Volume 2 Chapter 124 - Special economic zone (1/2)
When the banquet was half over, Xu Yi was led by a servant of the palace to a secret room to have a private meeting with the king.
Compared to the first time, after the king saw Xu Yi, the smile on his face became much brighter and sincere.
Just like he had said about Xu Yi in the banquet, for the Lampuri Kingdom’s increase in crops this year, the biggest contributor was the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s agricultural magic machines. But the biggest hero was of course Xu Yi who had invented the agricultural magic machines.
For the Lampuri Kingdom or for any country on the Sines Continent, being able to solve the food and shelter problems of their people was the number one priority.
The Lampuri Kingdom had problems dealing with this before, but now there was the help of the agricultural magic machines, they had solved this problem almost perfectly in just a single year.
Even according to the stats of the agricultural department, if they continued promoting the agricultural magic machines and allowed every piece of land in the kingdom to use them, the Lampuri Kingdom might not just be able to satisfy their own needs, they might even be able to sell excess grain to other countries!
After the king learned of this good news, how could he not reveal a sincere and bright smile to Xu Yi?
“The agricultural department wants to export grains?” Xu Yi was a bit surprised, “Your majesty, forgive me for saying this, but I feel that we need to reconsider this?”
“Oh? What needs to be reconsidered?” The king looked at Xu Yi with an interested gaze.
“First, the reason why our kingdom could have this rich harvest, other than having the help of the agricultural magic machines and opening much more farmland, the other important reason was that there weren’t any natural disasters that decreased crop yields. But this is something that has to be considered. If I’m not wrong, the turmoil ten years ago was caused by famine…..”
Xu Yi didn’t keep speaking.
The famine of the Lampuri Kingdom ten years ago was a taboo for everyone in the kingdom, they were unwilling to easily bring it up.
And in front of a king who had taken his throne in this famine, it had a deeper impression on him than other people.
The king didn’t seem to mind as he said with a nod, “Un, this is indeed something to consider. But the agricultural department has already considered this, so what else do you need to consider?”
“What else……The agricultural department is saying that not only is this year’s grain yield enough to satisfy the people’s needs and is even enough to export, but I feel that is based on the previous grain needs of the kingdom. Actually from what I’ve observed in Banta City and the surrounding cities, there are many families, especially those normal peasant families who can’t fill their stomachs. I think that…..the agricultural department might have underestimated people’s need for food.”
“You mean that because people couldn’t eat their fill, now that they have much more food compared to before to eat, they will eat more? It might raise the need for food compared to before by several times?” The king asked.
“It’s just that meaning.”
Seeing Xu Yi nod, the king suddenly broke out in laughter.
“Ha, ha, I can understand this idea. Back during the famine, I even went hungry for several days. When there was enough food to eat, I let myself go and gained several pounds. Look…..” The king patted his round stomach and said in a voice of self ridicule, “This was the weight gained several years ago and I still haven’t lost it.”
Xu Yi couldn’t help smiling, thinking that the king was rather charming.
The king patted the armrest of his chair and gave a nod as he said with a voice of praise, “Not bad, I wanted to call you in to praise you alone and planned on asking if you needed any rewards, but I never thought that by talking to you, I’ve found that you have quite the insight on how to govern the kingdom. Not bad, not bad…..I’ve heard Count Sean report that you are currently working on the Banta City renovation plan, right?”
Xu Yi was stunned, but he quickly nodded and replied, “Yes. Count Sean gave responsibility of this project to me, but the work has just started, so there isn’t anything to show for it right now.
“To let Count Sean have the idea of renovating Banta City, that is already considered a large achievement.” The king said with a faint smile, “Xu Yi, I have to say, since Banta City had your Frestech Chamber of Commerce, it has had too many changes compared to before. At least, it’s become much richer compared to before, right? Otherwise, how could it undergo this renovation?”
Xu Yi couldn’t help revealing a smile, “The Lord Count always complains to me about this. I won’t hide it from you, right now the City Lord’s Manor owes our company several hundred thousand gold coins.”
“Let him keep owing you.” The king waved his hand with an uncaring expression, “Actually even I want to owe your company several hundred thousand or even several million.”
Xu Yi was surprised, “Your highness, our company hasn’t developed to that point yet……”
The king revealed a faint smile, “No need to be nervous, of course I’m just joking. I just found that Banta City has some pretty good changes and I can’t help thinking how good it would be if those changes could occur all over our Lampuri Kingdom.”
Seeing the emotional look on the king’s face, Xu Yi’s heart was suddenly moved.
“Your majesty, it’s not realistic to make the kingdom like Banta City in a short period of time. But how about you first consider to turn an area of the kingdom into a prosperous and lively area?”
“First choose an area to make lively?” The king knit his brows, “What does this mean? How can it be done?”
“Actually, it’s very simple, just make a special economic zone…..”
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After leaving the royal palace, Xu YI rode his horse carriage back to his residence. As soon as the horse carriage began moving, he suddenly couldn’t help breaking out in laughter.
There was no other way, as long as he thought of what he just discussed with the king, he really wanted to laugh.