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- Voltaire said: Luxury is superfluous, but necessary.
Montesquieu said: If the rich do not squander, the poor will starve to death.
Koye said: Luxury is like fire, it may be beneficial or harmful; it destroys the homes of the rich, but maintains our factories; it devours the inheritance of the squanderers, but keeps the workers fed; it destroys the property of the few , but it makes most people have enough food and clothing; if luxury is prohibited, not only will the rich have nothing to do, but more people will face hunger.
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Although the national economic data for the fourth quarter of the past year will not be compiled until after the Spring Festival, senior officials have eagerly estimated a very optimistic GDP figure, which should not be less than 240 million US dollars. Among them, the output value of the tertiary industry will exceed half for the first time.
If calculated based on a population of one million, Huamei's per capita GDP in 1645 reached 240 US dollars, which was even slightly less than the previous year. The main reason for this was the mathematical calculation problems caused by the increase in population base.
If you want to use a historical snapshot to compare the current domestic consumption situation in China and the United States, the closest comparison is probably the French society in the late 17th century: a people's livelihood economic production dominated by the luxury and high consumption of high-income people.
Among the approximately 200,000 national families in China and the United States, approximately 20,000 families belong to the middle-income class, with average annual household expenditures exceeding US$500; approximately 10,000 families belong to the high-income class, with average annual household expenditures exceeding US$2,000; and approximately 1,000 families Families belong to the top income bracket, with average annual household expenses exceeding US$15,000.
¡° These middle- and high-income groups, which account for about 16% of the total number of households in the country, have a combined annual household expenditure of more than 45 million U.S. dollars, contributing tens of millions of personal income taxes and consumption taxes, and are the absolute main force in domestic demand in China and the United States.
It can be said that the consumption behavior of the middle- and high-income wealthy classes in China and the United States is an important part of the entire Chinese and American economy and trade. It is also the livelihood pillar of a large number of farmers, handicraftsmen, and low-level businessmen in Europe or Asia.
Because industrialization cannot cover all social production, especially many handicraft industries that pay attention to cultural heritage. In this regard, Huamei is naturally "laggard" in the traditional handicraft industries of the world, including France.
The turbulence in overseas markets continues, and there are even signs of deepening. However, under the guidance of policies that make every effort to expand domestic demand and expand basic investment, the Chinese and American cabinet once again managed to hold on for the past year. We have handed over an answer sheet that is still very impressive on the surface, and we will continue to increase our efforts in the new year.
The second phase of the Baima River Canal project is about to begin. It is planned to be built directly to Xuecheng City, the capital of Yunzhou, kicking off the grand march into the hinterland of North America.
Construction of several state-level strategic backbone highways has started one after another, and the design indicators can accommodate heavy-duty steam transport trailers. Ending the current situation where most transportation between several local administrative states can only rely on waterways will also greatly stimulate land transportation and logistics.
Binzhou Yacheng City, which has always held the title of future capital, has begun construction of a new urban area. Several large construction companies will rush in after the Spring Festival. The goal is to enable Yacheng City to accommodate a population of at least 100,000 people in the next ten years.
The capital of Jiangzhou has been moved from Jiangcheng City to Zhoukemin City. Vigorous logging and wetland drainage activities are underway in the suburban wildlands on both sides of the James River. Indians are forcibly moved to inland reservations, and the dense virgin forests will be turned into overwhelming wood, charcoal and wood tar, which are then sold to various domestic factories at low prices; the local land has long been reserved and will soon be developed into Vast farms grow cotton, the white gold in increasing demand.
The urban underground water supply and drainage projects and old neighborhoods in Manchester City, Qingcheng City, Union City, Porter City, and Jiangcheng City are about to undergo comprehensive renovation. Local governments in several wealthy large cities were allowed to use bank loans for further urban construction.
The planned "National Southern Railway" has been advanced by three fiscal years. The section from Huatian Town in Binzhou to Jiangling City has begun bidding for preliminary projects, and the section from Jiangling City to Zhou Kemin City, the capital of Jiangzhou, has also entered the route survey stage.
The proposed colonization plan for Fangzhou (south of Jiangzhou and north of the Florida Peninsula) has officially begun. Several survey teams from the Ministry of Land and Resources have already gone to the nominal southern territory to select a site for the first Fangzhou city.
