Hilmeria stood on the stage and glanced at the old men with white beards below. She found that they were all staring at her, and she suddenly felt flustered for no reason.
Because she knew that each of these old men were over sixty years old and had extremely rich experience in dealing with people. As the saying goes, these old men have eaten more salt than they have eaten rice.
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No matter what, even if she is wearing the red robe of the protagonist, Hilmeria is just a young girl who has just stepped out of school.
Even though she caught the troublemaking students in Maple Leaf Danlin, resisted the Almohad invading army, went on an expedition to Abdelwad, and went deep into the prairie to spread her faith.
She has fought with the masters of the Dark Council, fought with the veterans of the Vatican, and has traveled across half of the continent, but in the eyes of the old guys of the Vatican, she is still a little girl, a pink newcomer, a rookie.
Getting along with them is like a naughty boy playing chess with a master. No matter what kind of brilliant plan you have, they may see through it at a glance.
When it comes to cunning plots and worldly sophistication, Hilmeria is not even remotely different from them.
Just when Hilmeliya felt increasingly weak, she felt a pair of concerned eyes cast towards her.
Seeing Lorraine smiling evilly, opening her mouth and making gestures, as if she said something, and making a victory sign towards her, Hilmeria immediately woke up.
She looked at the sanctimonious old men looking at her with various postures and expressions, and Hilmeria secretly thought in her heart: Just think of them as a bunch of dogs~!
This trick was a sure-fire trick for panicked students when they faced the road test officials when they were taking the driver's license test. Lorraine has tried it repeatedly and taught it to many people. The effect of breaking up the panic is extremely powerful, and it works every time -
—Of course, the premise is that you cannot let the road test official know what you are thinking.
After Hilmeria recited that sentence silently in her heart, she subconsciously changed the heads of all the red archbishops sitting here into dog heads.
Looking at the rows of Great Danes, black-backed dogs, sled dogs, Pekingese, huskies, Shar-pees... wearing red archbishop's robes, sipping tea, drinking coffee, smoking cigars...
This is truly a human-like thing.
When she thought of this, she almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Everyone saw her standing on the stage silently, nervous for a while and smiling for a while. They couldn't help but feel a little strange, and they all started talking in low voices.
These old men have been in the Holy See all their lives. They are aware of this new cardinal who has been linked up at a young age. He knows that there are big people behind him to support him, so he does not dare to be too disrespectful.
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But most of the time, everyone has a game mentality. This is the Holy See. Although it says that all living beings are equal, this is a male-dominated society.
Moreover, all of the people here are old people with long-term test and rich experience, but the other party is just a yellow-haired girl. It is God's blessing that she can become a red archbishop.
Almost everyone present did not think that this girl was qualified to be the pope. Letting her speak on the podium was just a matter of procedure and a formality.
Everyone was just tired from fighting the past few days and wanted to take a rest. Therefore, they just looked at her with a game attitude. No one really took her seriously.
At this time, Hilmeria also noticed her gaffe, and hurriedly put her hand on her lips, coughed lightly, calmed her mood slightly, and then said: "Gentlemen, times have changed~!
"
"Times have changed~!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone who was talking in low voices immediately stopped and cast puzzled looks at her.
Hilmeria nodded and said: "Yes, times have changed. You can't make much money just by collecting land rent. I think you all have some experience of this.
If you don’t believe it, I still have detailed data on hand.”
Everyone listened to her words and couldn't help but show thoughtful expressions. Some people even nodded in agreement.
As old guys who have lived for decades and have worked hard in the Holy See since childhood, they have a deep understanding of the increasingly difficult days of the Holy See.
Hilmeria continued: "It's no different now than it used to be. In the past, as long as everyone went down and said a word, someone would naturally deliver the things, and they would pick the best ones.
And now?
Have those ordinary people become much more violent?
Either he was crying for poverty, or he was simply being arrogant and put in a lot of effort to collect some things. What was the result?
The ones collected are either mixed with sand or the worst."
The red archbishops below couldn't help but nod their heads.
Although they are not directly involved in the collection work, this work is the focus of the work of the Holy See and is directly related to the quality of the red wine that everyone drinks, as well as the number and hierarchy of mistresses and mistresses. Therefore, everyone has never relaxed.
They also have a deep understanding of the specific situation raised by Hilmeria.
Hilmeria has gradually entered the state at this time.
