If the pure blood family really did this, then it would be a very normal choice.

After Lockhart's for-profit transformation of Hogsmeade, the appreciation of the land in Hogsmeade is obvious. As a group of conservative egoists, the pure-blood family cannot let go of this steady opportunity for wealth appreciation. .

"This is just one aspect... In fact, nearly half of the properties here are ours, and we have stakes in many shops here." Gemma knew that he had really misunderstood, and quickly clarified, "My father explained to me , we're really not in it just for the money."

"Oh, then I'd like to hear how you plan to convince me." Lockhart decided to listen carefully to what she had to say, "Although I have no influence on the decision at the moment,

But sabotage is always okay, right? "

After hesitating for a long time, Gemma finally told the truth.

"Mainly... we don't want Muggle-side technology to enter the wizarding world too soon.

"...Why." Lockhart looked a little confused, "You are using it yourself, your family is using natural gas, and the Malfoy family has bought an airplane... You seem to be no strangers to the Muggle world, but ordinary wizard families There is an almost absurd ignorance of Muggles."

"It's for... the tradition and order of the wizarding world." Gemma thought for a while before using such a euphemism.

After Lockhart heard it, he woke up like a dream.

Of course he knows all about this kind of political slang. What tradition and order? Isn't it just destroying the class structure created by the vested interests?

When the peasants were forced to enter the cities to become workers, the nobles on the land tried to use the law to prevent the tenant farmers from fleeing, isn't that the same meaning?

There is also the "Manchu" empire in the east. Many people think that it is very backward, closed, blind and arrogant, and it was still fighting the West with cold weapons until the Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded.

In fact, most of the time people are opening the sea ban. The emperor obtained Western intelligence through commercial channels, and he knew the political situation of the West well. During Napoleon’s time, he even sent congratulations to his enthronement through a commercial firm. Otherwise, how could Napoleon say that sentence The famous saying of "Lion Theory" that was cut in half by later generations.

Emperor Kangxi not only used a lot of firearms when he was in pro-government, but he even hired a team of Western consultants—and Zhun Minger also had a large number of firearms, and the consultants also hired Swedish military instructors. Even in the period of the Crow War, there was almost no big technical difference between the wooden ships of the Qing Dynasty and the wooden ships of the British army. The only thing behind was the tactics and understanding of the war. In terms of firepower, both sides were actually using solid bullets with similar ranges.

Artillery fire.

But the problem is that these equipments are all in the full battalion and the Eight Banners battalion, and the Han army green battalion does not have them, and these technologies are strictly blocked against the Han generals, so that Zuo Zongtang is shocked when he sees the firearms left by the Ming Dynasty—in fact, the Qing Dynasty During the Westernization Movement, even heavy machine guns were used

In other words, it’s not that the rulers of the Qing Dynasty did not know how good these technologies were, but the priority of defending against Han was higher than that of foreigners, so some technologies could not be promoted even if they were good. It was only for them to let the ruling class master these technologies. Optimal solution.

In the same way, the pure-blood family is really as stupid as the Nott and Gaunt families, and they have long since fallen. The rest are people who know how to get the latest information from the outside world, especially after the Grindelwald Rebellion. in this way.

But Gemma's words told Lockhart unmistakably that the pure-blood family did not want these technologies to be extended to all wizarding families.

The ancient magic, incantations, magic items, and lands they master are the strengths of pureblood families, but if ordinary wizarding families could do the same with tech items they got from Muggles, their wealth would undoubtedly be vast. shrink.

In other words, the wealth immediately becomes worthless.

Just having a pile of gold at home doesn't make others work for you, only when others don't have gold, you have it, and they all want it, gold can drive others to work for you.

In other words, even if you have 100 million Galleons, when others can live well with a steady income of several hundred Galleons, others will not work for you just because you have money, or even laugh at you as a Miser, "Why do you save so much money, and you can't take it with you when you die?"

Therefore, it is not in the interests of the ruling class to make everyone prosperous together. If a pure-blood family finds that they can no longer support themselves, they will have to sit back and relax if they are unwilling to work on their own.

