Every day at noon, the Imperial Hotel, adjacent to the Capitol, is again busy - the sound of eating, the clashing of cups and saucers, and the conversation of the members of the House of Lords of Congress.

The owner of the restaurant took a sip of wine while no one was paying attention, and at this moment, a woman walked in.

The woman was very charming, thirty-four or five years old, and she wore a gorgeous gown, and a white fox shawl on her shoulders. She stood there, very upright—her chin slightly raised—and the nobility of a noble lady permeated everywhere in her body, and in fact, ten years after the Empire, in the context of the emergence of female members of parliament in the House of Commons, women had long since stepped out of the family and played their part in all corners of the country, proving the value of women.

Almost as soon as she appeared at the Imperial Hotel, she was greeted with a burst of attention.

"Welcome, Ms. Liu."

As soon as the hotel owner saw this lady, he hurriedly greeted her warmly, in the upper class of Nanjing, no one knew that this would be Ms. Liu may be the richest woman in China, not the richest, but in China perhaps only the queen in the palace has a wealth that can surpass her.

The owner of the restaurant led Liu Jingxuan through the dining area, and the eyes of many men immediately focused on this woman, which made the boss feel uncomfortable. Some people are polite, others are different. There are few women who dine at the Imperial Hotel at noon, and women like Liu Jingxuan are even rarer.

"These people are really a bunch of toads!"

muttered in my heart. The owner of the hotel clearly knows that not to mention the lower house of the National Assembly, even in the House of Nobles, there is more than one aristocratic member who accepts Ms. Liu's funding, and even Yang Du, who is the vice president of the lower house, is submissive in front of this Ms. Liu. Just like at this time, Vice President Yang was waiting for Ms. Liu early.

The person has not yet arrived at the table set by Yang Du. Yang Du had already stood up early and pulled out a chair for Liu Jingxuan, and then, Liu Jingxuan just nodded slightly, and then sat down. When she sat down, she only raised her eyelids and glanced at Yang Du, and then lightly pointed to the seat in front of her with her hand, which was a signal for Yang Du to sit down.

Everybody is thinking about having her help!

When some members of the House of Commons who had just entered the House of Commons learned the identity of this woman, most of them withdrew that kind of look. He looked at the woman with a look of awe. They may have just arrived in Nanking and entered the lower house of the empire to become members of the lower house, but they clearly know that this woman is the biggest sponsor of the Cadets. She even facilitated the merger of the Constitutionals and the Democratic Party, and it was the merger of the two parties that enabled the Cadets to surpass the Royalists by a narrow majority to become the largest party in the lower house.

And this woman, how influential is Liu Jingxuan?

She is the largest patron of the Cadets, with more than 100 members of the House of Commons receiving direct funding from her, most of whom are small parties and independent MPs, and it can be said that her influence is by no means limited to the Cadets. Therefrom. You can imagine her influence in the House of Commons, so to speak. Even if Liang Qichao is the president of the lower court, his influence on the lower house may not be as good as Liu Jingxuan. Even in the voting on some bills, the Cadets even had to turn to them for help.

"Ms. Liu!"

When Yang Du sat down, he saw that Liu Jingxuan was looking at the menu and ordering, and he knew the financial resources behind Liu Jingxuan, and he clearly knew that Mrs. Liu was able to come to the Imperial Hotel, and she had already sold him a big face.

For such a woman, a wealthy woman, Yang Du knows one of her secrets, and knows why, under China's regulated economy, why this woman and her Qinhuai Bank enjoy similar relaxation to the imperial property of the Industrial Bank, and why the Qinhuai Bank can finance a large number of enterprises. …,

The reason is very simple, it seems that there are rumors that the woman in front of her had some emotional entanglements with His Majesty when she was young, so naturally Your Majesty will take care of Qinhuai Bank.

Last year, it is said that the reason why Qinhuai Bank was able to successfully acquire the Anshan Iron and Steel Enterprise Consortium seemed to have His Majesty's acquiescence behind it, and now the price of a ton of steel has risen by more than 60 yuan due to the war, which means that the net profit of this enterprise alone has increased by more than 1 million yuan per day. In a few years, the Qinhuai Group, with Qinhuai Bank as the core, may really enter the ranks of rich countries.

Because of this, Yang Du will not put on a stand in front of her like Liang Qichao, and even in Yang Du's opinion, no one can predict what will happen in the future.

Especially now, after a constitutional protection, His Majesty has once again unleashed some power in the House of Commons as a kind of compromise, and this woman's influence in the House of Commons will only allow her to gain wider support in political circles.

But Liu Jingxuan didn't respond to him, just quietly drank boiled water.

She had long known that Vice President Yang had asked her to come over, and now she may rarely ask about outside affairs, but she clearly knows some things. For example, the Cadet Party has recently had a lot of contact with the Japanese ambassador, and for example, the Cadet Party recently questioned the military in the House of Commons on "why it is not possible to borrow the strength of the allies."