The Immigration Department announced that it will introduce 100,000 foreign workers in the next three years to fill this bustling North American construction site. The cabinet will break the traditional introduction management model of immigration and labor in the past, grant licenses to Guoxing Group and Donglian Group, set up a "labor service center" in Europe and the Far East respectively, open up private capital operations, and provide services to large-scale domestic employment enterprises. Recruiting foreign workers.
Lots and lots of them. Everything is packaged into a paradise full of passion and strong economy, giving people a feeling of being disconnected from the outside world.??, the country will continue to be prosperous for at least half a century.
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Manchester City, the third day of the first lunar month.
Today is an unexpectedly sunny day. The warm winter sun shines on the streets of Manchester, and the temperature miraculously rises to above 10 degrees.
There has been no snow for several days in a row. Except for the debris of fireworks and firecrackers all over the ground, the spacious streets and alleys are no longer polluted by the dirty snow slag trampled on, and there is no splash of slush from horse-drawn carriages.
In the West End of Long Island, Manchester City, more people went out to play and hang out today than usual. The employees of the municipal service company responsible for urban sanitation are working very enthusiastically with the extra bonuses they received during the Spring Festival holiday.
As one of the earliest developed core urban areas in Manchester City, Changdao West District has developed from an initial industrial area and agricultural area into a prosperous commercial area and residential area.
The factories that once emitted soot and noise were relocated to the outer island industrial areas and even further to Robert City ten years ago. The woodlands, wilderness and wetlands left over from the pioneering history have become original ecological parks or green squares. .
Unlike Manchester City¡¯s South End, which pays too much attention to grandeur, elegance and solemnity, the most appropriate adjectives for Long Island¡¯s West End should be ¡°bright¡± and ¡°exquisite¡±.
There are not many elegant and luxurious large-scale buildings with more than seven floors here, but there are a large number of exquisite small high-rise buildings that combine east and west or are full of modern style.
There are no lakeside mansions or forest estates like those in the North District of Manchester that cost hundreds of dollars per square meter. Instead, there are large residential communities that are neat and elegant, fresh and stylish, close to the forest and water, and there are also elegant high-end homes.
As the current temporary capital of the country, the Manchester City Government has invested a lot in urban construction, and the detailed renovation of each block has never stopped. As more and more middle-income families move here, the West End of Long Island becomes increasingly affluent. Many high-end commercial projects that were once only available in the South End of Manchester have also settled in the West End of Long Island, making citizens accustomed to it. stand up.
The warm sunshine has made the young unmarried girls in the West District of Changdao, Manchester City a little bolder, and their beautiful and cold spring outfits have appeared on the streets in advance. All kinds of colorful dresses are particularly dazzling under the bright sunshine. It also attracted the eyes of young men to follow closely and linger.
The flow of people traveling through the streets, people on both sides of the commercial street goes to people, and their leisure and laughter rises again. The city and people seem to be integrated into the flow.
but. If you look carefully, you will still find subtle differences in the seemingly unified urban streetscape.
The decoration of commercial stores, large and small, looks so exquisite and bright at first glance, but they are vaguely divided into two different consumption places.
On both sides of the commercial street, there are several companies that occupy a large area. However, the decoration is surprisingly simple; although the door is wide open and the windows are bright and clean, it is difficult to see the name of the store. There is only a special nameplate inlaid in an inconspicuous corner.
These are high-end stores with various specialty store names. Their business scope covers food, clothing, housing and transportation, almost everything. Every product or service inside is branded as a high-end brand.
In food brand stores, various meats, fruits and vegetables, seasonings, and wines are packaged extremely beautifully. They maintain strict freshness and are at least twice as expensive as similar products in farmers¡¯ supermarkets. Even in winter, customers can easily buy vegetables of various seasons.
In a textile brand store. The price tag of a small handkerchief may be enough for the man of an ordinary family to buy a good linen shirt, not to mention that a spring long-sleeved short lace dress can cost all members of an ordinary family from head to toe. spend.
There is always a shortage of bright and dazzling off-season flowers in flower shops. No one knows how much money it will cost to cultivate these flowers that can only last for one night in the greenhouse in the cold winter. Only those who are almost ordinary families can buy them. The price of a sumptuous dinner is prohibitive for most people.
In all similar specialty stores, the bosses and clerks don¡¯t care about the pedestrians who rush past the store most of the time. There are no advertising signs or shouting and selling.