This is what Gemma calls "tradition and order" - nothing more than that.

\"That's it...it's explainable, that's why you want the reform to be limited to Hogsmeade, don't you?"

Gemma lowered her head and took a sip of tea, but didn't say anything, just tacitly accepted it.

"So, I'm going to make progress so fast, it must be very troublesome for you?" Lockhart asked.

Gemma honestly admitted: "Yes, originally, after my father heard about the budget granted to you by the Ministry of Magic, he thought that you would not do anything in the short term, we can wait a little longer, but... you are acting too fast. A little bit, and the budget doesn't seem to work for you either."

When it came to the last sentence, Gemma's voice had changed from dull to relaxed, and even a little more playful.

Lockhart felt very helpless: "The money is so small that I can count it in a minute. oo If it's hard to spend, it's really useless. I hope it doesn't give Ling Zun a headache."

"He does have a headache...but I have to tell you that in the past 18 years I have rarely seen my father get a headache for someone, and not many people are qualified to give him a headache." I know whether it is admiration or ridicule.

"Okay... so since you're going to buy me, what price are you going to offer?" Lockhart asked.

Chapter 194 Large and Small

Gemma knew that her father and the others originally wanted to delay Lockhart's action by means of card funding.

They even arranged for a public opinion attack on Lockhart when he used his private property to make up for official duties, so that he could not use his means. But no one thought that Lockhart completed the original layout without spending any money.

And the auditing didn't help, because Lockhart's behavior was completely in line with civil servants' norms, and they couldn't accuse him of being too disciplined, and he was using funds completely according to the regulations of the Ministry of Magic.

At this time, they had no choice but to quickly draw Lockhart over and control the situation within Hogsmeade. Either he'd have to find a way to mess with Lockhart, move him somewhere else, or just get it out of the way.

They began to think carefully about the possibility of both, and finally decided to try it together

So Gemma Farley actually came here with a mission. It really wasn't just gilded as Lockhart thought. He underestimated this eldest lady.

"We hope to be able to fund your new projects, and we are willing to find sponsors for you... Of course, those who have made outstanding contributions to the Ministry of Magic should also be promoted." She made an offer on behalf of her father.

Lockhart hesitated, and didn't immediately agree, but he didn't immediately refuse either.

As long as you are eager to express your position on this kind of thing, no matter where you stand, you will suffer. So he decided to take a vague stance and put the matter out of the way.

If the pure-blood family wants to benefit him, they can accept it for the time being. As for their requirements, they have to analyze specific issues, such as Hogsmeade transformation and

The Triwizard Tournament was originally a win-win situation for both parties, and he did not believe that the other party would refuse to invest because of his neutral attitude.

If everyone is willing to agree on this matter, I will be very happy, but the development of the situation is often not satisfactory, all I can do is to do my job as well as possible. ' answered Lockhart rather tactfully.

Gemma was obviously relieved—although he didn't get the best results, Lockhart's statement was not bad, at least within the limits that her father could accept.

Seeing her like this, Lockhart couldn't help but relax a little, because she seemed worried about whether she could complete the "mission"

The little girl still hasn't experienced much experience, and her thoughts are written on her face. Although it is sometimes difficult to get along with people who lack the city, she will feel a lot more relaxed.

Of course, Lockhart didn't know that Gemma was worried that his rejection was not just because of his father's mission, but also because of some other considerations.

"You just arrived today, and you still need time to settle down, so our task today is very easy. Next, we will go to inspect the completed construction site together, and then go to the third project site to talk about it together. planning issues, and then we can start work tomorrow."

"I'll do my best to get it right," Gemma assured.

She didn't ask what job Lockhart would give her, because she knew exactly why her father had sent her.

Her job is to record the progress of Hogsmeade's transformation, and then use it to lobby the major wizarding companies with pureblood family shares, seeking investment and advertising sponsorship.

