Chapter 18: Questions and Answers (Please Read)

If Count Raymond had questioned a normal first-year student at the magic academy, he would definitely not have gotten any useful answers.

Are you kidding? A first-year student can't even get started with basic meditation, so how can he understand magical machinery?

Keluoyi is different. No matter what he saw in his previous life or what he read in this life, if he wants to talk about it, he can brag about it for three days and three nights.

Now, what he is thinking about is how much he can say and how deeply he can say it!

After a pause, Luo Yi seemed to be organizing his words, and after a while he said, "My Lord Earl, I read a book a few days ago, and there is a passage in it that I think makes a lot of sense."

"That book says that magical machinery will become the primary productive force, will trigger a huge transformation of the social system, and will even change the pattern of warfare."

Count Raymond had to admit that he was talking for fun, but at this moment, his eyes suddenly focused, like a lion staring at its prey.

"You've only been in contact with each other for a few months, and you dare to say such big words?"

Luo Yi bowed slightly and said, "It's because I've only been exposed to it for a few months that the shock is so overwhelming."

He paused for a moment, then spoke again, his voice tinged with emotion: “Although I’ve entered the magic academy, first-year students don’t actually come into contact with many magical machines, except for the academy’s street lights.

The magic crystal ball is incredibly bright, yet not blinding."

"I once wandered under the streetlights for a long time and read magic books, just wanting to understand the mysteries.

So, I asked Butler Hoover for help and went to a magical textile factory."

"At the Xiangsheli Magic Energy Textile Factory, I saw the magic energy pool, the universal power machine, the gears, connecting rods, and bearings rotating throughout the workshop, and even more so, the efficiency of the workers in spinning."

“It was here that I learned that textile work can actually be divided into two parts: spinners and weavers.

Only with primitive techniques and the hard work of five skilled spinners every day can one weaver produce the raw materials he needs.

The efficiency gap between the two sides was too large, so the magic spinning machine came into being, becoming a symbol of the popularization of magic machinery.

From what I have seen so far, its production efficiency is tens or even hundreds of times higher than before.”

Having said that, Luo Yi actually asked a question in return: "My Lord Earl, do you know what the future will be like if this happens?"

The white-haired old man was slightly startled, and then asked: "What do you think will happen?"

"I have no idea!"

Luo Yi spoke confidently, even a little bewildered: "I really don't know. Who else can foresee the future except the gods?"

As he said this, he looked at Count Raymond intently and said, "But this matter keeps lingering in my mind, and I can't sleep well.

So, I was wondering, what’s the future going to be like?”

"So, I made a very bold deduction. I imagined, imagined what would happen in the future?"

"As various magical machines become popular, large-scale, systematic, and standardized production becomes inevitable.

It is visible to the naked eye that factories will be built one after another, and a large number of various goods will be produced.

Cotton wool, linen, silk, ironware...

So, what will happen when there are mature products covering every aspect of people's lives, such as food, clothing, housing and transportation? "

Roy's words seemed to have an inexplicable allure, pulling Earl Raymond into his own logic.

“I was thinking again, thinking about the prices of these goods, and I thought they would become very cheap, very cheap!

Yes, these better things will not be expensive, but will become very cheap.

Because large-scale production and increased efficiency will make costs extremely low, and merchants can set prices very low."

"Of course they are greedy, very greedy, and want to make more money, but they are also willing to use lower prices to defeat their competitors, completely defeat them.

As long as their competitors fail, they can occupy the entire market and earn more wealth."

"So, these goods will be dumped out at lower prices in every city, quickly occupying the market everywhere.

In this way, a large number of new businessmen will emerge, and a group of nobles who are willing to accept new things will quickly accumulate astonishing wealth.

But what is the result? "

"Doing this will always have an impact, and the most direct victims will inevitably be those artisans and those workshops."

“Their costs are high, and the goods they produce have no market.

They will lose money, go bankrupt, lose their livelihoods, and struggle to survive on the poverty line."

“However, things are always interconnected. Handicrafts are just the beginning, and will later affect agriculture, animal husbandry, manufacturing and other aspects.

