The next day at the representatives’ meeting, Rabo Villani, who had been appointed mayor by me, fainted and there was a commotion.
I had decided before that the work of the Ministry of Civil Affairs would be the most important part of my work with the mayor.
I have no intention of withdrawing it, whether he has a stroke or not.
He will be managing the city with the new representative.
The person in charge will carry out the current operations of the city and my instructions.
I managed to convince him that it was not a complete disconnect, but rather a mutual exchange of information that would continue.
I have also notified them that I will be sending some of my assistant aides to work as secretaries to the mayor.
Since the town has been basically built, solid conservatism is preferable to creative ability.
The city representatives’ meeting will be separate from the meeting held at my residence.
The construction of a city hall is to begin, but at this time the building where the Ministry of Civil Affairs is located will operate as the city hall.
It is crazy to go from a poor man to a mayor in a feudal system.
However, it is also a symbol that if you have the ability, you can hold an important position.
As I was thinking about this, Mil, who was sitting next to me, poked me on the arm.
“Al, everyone is here.”
It is a meeting of representatives under the direct control of the new lord.
It’s like a cabinet.
(T/N: Cabinet is the committee of senior ministers responsible for controlling government policy.)
I look around at everyone.
The ministers of each ministry, or vice-ministers if they are not present.
As an observer, Prytanis participates.
Prytanis is officially elected as a representative.
He will attend both the city’s representative meeting.
In terms of numbers, I think we are pretty small.
I looked around at everyone and cleared my throat.
“We will now begin the strategy meeting. We need to take charge of the entire territory. First, I have a proposal for Mrs. Delphine.”
Delphine was suddenly nominated and began to panic.
“Ha, yes!”
“As the Ministry of Education, we currently teach basic things like reading and writing. Additionally, there is one more thing I would like you to emphasize.”
She looked blatantly relieved.
Perhaps she thought I was going to point out her muscle fest?
“Yes, yes. What do you want to emphasize?”
“Morality.”
It’s not really an edict of education.
It’s simply that corruption is the default in countries that have been artificially modernized, like South America and Africa.
What we are trying to do now also includes such elements, although not as extreme as that.
Corruption cannot be eradicated, but it can be mitigated.
Delphine raised an eyebrow.
I guess it didn’t ring a bell.
“Moral…?”
“I know it sounds grandiose, but it is the wisdom for living in a society that has been taught in the home until now. Since we are a multi-ethnic society, it is impossible to teach it only at home. I want them to be taught in a consolidated way, something like a social code.”
Delphine looked at me suspiciously.
“Is there anything else you want to be included?”
I have no other intention in this regard.
“No, it is to alleviate future difficulties as much as possible.”
“The future of my lord is too far away for us to visualize. Please tell us more clearly.”
I scratch my head.
I have no intention of looking that far away into the future, though.
“Many of us know that education is important. What kind of education is important, that part is probably not well known.”
We all look at each other.
I’m fully aware that I’m talking crap.
It gets a little awkward so I cleared my throat.
“Think about it. A person who can read and write and is smart, but deceives and takes advantage of others. A person who can neither read nor write and is not smart, but can help each other without taking advantage of others. Which would be a more desirable neighbor?”
Delphine’s face turns sullen as she remembers the old days.
“Of course, it’s the latter.”
“Originally, it is parents and society that teach people not to be the former. A society cannot exist if it is full of the former.”
However, a corrupt nation puts the highest priority on modern education and even faith.
There is a part of us that can’t help but be impatient to catch up with the developed world.
If we don’t, we will be used up and taken advantage of by the developed nations.
In return, basic human education will be neglected.
It will be a world where the “doer” wins.
Corruption is not something to be offended by as a bad thing.
They are angry because they can’t enjoy themselves.
Even corrupt politicians are good guys as long as they get money for themselves.
If a society becomes a place where people can do such things publicly, there is nothing we can do.
Even if it is a pretext, if it is socially accepted, it will be impossible to make such a public statement.
If the penalties under the law are also in line with the pretext, they will be more persuasive.
