22nd March 300
Riz presently stands on a stage with Theodora by his side. Since this is an official ceremony, he decided to bring her. In front of him is a crowd of Bideford inhabitants. An announcement was made a few days back informing all of them about today's event.
Today marks a historical day for Riz and also for the people in Bideford. The first public school has been completed. The commoners were excited when they heard the news. The topic has been hotly discussed in Bideford.
Soon, everybody stops talking when they see their future lord step forward.
Riz looks at the crowd for a moment. He began his speech, "Thank you to all of you for coming here. As all of you already know, today is the opening ceremony of the first elementary school. The very first school was made for commoners in the kingdom. From now, you can send your children here to learn and gain knowledge that previously was monopolized by the nobles. I believe that knowledge needs to be spread for humanity to advance in every aspect. So, you might wonder how education can change a life. Well, just look at the field. Have you not seen those machines that help you farm? Have you not seen the water pump that I install on the well? Have you not seen the paper that my workshop made? Have you not seen this school building that was made differently? This is all the result of education!!"
The crowd cheered and clapped their hand. The proof is already in front of them. Their future lord is speaking the truth.
The school will receive its students on 1st April. The facilities, teaching staff and materials have been prepared. All they have to do is wait for students to register. For Tegrot, Rafoldrod and Mabadszent, the school is near its completion and it is estimated to open next week.
Riz stepped down from the stage after finishing his speech. Since there are a lot of people in the area, Riz took the initiative to hold Theodora's hand, preventing her from being separated amid the crowd. She was surprised but didn't refuse it.
Did he feel embarrassed by his actions? The answer is no. As always, he didn't actually feel anything at all. He has never been in a relationship but he feels it's rude to walk alone in the front while his fiancee struggles to get through the crowd.
"Walk by my side, not behind me...". Riz said while observing Theodora's face slowly turning red. He then purposely added the oil into the flame, "...just like Charlotte did".
Hearing those words, Theodora tightens her grip on his hand causing Riz to cry in pain.
While walking together, she breaks the silence between them, "Don't you think after the populace becomes educated, they will make a lot of demand in the future?"
"I bet they will."
"Then why did you give them knowledge?".
"Because it is necessary and I give them the knowledge that I chose to give. It's like I take them out from their individual cage and put them in a new bigger cage. A new cage that was so big that they didn't realize they were still trapped in the cage. I just give them a sense of freedom but they are never actually free. Do you understand now?".
"You are just manipulating them in a new and different way".
"Yes".
Theodora took a deep breath. She just understands what kind of person her fiance is.
"Scared?", asked Riz.
"A little"
"Of course, you are. No one likes to be controlled by others especially when you don't even realize it".
"What if they are smart enough in the future to fight for democracy like Cerdeauxia? Won't your position be in danger?"
"No, don't look at Cerdeauxia. It is an example of a failed democracy. Democracy is a beautiful system if it is handled well. For now, it will stay beautiful on paper not reality. To realise that a system into reality is extremely difficult. It requires the establishment of various agencies to cross-check each other and keep the politician in check. Unfortunately, these agencies are also easily prone to corruption. If a politician is powerful enough, he could exert his influence everywhere he wants and gets away with it. Take President Matthew for example, he allows his relatives to sit in the governmental office by pulling some strings from behind. Nobody can say or dare to do anything. That's why the so-called 'Cerdeauxia Revolution' doesn't spread to the neighbouring kingdoms".
"Then, what is the ideal system for you?"
"My ideal system is to give forty percent of my power to people while keeping sixty percent for myself. Full democracy lets anyone from out of nowhere sit in the highest power which can be either good or bad. Indeed, people can choose their ruler but if the candidate is equally bad, wouldn't that mean it doesn't matter what their choice is? In contrast, the kings and lords were trained to rule since they were a child. The only problem is they are too unrestrained in many ways."
"You want to put the restraint on yourself?"
"Yes, but not now. There is much preparation that I still need to make".
Theodora stays silent. Her fiance seems to think far ahead while a nobleman at his age is enjoying their life.
....
That night,
In a certain farmer's house.
A couple is sitting together talking about the school. The wife asked her husband, "Are you going to send our Luke to school?"
"Yes. Why? You don't agree?", asked the farmer.
"Of course, I agree. The young lord is so benevolent. He provided education for common folk like us. I heard that they will give books for free. What is it called again..?"
The husband explains, "Textbooks. Apparently each subject has its own textbook and it will be given for free but only for the first time. If you lose it, you need to buy a new one".
"Even so, if one takes care of it, there is no need to buy a new one". The wife is grateful to Riz. They have been a farmer for generations but now their life becomes better due to the young lord.
Her husband agrees, "Exactly. The farming machine that the young master rented to farmers was really helpful. I don't need to work to death anymore". He can feel his family life become better and better. Once he has enough money, he will buy a machine for his family.
The wife told her husband, "I heard from Jane that her husband wants to open more land for farming".
"He has a lot of sons to manage his existing farm so there is no problem to open more. Lord Richard has made a new law where the family who have been farmers for four generations will be granted the land that they currently worked on as their property. They even gave a certificate of land ownership.
If farmers want to sell their land, the lord's family will be given a priority to buy at market price. If the farmer wants to open up new land for farming, they need to register the town hall and pay a high fee for it. Only then the town hall can give them a certificate of ownership. If they open up the land illegally, their land and everything on it will be confiscated".
The husband still can't believe that he now owns the land. This ancestor has been a farmer for generations, working on land that did not belong to him.
'I am grateful to the Young lord for making this dream come true'
....
In the house of a certain merchant,
"Dad! I want to go to school too", a seven-year-old girl said.
"Why should you go to school? Just stay at home and learn to do housework", said the merchant. He is a conservative thanks the influence of his father.
"Why can my brother go but I can't? My friends are all going to register for school".
"Dear, just let her go with her friend. What is she going to do alone here? It is free and we don't need to pay anything until high school level. Given that she really wants to study to that level".
'Free', that's the word that he remembers well when listening to Riz's speech this morning.
He was baffled when he heard the young lord wants to provide a free education together with textbooks for the students. Until now, he still can't believe it.
'How much will it cost to provide all of that?'. He knows the price of books in the market. Although the young lord has reduced the price of the book by introducing paper, it is still expensive. 'Is there any way to make books cheaper?'. He starts thinking for a moment before giving up.
He looks at his side. Patricia, his daughter is still waiting for his permission.
He sighs, "Fine, I will take you to register for school"
Patricia smiled, "Thanks dad".