"Your Excellency, the national land survey has caused a lot of uneasiness, can you let the imperial court slow down again."

"I don't think there's anything wrong with the national land survey."

"This ...... Yes, but too many people are very uneasy. In many parts of the western region, there are people who have shouted that they want to rebel. ”

"What the hell are you worried about?"

"Your Excellency, the imperial court has completed all the land measurements, and the imperial court is afraid that it will no longer need the Senate and the House of the People. In the past, it was the power of the imperial court that led to the demise of the Senate and the House of the People. ”

These words shocked the heart of the chairman of the Constitutional Council, Maximi, and he stopped speaking for the time being, and his thoughts were surging. The Roman republic was based on citizens, and the imperial court was based on taxes. His Excellency Tiberius closely combined taxation with citizenship. Citizens have the right to vote and to stand for election, and at the same time, they are also obliged to pay taxes. In the original idea of the republicans, in order to have the right to vote and to be elected, the people should have a great enthusiasm for citizenship. The reality has allowed republicans to see history repeat itself, and between citizenship and being forced to pay taxes, many people choose to give up citizenship in order not to pay taxes.

Seeing that Maximi was a little shaken, the vice-chairman of the committee continued to advise: "Your Excellency, in the last years of the republic, the people just can't stand the heavy tax choice. The dictatorship of the latter triumph is the choice of the people, who would rather give up their precious power in exchange for comfort. I have no objection to land surveying, and I am afraid that completing it so quickly will allow the imperial power to dominate again. ”

Returning home in the evening, Maximi finished his meal and continued to think about the choice. He wanted to learn from history and find a bright path from it, but historical experience was always so pessimistic. This made Maximi even more depressed. Thinking about it, Maximi went and knocked on his daughter's door. Sheila looked tired, and the father and daughter sat in the empty living room and began to talk. After listening to her father's suspicions, Sheila did not show embarrassment, she asked her father, "No matter what the system is, is it wrong to complete the national land survey?" ”

Maximi also thinks that the land measurement is correct, but the right thing may not bring good results, so he tells his daughter about his difficulties. Looking at his daughter's sleepy expression, Maximi was disappointed and a little ashamed. As a father, I have to ask my daughter for advice, and I really can't make people feel happy.

Sheila yawned loudly, and then said, "Father, you might as well go and meet Senior Li in the office." He specializes in politics and probably has his opinion. ”

Maximi did his best to understand the institutions of the Great Song Dynasty, which inherited China's historic imperial system. As early as the heyday of the Roman Republic, China was also extremely powerful. Although there were ups and downs after that, the monarchy has always been maintained. By the time of the Great Song Emperor Zhao Jiaren, China had become extremely powerful at an astonishing rate, not only defeating its old rival Mongols, but also expanding its power as far as Europa.

Proponents of the Eastern Roman monarchy cited the example of the Great Song Dynasty to prove that the imperial system was superior to the republican system, and Maximi did not really want to visit the political officials of the Great Song Dynasty.

Sheila yawned again, "Father, I don't think what you're talking about are two things, not one thing. But let me be reasonable, I can't tell. Senior Li is very talented in analyzing such things, according to what he said, this is called logic or something. Tomorrow, I'll get you in touch. …… Belch...... I went to sleep. ”

The next day, Sheila sent someone to contact Li Tiantian in the morning, and Li naturally replied quickly and was willing to talk to Sheila's father. Sheila made an appointment with her father at noon that day, and Lee naturally came at dinnertime. Sheila's mother's craftsmanship made Li naturally praise it, and after eating, the three of them went to the study. Maximi still couldn't find the answer, so he could only express the doubts in his heart.

Li naturally listened carefully, and made sure that Maximi had doubts before he said: "Your Excellency's idea is right, according to the history of Rome, there will indeed be a situation in which a strong monarch will dominate, and the situation of the Senate and the House of the People will be weakened. ”

Maximi was a little surprised, he thought that Lee would naturally object. Unexpectedly, Maximi felt uncomfortable, he wanted to ask Li Tiantian to help him point out the direction, instead of listening to Li Tiantian's approval. So Maximi asked tentatively: "Your Excellency, if such a thing must happen, won't the republic become a paving the way for the monarchy?" ”

"These are two different things." Li replied naturally.

Sheila's eyes lit up, she had thought that her father was talking about two different things, but she couldn't say why they were two different things. Lee's natural statement was the same as Sheila's, and Sheila pulled herself together and listened earnestly.

"Your Excellency Li, how do you talk about this?" Maximi also came to the spirit.

