Chapter 3067 Salvation Conference
Among the holders of the six zodiac artifacts, five responded to Roland's call and attended the "Salvation Conference" to discuss how to prevent the "Winter of Fenbulle" from descending on the world of Vales.
Just this morning, six zodiac envoys, including Roland, had gathered in Fort Colas, but Joan hadn't arrived yet, so His Majesty the Emperor wrote to urge him to come to the meeting quickly.
Joan took the two letters and weighed them up. He felt that the meeting in Fort Colas was more urgent, so he sent a text message to General Vasa, asking him to lead the army to station at the mouth of the river. First go to Fort Kouras to meet with the zodiac envoys to discuss important matters, and then go to the military camp to report.
...
Returning to Kolasberg after a year, the streets are still bustling, and the scene in front of me does not feel the atmosphere of the end at all.
People are also talking about the abnormal cold air this summer, complaining about poor harvests and rising prices, but Joan can't see panic on the faces of the residents of Kolasburg, and seems to only regard "Fimble Winter" as a small trouble, Sooner or later it will be resolved by the government and their wise emperor.
Qiao An can find some objective basis for the calmness and self-confidence of the people in the Far East. For example, the "National Mysticization" project implemented by the Far East authorities in recent years has progressed rapidly. Large and medium-sized cities including the capital are basically protected by mystical barriers.
Even if the "Winter of Fimbull" deteriorates to the final stage, the rural residents can collectively move to the big city protected by the magic lock to take refuge.
Most of the agricultural and animal husbandry products in the Far East are supplied by collective farms controlled by the state, and these large farms are either under the protection of mystic locks, or have been sheltered by the everspring sacred tree planted by Ms. Valentina, which is enough to withstand the blizzard. The rest of the Vales world is covered by glaciers, and the people in the Far East can still rely on the food provided by the farm to make a living, but the quality of life is a little more difficult than in normal years.
Joan always felt that the local customs and social order were incompatible with his hometown in the New World during his study tours in Fort Couras.
These differences across all social strata and industries can be summed up in one sentence, which is the difference between "community self-government" and "big government".
The colonists of the New World advocated free competition. In order to maximize their personal interests, they even did not hesitate to harm the public interest. Although there were institutions such as community councils, courts, and juries to mediate conflicts, they generally followed the law of the jungle. The law, smuggling and slave trade are popular, which is the concentrated expression of this laissez-faire system.
Joan is used to the customs of his hometown. When he first came to the Far East, he was not used to the "big government" that manages everything from the cradle to the grave, especially the system of collective farms and village communes in the Far East. It is conducive to the development of agriculture and the stability of the countryside, but when I think that the farmland cultivated by people is not completely private property, and the livestock and farm tools are not completely owned by individuals, I always feel uneasy.
During her study tour in the Far East, Joan often went to and from the court, and was regarded by the social circle as a celebrity of the royal family. Although she had no interest in herself, she occasionally got involved in political debates.
Whether in public or private gatherings, Qiao An always tried to avoid criticizing the social system of the Far East, but once he couldn't hold back, he expressed some negative views on the "unified purchase and sale of agricultural products" policy implemented by the Far East authorities.
Frankly speaking, Joan dislikes the system in which agricultural products are purchased and sold at a uniform price by the government.
Although the unified purchase price is not absolutely fixed and fluctuates up and down within a certain range, it is still relatively low compared with the grain price in the international market.
Qiao An felt that this approach was too rigid. Obviously, the grain could be sold at a high price, but the government did not allow private purchases. If things went on like this, it would inevitably dampen the enthusiasm of agricultural operators.
Why not open the grain market, open auctions, and those who pay the highest price will get it?
Isn't the market mechanism of completely free competition good?
When Roland heard his criticism, he smiled wryly and shrugged his shoulders.
"Dr. Vader, your view is correct in theory, but real life is not always so theoretical. A completely free and competitive market is of course good, but unfortunately it only exists in fantasy..."
"No matter how I explain it now, I'm afraid you won't be able to listen to it. If a natural disaster or war breaks out in the future, if you think about it again, you may have new insights."
Now that the catastrophe of winter is approaching, the sudden outbreak of cold snap has dealt a heavy blow to the agricultural production of the Vales countries, causing the international food prices to soar. Those countries that rely on imported food to feed their people have generally experienced hyperinflation and even political turmoil .
Against this background, the Kolas Empire in the Far East is still a scene of peace and tranquility, as if it has not been affected by the disaster at all. The sufficient national grain reserves and the government's strong regulation of the grain market are indispensable. .
Joan now has to admit that his views on the national economy and the people's livelihood are still too naive, far less visionary than His Majesty Roland's.
Came to the palace with complicated moods, just sat down and had a sip of tea when Lyudmila came to the audience hall with Princess Vasilisa in her arms.
"Oh! The teacher is back! Come back!"
The little princess broke free from her sister's arms and rushed over excitedly.
Joan squatted down and hugged the little princess, kissed her tender cheeks, gave her a big apple, and cared about Vasilisa's studies by the way.
"Dr. Vader, Your Majesty and all the distinguished highnesses are waiting for you, please follow me."
Lyudmila urged with a smile.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Joan hugged and bid farewell to the reluctant little princess, and followed Lyudmila to a living room.
In the hall, there were a total of eight people sitting around the round table. Seeing Qiao An come in, they stood up to greet him.
Qiao An has not completely overcome the old problem of "social fear", so she will be somewhat nervous and cramped in such an occasion.
Fortunately, only three of the eight were new faces, and the rest were old acquaintances. They introduced each other and exchanged a few pleasantries, and the tension gradually calmed down.
In addition to Roland and Valentina who were the hosts, Joan also met John Dee, the chief royal mage "Dragon Rider" of Feizhen, who had just dueled with him not long ago.
Archmage Dee accompanied his student, Princess Emily, to today's gathering, acting as bodyguard and guardian by the way.
Princess Emily is in charge of the Libra zodiac artifact "Sornes Crown" on behalf of the Royal Family of Feizhen. It is said that this crown made of golden thorns is also known as the "Crown of the Prophet", which contains infinite magical power. The wearer can "foresee". Unlucky", "unfortunate prophet", I don't know how much exaggeration there is in it.