Mediterranean Hegemony Road

Ferdinand did not stay long in Fraca, and set out on his journey again the next day.

The village of Koinare in Fraca Region is still just an ordinary small mountain village, poor and backward, and there is no shadow of the first Bulgarian village in later generations.

Ferdinand hid his identity and came quietly with a few guards. It was noon now, and Ferdinand came to the only restaurant in the village, which also worked part-time as a grocery store and a tavern.

Through chatting with people, Ferdinand knew that the boss's name was Carter Dilov, a middle-aged man in his forties. It can be seen that he is optimistic, although the business of the store is not very good.

Ferdinand instructed the guards to order their own dishes. He ordered a yogurt, a piece of bread, and a local salad made of onions, green peppers, celery, and bamboo shoots. It was lunch.

Taste, not to mention! Ferdinand could only swallow it reluctantly. The seasonings were only salt and jam. Apart from guaranteeing the original ecology, he didn't find a trace of delicious food.

After reluctantly taking a few bites and padding his stomach, Ferdinand couldn't help but ask, Mr. Carter, is there nothing else here?

Carter-Dilof heard Ferdinand's question and said quickly: Oh, God! Dear guest, of course, you see these snacks are brought back from Vlaza by my son! What do you want? Here There's ham, sausage, canned food, and fries...

Ferdinand asked suspiciously: Wait, Carter, you have so many products, why don't you sell them? Just write a few more names on the board, it's very simple!

Boss Carter immediately replied: Oh, sorry! Dear guest, you are well-informed and must know that some time ago, Bulgaria has cracked down on food safety all over the country, and now the prices of these commodities have gone up!

Our village of Koinare is just a small place. Everyone is a bunch of poor people. At first, few people could afford it, and now everyone can't afford it.

I only bought this batch of goods more than three months ago. I explained the price increase to them. They didn't believe it. They said I was lying. When I got angry, I took them off the shelf!

Carter, you're lying again. How can prices double at one time? I went to Fratza when I was young. There are poor people in the city, and their lives are not much better than ours. According to you They are afraid they will starve to death!” said an old man in his 60s among the guests.

The old man was very energetic, and his clothes were a little old, but they were clean and tidy without patches. Ferdinand could see that his life should be considered a good one.

Boss Carter said with a look of injustice on his face: Master Frank, you know, when did Carter lie! It was originally the price, if you don't believe me, ask this gentleman!

The old man called Frank rolled his eyes and said, Of course I know what you were like in the past, but now it's different! It's gone bad since you started business. There are a few businessmen who don't lie!

Seeing Frank's life and death, Boss Carter jumped with anxiety. Ferdinand understood the cause and effect. He took a can of beef, looked at the production date, and immediately understood.

Ferdinand smiled and said, Mr. Frank, you have indeed wronged Boss Carter this time!

Frank looked at Ferdinand blankly, he was helping him, how could he say that he was wrong.

Ferdinand continued: Judging from the production date above, it was produced six months ago. If Carter had bought it three months ago, it would have been worth the price. At that time, many low-quality goods on the market were seized and there were shortages everywhere. Goods, so the price is a bit high.”

Frank still asked with some doubts: Sir, according to what you said, prices outside have really risen so much now?

Ferdinand said calmly: No! I said it three months ago. Now that the market has returned to normal, the overall price increase should not exceed 10%!

Boss Carter said excitedly: Master Frank,

Now you should believe it, I really didn't lie to you!

Frank tilted his head and said nonchalantly, Oh, God! Carter, you're such an idiot! Didn't you hear this gentleman? That was three months ago, and it's back to normal now! You're still pressing The price at the time was sold, doesn't it still explain the problem?

Boss Carter said excitedly: However, my purchase price is so high! If the price is reduced, I will pay!

Frank smiled and said, That's your business. Isn't it normal to lose money in business? By the way, you should try to sell it as soon as possible, or keep it for yourself, or if it expires, then shit!