We also want to put a stop to the operation of the law that differs from the precepts.
Delphine pondered.
“But my lord is committed not only to reading and writing, but also to acquiring all sorts of new knowledge. Isn’t that contradictory?”
“The latter is not enough to develop society. Time does not stand still. But the environment is changing. Everything is a balance. We must develop knowledge based on social norms such as morality. I think this is appropriate.”
“I understand what you are saying. But, it is quite difficult.”
I chuckled at the overly serious way of thinking.
“Let’s borrow from the wisdom of our forefathers. You just have to keep it in the story.”
“A story?”
“You can put such lessons in picture books and plays. Heroic tales are also meant to celebrate acts of bravery and selflessness. You should compile folktales and lessons from each tribe and make them part of your curriculum.”
Delphine plopped down on the desk.
“Oh, I think every story has some meaning to my lord …”
You’re exaggerating.
“Anyway, it is not my intention to take advantage of you in any way. A stable social fabric is beneficial to all but those with malicious intent. Besides, the customs of Prytanis’ people are different from ours. Adults can look at society and adapt to it. It will be difficult for children, and the result will be isolation, which will make their future difficult.”
You can’t be blamed for doing wrong. Such a society is surely doomed.
People get angry because they don’t get a share in corruption, and when that happens, it is almost impossible to rebuild.
Unless it is forcefully transformed by a powerful outside force.
Even if you try to change things internally, the people who take your side are assuming that you will benefit from the change.
The moment someone you thought was on your side becomes a disadvantage, he becomes an enemy.
Then, you will have to play politics of fear to keep them in line.
And then, they become preoccupied with doubt and suspicion.
If you live in such a society, there is almost no one who is not dusty when you hit him.
And they accuse others before they are accused themselves.
The rest is a negative spiral.
A society cannot be run on ideals alone.
The trouble is, those who have the know-how have lived in a world riddled with corruption.
Make the wrong first move and things get out of hand.
Delphine looked up above.
“I’m looking forward to next year’s Carnival…”
Don’t escape reality.
The next day at the representatives’ meeting, Rabo Villani, who had been appointed mayor by me, fainted and there was a commotion.
I had decided before that the work of the Ministry of Civil Affairs would be the most important part of my work with the mayor.
I have no intention of withdrawing it, whether he has a stroke or not.
He will be managing the city with the new representative.
The person in charge will carry out the current operations of the city and my instructions.
I managed to convince him that it was not a complete disconnect, but rather a mutual exchange of information that would continue.
I have also notified them that I will be sending some of my assistant aides to work as secretaries to the mayor.
Since the town has been basically built, solid conservatism is preferable to creative ability.
The city representatives’ meeting will be separate from the meeting held at my residence.
The construction of a city hall is to begin, but at this time the building where the Ministry of Civil Affairs is located will operate as the city hall.
It is crazy to go from a poor man to a mayor in a feudal system.
However, it is also a symbol that if you have the ability, you can hold an important position.
As I was thinking about this, Mil, who was sitting next to me, poked me on the arm.
“Al, everyone is here.”
It is a meeting of representatives under the direct control of the new lord.
It’s like a cabinet.
(T/N: Cabinet is the committee of senior ministers responsible for controlling government policy.)
I look around at everyone.
The ministers of each ministry, or vice-ministers if they are not present.
As an observer, Prytanis participates.
Prytanis is officially elected as a representative.
He will attend both the city’s representative meeting.
In terms of numbers, I think we are pretty small.
I looked around at everyone and cleared my throat.
“We will now begin the strategy meeting. We need to take charge of the entire territory. First, I have a proposal for Mrs. Delphine.”
Delphine was suddenly nominated and began to panic.
“Ha, yes!”
“As the Ministry of Education, we currently teach basic things like reading and writing. Additionally, there is one more thing I would like you to emphasize.”
She looked blatantly relieved.
Perhaps she thought I was going to point out her muscle fest?
“Yes, yes. What do you want to emphasize?”
“Morality.”
It’s not really an edict of education.
