Chapter 17 An example of how a small country can outperform a large country in some ways

According to the standards of modern countries, if quantity can explain the importance of people more than quality, there is no need to introduce the small country of Denmark (with a population of about 3.5 million, 750,000 of whom live in the capital).However, Denmark is a good example of applying ingenuity and wisdom to real and beautiful life (that is, the golden mean—the highest level of wisdom of the ancient Greeks), and gradually creating a better situation from the ordinary. Huge tribute to her and those Scandinavian countries deserve it. Denmark's territory is only 16,000 square miles. It has no mineral deposits, no army, no navy, no mountains (600 feet above sea level, less than half the height of the Empire State Building), and no natural resources. However, she can go further with 12 ambitions, Countries with a larger area and more militaristic ambitions (I will mention these countries if necessary).Entirely relying on their own efforts, the Danes have eliminated illiteracy, and their per capita income ranks second in Europe.And, as other countries know, they have literally closed the gap between rich and poor and achieved common prosperity, which is unique in the world.

Looking at the map, Denmark is composed of a peninsula and many independent islands. The strait between the islands is very wide and open, and the train must be transported by ferry across the strait.The climatic conditions were harsh.Throughout the winter, a strong east wind sweeps across the endless Danish land, and there are gusts of cold rain. Danes have to stay in their houses most of the time.The environment has created the habit of the Danes to love reading, turning them into the most knowledgeable people, with more books per capita than residents of other countries. In this respect, the Danes are very similar to the Dutch.

The wind and rain also nourish the pastures of the Danes. The grasslands are lush and the cattle are fat. Danish butter can supply 30% of the world's needs.Given that the land in many countries of the world is occupied by local tyrants, large landowners roam around and can be seen everywhere, and the democratic (not political, but social and economic) Danes never encourage the development of large landowners. Today, there are 150,000 independent farmers in the Kingdom of Denmark, each of whom operates their own small ranches, ranging in size from 10 to 100 acres, but there are only 20,000 ranches in the country that exceed 100 acres.The dairy products processed and produced by the most modern scientific methods are shipped abroad every day. These scientific methods are taught by the local agricultural schools, and the agricultural schools are only the continuation of the compulsory education system in Denmark.And cheese, a by-product of butter processing, became pig feed, and cured and smoked pork was supplied to the British market.

The profits created by the butter and salt pork trade are far greater than the profits of grain production, so the Danes prefer to import grain.This saves money and is convenient.Poland and Lithuania are two big granaries, and Danzig is their traditional grain export port.From Copenhagen to Danzig, the steamer only needs two days.Some of the imported grain was used to feed poultry, so millions of eggs were exported each year to the British Isles, who somehow never produced anything better than kale. In order to ensure that the export of agricultural and sideline products is almost monopolized, the Danish government has adopted strict control measures for all export products.Thanks to the impeccable reputation it has built, the Danes' brand is considered a passport to absolute purity.

Like all Teutons, the Danes are also desperate gamblers.They have lost untold amounts of money in financial and stock speculation over the past few years.Although the banks are closed, the children, the herds of cows and pigs remain, and the Danes are back to work.Now, the bankruptcy rate in the surrounding countries is increasing sharply, and ham and eggs, which were originally simple meals, are gradually becoming luxuries beyond the reach of ordinary people. This has become their only worry. None of Denmark's overland cities mattered.Esbjerg is a port on the west coast of Jutland (this is the old name of the Danish peninsula, and the earliest inhabitants of Britain went from here). It is the export port of most agricultural products in Denmark and is also the oldest in Jutland. One of the Christian centers.400 years before the discovery of America, many people in this region were still worshiping their heroic pagan gods.

The Little Belt Strait stretches between Jutland and Funen (it is reported that there is now a plan to build a bridge across the sea).Funen Island is the first island in the Baltic Sea Islands, and the birthplace of Andersen --- Odense City (a place commemorating the god Odin) is in the center of the island (with cows, pigs and children).Andersen, the son of a poor and sick shoemaker, made the greatest and most generous contribution to mankind. From here we crossed the Great Belt Strait and entered the former center of the Kingdom of Denmark --- Sealand.The capital of this country, this beautiful Copenhagen, is located on the shore of an open bay, sheltering it from the stormy waves of the Baltic Sea is the small island of Amager, the vegetable basket of this capital.Copenhagen means "the merchant's seaport" in the Middle Ages.

Today's England, Norway and parts of Sweden are all included in the empire ruled by the Danes in the 9th and 10th centuries.Copenhagen was just a small fishing village at that time, and the royal residence was located in Roskilde, an inland city 15 miles from Copenhagen. It was from Roskilde that the Danes ruled over the Gentiles.Today, Roskilde is penniless, while still-expanding Copenhagen is a major city that now provides entertainment for 20 percent of the country's population. The Danish royal family is currently based in Copenhagen, and several guards in smart uniforms hold their guns in salute when the king is out swimming, fishing or buying cigarettes.Moreover, the country sees no more displays of military might.In the past years, the small country of Denmark has experienced the most painful and difficult wars. Even in 1804, it was still fighting Prussia for a long time. Finally, it voluntarily disbanded the navy and army.In order to maintain her neutral position and ensure that this tiny piece of land can survive the future war in Europe, a small police force replaced the original regular army.

Stay alone and be quiet, this is Denmark.The Danish royal family has always avoided appearing on the front pages of more sensitive newspapers. Danes rarely have three coats, but no one has no coats, and few people have cars. However, women, men, children, almost everyone, All own at least two bicycles.If you cross any road in Denmark before lunchtime, you will know this firsthand. Denmark is almost inactive in a world where ambition and hegemony are the glory; Denmark occupies a very important place in the world where lofty ideals are the glory.If the ultimate goal that all regimes should pursue is the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people, then what Denmark has done is enough to prove that she can live forever as an independent country.