Saturday, April 5, 1642.

The news of the death of the seventh uncle of the Yan family was transmitted from Pearl Island to the Huamei Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Yan Mansion in two telegrams with different tones and emphasis. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and the United States immediately sent people to the Yan Mansion to express condolences to the family, and sent a telegram back to instruct Fan Li, the person in charge of Far East Affairs on Pearl Island, to send a representative to the Dayuan to offer condolences.

The seventh aunt, who had not seen her old father for several years, was full of remorse and fainted on the spot. The time coincided with the Qingming Festival, and the Yan Mansion set up a memorial hall with great fanfare. There are no relics in front of him to worship, and the letters of the old seventh uncle accumulated over the years have become the objects of worship in the mourning hall.

Many Manchester citizens who have established friendship with Yan Mansion over the years have also come to the door to express their condolences, especially the mayor of Jersey, Chang Kun, who took his family to the mourning hall and cried and shouted, so devout that it was jaw-dropping.

The seventh uncle left, and the only last words left were to warn his daughter and the people on the side of the Huamei Yan family that they would not return to the staff for life. Such a harsh and ruthless last words can even be said to be unbelievable, which not only made everyone in the Yan Mansion feel even more ashamed, but also made some people in the Huamei Cabinet and Congress pay attention.

……

The meeting of the National Security Council was held on the occasion of the Qingming Festival on the weekend.

In front of each of them was a quarterly report compiled by Jin Xiaohan, head of the Asian Intelligence Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which presented the comprehensive intelligence of the entire Far East in three major aspects: military, economic, and diplomatic.

“…… The intelligence summary of the Battle of Matsuyama has come out, and further analysis is yet to be carried out by the Military Intelligence Bureau of the Ministry of Defense. But. It's a pity to tell you that history hasn't changed, and Emperor Chongzhen has completely wiped out his last family foundation this time and returned to the pre-liberation period overnight. The main force of the Ming army in the north lost at least 80 percent, and more than 70 percent of the more than 30,000 weapons imported into the Ming Dynasty through various channels in the past five years. Regardless of the tactical organization, if all the weapons captured by the Manchus could be used, they would already exceed the average of the participating countries in the Thirty Years' War in Europe. ”

“…… The great famine in Henan facilitated Li Zicheng's growth, and from the perspective of time, Li Zicheng should be besieging Kaifeng at present. Sun Chuanting has made a comeback, but there are almost no soldiers available in the pass at the moment. Chongzhen had to ask Sun Chuanting to bring the forbidden army to reinforce Kaifeng. Since last year. We sent 20 refugee teams to operate in the interior of the Ming Dynasty, but the results were not satisfactory, and so far, less than 40% of the refugees have made it to the coast. Spending more than expected. ”

“…… Maritime merchants in Qiongzhou and Guangzhou. plus the Yan family. They are all asking the Oriental Union Group to come forward and entrust the purchase of our merchant ships. But the question is, no matter what kind of specification of new merchant ships. None of them can actually afford our price. At present, only the state-owned ocean shipping companies in China have 9 short shirt-class flying clippers merchant ships that are about to be phased out, and none of them have much military use. We have organized the participation of various domestic shipping companies to renovate or renovate and sell all the short shirt-class flying shear merchant ships on hand, which can increase the cargo transportation capacity of Liangguang to Pearl Island or Hong Kong by at least 30%, and can also optimize the transportation capacity of domestic shipping companies, which is of great benefit to us. ”

"In addition, the Asian Intelligence Division is delving through the intelligence of the senior officers. It cannot be ruled out that the large-scale import of arms by the senior officials is the motive of the Yan family and Zheng Zhilong to secretly compete and flex their muscles for the trade conflict between the Ryukyus and Japan, and the possibility of an armed conflict between the two sides needs to be vigilant. As for Yan Sicheng's current Da Yuan's control of Zhan Yuan, it is basically in line with our previous speculation, but the main military force of Da Yuan is still in the hands of Yan Sihai's henchmen and old generals, and it cannot be changed in a short time. However, these still require more detailed intelligence analysis before a final conclusion can be drawn, so the construction of the arms purchase case has been put on hold for a while. ”

"On the Luzon side, the contradictions between the local Chinese and the Spanish colonial government are gradually intensifying, and the time is basically ripe for the Luzon independence movement...... Finally, with our tacit consent, the Temasek invasion that began in 1636 has now been completed and successfully taken control of Temasek and the surrounding islands. The construction of Temasek Port has also been underway for a few years, after which our Far East Migration Transit Centre will be transferred to Temasek Port. The reaction of the Portuguese and Dutch East India Companies was a little too strong, but there was more of an element of jealousy. So, this leads us to a major event that we need to make an immediate judgment, and that is the 'exchange' proposed by the Dutch. ”

Yan Xiaosong gestured on the large map and explained the various aspects of the Far East to the members of the National Security Council present.

