People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

World Summit (Latland venue).

The headquarters of the World Summit is located in Kjerag, but there is also a branch venue in Rutland, which is used to maintain the operation of the World Summit in case of an emergency at the main venue in Kjerag.

After all, from the perspective of "ordinary people," there is still a difference between the security of Kjerag and Laterano. Moreover, Ernst is not entirely sure whether Kjerag's security is better or worse than Laterano's if a world-ending crisis were to occur.

Sherag does indeed have many behemoths, but Laterano theoretically also has a [Heavenly Pivot]. The only difference is whether the [Heavenly Pivot] will protect Laterano; that's just one question.

Now that Ernst, King Ivan Jelista XI, and the leaders and representatives of the various kingdoms of Terra are all in Laterano, there is no need for Ernst to ask them to make the long journey to Sherag. He can just get things done here.

"【Paradise Network】is a cross-regional communication system developed based on Lateran law and combined with the technology of prehistoric civilizations. Lateran is willing to open it to all of Terra after testing, so that all nations can use it."

Ernst paused for a moment. There were no fools present who wanted to get something for nothing, nor were there any idiots who didn't understand the situation, so Ernst simply became more direct.

"Of course, the World Summit also needs some returns."

Many people might think that directly revealing the source of the technology of [Paradise Network] would be a risky thing. Ernst also thought about it carefully and discussed the issue with Ivangelista XI.

But the two of them eventually came to the same conclusion: going public does have risks, but staying private has even greater risks.

Why did Ernst release [Paradise Network]? Wasn't it to solve the current communication difficulties in the countries of Terra, where they basically rely on messengers to deliver messages on foot?

Why didn't he use the communication technology provided by Agor? Wasn't it because he was worried that the Agors couldn't stand seeing the land prosper and would use their control over communication to seize all the intelligence on the land?

If [Paradise Network] doesn't disclose anything, then what's the difference between it and Agor's technology? It's better to be upfront and say it's a combination of Lateran's [Laws] and the technology of prehistoric civilizations.

Anyway, everyone here is a smart person. They may not know what the "laws" of Lateran are, but they certainly know that the holy city of Lateran has its own foundation. A land nation that has survived to this day without being destroyed, who wouldn't have some trump cards?

They must also know that Terra has an even more ancient prehistoric civilization. Even someone like Victoria, who might be a bit confused and drooling, should have cleared her eyes after being bombarded by the Shards during the Battle of Londinium.

I'm telling you this so bluntly, it's actually a deliberate scheme. Because no leader of any country would be so foolish as to openly pry into another country's most closely guarded secrets, nor would any leader of any country actually answer every question and reveal all their secrets to others.

Therefore, knowing but not fully knowing, understanding but not fully understanding, this state of partial understanding is the most appropriate.

Of course, Ernst was also aware that this would make other countries less confident in the [Paradise Network] system.

But that's okay, it's like saying who would feel completely at ease using someone else's technology.

What's that saying again? Even in FPS games, some people modify key bindings and gun attachments, saying things like, "I don't want someone else to find my gun and use it immediately." How much more so when it comes to things involving national security?

If you're worried about security, why don't you just not use this to transmit those confidential messages?

Ernst created the Paradise Network to benefit all Terrans, not to benefit any particular leader or any particular nation.

Ernst refused to believe that with something so convenient right there, who could resist using it? Even if, hypothetically, someone had the audacity to reject [Paradise Network] entirely, it wouldn't matter, because that leader certainly wouldn't last long.

If you stand still or even rush backward while others are developing, then when the wheels of time roll over you, you can't complain that no one is waiting for you.

Moreover, Ernst had also discussed with Ivangelista XI that although the nations would gradually accept the existence of the [Paradise Network] naturally, they would still need to promote it to a certain extent and make a proper "gesture".

This stance is essentially "demanding compensation".

Free things are the most expensive, because what is free in one aspect can often be compensated for in other aspects.

[Paradise Network] If Lateran and Sherag don't collect something of this importance, then the other nations will truly be uneasy.

There must be a conspiracy!

Therefore, asking for a price is inevitable.

When Ernst brought it up, it was obvious that the expressions of the representatives and leaders present relaxed somewhat.

They were afraid that Ernst wouldn't speak up, or that he would come up with a "Aslan asking for a fixed price" right away!

