To Four Thousand Years Later

Arthur encountered no disturbances on the way back. Leonardo generously presented each of the returning envoys from various countries with a gold-level VIP card for a period of two years, and the leading ones all received a "Glory"-level VIP card—this is how much Leonardo The highest level VIP card commonly used by enterprises. Although many of them cannot accept bribes, fortunately, the card = itself does not cost money, it is just a gift.

And what's worse, its value is extremely high. This is not a contradiction. Because these two cards can take all the trains, buses, ships, and airships under Leonardo for free within the validity period, and give priority to the use of first-class seats. Every year, more than one thousand gold coins are spent in Leonardo's series of industries. In order to get a one-year gold card. The VIP card of the glorious level will not be sold or given to any previous users, because it is a limited gift that can only be obtained by companies or individuals that have cooperated with Leonardo. VIP members of the card, regardless of their real identities, can enjoy the highest level of service in Leonardo’s entertainment venues around the world, receive seven days of top-level hotel room accommodation rights every month, and automatically have the highest level of insurance for one year , Exemption from one-year telephone usage fee, and at the same time, whenever Leonardo has a new invention or plans to recruit new investors. There are customer service staff who will push business by phone.

To know. Leonardo's enterprises have already spread all over Europe.

Any medium-sized or larger city has at least five or more series of industries...Even a very small village or town usually has a portal store invested and built by Leonardo, which integrates "catering, accommodation, post office and post station". Even in countries outside of Europe, in slightly more prosperous cities, there will be several industries owned by Leonardo, such as hotels, hotels, theaters, telephone stations, overseas commodity stores, etc. Needless to say, land transportation The industry can be regarded as a characteristic-Leonardo's favorite thing to do is to build roads. Whether it's a road for people to walk, a road for cars and motorcycles, or a railway. When Leonardo made an investment, the first step was to help other countries build roads... and the price he needed was only the tax exemption of the "land transportation industry" in the area where he built the road for sixty years. , There is not even the exclusive right to operate Shenqing and the tax exemption for all domains.

In other words, I will pay you to build roads for you, and even provide you with jobs. But the operation of my bus, railway transportation, manned airship, sea shipping, and the sale of vehicles, fire, motorcycles and other means of transportation are tax-free for sixty years in the areas where I have built roads. certainly. I won't stop you either. You can build your own roads, buy your own cars, and operate them yourself. I will also sell buses and trains. If you want to buy, you can buy whatever you want. I will never stop you. This is very confusing.

Accountants in various countries can calculate it. Although Leonardo can earn some money in the end and will not lose money, he can't earn too much. And this is a short-term high investment, but can only get long-term low returns, which is actually considered a loss. Many people don't understand what Leonardo really wants. Because the actual cost of road construction is very large. There is no additional tax exemption for 60 years, at most it is guaranteed to barely lose money, so they think it is Leonardo's favor, so they readily accept it.

Although the difference is not big.

As for the real reason, of course they can't figure it out even if they break their heads. This is the conclusion that only future economists can draw when they study this period of history. Because Leonardo's purpose is to spend money. Although he spends and spends, he earns it back.

As a by-product, Leonardo's industries are blooming all over the world. The road construction did not bring Leonardo much economic benefits, but it got the goodwill of the high-level leaders of various countries and the good impression of the public. This makes it easier for his subsequent "regional distributors" to open new industries.

And with the passage of one railway after another, the logistics speed of Leonardo's caravan also suddenly accelerated, and various goods and shops began to spread at a faster speed. arrest. This makes Leonardo's VIP card a special "equivalent" and "proof of identity". Because there is personal information on the VIP card, and all high-status officials, nobles, and lords basically have long-term cooperation with Leonardo—not to mention, paying taxes is also a kind of cooperative investment, of course. In this way, anyone with a glorious card can basically be regarded as "the highest level of real power in the local area", while those with a gold card are "very high-ranking nobles or businessmen"... Then they are using the VIP card. At that time, it will appear very promising. Even if you don't need to use VIP cards, others will know what level they are probably when they see the color of their cards.