As a result, there will be many unemployed people who just want to have a full meal but cannot get it, which will cause more social problems.

What’s the result?

Why is the security situation in Auckland so bad?

Roy believed that this was the root cause. In fact, not only the city of Oakland, but the entire Habsburg Empire was in such a mess.

Seeing that Luo Yi did not continue, Earl Raymond could not help but ask: "What's the result? Can you continue?"

"The result is that the small peasant economy system painstakingly cultivated by the old nobles will collapse under the impact of a large number of cheap goods!"

Bang!

With a crisp sound, the quill pen that had just been used for writing was crushed. It was not broken into two halves, but exploded into pieces by the power unconsciously emitted by Count Raymond.

At this moment, Earl Raymond's expression had become extremely ugly.

But Roy did not stop talking, but continued: "Of course, I can guess these things, and the rulers of the Habsburg Empire cannot fail to see them.

However, they are also happy to see this happen, because factories also need a large number of workers, and these bankrupt craftsmen and farmers are the best fillers.

But social problems still exist and may even become more acute. What will the rulers of the empire do?

Therefore, I believe the Habsburg Empire's next step will be to expand its horizons and explore other countries, opening up new markets."

At this moment, Earl Raymond suddenly raised his head, his eyes sharp as a knife: "Do you know the purpose of my visit?"

"Of course I don't know." Luo Yi firmly rejected:

"Didn't Oliveira tell you?"

"I asked, but you know Mr. Oliveira's character. How could he possibly say that?"

Count Raymond nodded slightly, acquiescing. After a pause, he continued, "I'm here at the invitation of the Habsburg Empire to watch the parade of the 7th Mixed Corps."

"It's not just me who has accepted the invitation. It also includes several neighboring principalities, the nobles and royal families of the kingdom."

“In fact, thirty years ago, in the great war between the Habsburg Empire and the Bourbon Dynasty, we all thought that the Bourbon Dynasty would win.

There's no reason for them to be undefeated. With five elite knight orders and three legends leading the charge, how could they possibly lose? "

"But they lost, completely and decisively. The mighty Knights fell on the way to the charge, succumbing to the muskets and cannons of the Mage Lancers."

“Since then, the Habsburg Empire has proven itself, and no one dares to underestimate them anymore.

We are also actively collecting information on magic energy pools, magic firearms, and magic energy cannons."

"But none of these are as shocking as this military parade!"

"As for you, you've made me see clearly the Habsburg Empire's intentions. Among the series of treaties they're trying to sign with us, the most insignificant one is the Free Trade Agreement."

“It turns out that this is what they want most.”

Count Raymond raised his head again, looked at Roy, and asked, "So, what should we do?"

"have no idea."

Luo Yi shook his head decisively: "My Lord Earl, these are just my wild thoughts. If you ask me what to do, I really don't know."

After a pause, he continued, "However, I think no one is a fool. Even if they can't see it now, when the goods are really dumped, everyone will react.

At that time, no matter whether it was a principality or a kingdom, they would probably raise tariffs and erect trade barriers to protect their own industries.

But the Habsburg Empire at that time would never give up as long as it had tasted some sweetness."

"And there is only one solution..."

"war!"

The last two words were uttered by Count Raymond. At this time, when he looked at Luo Yi again, his eyes were different.

It seemed that there was a bit of shock, a bit of admiration, a bit of wonder, and a bit of confusion.

After a moment, he pulled out a letter from under the desk, placed it on the desk, and pushed it forward.

"I've read what you wrote. Perhaps the Xiangsheli Magic Spinning Mill would be a good entry point."

"From today on, Butler Hoover will obey your orders, and the Raymond family's wealth, resources, and connections in Oakland will also be under your control."

"Besides, I will leave Oliveira to you and keep you safe."

"As for what you want to do and how you want to do it, that's your own business!"

"I won't interfere, and I won't pay any attention. I just want to see a different result!"

Even for this moment, Count Raymond's work still amazed Roy.

PS: The new book is launched, and it is most important to follow it. I beg you for help!

I thought about it for a long time and chose to write it in this way. I feel it is better than dry predictions!

(End of this chapter)