It’s simply that corruption is the default in countries that have been artificially modernized, like South America and Africa.
What we are trying to do now also includes such elements, although not as extreme as that.
Corruption cannot be eradicated, but it can be mitigated.
Delphine raised an eyebrow.
I guess it didn’t ring a bell.
“Moral…?”
“I know it sounds grandiose, but it is the wisdom for living in a society that has been taught in the home until now. Since we are a multi-ethnic society, it is impossible to teach it only at home. I want them to be taught in a consolidated way, something like a social code.”
Delphine looked at me suspiciously.
“Is there anything else you want to be included?”
I have no other intention in this regard.
“No, it is to alleviate future difficulties as much as possible.”
“The future of my lord is too far away for us to visualize. Please tell us more clearly.”
I scratch my head.
I have no intention of looking that far away into the future, though.
“Many of us know that education is important. What kind of education is important, that part is probably not well known.”
We all look at each other.
I’m fully aware that I’m talking crap.
It gets a little awkward so I cleared my throat.
“Think about it. A person who can read and write and is smart, but deceives and takes advantage of others. A person who can neither read nor write and is not smart, but can help each other without taking advantage of others. Which would be a more desirable neighbor?”
Delphine’s face turns sullen as she remembers the old days.
“Of course, it’s the latter.”
“Originally, it is parents and society that teach people not to be the former. A society cannot exist if it is full of the former.”
However, a corrupt nation puts the highest priority on modern education and even faith.
There is a part of us that can’t help but be impatient to catch up with the developed world.
If we don’t, we will be used up and taken advantage of by the developed nations.
In return, basic human education will be neglected.
It will be a world where the “doer” wins.
Corruption is not something to be offended by as a bad thing.
They are angry because they can’t enjoy themselves.
Even corrupt politicians are good guys as long as they get money for themselves.
If a society becomes a place where people can do such things publicly, there is nothing we can do.
Even if it is a pretext, if it is socially accepted, it will be impossible to make such a public statement.
If the penalties under the law are also in line with the pretext, they will be more persuasive.
We also want to put a stop to the operation of the law that differs from the precepts.
Delphine pondered.
“But my lord is committed not only to reading and writing, but also to acquiring all sorts of new knowledge. Isn’t that contradictory?”
“The latter is not enough to develop society. Time does not stand still. But the environment is changing. Everything is a balance. We must develop knowledge based on social norms such as morality. I think this is appropriate.”
“I understand what you are saying. But, it is quite difficult.”
I chuckled at the overly serious way of thinking.
“Let’s borrow from the wisdom of our forefathers. You just have to keep it in the story.”
“A story?”
“You can put such lessons in picture books and plays. Heroic tales are also meant to celebrate acts of bravery and selflessness. You should compile folktales and lessons from each tribe and make them part of your curriculum.”
Delphine plopped down on the desk.
“Oh, I think every story has some meaning to my lord …”
You’re exaggerating.
“Anyway, it is not my intention to take advantage of you in any way. A stable social fabric is beneficial to all but those with malicious intent. Besides, the customs of Prytanis’ people are different from ours. Adults can look at society and adapt to it. It will be difficult for children, and the result will be isolation, which will make their future difficult.”
You can’t be blamed for doing wrong. Such a society is surely doomed.
People get angry because they don’t get a share in corruption, and when that happens, it is almost impossible to rebuild.
Unless it is forcefully transformed by a powerful outside force.
Even if you try to change things internally, the people who take your side are assuming that you will benefit from the change.
The moment someone you thought was on your side becomes a disadvantage, he becomes an enemy.
Then, you will have to play politics of fear to keep them in line.
And then, they become preoccupied with doubt and suspicion.
If you live in such a society, there is almost no one who is not dusty when you hit him.
And they accuse others before they are accused themselves.
The rest is a negative spiral.
A society cannot be run on ideals alone.
The trouble is, those who have the know-how have lived in a world riddled with corruption.
Make the wrong first move and things get out of hand.
Delphine looked up above.
“I’m looking forward to next year’s Carnival…”
Don’t escape reality.