"Well, the Dutch East India Company is indeed a bunch of cunning foxes who want us to participate in the 'trade switch' against Japan. Historically, the Dutch East India Company, no matter how powerful it was, was helpless against Japan's policy of locking off the country, but now it is different, and they have to take advantage of the Temasek theme and the dissatisfaction of the Portuguese to make us stand up for the 'Far Eastern rules' we have set. Su Zining knew the news from Fan Li very early, and he had a certain understanding of the unscrupulous style of the Dutch East India Company for profit.

"Yes, and in fact the Ministry of Commerce does care about Japan's trade issues." Prime Minister Wu Yuanyi is not a fuel-efficient lamp, and because of some historical complexes, he agrees very much with the "Japan switch" plan proposed by the Netherlands.

"Japan-related commodity exports account for about 12% of our total trade share in the Far East. In other words, although Japan is only our fifth largest export market in the Far East, it is the third largest source of profits after India and the Ming Dynasty, and even higher than the Ming Dynasty in some years! The biggest beneficiary of Japan's lockdown is actually Zheng Zhilong, because they are now the only ones left in the export channel to Japan. Although the Japanese market is still theoretically within the closed loop of our Far Eastern economy, it has tilted the interests of trade with Japan too much in favor of Zheng Zhilong, and the dissatisfaction of the majority of officials will be even heavier in the future. We can't spare the energy now, and we have to prepare for a few years. ”

"Well, I agree with the Prime Minister, and given the complete deterioration of the Ming Dynasty's military in the north, the 'Far East Timetable' does not seem to be enough to change, and the confrontation between Zheng Zhilong and Dayuan is becoming more and more visible, I propose that the National Assembly pay attention to these issues. And re-sort out the strategic preparations for the Far East in advance! ”

Yan Xiaosong seems to coincide with Wu Yuanyi in some aspects, or has already reached some understandings in private, and the two of them talk happily with each other.

Looking at his friend's radiant expression, Su Zining's heart gradually sank.

"Yan Xiaosong, do you mean 'Jiashen's change'?" Liu Xin, the only representative of the House of Representatives in the National Security Council and former Minister of Finance of the Cabinet, raised his voice very vigilantly, and his expression was slightly nervous, "Do you make strategic preparations for the Far East?" You mean that we are going to prepare to intervene in the war between the Ming Dynasty and the Manchus? If it is only aimed at Japan's closure of the country, Zheng Zhilong, and the contradiction between the great members, then the Asian Fleet is almost enough. ”

"Why not?" Yan Xiaosong sat back in his position disapplausively. did not shy away from Liu Xin's aggressive gaze. "The affairs of the Ming Dynasty, this is also one of our strategic intentions in the Far East, do we know how things will develop, but still watch the Manchus destroy the Ming Dynasty?"

"We are in Quebec, Virginia, Florida, the Caribbean, South Africa. There was also the Thirty Years' War in Europe, Emden, Ireland, England. There are so many strategic issues that will concern the coming decades to be addressed. Which is not the core national interest that will be concentrated in the next few years? How could he spare energy to save the Ming Dynasty that was rotten to the roots?! The fundamental purpose of our entry into the Far East was to spend the country's huge human and financial resources to maintain the migration routes of the Far East and ensure the continuous import of migrants. Instead of burning money to work for the bureaucrats of the Ming Dynasty! In order to make the Ming Dynasty withstand it over the years, have we spent less effort and lost income? ! As a result, they wiped out a whole year's worth of our munitions production capacity in one battle! The older Liu Xin gets, the more rigid and irritable his temper becomes, and he directly slapped him on the table.

