Saint calendar year 905, June 7, 7:00 a.m.
Three weeks had passed.
Since that incident, the students in my class had started to take quests more seriously. I guess they had understood the effect of my title [Legendary Teacher]. I knew that sooner or later they would find out about it, and I even included it as part of my training. But this was a bit faster. Maybe, these students were more outstanding than I had imagined.
At the sa ti, it might be linked to magic training. Apparently, they had begun to repair their dormitory voluntarily too. I thought it was a good sign.
Although it was undeniable that their reactions were fierce at the general education class compared to magic lessons, even then, they still listened to them much more intently than before.
I was currently teaching them about political discourse.
"There are many forms of economy, but the main types are only two, feudal economy and capitalist economy.
"The forr is similar to the current system of the empire. In other words, a system where the emperor, a person of paramount ability, divides the land to feudal lords, who will collect taxes in the na of the emperor from the fief population."
"That's right. We, the nobility of the empire, have the best mission to govern the lands given to us by His Majesty in the best and soundest manner. That is what will ultimately benefit the people!" Cliff annotated my words with full confidence.
Mia, Teresa, and even Pluto didn't seem to disagree with Cliff's words. Perhaps, this was the common sense of political economy in this world.
"No, this world has already turned to a commodity economy because of the existence of the Comrcial Guild. Moreover, since the monetary economy is also developing, I'm sure that the feudalistic economy will soon collapse and the world will shift to a capitalist economy."
Unexpectedly, Eight raised a different opinion.
"Yes! Are you saying that the imperial system will also change?"
"Yes, I think it will change in the near future...."
"You—"
I stopped the indignant Cliff with my right hand. "Hmm, why does Eight think so?"
"Because Straheim is developing rapidly. I have also heard that more and more rchants from the countryside are coming here......"
What was necessary for the establishnt of a capitalist economy was the developnt of a commodity economy and the birth of capitalists and workers.
Because of the existence of the Comrcial Guild, the soil for the developnt of a comrcial economy and the ergence of capitalists was already there. Now all that was needed was to secure the labour force, and the capitalist economy would be established.
As long as we secured manpower, a capitalist economy would co into existence.
Here in the feudalist economy, the territory was best synonymous with agriculture. It was an economy in which the collection of an annual tribute, a tax, was emphasized. To put it more succinctly, it was an economic system that did not care about anything other than the collection of tribute and control of the people. Therefore, it was unforgivable to abandon the farmland without the permission of the feudal lords. Even the reason for the existence of checkpoints in the empire was probably to prevent the escape of the farrs.
However, with the rapid developnt of the commodity economy, manpower was naturally needed, so capitalists actively recruited people from the farmlands for cheap labour. It was a much more profitable job than being pushed around by the country to work on the farm for the rest of one's life. Thus, the farrs were stepping into the world of comrce from agriculture.
Even in today's empire, the strict system had been relaxed to the point where there was only one farr responsible for protecting each farm. It was no longer necessary for all siblings to get involved.
Most of them were still engaged in farming, but that was only because the farming technology in this empire was still low. If farming technology improved, there would be surplus labour in agriculture for farrs which would lead to a surge in the world of comrce.
Once that happened, the economy would surely shift to free capitalism.
"Hmm, if it becos so, how do you think the politics of this empire should be changed?"
"........"
He looked around once, then pulled his chin back and closed his mouth tightly.
I see. So you also can hear it. The sound of footsteps of the collapsing empire that would surely ring in the future.
The contradictions and frictions of the oppressive rule of the lineage aristocrats, and the rise of new power, the rciless and ritocratic capital of the Comrcial Guild.
Additionally, if you saw the rapid developnt of science and technology in places like Toto Village and Ladol led to a rapid rise in GDP, unless they were very stupid feudal lords, it stood to reason that you would want to get so benefits too.
Regardless of my puny intentions, there would be an explosion of wealth in various parts of the empire from the peasant class. Once each individual grew in wealth and wisdom, there was no way to maintain feudalism anymore. All I had to do was give them a little push at the end. That was what I personally think this class was all about.
"Listen to carefully. The feudalism of this empire will soon collapse."
All of the students gasped.
"Sensei, what you just said is a serious act of treachery that could lead to the denial of our aristocracy!"
"That's the fact, no matter what you say. Besides, I'm against the rule of the country by the nobility, so your criticism is way off the mark."
"What!?"
Cliff, who never thought that I would respond like that, gaped his mouth. The other students also had complex looks on their faces. In this empire, everything was decided by the nobles, the ruling power. In fact, it was very easy to escape from reality by leaving everything to others and stop thinking.
"I'm not denying the existence of the aristocratic class itself. All I'm saying is that the governing authority should be completely stripped from the individuals called aristocrats."
"It's the sa as denying the aristocratic system!"
"Ah, well I suppose it is, given that the aristocracy is a system in which only the aristocracy has actual power over the affairs of the state."
I wasn't insisting on the total abolition of the aristocratic system. Just a structure that could reduce the political and economic privileges of the aristocracy to a reasonable extent.
Nevertheless, people still sought tradition and social status. It would be much easier to find a job or get married, and I personally believe that a sufficient premium would be granted.
"Sensei, I recognise you as a teacher. But this is one thing I don't agree with, and I won't give in!" Cliff stood from the chair and declared, slamming his hands on the table.
"That should be obvious."
"Huh?"
Maybe my words were quite unexpected. The other students also frowned at Cliff, who raised a hysterical voice.
"This is a class, not religious propaganda or a political brainwashing activity. In the end, this is just a place to spread facts and knowledge. Whether my words are correct or not, you can choose for yourself."
This was by no ans a relaxing path. There would always be conflicts with their own fixed ideas. However, I believed that they would be able to choose a path without regrets.
"Then, this is the end of this morning's class. Each of you should have a good lunch before attending the magic class."
I announced the end and left the classroom.
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