The reason for the propaganda of "borrowing the power of the allies" to the outside world was to "strengthen the ties between the Orient and the East", but in fact, it was to reduce the casualties of the Guards and prevent the country from carrying a heavy "burden" because of this "war of Europeans", and the so-called "baggage" refers to the economic "burden".

That person's power comes from the army, and naturally the care of the soldiers is meticulous, and the compensation for war casualties is a huge expenditure, and the news from Europe shows that the news of millions of casualties in the war in Europe has to make these members of the House of Commons tremble, and they who have just obtained the "right to tax" clearly know that if the same casualties appear in the Chinese army, then they will even have to raise taxes, so they will put forward that bill.

And in private, there is another reason, the Cadets accepted huge political donations from Japan, although they did it very covertly and legally, but Liu Jingxuan had her own channels to get the news.

Apparently. He met with him today in the hope of getting some degree of support from himself, and that the bill would be supported by minor parties and independent parliamentarians.

Sure enough, Yang Du quickly stated the purpose of the trip, he hoped to get the support of small parties and independent parliamentarians on the bill, and this required Liu Jingxuan to come forward to "say hello". And Liu Jingxuan did not veto this request. Instead, he took a sip of tea and looked at Yang Du in front of him. Then a smile appeared on her face.

"Vice President Yang, if I'm not mistaken, last year, you told me that you are sure to establish a political party cabinet!"

This sentence of hers. But it only made Yang Du's expression show embarrassment, but in an instant, he explained again.

"Ms. Liu, the general trend of many things is unstoppable, and you can also see that after that constitutional protection. The powers of the House of Commons have not shrunk, but expanded! In fact, His Majesty is also well aware of this general trend! ”

on this. Of course she knew, but she knew the real reason, and she guessed the reason because, in that person's opinion, the House of Commons could not threaten his power at all, at least not for now.

In Liu Jingxuan's smile, Yang Du felt that he didn't seem to have any capital to negotiate at all, in the process of Qin Huai obtaining those state-owned enterprises. The Cadets did not give much support.

The Cadets have given too little compared to what the Cadets have received from her. And businessmen are all about returns. …,

"Ms. Liu, now in the Cadet Party. There is a consensus that we believe that tax reduction support should be given to companies that join overseas development! ”

While eating, Liu Jingxuan said:

"Oh? Is it? If I'm not mistaken, the Governor-General's Office of East Africa has granted a five-year tax holiday to businesses investing in East Africa......"

"We mean the local parent company!"

Yang Du threw out what he thought was the most favorable condition, for these businessmen, the return they needed for their "investment" was very simple, on the one hand, policy support, on the other hand, political support, and this is exactly what they were prepared to reciprocate. "Now that we are in times of war, if we reduce the number of companies, will it arouse the discontent of the people, and there will be tax cuts for newly formed companies. Can you tell us what reason you have for thinking this will pass? ”

Liu Jingxuan did not hide the news she had, Yang Du did not feel strange about this, he clearly knew that many comrades in the party may keep it secret from the emperor, but they will never keep it secret from their "food and clothing parents", and Liu Jingxuan is their biggest "food and clothing parents".

"Absolutely. We have enough reasons to do this, because these enterprises are for the country to go to a wild overseas colony to expand the cause of the empire, and it is necessary for the empire to give a certain amount of support and returns, in fact, many countries do this in the early stage of overseas development, and even give direct economic support, compared to the investment of those Western countries in the early stage of overseas development, we even think that in addition to giving the local parent company tax reduction, it is even necessary to give a certain percentage of economic assistance, only so, in order to make up for the losses caused by those enterprises investing in overseas colonies for the Empire's overseas causes. ”

The righteous words were awe-inspiring, but only Liu Jingxuan, who was eating, almost choked, she finally knew why Manager Chen would say that compared to Liang Qichao, Yang Du is a real politician.

"Also, in the development of overseas colonies,"

Seeing that Liu Jingxuan was interested in this, Yang Du hurriedly said.

"We believe that it is undoubtedly inappropriate for the state to directly invest a large amount of money in this war period, so in the war period, the development of overseas colonies should be dominated by private capital, especially those with strength."

What is powerful private capital, in Yang Du's view, there is no need to make any too many explanations, and the company behind Ms. Liu in front of him is the most powerful enterprise.

"We believe that active private capital is the real future of China's economy, so we can choose to use overseas colonies as a testing ground during the period of national economic adjustment."

Liu Jingxuan couldn't believe that Yang Duhui had fallen to the current point in order to get the bill passed, or to repay the enterprises that supported the Constitutional Democratic Party, but she had to admit that his words were indeed very attractive, so she spoke.

"If I'm not mistaken. At the beginning of the year, both houses of the National Assembly approved the Cabinet's proposal to invest $2.5 billion in colonial development over the next five years, and if I could, I think $1 billion of that would be received by the right companies. ”

Blinking those charming eyes. Liu Jingxuan looked at Yang Du with a smile, compared to those empty promises or proposals without any new ideas. She values more tangible benefits, what is a suitable company, in fact, she already has a list in her mind.

