People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

"I will take this opportunity to promote this store, package and shape it, and make it a landmark on this commercial street—a store where you can get a hundred-yuan item for fifty yuan, a store loved by the public, a store that can attract customers. At the same time, because of the increased foot traffic, those shop owners whose interests are not directly affected will not only not oppose me, but will support me. After all, what do other people's suffering have to do with me?"

"At this point, the pressure shifted to other shopping streets."

"And the store manager of the shop I supported was the one who had no other choice."

Ernst smiled, and Hinterlea already understood what he meant.

Regardless, this store is operating at a loss.

If he were expelled and couldn't continue his work, that would be fine. Ernst's actions were putting him in a very difficult position.

The more people buy his stuff, the more he loses. But if he raises prices, his goal of disrupting the market with low prices, thereby damaging the competitiveness of the shopping street, affecting customer traffic, and ultimately the election, will fall apart.

If this continues, the store manager will have no other choice.

They either have to abandon their reputation and their plans, or suffer huge losses and go bankrupt.

But Cintraya still felt somewhat puzzled:

"But...but wouldn't that be...?"

“Won’t this lead to a lot of extra costs, or attract more and more imitators, right?” Ernst voiced her doubts for her.

Whether it's encouraging a shop that might disrupt market order, endorsing it, or cracking down on gangs, all of these require substantial expenditures. Especially regarding market order, if one shop achieves great success through such methods, it's hard to guarantee that shop owners in other industries won't follow suit.

They can price it at 70 or 80, so with a profit of 10 or 20 yuan, they might still be able to make a profit.

But Ernst gently shook his head: "It doesn't matter. That's how politicians in electoral politics are. For the sake of public support, they can spend hundreds of millions of dollars to rescue a dog from a minefield. Even if the cost-to-support ratio is 1 million to 1%, they'll still do it willingly!"

He paused, then said meaningfully:

"Moreover, with more imitators, prices have dropped, isn't that a good thing?"

Are there really many people willing to spend 100 yuan to buy something that costs 10 yuan to produce?

It's just that it's always been this way, a customary "rule".

Just because something has always been this way doesn't necessarily mean it's absolutely correct.

Just like the knightly competition that Hinterlea pondered, she had actually vaguely realized this principle.

The rise of spectator-style knightly competitions has indeed replaced the bloody old competitions, relegating them to underground arenas. But does this mean that spectator-style knightly competitions are bad, while the old, bloody knightly competitions were good?

Just look at which one the people support and you'll know.

It is precisely because spectator-style knightly competitions are popular with the masses that they have become so developed. Therefore, the business association, which understands this and has chosen this path, representing more advanced productivity, has been able to gain an absolute advantage over the supervisory council, which represents conservative forces!

New things that conform to the inevitable trend of development and have strong vitality and a bright future will inevitably replace old things, no matter how much they seem to conform to "order" or how "stable".

Looking at the thoughtful Hinterlea, Ernst concluded:

"Of course, this kind of electoral politics has its unavoidable drawbacks."

"A vote-only approach can lead to policy reversals because, often, our thinking is more inclined to maintain the existing rules. So when an opportunity for change arises, leaders elected in this way are likely to subconsciously observe or oppose it."

"Isn't there a solution?" Hinterlea asked.

Ernst affirmed, "Of course."

"As long as you don't care about votes, as long as you don't care about the negative evaluations that may result from the people's current lack of understanding and potential conflicts of interest in the long term, as long as you truly adhere to the people-centered approach and put the interests of the broadest masses first."

"Even if you are just the manager of a commercial street, even if you are eventually forced to step down in a sorry state, history will give you a fair evaluation."

This applies to commercial streets, and it also applies to quirky little countries.

Ernst felt this deeply.

The Chileans singing "A United People Will Never Be Defeated" today may very well be descendants of those who opposed Allende back then. Similarly, modern assessments of Qin Shi Huang today offer more nuanced and insightful analyses than the earlier, often stereotypical, label of him a "tyrant."

