People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

If he had that intention, would his relationship with Enya have deteriorated to this extent?

To put it bluntly, if Enciodes had a personality like that, back in Ernst's previous life, no one would have asked him to go to the bathroom with them during high school breaks!

His staying in Casimir, wearing leather trousers over cotton trousers, must have a reason. Ernst thought it over and over, and the most likely person Enciodis had direct contact with was the Business Federation.

The Supervisory Council is too ambitious; they wouldn't say a word to Enciodes in Ernst's presence. Only the Business Federation might engage in a "friendly exchange" with Enciodes for various purposes.

It goes without saying what Enciodes can learn from the Business Federation.

They attempted to transplant successful business practices from foreign companies, learn from the outstanding experience of the Business Federation, understand the weaknesses of the old forces in Kasimir led by the Supervisory Council, grasp the key pain points of the problem, and recklessly expand into new fields, ultimately realizing the great ideal of Kalam trade.

Ernst guessed that was probably what he was thinking.

So when Latatos came, he casually reminded her of that.

Whether he guessed right or wrong didn't matter. Anyway, if Enciodes wasn't going to get involved with the Sherag Chamber of Commerce, he was going to. Enciodes stubbornly refused the position of Minister of Commerce, and Ernst couldn't let Hinterlea continue indefinitely. After all, this wasn't her forte. She was good at posing, saying a few advertising lines, and doing a mineral water endorsement, but when it came to anything more high-end, her talents were somewhat lacking.

Moreover, even her endorsement of bottled water was somewhat problematic.

When Kalan Trade publicly solicited advertising slogans, Ernst casually submitted a few well-known ones. As luck would have it, one of their internal geniuses stumbled upon a brilliant idea: "Holy Mountain Mineral Water, I've been drinking it since I was a child!" They just happened to choose one for Cintraya: "Holy Mountain Mineral Water, I've been drinking it since I was a child!"

Whether sales have increased or not is unknown, but advertising certainly isn't very persuasive.

After filming the advertisement, Clinique's face was as dark as the weather in Syracuse.

Putting aside Enciodis, Latatos was Ernst's first preferred Minister of Commerce.

Young, quick to adapt, optimistic about openness, eager to learn, and much more obedient than Enciodis, she wouldn't contradict her for no reason. Moreover, the family she leads has been in business in Sherag for generations, although in the past most of them were small workshops selling clothes, furs, and animal products. But the business networks and reputation they have built are invaluable.

Where can you find someone with their own connections?

Out of Enciodes! I've never been happy forming a government with him! Latatos, this way!

"The Minister of Commerce?"

Latatos looked somewhat tempted after receiving Ernst's offer.

She wanted to agree immediately, but hesitated.

"If I agree, does that mean that Brown Tao Home Textiles will have to be handed over to... Hugh Ruth to operate?"

Ernst fell silent.

It wasn't that he was dissatisfied with Latatos's hesitation, but rather that he also felt that it did seem to be a problem.

Ugh, can we really trust that silly girl with Brown Home Textiles?

“What about Yucatan?” Ernst asked.

Unlike Latatos, who remained single despite being the head of the family, the younger Shulus married early on to her childhood sweetheart, Yucatan.

Ernst found this situation quite unbelievable. After all, in some ways, childhood sweethearts are the least likely to end up together. Because they know each other too well, they tend to skip over the most anticipated and sweetest part of a relationship – the initial excitement.

Without this crucial step, childhood sweethearts often feel, "Oh, it doesn't really matter whether we get married or not, haven't we always lived like this?" Then they succumb to the novelty brought by other people.

This is precisely why the green plum couldn't defeat the one who suddenly appeared.

But Hugh Ruth, well... she's peculiar.

Ernst didn't know how to evaluate her. Perhaps she was indeed too naive, so much so that she always managed to bring a sense of novelty to people through strange things.

This might sound disrespectful, but Hugh Ruth manages to come up with a new and silly idea every day.

You little rascal, you always manage to come up with something new (Chu Yunfei's face).

In the current Blantau household, although Hugh Ruth is nominally the second-in-command, she rarely gets involved in affairs, and Yucatan handles most of the responsibilities of being second-in-command. The hardworking and conscientious Zalak man, Ernst noticed last time he saw him that he looked thinner and weaker, and wondered what kind of torment he had suffered.

The pressure is still too great.

So, Ernst could put even more pressure on him, and he probably wouldn't care!

Right?

“Yucatan... uh... he's sick.”

"sick?"

Ernst put down his coffee cup, somewhat surprised.

"Perfect timing. Rhodes Island is also in Seraphim right now, and their medical standards are quite reliable. Shall I help him make an appointment?"