"Historically, the republic was replaced by the monarchy because the republic could not solve the problem. Since the Gracchus brothers, has the republic ever tried to save itself? I think there is. It was the senators of the Senate who killed the Gracchus brothers, and both Marius and Sulla wanted to preserve the republic, because their own families had been brutally purged, and Caesar did not want to bloody the Senate. According to the Chinese words, it was the senators of the Senate who were unable to bear the burden of the republic, so those who could bear it stood up. His Excellency Maximi, the emperor who abolished the republic wore the crown on his head amid the earth-shattering cheers of the people, who cheered neither the emperor nor the senator, but the one who could help the people solve their problems. Seeing that the person who has the ability to solve problems is in power, and the people who see hope for the future are really cheering from the heart. The republic was eliminated by the monarchy not because of morality, but because of the incompetence of those elected by the republic. Incompetence is original sin. ”

After Li Tiantian's words were finished, the room fell into silence. Sheila hung her head, her lips tensing unconsciously. More than once, Sheila cursed in her heart those useless men. If those men were useful, Sheila wouldn't have to work so hard. What Lee is naturally talking about is Sheila's experience, a group of useless, courageous and moral men shirk the responsibility, so that Sheila has to shoulder the responsibility. So Sheila got to where she is today. Without the republican system promoted by His Excellency Tiberius, Sheila would not be where she is today......

At this time, Li naturally took a breath and continued: "Your Excellency, the current Senate can have an impact because an elder like Sheila has stood up to do things for Eastern Rome and really solved a lot of problems. The reason why the republic was rebuilt was because the previous Eastern Roman court was unable to solve the problem, so everyone had to try the road of republicanism. If you want the republic to survive, you can't rely on the decay of the empire itself, but on the vitality of the republic itself. You see, those plants, no matter what kind of harsh environment they grow in, even if they have big stones on their heads, they can still drill out of the cracks and continue to take root, sprout, blossom and bear fruit. This is the life force. Vitality is to constantly struggle against difficulties, and then expand a broader space. That's what Patriarch Sheila did, and I can responsibly say that without Patriarch Sheila, the Senate would probably be closing. ”

Maximi also casually tightened his lips. He was not offended by the words of Li Nature, who said exactly the same direction that His Excellency Tiberius had in mind when he planned the republic. The difference between the two is that Lee coldly believes that the reason for the victory of the republic is only 'strong enough', while His Excellency Tiberius is more inclined to promote the moral height of the republic.

Aside from this huge divide, everything else is similar. His Excellency Tiberius believed that a republic could elect very good senators, who would lead the republic to revival, and thus the revival of the entire Eastern Rome. Based on this philosophy, Tiberius even admitted to Maximi that he was very wrong about Sheila. It is very difficult for a scholar like Tiberius to admit that he is wrong so frankly, and in many cases the most unforgiving and clear reality may not make them admit that he is wrong. Tiberius's admission was because Sheila proved that she was the patriarch Tiberius expected, and Tiberius admitted that he was wrong for the sake of a republic.

Thinking of this, Maximi felt uneasy and unbearable in his heart. Lee's words were similar to Tiberius's expectations, and they both believed that a republic needed to work on its own. Maximi was loyal to the idea of a republic, and he wanted to do his best to serve the good republicans. When the potential leader was his daughter, Maximi couldn't bear it and was uneasy.

How other people's children go through the ordeal, Maximi will not really feel distressed. He will even redress the ordeal endured by the heroes of the Song Dynasty, and when the heroes have finally won the final victory, he will cheer for them. But his beloved daughter, let alone endure such an ordeal, even the loss of a hair will make Maximi feel distressed. Consecrating his daughter to the altar of a republic was unacceptable to Maximi just thinking about it.

"Let's stop here for today." Maximi said with some difficulty. After finishing speaking, he was afraid that Li would naturally misunderstand, so he hurriedly followed and said: "I will definitely visit Your Excellency Li in the next two days, please don't refuse to see me." ”

Li naturally looked at Maximi's expression, and then at the restrained power of Sheila. Other people's children are not distressed, and the stronger the collaborators, the greater the benefits of Da Song. The province of Europa has already held a special meeting to discuss future collaborators, and Sheila and Hao Kang are both on the list, and the discussion of the two in the upper echelons of the province is very frank. As long as the collaborators on the list can implement policies that are beneficial to the Great Song, the Great Song does not care that they climb to an extremely high position. For example, Hao Kang became the real Great Khan of Mongolia, and Sheila became the female emperor of Eastern Rome. None of this is a problem. It is not distressing that someone else's child is dead.

Standing up, Li naturally stretched out his hand to Maximi, and Maximi quickly stood up and shook hands with Li Nature. Li naturally said cheerfully: "Your Excellency, I welcome you to the office as a guest. ”

sent Li Tiantian away and let her daughter rest. Maximime sat in his study without saying a word, his thoughts fluttering like palm prints.

Sheila didn't think much about it, she's been very busy these days. Because of the matter of citizenship, the House of the People is lively, and the Senate is equally lively. The military does not refuse citizenship, and they even welcome citizenship for themselves and their families. With citizenship comes the right to be elected, and although military personnel cannot run for election, military families can. Even if the families are afraid to run, at least they have the right to vote. Having the right to vote meant that they could send people with certain political views to the Senate, the Lok Sabha and the City Council. They can also elect tribunes that they agree with. These positions all represent the interests of the electorate.