They all understood the significance of the [Paradise Network] to Terra. Seriously, if Ernst wished, Terra's 1096-year-long Crystallization Era could end today. Next would be [Paradise Year One]!

This is no exaggeration. If any country misses this opportunity, no matter how powerful it is now, it will inevitably fall behind the times in the future. Reality is that cruel. The times never wait for anyone, nor do they wait for any country.

If Ernst doesn't make an offer, it means he's planning to pursue something outrageous. If he insists on a fixed price, those who aren't leaders will be in a dilemma. They're not qualified to agree directly, but they're also afraid that if they report back to their superiors, the superiors will question the value of [Paradise Network] because they weren't there in person and won't accept the expensive offer.

This is not an uncommon occurrence. Perhaps it will take ten days or half a month before they realize that other countries have already connected to the [Paradise Network]. But if they are slow to catch up, they will be slow to catch up, and by then they will have already lost at the starting line.

The fact that Ernst is saying this now means that he is at least willing to negotiate; the price is high, but not exceptionally high.

However, the true dragon has none of the above-mentioned troubles.

The Great Yan Kingdom is prosperous and powerful, and he came in person; he really has the ability to make decisions.

At least until those planned problems arise domestically.

"Mr. Ernst, stop beating around the bush and just tell me. Given the value of [Paradise Network], I'll consider any offer you make."

Zhenlong tapped the table lightly with his knuckles, and then playfully patted Ernst on the back.

Ernst gave the dragon a grateful look and nodded to Ivangelista XI beside him.

King Ivangelista XI took several treaties from a folder in his bosom and handed them to the representatives of the various nations present.

These include: the Terra Tariff and Trade Agreement.

Paradise Network Access Agreement among Member States of the World Summit

The Agreement on the Protection of the Permanent Neutrality of Shelag and Lateran.

And a document whose title and contents are somewhat unclear: "Terra Community of Shared Future Initiative".

Chapter 1018 Under the Blue Sky, Amidst a Sea of ​​Flowers, Savoring the Fruit of Peace

Three years ago, when Ernst had just left Sherag and his understanding of Terra was not yet deep enough, and his ideas were still rather immature, he proposed the idea of ​​a "community of shared destiny" to Mr. Hermann, the mayor of Siesta.

At that time, Mr. Hermann declined Ernst's invitation and frankly told Ernst a truth: on this land, it is far more difficult to unite everyone than to make everyone kill each other.

The history of Terrans fighting amongst themselves can be traced back to the time when the Protoss were still fighting the Sarkaz. At that time, the Caprini were despised and ostracized by the Protoss overlords because their horns were similar to those of the Sarkaz. Some Caprini even went so far as to join the Sarkaz, which led to the later events where the Lich helped Letania establish its kingdom.

But are the Terrans united? Sorry, it's like the resurrection match at the Great Temple. Everyone talks a lot about it, but it's mostly just a joke. Nobody takes it seriously, and nobody really believes that if the Great Temple can win the resurrection match, Terrans can truly unite.

Ernst accepted Hermann's warning.

At that time, he still had some immature idealism. He had never witnessed the war in Terra, nor had he ever dealt with the highest-ranking figures in Terra. He was even less aware of what kind of hidden causes lay behind the chaos of this land.

Hermann's advice, given his own experience, was very useful to Ernst at the time. He did not consider himself an omniscient and omnipotent god, so he always listened to advice in areas where he was not good at or familiar with. In the long period that followed, Ernst almost never mentioned this topic again, as if he himself had forgotten the idea.

until today.

The Terra Customs and Trade Agreement, as the name suggests, is an agreement on international trade among the countries of Terra.

Once communication networks covering all of Terra are established, Terra's economic globalization process will inevitably accelerate significantly. Natural disasters cannot completely hinder trade between nations; on the contrary, it is precisely because frequent natural disasters restrict the development of Terra's nations that relying on international markets to fill the gaps in domestic markets becomes crucial.

The high-quality Originium that Letania lacks can be purchased from Rembiton. Consumer goods produced in Victoria can be traded to Ursus, where civilian industry is weak. Colombia's advanced technology can no longer be confined to one country, but will gradually spread with the establishment of international trade routes, ultimately benefiting the entire land.