As he was leaving, Lockhart gave Rosmerta a wink, only to receive a warning look from her.

Lockhart thought she didn't want to be frivolous in public, so even though she was a little unclear, she restrained herself.

Lockhart chased away the dementors and took Gemma to the lake to show her how running water works. Then he returned to the village and gestured to the location of the open-air cinema for a while, beckoning to himself. A movie theater is going to be built here.

Although the open-air cinema can currently have a gross profit of 50-80 Galleons per week, considering that it is still in the freshman period of the wizard, Lockhart has set the expected weekly income of the cinema at 25 Galleons.

And because the purchase of new movies and new equipment will also require money in the future, Lockhart does not intend to use all the money to build a house, and it is fortunate that the wizard does not have to pay the Muggle broadcast copyright fees, otherwise he can stay less money.

If Zhuangkouguo only relies on movie ticket revenue, it will take at least two years to collect the construction cost of 3,000 Galleons, but we don't have that much time. ' Lockhart told her.

"Three thousand Galleons!" Gemma was a little surprised, \"With such a large sum of money, do you plan to build a large theater?"

"Grand Theater?" Lockhart asked suspiciously, \"A movie theater that can accommodate 200 people is enough."

"It's already huge," Gemma said. "When it's built, it'll definitely be a Hogsmeade landmark."

Lockhart has not been able to transform from his inherent thinking for a while. After all, the Muggle side is considered a small theater with less than 300 people, and 600 is considered a medium-sized theater. As for those who cannot accommodate 2,000 people, they dare not call themselves a large-scale theater. .

As for whether this theater, which is only seven or eight classrooms, will become a landmark when it is built, Lockhart has never thought about it.

...That's right, even if you build a movie theater with 1,000 people, the wizarding world will have to see so many people.

"Very well, Miss Farley, landmarks - we can do this to sponsors." Lockhart decided to praise his subordinate.

"Can this also be sponsored?" Gemma didn't think about this level, "What to sponsor."

"There are many sponsors, such as the naming rights of the cinema, as well as the tables and chairs in the courtyard, and the advertising space on the wall can also be sold, we can also rent the waiting area of ​​the cinema to catering companies and toy companies, and if someone has enough price Gao, we can even advertise them on the screen before the show - of course, try to do this as little as possible, and it's better to take a marriage proposal ad... um, what's the matter with you?"

"A marriage proposal advertisement?" Gemma swallowed.

"Yes, there are always young people who are pursuing romance who want to make a public statement here, and this kind of advertisement usually doesn't arouse other viewers' disgust... Except for single dogs."

"I see." Gemma Farley didn't know what to think, "I can try it first."

Lockhart didn't notice her expression, but pointed to the distant mountain.

"As for our third project, it's almost time to say - I'm going to build a small... er... large sauna."

Yes, large, although it can only receive a hundred tourists at the same time, but in the wizarding world

It's a big one, and Lockhart finally adjusted his mentality.

Chapter 195: The Wizarding World Applies to the Small Country Model

After forming a nightlife for wizards in pubs and movie theaters, Lockhart naturally wanted to find something to do for them in the morning.

Unlike Orientals who like to take a bath at night, people in many European and American countries like to take a bath in the morning, because it can make them feel "refreshed" and let them go to work full of energy.

Therefore, when Chinese students who go to the UK go to the school bathroom at night, they will be surprised to find that there are almost no local students to take a bath at this time, and students from East Asia can completely "reserve the room"

Which of these two habits is better, everyone has their own reasons: for example, taking a shower in the morning can relax your mood, work more efficiently at work, and be easier to get promoted; while taking a shower at night can get better sleep, and taking a bath before going to bed can help you get better sleep. In the long run, you'll also be able to wash your quilts and sheets less often.

Of course, for the nobles, they usually don't make this choice, just wash it once in the morning and once in the evening.

Anyway, what they lack most is time, not to mention the second hand on the pocket watch, even if they have a point, it is a shame for them.

Gemma thought for a moment, then asked more: "Is it a public bath? Like Bath?"

embankment. ' Lockhart answered her at once.

