Chapter 1175: Ideological Transformation and Natural Semantic Change

Savile Territory is merely a temporary resting point and a material transfer station; even if Savile Territory were to refuse all passing merchant caravans, the immense profits would inevitably give rise to a new resting point or transfer station.

Regarding this, Xia Duo could only promise that Savile Territory welcomes the arrival of any law-abiding merchant and is willing to provide appropriate convenience for northern caravans, his attitude being quite professional.

If the status quo cannot be changed in the short term, then at least one must be able to get a share of the pie and accumulate a foundation for one's own development; to not participate at all would be too foolish.

But in the long run, one must still strive to fundamentally change the asymmetrical trade relationship between Netheril and Cormanthyr, and even with the other nations!

And this, besides requiring an increase in comprehensive national strength, also requires changing the Netherese view of Elves and even other alien races.

By comparison, the former is not too much of a problem; as Great Arcanists are the greatest factor influencing comprehensive national strength, Netheril is fully capable of producing more,

But the latter is extremely difficult.

Transforming one person's thoughts might not be so difficult, and if necessary, a single spell could accomplish it, but wanting to transform the thoughts of millions, wanting to transform such an entire social trend, that is too difficult.

Even Xia Duo, after experiencing the Projection World as an Elf many times, inevitably developed a certain identification with Elven culture.

This is not subject to his subjective control, but is determined by the values he formed in the past.

Of course, Xia Duo does not reject this; absorbing advanced foreign culture, taking its essence and discarding its dross, has always been the golden rule for the growth of his home civilization.

But this must at least have a most basic cultural foundation as the ideological root for the civilization to stand on; otherwise, that is not called absorption, but assimilation.

Netherese civilization was enlightened by Elves, and its development process was almost carved with Elven traces; only in modern times did people begin to realize this.

The simple and plain design of the Arcane Union Headquarters is one such attempt, but apart from the Arcane Union Headquarters, Xia Duo has rarely seen architecture other than the Elven style.

Architecture is like this, and food and clothing are no different.

It is only because Netheril's current objective material conditions are not yet met; otherwise, it would truly be an alternative "Elven Kingdom."

……

The night before the Snow Melting Competition.

After Xia Duo finished telling Niya about the scene of meeting those chamber of commerce leaders during the day, he said: "These chambers of commerce have unusual backgrounds and are very well-informed. Yesterday, I also heard from Teacher Iolum that the Northland Alliance is very likely to be established before the end of this year. By then, Savile Territory might truly become prosperous."

"How can you be so optimistic? It's just a few more caravans; who knows, they might even bring a lot of trouble!" Niya looked quite troubled.

She had lived in Savile Territory since she was a child and had seen many troubles brought by caravans; now that the number of caravans was increasing, the first thing she thought of was trouble.

After all, the Tower of Time is no longer in Savile Town, making it difficult to effectively suppress the Spellcasters in the town, and the income of the Tower of Time now far exceeds the past.

In Niya's heart, the small profit brought by the passing caravans could no longer outweigh the potential trouble.

Xia Duo hadn't thought of this point yet; he continued to talk about his plan, "I think we can expand the port, and also open up a specialized material distribution center near the port. This can also regulate the territory's commercial order and reduce the adverse effects that the suddenly increased foreign caravans bring to the territory."

"That would be good."

Niya's eyes lit up, feeling that this was also not bad, and then she recalled the various troubles that had appeared in the territory in the past and added one point:

"You can implement the commercial tax regulations in the Daxia Code in the Port District. You need to send people there; this can also be considered the beginning of the territory introducing the Daxia Code!"

Xia Duo thought about it and agreed.

The Daxia Code is much more perfect than the loophole-ridden lord's regulations of Savile Territory, and starting the trial from the Port District, with the target not being the Savile People, is also a good way to see the effect.

After all, the laws related to commercial tax are mostly derived from the laws of his hometown in Xia Duo's memory; there may be adjustments, but he himself cannot guarantee whether they can be applied to the Netheril of the current era.

In case there is any situation of being unacclimated, it can also be corrected in time.

……

After finishing official business, Xia Duo and Niya went to bed to rest. Since they were at the Arcane Union, it was inconvenient for the two to do any fun things between husband and wife, so they had another bedtime talk in the dark.

"Do you know Yatewude?"

"Yatewude? Seems to have some impression. Is he the agricultural consultant in your territory? Seems like I heard you mention him before."

"Yes, he is not only the agricultural consultant of Daxia Territory, but also a follower of the New Natural Philosophy!"

"New Natural Philosophy? Is it related to Elves?" Niya asked curiously.

"Related, and also not related."

Xia Duo sighed slightly in his heart; even Niya would associate "Nature" with Elves when it was mentioned. His theory is considered a heresy to Elves, and even to many humans who admire Elven culture and Elven thought.

Introducing the New Natural Philosophy to Niya formally for the first time, Xia Duo still felt a bit uneasy, fearing that Niya would develop a serious sense of resistance.

He first said the Elvish word for "Nature," and then explained to Niya, who had already mastered Elvish:

"In Elvish, the semantics of 'Nature' are complex; it has the meanings of forest, earth, sky, and ocean, as well as the meanings of ruler, grace, and even Creator. But in fact, when translated into Netherese, 'Nature' is often translated as 'forest'."

"This is not because the original translator's translation was improper, but because the semantics of 'Nature' have changed in modern Elvish. Now it generally refers specifically to 'forest,' especially in the Druid community!"

In fact, in the era of 【Projection Plane: Maiyuelita Sukanweisa】, the meaning of "Nature" also included the meanings of forest, earth, sky, and ocean.

Then it can be inferred that during that period of the Main Plane, which was about ten thousand years ago, the semantics of "Nature" in Elvish were not as narrow as they are today.

Xia Duo speculates that it might be the emergence of Druids that led to the semantic development and change of "Nature."

In the Projection Plane, there are no Druids in Maiyuelita Sukanweisa City. Although there are Elves specifically responsible for planting, they are not called Druids, nor do they use Holy Power, but are full-time Mages, and their status is relatively respected.

On the Main Plane, although Xia Duo knows very little about that era, judging from this possibility in the Projection Plane, it is very likely that it was also like this.

Elven Druids originate from the Elven Main God, and in 【Projection Plane: Maiyuelita Sukanweisa】, there is also no Elven Main God; what exists is only a "Creation Mother Goddess" faith that is more similar to ancestor worship.

Then it can also be inferred that it was the Elven Main God who caused the change in the semantics of "Nature."

Whether it was a natural semantic change after the emergence of Druids or an active change intervened by the Elven Main God, that is unknown, and there is nowhere to even guess.

But Xia Duo does not need to delve into these. After explaining the development and evolution of "Nature" in Elvish to Niya and letting her have a rough understanding of the concept of "Great Nature," he began the formal introduction—