Rather than resorting to bloody wars, negotiations, and trade wars to resolve trade disputes among the nations of Terra, it would be better to draft an agreement in advance that everyone can agree upon and accept.

Perhaps some have noticed a problem with this system—small countries, especially underdeveloped ones, don't benefit much from it.

Ernst certainly considered this issue as well. He thought about it for a long time and consulted many people, but in the end he could only accept this conclusion—that's just how economic globalization is.

Nothing is ever a matter of "everyone paying a price." For every person who benefits, someone else must inevitably suffer a loss.

People have to learn to make choices. Between a powerful nation exploiting you with land-based warships and cannons to the point of national subjugation and genocide, and a powerful nation exploiting you with the dumping of goods and the intrusion of capitalism, you have to choose one.

Ernst chose the latter.

He was truly fed up with Terra's feudalism and even slavery. He begged them to adopt some capitalism, saying that this feudalism was just too low-class!

Look at the Victorian soldiers infected with Oripathy after the Battle of Londinium. Capitalist exploitation at least adheres to the idea of ​​not wasting young and strong laborers, giving them food and letting them contribute some warmth in the factory. But feudal slave owners in the ditch really just abandoned them!

Ernst had to drag Talulah and the World Summit along to clean up their mess!

If this system is established, at least in the short term, the countries of Terra will be able to achieve a period of rapid development by relying on their different positions in the global industrial chain. The national strength of these countries will increase, and people's living standards will improve rapidly for a period of time. Capitalism, which has been suppressed by a group of "benevolent rulers", will also have a chance to breathe and grow.

Ernst was certain of this.

He didn't even aspire to create the kind of economic globalization that existed on Earth in his previous life. He simply wanted to make a start, or at least push the timeline back to the beginning of the Age of Exploration, when the world gradually became a unified whole.

As for what will happen in the future, only God knows.

When the time is right, whether the banner raised is "liberty, equality, fraternity" or "breaking the chains," change will always come!

This was just the first step Ernst took.

With the World Summit already serving as a medium for political connections among nations, further progress seems unrealistic given the current situation. Therefore, Ernst turned his attention to the economy.

Only when the economies of the various kingdoms of Terra are closely linked can the foundation for "unification" truly be established.

In this process, to ensure the interests of both Sherag and Lateran, Ernst offered a second treaty.

The Agreement on the Protection of the Permanent Neutrality of Shelag and Lateran.

Ernst was, after all, the Prime Minister of Shelag. He couldn't completely disregard Shelag's own interests and make Shelag do a losing proposition for the sake of a "unification" that might not be completed for an unknown period of time.

While he cannot fully balance the interests of himself and the collective, he must do his best to ensure that Sherag's interests are not excessively harmed in the process.

That's why this agreement came about.

A permanently neutral country means not only political and military neutrality, but also economic neutrality.

Ernst and Ivangelista XI joined forces, using the "Paradise Network" as leverage, and demanded a simple reward—tax exemption on goods from Kjerag and Lateran by the various nations.

This ensures that Shelag and Lateran's products are just as competitive in foreign markets as their domestic products, at least from the perspective of "international trade".

As for whether the goods from Shelag and Lateran can compete with those from other countries, that's another matter. It depends on their own efforts, and Ernst can't help with that.

Of course, this is a negotiable price. Ernst and Ivangelista XI are also willing to accept appropriate reductions, such as changing tax exemption to tax reduction, or changing full tax exemption to tax exemption for certain special goods. A list of items that can be added or removed can be provided. The specific list of goods can be further negotiated at the annual World Trade Organization meeting at the Terra International Trade Organization Summit.

That would be the job of Lata Ertos, or perhaps the Sherag Chamber of Commerce, represented by Enciodis, could also serve as an advisor and offer some suggestions.

Ernst also knew that taxes weren't necessarily a good thing if they were completely exempted. Economics is a very mysterious thing, and even economists themselves might not fully understand it. But the principle of asking for the moon and then settling for a bargain was applied, and Ernst and Evangelista XI both believed that Paradise Network was worth the price, so calling it that was fine.

In return, they will no longer charge other countries additional fees for using the [Paradise Network].

Furthermore, since neither Ernst nor Ivangelista XI directly linked the Neutrality Agreement to the Paradise Network, the agreement should be considered independently in a political sense.

