Mage Joan

Among the holders of the six zodiacal artifacts, five responded to Roland's call to attend the "Salvation Conference" to discuss how to prevent the "Fumble Winter" from descending on the world of Vares.

Just this morning, six envoys of the Zodiac, including Roland, had gathered in Kola Fort, but Qiao Ann had not yet arrived, so His Majesty wrote to urge him to come to the meeting.

Qiao An took the two letters and weighed them. He felt that the Kolasburg meeting was more urgent, so he sent a short message back to General Vassar, asking him to lead his army at the mouth of the river. First go to Colasburg to meet with the Zodiac envoys, discuss important matters, and then report to the barracks.

…

After returning to Kolasburg for the first time in a year, the streets are still bustling, and the scene in front of me can't feel the atmosphere of the end.

People are also talking about the abnormal cold air this summer, complaining about crop failures and rising prices, but Joanne did not see panic on the faces of the residents of Colasburg, and seemed to treat the "Fumble Winter" as a minor trouble. Sooner or later, it will be solved by the government and their wise emperor.

Qiao An can find some objective evidence for the calmness and self-confidence of the Far Easterners. For example, the Far Eastern authorities have drastically promoted the "national obscuration" project in recent years, and progress has been rapid. Large and medium-sized cities, including the capital, are basically protected by obscured barriers.

Even if the "Fumble Winter" deteriorates to its final stage, rural residents can collectively move to shelter in large cities with stray protection.

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 also under the protection of mazes, or they have been sheltered by the sacred everspring tree planted by Ms. Valentina, enough to withstand blizzards, even if The rest of the Vales world is covered by glaciers, and the people of the Far East can still make a living from the food provided by the farms, but the quality of life is less than normal.

Qiao An always felt that the local customs and social order were incompatible with his hometown in the New World during his previous study tour in Colasburg.

These differences across all social strata and industries can be summed up in one sentence, which is the difference between "community autonomy" and "big government."

The colonists of the New World advocate free competition. In order to maximize their personal interests, they even do not hesitate to harm the public interest. Although there are also institutions such as community councils, courts, and juries to mediate conflicts, they generally pursue a jungle where the weak can eat. The law, smuggling and slave trade are popular, is the concentrated expression of this laissez-faire system.

Qiao An is accustomed to the atmosphere of his hometown. When he first came to the Far East, he was very unaccustomed to the “big government” that controls everything from “cradle to grave”, especially the collective farm and rural commune system in the Far East. It is conducive to the development of agriculture and the stabilization of the countryside. However, when people think that the farmland that people cultivate is not entirely private industry, and that the livestock and farm tools are not entirely owned by individuals, I always feel uneasy.

During his studies in the Far East, Qiao An often went to the court and was regarded as a celebrity of the royal family by social circles. Although he had no interest in him, he was inevitably involved in political disputes occasionally.

Regardless of public or private gatherings, Qiao An always tried his best to avoid criticizing the social system of the Far East. However, once he could not bear it and expressed some negative views on the policy of "monopoly for the purchase and sale of agricultural products" implemented by the Far East authorities.

Frankly speaking, Qiao An dislikes this system of purchasing and selling agricultural products at a uniform price by the government.

Although the unified purchase price is not absolutely fixed and there are fluctuations in a certain range, it still appears to be low compared with the grain price in the international market.

Qiao An feels that this approach is too rigid. Obviously, grain can be sold at high prices, and the government does not allow private purchases. If things go on like this, it will inevitably dampen the enthusiasm of agricultural operators.

Why not open the food market and open auctions so that the higher prices can get it?

Isn't the market mechanism of completely free competition not popular?

At that time Roland listened to his criticism and shrugged with a wry smile.

"Dr. Vinda, your view is theoretically correct, but real life is not always so theoretical. Of course, a completely free competitive market is very good, but unfortunately it only exists in fantasy..."

"No matter how I explain it now, I'm afraid you won't listen. In the event of a natural disaster or war in the future, if you think about it again, you may have new insights."

Today’s winter catastrophe is approaching, and the sudden outbreak of cold current has dealt a heavy blow to the agricultural production of Vares’ countries, causing international bulk food prices to rise, and countries that rely on imported food to feed the people have generally experienced hyperinflation and even political turmoil. .

In this context, the Kolas Empire in the Far East is still a peaceful and peaceful scene, 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 food market are indispensable. .

Qiao An now has to admit that his views on the national economy and the people's livelihood are still too naive, far less far-sighted than His Majesty Roland.

Coming to the palace with a mixed mood, just after sitting down and drinking a sip of tea, Lyudmila hugged the little princess Vasilisa to the audience hall.

"Oh! The teacher is back! You are back!"

The little princess broke away from her sister's arms and threw herself excitedly.

Qiao An squatted down and hugged the little princess, kissed her pink cheek, gave a big apple, and cared about Vasilisa's studies by the way.

"Dr. Vader, your majesty and your noble princes are waiting for you, please come with me."

Lyudmila urged with a smile.

"His Royal Highness You Lao."

Qiao An hugged and said goodbye to the reluctant little princess, and followed Lyudmila to a living room.

In the hall, a total of eight people were sitting around the round table, and when they saw Qiao An coming in, they all got up to greet each other.

Qiao An hasn't completely overcome the old problem of "social terrorism", and it will be somewhat tense and cramped on such occasions.

Fortunately, only three of the eight people are new faces, and the rest are old acquaintances. They introduced each other to each other. After a few words of greeting, the nervous mood gradually calmed down.

In addition to Roland and Valentina as the host, Qiao An also met John Dee, the chief royal mage of Feizhen, who had just fought with him not long ago.

Archmage Dee is accompanying his student Princess Emily to attend today's party, acting as a bodyguard and guardian by the way.

Princess Emily, on behalf of the Feizhen royal family, is in charge of the Libra zodiac artifact "Torns Crown". It is said that this crown made of golden thorns is also called the "Crown of the Prophet". It contains infinite magic power, and those who wear the crown can "foresee" "Unlucky", "Unexpected Prophet", I don't know how much exaggeration there is.