"No...no need, it's just a minor illness."

Latatos quickly waved her hand. Sending Rhodes Island's people to examine Yucatan? Absolutely not!

What if they actually find out something wrong with your health?

Seeing this, Latatos stopped hiding it. Her face flushed slightly, and she stiffened her neck, tentatively revealing her true thoughts:

"Um, actually, Ernst, I was thinking, is it possible for Bronta Home Textiles... to be managed directly by you and me?"

Ernst blinked, then nodded in surprise. He looked Latalytus up and down. Just as Latalytus became a little embarrassed by his gaze and wanted to take back her words, he unexpectedly nodded generously:

"Yes! Of course!"

"I didn't realize that, Latatos. You actually thought of that?"

Latatos: "Huh?"

"State-owned enterprises."

Ernst nodded admiringly at Latatos. Wasn't that what it meant for him to manage things together with Latatos?

The reason he looked at Latatos with such surprise was because Latatos's words mentioned a concept he had always wanted to work on, but had never had the time or opportunity to.

State-owned enterprises, as the name suggests, are enterprises whose capital is owned or controlled by the state, and whose behavior is determined by the government's will and interests. In Ernst's previous life, state-owned enterprises were the backbone of national economic development, controlling those vital economic sectors and strategically important industries.

However, in Kherag, due to Ensioudis's undeniable first-mover advantage, the Kalan Trade now controls many vital industries related to the national economy and people's livelihood. For example, the ownership of the first railway entering Kherag is in the hands of the Kalan Trade.

Ernst wasn't particularly worried that Ensiodes would make a fuss about this. He understood Ensiodes, and Ensiodes understood him. The two were competitors, not rivals, and neither would resort to underhanded tactics in a place that hindered the development of Sherag and jeopardized its future.

But relying on Enchiodes indefinitely wasn't a sustainable solution. Ernst invested in and spearheaded the construction of the subsequent Sherag ring railway, the connecting railway between the main urban areas of the three families' territories, and the scenic route to Silverheart Lake, all under the name of the Sherag government, without entrusting them to Kalan Trade.

But it has always lacked a formal status.

The government operates on a non-profit basis, and Ernst can't afford to appoint a dedicated railway commissioner within the government to handle fees and maintenance. Currently, railway maintenance is primarily handled part-time by Lola's engineering department. The Kalan Trade is also a semi-nationalized entity. If Ernst were to step down now and let Enciodis take over, he could probably nationalize the Kalan Trade immediately. Unfortunately, Ernst isn't ready to relinquish power yet.

There are still many ambitions unfulfilled and many plans unimplemented. He cannot yet leave power, and power is not yet ready to leave him.

Therefore, it seems that it is indeed time to revitalize state-owned enterprises. Blangau Home Textiles could serve as a starting point. The textile industry is one of the pillar industries in Kjerag, and Kjerag-made furs, scarves, and gloves are currently selling well in various countries. It's time for Blangau Home Textiles to break free from the single channel of trade with Karan and explore a wider world!

Previously, he was embarrassed to say such things because Brontaur Home Textiles was, after all, the capital he had promised to Latatos to allow the Brontaur family to regain its footing in Sherag. It was a private enterprise that was paying its taxes properly, and Ernst had no urgent need to nationalize it. If necessary, he could set one up himself.

But now that Latatos has such a high level of awareness and has taken the initiative to put forward this very advanced idea, Ernst is of course willing to be the guide!

Latatos stared wide-eyed at Ernst, her gaze somewhat bewildered. Listening to the snow leopard's explanation, a grand blueprint seemed to unfold before her.

Unfortunately, the blueprint was slightly different from what she had imagined.

Ernst,

She spoke softly, interrupting Ernst.

"You should know that I erected a statue in front of the new factory of Brontao Home Textiles, right?"

Ernst paused for a moment, then shook his head:

"Sorry, I just got back. What happened to the statue?"

Latatos smiled with relief and said frankly:

“I erected your statue and mine, and placed them together.”

"I'll take you to see it sometime."

Having said that, without waiting for Ernst's reaction—or rather, perhaps afraid to see any reaction from Ernst, and any possibility behind that reaction—Latatos stood up and nodded to Ernst:

"I will discuss the matter of state-owned enterprises when I get back. But rest assured, my word carries weight in the Blangtao family, and no one will object to my decisions."

"Well then, I'll take my leave now. Come over for dinner sometime, Hugh Ruth and Yucatan miss you very much."

"Goodbye."

Latatos quickly left the office. Ernst sat in his office chair, stunned for a long while, before picking up his coffee and taking a sip.

You know what, this coffee is bitter, but it also seems to have a hint of sweetness.

[Ernst?]

