Chapter 1431: Setting Things Right and the Food Problem

After listening to Laidun's introduction, Xia Duo first expressed his affirmation of the work results already achieved by the Department of Culture and Education, but at the same time, he also clearly pointed out:

"Bard Apprentices are not the wandering performers that everyone in the past thought they were, but rather new-era cultural workers who honorably serve the people of the Territory and the order of the Territory.

"As for the concern of the Territory's children about being unable to enter the Tower of Time to study Magic, you need to widely inform them that Magic Education is a major policy of the Territory and will not be shaken by any affairs.

"Bard Apprentices can still enter the Tower of Time to study Magic and enjoy the same treatment as others; they might even receive certain preferential treatment due to their specialties in arts and literature."

In fact, Xia Duo did not intend to cultivate the Territory's children into true Bards. In his view, the Spells of Bards had major drawbacks; they were cultivating wanderers, not builders. Xia Duo was merely borrowing the name.

However, now that this problem had already appeared, Xia Duo had to set things right at the source, so he instructed Laidun—

"In the future, within the Territory, those who learn musical instruments can be called 'musicians', those who learn singing can be called 'singers', those who learn drama or acting can be called 'actors', those skilled in writing can be called 'writers', and those skilled in painting can be called 'painters'. All these people engaged in cultural and artistic work can be collectively referred to as 'cultural workers'."

Material civilization must be built, but spiritual civilization must not be relaxed either. In the future, Magic should not be considered some special profession, but should become the most basic literacy for every citizen in the civilization.

Just as science was embodied in his hometown, not everyone was engaged in work directly related to scientific research, but almost everyone was closely linked to science.

Modern society is fundamentally built on the foundation of science; naturally, citizens of modern society also need to possess basic scientific literacy.

Regarding Xia Duo's Indication, Laidun stated that he would definitely execute it resolutely, but at the same time, he also raised a question:

"My Lord, regarding the issue of the title 'cultural worker' you mentioned, does it need to be promulgated as a decree and fixed in the form of formal legal provisions?"

"No need, just put it in the 'Territory Overview'!"

Xia Duo naturally understood what Laidun meant; this guy wished he could fix all regulations in the form of law and then strictly execute them according to the law.

But reality is not an ideal world constructed by legal provisions; even between perfectly meshed gears, there needs to be lubricating oil!

Not to mention a complex society composed of countless different individuals with self-awareness!

The law does indeed need to take care of all aspects, but it should not go so far as to strictly regulate a person's every word and action; that is not law, that is shackles.

For many things, the official side only needs to express an attitude; how the public chooses is entirely up to them.

Of course, the current Daxia Territory has a strong atmosphere of learning, and the "Territory Overview" is the first book that countless territory residents use to learn to read. Xia Duo believes that even without releasing a new edition, the residents who hear the news will consciously change their titles.

In fact, the titles he proposed basically follow the simple concepts of ordinary people and do not have any overly innovative settings, so it is not difficult for ordinary people to accept them.

As for the "Encyclopedia", Xia Duo did not talk too much about it, because he knew very well that Lawrence and the others had been here for less than a year, and even with the help of Tower of Time Apprentices, it would be difficult to complete it in such a short time.

It is enough to know that this work is steadily progressing; Xia Duo is not in a hurry, there is plenty of time to wait slowly.

"Let's talk about the food problem! Laidun, Kaide, you both speak up, what is the current food self-sufficiency rate of the Territory?"

Hearing the Lord's inquiry, Laidun and Kaide looked at each other, immediately reached a tacit understanding, and decided that Kaide would speak first:

"My Lord, currently the Territory's food reserves mostly come from the Tower of Time, and the food harvested within the Territory only accounts for a small portion. After the autumn harvest this year, the Logistics Department will purchase a batch of surplus grain from the residents who have been granted land, which might be able to increase our own food reserves to thirty percent."

"Self-owned food reserve ratio?"

Regarding such a vague concept, Xia Duo expressed that it was not very meaningful. He shook his head and turned to ask Laidun: "You have a more comprehensive understanding of the Territory; you tell me, what is the situation with the Territory's food self-sufficiency now?"

"The Territory's farmland was originally forest. The land here is fertile, and with intensive cultivation, every Mu of farmland can grow two seasons of crops, but the yield has never reached the high levels the Lord mentioned. To support one adult, at least three or four Mu of farmland are needed; children and the elderly would need less.

"The Territory's current farmland area is about 7,400 New Mu, which means it can only support two thousand-plus people! And the Territory's current population just broke ten thousand a short while ago."

After finishing, Laidun added, "The Lord just mentioned that a large number of Langasi will join the Territory soon, which will further greatly reduce the Territory's food self-sufficiency rate."

"Indeed!"

Realizing that food self-sufficiency was a major problem, Xia Duo could not help but get a headache. The Tower of Time is right next to Code Plaza, and moving food from the Tower of Time is simple, but the problem is—

The Tower of Time is also facing an energy crisis, and the food production of the Arcane Garden is hard to have any qualitative improvement.

Moreover, during the Midsummer Festival not long ago, the Tower of Time just recruited two hundred New Apprentices. Considering that previous apprentices have been successively promoted to Official Mage, the consumption of energy has further intensified.

In addition, there is the maintenance problem of the Tower of Time. With so many people using it at the same time, the maintenance frequency of the Tower of Time has greatly increased. What might have originally not needed maintenance for several years now needs to be maintained at least once or twice a year.

There are too many problems.

It is often said that things that can be solved with energy are not major issues; one just needs to collect more Arcane Crystal when experimenting with the Arcane Fire Device.

But likewise, there are problems here too.

Iolum is determined to accelerate the progress of the experiments. In this way, the demand for Arcane Crystal will also rise sharply. It is possible that even the capital will have to be spent, and it is not certain there will be any surplus to bring back for the Tower of Time to use.

However, fortunately, as long as the experiments proceed smoothly, the Arcane Crystal that can be collected will also steadily increase. Once that critical point is passed, there will be no need to consider energy problems in the future.

Looking at it this way, the solution to the problem still lies in Seventon.

Thinking of this, Xia Duo almost uncontrollably had the thought of returning to Seventon immediately, but this matter was not yet urgent enough to be solved immediately, and the Arcane Fire experiment could not be completed in a day or two.

Plus, he was still on vacation, so Xia Duo ultimately dismissed the thought, but still promised Laidun, "If you need food, just go to the Tower of Time to get it."

Additionally, he proposed:

"Regarding the Territory's agriculture, Elder Yatewude needs to put in more effort. The yield can definitely be increased; it is just lacking some experience and methods. I believe Elder Yatewude will certainly not let me down. I will set a small goal here, and that is to make one Mu of the Territory's farmland support one adult!"