Free Web NovelChapter 1194: Chapter 1123: World Expo
In early December 1456, in the ry Court Barracks, the first snowfall came much earlier than predicted by the divination warlocks.
Thus, the year-end bonuses of the entire weather divination department transformed into goose feather-like snowflakes, descending from the lead-blue sky.
At first, it was just a few scattered flakes, but within half an hour, it turned into a blizzard filling the sky.
By the early morning of the next day, a thick layer of snow had gathered on the spire of the Holy Seat Mansion, resembling a white fur nightcap.
The statue of the Saint’s Grandson in front of the mansion was covered in snow, leaving only the inscription "Freedom and Equality" visible on the pedestal.
Carriages and pedestrians traversed the streets, rolling over the accumulated snow, leaving behind two tracks of carriage ruts and footprints.
However, it didn’t take long before the Night Watcher and the elders brought the young and strong to start salting and clearing the snow.
The biting cold air pierced the nose, transforming into flesh-gouging knives that made one’s skin burn with pain.
In such cold weather, the bakery’s entrance in the early morning was still bustling.
A few citizens in thick woolen coats surrounded the newsboy, clutching coins, vying for the latest issue of the "Truth Newspaper."
The newsboy shouted at the top of his voice, his face flushed: "Breaking news! The Dawn Federation Republic issues its first constitution! Farmers occupy thirty percent of the parliamentary seats!"
Someone received the newspaper, their fingers reddened by the cold, yet eagerly unfolding it.
The front page headline was boldly printed with "Dawn Federation: A New Birth Under the Holy Sect."
Accompanied by an illustration of the Longbow Castle Parliament Hill, depicting farmer, artisan, and veteran representatives all holding up the constitution text together.
"Great!" A university student in a felt hat patted the newspaper, "The second Holy Sect nation, our Holy Alliance is finally not alone."
However, his companion beside him rubbed his reddened nose: "I actually hope to annex it like Shattered Stone Plain..."
"That’s the idea of the Saint’s Grandson. In the future, we’ll definitely annex it; it’s like buying the bones of a thousand-gold horse."
The red-nosed companion nodded but hesitated as he took out a registration form from his chest.
It was the "Volunteer Recruitment Order to Support the Dawn Federation" issued by the Holy Alliance’s Truth Court.
If they were willing to go to Dawn Island, they might have to start as Wandering Cultivators.
But if they did well, they could enjoy the same treatment as the first batch of Wandering Cultivators from the Holy Alliance back then.
Even though many of these people were still just chiefs or Priest-in-Charges, everyone understood that, at their age, they could almost be considered the second generation of political mainstays.
If they went to Dawn Island, they could even become the second generation mainstays of Dawn Island.
Just giving up the closer power center of the Holy Alliance to go to Dawn Island, is it reliable?
"I’ve already filled out the form, and I’ll set off next month." The university student in the felt hat folded the registration form and put it inside his chest.
"Don’t you think you should stay in the ry Court Barracks? It’s closer to the center of power here." The red-nosed companion hesitated and asked back.
"How can you think like that? We’re going to support Holy Sect comrades, not to become officials."
"Haha, hahaha..."
"What are you laughing at?"
"Laughing at your ignorance and naivety..."
Noises and arguments from downstairs forced Horn to close the window.
"These university students are really full of energy." Horn muttered, "I was hoping to open the window for some fresh air."
The copper pipe heating system inside the walls of the Holy Seat Mansion was slowly radiating heat, operating smoothly.
However, as soon as the air was heated, it immediately became stuffy, making a preference for the cooler air.
During this weekly meeting, the attending cardinals and ministers wore only thin sweaters.
Even three years ago, during winter meetings, everyone had to burn fireplaces, hold copper heaters, so cold that they couldn’t even hold their pens steady.
But after switching to this heating system, not only was the waste from concentrated burning reduced, but the heating was faster and more timely.
Returning to the main seat, Horn turned his attention back to the three reports in front of him, which were sample reports from the soda factory, glass factory, and canned food factory.
In front of each report, there was a bottle of corked glass soda.
A label on the bottle read, "Delicious Grape Soda, Drink It All or Take It With You!"
Taking a small knife, inserting it into the cork, and gently prying it open, a soft ’psst’ sound was heard.
Then, bubbles began to slowly rise from the light purple liquid, carrying a faint grape fragrance.
Horn took a sip, immediately furrowing his brows: "So sweet, why is it so sweet?"
"Your Eminence, that is the version supplied to Falan, they like it sweet, it’s not an issue with the sample." Mina, the temporary factory manager of the soda factory, carefully explained.
"The Royal Court version is even sweeter, practically like jam." Qianqian helpfully added.
Horn nodded: "Since the samples have passed, the next step is the issue of mass production and sales, do you have any ideas?"
Chief Cardinal Madlan handed over the sales report in his hand: "Your Eminence, the problem lies in the sales.