They all have a fixed and special group of consumers. Those people riding carriages and dressed as servants will always walk into the store at a fixed time every day and pick up the goods directly. Or after simply listening to the product introduction. A young woman who can buy a whole row of silk scarves of various colors on the shelves.
Surrounding these top specialty stores are some high-end shops, which are luxuriously or exquisitely decorated and attract groups of men and women wearing high-end clothing. Although the prices of the goods in the store are a little more expensive than bulk goods in ordinary shopping malls,The number of customers is obviously more than those of top specialty stores.
And there are more on the commercial street. It is an ordinary store with discount advertisements on the door, walls and windows. The shelves are either cheap, high-quality and low-priced, or various products that have been cleared out of season. They are often overcrowded during festivals, and the voices of people checking out and exchanging goods are very lively.
Among the bustling commercial streets, there are actually distinct consumption sectors. In fact, it¡¯s a flow of people going their own way.
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In front of a large, modern clothing store, an exquisite carriage slowly stopped. With the help of a maid, an unmarried girl in her early twenties appeared outside the store with very bold makeup.
A purple long-sleeved winter dress with luxurious black lace embroidered on the cuffs and hem, but the hem only reaches the knees. A pair of beautiful long legs are wrapped in a layer of black elastic plush tights that seem to have no thickness.
On a rare warm sunny day in winter, she stubbornly leaned on a small lace fabric umbrella on her shoulder to block the direct sunlight; the girl's beautiful face appeared and disappeared under the vague protection of the edge of the umbrella. Not covered by a silk scarf hanging from the top hat.
At this time, another luxury carriage stopped on the street, and another girl of the same age stepped out, but she was dressed in a different way.
The elegant and decent dark-carved long dress can make even the most staid old man unable to criticize her; a large silk flower is tied behind her long shawl hair, and there is a subtle smile on her delicate face of mixed Chinese and European descent.
"Dear Miss Qi, Happy New Year! I've been waiting for you for a whole minute!"
Seeing that her best friend arrived on time, Alice covered her face with a small umbrella to prevent passers-by from seeing her true face.
"I thought you would stay in Union City for the holidays this year, but I didn't expect you to go on vacation. Don't you plan to stay in Manchester City for a few more days? However, the title song of the last album was so explicit, I can't believe it's you sing!"
"Hehe, so. If I still use my previous image here, I won't dare to go out. Hehe, no one can recognize me now!"
Alice smiled and took Qi Zuping's arm, and the two walked into the clothing store side by side, while the maids from the two families quietly stood by the carriage.
Qi Zuping recovered from the shock of love. Now he is a teaching assistant at the elementary school affiliated with the Capital National Middle School, and he is also a civil servant in the Municipal Bureau of Culture and Education. But in the past year, Qi Zuping has been working hard to apply to teach in an overseas primary school on Pearl Island in the Far East, but her family has been opposed to it, so she has not been able to go.
Qi Jianjun and his wife were wary of their daughter's desire to go to the Far East. They always felt that the other party was still thinking about their brother Lu Yuzhou who was far away in the Eastern Brigade.
Alice, who studied under the gorgeous singer Jenny, is two years younger than Qi Zuping. She graduated from the Ivy League last year and became a full-time artist. Alice met Qi Zuping, the daughter of Senate President Qi Jianjun, at a school reunion because Qi Zuping liked her songs very much. So the two quickly got together, became best friends, and often exchanged letters.
Alice and her father Scott were on a holiday trip during the Spring Festival this year. They passed by Manchester City and were preparing to go to the warmer Bermuda for overseas vacation, so they contacted Qi Zuping to go shopping together.
When they stepped into the store, the two welcoming waitresses bowed slightly to salute, neither humble nor overbearing, and took the flower umbrella from Alice's hand.
Under the guidance of the salesperson, Alice tried on a high-end fur shawl imported from the Netherlands and seemed very satisfied with it. However, the three-digit price tag made the only daughter of an army major general a little reluctant to part with it.
"You made several thousand dollars from last year's album, right? Or is it that your father doesn't like how you dress up?"
This is the first time Qi Zuping has seen her best friend care so much about the price of a piece of clothing. Can't help but be a little curious.
"No, I just" She reluctantly returned the shawl to the salesperson. Alice pulled her best friend to the clothes rack and lowered her voice. "Miss Qi, I plan to start a charity foundation, and I hope you can help me."
