The Drawbacks of Abolishing the Corn Law Emerge

When you advance to the level of the Demoness of Despair, you can also learn from my method.

17

"This is knowledge I specifically sought out from other ' Demoness of Despair '."

"They all advised me to use this method—and they were even willing to go with me."

"I'll go with you." Altair repeated these words softly, then fell silent, inwardly scoffing at the "Demoness." "How could they possibly be so kind? This is more like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken—they're up to no good."

After a few seconds of silence, Altair looked up at Vivian and said, "Don't rush to advance yet. I've already arranged the ritual. Once I've digested it, we can advance together."

After hearing Altair's words, Vivian was briefly stunned, a look of disbelief on her face, and asked curiously, "Aren't you going to switch?"

Altair grinned mischievously, reached out, and lifted Vivian's chin, saying, "Don't you like how I look now?"

"I like it." As soon as she said that, Vivian blushed and lowered her head.

On the morning of January 1, 1348, Altair felt something was wrong with his body, so he opened his eyes and looked into the bed.

--

After realizing it was Vivian, he closed his eyes again and resumed enjoying the moment.

At nine o'clock in the morning, after breakfast, everyone followed Altair to Saint Samuel Cathedral for morning prayers and worship.

As noon approached and the sermon ended, they prepared to leave when Bishop Electra hurried over and inquired, "Count Altair, what are your plans for the near future? When will you return to Tingen City?"

Altair thought for a moment and casually replied, "About three days later."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Altair added, without giving him time to make a request, "Bishop Electra, I think you should also know that I am not yet of legal age to inherit my family's seat in the House of Lords, so don't bother me with those political decisions. I don't even have the qualifications to participate, let alone vote on them."

After hearing this, Bishop Electra paused for a moment, her expression gradually turning somber. Then, as if remembering something, she inquired, "I wonder if your factory is hiring anytime soon, or if you're looking for other jobs in retail, service, or general labor? Those are all fine."

Upon hearing this, Altair looked troubled, pondered for a few seconds, and said helplessly, "I will write to them for advice when I return to the manor later."

As Bishop Electra's expression gradually improved upon hearing this, Altair poured cold water on his hopes, continuing, "But please don't have too high expectations. After all, I'm just a small shareholder; I can't expect them to recruit too many followers of the Evernight Goddess."

"I understand." Bishop Electra nodded emphatically and continued, "Then I will stay here and, on behalf of the Goddess's devotees, thank you for your generosity."

After speaking, Bishop Electra tapped her chest four times clockwise, offering her blessing, "May the Goddess protect you."

Altair returned the greeting, and then left in his carriage.

On the way, Vera, his personal maid, asked curiously, "Count Altair, how did you guess why Bishop Electra was looking for you?"

"The Corn Law have been decided to be repealed," Altair remarked casually, glancing at the pedestrians by the roadside from the carriage window.

Seeing Altair's actions, Vera also pulled back the curtain of the car window, wondering, "I can't see that coming."

Vera's silly look instantly amused Vivian, who chuckled twice and then explained, "Look at their clothes."

Even if their clothes were inexpensive, city dwellers of this era would still try their best to keep them clean, neat, and well-fitting.

Neat and tidy, because it makes them look presentable.

Rural people, on the other hand, don't care about these external factors; loose-fitting and durable clothing is their first choice.

"Of course, I'm not trying to belittle rural people," but rather to show that different ideological stances can lead people to make different choices.

Altair nodded, agreeing with Vivian's words.

Vera, puzzled, pressed for an explanation: what was the connection between the large influx of rural people into the cities and the repeal of the Corn Law?

"Of course." Without Altair needing to explain, Vivian, a native of Intis, stated confidently, "Before the Corn Law are repealed, the nobles will engage in a final frenzy, leasing and plundering the peasants' property for extended periods."

"Pay rent if you have the money; otherwise, take back the land."

"Farmers without land to cultivate will migrate to cities in large numbers to work in order to survive. As the number of people increases, wages will drop, slums will widen, and social conflicts will continue to escalate until they erupt."

"That's how Intis got through it."

Altair asked curiously, "Did the Republic of Intis enact any relevant laws back then, such as restricting nobles from raising land rents, enacting laws to carry out large-scale infrastructure construction, and distributing agricultural subsidies?"

Vivian shook her head silently, then nodded, and said, "Half and half, with restrictions on the nobles' ability to increase investment, no large-scale infrastructure projects, and no agricultural subsidies."

"This happened approximately 160 years ago, during the time when Roselle Gustav officially ascended to the throne as the Consul of the Republic of Intis."

"Back then, many nobles in Intis were punished by him for this matter. The Laurent Family came to an end because of this."

While Vivian was recounting her family's misery, Altair could only offer a wry smile, for she simply couldn't offer any comment.

--

Praising Roselle's handling of the situation would certainly not please Vivian, especially since she herself was a noblewoman.

There's no real reason to say that Roselle's actions were wrong.

So she decided not to comment, but instead remained silent and listened to Vivian's story.

On January 4, 1348, at 10:00 AM, Altair and his Butler Hahn gave each other a final explanation of the precautions before boarding the Steam train.

She had just gotten into the car when she heard Vera say from not far away, "Sister, do you think Butler Hahn will be lonely being left alone in Bexland?"

"He's so pitiful----"

While Vera was still speaking, Altair walked up behind her and said coldly, "Then I'll throw you down. Go keep Hahn."

Upon hearing this, Vera quickly responded, "No, no, I was just joking."

Seeing Vera's reaction, Altair slowly left the carriage, thinking, "If it weren't for Bishop Electra's request, she wouldn't have allowed Butler Hahn to appear at the station to see everyone off."

"After all, it wouldn't make sense for him, as the head steward, not to accompany the master when he leaves Bexland."