She did not look at the manuscript in her hand, but walked slowly off the podium and came to the venue. While pacing leisurely, she continued: "Have you ever thought about this question? Why do we issue indulgences?"
Hearing the second question she asked out of the blue, everyone couldn't help but be stunned again, and someone randomly laughed. No one in the Holy See knew the reason.
Hilmeria did not wait for anyone to answer, but already revealed the answer herself, saying: "It's not because of lack of money~! In other words, the income is not enough for everyone's expenses."
Everyone looked at each other, and then nodded in agreement. Everyone had never enough money to spend. The allocation at the beginning of the year was not enough, and the funds at the end of the year were insufficient. Every year, everyone had to find ways to make extra money.
The two questions raised by Hilmeria immediately touched everyone's heart, so up to now, no one who is short-sighted has jumped out to cause trouble for her.
Of course, another very important reason is that everyone had already received hints before the meeting. Hilmeliya is a disciple of Obachm, the network administrator.
If everyone starts making trouble now, it is obvious that they are not giving face to the network administrator. If you don’t give the network administrator face, the network administrator will certainly not save face. They will keep silent, delete posts, kick people out of the game, force them to go offline, close a small black room, and even
It means directly deleting and blocking the account~!
As a qualified network administrator, he is a higher-level existence than the final boss like the Lich King. However, there are many ways to deal with players like him. If you say you are chasing people away, you really are chasing them away.
Therefore, everyone behaved like the children in the kindergarten class looking at the teacher holding a pile of cakes, looking at Hilmeria with shining eyes full of expectation.
Hilmeria continued: "Then the biggest problem we face is how to increase income~!
The answer is nothing more than two, one is to increase revenue and the other is to reduce expenditure."
Everyone immediately started making noise again.
We are all professional-level magicians. You say you are cheating other people out of their pockets. We are all good at this. But doing business?
Please~!
Even if everyone adds up and uses all their energy to feed, their business intelligence will at best be comparable to that of an aunt selling vegetables on the street.
Moreover, he is still the kind of trash who loses more than he wins and loses repeatedly in battles~!
I don’t have this kind of brain, and this is not what I do professionally.
And the second one is to reduce expenditure. This will cost everyone’s life.
To reduce expenditure, to put it nicely, we still need to reduce everyone’s allocation.
I eat good wine and meat every day. If I try to save money, I can only go back to eating corn on the cob and drinking dry Erguotou.
It’s not enough to spend money in the first place. If you continue to reduce it, how will you live your life?
In the history of the Holy See, more than one big figure has called for cutting costs, and many have actually implemented the solution policy. But what are the results in the end? It’s not that they go overboard, they spend more.
Seeing that everyone was talking in low voices, Hilmeria didn't press forward. After waiting for a while, when everyone's comments gradually subsided, she said: "Our Holy See is currently bloated and overstaffed.
On average, a regional main church in a small town has only about thirty clergy on official staff, but there are more than 200 people working as finance ministers.
This is also true. What’s more important is that they don’t work and they still get paid.”
Everyone couldn't help but have a hint of worry on their faces, because Hilmeria was right. The original allocation of only thirty people, but two hundred people were required to spend it, was naturally not enough. This required everyone
Sell indulgences or something, and do some projects to increase income.
Although Hilmeria accurately captured everyone's thoughts, if she was planning to roll up her sleeves and make drastic layoffs, she would have to fight her to the end no matter what.
We all know that bloated institutions are a big problem facing the Holy See today, which has caused many of the current problems of the Holy See. But everyone knows that this bloated institution cannot be reduced, and it is impossible to prevent it from continuing to expand.
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You know, although those guys only eat and do not work all day long, and they are always wandering around in front of their eyes, making people want to kick them, but none of these second-generation ancestors who only take money and do not work are not
He is related to himself.
Moreover, many of them are nepotistic relationships such as brother-in-law and sister-in-law. It is extremely troublesome to deal with.
As everyone has more and more mistresses and mistresses, these brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law will also grow exponentially.
Hilmeria saw everyone's doubts, smiled immediately, and said: "But don't worry, if I become the pope, I will never take action against them."
Everyone immediately breathed a long sigh of relief.
Not to mention anything else, just this show of kindness is enough to increase everyone's favorability towards her by thirty points.
Lorraine was still wearing the uniform of a servant, standing in an inconspicuous corner, watching Hilmeria as she was playing with a bear, lecturing these red archbishops.
