When Xia De saw his neighbor in the lively courtyard, Mr. Smith was talking to a gentleman who clearly looked like a Southerner. Since there were guests walking around everywhere, the two stood by a long table, talking, appearing unremarkable.
Out of politeness, Xia De did not interrupt them, but Mr. Smith unexpectedly called out to Xia De. After Xia De walked over, he introduced him: "This is Baron Hans Fuller, who came from the Carson Rick United Kingdom with Princess Margaret Anjou. He works in the United Kingdom's Ministry of Finance. Baron Fuller, this is Sir Hamilton of Thunder Jeed, my neighbor."
"Good evening, Baron." Xia De said in delarion, shaking hands with the tall, thin, deep-set eyed old gentleman.
"Good evening, Knight. After I arrived in Tobesk, it seems everyone is discussing your story."
He probably mistook Xia De for a 'socialite' among the Tobesk nobility.
Mr. Smith, holding his wine glass, said to Xia De: "Just now, I was discussing the financial issues between our two countries over the years with this Southern gentleman. Due to the end of the all-out war, the economies of both countries have developed rapidly in recent decades. The flourishing economy can be seen just from the annual tax revenue. However, we both have our own views on the future economic situation of the two countries. Mr. Hamilton, what are your thoughts on this?"
The two old gentlemen both held wine glasses. Mr. Smith was asking the question, while Baron Fuller curiously observed Xia De.
Xia De knew they wanted to hear other perspectives from a different angle, so he thought for a moment and expressed his own view: "Actually, economic development is not only due to peace but also due to technological innovation."
"Steam engine?" Mr. Smith asked, nodding.
"Yes, technology drives the economy."
"More accurately, science and technology are the primary productive forces." Xia De said unequivocally, trusting this conclusion more than anyone in this era: "The emergence of the steam engine promoted the development of assembly lines and large factories, transforming the relatively primitive manual workshops into those large steam factories emitting black smoke in the distance."
Xia De pointed to the horizon, and the three of them turned their heads together. Baron Fuller nodded and asked in delarion: "Your view has considerable support in our country as well. However, some believe that the emergence of large steam factories will make the production of goods and machinery increasingly dependent on machines rather than workers, leading to unemployment for lower-class citizens and the poor who perform simpler labor. This, in turn, will adversely affect national stability and economic development."
This question had some depth. Baron Fuller brought it up because he saw that Xia De had a certain insight into the topic.
He initially thought this handsome Knight would immediately praise the wonders of steam machinery and denounce the common people, or perhaps show solidarity with the poor who lost their jobs due to the advent of machines. Unexpectedly, Xia De hesitated before saying: "We need to consider this issue dialectically, I mean, from multiple perspectives."
"Could you elaborate?" Mr. Smith asked with great interest. Although he was Xia De's neighbor and they met several times a week, he truly didn't know Xia De had such insights into economic issues.
Xia De hesitated for a moment, seeing the two old gentlemen holding wine glasses looking at him. So, he placed Mia, whom he was holding, onto his shoulder and also picked up a glass of wine. Their location was precisely the lively area at the entrance of the mansion. In the surrounding tents, Bards were singing ancient poems of the North Pole Ice Cap. People on one side of the gate gathered, laughing as they watched two gentlemen, blindfolded with black cloth, taste different colored wines on the table one by one.
No one paid them any attention, while the Outsider pondered. He had seen many things since coming to this world, but he had never discussed such topics with anyone. Not even Leia knew what Xia De truly understood.
He lowered his voice slightly: "On one hand, the development of steam machinery and even our transformative Steam Age, the overall direction is correct. Utilizing large machinery to improve production efficiency is an important part of the United Kingdom's economic development. For example, the labor of an ordinary female cashmere shearer for a day probably cannot compare to the speed and quality of an automated steam machine in half an hour. This is the advantage of machinery. To overall improve the level of social productivity, we must vigorously develop steam machinery."
"Yes, well said." Baron Fuller repeatedly agreed.
"But on the other hand, the productivity liberated from these simple basic labors is also a valuable asset."
"Yes, population is the cornerstone of the United Kingdom." Xia De's neighbor, Mr. Smith, also nodded slightly, his face with small round-rimmed glasses looking at him curiously: "Knight, it seems I have underestimated you in the past."
Xia De continued: "No, no, population is not the cornerstone; a quality population is the cornerstone of development."
Mr. Fuller narrowed his eyes, and Mr. Smith subtly inhaled.
"If we force the bottom-level workers to leave those simple manual jobs, we must enable them to engage in higher-end, more effective labor to stabilize society and develop the economy. This requires the United Kingdom to make changes, increase investment in basic education, work with the Church to vigorously develop night schools, and improve the welfare system, as well as perfect labor worker laws."
