But he could try to guess one of the gold cups and lockets left by Mrs. Smith. The gold cups had been found and confirmed by him as a Horcrux, so the locket was unlikely to escape Voldemort's clutches.

In addition, judging from the fact that Voldemort is keen to collect the relics of the founder of the Academy, the relics of Ravenclaw and Gryffindor may not escape the hunting range of Voldemort, although Gryffindor's sword is in his own hands, But Gryffindor wasn't just one relic.

There are too many clues, but Dumbledore is too busy, and he is worried

Leave this to someone else, so he may have a hard time spending time on politics

"Guidero, I sincerely hope that you can play a greater role in this matter." Dumbledore made up his mind and was ready to delegate power.

Lockhart also acted crisply, without even the slightest hesitation.

\"What do you want me to do?" he asked.

"Unify as much as possible within the Ministry of Magic to find companions who believe in Voldemort's imminent return. And I hope you can devote some of your energy to spying on those who used to be Death Eaters, and if they do anything, I hope you can. Know in advance

"No problem, that's what I've always done," Lockhart said. "Anything else?

"temporarily unavailable."

To tell the truth, Dumbledore can think that these have exceeded Lockhart's expectations, and he did not let Lockhart immediately spread the news of Voldemort's return, which has already shown that he has thought about the essence of the system of the Ministry of Magic, which is more than "original". "It's much stronger.

But in Lockhart's view, that's far from enough.

"About the Big Five Tournament, I wonder if you have any new ideas for it?" Lockhart asked tentatively.

Dumbledore shook his head gently: "I am going to hand over this matter to Minerva and Alastor. Considering that Voldemort is about to return, most of my energy this year will be focused on tracking down the mystery of his immortality. ."

Dumbledore kept an eye on it and didn't tell Lockhart directly about the Horcrux. This was not a question of trustworthiness, but he had long been used to not putting eggs in the same basket.

Seeing that he didn't say anything, Lockhart had no choice but to keep Ravenclaw's crown in his own.

The matter is hidden, and when he informs himself, when will he take it out.

\"Mr. Moody? Will he be the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor this year?" He pretended to be interested.

Dumbledore affirmed his "guess": Dumbledore, from the point of view of the World Cup security work, his ability is still quite outstanding. And the teaching work already has an outline, he just needs to improve the students' practical ability... By the way, how is Remus doing recently? "

"He's doing well, and he's very busy. He didn't even come to see the World Cup." Lockhart replied, and Wu also said that he was going to help the wizarding tribe over there with work problems... It's a big job. "

Even though Nigeria has no sense of presence in the world, but they have a population of 200 million, more than the Japanese, Lupin's work is not as simple as it seems on the surface.

However, since Dumbledore pulled the topic off, that is to say, he was not going to discuss the problems in the school with Lockhart.

Lockhart moved to another place knowingly: "In addition, I invited the Muggle Prime Minister to participate in the opening ceremony of the hegemony. I hope the school will arrange it at that time. In the process of fighting Voldemort, we may also need some small Muggles. A little help."

"Muggle aid?" Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "You should know that secrecy laws prohibit Muggles from being involved in wizarding internal affairs."

Although Dumbledore regarded the Death Eaters as enemies, his stance was still in favor of wizards, so although he knew about Lockhart's plans, he was still a little worried.

It would be fine if Muggles had no effect on the civil war between wizards, but what Dumbledore was more afraid of was what if Muggles could really help?

If Muggles can indeed help the Lions defeat the Snakes, then they naturally

Can beat wizards too, and Dumbledore honestly didn't really like Muggles because of his childhood.

"Don't let them participate, but let them provide some help, such as food, conventional weapons, and for example... reconnaissance." Lockhart pointed out.

How dare you let Sirius help Muggles catch criminals? Want to take first?" Dumbledore frowned, as if he wanted to understand something, "but have you ever thought about what if we let Muggles interfere too much, let them find that wizards are not invincible and lose their mystery How should the wizard of **** deal with himself? Don't forget America...I'm sure you know better than me in this regard. "

Lockhart spread his hands: "Sooner or later."

"what?"

"I mean, Muggles will find us sooner or later, they can't always turn a blind eye to the mysterious realm, so I personally think that we should not only passively avoid, but also actively participate in Muggle affairs, preferably in control. Part of the power, like voting rights."

Dumbledore was silent for a while before signaling Lockhart to continue: "I would like to hear more."

"After the Muggle Prime Minister comes to Hogsmeade and attends the opening ceremony, I intend to take advantage of the situation to propose to the Muggle government that a local self-governing elected council should be established in Hogsmeade, with the right to collect taxes independently and controlled by the Ministry of Magic. Of course, the side effect is that we may need to send a representative to the Queen."

Dumbledore was saddened to find that Lockhart didn't understand a word of what Lockhart had just said, except "loyalty to the Queen".

Chapter 273 Invitation Letter from the Order of the Phoenix

After a while of difficult explanation, Lockhart finally explained the doorway to Dumbledore.

In terms of political system, the United Kingdom can be said to be known as the "home of local self-government". Anyone who adopts the system of local self-government all over the world has more or less referred to the British government.

