Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 24: Will you reap fruits if you plant seeds?
Lingge occasionally thought of the girl named Saint Xia Liya, and remembered that she once said to him: Apples are a sign of fate in the world.

He thought it was just nonsense from the Moriahs and didn't need to take it seriously, but he always felt her voice still echoing in his ears when he woke up at midnight, especially when he passed by Alice's room. Because this sudden guest did break into the fate of him and his sister in a reckless manner.

Later, he took a steam train and wandered through the intricate spider-web-like city alleys. Due to the expansion of the Ouroboros system, there were dug-up sections of road, collapsed tunnels, and accumulations of dust and gravel everywhere. He seemed to be looking for a way out in a gray-white maze, winding around and finally returning to the Town Hall Square.

The carnival at Mount Sedin had ended, and the Morians packed up their tents and set off on their next journey, leaving only a mess. He heard people discussing the grand occasion of the carnival: the parade of clowns and fire-breathing wizards, the falling of colored confetti, and the joyful trumpet sounds that tooted through the smog spewed by factory chimneys... But all of this had nothing to do with a beautiful girl with long blue hair and golden eyes, as if she had never appeared since she left.

On the first day after the carnival, Ling Geshang regretted that he was busy preparing for the seven-day ceremony and was unable to take his sister to experience the festive atmosphere; on the second day, he still remembered that the mysterious girl had tried to discuss the true meaning of fate with him, but was rejected and gradually forgot about it; by the third day, his world had completely returned to its original state, like a train back on its track.

It was on this day that he received a message from St. Lowood's National School.

***
The afternoon sun shines on the marble corridor, and the fragrance of violets is transparent. Standing outside the window, you can see rows of small heads, carefully learning simple arithmetic knowledge under the guidance of the teacher. Occasionally, one or two pairs of mischievous eyes cast a curious gaze outside the corridor, but they are quickly scolded by the teacher and quickly shrink their heads, not daring to be distracted.

"They are all very energetic children." Langning noticed these secretive glances, but he didn't care. Instead, a smile appeared on his serious face: "The future mathematicians, astronomers, physicists and even engineers of our world are all thriving here."

Ling asked, "You seem very confident about their future?"

Lang Ning smiled and said, "In fact, I am full of confidence in everyone's future."

This was the fact, but Linger did not question it out loud. He felt that he only needed to remain silent. It was one thing to know something, but it was another to speak it out. He was no longer one of those high-spirited young people in the university clubs who were eager to express their own opinions or theories and gain recognition from others.

Therefore, many families usually only let their children complete the most basic five-year primary school curriculum and acquire the most basic reading and writing skills, while the three-year secondary school curriculum, which is also included in compulsory education, is rarely used, not to mention the four-year university curriculum.

I can't believe that our tribune is actually an idealist with such unrealistic ideas.

Since the 1950s, roughly the same period when the "Religious Decree" was issued, religious groups have jointly vigorously promoted educational reform. The "Compulsory Education Law" and the "Higher Education Law" have enabled every civilian to obtain the qualifications to enter the palace of knowledge and achieve class leap.

It is undoubtedly a foolish dream to want to complete the class leap with this little knowledge. The children of coachmen, coolies and dock workers may become a small employee one day and earn a weekly salary that is enough to make ends meet, but they will never become the mathematicians, astronomers, physicists and engineers mentioned by Browning.

But that is only an ideal situation. The reality is that ordinary families simply cannot afford to support a child to complete eight years of compulsory education and four years of higher education. Although education subsidies make tuition fees no longer the biggest burden, there are too many uncertainties in the long learning process. Any slight risk may destroy the already fragile family and put it into an irreversible situation.

The future of all people? Did he mean the future of all mankind?

But his silence did not mean that Lang Ning did not know what he was thinking. The two of them walked through the marble corridor, and the echo of their heels hitting the floor was gradually drowned out by the childish voices of the children reading. Mr. Tribune gradually slowed down his pace until he walked side by side with Lingge. He spoke in a low voice: "Do you think I am saying something unrealistic, Mr. Lingge?"

Ling replied: "Great."

Lang Ning laughed and said, "Another meaning of greatness is impractical. I think you will agree with this, Mr. Ling. But this is the meaning of your presence here: you have to plant a seed in the hearts of these children."

Lingge couldn't help but wonder: "Planting seeds?" "Yes." Lang Ning pointed to a classroom the two passed by, where the history of the "Restoration War" was being told - when the old capital of Lenksting fell and the kingdom was in name only, how the national salvation alliance army composed of common people and the urban class stepped onto the stage of history, turned the tide in the storm, defeated the enemy, and restored the old capital in a magnificent epic.

The people of Linwell should be very familiar with this period of history, because the Tanteville Plain, three kilometers away from the suburban green space, was the most important turning point in the Restoration War. It can even be said that if there had not been the shocking change that occurred on the Tanteville Plain, there would not be the Great Brittany Kingdom today.

"Our city has always been new and has a strong will. It has stood at the forefront of history and has seen the direction of the future. Therefore, as citizens, we should also inherit its glory and realize that our mission is not to pursue worldly power or wealth, but to find the future we need in the entire history of mankind. If such a future does not exist, then we should create it with our own hands."

Ronning looked deep: "Unfortunately, many people have forgotten their mission, so we need to reawaken it. A great man once said that history is a key that opens two doors, the past and the future. When we stand at the door of the past, we see the truth about the world; and when we stand at the door of the future, we see the revelation of destiny. Anyone is qualified to use the key to open the door, and children are especially so, because they know nothing about the past and the future. Those who know nothing are more likely to learn experience and lessons from history."

He stopped, and Linger also stopped. He saw his silence in those dark eyes: "Children do not know that they hold the key in their hands, so they often struggle or sink in the world. Only when the seeds are planted for them at a certain moment, so that they can see their own appearance in the long river of history, can they welcome the day when they take root and sprout, until they bloom and bear fruit. We all harvest the fruit, which is called 'hope', or a brand new 'era'."

Lingge will be the one who plants the seeds and tells these children whether there is some truth or revelation hidden in history that is enough to change a person's destiny and create a new era...even though he himself has never thought about it that way, he just feels that he has got a new job.

"Is this also a sign from God, Mr. Browning?"

he asked.

"No." Lang Ning shook his head: "This is the original truth of the world."

It has nothing to do with gods or beliefs.

Ling'er's eyes flickered, and he immediately changed the subject: "Although history is a subject that is valued, and I should be proud of it, but I have never heard of this philosophical saying. Can you tell me the name of that great man?"

When Lang Ning heard this question, his smile suddenly became a little mysterious: "One day, you will know, Mr. Ling. As for now, we should hurry up. I believe Mrs. Scarlett can't wait any longer."

Mrs. Scarlett is the headmistress of St. Lowood National School. As a woman, she manages all school affairs, thanks to the positive contributions made by the church union in equal education for men and women.

Lingge looked at Lang Ning deeply, said nothing more, and just nodded silently.

The two continued forward, passing through the corridor filled with sunshine and fragrance of flowers, gradually leaving the children's reading voices behind. When they turned the next corner, Ling Ge suddenly looked back, but he no longer heard those familiar words, as if the history of the "Restoration War" had just come to an end.

No matter how many twists and turns there are in the process, the ending is always good, otherwise there would be no Great Brittany Kingdom today. Unfortunately, one thing that children will not learn from books is that the Plain of Tanteville, which is the most important turning point in the War of Restoration, has another name, namely "Weeping Plain".

Why is Linville called "Heartbreak City"?
Because this city is always crying, and there are always people making it cry.

(End of this chapter)