Confucius, who was revered in the old days, has now become an object of criticism. Who could have imagined that less than a hundred years ago, criticizing Confucius would have been a subject of condemnation by Confucianism?

Those who initially represented advanced productive forces and stood on the side of the broadest interests of the people may not have realized the significance of their actions. But as long as they persisted in standing on that side, they truly stood on the side of the future.

P.S.: Although I think everyone should know this, I'll still post it.

Chapter 116 You're the kind of person who only thinks about yourself.

Before Anmer cautiously stepped into that room, she had already witnessed a large group of big shots, whose master's degrees were everywhere and whose doctorates were as common as dogs, confidently walk into that room and then walk out of it with different expressions.

She didn't know why those big shots were making those strange expressions; perhaps they hadn't been hired?

But if even they can't get the job, will I still have a chance?

Anmer had never felt so uneasy. Although she was stubborn, she was indeed a female college graduate with virtually no work experience and knew nothing about civil engineering. Compared to those with doctoral or master's degrees, she had no advantage in academic qualifications; compared to those seasoned professionals, she had no advantage in experience.

She doesn't even know how to flatter her boss. Besides dusting people, her only other function is probably to be a barely passable tour guide for Siesta.

Why is it "reluctantly"?

Because she had never actually been to Siesta, and the Siesta she knew was the one her grandfather had described from over ten or even several decades ago.

It's just one major blunder.

But what could he do? With his turn approaching and having already waited for over three hours, was he really going to just go back?

"No way, absolutely impossible."

Anmer took a deep breath and encouraged himself.

"Think about yourself, Anmer. Even if you don't have any outstanding qualities, you still have reasons why you have to find a job!"

"Put aside the idea of ​​building a landmark building for posterity; let's look at the student loans we have to pay every month. If you can't find a job here, you'll have to work on a construction site!"

Anmer clenched his fists, his spirits high for a few seconds, before slumping back down.

Wait, why is it that the more I try to cheer myself up, the more depressed I feel?

Before she could even mend her broken heart, the loudspeaker in the hallway blared:

"Next person."

The door opened, and another promising young man, who had been carried away, slowly walked out, his face filled with disbelief.

His strange expression, vacant gaze, and muttering to himself scared away Anmer, who wanted to ask about the interview questions. After hesitating for a moment at the door, Anmer mustered his courage and stepped inside.

The RheinLife office features a minimalist green and white color scheme, with four tables in the center and two interviewers sitting at the tables.

To Anmer's surprise, the interviewers weren't as intimidating as she had initially imagined. In fact, both the interviewer, Felin, and the interviewer, Kuranta, were undeniably handsome and attractive. Their well-tailored suits and upright posture added to their air of business professional composure and confidence.

That's amazing!

Like two red bricks suddenly emerging from a pile of rotten rocks, they are unique and very eye-catching!

Moreover, their smiling faces made them seem quite approachable, not the type to make things difficult for people.

Anmer relaxed a little; she was genuinely afraid of meeting interviewers with dark faces who conducted stress tests.

She took small steps to Ernst, pulled out a chair and sat down, staring at him until she saw confusion in the interviewer's eyes. Then, she suddenly realized what was going on and reached out to hand over her resume.

Hinterlea, acting as Ernst's deputy, stepped forward to take the resume. As she handed it to Ernst, she muttered to herself:

"It doesn't seem very reliable either."

Ernst shrugged:

"At least it's not another female PhD student."

He glanced at the resume briefly, his gaze lingering on the "Major: Civil Engineering" section for a few seconds. Then he put the resume down, looked up, and asked in as soft a voice as possible:

"So, Miss Anmer, what position would you like to apply for?"

Anmer, like a frightened little bird, answered earnestly despite feeling guilty:

"I...I'd like to apply for the position of an officer in the engineering department!"

She paused, and before Ernst could speak, she mustered her courage and volunteered:

"Dear interviewer, although I am still a university student, my GPA is excellent, my professional knowledge in all subjects is very strong, and my teachers often take me to construction sites, so I also have practical experience. I... although my academic qualifications are not as high as those of PhDs, I will study hard and improve myself!"