Although the United Kingdom also has a parliament, it is very different from countries such as the United States, Germany, and Germany.

Like China, Japan, and France, the United Kingdom is a country composed of a number of administrative units, which is the so-called "unitary system". The degree of centralization is higher than that of federal countries. The federalism of the xi mian law is fundamentally different.

To give a simple example, the British central government has the right to dissolve local councils and establish the sphere of influence of local governments. But a governor on the other side of the United States can be angry with the president and say "you can't control me", and the central government and the states are simply "different", that is, \"You call me dad, I call you brother." This kind.

Therefore, the British wizarding community has established a Ministry of Magic, legislated its own legislation, and demarcated the administrative area of ​​wizards, which is strictly illegal in a strict sense.

But at the same time, although the United Kingdom and China are both unitary countries, China is a unitary country with a high degree of centralization, while the United Kingdom is a unitary country with a decentralization of powers, and the power of the local self-government is quite high.

What Lockhart wants to do is also very simple, that is to take this opportunity to turn the Ministry of Magic into a legal institution, and to use Hogsmeade as a "tourism resort" in Scotland, establish a local government, and enjoy taxation, Voting rights.

Dumbledore had no idea why Lockhart would do this, because not only did it expose a wizarding colony to Muggles, it was power-wise

He handed over part of his power to the Muggle government in exchange for an acknowledgement by the Muggle government to the wizarding world.

Although he has not consulted, Dumbledore is certain that it is absolutely impossible for the dignitaries in the wizarding world to agree with Lockhart's idea.

"We don't need this face, but we have to give too many substantial benefits to this. This is impossible to pass, and you will be regarded as a spy sent by Muggles by wizards." Dumbledore told the truth.

But Lockhart's attitude was also firm.

"It's really unlikely to pass at first, and I'm not in power yet, but I'm going to try it anyway," he told Dumbledore. "The wizarding world can't stay stuck forever."

"But... what's the use of that?" Dumbledore was still puzzled.

Lockhart put a prepared material in front of Dumbledore: "It will be difficult to tell you clearly at this time. I think it is better to write what you want to say on paper."

Dumbledore unfolded it and found that it was a policy elaboration document called "From \"Defensive Realism\' to \"Offensive Realism\'".

:oo, you can keep it for a while, and I can give you a brief summary--I think that after the establishment of an autonomous body and a name on the Muggle side, although part of the power of the wizarding world may be given away, at the same time we wizards It can also be used to enter the Muggle government.

We are always worried that Muggles will be disadvantaged when they discover wizards, but in another way of thinking, why can't we take the initiative to intervene in the operation of Muggle economic and political power while wizards still have an advantage?

I personally think that instead of passively waiting for Muggles to discover us, it is better to actively participate in Muggle affairs. I believe that Muggles will need the power of our wizards to handle some affairs, and we wizards can also learn from the development of Muggles. GET MORE THAN NOW

the benefits of.

If my idea is completed, we have money, power, and connections. If Muggles want to be detrimental to us wizards, we must consider whether we can resist the double blow from witchcraft and capital at the same time.

But the premise of all this is that we must join them, be part of them. "

Dumbledore stared at the material for a moment, then shook his head.

He didn't want to object, but because he didn't understand it at all.

"Sounds like you're trying to get us into the Muggle political game?" he asked.

"Yes."

"But . There are a few more wizards who can read this..."

\"Right now, our people will certainly not win against the elite educated Muggle civil servants and politicians, but we can take our time."

"Like?"

Lockhart is very familiar with this: "For example, through donations and political operations, let our people get admission to Oxford University; for example, let our MPs enter Whitehall and become ministers; and then join some clubs, set up A few IMFs ... in a generation or two we'll probably be officially on the table and playing chess."

"So...what's the point?" Dumbledore still didn't understand his purpose. "After the reform, what can we have?"

"We will have better living conditions, a more respected social status, and... emancipation!

My dear principal, the core idea of ​​what I am doing is actually only one—that

It is to free the majority of wizards from those unpopular jobs to do more efficient work that can create more value, thereby improving the overall productivity of the wizarding world.

I don't think it's efficient to have a witch sit at home making patties, or a wizard to grow potatoes, a lot of our work could actually be outsourced to Muggles. "

Dumbledore thought for a moment, then remembered what Lockhart had always done: "If I remember correctly, you set up a drilling company, transformed Hogsmeade, and prepared to sell potions to Muggles. ...for all this?"

Lockhart nodded without hesitation: "Yes! Some reforms favor the commoners, and some reforms benefit the Snake faction, but those are the means I use to do things, only \"improving production efficiency\' That's my core purpose. "

Dumbledore felt as if he understood a little bit of Lockhart's mind.

Frankly, Dumbledore has always had some ideas about Lockhart. He always felt that the young man's moral bottom line was too flexible, and he was more careful than principle in doing things, so although he admired Lockhart's ability, and he had been delegating power to Lockhart, he always Neither allowed him to touch the core power level of the Lion faction.

But if Lockhart really is what he says he is, then he is also a man of "principles", even if the principles are manifested because he wants "self-actualization."

