Middle of January.
Bechler, the capital of Faletis, St. James' Palace.
Even though it was snowing heavily outside, Queen Isabella's study was as warm as spring.
No matter how much Her Majesty advocated frugality, the warmth of a hearth was indeed insignificant to a Grand Knight. But the female officials serving the court would not allow the royal family to lose face on this point.
At this moment, the guests in the Queen's study who were chatting away clearly had to thank the stubborn female officials.
"Mr. Francis, I have no intention of discussing human nature further with a philosopher like you.
My point of view has never changed: human nature is self-interested, and the pursuit of personal interests is the only motivation for citizens to engage in economic activities.
As long as the country doesn't interfere too much in these economic activities, then through the guidance of the free market price mechanism, the citizens will not only maximize their personal interests, but also further promote the public interest, making the country rich and powerful.
"Mr. Cockedi, I agree with your point of view of the citizens and the country being prosperous.
But the source of a country's prosperity still depends on the advancement of technology. If the kingdom remains in an agricultural society, no matter how beautiful the political economy theory is, it will be nothing more than an attic in the sky.
Moreover, a completely free market dominated by the citizens is not conducive to resource pooling. I think the kingdom should step in and carry out a unified plan, so that the kingdom without so many rich colonies to plunder can catch up with Shilius as soon as possible. "
"Mr. Francis …"
"Mr. Cockedi …"
Two gray-haired old men argued in the Queen's study, neither of them able to convince the other. Queen Isabella, who was sitting behind her desk, did not interrupt, but only jotted down a sentence on a piece of paper from time to time.
This was a reserved program during the weekly political discussions. Although the two old men argued endlessly, they could also provide the Queen with valuable advice and inspiration for the future planning of the kingdom.
The two old men dressed like ordinary scholars were actually consultants to the royal family's think tank. Their other identities included professors of higher education, philosophers, economists, natural scientists, writers, and so on.
Economist Cockedi, the chief consultant of the think tank, was also a powerful promoter of a private and free economy.
Philosopher and natural scientist Francis, the second consultant of the think tank, advocated that knowledge and technology were power, and was a pioneer of steam industrialization.
The argument in the study seemed to be going on for some time.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, which made the two of them pause for a moment.
After receiving the Queen's permission, a female official walked in and respectfully asked for instructions.
"Your Majesty, Her Highness Levina has brought him here. Would you like to meet him now?"
"Yes, let them in."
After the maid left, Queen Isabella put down the quill in her hand and smiled at the two advisors.
"Dear advisors, it just so happens that we have an audience with a good young man today. Why don't we listen to his opinions on the future economic development of the kingdom?"
Although the two gentlemen were arguing endlessly, they were equally arrogant. They were not the least bit interested in the so-called wise opinions of the young people. Red tape was not within the scope of consideration of these two pure scholars.
Just as he stood up and was about to bid farewell to the Queen, Isabella added another sentence.
"Haven't you always wanted to meet the author of the 'Disqualified Overlord Plan'? Today … He came. "
The two of them returned to their chairs at a speed that was completely inconsistent with their age. When they saw each other doing the exact same thing as them, they snorted coldly at the same time.
.....
"Elvin, don't be nervous. This is just an informal meeting before your promotion ceremony.
We'll go back after chatting with Her Majesty for a while and familiarizing ourselves with her. Her Majesty won't make things difficult for you. "
Crown Princess Levina, who had been promoted to a Great Knight, said one last thing to Elvin behind her before she personally pushed open the door.
Just as she said, this was an informal meeting to show closeness, so the meeting location was also chosen in the study.
Elvin was wearing a neat dark blue military uniform with a gold-plated general's saber hanging from his waist. On his chest hung a golden ribbon and several shiny medals issued by the kingdom. He followed the Second Princess in.
Under normal circumstances, a Knight's sword would never leave their body. However, in front of the King, a sword was a special privilege that only the high nobles and guardian Knights enjoyed.
Elvin happened to be one of them.
"Your Majesty, Elvin is here."
A few pairs of eyes in the room looked over.
Pa!
Elvin stood five steps away from the Queen's desk and saluted.
"Good day, Your Majesty! Elvin Garriott is here for an audience. "
Even if the great power belonged to oneself, no one had the right to be arrogant before they had the power to break the ruling order.