He knew that saying these things now was somewhat unrealistic, but he still expressed his thoughts: "A quality population is the cornerstone of the United Kingdom. The labor force liberated from the bottom should not be seen as an unstable burden, but rather as an unmined gold mine. Yes, population is a gold mine, especially in our era."
Mr. Smith did not praise Xia De this time, while Mr. Fuller nodded repeatedly.
Xia De paused, thinking of many things: "Our era is in a state of primitive accumulation. I am not saying that the nobles and merchants of the old era had no wealth, but to open the door to the New World, what we have now is far from enough. However, we are very lucky, not only do we have the Old Continent's economic internal circulation system, but also the vast and fertile land of the New World and unimaginable reserves of minerals."
This kind of luck is not something people in every world can have.
"In my opinion, in the next ten years, the next twenty years, if Delarion and Carson Rick can still maintain peace, then the economic level of the two countries will entirely depend on investment in basic and higher education, and the extent of development of the New World. Of course, based on my shallow Knowledge, the former is more important."
Xia De said, then added the last sentence: "After all, Knowledge is power."
"Education..." The old former Chief Secretary of Finance of the United Kingdom repeated, not knowing what he was thinking. Baron Fuller gently tapped the back of his left hand, which held the wine glass, with his empty right hand, his eyes filled with unstoppable curiosity towards Xia De: "That's brilliant, Knight. I imagine not many young people your age would think of that. In fact, even nobles older than you, many of them believe that those common people of the United Kingdom are just bedbugs, and replacing them with machines requires no consideration of consequences; just lie back and make gold."
After speaking, he snorted: "How can one develop the economy with that group of insects?"
This old man from the Southern Country was not complaining about the nobility as a whole; he was probably thinking of his political rivals at home, or perhaps the fools he had seen in the parliament.
"Sir Fuller, since you are attending the banquet, let's not discuss such topics anymore."
As the three were talking, a clear, smiling female voice came from the entrance of the mansion. Before the three could turn around, they heard the surrounding crowd begin to greet "Your Highness."
Turning around, they saw Princess Margaret Anjou and Princess Leticia Cavendish walking together.
Princess Margaret, with light golden hair, wore a gradient blue long dress; Leia wore a red long dress similar in color to her hair. After the afternoon wedding, she had changed out of her plain bridesmaid dress. Both princesses wore small silver coronets symbolizing their status and long-sleeved lace gloves on their arms. Followed by their respective maids, they became the focus of the vicinity as soon as they appeared.
"Good evening, Your Highness." The three at the table simultaneously put down their wine glasses and greeted the two princesses. Leia smiled and told the surrounding guests not to pay too much attention to them, then introduced Mr. Smith to Princess Margaret.
Princess Margaret chuckled and asked: "Baron Fuller, what were you discussing just now? Does Sir Smith of Delarion have different economic views from you?"
"No, not Sir Smith, but Sir Hamilton." Baron Fuller patted Xia De's shoulder, a gesture of closeness. He said to the red-haired Princess: "Your Highness Leia, the young nobles of your country have truly remarkable insights. Mr. Hamilton and we discussed the impact of machines replacing workers on the United Kingdom's economic development. His view is very novel: technology is the primary driving force for development, and only by liberating the bottom-level labor force can the population be better utilized."
He repeated Xia De's point, and the red-haired Princess smiled, very pleased that someone had praised Xia De: "Hamilton of Thunder Jeed always has unexpected views."
Of course, on the surface, she remained quite reserved.
"Does Mr. Hamilton also understand economics?" Princess Margaret was somewhat surprised, as from what she knew, Xia De had only gained his current status by attaching himself to the Duchess and saving the Queen.
"No, no, I was just speaking from the heart; I cannot compare with these two gentlemen." Xia De immediately said, but Xia De's neighbor praised him: "Knight, although humility is a virtue, how can you speak presumptuously in front of the Princess? Your point of view just now was very good. Shallow insight is not a problem at all; you stood at a higher level."
Leia glanced at Xia De, not expecting him to receive such high praise, as she also understood the personality of the United Kingdom's former First Secretary of the Ministry of Finance.
Princess Margaret then smiled and said: "Knight, speaking of which, I am quite interested in your views. During my visit to Tobesk, I will attend many gatherings and salons. We can discuss these issues together if there's an opportunity."
She said to Xia De, and Xia De, of course, agreed. The princesses then invited Xia De to accompany them, and Xia De also gave a positive response. However, looking at the two princesses in front of him, then observing the former financial civil servants of the two countries, and then recalling the topic they had just discussed, the Outsider truly felt he had the ability to change the course of civilization in this world.
In a trance, he heard a sigh, but when he turned to look for the source of the sigh in the dimly lit place, it was gone.
---Off-topic---
PS: Asking for votes at the end of the month.
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