"Charitable foundation? What's the name?" Qi Zuping was a little surprised.
"I visited the orphanage in Manchester last time, and I felt very sad." Alice sighed, as if the Oriental immigrant orphans who lost their parents during the journey appeared in front of her eyes again, "I want to say. They should be unfortunate. It's a blessing. But we know there are many more poor children suffering around the world, and I want to do my part to help them."
"Orphan Charity Foundation? Specifically for those children who lost their families in the war?"
Qi Zuping probably understood, but she also felt that the other party¡¯s idea was a bit unrealistic. Separated by thousands of sea miles,Even if you have money, you can't do anything, right?
"My father supports me very much, so I plan to donate my income from last year's album to set up a special transnational charity foundation! Not only the orphans in the Manchester City orphanage, but also the poor families and children in Europe and the Far East! Miss Qi , you work in the Manchester City Cultural and Education Bureau, you should be able to help me promote it in various schools, right?"
Alice held Qi Zuping¡¯s hand very seriously, as if she had already made up her mind to do something big that she had never tried before.
"Maybe I can ask through my dador, count me in."
Qi Zuping thought about it and gave up the idea of ??buying clothes today, and decided to start this charity foundation with Alice. Maybe after the foundation is officially put into operation, she will still have the opportunity to go out.
¡°That¡¯s great, I plan to promote it at the concert in two months¡¯ time! There will definitely be more people supporting us!¡±
The two hit it off immediately and immediately planned to go back and tell their parents. As for leaving the store empty-handed without buying anything this time, they didn¡¯t feel anything wrong at all.
As soon as the two of them walked out of the clothes rack area, they saw a well-dressed middle-aged Chinese man standing in front of them.
"Dear Miss Alice and Miss Qi, I am the manager of the store. I accidentally overheard your conversation just now. I am willing to donate five hundred dollars to Miss Alice's charity foundation."
The store manager smiled even more enthusiastically, as if he was particularly concerned about this kind of social charity, but the next sentence revealed his true intention: "I can also promote it for Miss Alice and Miss Qi at the peer meeting. I hope Miss Alice We would be grateful if you could make a small nomination for our store in future events of the charity foundation.¡±
Huh? that's it? This is a good idea, it¡¯s simpler than any advertising endorsement!
After Alice and Qi Zuping looked at each other for a few seconds, their eyes lit up almost at the same time.
A small episode ended with Alice and Qi Zuping boarding the carriage, which seemed insignificant on the third day of the first lunar month of this lively New Year.
At this moment, the Fountain Square on the commercial street recalled a beautiful melody and began to play the new song "Yuan", which is known as Alice's biggest change in style since her debut and the most daring one since her debut. It is also the most popular among young people in Manchester.
This is to support his wife¡¯s potential disciple, Cheng Daxiong, who has not ¡°written songs¡± himself for a long time, and once again dedicates his music to the people of China and the United States.
"Meeting You is My Destiny", which was sung in the streets and alleys of later generations, was originally hidden by Cheng Daxiong and was intended to be given to Li Muchin, the youngest daughter of his latest female disciple and good friend Li Xiang. However, under the persuasion of his wife Jenny, Cheng Daxiong temporarily changed his mind and gave this song to Alice as a college graduation gift. It is also the title song of Alice's latest album.
The lyrics have not changed a word, they are simple and explicit from beginning to end, gentle and passionate. The snowdrop in the lyrics is not the alpine flower of later generations, but refers to the American yellow lotus native to the North American continent, which is now a gorgeous national flower. This kind of lotus is widely distributed in the wilderness wetlands and swamps of Binzhou and Jiangzhou, and its rhizome lotus root has always been a food source for the native Indians.
The melodious melody was filled with passionate and sweet love, which aroused the emotions of the young people around the square. The flow of people in the commercial street did not calm down because of the disappearance of the two carriages from wealthy families. Instead, it became more and more crowded.
"The love songs under the mountains are like this winding river, and my heart swims in the river. The lovesickness under the blue sky is like this winding road, and my dreams are all packed in my luggage."
"All waiting is no longer waiting, I have chosen you in my life. Meeting you is my destiny, watching you is my song. My dear, dear, dear, I love you, just like the snow lotus in the mountains." ( To be continued.) - Didn't finish reading? Add this book to your favoritesI'm a member and bookmarked this chapterCopy the address of this book and recommend it to your friends for pointsChapter error? Click here to report
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