Of course, Elvin didn't. After saluting, he lowered his head slightly and glanced at the figure behind the desk. The first thought in his mind was:
"So young."
Like Levina, she had golden-red hair, lake-green eyes, and fair skin. She didn't look like she was 30 years old at all. The genes of a peak Extraordinary were indeed powerful.
Even though Levina's appearance had regressed to that of a 20-year-old after being promoted to a Great Knight, standing next to Isabella made people think that they were a pair of sisters with outstanding looks.
However, Her Majesty the Queen's dignified temperament made it impossible for people to mistake her for someone else.
She spoke to Elvin in a very gentle tone.
"General Garriott, please take a seat."
As a Guardian Knight, he was naturally much closer to the Queen than a foreign minister. And as a high-ranking military officer who had made great contributions to the kingdom, of course, he was qualified to be given a seat by the Queen.
But unlike the plan, the Queen didn't let Elvin leave after chatting with him for a while. Instead, she changed the topic to the two advisors and their respective opinions.
In fact, this was also a matter of concern to Isabella. Every decree she issued from the throne could determine the future of the country and countless people, so she had to be careful.
After understanding the focus of the two advisors' debate and the choice the Queen was facing, Elvin already had a plan in mind.
"In the future economic development, which comes first, the market or technology? How much should the kingdom intervene in the market? "
In terms of actual combat, he was no match for these two experienced old men, but in terms of armchair strategy, he had never been afraid of anyone in this world!
Therefore, Elvin straightened his body and glanced at the few people in the study with a smile.
His inner monologue was: Step back, I'm going to start showing off.
"The steam industrialization led by Mr. Francis must be carried out, and the free market advocated by Mr. Coccardi must also be carried out. The key question is how to carry it out?
In fact, the views of the two advisors are not contradictory in my opinion.
Because the 'steam industrial revolution', which is still in its infancy, is not only a revolution of production technology, but also a revolution of social relations.
With the steady development of the steam industry, I have a definition of the social process that the kingdom and the entire Tulip is about to enter. It is called a 'capitalized economy'.
There are two prerequisites:
First, there must be a large number of free workers without the means of production, such as farmers who have lost their land.
Second, a large number of means of production and monetary wealth will be concentrated in the hands of a few people and transformed into capital.
The process of creating these two conditions is the process of primitive accumulation of capital! "
At this point, everyone in the study sat up straight like primary school students listening to a lecture. As insiders, the eyes of the two advisors, the king, and the heir were almost shining.
At first, he just wanted to listen to the brilliant ideas of the author of the Disqualified Overlord Plan. He didn't expect that he had already seen through the still somewhat rough ideas of the two chief consultants and constructed a complete theory that integrated both sides on top of it.
No one in the kingdom was more aware of the importance of a comprehensive set of guidelines than the few people in the room.
The kingdom had begun the enclosure movement 200 years ago, colonial plunder, the implementation of the national debt system, the establishment of banks and joint stock companies, a strict tax system, and so on. Were they not the process of primitive accumulation of capital, intentionally or unintentionally?
Steam engines, production lines, and factories in the steam industry were the so-called "capital" that could continuously produce wealth.
"Is it good to have a free market economy that can fully mobilize everyone's enthusiasm? Of course it's good … "
Coccardi's face just showed a smile when he heard Elvin suddenly change the topic.
"But, we have to face a problem.
The establishment of a 'capitalized economy' is the prerequisite to further promote the 'steam industrial revolution'. The victory of the 'steam industrial revolution' in the future will consolidate the capitalized economy, and inevitably consolidate the economic and … political rights of this class! "
When Elvin said this, the four people frowned at the same time. Coccardi, who advocated a completely free market economy, wanted to refute several times, but he realized that the other party's theory was irrefutable.
If they did as they said, it was very likely that it would turn into a situation like that. While the country was rich and powerful, they would personally create a large number of terrifying enemies that could rival the country's wealth.
At that time, what would the queen and those noble gentlemen do?
He secretly glanced at the expressionless queen and couldn't help but shudder.
"Everyone should understand what kind of power a class that controls a large amount of means of production and monetary wealth represents.
Even if we control the country's supreme military force, it's easy for them to destabilize the kingdom. It's even possible to shake the survival of ordinary citizens and cause the collapse of the country.
