Chapter 472 Money and Conscience
"So, are those people just now really the National Defense Forces?" Jon's father didn't recover for a long time. When little Jon reminded himself to go back to the house, he asked in disbelief.
"There should be no problem, Jon. We were there during the military parade, and I even met one of them. He was in the parade at that time." Although Jon's mother was also in a daze, she quickly replied. After coming to his senses, he explained to Jon's father.
After all, there is no benefit in pretending to be soldiers, not to mention that these soldiers seem to be distributing supplies to all quarantined people. No one would do this without the support of the government.
"Oh my god, this is incredible. Little Jon, remember, don't leave this house. Those uncles and soldiers fighting on the front line are transporting supplies for us, how can we not obey the government's orders?" Dad Jon Only then did he come back to his senses and issued the strictest requirements to Xiao Qiaoen and his wife.
Like the Jon family, such scenes still occur at many isolation points. Not only Sydney, almost all four regular divisions were dispatched this time, and even two Guards divisions were helping to transport supplies.
These soldiers can be seen in almost every isolation point in cities across states.
At first, people were surprised by the appearance of the soldiers, and even more surprised by the fact that these soldiers delivered supplies for free without asking for anything in return.
But soon, people gradually began to adapt. After all, before supplies were in short supply, these soldiers sent a new round of supplies, which also made the quarantined people familiar with the soldiers.
Unlike the imagined serious and distant army, the Australasian army speaks in a very gentle tone when transporting supplies to the people, and tries its best to consider the people.
For those who have limited legs or feet, or who lack labor at home, soldiers will deliver supplies to the house for free, and even help with small favors within their ability.
This surprised and delighted the Australasians, and their complicated emotions finally turned into sentences: "Long live your Majesty!" and "Long live Australasia!".
In the early days of this influenza, Arthur fulfilled what he promised in his speeches on various occasions. The army was to protect the interests of the royal family and the people, and what Arthur promised at the coronation ceremony was to always value people's lives and property. Safety.
If there is a more accurate support statistical organization at this time, it can be found that the public's support for Arthur suddenly increased during this period.
Of course, this does not mean that the public did not support Arthur before this. If I have to describe it in detail, the people in the past loved Arthur, but now the people are fanatical about Arthur.
As the army invested in the transportation of materials, it finally solved the problem of insufficient personnel for material transportation in various places.
But similarly, due to Australasia's wartime state and quarantine system, a large number of immigrants and tourists were forcibly quarantined at the port, which also triggered a series of diplomatic disputes and problems.
On June 7, 1918, Foreign Minister Daze asked to see Arthur with a worried look on his face. As soon as they met, he began to complain: "Your Majesty, our major ports have currently quarantined more than 100,000 immigrants and tourists, and some people have already quarantined us. They are dissatisfied with the quarantine system, and even many European countries are asking."
These 100,000 immigrants and tourists come from all major regions of the world, including Russians, British, French, Italians, Americans, etc.
Most of them are immigrants, but a considerable number are also tourists. After all, Australasia has a very beautiful natural environment and also has a large number of islands suitable for living and tourism.
Australasia occupies almost all of Oceania (except for American territories such as Hawaii). The entire South Pacific is dotted with a large number of Australasian islands and archipelagos, which are also excellent tourist attractions.
Seeing that the economies of various countries were recovering after the war, it was also the year that Australasian tourism experienced a spurt of growth.
But because of the quarantine system promulgated by Arthur, tourists and immigrants may be significantly reduced, and there may even be protests and conflicts from other countries.
"Communicate with all foreign tourists and allow them to choose to stay in Australasia or return where they are. If they want to leave, the government will provide them with travel expenses. As for all tourists who choose to stay in Australasia, tell them to please be quiet Wait a month. Australasia is doing this for their own good." Arthur said the solution immediately without any hesitation.
People still don't know how serious this flu is, so they are naturally not satisfied with the quarantine system in Australasia.
Arthur is not used to them. He just wants to leave if he is unwilling to accept the quarantine system. It can also save Arthur part of the cost and use it to make more masks and distribute them to Australasians.
Following Arthur's order, more than 70% of the tourists chose to leave, but nearly 30% of the tourists continued to stay in Australasia.
After all, Australasia implemented a nationwide quarantine with such great fanfare, and these people also somewhat believed the influenza information disclosed by Australasia.
Australasia's free treatment policy for immigrants and domestic citizens also makes these people envious. If there is a flu outbreak, then choosing to join Australasia immediately seems to be a good retreat.
Ever since the Australasian government announced a national quarantine, European immigration to Australasia has dropped by nearly half.
Although Australasia's immigration appeal is indeed very high, most immigrants are unwilling to accept Australasia's segregation system, let alone if nothing happens.
Arthur didn't care at all. When the flu broke out, these people knew how valuable the isolation system was.
Coupled with Australasia's free treatment and free materials for citizens, it will definitely attract more immigrants.
The flu first broke out in the Kansas military camp in the United States, which was also Arthur's method of sanctioning the United States.
As long as we wait until the flu is serious to publicize it, the attractiveness of immigrants to the United States will absolutely plummet.
As a result, the impact on immigration attractiveness will last at least 3 to 5 years. Within 3 to 5 years, the attractiveness of immigrants to the United States will be significantly reduced, and Australasia will also be a direct beneficiary by then.
Australasia, Australia belongs to Timor, within the city of Dili.
The interior of a department store that should have been very inconspicuous was now packed with people.
People were wearing masks and selecting the supplies they needed inside this seemingly small store. Outside the store, an eye-catching signboard clearly stated: During the influenza period, the prices of all products will not increase, and seniors over 70 years old will receive a 30% discount on purchases.