The aristocrats knew this, so they were extremely nervous. If they want to be elected, they have to rely on the people in the territory, and the tenant farmers are not enough, but the problem is that the yeoman farmers have no interest in obtaining citizenship. At least after learning that citizens had to pay taxes and report the area of land, the yeoman farmers lost interest. Pay taxes to the lords, and the yeoman farmers can still find a way to resist. If the Eastern Roman court joined the ranks of tax collection, everyone would not be able to accept it. As for citizenship or anything, they didn't think about it at all, his father and grandfather didn't have citizenship, didn't they survive. Listening to the old man talk about the past, Grandpa's father and grandfather didn't have any citizenship, and Grandpa's grandfather's grandfather didn't hear of any citizenship. Without this thing, everyone would still live like this, and the sun would still rise in the east and set in the west. And paying more taxes means that their lives will be difficult immediately. Comparing the two sides, everyone knows exactly what to choose.

Listening to the useless men's high-minded talk or whispering, Sheila felt very bored, but she still had to pay attention. In her free time, Sheila remembered Li Tiantian's previous advice that Sheila must continue to be re-elected as a senior in the eastern Ankara region. At that time, although Sheila decided to obey Li Tiantian's advice, she just felt that Li Tiantian's advice was very safe. Looking at it now, Li Nature's 'alarmism' at that time has become a reality. These veterans are facing the problem of not being re-elected, and if outsiders like Sheila are carried away and leave their choices, there is a great possibility of losing the election.

When the useless men panicked so much that they couldn't do anything about themselves, someone finally came to Sheila to talk about what to do in the future. The first to come was Fabio, the head of the Western Senate, and now Sheila is engaged to Patrick, the only son of the Duchess of Balden, Fabio looks like a 'man of his own' when he speaks, "Sheila, how do you think you can get the yeoman farmers to accept citizenship?" ”

Sheila didn't answer immediately, she thought for a while and said, "Your Excellency Fabio must have his own ideas. Speak up and listen. ”

"I wondered if I could put them among the tenant farmers. The yeoman farmers were first regarded as tenant farmers, and the nobles of each realm organized their elections. Fabio spoke his mind.

When Sheila heard this, she despised it in her heart, which was the opinion of most of the senators, and it was also the most favorable opinion for the senators. These patriarchs were all local aristocrats and held local influence. If they organize the election, they will naturally be able to continue to be elected for thousands of years, and it is really an infinite shortage of children and grandchildren.

The reason why Fabio said this to Sheila in such a consultative tone was because they knew that the idea would not be completed. The Legion and the Imperial Court were completely in agreement in this regard, and did not want to make the nobles so comfortable. In the previous paragraph, the Chancellor of the Exchequer specifically asked Sheila to come over and talk about the issue of taxation. The Eastern Roman court wanted to complete the land survey throughout the territory and wanted to see where Sheila standed.

Sheila immediately expressed her support for land surveying, not only for her, but also for most of the nobles of Ankara, as well as for the nobles of the Balden family. Seeing Sheila's statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer was very satisfied, and wished Sheila a smooth re-election in the election starting at the end of the year.

Looking at Fabio's pleading expression in front of her, Sheila sighed, "I think everyone should be re-elected this time." Habits can be changed so easily, even if the citizens of His Excellency Fabio's constituency have some other ideas, they will continue to vote for him. ”

"Really?" Fabio was a little surprised.

"With all due respect, even if someone is dissatisfied with Your Excellency, it does not mean that someone from outside will be satisfied with others in such a short period of time." Sheila told the truth.

Fabio was stunned, his face full of embarrassment. Sheila had been dealing with Fabio for so long, and said, "I don't think Your Excellency Bio thinks I'm mocking you. ”

Nodding, Fabio felt that what Sheila said made sense. After arguing with Sheila many times, Fabio admits that Sheila is not a man of words. Although Fang Cai's words are not good, they are also true. But Fang Cai's words mean that there will be someone to challenge Fabio in the next election. Even though it was three years later, Fabio still felt unhappy.

"I have a suggestion for Your Excellency, this is the method that His Excellency Suren is promoting around him. After this year's summer harvest, he will allow some farmers from the surrounding area to join the farm and negotiate a one-year contract. If the harvest is good next year, Lord Suren will allow them to renew their contract, and if the harvest is not good, these people are free to quit. As long as you work with these people, why don't they support His Excellency Fabio. ”

Fabio was stunned, and after thinking for a while, Fabio shook his head, "I don't have the ability of His Excellency Su Lun, I'm afraid I can't do this." ”

"What are you anxious about, the election will take three years. If the Baldon family has a good harvest this year, Fabio has two more years to study. Two years is enough. Sheila continues to give practical advice.

Fabio agrees. The Baldon family has so much land, and with them on the road ahead, there is no need to be afraid of being deceived. But Fabio was still a little worried, and he continued to ask, "But what about measuring the land?" ”

"We, the patriarchs, are not the imperial court." Sheila talked about the topic that she looked down on these useless men the most, and there was a slight impatience in her voice, "The imperial court needs taxes now, and no matter what we say, the land measurement will be thoroughly carried out by the legion." Unless we give the legion real support, it has to be the support that the legion needs now, otherwise if we shout a few words of support, the legion will not remember us. If we don't, the Legion will remember our opposition. At this time, not saying anything is the way to save your life. ”

Fabio was stunned for a moment, then nodded repeatedly. This was so true that Fabio decided to take Sheila's advice for his own sake.