The sample quality is not an issue, but the merchants we sent to Falan and Norn came back reporting that no one is willing to buy them.
Those nobles and merchants, upon hearing that it was produced by the Holy Alliance, shook their heads and waved their hands, refusing to try selling it on their shelves no matter what.
Currently, the Empire’s product network has not yet formed, and various areas are still closed off to local commerce.
So even the Holy Alliance has to rely on local merchant organizations or family agents for sales.
When Madlan said this, the meeting room immediately fell silent.
Harbin, the director of the Industrial Department, sighed: "Yes, the international trust level in the Holy Alliance is still too low."
"Agricultural machines too," sighed Tilara, the director responsible for agriculture, "Our threshing machines are three times faster than manual threshing, yet many farmers in different regions dare not buy them.
They say things like, ’The machines might break down, and we have to learn to repair them; cattle are less worrisome.’
Over on Leia’s side, they are still spreading rumors, saying our machines use magic and won’t let people ascend to the Celestial Kingdom."
"It’s far too rampant; Your Grace, you should issue a golden seal edict to reprimand them..."
Everyone was talking anxiously.
Seeing this, Horn knocked on the table: "So the fundamental issue is one of international trust. We have good products but can’t sell them, and they have needs but are afraid to buy, right?"
"Aha!" Harbin suddenly brightened, raising a finger, "Just like painters have art exhibitions, we might as well host a product expo.
Place soda, glass, canned goods, and agricultural machines like Malayan seeders and threshing machines in the square.
Invite merchants to come and see the effects with their own eyes, and touch them with their hands.
If people don’t believe us, we’ll let them see firsthand how good our things really are!"
"That’s a great idea!" Hakuto immediately chimed in, "We recently scrapped a batch of old plate armor and created a new batch of lightweight armor.
These weapons and equipment would be perfect to sell to the Dawn Federation Republic and the Norn Kingdom, so let’s add them to the product expo.
Let them see the military industrial strength of the Holy Alliance and maybe even sign a few more orders!"
Qianqian nodded in agreement, adding: "And our advanced technologies like heating, tap water, and movable type printing presses can also be showcased.
Every time we promote these things, they hesitate and say they’ve never seen them and don’t dare use them.
This time, we’ll show them all at once to let them see how advanced the Holy Alliance really is, allaying their concerns."
As a cardinal of the Truth Court, Madlan couldn’t help but praise: "It is also a good way to boost domestic faith..."
Horn, sitting at the head of the table, nodded as he listened, feeling a sense of familiarity. After Madlan finished, he couldn’t help but speak up: "Are you planning a World Expo?"
Everyone in the meeting room was stunned and glanced at each other.
Madlan was initially taken aback, then laughed: "Your Grace, that’s a great name; World Expo, now that’s what we’ll call it!"
Seeing everyone’s excitement, Horn also started planning in his mind.
Organizing an expo, in this world, would be unprecedented, and sure to encounter many problems.
Like how to invite other countries, how to design the exhibition areas, and how to ensure the safety of the exhibits...
But in his previous life on Earth, he had personally experienced expos and studied much of their history.
From the Great Exhibition of 1851 in the Crystal Palace to various World Expos afterward.
While he might not remember the exact details, he knew the general processes and steps involved.
But organizing an expo certainly had its benefits.
First, it would allow other countries to see the Holy Alliance’s products and technology firsthand, dispelling rumors of inferior quality and opening up sales channels.
Second, it would demonstrate the strength of the Holy Alliance, earning the trust of friendly forces and deterring adversaries from provoking us.
Third, it could attract talent from other countries; seeing the Holy Alliance’s spring machines and heating might prompt artisans and scholars to come and develop here.
Though it was the first attempt and they were bound to make mistakes, the Holy Alliance could learn gradually.
Even if you haven’t eaten pork, you must have seen pigs run, right?
"I’ll draft the expo’s regulations, and you should prepare as well; the Industrial Department will organize the exhibits, and the Gospel Court will invite other countries."
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison, their previous worries vanished.
With the meeting over, Horn returned to his office.
Outside the window, snow was still falling, covering the office’s windowsill with a thick layer.
He sat at his desk, gently tapping his fingers against the table, trying to recall more details about expos in his previous life.
But it had been so long; his past life memories seemed clouded, the details blurred, leaving only a vague framework.
"Forget it, I’ll write the regulations first and improve the rest gradually." Horn picked up his pen and was about to write "World Expo Regulations" when the office door suddenly opened.
Edwin hurried in, his face showing some urgency.
"Your Grace." Edwin saluted, his voice slightly excited, "Lady Jeanne has returned; she’s at the New Life Bridge and will be here soon!"
Horn paused with the pen in his hand, then calmed down: "Understood, have them wait for me in the reception room; I’ll be there shortly."
