a social revolution, the original superstructure will be fundamentally changed. Then, a new superstructure will be built on the new foundation. "
Having said that, Fangzheng spread his hands.
"This is the essence of this protest and the essence of the civil war of the Empire. Do you understand? Elfen? "
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