Since human nature is self-interested, it's not impossible for them to destroy a country and cause countless people to lose their homes for the sake of their own interests, right?
Don't forget what happened to our neighbor, the Kingdom of Ilya! "
Elvin seized every opportunity to instill his personal ideas into them. He was worried sick about the "feudal ruling class" that he was born to.
And his last sentence was like a clap of thunder, causing the hearts of the group to tremble.
Originally, they thought that the key to Ilya's decline was the problem of the kingdom's protection, but now, with Elvin's theory as support, they had seen through the essence of it.
It was the new bourgeoisie that controlled the capital seizing power and declaring war on the existing rulers!
Although with the rise of the new nobles, such situations existed more or less in every country, it was only because of the lack of Ilya's pinnacle supernatural power that this conflict erupted especially tragically.
At first, the queen was in the mood to take notes, but soon, she could only focus on listening. In the end, under the agitation in her heart, even the quill in her hand was accidentally shattered by the overflowing combat aura flames.
She muttered.
"I can't let this happen … I can't …"
But she heard Elvin, like a prophet, make a powerful announcement.
"Just like the Dark Millennium and the Renaissance that led to the Religious Reformation, the power of the tide is unstoppable.
Even in this world where supernatural powers are the foundation, there will be a day when universal and replicable technology will be developed. It will also allow the mortal world, which is mainly made up of civilians, to burst forth with power that even Extraordinary individuals and even gods will have to face. "
At this moment.
The queen's expression was extremely solemn. She raised her head and looked into Elvin's eyes. Her posture was extremely humble.
"Calvert, is there anything you can teach me?"
"In the upcoming social and economic changes, there is now a gate in the hands of His Majesty.
Should we directly release this fierce tiger to harm others and ourselves, or should we put shackles on it from the beginning to take the benefits and avoid the harm? "
The four of them spoke in unison.
"Naturally, it's to take the benefits and avoid the harm."
Grinning, Elvin knocked on the blackboard.
"Very well, then let's talk about what's called top-level macroeconomic design."
.....
After two hours, the sky outside the window was completely dark.
Elvin took half a step behind Levina and walked out of the queen's study.
At this moment.
In addition to the already confirmed rank of major general, Elvin also had the title of advisor to the queen's think tank. The queen's think tank was equivalent to a small cabinet. While the position was high and the influence was great, it also didn't need to be distracted by government affairs.
It was considered the top noble position in the kingdom.
The price was a suggestion to the kingdom: the state partially intervened in the economy and refused to fully privatize it.
In fact, the state monopolized industries related to people's livelihood, national security, and major economic development. For example, banking, medical, transportation construction, communications, military, coal, shipping, and so on.
Then, other industries would use Kolkadi's free economic concept to fully compete and stimulate the vitality of the market.
In addition, Elvin also agreed with Frances' point of view.
The kingdom's greatest wealth was actually the "Violet Eyes" alchemists with military background and sorcerer abilities. Science and technology were the primary productive forces, and those people were the productive forces of the productive forces.
After listening to the lecture, the two old men bowed when talking to Elvin. It was the way a slacker looked up to a genius.
In fact, Elvin also had his own calculations. The development of any country's technology and industry started from following, imitating, and innovating. Now, Faletis' steam industry was already ahead of all the countries on the continent.
Building an entire industrial system from scratch was not something that could be achieved with the determination of a ruler. The investment of energy, time, wealth, and intelligence was unimaginable.
The local economy and technological progress would obviously help the rapid development of the Mercury Union Trading Company.
Creak … Creak …
The king with complicated emotions and the high-spirited Knight walked out of St. James Palace like they were taking a stroll.
"I can see that you don't have much time on government affairs."
"Your Highness, a person's energy is limited, and their ambition is not here."
The topic ended there.
When he was still a trainee Knight, Elvin had to be cautious in front of a viscount.
Now that he was promoted to Grade 3, he could speak freely in front of the queen, who could decide the life and death of countless people, and even mix in personal goods to fight for his own interests.
Just like how a bird dared to stay on a branch, what it trusted was not the branch but its own wings. In a world where power belonged to him, the strength of Stage 3 was his strongest trump card.
Therefore, he wanted to go further on this path, even further!
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.
