The impact of the war is obviously comprehensive.
Large-scale national wars like the Soma Alliance and the Sika Kingdom are not only purely military contests, but also a contest of national power.
Therefore, winning or losing on the front line is not just as simple as the casualties of soldiers, but also affects many aspects of the rear.
While walking on the road, Richard saw that because the officials were preparing for the delegation's entrance ceremony tomorrow morning, the overall atmosphere in Xiaya was festive, cheerful and busy.
Numerous laborers, scolded by low-level officials, cleaned the streets and hung festive decorations. In the square, several sculptures commemorating the victory of the war are being carved by stonemasons, and it seems that they will be completed before tomorrow.
However, this is just an appearance.
Look past the surface and look inside, and you can see a lot of negative things. For example, there are many fewer customers in the stores, and some stores have even closed and put up "For Sale" signs.
After listening to the whispers of passers-by, Richard confirmed his suspicion: the war had a profound impact on the residents.
In order to win the war and improve logistics, the alliance mobilized a lot of manpower, material resources, and financial resources. The emptiness of the national treasury led to the levy of several additional war taxes and an increase in the payment ratio of many previous taxes.
When tax rates are high, there is naturally less money left, and residents’ purchasing power plummets. As a result, the store earns less money and has difficulty with turnover, so it is natural for the store to close.
In other words, if you win, you can breathe a sigh of relief, and the tax rate will be restored or even reduced. In addition, Sika's war reparations can also stimulate the economy. But if you lose, I'm afraid it will be a different situation, and it will become even worse. The high-level people have nothing to do, but the lower-level members are struggling to make ends meet—this should also be Sika's current situation.
Thinking about this, Richard shook his head slightly and did not continue to think about it - he was simply analyzing the information, without any concern for the country and the people.
Stepping towards the more central location of Xia Ya, Richard turned into a quiet street.
Walking to the middle of the street, in front of a black mansion door, Richard stopped, stretched out his hand and knocked on the door.
"Tuk-tuk-tuk!"
After about a few seconds, with a "crash", the door opened. A young man in his twenties appeared inside the door with bright eyes. He glanced at Richard and couldn't help but look surprised.
Richard knew the other party. When he first came to Xia Ya, the other party received him.
"Mas, right?" Richard glanced at the other party and said, "Let me ask, I returned to Xiaya early, can I still live here?"
"Of course, Sir Richard, please come in. Please come in quickly." The other party obviously remembered Richard, and greeted him with an extremely warm and respectful expression. While leading Richard towards the depths of the reception desk, he said, "Li Cha Sir, your residence has been kept, all the furnishings are as they are, and people are sent to clean them regularly. If you don't mind, you can continue to live there."
"Okay." Richard nodded, "I'll live there. This time I may only stay for a few days, and I will leave when I'm done with my work. During this period, I hope, like before, to try not to let anyone disturb me."
"Okay, I took note of it."
"Um, by the way..." Richard thought of something, "Also, help me contact Mr. Oscar, hoping that he can take the time to come, or that I can visit him. The war is over, and I have some things to discuss with him. The sooner the better. good."
"Okay, I'll do it right away." Mas said seriously.
"That's good."
…
In this way, Richard moved into a familiar courtyard, and Mas, who promised to contact Oscar, did not break his promise and actually did it.
After Oscar received the news, he paid a visit, but the timing of the visit was a little special, not at dusk, not at night, but in the middle of the night.
…
At midnight, in the courtyard of Char's official reception.
Richard did not sleep, but was sorting out some research problems in the study room on the second floor.
During the battle with the Society of Truth, he banished the gray mist, which confirmed that his research on the banishment technique was valuable. However, science has no limits, and this can only be regarded as a small success. Whether it is the continued improvement of the banishment technique, the continued improvement of the energy furnace, or the cracking of Baltavin, no one can relax.
So next...
"Shashasha..."
Richard held a quill and quickly wrote some of his thoughts and next plans on the papyrus scroll.
Just as he was writing, the study door was pushed open with a "squeak", and a figure appeared outside the door - it was not a servant, the servant could not be so rude, it was Bibi who appeared.
Richard raised his head, looked at Bibi, and asked, "Is something wrong?"
"Ha-yawn" Bibi yawned, covered her mouth with her hand, and said complainingly, "Someone is looking for you, I'll come up and let you know."
"Is there anyone? Mr. Oscar?" Richard asked.
"It should be so." Bibi said with confused eyes after yawning, "I didn't see it clearly, but it does look quite dark, as if I haven't washed my face."
Okay, that's it... Richard thought, waved his hand and put away the papyrus scroll on the table, got up and walked out to the living room on the first floor.
In the living room, he saw the visiting black-faced old man Oscar.
The black-faced old man Oscar looked very tired at this time. He took a sip of the hot tea brought by the servant, stretched his body on the seat, and then took a long breath and relaxed a little.
Then I heard the footsteps of Richard coming down the stairs. He turned to look at Richard, raised his slack eyelids and said hello: "You're back! You told me the itinerary on star pattern paper before. I thought You will be with the delegation."
"I originally planned to come together, but there were too many celebrations along the way. I heard that there is a special entrance ceremony for entering Xiaya, so I didn't want to waste time, so I moved ahead." Richard said.
"You're not going to attend the city entrance ceremony? That's really a pity." Oscar said with a little regret after hearing this, "Xia Ya's city entrance ceremony this time is very grand, no less than the celebration ceremony held in the palace later. Many people and I are busy with this, so I am meeting you at this time. After meeting you, I will go to the city gate at dawn to deal with the final details and the celebration ceremony later... "
At the end, Oscar couldn't help but confirm and asked: "Are you really not going to attend the entrance ceremony?"
"Forget it, I really don't want to participate." Richard shook his head, glanced at the tired Oscar and said, "Mr. Oscar, instead of caring about me, you should care about yourself. You are so old and you are still working so hard, so don't let any accidents happen. "
If something happens, what should I do with my things? Richard thought to himself.
"Don't worry, I'm fine." Oscar said nonchalantly, "I've always been in good health and nothing will happen to me."
Suddenly thinking of something, Oscar paused and showed a bit of worry: "Your Majesty, because of the war, I couldn't eat or sleep well for more than three months. Until recently, the situation was completely settled. I am relieved. I am even more afraid that His Majesty may have some health problems, but don’t be sick and unable to attend the celebration ceremony... "