"At least a surviving Ming Dynasty is also in our fundamental interests! If the Manchu Qing Dynasty's destruction of the Ming Dynasty was too great, wouldn't it affect our economy? Yan Xiaosong sneered, shook his hand and threw out a new text, "Yes, you can put aside the historical burden and look at the problem, you can keep worrying about the country's economic burden, but you should know more that the current Ming Dynasty is important to us, and it is no longer the state it was more than ten years ago!" ”

"Let's not talk about commodity exports, just the import of several important industrial raw materials that we need, the proportion of the Ming Dynasty has become larger and larger! 100% tung oil and castor oil, 95% raw silk, 90% lacquer, 70% pine resin, 45% raw material for medicinal herbs, 35% bristles, 30% cottonseed oil, 25% cotton yarn, 16% shale oil, 12% rubber, 10% fluorite, 6% lead, zinc and tin...... Which of these is not related to our national economy and people's livelihood? If the Manchu Qing destroyed the Ming Dynasty regime and the pattern of the Far East changed dramatically, you are engaged in the economy, and you will calculate how much the above figures will be reduced?! How much time and cost do we need to rebuild these imports?! The national economy and the Far Eastern route tied us to the Ming Dynasty, and it is no longer a matter of not worrying about history! ”

Yan Xiaosong's deep voice unfolded with the Far East economic statistics that everyone had long memorized, except for Liu Xin, who blushed and didn't say a word, the other members of the National Security Council exchanged their heads with each other.

"Even if we don't consider the strategic preparations for the war in the Ming and Qing dynasties, in order to prevent accidents from the intensification of the contradictions between the Yan family and Zheng Zhilong, it is also in our interests to follow up on the Luzon independence plan and move part of the military deployment eastward in advance."

Speaking of this, Yan Xiaosong deliberately turned his head to look at Su Zining, who did not speak, and his tone slowly softened: "We have established the overseas consulate of Pearl Island for more than ten years, and the Oriental Union Group has taken root and operated, and the country's influence and economic foundation in Southeast Asia have been solid; We also have a relatively stable local interest binding object on Hainan Island, which can be used by us at critical moments, thereby changing the historical situation; We have also established peripheral support and strategic frontiers in Dayuan, Luzon and Hong Kong...... It can be said that the burden of the country to project forces to the Far East in the future is already much lower than it was more than a decade ago! It's not that I'm wishful thinking to satisfy a Ming historical complex, but we really need a Ming Dynasty that is not excessively damaged by war. ”

"Yes, even if we don't consider the problem of the Ming Dynasty, we have reached the final stage of the implementation of the 'Hermit Crab' plan, and the Chinese support pattern in Southeast Asia has begun, and Luzon will also seize the opportunity in the next two years. But we don't have the energy to deal with the three strategic directions of the Americas, Europe and the Far East at once, so I mean, in the case of guaranteeing the established strategic rhythm in the Atlantic. We can appropriately increase our military deployment to the Far East, and I am confident that the OUEC will welcome our decision. ”

Defense Minister Zheng Quan also nodded slightly, and he himself was one of Yan Xiaosong's active supporters of the introduction of the Far East Strategy.

Wu Yuanyi listened to Zheng Quan's speech, touched his chin with one hand, hugged his chest with the other, and with a strange smile, he was quietly looking at Qi Jianjun, President of the Senate, and Zhang Mingcheng, Speaker of the House of Representatives, who had not expressed their position on the other side, as if waiting for the opinions of these two biggest "political dissidents" and "partners".

Because in two months, the election of the Senate in 1642 will begin again. Can Qi Jianjun, a veteran conservative, continue to hold his position. It depends on whether there is an attitude and a way of thinking to deal with the most sensitive issues in the coming years.

"From the perspective of national strategic interests, I am in favor of Lao Wu and Yan Xiaosong's proposal to complete the established Luzon independence plan. As for the question of the Ming Dynasty a few years later, opinions can be further gathered extensively. Make a few plans in advance. It is considered in conjunction with the layout of the Thirty Years' War in Europe in the coming years, the Quebec question, the French question, and the England question. Qi Jianjun pondered for a moment. As he spoke. While handing Zhang Mingcheng a discussant look.

"Next week's regular session of Congress, we will discuss it again on the regular agenda. Lao Wu, Lao Zheng, Yan Xiaosong, the three of you have made a plan for Luzon and the issue of the big people. When the time comes, there will be congressional hearings. ”

Zhang Mingcheng did not express his stance on Yan Xiaosong's "topic of extension of the Ming Dynasty" on the spot, but only "discussed the matter on a case-by-case basis" and regarded the handling opinions of the senior officials and Luzon as the content of today's National Security Committee.