"I think it's going to be very popular because everyone loves to take a bath."

Gemma first agreed with Lockhart's idea, but then posed his own question in a roundabout way: "But there are no hot springs here in Scotland, which means we need to buy firewood or use magic flames to maintain the temperature of hot stones or water. Although The cost is definitely lower than the Muggle side, but plus the labor cost and the provided shampoo, towels,

- Disposable slippers and other items, I think the price of it may not be affordable for Hogsmeade villagers. "

Lockhart was a little surprised: \"Have you done this?"

It is hard to imagine a person who is so aware of the various costs of opening a bathroom if it is not someone who has opened a bathroom by himself.

Gemma slightly raised his chest proudly: "I'm not the kind of person who doesn't do anything and only watches servants and housekeepers manage the housework, the Farley family never supports idlers.

"That's nice, looks like I'm going to apologize for the offense."

"No offense, Mr. Lockhart, everyone misjudges without knowing each other." Gemma acted like a proud swan

It's so coaxing. Lockhart said heartily.

Just like all recent graduates, they always seem to be confused about the situation and that work is work, instead of waiting for teachers to praise them after doing something good, as they did in their student days.

"Then let's get down to business, I plan to use fire crabs as the daily source of heat in the baths. Hogwarts's Professor of Conservation of Magical Creatures said that as long as we provide its food, he is willing to lend us three fire crabs.

He wanted to lend it to us for free, but I turned him down saying it wasn't in compliance and he had to accept a rent of 5 Galleons a month for a fire crab. "

Gemma understood: "In this way, the monthly fuel cost is 15 Galleons, plus the food of the fire crab... It will not exceed 25 Galleons, which is half cheaper than hiring a wizard who can use "flaming flames". "

"Yeah, if we want to hire people to set fires, we need to hire at least five or six employees, not to mention whether it will be annoying if they keep using magic to set fires, even the fire ash snake eggs produced by the magic flames are also a problem, a careless

The village is on fire

"In this case..." Gemma thought for a moment, "Although my digital divination is not very good, I think if the villagers bring their own bathing utensils, the cost should be reduced to a third of the original cost. ."

"It's almost the same number." Lockhart didn't delve into it. "But we can't rely on this to make money. It mainly depends on the Muggles."

Gemma was a little disturbed: \"Are you really going to bring Muggles into Hogsmeade?"

"Of course, we have to show the strength of our Britons in front of the countries, so the construction of Hogsmeade has to be amazing to everyone in the world. But in order to maintain these facilities, we have to expand the market." Lockhart is so explained

Gemma thought about it for a while, thinking that this was a decision Lockhart made for his political achievements.

When she came, her father had reminded him that because Lockhart was just a fledgling and was entrusted with important tasks, he would definitely do a lot of actions during this period to prove his ability.

"Don't conflict with him at this stage, because he's definitely not going to give up. Watch more, listen more, influence subtly, and put things into our orbit." That's what Mr. Farley told her.

So Gemma didn't express any more objections, she said what she had to say anyway: the main head of this department is still Lockhart.

Of course, she didn't know that Lockhart wasn't being completely honest with her.

The reason why Lockhart must do business with Muggles is not only to increase communication and understanding, but also to expand the economic aggregate of the entire wizarding world.

Whether wizards like to admit it or not, in terms of the size of their polity, they are undoubtedly "small countries" compared to Muggles

It is well known that the economic strategies of large and small countries are quite different.

A big country requires "big and complete", a few are fine and sophisticated, and their basic industries even

It is not the most advanced, but it must be there, because if a big country goes wrong, no country can save it, so everything has to be done by itself.

However, small countries are different. If they do not consider the issue of being constrained by big countries, they should give priority to the development of advantageous industries in terms of industry, so as to obtain a higher status and a more profitable position in the international division of labor.

In Lockhart's view, it would be a waste for someone with wizarding talent to do housework and farming, because a Muggle could do the same, albeit less efficiently.