It's easy to have principles, but Dumbledore doesn't know how far Lockhart can stick to his principles.

"So, between purebloods and commoners, which side do you prefer?" Dumbledore asked the key question.

"Why not \'Republic\'?" Lockhart asked rhetorically.

Dumbledore completely understood.

Judging from Dumbledore's belief that "love can save the world" and that "the savior should be of perfect character", Dumbledore is an out-and-out classical republican, or "civil humanist".

Although the great prophet Rowling herself may not realize it, her thinking when writing the book is undoubtedly a kind of simple "civic humanism", so in her writing, the most decent people have also become advocates of civic humanism. pet.

So Lockhart is doing exactly what he likes, even if he himself has a slight criticism of civic humanism.

This is because modern realists and rationalists generally believe that the ideals of "co-governance", "sharing" and "peace" pursued by republicanism will inevitably fail to be realized in the absence of institutional constraints such as democracy, constitutionalism, and checks and balances. .

Democracy and constitutionalism should be the dominant factors in a republic, and only a republic based on constitutionalism is the republic that is most in line with the spirit of the republic.

But it didn't matter, all he wanted now was Dumbledore's support. Because without Dumbledore's support, he wouldn't be able to use the Big Five to do some secret tricks under the cover of Hogwarts.

Sure enough, after thinking for a while, Dumbledore stretched out his hand to Lockhart abruptly.

"Gidro, I don't know if you've heard of an organization called "Order of the Phoenix 5"

PS is so wrong.

Chapter two hundred and seventy-four upper-level communication

By the time Lockhart left Hogwarts, his identity had become a pink and tender member of the Order of the Phoenix.

It's not easy, it's really not easy.

Although this identity is of no practical benefit to Lockhart for the time being, and he has to bear many responsibilities for it, Lockhart knows that only with this identity can he be able to "get the right to distribute benefits after standing up."

After all, he is the person who has handed in the "voice certificate" and personally destroyed Voldemort's Horcrux. He is the person who cannot surrender to Voldemort no matter what. If he still can't gain Dumbledore's trust, it would be too much of a loss. .

Lockhart slipped out of Hogwarts contentedly, then returned to the Ministry of Magic, ready to start the tournament opening.

Little Crouch's desperation did not prevent the holding of the Big Five Tournament. On the contrary, after the vicious murder case occurred in the World Cup, Fudge strengthened his determination to hold the Tournament well.

Just as a Japanese prime minister intends to use the Olympics as his curtain call ceremony, so does Fudge.

He originally planned to use the Quidditch World Cup and the Triwizard Tournament to make a brilliant comment on the "prosperous world" he brought, but now after the murder case in the World Cup, the only thing he can rely on is the top five hegemony. race.

He must not allow his years of hard work to be regarded as a joke, so naturally he was desperate.

This is actually very beneficial to Lockhart, because he is in charge of organizing and preparing for the Big Five Tournament from beginning to end. If Fudge wants to show his face, then he must pass his own hand, and he can take the opportunity. Take advantage of it.

If Fudge took the belly of a gentleman with the heart of a villain, and thought that Lockhart would do something about it, then he would be very wrong.

Because Lockhart not only did not intend to make trouble for Fudge on this, but even planned to help Fudge to show his face more, and let him have some opportunities to show off.

As for the purpose of what he did... Of course not out of good intentions, everyone understands.

After a year and a half of the project, Lockhart's wells in Nigeria are finally starting to generate positive returns.

Although Lockhart used the word "finally", I believe that anyone who has worked in an oil refining and chemical company should know that there are few new oil fields that can produce oil and realize profits in one and a half years.

The development of many deep oil fields is even counted in ten years. The Daqing Oilfield, which can be completed within half a year from exploration to oil production, is a miracle created by workers' enthusiasm reaching a peak.

In this regard, the company's explanation is "mature management", "advanced technology", and "in-depth cooperation with BP and Aiming"

Of course, they didn't actually need to explain, but their company is about to go public soon.

As long as it waits another half a year, according to British law, the sniffing and drilling company can enter the process of direct listing. Lockhart did not want to be so fast.

But in order to make a profit, capital is sometimes unwilling to wait even a day, let alone half a year.

Therefore, under the "strong recommendation" of BP, Sniffing and Drilling Co., Ltd. acquired an old refining and chemical company with more than 30 years of history, and then took the road of backdoor listing.

Unsurprisingly, the overly beautiful financial statements of the sniffing and drilling company immediately attracted

market investors doubted.

Which exploration company is so awesome? 100% hit rate?

Which refining and chemical company has such a background? Are the local rebels afraid to harass them? This company has a bigger face than BP?

Let's look at the operating expenses - oh, the cost of equipment maintenance and wear and tear is almost zero, and all the expenses are almost raw materials, fuel and workers' wages, which is really a fool.

Even the layman knows that industrial equipment cannot be without wear and tear. And more professional-point oil industry investment analysts will also tell you that different oil viscosity and texture cause wellbore scaling, pipelines and submersibles (corrosion deformation of pumps and sand production, etc. will account for the daily life of oil wells). Approximate proportion of production losses.