A meeting that was supposed to focus on the issue of Luzon and the big officials turned out to be a debate on "Ming Dynasty Jiashen Affairs", which made some people who left the conference room feel very bad.

"I'm not as hard as a strong man, am I?" When he walked to the staircase, Yan Xiaosong stopped and whispered to Su Zining, who continued to be silent beside him, "The truth is right in front of us, no matter whether there are still people in the country who support the Ming Dynasty regime, we have to consider the impact on our interests after the collapse of the Ming Dynasty." Otherwise, the first one to jump out is Ren Changle and them. ”

"From fooling the Yan family to occupy the majority, to forming the Eastern Expeditionary Fleet, to the Far Eastern economic layout of the Oriental Union Group, isn't this what you have spent twenty years thinking? What else are you trying to convince me to do? Su Zining looked at his friend who was "desperately explaining" to him strangely, and he couldn't laugh or cry a little, "On the contrary, in addition to the embarrassing time slot, I also think that what you said has almost no loopholes." You've taken advantage of everything you can to get it, even the Viceroyalty of Hong Kong, which you hated in the first place. ”

"Speaking of which, it seems that you helped me...... Yan Xiaosong also showed a wry smile, knowing that his friend had been trying to help himself while persuading him for a long time, "At least now, your original reminder and opinions did not let me go astray in one mind." ”

"Kill me...... I'm not your dog. But you have to be mentally prepared, Liu Xin is right, we must have a priority. What must be taken immediately, what can be temporarily discarded, what Cheng dù can be taken, and when to be discarded, should be comprehensively considered. Su Zining smiled, patted his friend's shoulder, and walked downstairs.

"What must be taken immediately, and what can be discarded for the time being...... Who is qualified to define it? Reflecting on what his friend had just said, Yan Xiaosong fell into deep thought.

……

At noon on the day of the Qingming Festival, a light drizzle fell at the right time, which conformed to the mood of some citizens who came and went to the National Cemetery on the weekend.

However, this rain did not do much to alleviate the drought in the local agriculture of Huamei, which has been in a state of drought since the beginning of spring, on the contrary, the drought also had a significant impact on the water supply pressure of more than 120,000 citizens in Manchester City, and the second phase of the water supply project in Manchester City, which was completed in 1637, was a bit insufficient.

Even after the greatest drought year in history in 1637 and another round of substantial investment in the national agricultural irrigation project, the futures prices of several major cereals rose slightly this year, by a few percentage points. The Ministry of Land and Resources has set up a Water Resources Management Bureau to formally formulate national regulations on water resources.

On the weekend of the niche Observer, many people on the street bought the newspaper in front of the newsstand. For this newspaper media, which was funded and established behind the scenes by Cheng Daxiong, the former director of Radio Manchester City, many people in China were secretly unhappy for a while.

The murder of Tao Xinmei a few years ago led to a high-level scandal within the country. An unexpected hiccup occurred when Radio Manchester City was completely nationalized. After that, Cheng Daxiong simply resigned to concentrate on his Manchester City entertainment business, and at the same time funded the establishment of the newspaper "The Observer" in 1638.

Most of the contents of the newspaper basically express opinions on various current political changes, including comments and analysis, praise and support, ridicule and criticism, and even criticism and criticism. Those who can make these "shocking" remarks are naturally some literary and artistic young people who have a good relationship with Cheng Daxiong. In the mode of "smelling like", he stood in the same trench as Cheng Daxiong. Of course. This kind of behavior has also caused further disgust among insiders, but at a moment when each other is looking for a sense of zài, no one can publicly blame Cheng Daxiong's behavior of burning too much money.

The Chinese people, whose political consciousness is still in the embryonic growth period, are of course unable to understand the true intentions of Cheng Daxiong. I just watched the contents of each issue of the newspaper with a half-curiosity and half-pondering attitude. Members of the first local councils of the states. I held each issue of "The Observer" and watched it with relish. It's as if I'm substituting a feeling of asking questions about politics by myself.

“…… Thanks, a copy of The Observer. ”

On the side of the street, Yan Xianfeng is wearing a modern style trench coat. I bought a newspaper from the newsstand, and then threw a smile at Cao Xiulin, who was accompanied by me in an ordinary Ming scholar's dress.