…

Seeing the conversation between the two, Ferdinand understood that Frank had no opinion on Carter, but simply hated businessmen. Although the words were unpleasant, he still reminded Carter to sell the goods as soon as possible.

Ferdinand smiled and asked, Mr. Frank, how was your village's harvest last year?

Frank said with a smile: Guest, you are joking! It's not the same as it is, let's live it!

Ferdinand asked suspiciously: Isn't it promoting new agricultural technology, why isn't it increasing production?

Boss Carter said firstly, Why didn't you increase production, you just wanted to make trouble for some people, and didn't go to school, so~~

Frank seemed to have a sore foot stepped on, Go, Carter has nothing to do with you here!

The guests laughed. You know that agricultural technological innovation doesn't happen overnight. I'm timid, the old man, and the technician sent from above didn't explain it clearly, so I plan to wait and see!

Ferdinand smiled and said, Understood, you are mature and prudent! By the way, I looked at the lack of irrigation channels on your side. How to solve the problem of agricultural water use?

After listening to Ferdinand's question, Frank said helplessly: What else can we do? God bless us, we have had good weather here in recent years! The guest you said about repairing the ditch is not that simple! Don't look at it. Our conditions are good this time, but to solve the water problem, the amount of engineering alone is not what we can afford!

Ferdinand nodded cautiously and continued to ask: If the government comes forward to organize, are you willing to participate?

Frank smiled and said: The guests are joking. If the government is willing to come forward, how can we refuse? I don't know about other places. Just in our village, if the problem of agricultural water use is solved, at least one-third of the land can be reclaimed. One out!

Ferdinand nodded with satisfaction. Since the people are willing to support it, the water conservancy project plan can be started.

Frank's expression suddenly changed, and he asked in surprise, Guest, is it from the government?

What? It's not like that? Ferdinand asked back.

Frank said quickly: Like! So? There are rumors that the government will organize the construction of water conservancy projects. Is this true?

Ferdinand nodded and said, There is indeed a plan!

Frank asked happily: God forbid, can we start from our side?

What's the matter, old man, aren't you timid? Don't wait and see this time? Ferdinand joked.

Frank exclaimed, God, oh, no! What's the risk of building a water project? We're not going to suffer anyway!

Besides, in the past year or two, our life has been much better! Your Excellency the Grand Duke has done a good job. Taxes are much lighter than before. It used to be that we had to pay labor to build the railway, but it was canceled and it became a fundraiser. , everyone's pressure is naturally much less!

Ferdinand smiled and said he knew, but he was very useful in his heart, thinking: This is all made by Lao Tzu, of course it is clear! You think I don't want to use free labor, it's not because there are water conservancy projects! Anyway It's better to have you participate voluntarily than to force it!

Ferdinand joked and said, However, Frank, you can't run away this time. The principle of this water conservancy project is that the government provides explosives and some machinery, and you can only rely on yourself for the rest of the labor. Great effort!

Frank's face stiffened, then he laughed again, and said, There is no problem with this. The entire Bulgarian water conservancy project requires an astronomical amount of labor. I can't think of any other way except for everyone to go into battle together!

Yes, the Ministry of Agriculture estimates that to complete the water conservancy projects in the country, hundreds of millions of workers will be needed. Even if the young and young all over the country join the battle, it will take several years of work. In this regard, apart from your own efforts, the government can do the same thing. Not much! Ferdinand said cautiously

So much? Carter exclaimed

Frank glared at Carter and said, What a fuss! We are good here. If everything goes well, it is estimated that it will take a year or two to repair. If the conditions are bad, it is not surprising that it will be repaired for ten or eight years!

…

After the chat was over, Ferdinand declined Frank's invitation and left directly.

To a certain extent, Bulgarians and Chinese are somewhat similar. They both love their families and attach great importance to land.

Until later generations, if they were not forced to help, they would not leave their hometown to go out to work.

After the merchants became rich, many people liked to go back to their hometowns to buy land and buy land. Frank was the epitome of small Bulgarian landlords and rich peasants.