"Gulugulu, gulugulu, gulugulu... Belch—" After gulping down an entire bottle of steaming amber liquid, Alexei let out a long burp.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed after belching, he lowered his head and, feigning nonchalance, said, "Today's Holy Alliance's pious notes are quite interesting."

The meeting today really broadened Alexei's horizons.

It's undeniable that Holy Alliance's way of openly revealing issues and public demands through administrative measures is something Alexei has never seen before.

Outsiders see the entryway, insiders see the thoroughfare.

As a true prospective ruler, young lord finally witnessed genuine politics today.

The meeting covered quite a lot today, leaving deep impressions with him on a few matters.

The first was the issue of the repeal of the Prohibition Order.

The second was the bill on expanding village primary schools and artisan schools.

The third was the "Comprehensive Conscription Act."

The young lord was most concerned with the latter, the "Comprehensive Conscription Act."

The act stipulated that all adult males must serve for two years in nearby military camp regions or Defensive Army of nearby districts.

Of course, considering many have primary occupations, Horn allowed them to serve in six-month terms, spanning six terms.

Alexei originally thought that peace would soon become Holy Alliance's theme, yet it still seems like a military preparation stance.

As for whether anyone opposes, naturally, no one would dare oppose.

If you ask if anyone has grievances, the answer is definitely yes.

If there are grievances, they can take it to Horn's three judicial departments, four Saintesses, six battle groups.

As for the reason, it's naturally utilitarian.

If things go smoothly, Horn will venture to Black Snake Bay next year, shining the Saint's Grandson's sun upon eastern districts' snake-man tribes and barbarians.

Just to see if they dare to plunder spice plantations.

United Spice Company has urged Horn to expand troop scale more than once.

Moreover, according to investigation reports, the eastern districts still have undeveloped resources, spices scattered everywhere.

Where there are spices, Holy Alliance troops will proliferate.

With the meeting over, due to Half Moon Theater's nearby restaurant being full, Alexei's group walked three blocks away to another restaurant for dining.

Sitting around an outdoor round table, the three continued discussing today's Holy Alliance affairs from Half Moon Theater.

Theomir shook his head opposite: "Aren't they just fixed denomination bank checks? Falan already has them, called banknotes, many banks can issue them."

"Theomir, the gap between us and Holy Alliance is like that between Holy Alliance and Falan," Alexei stared at him. "We should learn from Holy Alliance, not Falan, because we can't emulate... Belch!"

Alexei hastily covered his mouth, wondering what was in that drink that made him keep burping?

Gloev was staring absentmindedly at the amber liquid before him, wondering what message the practical Saint's Grandson intended with this move?

After pondering a while without resolution, he picked up the peculiar drink before him and drank it.

"Gulugulu, gulugulu, hmm?"

Setting down the cup, Gloev curiously observed the bubbling, steaming amber liquid in his hand. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

He stuck out his tongue for a taste, a burst of fine bubbles and sweet flavor spread across his tongue, akin to a tiny electrical current.

He tapped the table, summoning a waiter, and pointed to the amber liquid, asking: "What is this?"

"This is Black Snake Bay bubble potion water."

Alexei burped again: "Is this a potion?"

The waiter chuckled: "This restaurant was originally a potion shop, isn't Frick Primary School just across the street?

Every spring, the students at the primary school always cough and catch colds, so a pharmacist from Black Snake Bay concocted a cough suppressant potion.

To make the children willing to drink, he added alcoholic aroma and heaps of sugar, unexpectedly creating this bubbles-rich water.

Because of its unique flavor, it became popular, people would come and buy this potion to drink even if they weren't sick.

You know, there was the 'Prohibition Order' before, this served as an alternative.

Thus, our boss bought the potion's recipe, reduced the herbal components, transforming it into this bubble water."

The alcoholic aroma in bubble water doesn't contain alcohol, it's gas released during alcohol fermentation.

This gas, named by pharmacists, is always produced during grain fermentation.

After implementing Prohibition Order and food monopoly, many beverages started replacing beer.

Langsande County favored fruit syrup gin, Hotam County favored berry wine.

But Mountain County and other counties, due to harsh cold climate, couldn't quit spirits, fell for even stronger potato root brew.

As for ry Court Barracks, apart from various cocktails, this bubble water was most popular, every household drank it.

After listening to the waiter's introduction, Alexei temporarily set aside curiosity for pious notes: "Who is this pharmacist? Can we visit them?"

Expecting the waiter to readily agree, he surprisingly showed a troubled expression: "This pharmacist attempted to add ice frog poison to a new children's drink and has been arrested by Night Watchers."

Hearing this, both Alexei and Gloev fell silent, unsure what to say.

As Black Snake Bay People, they could live without life, but not truly without live.

According to Holy Alliance's patent law, relying on Black Snake Bay bubble potion recipe alone, he could make money lying down.

But he refused, insisted on innovation, ending up in prison instead.

Continuing this topic proved awkward, so Alexei turned, inquiring about the primary school before him: "About how many students are there in this primary school?"

The waiter wiped his hands on his apron, proudly replied: "Around 800 people, my younger brother studies there."

"How many such primary schools are there in total across Holy Alliance?"

"Not sure, maybe you can buy a 'Saint Alliance Dictionary,'" the waiter smiled, pulling out a thick book from behind. "10 gold pounds."

10 gold pounds equates to a farmer's five years of savings, but only buys a single book.

Of course, mainly because it's ry Court Barracks, everything is costly.

"This book encompasses everything about Holy Alliance." Preteniously flipping through the book, the waiter's voice was both mysterious and raspy, "For instance, if you want to know how many primary schools are in Holy Alliance, just turn to this page."

When Alexei drew closer to look, dense texts truly populated the page.

After implementing 'Town Compulsory Education Law', all resident children aged 7 to 12 in Priest Town and townships must attend school.

Holy Alliance currently has nearly 120 primary schools, usual schooling lasts four to six years.

County seats and large towns have six years, rural schools in Priest Town have four years.

The first batch of primary school students has graduated, with raising living standards, many common families began considering sending their children to school, even secondary school.

This implies Holy Alliance sees nearly 12,000 primary graduates annually, majority literate, numerate, possessing certain "common knowledge."

Common knowledge is even a main course in primary schools, content covering diverse subjects like history, arts, theology, politics, natural phenomena.

As for common knowledge coursebooks, it's exactly the 'Saint Alliance Dictionary' in Alexei's hand.

Closing 'Saint Alliance Dictionary', young lord pondered aloud: "12,000 literate, numerate youths each year, in ten years that's 120,000."

That's valuable literate population, although making them write articles like a Priest or monk is impossible.

However, they could become government employees, shop clerks, or even apprentice helpers.

"Ah!" Alexei suddenly shouted as if awakened from a dream, "I understand why Saint's Grandson wants to expand artisan schools!"

"Why?"

Alexei pointed at the 'Saint Alliance Dictionary': "Look at this passage.

During every summer, primary schools hold writing and graduation exams.

Holy Council sends Internal Guard troops to escort, Cheka supervises, delivering test papers to each primary school level.

Top 10% have an opportunity to attend secondary education at county seats, yet each school accepts only 150 to 200 annually.

Similarly, secondary graduation exams equally hosted by Holy Council, ry Court Barracks universities' acceptance rate is only 5%-6%..."

Theomir realized, cheerfully laughed: "Studying enlightens naturally, impossible to remain a farmer permanently.

Every year, nearly ten thousand literate emerge, yet fail to find jobs matching their literacy level, hahaha, no wonder the need to expand artisan schools!"