What was the biggest achievement of the last Constitutional Campaign? I am afraid that it is the lower house that has obtained the right to review government investment, which means that the special committee of the lower house can fully control some of these resources. What she needs now is a return for that resource,...,

Liu Jingxuan's words only made Yang Du's heart tighten

"Sure enough, it's a businessman!"

Businessmen are profitable, and sure enough.

"Ms. Liu, you should know that the Investment Review Board is not entirely controlled by the Cadets, and the Royalists also occupy a certain position in it, and they are strong enough to influence where these investments go."

When Yang Du was looking for a reason there. Liu Jingxuan just said quietly.

"Other parties will be responsible for colluding with other parties!"

Staring at Yang Du, Liu Jingxuan smiled and said:

"I think you'll make the right decision!"

Yang Du coughed lightly, made a somewhat embarrassed appearance and said:

"But. Motions, motions......"

"Vice President Yang, first of all, I am just an ordinary businessman, and I have never cared about these national affairs, nor am I willing to participate in these things."

After a pause and looking at Yang Du, Liu Jingxuan continued.

"Still. I think Manager Chen should be willing to help a little! ”

At this moment, a well-dressed woman walked in. She lay on Liu Jingxuan's ear and whispered, and then Liu Jingxuan couldn't help frowning. So he immediately got up and took his leave.

"Vice Dean Yang, thank you for your lunch!"

That's it, without waiting for Yang Du to be polite, Liu Jingxuan turned around and left, and walked straight towards the door of the Imperial Hotel.

"Ali, what's going on?"

As soon as he got in the car, Liu Jingxuan, who frowned, asked his bodyguard.

"Madam, just now the school informed me that the young master and other classmates received an invitation from the palace!"

When answering Madame's words, Liu Li seemed cautious.

"What kind of invitation!"

Liu Jingxuan's tone instantly became nervous, although she hoped deep down that one day, Zinian would be able to meet his father, but it was definitely not this kind of meeting that she didn't know.

"Yes, that's right, the royal family invited fifty students to visit the palace, and the young master was among them......"

Liu Li's words only made Liu Jingxuan feel a little disappointed while breathing a sigh of relief, disappointed, thinking that it was not what she imagined, it would always make her feel a little disappointed, she knew that maybe some people knew Zi Nian's life experience, but they would never tell that person, that person would naturally not know all this, he obviously would not deliberately ......

"Oh!"

Liu Jingxuan, who was a little lost, looked at the car window and just quietly looked at the bustling street.

Palace!

As the teachers and classmates walked into the palace, Liu Zinian's eyes were full of curiosity, although there were as many as 100 visitors, they were clearly divided into two groups, one was the students who wore the exquisite private school uniforms, and the other were the students who wore the uniforms of ordinary national schools, and Liu Zinian happened to be in the latter group, he had been studying in ordinary schools. In fact, this is what Liu Jingxuan specially requested, in his mother's opinion, going to a private school with a group of rich children will make people's temperament worse, so he can only study in the most ordinary national school.

At this time, his face did not have the "but so" look in the eyes of the former, nor the latter's surprise of "entering the Grand View Garden", but only looked at the palace with some curiosity, compared to the introduction of the tour guide, he was more interested in the people in the palace, rather than this obviously somewhat "dilapidated" palace.

“…… The imperial city built by the Hongwu Emperor of the Ming Empire, to the end of the Ming Dynasty, most of the palaces in the palace have collapsed, after the Manchu Qing Dynasty occupied Nanjing, the imperial city was changed to the full city, to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom after the destruction, the Ming palace has been wiped out, and the imperial palace of our country is His Majesty out of the consideration of saving money, renovated on the basis of the Liangjiang Governor's Palace, and now the Ming Dynasty palace area, after the establishment of the empire, the palace area is the central administrative region, on the one hand, it is a historical factor, and on the other hand, it is the construction of the central administrative region in the palace area, It won't affect the residents of Nanjing too much......"

While the female officials in the palace were explaining the palace, Liu Zinian, who was in the garden, looked at the boat mill in the lake, which may have been the place where His Majesty first came to Nanjing to meet with the then Manchu Governor of Liangjiang, and he couldn't help but think of the scene recorded in the book, perhaps......

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness the Eldest Princess have arrived!"

The shouting interrupted Liu Zinian's thoughts, and he hurriedly followed the teacher and classmates to salute the crown prince and princess who came from a distance, and when he saluted, he raised his eyes slightly to look at the crown prince and the princess, both of them looked different, the appearance of the eldest princess had some Western flavor, and the appearance of the crown prince looked more like Chinese.

Unlike her younger brother, from childhood to adulthood, her life was confined to the palace and the palace and the Royal Palace School, and only a few times would she go to the Invalides and factories with her mother, but now it was her first time that she had real contact with her peers in the outside world.

"Huh!"

Suddenly, one of them caught her attention, she looked at the man, and then turned her head to look at her brother, but she felt that the two looked a little similar, and she immediately became curious