Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic
Chapter 903 - 903 Economic Talks at the Banquet

When Shard saw his neighbor in the lively courtyard, Mr. Elder Smith was conversing with a gentleman who clearly looked like a Southerner. Since there were guests walking around everywhere, the two standing by the long table talking seemed quite ordinary.

Out of politeness, Shard didn't disturb them, but Mr. Smith unexpectedly called out to Shard, and after Shard approached, he introduced him:

"This is Baron Hans Fuller, who came from the United Kingdom of Carsonrick with Princess Margaret, and works in the finance department of the United Kingdom. Baron Fuller, this is Hamilton Knight of Rejed, my neighbor."

"Good evening, Baron."

Shard said in Delarion, shaking hands with the tall and thin old gentleman with deep-set eyes.

"Good evening, Knight. Since I came to Tobesk, it seems everyone has been discussing your stories."

He's likely considering Shard as a "socialite" among the Tobesk nobility.

Mr. Smith, holding a wine glass, said to Shard:

"I was just discussing with this Southern gentleman the financial issues between the two countries over the years. Since the end of the total war, in recent decades, the economies of both countries have been rapidly developing, evident from the thriving annual tax revenues. But as for the future economic conditions in both countries, we each have our own views. Mr. Hamilton, what do you think about this?"

Both old gentlemen were holding glasses, and Mr. Smith was asking the question, while Baron Fuller curiously examined Shard.

Shard knew they wanted to hear different perspectives, so he considered for a moment and shared his views:

"In fact, 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 precisely, technology is the primary productive force."

Shard spoke decisively, with more confidence in this conclusion than anyone of the era:

"The emergence of the steam engine has promoted the development of assembly lines and large factories, turning primitive workshops into those large steam factories spewing black smoke from afar."

Shard pointed at the horizon, and the three of them turned their heads together, as Baron Fuller nodded and asked in Delarion:

"In our country, there are also quite a few voices agreeing with your point. But some believe that the emergence of large steam factories will lead to products and machinery manufacturing increasingly relying on machines rather than workers, causing unemployment among lower-class citizens and impoverished people engaged in relatively simple labor, which could adversely affect national stability and economic development."

This question had some depth, and Baron Fuller saw that Shard had some understanding of the topic before bringing it up.

He initially thought that this handsome knight would immediately praise the wonders of steam machinery and denounce the mob, or support those who lost their jobs due to machinery. However, Shard hesitated before saying:

"We need to be dialectical, I mean, consider this issue from multiple perspectives."

"Could you elaborate?"

Mr. Smith asked with great interest. Although he was Shard's neighbor and met him several times a week, he didn't know Shard had such insights into economic issues.

Shard hesitated for a moment, seeing that both of the older gentlemen holding wine glasses were watching him. He then placed the Mia he was holding onto his shoulder and picked up a glass himself. The three of them were standing right at the lively entrance of the mansion, where bards were singing ancient songs of the Far North Great Ice Cap in the surrounding tents. Meanwhile, people gathered by the door were laughing and watching two gentlemen with their eyes covered with black cloth taste the assorted colored wines on the table one by one.

No one paid attention to them, while the Outlander was lost in thought. After coming to this world, he had seen a lot, but had never discussed such topics with anyone. Even Lecia didn't know exactly what Shard understood.

He slightly lowered his voice:

"On one hand, the development of steam machinery and the transformative Steam Age we are in is generally in the right direction. Utilizing large machinery to improve production efficiency is a crucial part of the kingdom's economic development. For example, the work a regular cashmere cutting woman does in a day can't match the speed and quality of automated steam machinery in half an hour; that's the advantage of machinery. To generally raise social productivity levels, we must vigorously develop steam machinery."

"Yes, that's very true."

Baron Fuller continuously agreed.

"But on the other hand, the productivity released from these simple fundamental labors is also a valuable wealth."

"Yes, the population is the cornerstone of the kingdom."

Shards' neighbor Mr. Smith also nodded lightly, curiously eyeing him with his small round glasses:

"Knight, it seems I underestimated you before."

Shard continued:

"No, no, population is not the cornerstone; a qualified population is the foundation for development."

Mr. Fuller squinted, and Mr. Smith inhaled slightly.

"If we force the lower-class workers to leave those simple manual tasks, we must have them engage in more advanced and effective labor to stabilize society and develop the economy. This requires the kingdom to change, increase investment in basic education, and together with the church, enhance the development of night schools, improve the welfare system, and perfect labor workers' legislation."