At this time, he had discovered that because Hilmeria's words hit the mark and made perfect sense, all the archbishops were now completely dancing to the beat of her steps.
At this time, someone has already discovered that something is wrong. If it continues to develop, maybe Hilmeria will be a sure winner in the primary election alone.
So he stood up in a hurry and wanted to make trouble with Hilmeria. But he was immediately stopped by the people next to him.
After all, what Hilmeria said was extremely important, and it accurately hit the key issue in everyone's mind, and it was related to one's own wallet.
When it comes to wallets, no one takes it seriously.
Why do people work so hard to fight against their colleagues, and why do they work so hard to climb up the ranks? It’s not all because the higher the position, the better it is to make money.
Hilmeria stretched out her index finger, which was as long and white as a spring onion, and said: "Since we want to increase income, but cannot reduce expenditure, then there is only one way left, and that is to increase revenue. Expand financial resources.
~!"
Someone finally couldn't hold it any longer, knowing that he could no longer let this little girl control the situation on the field, and immediately said loudly: "It's easy for you to say, but how do you expand your financial resources? It's not something we can think of.
We have all thought about it, should we issue more indulgences like Archbishop Wesley, or let everyone push carts on the streets to sell vegetables?
This is a good idea. I heard that the price of vegetables has gone up again."
His words immediately caused everyone to burst into laughter.
But this also pissed off one person~!
"Order, order~!" Obachm knocked the wooden hammer in his hand without ceremony and shouted loudly, "Thor, I'm warning you, this is the Great Council of Light. If you don't abide by the meeting rules,
, the conference will expel you~!”
This is too much!
Even some referees in the invincible Chinese football team are not so biased.
This is just blowing a whistle in front of everyone, is that true~!
Two days ago, when everyone was having a meeting together, even if he broke his head, this old guy didn't even raise his eyelids while sitting on the podium. Isn't that true~!
But now, after just a few words of coaxing, he shouted angrily that he wanted to give himself a box lunch.
This is too bullying, isn’t it true~!
The red archbishop's cheeks turned black with anger and his eyes were blazing.
Obachm also gave him a cold look. He held the wooden hammer in his right hand and gently hit it in the palm of his left hand. If you want me, just say a few words and see if I will ban you immediately.
The number~!
Someone next to him hurriedly pulled Thor to sit down.
Obachm is a well-known old gangster. If you really piss him off, he won't care what you do and will definitely fight you to the death. He just puts on a shameless look, and you
What can be done to him?
Hilmeria waited for everyone to be silent at this time, and then said: "As for open source, my suggestion is also very simple, that is, while paying attention to agriculture, vigorously develop industry and commerce. Prosper the local economy, and the economy develops, and our profits
My wallet naturally bulged."
Everyone's eyes immediately flashed with disdain. Everyone has heard this kind of cliché too many times. It's as if it has never been said before. No matter which empire it is in, as soon as the new prime minister takes the stage and gives an inaugural speech, he will basically open his mouth like this.
One set. Never modified.
Whenever I have nothing to do, I squat in front of the government and listen to it eight times for a penny, and even take care of a lunch.
Everyone knows that these words are just words.
However, despite everyone's dissatisfaction, there was Obachm glaring at everyone like a vicious wolf, so everyone suppressed the commotion and didn't make any noise.
Hilmeria changed her words and said: "Gentlemen, I don't understand, what exactly do you think? We have papal institutions all over the continent. Wherever there are towns, there are our churches.
We have a complete and developed intelligence network, and information exchange is smooth and fast.
We are backed by powerful force, and we have hundreds of millions of loyal believers.
But all of you are guarding such a treasure mountain all day long, living by collecting rent, and the next best thing is to go down and cure a disease for the common people, or host a wedding or funeral, and receive two red envelopes.
But for charging two small sums, you are said to be charging a sky-high price, and you are scolded for eighteen lifetimes by them. Are you living a comfortable life like this?"
Everyone was ashamed after hearing her accusation.
Some people felt guilty and couldn't help but defend themselves in a low voice: "The economy is in a recession now, and everyone is raising a family. It's normal for life to be difficult..."
Someone else had already woken up and asked loudly: "Then, Archbishop Hilmeria, what can you do?"
Hilmeria put her hands behind her back and said proudly: "This method is very simple, let's open a bank~!"