Shortly after taking leave from Qingcheng City, Haizhou, and rushing back to the Yan Mansion in Manchester City, Yan Xianfeng encountered the news of the death of the old man of the family from thousands of miles away. Yan Mansion was full of crying, and the mourning hall kept people rotating day and night, making it difficult for Yan Xianfeng to adapt to that atmosphere, so he could only find an excuse to go out and relax.

Cao Xiulin, on the other hand, has run a number of gorgeous key figures in the past month or so, and even delivered a batch of gifts entrusted by Yan Sicheng to the family of Supreme Judge Zhong Jinshan, running east and west for Yan Sicheng's gorgeous private diplomacy.

However, in the face of the tight-lipped Huamei official, as well as the rather cold attitude of the "young lady" Yan Xianping, Cao Xiulin immediately fell into a state of boredom with nothing to do. In addition to borrowing all kinds of books, I often change into ordinary clothes and go to the streets to learn about the local customs.

Under the rigid law, it is an ordinary national life that is countless times more luxurious than that of the Ming Dynasty. A flamboyant life, a happy life, a serious life, and there is nothing to see that is insensitive or cautious. What kind of hypnotism is used in this Huamei? This is probably Cao Xiulin's biggest perception and doubt in recent times.

"After several years of delay, a few days ago, the National Assembly finally passed the "Temporary Bill on Nutrition Allowance for Primary and Secondary School Students", maybe you can see what the newspapers say." Yan Xianfeng shook the newspaper in his hand at the diplomatic envoy who was five years older than him.

"The eldest prince has been obsessed with the laws of the United States in China all these years, but he thinks that there are deficiencies in the "Da Ming Law"?" Cao Xiulin glanced at the newspaper printed with dense small letters in the other party's hand, and bowed slightly, "Lord Tongzhi also said that the eldest prince is full of poetry and books, and he must be a generation of Confucians." ”

"Mr. Cao, there is only Yan Xianfeng here, there is no eldest son, so there is no need to be so polite and complimentary. I'm a few years younger than you, and you and my eighth uncle are even elders, so let's call me Xiaoyan. Yan Xianfeng smiled slightly, still uncomfortable with the attitude of the envoy sent by this relative.

"The number of respectful and humble etiquette cannot be abolished, don't be embarrassed by the eldest prince......" Cao Xiulin's face flushed slightly, and his head lowered unnaturally, but he felt a little strange in his heart.

"Hehe, forget it...... As for the "Da Ming Law" you mentioned, I also read it when I was in graduate school. If you want to say that the biggest feeling is that morality and law are articulated, or civil and criminal law are mixed, or the fundamental law and common law are mixed. Some look more like traditional moral yardsticks, some are traditional regulations, or both. This kind of judicial interpretation of the law can easily lead to the problem of understanding the emphasis, and the judicial application of the law varies from person to person. Even the same interpretation of the same law, when spoken by people of different reputations, will have different weight in the expression. ”

No longer caring about the other party's attitude, Yan Xianfeng simply expressed his views on the question that the other party just raised.

"Since the Qin and Han dynasties, the Celestial Empire has governed the country with benevolence and filial piety, so that the world can be peaceful and people's hearts be stable. Strict laws and strict laws should be a deterrent to the small, and it is impossible to govern the people, and Qin's short death can be an example. "Da Ming Law" is a collection of Taizu, the sages and Confucianism to govern the country, all of which are the virtues and laws of people's hearts. Cao Xiulin frowned and retorted quite unconvinced.

"The essence of justice is 'adjudication', 'mediation' and 'correction'. Embody justice and fairness, rather than simply defining right and wrong, good and evil. Those who break the law are not necessarily evil, they may just be 'not doing a good job', and those who abide by the law are not necessarily good people, but they are 'not wrong'. All human behaviors need appropriate legal restraints to prevent deviations that are harmful to others and the public interest, so as to form a common code of conduct and values, which are in line with the actual moral needs and interests of the majority of people. In a sense, the "Da Ming Law" has more general protection and promotion of the traditional order. However, the actual moral and interest needs of the majority are rarely mentioned. This judicial authority can be raised very high, or it can be very light, and it can be ruled according to the person and determined by the person. ”

Yan Xianfeng finished speaking. Turn and walk forward. Cao Xiulin was stunned at what he had just said. I also involuntarily lowered my momentum.

