Chapter 345 The Boy and the Ministry of Magic

The noisy street was full of cars and pedestrians. It was summer, and there were still many upright gentlemen in suits and ties on the street.

But most of them are hot girls wearing bold clothes, showing off the charm given to them by their youth.

It was very hot today. Zhang Xiao put on a T-shirt with the Great Wall printed on it, jeans and single shoes, and wandered aimlessly holding an ice cream cone.

Although I have lived in the UK for more than ten years, it seems that I have never visited London except for going to school and gathering places with Chinese people.

Zhang Xiao thought about it that he had lived in Jinling for more than ten years in his previous life, but he had never been to a tourist attraction. It was understandable that he had never visited London.

Feeling the ice cream melting in your mouth, the sweet cream sliding down your throat with a hint of coolness, it's so satisfying that you can't help but squint your eyes.

The window glass of the shop on the corner reflected the dazzling light. Zhang Xiao opened his fingers to cover his eyes and looked through the gap between his fingers.

A line of huge yellow fonts came into view: Ferrari.

There is also a huge sign next to it, a horse with its front hooves raised.

Ferrari?

Zhang Xiao was stunned. He suddenly felt a strong desire, and without much thought, he walked towards this unusually conspicuous shop.

Pushing open the glass door, a coolness that penetrates the heart and spleen rushes towards the face, and the raging heat wave is isolated.

The windows inside the huge store are bright and clear, and the sports cars are shining under the flashing lights. From time to time, passers-by cast their eager admiring glances through the windows.

Compared with the fastback fish-shaped cars of the previous generation, the 1990s has fully entered the era of wedge-shaped cars. In Zhang Xiao's eyes, these cars have already taken the prototype of modern cars.

Every car here can drive car enthusiasts crazy in its own era, right?

Zhang Xiao admired these top sports cars and wanted to choose one among them, but Naihe didn't know much about cars. If possible, he would definitely choose one of the most classic sports cars of later generations.

"May I help you, Sir?"

Zhang Xiao turned his head and saw a uniformed salesman looking at him with a smile.

This was just right. After thinking about it, I didn't directly state my request, but asked a question:

"Um - can I ask a question?"

"Of course sir."

The salesman still had a warm smile on his face. He leaned forward slightly and looked like he was listening carefully.

Zhang Xiao stretched out his hand and made a circle around the entire store:

"If you were to choose a Ferrari as your own car, with no price limit or any restrictions, which one would you choose?"

This well-dressed British man with a mustache was stunned for a moment when he heard this question, and then he actually started to think about it seriously.

After a while, he said seriously:

"Sir, if it were last year, I would have told you without hesitation that the answer is Ferrari F40!"

He turned around and looked to the other side with blurred eyes:

"But now, my answer is - Ferrari F50! Dynamic appearance, strong power, shocking acceleration"

He seemed to really own an F50 and murmured:

"Yes, it's perfect! It's the best sports car in the world, a formula on the road.

Of course it is not without its shortcomings. "

The salesman's expression suddenly became serious again:

"The disadvantage is that when you drive the F50 on the road, you have to endure all the drivers trying to catch up with you, just to prove that he has this ability!"

He smiled contemptuously: "But that's meaningless, because a 4.7-liter F1 engine is right behind your head, outputting up to 520 horsepower!

If you lower your foot by two centimeters on the accelerator, everyone will just look at your back and sigh.

Limited to 349 units worldwide, this is the F50 for those who love speed! "

So strong?

Zhang Xiao looked at the center of the entire store, where a red Ferrari was receiving everyone's attention, as if it was meant to be.

"Pa" stretched out his hand and snapped his fingers, and a bank card magically appeared between his fingers:

"You're right, that's it!"

Not long after, a red sports car with a loud engine sound rushed onto the road and drove away in front of everyone's envious eyes.

Zhang Xiao removed the roof and rolled down the windows manually. The sound and vibration of the car were very loud, louder than the Wuling, a sacred car that he had ridden on the highway in his previous life.