A powerful voice suddenly resounded in his mind. Ernst, without even savoring the taste of his coffee, immediately put down his teacup and replied:

"Great God Yeragand? What's wrong?"

Come visit Manjusang Academy.

The giant beast of Yan Kingdom is looking for you.

A colossal beast from the Yan Kingdom? Has the messenger sent by the Grand Tutor arrived?

Tsk, Sherag's intelligence system needs an upgrade. How come he only found out about this now?

Unfortunately, it's not easy to find people with this kind of talent. We can't exactly borrow two grey top hats from the Duke of Caesar, can we?

Lost in thought, Ernst didn't stop what he was doing. As he put on his coat from the hanger, he replied:

"Okay! Coming right away!"

Chapter 474 The Jade Capital in the Heavens, Twelve Towers and Five Cities (Part 2)

Shelag, Mount Kalan, Manjushri Monastery.

In ancient times, there was the story of Lin Chong, who braved the snow at the Mountain God Temple; today, there is the Ernst Cable Car that takes you up the sacred mountain.

Building a cable car to the mountain from the south plaza of Manjushri Temple on Mount Sherag, a sacred site of the Jeragund religion, is undoubtedly a bold decision.

In a sense, this can be seen as a major challenge to the Sherag tradition. After all, the Hymn to Jeragund states that on the way to Manjushri Temple to worship Jeragund, believers enjoy the baptism and sublimation of God and the spirit brought by their piety, but they also face the test of wind, snow and cold.

If there were a cable car line that could bypass the steep mountain roads and avoid the cold wind and snow, and go directly to the gate of the sacred Manjushri Monastery, then over time, apart from extreme sports enthusiasts, who would be willing to risk their life to challenge the cold winds of Shelag?

Ernst had also considered this issue. The cable car definitely needs to be built. Several key areas in the Manjushri complex, such as the Temple of the Virgin and the Temple of the Holy Records, can be closed. However, places like the main hall where the statues and sacred stones of Jeragund are kept, and the council chamber where the three races once held their meetings, should be opened to the public in the future and should become good tourist attractions.

There's no question of respect. Even the Vatican is open to the public and sells blessed souvenirs. If Manju Academy doesn't do that, does it expect to keep living off Ernst's subsidies?

Enya was definitely not happy about it. She was the older sister, and it was one thing if she couldn't help her younger brother much, but how could she hold him back?

The problem is that neither Ernst's cable car plan nor Enya's determination are things that have been implemented yet.

But now, an operational cable car line is right in front of Ernst. The cable car cabins are parked at the foot of the mountain, their doors open, as if welcoming Ernst's arrival.

"Is this also... the power of a behemoth?"

"Hurry up and get on, what are you still looking at?"

A voice called out from inside the cable car. Ernst looked closely and saw a "dragon?" with beautiful white hair and red horns waving her arms, which were entwined with strange patterns, greeting Ernst.

Ernst had never seen this person before, but Yeragand did not issue a warning. Considering the sudden appearance of the cable car, she might be one of the giant beasts sent by the Yan Kingdom.

"Let me guess, you're thinking, 'You're the guy from Yan,' right?"

The lively and fiery white-haired girl grinned at Ernst and introduced herself in a carefree manner:

"That's right, I remain true to my name, I am [Nian]! Prime Minister Ernst, it's an honor to have heard so much about you~"

Ernst paused, the familiar accent stirring up distant memories, and asked curiously:

"A Sichuan girl... cough cough, a person from Shu?"

"【Sui Pian】has no regional distinction, but I do prefer the flavors of Shangshu."

Nian sat down next to Ernst without any hesitation, and teasingly nudged Ernst's arm with his elbow.

"I've almost forgotten about Kjerag these past few days! Don't you guys have anything a bit more exciting here?"

this......

Ernst gave an awkward laugh.

He actually understood Nian's feelings quite well. He didn't like Xie Lag's food at first either, but after so many years, he got used to it. And once he got used to it, it was actually quite delicious.

After all, Sherag's dishes are all made with high-quality ingredients. If you randomly pick a restaurant in Tukarim's trading district and it dares to use feathered beast meat to impersonate pack animal meat, the Perroch family will come knocking on that merchant's door the next day to tell them the truth.

The Perroch family occupies the largest plain and lake area in Shelag, and is also the largest pack animal breeding base. Brother Xiong doesn't engage in any pretentious tricks, nor does he allow his subordinates to do so.

Of course, if you're confident you can fool Brother Bear, you can go ahead. But you'd better pray you never get caught, otherwise he'll beat you up for life.

However, after such a long time, it was a rare treat to hear a voice with such a strong Sichuan accent, and Ernst was still quite excited and felt a sense of warmth.