At this time, we can see the level of these red archbishops.
Many people suddenly realized it and slapped their foreheads heavily~!
Some people still look confused.
Others were beaming with joy, eagerly clasping their fingers and starting to calculate profits.
Others looked gloomy and full of doubts.
Someone whispered: "Open a bank? Is this feasible?"
Hilmeria was like a teacher teaching arithmetic to five-year-old children, patiently saying: "Why isn't it possible?
Then every empire can set up their banking system, why can't we?
We have branches all over the continent. We can easily build equally large banking outlets.
We have a complete and developed intelligence system, through which we can provide perfect services to those customers. They can travel across the entire continent without even bringing a penny with them, just by signing a check.
We are backed by powerful force. I believe no one will dare to rob our banks or use our crooked ideas.
Finally, we have hundreds of millions of loyal believers.
As long as Father God is around, our credit will not go bankrupt~!"
After hearing this, everyone nodded loudly. This is opening a bank~!
Moreover, since the Holy See is not subject to the local imperial government, even the Imperial Treasury can completely ignore it.
What's more, although everyone has secretly made loan sharks in the past, they have also accumulated a certain amount of experience.
Moreover, loan sharking is lending money, and opening a bank is lending money, but the nature of the two is completely different.
This is just like robbery. If a robber goes to steal money, it is a crime. But if the officers and soldiers go to steal things, it is called levy, which is perfectly justified.
But some people still have some doubts. They said: "We don't have much experience in opening a bank. What if someone takes advantage of the loophole and loses money?"
Hilmeria was delighted that someone asked this question. She smiled slightly and said, "Your Excellency, your question is very good."
As he spoke, he bowed slightly to the other party.
Just like politicians go to the streets to shake hands and talk with ordinary people in order to get votes, and use this cordial way to win their votes. This kind of polite behavior immediately wins the favor of the other party.
The red archbishop secretly decided in his heart that if he had the chance, he would definitely vote for her~!
Hilmeria paused for a moment, then said: "I think everyone knows about the Flying Eagle Group, right?
Feiying Bank Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Feiying Group, has abundant funds and huge assets. It is the first among the top ten banking industries in the world and a Fortune 500 company.
Moreover, it has good performance, high efficiency, low risk, and amazing rate of return. It is known as the most profitable company in the world.
What's more, it also has a modern management team and the world's most advanced technology."
After everyone heard this, their mouths were watering for a while.
Everyone here, who doesn’t know about the Flying Eagle Group?
That company is so fat that it flows like butter. It is said that their company's revenue is like the Tiber River flowing with gold, running day and night in a steady stream.
Hilmeria smiled lightly and said: "And I happen to be one of the directors of this company.
If you elect me to be the next pope, then I am fully capable of convincing Eagle Bank to take a stake and work with us to build the Holy See's bank.
In this way, with the help of their funds and personnel, everyone only needs to spend a small amount of money. In a very short time, the bank's preparations can be completed and then opened for business."
Countless shining gold coins immediately began to flash in everyone's eyes. It turns out that there is such an easy and wonderful way to make money in the world~!
This is equivalent to saying that everyone doesn't have to worry about anything. You just need to register your name, and then you can wait for the bank to open, and the piles of gold coins will line up by themselves, marching in goose steps, and shouting the slogan "One, two, one"
, go into your wallet.
Hilmeria still did not give up and continued: "We can also use banks to provide corresponding loans to handicraftsmen in the city and farmers who are about to go bankrupt. Help them expand production or tide over difficulties and revitalize the local economy.
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In this way, we not only made money, but also gained their gratitude. This consolidated the position of our Holy See in secular society.
Let our Holy See have a better tomorrow."
After she finished speaking, she stopped.
The chapel was quiet for a while, and no one spoke.
Hilmeria waited for a moment and couldn't help but feel a little strange. If someone objected, they should protest loudly. If someone agreed, they should also applaud loudly. What's going on with this silence?
Just when she felt a little uneasy, sporadic applause broke out, and then more people joined in. The applause became louder and louder.
The final wave of applause echoed through the vaults of the chapel, like a thunderous rainstorm.
Lorraine breathed a sigh of relief at the moment: This first level has been passed~!
He looked at several groups of people with gloomy faces under the dim light. Looking at Hilmeria, he couldn't help but continue to think: Correspondingly, if the road ahead continues to walk, it will be even more difficult~!