He knew saying these things now was somewhat unrealistic, but he still expressed his thoughts:

"A well-educated population is the cornerstone of the Kingdom; the labor force liberated from the bottom should not be viewed as an unstable burden, but as an unmined gold mine. Yes, the population is a gold mine, especially in our era."

Mr. Smith did not praise Shard this time, while Mr. Fuller nodded repeatedly.

Shard paused for a moment, thinking about many things:

"In our era, we are in a state of primitive accumulation. I do not mean that the nobles and merchants of the old era lack wealth, but it is far from enough to push open the doors of the New World. However, we are very lucky, not only having the economic internal circulation system of the Old Continent but also the vast, fertile lands and unimaginably rich mineral resources of the New World."

Such luck is not something that people in every world can have.

"In my view, in the next ten years, the next twenty years, if Draleon and Carsonrick can still maintain peace, the economic level of the two countries will entirely depend on the investment in basic and higher education, as well as the degree of development of the New World. Of course, from my limited insight, the former is more important."

Shard said, then added one last sentence:

"After all, knowledge is power."

"Education..."

The elderly former chief secretary of the Kingdom's treasury repeated, perhaps thinking of something. Baron Fuller gently tapped the back of his left hand holding the wine glass with his free right hand, his eyes filled with unstoppable curiosity towards Shard:

"Brilliant, Knight. At your age, there aren't many young people who can think of this. In fact, even older nobles, many believe that those at the bottom of the Kingdom are nothing but pests, and using machines to replace them carries no consequences—as long as you can lie back and earn gold."

After speaking, he snorted:

"How can you improve the economy by mingling with that bunch of insects?"

This elder from the Southern Nation does not have an opinion on the nobles themselves; rather, he might be thinking of his political enemies at home or the fools he has seen in the Senate.

"Sir Fuller, since we're attending a banquet, let's not discuss this topic anymore."

As the three were speaking, a clear and elegant female voice with a smile came from the entrance of the mansion. Before the three could turn around, they heard everyone around begin to greet "Her Highness."

Turning to look, Princess Margaret Anjou and Princess Lecia Cavendish approached together.

Princess Margaret, with pale golden hair, wore a gradient blue long dress; Lecia wore a red long dress, similar in color to her hair. After the afternoon's wedding, she had changed out of the simple bridesmaid dress. Both princesses wore small silver crowns symbolizing their status, with long-sleeved lace gloves on their arms, and maids following behind them, instantly becoming the focus of attention nearby.

"Good evening, Your Highness."

The three by the table simultaneously put down their wine glasses to greet the two princesses. Lecia smiled, asking the surrounding guests not to pay too much attention to them, then introduced Mr. Smith to Princess Margaret.

Princess Margaret asked with a light smile:

"Baron Fuller, what were you discussing just now? Does Sir Smith from Draleon have differing economic views from you?"

"No, not Sir Smith, it was this Hamilton Knight."

Baron Fuller patted Shard's shoulder, a gesture of expressing closeness. He said to the red-haired princess:

"Your Highness Lecia, your country's young nobles are truly remarkable. This Mr. Hamilton discussed with us the impact of mechanical replacement of workers on the Kingdom's economic development. His views are innovative: technology is the primary force of development, and freeing the low-level workforce allows better utilization of the population."

Repeating Shard's views, the red-haired princess smiled, clearly pleased that someone praised Shard:

"Rejed's Hamilton always has unexpected views."

Of course, outwardly, she remained quite reserved.

"Mr. Hamilton also understands economics?"

Princess Margaret seemed a bit surprised; after all, from what she knew, Shard only held his current position because he was associated with the Duchess and had saved the Queen.

"No, no, I was merely expressing my thoughts; I cannot compare to these two gentlemen."

Shard said immediately, but Shard's neighbor praised:

"Knight, while humility is a virtue, how can you speak modestly before a princess? Your views just now were excellent. Shallow knowledge is not a problem; you were standing at a higher vantage point."

Lecia glanced at Shard, not expecting him to receive such high praise, especially considering she knew the character of the Kingdom's former chief treasury secretary.

Princess Margaret then said with a smile:

"Knight, with that said, I am quite interested in your views. During my visit to Tobesk, I will attend many gatherings and salons; perhaps we will have the chance to discuss these issues."

She said to Shard, and of course, Shard agreed. The princesses thus invited Shard to join them, and Shard responded positively. Only when looking at the two princesses in front of him, and then at the former treasury officials from both countries, did he reflect on the topic discussed just now.

The Outlander truly felt capable of changing the trajectory of this world's civilization.

He vaguely heard a sigh, but when he turned to look for the source in the dim lights, he could find nothing.

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