Queen Victoria's Critical Condition

Along with the university, Australia's primary education schools, meaning elementary schools, also began their operations.

Compared to universities, which have stricter enrollment processes, Australia's elementary schools have very low, almost non-existent, admission requirements.

Unlike universities, primary education doesn't require expensive tuition fees, and with Arthur having already waived half of it, Australians are quite willing to let their descendants receive a basic education.

More importantly, compared to the higher investment required for universities, the investment in elementary schools, aside from teachers and textbooks, is practically zero.

Even someone who has merely graduated from middle school can barely qualify as an elementary school teacher. Under these circumstances, the cost of establishing elementary schools has been reduced to an absolute minimum. The total expenditure on elementary school construction in all of Australia is equivalent to that of just one Australian National University.

On October 21st, Arthur once again embarked on a journey to the Isle of Wight.

More than four months had passed since his last visit to the Isle of Wight. Under Arthur's management, Australia had shown a trend of vigorous development, and order had largely stabilized.

However, at the same time, Queen Victoria's health was gradually declining. Although her lifespan had been extended beyond the three months predicted by her private physician, she was indeed nearing her end.

This time, Crown Prince Edward notified Arthur. He had traveled a long distance from Britain by warship.

Upon meeting his uncle again, Crown Prince Edward seemed like a different person compared to his dejected state a few months prior. He was beaming and appeared quite cheerful.

Although the bad news about Queen Victoria had dampened Crown Prince Edward's spirits, an inner sense of satisfaction and relaxation was involuntarily showing.

"Arthur, long time no see!" Crown Prince Edward said with a smile, clapping Arthur heartily on the shoulder after seeing him.

"Yes, Uncle, it's been over half a year," Arthur replied calmly, nodding his head while contemplating Crown Prince Edward's intentions.

"Are you doing well in Australia?" Crown Prince Edward asked with a smile.

"Very well," Arthur nodded.

The atmosphere was a little awkward, but fortunately, they soon arrived at the port of the Isle of Wight. The warship slowly docked, and Crown Prince Edward and Arthur disembarked.

There was no one to greet them this time; everyone was busy taking care of Queen Victoria and simply didn't have the manpower to spare.

"Let's go, Arthur, let's go see your grandmother," Crown Prince Edward chuckled lightly and headed straight for Queen Victoria's manor.

As Arthur entered the manor, he was met with a strong medicinal smell, accompanied by the pungent scent of disinfectant.

The servants in the manor were in a frenzy. Some didn't notice Crown Prince Edward and Arthur's arrival, while those who did were motioned by Crown Prince Edward not to bow.

They quickly entered Queen Victoria's room, where her grandchildren had already gathered. Queen Victoria was smiling and chatting with all of them.

Upon seeing Crown Prince Edward and Arthur enter, Queen Victoria's eyes lit up, and she quickly said, "Arthur! Come here to your grandmother."

Hearing Queen Victoria's words, everyone quickly made space for Arthur, allowing him to easily reach Queen Victoria's side.

"Arthur, my dear boy, how have you been in Australia recently?" Queen Victoria asked, her voice trembling slightly as she took Arthur's hand and smiled.

"I'm doing well, Grandmother. You don't need to worry about me. With the Guard Army here, I'm the safest in Australia," Arthur replied with a smile.

"That's good, that's good, my child. You poor thing, my good child. Australia is a poor and desolate land. You must have suffered there," Queen Victoria said, skillfully stroking Arthur's forehead.

"Mother, since everyone is here, why don't we have lunch first? These little ones must be hungry. Shall we eat and then talk?" Princess Beatrice asked, seeing that Queen Victoria was in a good mood.

In recent days, perhaps due to both physical and mental ailments, Queen Victoria's appetite had been declining, and she was barely eating two slices of bread and a glass of milk each day.

Now that Queen Victoria was in much better spirits, Princess Beatrice wanted her to have a proper meal.

Seeing the Queen nod, Princess Beatrice quickly instructed the servants to bring in the lunch.

Since the room couldn't accommodate everyone for the meal, most people would have to go to the adjacent dining room.

Seeing Arthur about to leave, Queen Victoria quickly pulled him back, saying, "Arthur, why don't you have lunch with Grandmother today, alright?"

Looking at Queen Victoria's hopeful gaze, Arthur couldn't bring himself to refuse and could only nod his head firmly.

Queen Victoria's lunch was simple. Considering it was difficult to digest, her main course consisted of mashed potatoes and milk, along with a few pieces of stewed, very soft beef.

"How is life in Australia? There aren't so many delicious foods there, especially since Australia can barely maintain food self-sufficiency," Queen Victoria asked while stirring her mashed potatoes.

"It's alright, Grandmother. Australia has quite a large area suitable for cultivation. Even if the population grows, it will be able to support itself. While the variety of food might not be extensive, it's more than enough for me. As for you, in such a remote region as the Isle of Wight, even though New Zealand's livestock industry is quite developed, basic food supplies largely depend on support from mainland Britain. If Australia had more unique products, I would truly want to send you something periodically," Arthur said apologetically.

"I heard you established a university in Australia some time ago. How is it progressing? Do you need support from Britain?" Queen Victoria inquired persistently.

"It's going very well, Grandmother. Given Australia's student population and the number of teachers, the university enrolls only 800 students annually. This year's enrollment has concluded, and the university has officially commenced operations. To date, the establishment of the university has been very successful. Conservatively speaking, in three years, the university will be able to train at least 800 outstanding university students for Australia each year. These students will enter various sectors of Australian industry, accelerating Australia's development and construction." Arthur was generally satisfied with the university's achievements.

In an era where university sizes were generally modest, the Australian National University, with an annual enrollment of nearly 1,000 students, was considered quite large.

Although the current teaching quality of the university was not high, the graduates it produced were more than sufficient for Australia's development and construction.

Second update, please support! Queen Victoria's era is about to end, and Arthur's era is about to begin. Please support, collect, comment, invest, follow, and support!