"It's a long long road, cold and quiet, and it's quiet in the snow, and it's ridiculous that I'm walking alone. Look for the stars on the horizon. With my dream as a companion, I am not afraid of Lingding, I look at the world with cold eyes, and I am alone in thousands of rivers and mountains, looking for my path to the sky. ”

"Let me realize my lifelong ambition, pick up the starry sky in my dream, the boy in the ruggedness, raise my head and laugh deep in the blue sky. I want to swear to embrace the beauty, take off the shining stars, and sing a song of the worldly young people, and write my heart to Qingshan. ”

Suddenly, in a store that the two passed by, there was a clear and melodious music and singing, a song from Tao Xinmei's most classic "Snow Love" album. Tao Xinmei completed the recording of the album that year, and before the official release day, she died after the first concert, and "Snow Love" became her swan song.

"This ...... Prince, who is singing this? ”

As if it coincided with a familiar sound memory many years ago, Cao Xiulin was stunned.

Glancing at the other party's stunned expression, Yan Xianfeng was also secretly surprised in his heart. Although Yan Xianfeng himself does not know Cheng Daxiong, it does not prevent him from understanding some of the statements that Cao Xiulin looks a bit like someone when he was young.

"A famous and gorgeous female singer, a person who has brought happiness and joy to countless people." Yan Xianfeng thought about it, and still walked into the record store opened by Manchester City Entertainment Company with a curious look on his face.

A large black and white photo, carefully framed and hung on the front wall of the store with a glass photo frame, Tao Xinmei is wearing a snow-white oriental palace dress, smiling and pure. On one side, the words "Snow Love" are written in cursive art, which is a photographic poster that was equipped with the album's release.

"It turned out to be Miss Tao, I haven't seen her for many years, I didn't expect it to be a gorgeous ...... thousands of miles away" Cao Xiulin finally found the memory in his mind, and after taking two steps back, he made a trembling voice slightly.

"Mr. Cao also knows Miss Tao Xinmei?" Seeing that the other party actually said his name directly, Yan Xianfeng felt even more incredible.

"Twelve years ago, after failing the next examination, my mother passed away during the examination period, and I was discouraged in Zhangzhou, and I had a relationship with Miss Tao in a wine shop. Miss Tao saw that my poems and writings were acceptable, so she gave me a silver hairpin to pay for my food......" Cao Xiulin blushed and roughly recalled the situation back then, while constantly admiring the photos, "I never thought that Miss Tao would actually move here to sing ...... The picture in the mirror is so vivid, I don't know where Miss Tao is now, and the kindness of a hairpin should be repaid. ”

After quietly listening to the other party's story, Yan Xianfeng couldn't help but sigh softly.

"Eldest Prince, why are you sighing?" Cao Xiulin finished his story and showed doubts.

"Mr. Cao, Huamei has no such thing as singing. Let's go and have a look, Miss Tao Xinmei should be happy to meet an old friend......"

Out of the store, Yan Xianfeng took the opportunity to enter a flower shop across the street, bought a large bouquet of valuable flowers in front of all the customers, and then called a horse-drawn carriage and took Cao Xiulin to the national cemetery in the northern district of Manchester City.

……

The emerald color of spring is particularly heavy in the National Cemetery in the north of Manchester City, where the green lawns, bluestone roads, and dark green artificially transplanted pines, cypresses, and maples divide the vast cemetery into several areas.

As soon as he walked into the gate of the cemetery, the tombstones in front of him made Cao Xiulin's face pale slightly. When he walked to a quiet corner, Cao Xiulin finally raised his hands and put them together tremblingly.

Flowers, countless flowers, white, red, pink, piled up around a marble tombstone, a tall man in a suit with a lot of gray hair on his temples was standing quietly in front of the tomb in a daze.

"Mr. Cao, this is where Miss Tao Xinmei lives in seclusion...... Qingming every year. Many citizens of Manchester City will come to visit her...... "Yan Xianfeng was also a fan of Tao Xinmei back then, and when he talked about the girl singer who was once regarded as the object of fantasy in his dreams by college students, Yan Xianfeng felt slightly sour in his heart.

The man in front of the tomb seemed to hear the voice, and slowly turned around, just a few years of time made the former gentleman look much older.

Looking at each other, both of them were stunned for a moment.

"Mr. Cheng, I am Yan Xianfeng from the Yan Mansion, this is Mr. Cao Xiulin, the diplomatic envoy of the senior minister......" Yan Xianfeng hurriedly walked a few steps, nodded slightly to Cheng Daxiong, and then put a large bouquet of flowers in his hand in front of the tombstone.

