Chapter 2115: A Week-Long Journey with the Dragon
Prince Aalborg III sat in a sedan chair, driving on the roads within the city of Xiaolong.
There are many things here that are similar to those on Chicken Island.
Just by looking at the architectural and design styles, you can tell that they belong to the same series.
However, the roads inside the Dragon King City are much wider, with the main roads even having four lanes in both directions.
You can even see green buildings on both sides of the road, as well as more buildings related to life and entertainment.
"How many people are on this island now?" Prince Aalborg asked, looking at his secretary, Narcissus, who was sitting next to him.
"The most recent statistic."
The current population of the entire Xiaolong Continent has exceeded 300,000.
"And in this royal city you see, more than 100,000 people live here permanently," explained Secretary Narcissus.
Three hundred thousand people?
Even on the Western Continent, this wouldn't be considered a large population.
Suddenly, the car slowed down.
"The area ahead is a school zone. Please slow down and drive carefully."
He heard a loudspeaker nearby issuing a warning.
The third prince of Aalborg looked out the window.
There's a rather unique building up ahead.
It was surrounded by iron fences, and there seemed to be some large building inside.
There is also an oval-shaped flat area surrounded by a red-lined running track.
The vehicle then slowed down.
You can see groups of two or three children wearing the same clothes coming out from the main gate.
“This is... a school?” The Third Prince of Aalborg recognized the school.
"Yes.
This is the entrance to Xiaolong No. 1 Primary School.
If we had taken the other road today, we might have ended up at the gate of Xiaolong No. 1 Middle School.
This school district comprises Xiaolong Elementary School and Xiaolong Middle School, but it's separated by a fence. Secretary Narcissus looked at the smiling faces of the children, and a smile involuntarily appeared on her face as well.
"There are so many students?" The Third Prince of Aalborg looked at the number of students with disbelief.
"Because we use nine years of compulsory education in our Dragon Continent," said Secretary Narcissus.
"Nine-year compulsory education?" The Third Prince of Aalborg was somewhat unfamiliar with this term.
"We offer primary, middle, high school, and university courses here."
The meaning of nine-year compulsory education.
Even if there are school-age children, they must complete the primary and junior high school curriculum.
Then, they take exams to be assigned to different types of high schools.
Primary and junior high school education is compulsory, and if parents do not allow their children to participate in education, they are violating the laws of the Dragonflight Kingdom.
Secondly, all related educational expenses are borne by the Kingdom of Xiaolong.
Therefore, it is also known as free education.
After listening to the secretary's explanation.
The Third Prince of Aalborg understood and was greatly surprised: "Free?"
Your Dragon Kingdom is so wealthy.
Education is completely free.
Wouldn't that mean all the lowly people could enjoy education for free?
When I hear the words "lowly people".
Narcissus, the secretary, looked at the Third Prince of Orb without expression: "In our Dragon Kingdom, there are no lowly people or those who are superior to others."
The only difference might be whether you are a citizen of the Kingdom of the Wyverns.
However, this is only a difference in status and does not represent a difference in other levels.
Both can live in the Kingdom of the Wraith Dragon as long as they have a temporary residence permit.
You are not inferior to others just because you are not a citizen of the Kingdom of Wraiths.
Here, there is no superior class that reigns supreme over the people.
Upon hearing Secretary Narcissus's words, the Third Prince of Aalborg immediately realized what was going on.
This is a world completely different from their Kingdom of Aalborg.
"I'm sorry, I went too far just now."
"I apologize for my words." Prince Aalborg III offered a sincere apology.
He looked out the window at the city street scene.
He had assumed that in the Western Continent, systems like those in their Kingdom of Aalburg were already quite open.
Even if you were originally a commoner or even a slave, as long as you create value for the kingdom and work hard, you can earn a share of the profits.
However, despite this, a power class still exists within their country.
It will still happen that a nobleman can humiliate and oppress a lowly commoner without hesitation.
Even with just a suitable reason, one can take the other's life.