That means that, in a political sense, the Paradise Network is essentially a free gift to the nations of Terra, and even if they don't sign this agreement, it won't affect their power over the Paradise Network.

Of course, nobody's stupid. If anyone refuses to sign, or signs and then violates the agreement by attacking Sherag or Lateran, you'll see if their internet connection is cut off!

After all this groundwork, the document that was not an agreement, but rather an "initiative," was finally presented.

"The nations of Terra have reached a consensus in areas such as exploration of the unknown, the ocean, and international cooperation."

"We should stand together through thick and thin."

From the "Star-Picking Project," where scientists from around the world gathered to strategize for the development of Chrysler in Colombia; to the "Land-Sea Cooperation," where the international summit united all permanent members of the Security Council in rejecting Agor's application to join; and now, world leaders are converging to jointly decide on a crucial matter that will affect Terra's future.

People no longer simply believe that the affairs of one family only affect that family, or the affairs of one country only affect that country. When a butterfly flaps its wings in Terra Bolivar, it may cause a storm in a distant eastern country. This is certainly an exaggeration, but it also represents the close connections that should and have always existed between nations.

When faced with major events like those mentioned above, people are no longer limited to the option of "seeking help internally and struggling to survive," but can confidently and boldly turn their attention to the outside world.

Ursus can drink the fine wine of Sherag; the political divisions of Victoria can find a solution in the unified Great Flame; the expedition to explore the Icefield can include both Ursus and Sami; and the Sarkaz, despised and rejected by the Holy City, can now openly enter the Papal Palace of Laterano and participate in a grand gathering of nations.

Unbeknownst to many, the foundation for cooperation had already been laid.

"I sincerely believe that Terra's fate should be a shared one."

"I also sincerely advocate that, when facing an unknown fate and an uncertain future, we can join hands and survive to the end!"

"This initiative is not a user agreement for Paradise Network that you have to tick to agree to; it is simply the most sincere desire of an ordinary Terran."

"I hope that in the future, our children will live under blue skies and amidst seas of flowers, and be able to safely enjoy the fruits of peace."

Chapter 1019 Ektilniel's Message

Lateran, during the World's Fair recess.

Following yesterday's meeting, the World's Fair has entered a short recess.

Of course, this recess refers to the recess of the nations. After being impacted by Project Star and the [Paradise Network], the nations of Terra obviously need a break to calm down, report, discuss, and reflect.

During this period, no official meetings will be held at the World's Fair. However, the fair grounds will remain open to the public for visitors from all over the world to view the exhibits.

After all, ticket sales can generate revenue, and Laterano has never received so much "tourism income" in his entire life.

To be honest, Ernst was a little curious about what Lateran's economy was based on. Their immigration control used to be so strict that they obviously didn't rely on tourism. They couldn't possibly be supporting such a large city by exporting desserts, could they?

Or do the Lateran churches in various regions also collect dues or tithes from their followers regularly? But that's unlikely. While the nations may be politically backward, they're certainly not lagging behind when it comes to taxation. The fact that the Ursus can collect taxes even in the remote villages deep in the tundra, places that birds wouldn't even go, and that toothed beasts would shake their heads in disgust, is enough proof of their capabilities. Why would they allow a foreign power to tax their own citizens?

Surprising.

However, Ernst was too embarrassed to ask about it in detail, since it was a state secret of Lateran. He would try to subtly probe the matter when he had the chance, to see if Ivangelista XI would reciprocate the sincerity.

Ernst will be hosting leaders from some small countries today.

The core of the World Summit is the five permanent members of the Security Council, with perhaps a few more, such as Shelag and Lateran. However, the World Summit does not consist of only these seven countries. Although it does not actually include 10,000 countries, it does include quite a few smaller nations.

Casimir, Sami, Bolivar, the Eastern Kingdom, Sargon, Kazdelnia, Iberia, and some independent city-states and special regions, such as Siesta, Dosores of Bolivar, some high-ranking chieftains of Sargon, Tara and Londinium, etc.

Ernst was the interim secretary-general of the World Summit. While listening to the opinions of major powers and mediating international conflicts, he also had to appease and protect the interests of smaller countries, even if it was just symbolic. He had to make sure the performance was convincing.

But Ernst really didn't expect this person to come in person.