Chapter 13: Sleepless Nights on the Day of Praise 2
The Imperial Commissioners and the "Imperial Guard" were established after 167 years of the Empire to limit the influence of aristocratic power on politics. But the effect was very limited www.biquge.info the aristocracy controlled the vast wealth and almost all business activities. Gold coins can buy people, and gold coins can allow people to do dirty work. What was once a blatant threat of force has turned into an iron law lurking in the darkness.
The war, which was intended to completely separate the nobility from centralized power, turned out to be the end of countless small vassal states paying tribute to the central government. After the Rebellion of the States, only the Empire could legally own an army, and the nobles could not have a private army of more than 200 people. However, the empire did not have enough economy to maintain a standing army, and after the war the soldiers returned to their hometowns to resume their old jobs, the confrontation between the empire and the nobility was still not well resolved.
As the privileged classes of the empire became increasingly corrupt, the local aristocracy subtly exaggerated the decay of the state, which eventually caused the turmoil of the empire for 382 years. A series of repressive measures followed, with newspapers, street flyers, and even whispers in alleys sending a person to prison. This succeeded in preventing the empire from falling into constant turmoil and led to a justifiable uprising.
Let Tur in the West be embraced by the people to overthrow the empire, but what they are most proud of is not their own great goal, but the last orthodox blood of the Periyar family, Michael Periyar. At the call of the king of Orthodoxy, many of the nobles of Rant also financed the wars of Tours, which were carried out in secret, of course.
After countless lessons, the empire has tightened its grip on the Rant region with a bit of iron. People complained about the "Imperial Guard" and did not dare to gasp in front of them.
Sometimes, though, even the notorious "Imperial Guard" can't do anything. The Praise Tree Festival is a rare day in Shudi Village where you can have a lot of fun. People pushed and shoved, anxiously immersed in the festive atmosphere.
When Ogst heard that he could find Chief Felix Beale at the party, he immediately went there. Once you've learned about the Wraith, prepare to settle the bounty quickly, so you don't need the dirty money in Serena's hands. Unfortunately, the crowd here was far beyond August's imagination, and there was nowhere to find the shadow of the village chief Bill. The banyan tree in the distance looks spectacular, but it is not until below it that you really realize how huge it is. The canopy of trees covers the sky like a mountain, and in it it is like standing under a giant's table, and it coincides with the horizon at a glance.
"Pleasant place, isn't it?" said Serena, standing beside August, as if she had been standing for a long time.
Ogest, accustomed to Serena's elusive hobby, turned his head and said, "Where can I find Chief Bill?"
"A bounty, you're really going to be a bounty hunter. Serena read Augst's heart at once: "The old thing you're looking for doesn't happen to be a liar. I'd better go with you, lest any calculations fall into your charge. ”
"What calculations do you think will be?"
"I'm afraid we're already in someone's calculations, don't trust that Eunice, she betrayed you when the time was right, and you won't even blink an eye. Serena said.
"Are you sure we're not talking about you?" said Augerst.
"I don't just sell people unless I have my own reasons. Serena said, leading Augst to the center of the evening.
"Really, what does your reason depend on?"
"Depends on how well my allies perform. ”
"I guess Miss Margaret Wood, as Miss Skye is called, must be a terrible ally. Augerst said.
"Without a doubt, she's the worst ally, unless something more out of the ordinary comes along. "Miss Skye only wants gold, but Eunice wants something more difficult to express," said Serena. She wants everything in the world so that she can do whatever she wants. ”
"Sounds like you. ”
"I want all the people of the empire to bow down to me, and let my name spread far and wide, like Torah Periyar. But I'm too lazy to run the country, maybe I'll appoint you prime minister and let your justice shine brightly. But I don't know what Eunice wants, she craves everything she can do, and makes it fun. Serena said as she walked, "Watch out for her, maybe she's not the smartest, maybe not the strongest." But be careful with her!"
"How do I know if you're talking ......?"
"Shut up, the village chief you're looking for is right ahead. ”
Augst saw a white-haired old man watching the fire-spitting acrobatics with relish, and from time to time he cheered with warm applause.
"He's a liar?" asked Ogst in a puzzled whisper as he looked at the old man.
"He doesn't have dementia at all, he's hiding something. Serena said.
"Or just want to protect yourself and pretend to be deaf and dumb as the village chief, so that no one else will have any bad intentions. Augerst said.
"Or maybe he's behind it. ”
"What is behind the scenes, what kind of big conspiracy can there be in a small village? I have heard that the harsh taxes make everyone unhappy, but there is no contradiction beyond that. Augerst said.
Serena chuckled, "Mr. Augst, you're too clean to see real black money. Hospitals, churches, schools, land, firewood, rice, oil and salt are all valuable coffers, and people willingly throw gold coins into them. It's like a coin thrown into the trevi fountain as a matter of course, and of course this pool only eats and does not spit out. And who does all this belong to?"
"The Reich ......," said August.
"Now you know who he's guarding against, or who's behind something. Serena said.
"Do you really think that looting the wealth of a small village will bring any great income to the empire?" said Ogst.
"Of course, for the huge expenses of the empire, these black money are just a drop in the bucket, but they are enough to make a person prosperous and rich for the rest of his life. Serena said, "I am a thief and a killer, and my dirty hands have done everything they could steal and rob and kill for money." I spurn such acts, let alone you, who are righteous."
"You're such a retro criminal, it was an eye-opener for me. I'm afraid you'll need something from me to tell me this. Augerst said.
"yes, I don't want to be too obtrusive. You ask him questions that interest me, and I find the answers. ”
"What should I ask?"
"You ask him: Is the village chief still going well, is this a difficult time, and how long has this year's Praise Tree Festival been planned? Questions like these are enough to uncover all the secrets of the village. Serena said.
"I will, and I'll ask the wraiths more closely. Augerst said.
"It's none of my business, I just want to deal with the shameless villain. ”
"Why do you hate them so much?" asked Augst.
"Bad people want money and deserve to sin, and then they are hated and spurned for. The monarch wanted money and should be taxed, and it was burned in the unbearable anger of the people. But now they use the game of numbers, and the glittering disguise to turn the gold out of people's pockets, and then tell the story of their great deeds, even from your point of view of justice, is it fair?" said Serena.
"You put criminals and empires together as a metaphor...... The state collects taxes to pave the way and build bridges against foreign enemies and to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens throughout the territory. Augst re-read the words of safety and happiness: "The state and the people are like the two sides of the contract, and taxation is also a natural responsibility." And criminals are unearned villains who satisfy their selfish desires by stealing other people's belongings and dirty means. ”
Serena squinted at Ogst, who was a head taller than her, and said, "It looks like the Empire hasn't taken his contract seriously." Aren't swindlers in breach of contract cheaper than criminals?"
"The state is a huge machine, and it is inevitable that some parts of it will slow down its functioning......"
Before Augst could finish speaking, Serena interjected: "If the machine is broken, it should be maintained, and the parts should be replaced when they are aging." I'm willing to be the mechanic of this machine, taking off those useless gears piece by piece, and pulling the rusty lever out of their pin slot. I'm willing to do that, even if I tear down the whole machine!"
Ogst looked at the indignant girl stupidly, not knowing what she had suffered that made her so excited, in short, it would not be something to make people happy. After being stunned for a moment, August said, "It's time for us to meet the village chief of Bill......