For example, if a commoner soils a nobleman's clothes, the nobleman can order him to be killed in the street.
But a nobleman could get away with anything, not even if he dirtied a commoner's clothes or pushed him into a mud pit.
Afterwards, the convoy stopped in front of a hotel.
Here, Secretary Narcissus prepared a welcoming ceremony for them.
Delicious food, and people from all walks of life and different backgrounds in the Dragon Kingdom.
These people who came to the banquet were certainly not chosen randomly.
They can all demonstrate their value in subsequent cooperation with the Kingdom of Aalborg.
After a night of banquet.
The Third Prince of Aalborg woke up in his room, clutching his head.
Many of those attending the banquet were also drinkers.
He drank himself into a stupor in no time.
He walked to his room window and drew back the curtains.
He could see the view of the capital city of the Dragon King outside.
The streets were filled with pedestrians, all with smiles on their faces, and acquaintances would greet each other when they met.
On the streets, you can see plants and things that look like metal boxes; those are called trash cans.
It is said that there is a rule here that all trash must be thrown into the trash can.
Anyone found littering will be subject to a very strict fine.
After a period of intensive enforcement, everyone here has developed the habit of throwing their trash in the trash can.
So the streets are almost spotless.
The most common type of trash is probably the leaves that have fallen from the big trees.
These leaves are cleaned up by designated people every day.
They are called sanitation workers.
These sanitation workers are generally older people.
These people would have been marginalized in other societies.
They lacked any special skills, and were also getting old.
It's simply impossible to find a job.
If they don't have family to support them, they will become beggars on the streets and may disappear from society one day.
But it's different here.
Children study, and middle-aged people are engaged in work.
Seniors with savings can enjoy their later years in peace.
For elderly people without any savings, as long as they are able to move around, they will be given the most basic jobs.
Those who could walk cleaned up the garbage on the streets. Although the wages were much lower than normal wages, at least these people had a place to live and food to eat.
They even receive corresponding work uniforms every quarter.
Some elderly people who can't even walk are assigned to work making handicrafts.
In exchange for even meager wages.
As for those things that cannot be done.
If you are a citizen of the Kingdom of Wraiths, you will receive the lowest level of retirement services.
So, in the Kingdom of Dragons, as long as you don't dig your own grave.
There will always be hope in your life, and the system of the Dragon Kingdom will always provide you with a safety net.
What you need to do is create the better life you want within this system.
Prince Aalborg the Third took out his notebook.
This notebook was originally prepared specifically for his visit to the Kingdom of the Wraiths.
He has a habit of learning anything of value and then writing it down.
His brand-new notebook was originally enough for his trip.
But so far, he has only been staying in the Kingdom of the Wraith Dragon for one night.
This notebook is already two-thirds full.
It was covered with all sorts of things.
"Sir, breakfast is only served until 9:00 AM."
Please be mindful of your mealtime.
There was a knock on the door.
"OK, thanks."
The Third Prince of Aalborg looked out at the city.
He had always been curious about what kind of society the future needed.
This is something that scholars from various kingdoms and civilizations are discussing. At the Southern Continent University where he studied, the professors and scholars all had their own ideas.
Now, he believes he has found the answer.
He washed up and changed his clothes.
Following the signs, I arrived at the hotel's restaurant floor.
There is a buffet here.
Buffet is also a term he recently learned.
Because yesterday, while on the road, he saw a restaurant with a long queue of people.
The restaurant's sign simply says "Something-or-other buffet restaurant".
As the name suggests, a buffet is where you help yourself to the food you need. After paying a certain fee, you can enjoy all the food provided you don't waste any.
To be honest, he really wanted to experience this kind of buffet at the time.
He had heard of similar catering formats before, but none of them were mainstream.
There is no restaurant that big either.
Unexpectedly, this was what I had for breakfast.
He arrived at the restaurant.
I thought I was one of the latecomers.
Surprisingly, there were quite a few people inside the restaurant.
