Chapter 34
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Chapter 34: Prince Regent and the Adviser
Alexander von Humboldt, founder of isotherms, isobars, and modern climatology, plant geography, geophysics, geomorphology, and volcanology. He traveled almost all over the world in his limited lifetime, exploring mountains and rivers, collecting exotic plants. He had knowledge of astronomy and geography, making remarkable contributions to over a dozen disciplines.
Many people only gain fame after death, but Alexander von Humboldt, still alive, is already recognized worldwide as the greatest scientist, explorer, and educator.
The Prussian Academy of Sciences had disputes over whether Mr. Humboldt should be the chief academician, with Faraday and Gauss ranked below him.
Apart from scientific research, Humboldt was passionate about education. He actively promoted scientific knowledge, advocated for equality for all, representing a progressive scholar and doer.
Leader One appointed him as the Minister of Science and Education for Prussia, hoping he could contribute to the country.
Mr. Humboldt heard about the prince regent’s grand speech in parliament, in which he talked about providing education for all children. Now Mr. Humboldt is asking Leader One for money in his office.
The Minister of National Defense just left, and then Minister of Science and Education Humboldt entered.
"Your Highness the Regent, you mentioned spreading education to all children in Prussia, is that true?" Humboldt asked with joy.
Leader One looked embarrassed.
"Yes, I care a lot about children’s education. I hope Mr. Humboldt can push this forward, really push this forward."
Humboldt asked, "How much funding can the Ministry of Education and Science receive next year?"
Leader One continued, "Our former king, Frederick Wilhelm I, issued a decree in 1717 to make primary education mandatory nationwide and established 1800 schools. However, Prussia still only has compulsory education on the surface. The whole system has many problems. I hope Mr. Humboldt can make improvements."
Humboldt said, "I understand the current Compulsory Education System has issues. I have a comprehensive plan for improvement, it just requires Your Highness the Regent to provide the funding."
Leader One responded, "I have always valued education. I care about children’s issues. I promote a policy of national prosperity through science and education. The country should invest heavily in the development of science and education to prosper in the future."
Humboldt, "So, where’s the money? Your Highness, you need to give me money, or else how can I reform."
Don’t ask, there is none.
Prussia was originally poor, almost half of the country’s money was taken by the army, and there was hardly anything else that could be done.
If you use the army’s money for other things, Prussia will be doomed. As long as Prussia is slightly weaker, the Hohenzollern family will immediately unify Germany, with France on the left and Russia on the right eyeing it greedily.
So there’s no way to pull out money now, so we can only reform slowly, tidy up the country first, and then issue government bonds to borrow money.
Leader One didn’t want to deceive anyone, he honestly told Mr. Humboldt that there was really no money. The funding for the Ministry of Education and Science couldn’t be increased at all, and the existing funds could only maintain a mediocre Compulsory Education System. You are the famous Humboldt, with great talent, can you carry out education reform without money?
"I’d better go back to eating potatoes, I take my leave," sadly said Humboldt.
Leader One gave Catherine a look, asking her to bring in the next petitioner.
Minister of Agriculture Sulibek, Chief Secretary of the Ministry of AgricultureJohn Heinrich von Thünen, both talented individuals who truly understand agriculture.
These two people came to advise because they disagreed with the aggressive land reform strategy mentioned in yesterday’s speech. They straightforwardly said, "Change the land today, and tomorrow you’re gone."
Those savage Rural Junkers are unreasonable. Anyone who tries to take away their benefits will face their fierce resistance.
"I wasn’t serious about the land reform talk. My true intention is for both of you to implement gentle agricultural reforms, find ways to increase the country’s agricultural output, and address various disaster issues," said Leader One.
Sulibek and Thünen exchanged a knowing look. They realized that Your Highness the Regent meant to employ drastic measures.
Leader One has visited many rural areas in various countries, conducting real inspections and researches. He knows the significant issues in Prussia’s current agricultural system.
"I found that many Rural Junkers are careless in their farming attitudes, indifferent to whether the crop fails or succeeds, and only focused on eating tariff subsidies."
"The price of domestically produced grains is very high. People opt to buy cheap imported grains, and the Rural Junker group pressures the government to increase import grain taxes. As a result, even the once cheap imported grains become expensive, making it difficult for the common people to afford food."
"The prices of Germany’s local agricultural products should not be so high. There is ample room for increasing production. I hope the Rural Junkers can take farming seriously, learn some basic agricultural knowledge, even seek help from experienced farmers. Also, about the use of manure as fertilizer, many consider it unclean, but this perception needs to change."
Sulibek, "Your Highness the Regent, the issues you mentioned… our Ministry of Agriculture will work on resolving them, but it will require time and funds."
Thünen, "And as for the land reform you mentioned earlier…"
Leader One, "As long as the agricultural production increases, prices go down, people can afford food, the land reform can be put on hold for now. But it still needs to be done in the future. By then, please prepare a Prussian-style land reform plan for both of you."
The two shook their heads and left, not receiving a single penny from Your Highness the Regent and yet faced with so many demands. It was impossible to achieve without money. Just making speeches and encouraging education and agriculture wouldn’t work, as those Rural Junker didn’t care about the Ministry of Agriculture.
Catherine invited the next advisor in.
It was the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Finance.
He said to Leader One, "Your Highness, you appointed Liszt as the Minister of Finance yesterday. I must remind you that this Minister of Finance is very determined."
Leader One (alert), "Oh? Are you saying he’s crazy? Not suitable to be Minister of Finance? What’s wrong with him?"
"He is an economist."
Leader One, "Exactly, Liszt is an economist, oh… but aren’t you Chief Secretaries happy when an economist who doesn’t understand economics becomes Minister of Finance? Aren’t you just trying to make the ministers your puppets?"
The Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Finance shook his head repeatedly, "This Minister of Finance is very bold. He makes simple problems complicated and complex issues simple. He completely doesn’t understand economic logic, doesn’t grasp objective facts and rules, and also plans to forcefully implement impractical policies."
The Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Finance couldn’t control his minister, Liszt is too opinionated and stubborn, so the secretary had to complain to the prince regent.
Leader One, "I will talk to him, if it doesn’t work, we will change the minister."
The satisfied Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Finance left the office and immediately saw the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Industry.
Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, "Finally, an outstanding king is born."
Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, "Oh, really? Which lucky country is it?"