She seemed to have truly run out of things to say, and even pursed her lips and said:

"Besides, I only need the base salary..."

Ernst's eyes lit up for a moment, but then quickly dimmed, and he coughed lightly, looking at Anmer with righteous indignation:

“Miss Anmer, you may have some misunderstandings about Shelag. Shelag is absolutely not a sweatshop that exploits its employees. We are a legitimate business in Shelag, and the staff we hire in our engineering department are responsible for major projects with promising futures! We will provide them with full compensation, no matter what!”

"I'm just a little worried that if we admit you, will it affect your studies?"

Anmer immediately shook his head:

"No, no! My student loan is due soon, and if I can't find a job, I won't be able to continue my studies!"

Ernst was taken aback.

Girl, you really do tell everyone everything.

The reason we admit you won't affect your studies is because if we didn't admit you, you wouldn't have a place to study, right?

Because not being able to go to school won't affect your studies. Your logic... although something feels off, it actually makes a lot of sense?

However, Ernst still had to remind Anmer:

“Miss Anmer, please avoid saying such things in the future, as they may become a weapon for others to use against you.”

It's fortunate that Ernst is a healthy person. If it were any other unscrupulous company, Ernst wouldn't even need to think about what kind of plot would unfold after Anmer said those words.

Miss Anmer, you wouldn't want to be unable to go to school, would you?

Miss Anmer, I helped you pay off your student loan, shouldn't you repay me?

Miss Anmer, stop standing there. Do I have to teach you how to move?

Yes, pick up a pen and sign your name on this project manager's commitment letter!

Miss Anmer, are you feeling well?

The prison cells in Colombia must be huge. Enjoy your life there! I'm going to have barbecue tonight!

Ernst felt a pang of regret when he thought of Anmer possibly having to lean against the prison bars, his eyes glazed over, his heart filled with despair, tears of regret streaming down his face, his body reduced to a useless state of pure instinct.

So this story teaches us that trouble comes from the mouth, and we must never give information to people carelessly.

Fortunately, Anmer encountered himself. After dutifully reminding Anmer, Ernst returned to the normal procedure:

"What skills do you have if you want to apply for a position as an engineering department staff member?"

Finally, when he got to his strengths, Anmer's spirits immediately lifted:

"I can do everything from construction site work involving steel bars and cement, mortar and bricklaying, to surveying, drawing, and project design and integration!"

"How much?" Ernst asked.

Anmer deflated again: "It will all happen, a little bit..."

Ernst continued, "If you were asked to cooperate with the head of the engineering department at Rhine Life Sciences, do you think you could do it?"

Anmer was stunned.

Is the interviewer referring to Ms. Nastya, the head of the Engineering Department at RheinLife Science Center?

As the head of one of the departments at Rhine Life, which is almost the one that rarely leaves the office, Nastie's overall profile is far lower than that of the other department heads.

There's nothing we can do about it. Ferdinand of the Energy Department is always high-profile, Palvis of the Structural Department has been famous for a long time, and Director Muirsey of the Ecological Department is very lovely. Even if we disregard her identity as a scientist, she is one of the most popular people in Tremont. As for Yara, she is a former actress from Bluewood. Many of Rhine Lab's talents and resources come from her connections.

As for Seria and Christensen, the reputation of these legendary alumni goes without saying—whenever Rhine Life holds a press conference, the two of them inevitably make their presence felt.

The only one who might be less well-known than Nasti is probably Director Mariam of the Research Department.

But Director Mariam also had something to say: "What kind of work do I usually do? I'm either on the ice fields or in the desert, either in caves or in the ground. I can't compete with you in terms of popularity, because those who recognize me are usually not human!"

The above examples fully illustrate that civil engineering and history are simply disastrous majors.

Closer to home.

Aside from Mariam, who is virtually unknown, there is only Nastya, a civil engineering graduate whose fame in Tremont is only average.

People admire those magnificent architectural wonders, and a few will try to find out where their architectural inspiration came from. But few people know who actually built these impressive architectural marvels.

The people who build buildings are often not the people who live in them.