Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World-Chapter 716: Language Reform

TL: Rui88

Paul’s days in Crystal Shine could be described as quite pleasant.

Rodney XVIII had gifted him a mansion, where he would normally spend his days writing and receiving guests. As a newly-promoted marquis, he also frequently attended the king’s cabinet meetings.

He knew that his new title had made many people envious, so he mostly acted as a silent listener in the meetings, only expressing his own ideas to the king privately afterwards.

In the early days, many in the aristocratic circles of Crystal Shine had also wanted to befriend him. Invitations to various banquets arrived in droves, but in truth, he was not good at handling such occasions. He did not understand many of the in-jokes of the Crystal Shine circle. When the people around him started laughing, he could only follow along with a bewildered smile.

Later, he felt this was utterly foolish. Whenever a banquet began, he would take a glass of wine and find a corner to savour it slowly—he simply could not muster the energy to participate in those tedious conversations.

Over time, he earned the title of “party pooper.” The aristocratic circles of Crystal Shine reached a consensus—inviting Marquis Paul Grayman to a banquet was a terrible idea.

The marquis always tried hard to lower his profile, but because of his status, everyone could not really just leave him out.

The invitations sent to him finally began to decrease, which was exactly what Paul had hoped for.

However, as long as one did not harbour ill will, no one would label him with negative tags such as rude, harsh, or cold.

In terms of private interactions, the marquis could generally be described as sincere in his dealings with people. If someone asked him for help, as long as it was within his power, he would never refuse.

This was especially true in business. As the initial instigator of large-scale maritime trade in recent years and the master of the most industrially and commercially developed region in the kingdom, Paul held a lot of important information that was difficult for others to obtain. When someone consulted him, the marquis never hesitated to share.

Which goods were in high demand in which places, where important raw materials were produced, which company’s bonds were the most stable—for all these things and more, although Marquis Grayman’s social activities were not very active, there were still many people in Crystal Shine who liked him.

While there were certainly many who liked him, there were also plenty who disliked him.

In the eyes of the old-school nobles, although Paul Grayman’s lineage could be traced back to the founding of the kingdom, he could hardly be called a typical Ordo nobleman. On the one hand, he came from that place teeming with new money—the new impression Crystal Shine nobles had of the Northwest Bay—and on the other hand, it was because he had done many things that went against tradition.

Especially that pile of messy ideas he had proposed to His Majesty the King.

Indeed, increasing the treasury’s revenue was correct, and some of his ideas were indeed brilliant.

But what was this about valuing the education of commoners? Not only did it sound like it would not increase the treasury’s revenue, but it would also cost a great deal of money each year.

“Your Majesty, in the short term, this will bring no benefit to the kingdom’s finances. If you need a large number of talented people, can the many well-educated children of nobles not be used?”

When Rodney XVIII discussed this in his small circle of reform advisors, some were also quite disapproving.

The king’s advisory group was not large; both Paul and Malron were among them.

“I have discussed this with Marquis Grayman.” Rodney XVIII glanced at Paul, who was present, and explained to Count Walsh McKee, who had voiced his opposition, “I suppose those born into noble families would certainly not condescend to work in factories, ports, and farms, would they?”

“I suppose so.”

“But the aforementioned places will certainly require a large number of people proficient in professional skills in the future, especially in operating machinery. They will need to know how to read and write to quickly learn various kinds of knowledge.”

Count McKee was somewhat contemptuous. “But the children of commoners have too little talent. They are stupid and clumsy. It would require too much energy and resources to teach them.”

“That is a mistaken view!” Rodney XVIII strongly disagreed, saying, “The school that Princess Eileen opened herself has enrolled many commoner children. I have already confirmed with her that there is no significant difference in learning ability between outstanding commoner students and noble students.”

Count McKee shook his head. “I think individual cases are not enough to prove anything.”

The king said with displeasure, “I think conclusions drawn from practice are far more real than stereotypes passed down by word of mouth.”

“Very well, Your Majesty!” Count McKee spread his hands and said, “I only hope that the investment in commoner education can be kept under control. It would not be good if, once implemented, it turns out to be a bottomless pit.”

Rodney XVIII smiled. “We don’t need them to learn poetry and music, just to master reading, writing, and simple arithmetic. Besides, Marquis Grayman has another idea to achieve… what was it called?” He looked at Paul again.

“Cost reduction and efficiency increase, Your Majesty,” Paul replied.

“How does one reduce costs and increase efficiency?” The others present turned their gazes towards him.

Paul considered for a moment, then said with a serious expression, “As His Majesty just said, we do not need commoner students to learn poetry, music, arts, and so on. What we need to teach them is a large amount of practical knowledge. It must be concise and efficient. Therefore, the content of the textbooks should be quick to read, understandable at a glance, and memorized after a few readings. Thus, the grammar that is common in high society is not suitable.”

He raised his voice. “I propose a simplification and reform of the Ordo language textbooks.”

“Simplification and reform?” The crowd was perplexed.

“Yes, simplifying the complex!”

“First, change the convoluted and lengthy traditional grammar to the simple and direct style of spoken language.”

“Second, appropriately abbreviate words that are too complex, preferably keeping them within 10 letters, to make them easy to spell and remember at a glance.”

“These two measures will not only make it easier for students to learn but also facilitate typesetting when producing textbooks, saving a great deal of paper and ink. Although one book might not save many coins, the cost savings will be enormous when printing on a large scale.”

“Another key point is that such simple textbooks do not require a high level of literacy from the teachers, which will help us quickly establish an education system.”

Paul finished speaking, but the room fell into silence.

“Nonsense!” Count Walsh McKee broke the silence, his face ashen.

“Yes, this is simply nonsense!”

“This is trampling on our beautiful Ordo language!”

“An insult to the precious gift our ancestors left us!”

Many people cried out, and all sorts of harsh criticisms rang out.

When the advisory group was first established, Rodney XVIII had asked everyone to speak freely. After a period of testing the waters, everyone discovered that the king seemed to be serious—on the condition that only the advisory group members were present. From then on, everyone spoke less cautiously in these internal meetings.

“I am merely proposing an idea. As for whether to implement it and how to implement it, it all depends on the wise judgment of you all.”

Paul smiled and shrugged, offering no rebuttal.