According to the salesperson, this is because the car's engine and body are integrated together, and the dual-clutch six-speed gearbox makes gear shifting very smooth.

The instrument panel has an LCD display, which was very technological at a time when mechanical instrument panels were very popular.

The most representative thing is that Ferrari uses full carbon fiber for the first time in the entire car!

In addition, the interior of the entire car is simple and does not look like a super luxury car with a price of up to 500,000 pounds. There is no central control and there are only two knobs on the armrest to control the air conditioning.

There are three switches on the left hand side, where later generations would normally adjust the rearview mirror, to control headlights, defogger, etc.

There is nothing else.

Zhang Xiao gently tapped the accelerator and immediately felt the violent power. The originally hot summer wind immediately turned into a refreshing cool breeze.

At this moment, he felt that his heart seemed to be flying with him. So this is what a ride is!

However, no matter how good the wind is, it will get boring after a long time.

After driving on the empty suburban highway for a while, Zhang Xiao patted the steering wheel and began to think about what to do next.

Soon, a brilliant idea came up.

Ministry of Magic, the first floor of the parliament hall

Ministry of Magic officials from five continents looked at the surrounding environment with a critical eye.

Unlike the magnificent parliament halls of the Ministry of Magic in various countries, the cold rocks have only been roughly polished, and the uneven walls have a primitive feeling.

Is this the most influential British Ministry of Magic in the wizarding world?

While muttering, they followed the nameplates to their respective circular stairs.

At this time, they found that there were no stools and could only stand. Many wizards shouted in their native language.

The British Ministry of Magic officials who had to preside over the meeting could only conjure up chairs for them to sit down according to their requirements.

Barty Crouch stood in front of the podium, looking coldly at the noisy scene off the field, but without any expression.

Soon another group of wizards came in, and they stood in their positions with ease. They were members of the Ministry of Magic who were qualified to be members of the Wizengamot.

The leader was the headmaster of Hogwarts, the chief of the Wizengamot, Albus Dumbledore.

Crouch nodded gently at Dumbledore, then pointed his wand at his throat and said loudly:

"Welcome, welcome to the respected officials of the Ministry of Magic from various countries, welcome to the UK.

We have reached a consensus on the topic of this World Cup a few days ago, so next, I have a more important topic to discuss with various countries."

Many officials from other countries who had heard the news in advance nodded, their expressions became eager, and they were eager to know what kind of proposal Barty Crouch would put forward.

Dumbledore sat among them, still as before, being a silent listener, and never took the initiative to question the decision of the Ministry of Magic.

The reason he came here today, in addition to this matter concerning Hogwarts, was also to hear how Barty Crouch would hold such a grand event.

Yes, it was a grand event. The magic ministries of various countries did not communicate frequently, and even less than the various associations in the private sector.

Barty Crouch dared to propose this motion, which was undoubtedly very bold and worthy of his reputation.

"Dear gentlemen, in addition to the Quidditch World Cup, we need a grand event, yes, a grand event to strengthen the ties between countries.

So I thought of the Goblet of Fire, an ancient project that was once a grand event."

"Excuse me, Minister Barty Crouch, I want to know, what is the necessity of holding such an event?"

An official stood up and interrupted him without hesitation. Barty Crouch knew him. This was an official from the Brazilian Ministry of Magic.

In their country, there is a college called Castrobusa with a history as old as Hogwarts.

The two schools often argue about who is the oldest magic school in the world. What's more bizarre is that the two schools hide themselves in exactly the same way - they look like ruins.

This strange coincidence has intensified the debate.

If anyone disdains the reputation of Hogwarts and the British Ministry of Magic, it is most likely Brazil and Castrobus.

As expected

Crouch's eyebrows twisted, and there was no angry expression on his square and old-fashioned face. Instead, he asked a question:

"Sir, can you cast the Shield Charm skillfully?"