When the perspective returned to the store, I realized that most of the people in the store were stooped. At first glance, they were all elderly people over 70 years old.
If this were to happen during normal times, I'm afraid the owner of the store wouldn't look too good. After all, everyone is over 70 years old, which means everyone will enjoy a 30% discount.
Although this is the largest city in Timor, Timor's population is not too large, and it is separated from Australasia by an ocean, which invisibly increases shipping costs.
If it's the original price, the boss can still earn some hard money. But if everything is sold at a 30% discount, not to mention the hard work, I am afraid that even the cost will be compensated.
After all, since the outbreak of the war, Australasia has had strict restrictions on commodity prices. Coupled with the developed products in Australasia, residents' income levels have increased slightly, but prices have not increased much.
Logically speaking, the boss would not be in a good mood if he was going to lose money. But looking at the owner of this store, watching everyone selecting supplies, there was a smile on his lips, and he kindly helped some old people who couldn't carry them to the door.
Although the boss knew that there were young people waiting outside the door, he didn't care at all, as if the money lost due to discounts was not his.
"Nick, is it necessary to continue the discount? All the elderly in Dili are eager to go out. Our losses have exceeded 2,000 Australian dollars." Standing next to the boss, the middle-aged woman who was obviously very close to the boss looked worried. asked.
"Of course it is necessary to continue, Alice. We are all Australasians. Isn't it meaningful to help each other in such a critical moment? Besides, His Majesty has done much more than us, and even All the troops have been mobilized. If we are not even willing to pay this little bit, how can we have the dignity to claim to be His Majesty's subjects?" The boss named Nick shook his head repeatedly, looked at his wife and said with relief: "I don't have any money. You can still make more money, but if your love and patriotism for Your Majesty are gone, life will be meaningless." With that,
Nick did not hesitate and stuffed two more apples into the basket of the old man next to him. , said with a smile: "Take it away, no money."
"You are really right, whatever you say makes sense." The woman named Alice shook her head, and without slowing down her movements, she stuffed two sticks into the old man's basket. piece of bread.
"Oh, I just hope this damn flu will pass quickly and not come to harm us, otherwise Your Majesty will be so worried!" After finishing what he was doing, Nick suddenly sighed, looked at the government building in the distance, and said .
"Nick! Nick!"
Suddenly a shout interrupted Nick's contemplation. Nick looked into the distance and saw his friend Henry, a large farmer and rancher in Timor.
"Henry! Why are you here? Are you not taking care of your cattle, sheep and farm?" Henk asked with a surprised look on his face.
Henry is one of Timor's large farmers and ranchers. He owns more than 2,000 cattle and sheep and hundreds of hectares of farms. He is a famous rich man in Timor.
Although he has strong assets, it is precisely because of such a large number of cattle, sheep and farms that Henry hardly has much time to relax and play. After all, he still needs to take care of his own business.
"Look what you said, Nick, can't I just go for a walk on the street if I have nothing to do?" Henry asked with a smile on his face.
"It's possible, but no normal person would go out on the streets when the flu is so severe!" Nick looked at his friend with disbelief and said with a hint of ridicule.
"Okay, you guys, stop joking. Australasia is currently facing a big crisis. As an Australasian, I naturally can't just sit idly by. I have prepared 200 cattle and sheep, as well as thousands of tons of grain. Let this guy sell it. The price is set at half of the market price, but it can only be sold to low-income people and the elderly, and the supply must be limited for each person. You also use the money you earn to purchase goods for your store, insist on It's not easy after so many days." Henry patted Nick on the shoulder, smiled and revealed the true purpose of his visit.
"You guy?" Nick was surprised by Henry's words. He didn't know what to say for a moment. There was only one word in his mind, and that was moved.
"Well, you Nick can't do something for His Majesty and Australasians, why can't I? Remember, it can only be sold to the elderly and low-income people, and the supply is limited per person. Don't line your own pockets, you guy. , but I prepared it for low-income people in the flu." Henry put his arm around Nick's shoulders, looked at his friend, and said with a smile.
"Damn, I'm not that kind of person." Nick explained quickly, and the tears that were brewing in his eyes disappeared instantly.
"Okay, okay, I have something else to do, so I won't disturb you anymore. Work hard, brother, I'm proud of you." Henry patted Nick on the shoulder and asked his men to transport the beef, mutton and grain I had prepared. Come over and place the uniform yards in Nick's warehouse.
Fortunately, Timor's population is not too large and its land is not that valuable. Nick's warehouse is not far from the department store, and it is big enough to hold all the supplies.
Although there are more than 200 heads of beef and mutton in total, it is winter in Australasia after all, so there is no problem in storing them for a few days.
And Timor has a large population. If people know that there are half-price beef, mutton and grain, the meat will not be piled in the warehouse for too long.
Watching his friend leave, Nick stood blankly at the door of his store. After a while, he said with emotion: "I'm proud of you too, my brother."
Regarding the new batch of cattle in the store, Nick didn't hide any news about mutton and grain, not even the price.
Of course, it is necessary to limit the purchase of each person. After all, the total weight of 200 cattle and sheep is more than 100,000 jins, which is only more than one jin per person in Timor.
If it is only sold to low-income people and the elderly, the number of people who can buy beef and mutton will also shrink, but it will still exceed 10,000 people.
In order to ensure that everyone can purchase enough beef and mutton, Nick stipulates that each person can purchase up to two kilograms at a time and can only purchase once a day.
Fortunately, Dili is not that big, so Nick still knows most people's family situations. For truly low-income people, Nick knows the approximate range, and only allows these people to buy half-price beef and mutton.
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(End of chapter)