"Yan Xianfeng. Oh...... I heard that you work in the Haizhou Qingcheng District Court. Very good. Defend the dignity of the law for the country...... Very good......" Retracting his gaze from Cao Xiulin, Cheng Daxiong nodded slightly towards Yan Xianfeng, and walked towards the side path.

"Eldest prince, that one was ...... just now" Cao Xiulin came back to his senses. Hurry up and take a few steps.

"Miss Tao Xinmei's teacher back then. Senator ...... If there is no Mr. Cheng. Miss Tao will not become a household name singer. When Miss Tao died, I am afraid that he was the saddest person in Manchester City...... However, Miss Tao's singing voice has remained forever. Let the world continue to admire and listen. Yan Xianfeng took a deep breath, which calmed down the mood of coming here.

"That'...... What was the reason for Miss Tao's death? Cao Xiulin slowly walked to the tombstone and also saw a small photo inlaid under a natural crystal.

"A criminal case ......" Yan Xianfeng's face also changed slightly, as if it was difficult to accept the conclusion at that time, "Afterwards, the state held a state funeral in recognition of Miss Tao's contribution to art, and many citizens attended at that time. ”

"State funeral?! The whole country brings filial piety?! Cao Xiulin was even more shocked.

"Well, a state funeral...... They can be ordinary soldiers, hard-working engineers, or weak women...... If every citizen here lives a wonderful life and lives the greatest contribution to society, the state will not be stingy with this kind of treatment of the highest standard. As a judicial civil servant, I am to safeguard the precious qualities of this country and this society, so that every ordinary person can receive the greatest respect before and after life...... If I go back to Daming, I'm afraid I won't have this opportunity, right? ”

"The newspaper I bought today, the "Temporary Bill on Nutrition Allowance for Elementary and Middle School Students," which was commented on on it, was decided by the Diet after many years of debate. In order to allow primary and secondary school students to drink two more glasses of milk a day, it is necessary to increase the budget expenditure of hundreds of thousands of yuan every year. ”

"My son doesn't think my mother is ugly, I don't forget my ancestors. But I have my own small pursuits, and I really want to experience the life of an ordinary person, even if it is just a small trial clerk for the rest of his life, not a position of a high ruler. I'm afraid that when I go back, I'll be lost in that pinnacle of power, fighting for power...... I can't be like a saint, there are no laws that bind me, and probably not many people really respect my life. ”

"Please go back and tell my father that the future of the adults lies in the day when ordinary people can take control of their own lives, even if only a small part of it. The more dignified the ordinary people of the Dayuan live, the more prosperous the Dayuan will be, rather than pinning on the heirs of one or several Yan families. ”

"I know that Uncle Eight is trying to win Huamei's support, and he is testing me, so please tell him, since I have decided not to go back, I will definitely not run back one day to embarrass him. The eighth uncle is a scholar and has a sense of responsibility, as long as he thinks about the people wholeheartedly, it is also a good thing to take over the Yan family in my opinion. Whether it is the Congress, the cabinet, or the seventh aunt or Sister Ping, they will not unilaterally intervene in the internal affairs of the senior members. Hua Meiyan's family already has their own life, and I also have my own life, please keep the power dispute away from us, okay? ”

It wasn't until this time that Yan Xianfeng really said what he thought.

"The eldest prince is serious, and he is ashamed ......"

At this moment, several more Manchester citizens came to pay tribute to Tao Xinmei with flowers, and Cao Xiulin finally bowed to Yan Xianfeng, who was a few years younger than him, while giving back, blushing because the other party had already seen through it.

He often helped Yan Sicheng make suggestions, how to compete for the control and influence of the big people, and how to test the attitude of the Hua Mei Yan family, but he didn't think about the future of the Hua Mei Yan family at all, let alone the thoughts of the big people. And in this seemingly unruly overseas country, an ordinary singing woman is revered and honored like a saint, just because she has indeed brought happiness to everyone.

Thinking of the life style of gorgeous ordinary people he saw in the past month or so, and the large number of tombstones of ordinary soldiers he met after entering the cemetery, and then thinking of the content of the newspaper in Yan Xianfeng's hand, Cao Xiulin finally felt that there was something different about this gorgeous beauty from the Ming Dynasty, and why the people lived so happily under the so-called strict government and strict laws. (To be continued......)