Moreover, the ten people he brought with him are basically still here.
When the group met, they exchanged glances.
It was a little awkward.
"Why are you all still asleep?" Prince Aalborg the Third Prince asked, looking at the group.
These people still clearly showed reverence when facing the Third Prince of Aalborg.
This is where the obvious differences between the officials and staff of the Dragon Kingdom become apparent.
For example, yesterday, I even met with Barbara's secretary.
The other JF-17 officers simply bowed respectfully, without any obsequious or awe-inspiring behavior.
The two have completely different auras.
"I drank a bit too much last night, and I also talked to those experts on the JF-17 Thunder."
I feel like a new world has opened up for me.
After I got back, I tossed and turned in bed and couldn't fall asleep.
This city... no! This kingdom is simply unbelievable.
"yes.
Me too.
I'm not afraid you'll laugh at me if I tell you this.
Actually, I didn't sleep at all last night.
"Who says it isn't?"
I desperately want to find myself an office right now. A research project I was working on has been stuck for half a year.
But this time, after passing through Chicken Island, we arrived at this point on the journey.
That gave me an idea instantly.
Everyone was full of energy at that moment, even those who hadn't slept all night.
"Alright, let's stop chatting here." The Third Prince of Aalborg looked at the people surrounding him.
It blocked two-thirds of the restaurant's passageway, forcing everyone else coming or going to have to go around it.
It was quite awkward.
Okay, okay.
Your Highness, please take your tray here.
Then, when you see the food you want to eat, just grab one portion. "A subordinate explained from the side.
"Um.
Please go and sit down after you have ordered your food.
"You don't need to follow me." The Third Prince of Aalborg waved his hand, indicating that he could.
He picked up the plate and walked to the rows of breakfast display windows.
The names were written on the food items.
Bread...steamed buns...dumplings...fried rice...etc.
There were foods he had seen before, and foods he had never seen before.
Red lettering was pasted on the glass window.
Please do not waste food.
The third prince ordered several dishes that he had never tried before, but which looked delicious.
Then I looked towards the restaurant.
The tables and chairs in the restaurant are all exactly the same.
There were no waiters; everyone carried their trays and found their own seats.
All of his subordinates gathered together.
Seeing the Third Prince looking over, he hurriedly waved his hand.
They had already reserved a place for the Third Prince.
The third prince sat down.
"Don't look at me."
We are not in the Kingdom of Aalborg now, so we don't have to be like those people in the Kingdom of Aalborg.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Just like this is fine.
"Otherwise, it will make us seem out of place," the Third Prince of Aalborg said somewhat awkwardly.
He wouldn't have felt anything when he was treated like this in the Kingdom of Aalborg.
But he feels uncomfortable all over here right now.
I feel like a monkey.
Sit down and begin to enjoy the food.
Each dish has a unique flavor.
After he finished eating, he ordered another serving.
After eating and drinking to one's heart's content.
They packed up and went downstairs.
A convoy of cars had been waiting downstairs for a long time.
"This is our itinerary for the next week."
We will travel around the continent of Xiaolong.
"Then we'll return here." Narcissus, the secretary, opened the car door and explained the journey.
"It will take a week?"
"If I remember correctly, the Dragon Continent shouldn't be this big," the Third Prince of Orb said in surprise.
"The continent of Xiaolong is indeed not very large."
However, a week is actually quite a tight schedule.
You'll understand once you experience it.
I believe you will definitely want to at that time.
"Why can't we stay here a little longer?" Secretary Narcissus said with a slight smile.
The Third Prince of Aalborg looked at Narcissus, the secretary, with suspicion.
He was somewhat suspicious, but the Dragon Kingdom had already surprised him a great deal.
Perhaps I really will stay here for a week?
With this curiosity and anticipation.
The Third Prince of Orb began his journey on the continent of Xiaolong.
"Currently, we have established one main city, seven large cities, and thirty-six small towns on the continent of Xiaolong."
They are connected by highways and railways.