The official of the Brazilian Ministry of Magic was stunned and answered reluctantly:

"No, but this is not the point. Will it be-"

Crouch interrupted him unceremoniously, just as he interrupted himself just now:

"Then how many graduates of Castrobus can use the Shield Charm skillfully?"

The official of the Brazilian Ministry of Magic shut up, and even felt a little wronged. He came to discuss the Brazilian wizards' trip to the World Cup venue, not to discuss the Goblet of Fire.

"Friends!"

Crouch's voice suddenly rose.

"Look, look at us, look at the wizarding world! Muggles are developing rapidly, and the Statute of Secrecy is in jeopardy (the people of the Magical Congress of the United States nodded in agreement).

The wizarding world is at risk of being exposed at any time, but what are we doing?

The students' magic level is declining, and the number of new spells compiled by the Standard Spells Committee is plummeting year by year.

Except for some commonly used household spells, many adult wizards don't know anything!

Friends, I don't want to provoke a war with Muggles, and I don't want to conflict with Muggles, but have you ever thought about what would happen if Muggles discovered us one day?

If a conflict breaks out, do we have the ability to protect ourselves?

Everyone, we will never take the initiative to provoke trouble, but we must have the strength to keep the other party restrained!"

There was a buzzing whisper in the hall, and officials from the Ministry of Magic of various countries were communicating in a low voice.

The British Ministry of Magic had reached a consensus long ago and was just waiting quietly.

Gradually, sporadic applause broke out, and soon the whispers were replaced by applause, which was like thunderous applause from all directions, deafening.

Everyone admitted that Barty Crouch had a point.

Although there is still a long way to go before the resolution is officially passed, it is just the beginning.

But it does not prevent everyone from cheering for Crouch's speech, because he expressed the inner anxiety of many wizards.

That is the sharp contrast between the rapid development of Muggles and the stagnant and lifeless wizarding world.

Especially the officials of the Magical Congress of the United States, their eyes were red, and they wanted to rush up to hug Crouch and kiss him.

Who understands!

After the Second World War, the so-called technology of the American No-Maj suddenly took off, and it was getting more and more fierce every year.

There are always some wizards who are not careful enough and will leave some supernatural traces, and these traces in turn stimulate the No-Maj to explore the truth with extraordinary enthusiasm.

Dealing with leaks every day is almost exhausting, okay? What is even more speechless is the group of students in Ilvermorny.

In addition to abolishing the Rappaport Law, can't we study with peace of mind?

Exhausted! Who can help us!

Mr. Barty Crouch is right!

Dumbledore listened silently. He had to admit that Crouch's ability was much higher than Cornelius Fudge's.

And he also agreed with Barty Crouch's ideas from the bottom of his heart. He would never agree with the war between Muggles and wizards.

It would be a mistake for anyone to destroy anyone. What if the wizarding world was really exposed irreparably?

Then both sides must exercise restraint. Only through sincere exchanges and communication can they avoid going to a full-scale war.

It seems that his "storybook plan" needs to be speeded up a little.

Crouch stretched out his hands, and the huge conference hall soon became quiet.

Unlike before, officials from various countries completely ignored the fact that they were still disliking the rough conference hall of the British Ministry of Magic.

Instead, they stared at Barty Crouch intently, wanting to see what interesting topics he could talk about.

Barty Crouch raised his fist and waved it vigorously in the air, his face flushed red, and he said loudly:

"Gentlemen, many people asked me why we must hold the Goblet of Fire worldwide instead of the Wizard Fighting Tournament or something like that.

I want to say that only children are our future. If all changes do not start from children, then no matter how beautiful the changes are, they will only become castles in the air.

Only by allowing the little wizards in the school to learn spontaneously and actively, and to desire to acquire new knowledge, can we truly change the atmosphere of the wizarding world and truly achieve our future!"

The conference hall was silent. After a while, thunderous applause was like a tide, continuous.

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