"Your Majesty, the first few batches won't be a problem, but after that... we don't need so many middle-level teachers, do we?" Barov asked. Barov looked a little disappointed, but most of his attention was still on the topic. Roland was quite satisfied with his mature performance.
"Middle-Level teachers aren't the only place these people can go. In addition to receiving a higher level of education, researchers and managers will also be assigned to other production positions. They should not only know how to operate machinery, but also understand its principles. They should be able to train workers, maintain equipment, and even put forward suggestions for improvement." Roland counted on his fingers and said, "It's meaningless to have a large population. What the Ministry of Education needs to do is to turn them into industrial personnel as much as possible."
"Industrial personnel?" Scroll repeated in a low voice. "Do you mean engaged in production?"
"You can understand it this way." He explained the idea that had been in his mind for a long time. "Anyone who has received a primary education can be qualified as a worker. They are the most junior industrial personnel. This group of people determines the scale of the industry in Neverwinter. The more people there are, the bigger the industry will be. But it's not enough... City hall can't manage so many things, so in the future, there should be two to three people who have received a secondary education in every 100 people. They can not only be used as workers, but also can be placed in management positions. The same is true for the senior educators. In this way, an organization that can replace itself and act according to City hall's instructions will be formed. "
Education was the key to the reason why the population could become a dividend. At present, Neverwinter did not have enough resources to fully implement secondary and senior compulsory education. Roland did not have that much time to wait for talents to mature, so he simply used scholarships to select and train a group of capable people. As for the rest of the people, as long as they completed primary education and could read and write, they would be directly assigned to various production positions and become a screw in the rapid development of Neverwinter.
"I understand," Scroll replied.
"There's one more thing. Add ideological education to primary education." Roland tapped on the table. He could not help but recall the ideological and moral education textbook in his dream. The role of arming the mind in this era might be no less than that of a steam engine. "I'll write a teaching plan for the specific content and give it to you."
After seeing Scroll nod, he stood up and looked around at everyone present. "In general, the main tasks of City hall this year and next are to expand the population, develop education, and upgrade the scale of industries. Among these, the first two are the most critical, as they determine the upper limit of the development of Neverwinter and even the entire kingdom. I hope that before an even more terrifying and powerful enemy arrives, everyone can fulfill their responsibilities! "
"For the king!"
All the officials stood up in unison.
"And for yourselves." Roland exhaled. "That's all for today's meeting. By the way … Kyle Sichi, come to my office."
…
The Chief Alchemist followed Roland to his office. As soon as he closed the door, he asked directly, "Your Majesty, do you have any new ideas or products to produce? If not, I hope to return to the laboratory as soon as possible. "
"You're still as impatient as ever." Roland could not help laughing. "Sit down and take your time. I have something important to give you."
After Kyle sat down with a doubtful look, Roland leisurely took a sip of tea and asked, "How are the alchemists in King's City doing recently?"
"Not too good, not too bad. Except for chemical experiments, I don't have much contact with them." The Chief Alchemist frowned. "Instead of asking me, you can ask them directly."
This showed that the Alchemist Workshop of King's City still formed a small group. Although the many apprentices they brought with them were of great help to the chemical production, it was easy for them to overwhelm the local students in terms of reputation.
Roland calmly changed the topic. "Now that the production of the two acids and smokeless gunpowder has reached a considerable scale, and it will double in the future, I intend to formally separate this industry and let a new department manage it." He paused for a moment. "Have you ever considered becoming the Minister of the Ministry of Chemical Industry?"
"I remember you mentioned it to me before, but … I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I can't leave the laboratory and those bottles and cans to do the trivial work of a manager." Kyle refused without hesitation. "So my answer is still the same as before."
"Don't be in such a hurry to refuse." Roland shrugged. "You devote yourself to chemical experiments because you want to explore its mysteries and don't want to waste your time on other things … What if I can help you understand chemistry more directly?"
Kyle Sichi could not help but be surprised. "How?"
Roland took out a piece of white paper full of squares from a drawer and slowly unfolded it in front of him. It was the periodic table of elements that he had written down last night.
"This, this is …" The old alchemist's eyes suddenly widened. He stretched out his trembling hands, as if he wanted to grab the table from the king's hand, but he was afraid that he would tear it up if he used too much force.
"Didn't you say … you've forgotten the blank space?"
"I've remembered a lot of them recently." Roland pulled back the periodic table, so that the old man could only stare at him. "The same is true for 'Intermediate Chemistry'. This time, it won't be an incomplete volume."
"Your Majesty, I …" Kyle was so excited that he only said half a sentence, but he immediately shut his mouth. Obviously, he had understood what the king meant.
"Yes, as the Minister of Chemical Industry, manage the entire chemical industry for me, and this periodic table of elements and the complete version of 'Intermediate Chemistry' will be yours." Roland slightly raised the corner of his mouth. "And you may have a chance to see 'Advanced Chemistry'."
Although the Chief Alchemist's love for chemistry was admirable, he was limited by the conditions and environment. No matter how hard he studied, his achievements could not exceed the level of high school chemistry. Now that he had the complete chemistry book, it was better to directly put the results in front of him. This way, he could not only save a lot of time to teach more people, but also effectively weaken the influence of the Alchemist Workshop of King's City on the whole industry.
Roland wasn't worried that Kyle didn't know anything about management. After all, to become the chief of Redwater City's Alchemy Workshop, basic organization and coordination skills were essential. It was just that, according to his temperament, he rarely cared about such trifles.
"I … understand." Kyle hesitated for a moment and bowed deeply. "I'll be the Minister."
Somehow, compared to using power to achieve his goals, Roland more and more liked the feeling of changing people's attitudes with an irresistible bargaining chip. Was this the legendary "Superior Syndrome"?
In any case, this would be a win-win choice.
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