Therefore, "Holding a VIP card with a gold level or above means being an extremely high-ranking person" has formed a strong consensus among people with a little bit of culture in all parts of the world. Everyone knows what a VIP card means, and they know everyone else knows what it means. Then it actually becomes a class marker.

It's the same as Lorenzo's "Fishbone Pavilion", but there are some subtle differences.

The membership system used by Lorenzo is closer to the annual membership...while Leonardo's VIP card is closer to the Xinyue membership. This card allows them to return home as dignified as princes and aristocrats. They are protected by Leonardo's security personnel throughout the journey, and they take free transportation all the way: even the mayor and local lords passing by the city must The great improvement of the cards, which was almost like this, made them very nervous and uncomfortable at first, but then they became more natural one by one. The demeanor of the entire team and everyone else began to change, as if they were really traveling in a team of princes and nobles. reached their level. In fact, the benefits brought by the VIP card can't save much money throughout the year. But this kind of promotion of status can only be brought about by their official titles rising several levels. This gave them a strong sense of pleasure, and a "false pride" that did not belong to them. Arthur was one of the few people who noticed the meaning of Leonardo's hand.

He couldn't help but feel hairy and afraid of Leonardo's control over people's hearts. Because the "false status" obtained by the special envoys is actually not brought by themselves, but by their membership cards. They will naturally defend Leonardo subconsciously, just like their monarch.

Even if they knew in their hearts that this privilege would expire in a year or two, they couldn't stop their desire to use it more in the short term. Rather, it is precisely because the card will be invalidated that they will use it more frequently...and even form a kind of dependence. At this time, they will accept a fact unconsciously or even without realizing it. That is, this "noble status" is not granted by the king or the parliament. It was given by Leonardo. A mere pope... and a few days ago, he didn't even have the pope, he was just a minister of the Principality of Sardinia. However, he was able to carry out the ceremony of awarding honors to the countries within the radiation field of his business empire.

And people didn't feel that something was wrong? Doesn't this mean that Leonardo's "business empire" actually has entities? this fact. Startled Arthur.

"But even if I can see clearly. Arthur murmured, put away his brilliance card next to him, and sighed silently.

I can't help but use it even though it's clear. He has completed his debriefing. And going home.

nature. Also take the Leonardo Railway, which saves money. Unlike the special envoys of other countries, he was just a businessman after all, and he didn't need to go back to work immediately when the upper council was not convened. His time is free. Under the **** of several bodyguards, under the reserved and respectful eyes of other passengers waiting for seats, and the kind service of the conductor. Get off... Arthur calmly stepped off the train and set foot on his hometown—London, Whitechapel Station. The station master immediately greeted them and came to greet them in person. And has booked the highest level hotel for him. As early as a few hours ago, when he got on the train from another station, the station master over there contacted this end by phone.

People looked at this distinguished guest with surprise and awe, their voices couldn't help lowering their voices, and they unconsciously moved away from him and his bodyguards. Immersed in this high-quality service that no one could refuse, Arthur felt a gloating feeling about the envoys of other countries. I don't think you can refuse this kind of bribe. Arthur thought so.

Rather, for officials, this feeling of increased power should be even harder to refuse.

Well if your lord is wise... you're in big trouble. Arthur raised his chin and gave brief instructions to the first batch of bodyguards who had just come over to take over. These are the most senior security personnel in the Whitechapel area. Arthur himself lives here and even knows one of them; although the other party is surprised by Arthur's identity, he still upholds the high-quality attitude of the Leonardo brand and accepts the card. Those who didn't recognize anyone and pretended not to know Arthur saluted him respectfully. Before he knew it, the idea of ​​going home first to put down his luggage and see his wife and children was unconsciously distorted in Arthur's mind.

...Since I have booked a room for me, let's go to the hotel for one night. See what the highest-level suites really look like. Anyway, no money.