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Aaron looked at Audrey, pondered for a moment, then spoke:
"The grain act, literally speaking, protected Loen's domestic grain prices, but the common people did not truly benefit from the grain act."
"After all, farmers are only the producers of grain, not the owners; the profits from high grain prices will only flow into the pockets of the old nobles."
"And for the poor in various cities of Loen, the grain act would only make the black bread they bought more expensive."
"So the people will take to the streets, hold up banners, and support the abolition of the grain act."
Audrey's diamond-like emerald eyes lit up, and she responded with a hint of excitement:
"So that's how it is! Then what my Father is doing can truly help those common people, right? Hmm... will you support my Father?"
Aaron was slightly speechless, he squatted down and petted Susie, who had unknowingly squatted by his feet, he did not answer Audrey's question, but instead asked:
"Then do you think the abolition of the grain act means an improvement in the lives of the common people?"
Looking at Audrey's slightly bewildered eyes, Aaron smiled and continued;
"The abolition of the grain act will lead to a large import of grain from Feynapotter, Masin, Lenberg, and other countries in the south to Loen."
"In the short term, grain prices will fall as a result, and many people will indeed benefit from the reduction in food prices."
"But then what? What will happen next?"
Aaron looked at Audrey, who was deep in thought, and continued:
"Their quality of life has not improved, and has even worsened. Farmers will lose their land due to falling grain prices, and even incur high debts, forcing them to move to cities to make a living."
"And for the urban poor, the bankrupt farmers pouring into the cities compete for jobs with low wages, intensifying the competition for job opportunities, and thus the wages of the working class plummet."
"If they used to worry about black bread being too expensive, now they have to worry about whether they still have money to buy black bread."
"While ordinary people enjoy black bread at rock-bottom prices, farmers face the fate of displacement."
"Their numbers are so vast that factory owners are unwilling to add equipment to protect against dust and lead poisoning in factories; even a slight increase in wages seems like charity."
Aaron paused, and said in a mocking tone: "They are no longer people, but consumables."
Looking at Audrey, who had long lost her smile, Aaron did not continue, but used a joking tone to lighten the atmosphere:
"Of course, these are all my personal guesses. Perhaps this is just the worst outcome, and we can also work hard to prevent all of this from happening."
But Aaron knew in his heart that the development of contradictions would always go to its opposite side, no matter whether the grain act was abolished or not, the common people never won.
The establishment and abolition of the grain act was essentially a power struggle between the old nobles who owned land and the new nobles who owned steam engines and banks, and all of this was tacitly approved and condoned by George III.
Recalling when war broke out a few years later and the tide of the times rolled in.
The price of grain rose rapidly, and even middle-class individuals like Ms. Starling could only sell their dignity for survival.
And the nobles who held power hoarded countless amounts of grain, indulging in extravagance during the tide of the times.
They clutched their money bags tightly, even if people died of hunger every second, they were unwilling to spare a glance for those stalks that could be blown down at any moment in the strong wind.
Aaron glanced at Audrey, whose expression was still worried, and did not speak the words in his heart; this was not something a 15-year-old girl should worry about.
Right now, she was just Audrey Hall, not Miss Justice of a few years later. Aaron changed the subject and took Audrey and Susie for a walk in the garden.
At 7 PM, Aaron returned to the first-floor reception hall with Audrey, whose expression had returned to normal. The guests had all arrived and were gathered in the hall, conversing loudly.
Aaron gentlemanly led Audrey to Mrs. Caitlin, who was seated to the side, and after a polite farewell, walked towards his grandfather, Earl Wolfe, who was seated not far from Duke Negan.
After Aaron left, Mrs. Caitlin looked at Audrey with a smile,
"He's a very polite child, Audrey. What do you think of Lord Aaron?"
Audrey looked at her Mother in confusion, but still thought for a moment before giving her assessment:
"A knowledgeable and farsighted gentleman."
Recalling what Aaron said in the garden, she silently added in her heart, "A true noble."
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Earl Wolfe, expressing his Mother's longing for him and satisfaction with the previous gift.
In order to avoid excessive contact with the Conservative Party nobles, Aaron proactively left after agreeing to visit Earl Wolfe in person next time, causing several nobles holding champagne to silently change their direction.
The welcoming party did not last long; since Aaron was not yet an adult and had no engagement, there was no dance segment at the party.
Many ladies and young women gathered together, chatting and laughing about interesting things in Backlund, while their husbands and fathers gathered in twos and threes, discussing matters of the act.
The party ended in this harmonious atmosphere. As the host, Lord Aaron maintained a distance from both parties after the banquet officially began to show his neutral stance.
After the party ended, Aaron stood by the window of the master bedroom on the third floor, watching luxurious carriages drive away from the villa, and raised a hand to rub his forehead, which was slightly uncomfortable from drinking too much champagne.
He exhaled softly, and Aaron thought to himself:
"After tonight's situation is publicized, the Conservative Party and the New Party should understand my neutral stance."
"And with George III's encouragement, the abolition of the grain act will only be a matter of months."
"These few months, I'll honestly digest the potion. Strength is the capital for everything, otherwise, in the great tide of the times, I'd just be a stalk that gets blown down."
Having made up his mind, Aaron took out the death mask and placed it on his face. A cold sensation enveloped him, and Aaron felt his face squirming.
He opened his eyes again and looked at the tall and sturdy unfamiliar young man in the full-length mirror. His facial features were clear and strong, his chin firm, his contours distinct, and his eyes deep and sharp, displaying a bright blue color.
Aaron scrutinized himself, looking at the luxurious formal attire he was wearing, feeling a sense of incongruity. He went to the changing room, took off his formal attire, and changed into a different outfit.
A moment later, Aaron looked at the young man in the full-length mirror, dressed in a brown leather jacket with numerous pockets and decorative details, a dark-toned loose and sturdy shirt, gray jeans, and a pair of sturdy boots.
Looking at the standard Hunter attire in the mirror, Aaron nodded with satisfaction, and after a moment of contemplation, he muttered to himself:
"From now on, you shall be called Lucian Joseph."
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