A strange world

Chapter 1401 35. Dinner

Ambassador Franz Koch recalled something he had heard not long ago: a giant dragon or a legendary wizard was trying to take other people's money from a savings bank by forging deposit certificates.

It turned out that the tiny fragment was no ordinary plant at all and could not be replicated at all.

They thought that the relationship between Liberty City and the Elf King's Court had been broken, and they had obtained this secret belonging to the elves.

The result turned out to be a truth even more shocking than reconciliation with the Elf King's Court.

"It is not a good decision for you to expose it." Ambassador Franz Koch said solemnly.

"It was almost impossible to hide it."

Annan can't just stop developing because he's afraid of the elves, and what happened at the beginning of the year has already created a rift between them... He can only delay it for one day at a time.

And it might take a long time.

You know, elves advocate retro and reject all foreign, fresh, and unnatural things. Newspapers, as something foreign, fresh, and unnatural, will inevitably be rejected by the elves - but after two years of development, newspapers have almost become the only way for people in Allen Continent to obtain news.

Without reading newspapers, it would be even harder for the elves to know what was happening outside. By the time they realized what was happening outside, it was unknown how far Liberty City had developed.

Speaking of newspapers, Ambassador Franz Koch suggested going to the newspaper office.

When Annan brought him to the newspaper office, Bal was training the newly recruited reporters.

They were dressed alike—wide-brimmed hats with feathers on them, dark green suits with pockets all over them, and carried lutes on their backs.

In the turbulent years, the bard first could no longer hear the stories brought by the wind, and then his job was taken away by newspapers. Now he can only make a living by telling dirty jokes and auspicious words in the tavern. It’s so miserable.

Evelyn "utilized" them and recruited them into the newspaper. Because the bards themselves have rich experience and know how to attract the audience's attention, so as long as they are taught the qualities that a reporter should have, an excellent reporter will be born.

"On the surface, we have to be non-subjective and ensure the authenticity and accuracy of the news, but we can use some small tricks to guide readers, such as the Empire--"

“Ahem…”

Annan coughed lightly, interrupting Bal's chatter.

The example he was going to give was definitely not a positive one…

Bal realized belatedly that Annan was outside the door. He didn't know Ambassador Franz Koch, but seeing Evelyn following him, he changed an example: "... For example, if we want to evaluate the Elven Court, it would be more useful to use a brief text saying 'our reporter was blocked by the elves during the interview, and they did not allow humans to approach', and then attach a photo taken from a distance or with the elves drawing their bows to guard, rather than directly saying that they are arrogant and xenophobic."

"Remember, if you want to criticize a regime, look up at the ground and take photos of its government buildings. If you want to say that the government decrees in a certain place are harsh, take photos of passers-by hurrying by through the iron mesh walls. If you want to report that the population in a certain place is declining, take photos of the empty streets."

“The starting point of news is to describe something, and the starting point of producing purposeful news is to make readers accept our ideas.”

Ambassador Franz Koch was silent; he was trying to remember every word.

In the face of newspapers, a new thing that originated in Liberty City, the Empire is the student and Liberty City is the teacher.

Annan didn't say anything either. In order to show his sincerity, he almost emptied his family's savings. As for how much the empire could learn, it was none of his business.

After coming out of the newspaper office, Ambassador Franz Koch had no interest in shopping around anymore. He needed some time to digest what he had gained today.

In the evening, the envoys returned to the embassy one after another and attended the dinner.

At the dinner, Ambassador Franz Koch took the initiative to approach Annan.

One official said: "I asked them who they believed in, and they actually said 'they believed in Lord Annan'."

In normal times, they would have laughed at the stupidity of the locals, but in these turbulent years, they could only sympathize.

After a daylong visit, even the officials with the most tinted glasses had to admit that they did not see any trace of corruption in Liberty City.

An official marveled at the ability of the savings bank to attract money: "In just one month, the savings bank has collected more than 10 million kinnars from all over the country... Why has no one ever thought of this before?"

The official from the Ministry of Finance who was still holding the birdcage containing the gold-sniffing beast said sarcastically, "Relying on those stale bureaucrats? For them, not making mistakes is the right thing to do. How can they possibly innovate?"

Ambassador Franz Koch listened to them quietly and finalized, "The negotiations will begin tomorrow. Now prepare a briefing for your Majesty."

[Liberty City Assessment Brief:

They were in a hurry, as if there was a dragon chasing them. They couldn't wait to train all the residents to be literate and speak English in a short period of time. One-tenth of the 400,000 literate people would receive education and serve as team leaders of basic work. Four thousand people who had learned the skills would become alchemy apprentices, engineers, and teachers. Four hundred people with talents would become the nutrients for this big tree.

At the same time, they extended their tentacles to various places with resources, such as iron mines, coal mines, and crystal mines, and turned them into warm houses, smooth roads, and trains on rails.

They are not as peace-loving as they seem. Annan Reeves likes to attack other kingdoms, and it is just a misunderstanding that Liberty City likes foreigners. They treat their friends as gently as spring rain, and are swift and resolute to their enemies. In my opinion, the people of Liberty City are more like pursuing a kind of egoism: their position is Liberty City.

They are fearless, and there is even a temple of the gods in the city, which means that it is difficult for the secular world to restrain them.

The river has the ability to purify itself, but when there is a problem at the source, the entire river will be polluted. Fortunately, we have not seen this in Liberty City so far. The lord and his men are still full of vigor and vitality, like the sun at eight or nine o'clock in the morning.

Summary: Liberty City has everything an excellent political system has: fair and selfless lords, united upper classes, and young and smart officials. It is no accident that the savings bank appears here. 】

[Franz Koch's message: Your Majesty, the old world system has ended, and the Free City is trying to take a new path as the think tanks envisioned.

I do see a way to get rid of the old and the decayed, and the complicated interests and entanglements have not yet polluted the new Free City. I suggest that the Empire maintain friendly relations with it, observe its growth, and make up for its own shortcomings.

In addition, during the dinner, I asked Annan Reeves a question. I asked him why he liked to train civilians. He answered me that he just took a long-term view. 'We harvest food in the fall, but what is really important is sowing in the spring.'

Finally, Annan Reeves shows no signs of descending into chaos.]