Xiao Letian looked at Jin Changsen and still didn't understand. He could only sigh and speak more clearly. "For example, I will add a new tax to the people of Ryukyu next year. The name is scientific research tax, and the money I am amassing will be used for... For the research and development of new warships, this tax should be very heavy..."
"If you charge more taxes, you will naturally take money from people's pockets, and people's happiness will naturally decrease. This is actually in conflict with the interests of the people. No one in the world is willing to take benefits out of their own pockets..."
"But things that a country should do have to be done, and doing things requires spending money. At this time, you can see the benefits of autocracy. My reputation, Xiao Letian, including the reputation of King Shangtai, will naturally suppress the unwillingness and resentment in the hearts of the people. , so that they can accept this new tax..."
Xiao Letian looked at the confused Jin Changsen and said softly, "Isn't this a manifestation of national cohesion?"
Jin Changsen has been studying Confucian classics since he was a child, which is what he learned in the Middle Ages. He is completely ignorant of the great changes in the world and has a complete understanding of the modern national system.
"Decentralization, decentralization...Decentralization, division, and division, in the end, the emperor and the nobles will be divided. A world without an emperor is still a world."
"And you, Xiao Letian, also said that the country's political affairs oscillate between autocracy and decentralization of power. What exactly is the 'constitutional monarchy' you are talking about and what is the purpose of establishing a constitution? I am a dying person. Don't use big words to frame me, but tell the truth..."
Xiao Letian scratched his head and thought that this really posed a problem for me. When I first studied politics, I also learned to memorize the explanations of terms. It is very easy to say clichés, but if I sum up the concise and concise vernacular to explain such political terms, What a difficult task.
"Well, since you asked, I will try to explain it to you clearly... The monarch is the authority of a country. What he actually symbolizes is power. His existence tends to centralize power. You should understand this. When a war is about to happen, , when the invaders step into our land, when our country needs to collectively dedicate its profits to some big projects..."
"At this time, this centralized representative monarch can become a cohesive force that suppresses the selfishness of the people. We can let the people eat pickles every day and take away most of their surplus value without making them complain or rebel... …”
"Do you understand?" Xiao Letian asked patiently. At this time, Jin Changsen just nodded blankly, seeming to be enlightened.
"I'm really exhausted, so I'm talking about constitutionalism. This constitution means establishing a constitution. The Western constitution is above the imperial power. It is not the kind of law under the imperial power. Do you know this?"
"It's good to know that the constitution has only one purpose, which is to use the constitution to tie down the imperial power... I just said that the imperial power naturally has the desire to develop towards centralization, and centralization is not a bad thing, but it must be done in Used in specific circumstances, if centralization occurs during a period of peace and stability, it will not be a blessing to the country and its people..."
"Only with the constitution can we lock in the rights that the people have finally separated from the monarchs and nobles. Only people who have rights can be called citizens in the West, and this class of citizens is an important force in the development of Europe now..."
"Now you will understand what a constitutional monarchy is. This thing was not invented by that smart man at all. It is actually the people and the imperial power fighting each other and snatching each other's rights. After hundreds of years of confrontation and compromise, Natural products…”
"I dare not say what the world will be like in the next few hundred years, but I can tell you for sure now that the constitutional monarchy is the most advanced political system in the world... just like the French HMS Glory on the sea. Likewise, a battleship with three shooting decks is the most powerful weapon."
"Why do I, Xiao Letian, go against the grain? What do I rely on to rise in East Asia? Isn't it because I have always led the people's hearts? It is precisely because I have given everyone the most advanced things in the world that I can be where I am today. step."
"Am I, Xiao Letian, going to give up on the foundation of my foundation and go backwards? I know that the system of Jia Tianxia no longer works, but I will continue to follow the old path. Jin Changsen, let me tell you one last thing, Prime Minister Xiao of Ryukyu, from the beginning No matter how many rights have been taken away from the city, sooner or later these rights will be distributed to all the people."
"I, Xiao Letian, will not hold on to these rights forever, nor will I leave any children or grandchildren, nor will I return them to King Shangtai. The constitutional monarchy is the national policy I have formulated for Ryukyu, and no one can change it."
"Now, you should believe that I will not usurp the country." Xiao Letian stared at Jin Changsen with a serious face, and an invisible pressure made him breathless.
"Haha... I see, that's it... If it's true what the Prime Minister said and did, then I really have a villain's heart. But it's okay. King Shangtai became the nominal monarch and gave away most of his rights. , maybe it can also ensure that the power of the throne will last forever..."
At this time, Jin Changsen suddenly shouted, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the general trend of the world has changed. From now on, you can be the King of Peace. Don't overthink it, never overthink it..." Shang Tai eavesdropped in the dark corner. Wang was already bursting into tears at this time. The veteran Jin Changsen used the last moment of his life to get the truth out of Xiao Letian's belly. Of course, his life was coming to an end.
Jin Changsen drank the last glass of wine, stood up and straightened his clothes: "Prime Minister, I have no regrets anymore. You can arrange to go on the road. Whether it is beheading or burning, as long as it can vent the anger of the people of Ryukyu, please Prime Minister."
Jin Sanshun outside the cell door couldn't bear it any longer. He rushed in and knelt in front of Xiao Letian: "Prime Minister, please forgive me. I am willing to exchange all my merits for my grandfather. I am also willing." I will spend all my family wealth to pray for my grandfather not to die... Ouch, prime minister, please be merciful."
The little fat man kowtowed like a fool. Even though this kid was usually lazy and greedy, he was really filial. Xiao Letian sighed and tried to help him, but he couldn't help him.
"Jin Changsen, you and I have different ideas. In fact, we can't tell the difference between right and wrong. If it is still the Middle Ages, then your choice is correct. It is a pity that it is the 19th century and everything you uphold has lost its foundation. …”
"Neither you nor I are wrong, it's just that the environment has changed... You are a veteran of Ryukyu, and you were not appointed by me, Xiao Letian. Your life and death should be decided by King Shangtai..." After saying that, Xiao Letian slapped him. Two slaps.
King Shangtai, who was hiding in the shadows, could no longer escape at this time. He and Cai Mao walked out with red eyes. Jin Changsen was really a loyal minister. When he saw King Shangtai, he shed tears and fell to his knees.
"Your Majesty, I am incompetent..."
"Jin Qing... Please get up quickly... Your Jin family has been serving our Shang family for hundreds of years. We are too weak. The fault is all mine..."
The king and his ministers also knew that this was the last chance to see each other. The two held each other's hands and cried across the fence. Xiao Letian couldn't bear it any more. He waved his hand gently, and a soldier walked over and opened the cell door.
When the crying finally stopped, King Shangtai finally had to give an explanation to the people of Ryukyu. He helped Jin Changsen and said regretfully, "The statistics of military and civilian casualties after the war have come out... The number of casualties in Ryukyu has reached 70,000... At least half of them Yes... he died after the negotiation..."
At this point, the blood on Jin Changsen's face was drained all of a sudden, as if he was suddenly surrounded by 40,000 innocent souls.
"You will not live if you do your own evil. You will not live if you do your own evil." After saying this, he kicked away Jin Sanshun who was kowtowing. "Stop crying. Live a good life like a man from now on. Don't learn from me. Grandpa's life proves the old path." It has already reached its end, and you have to use your life to follow the prime minister's new path, study hard and work hard."
Jin Changsen bowed his hands to King Shangtai and said, "All the blame lies with the guilty minister. The others are not guilty of serious crimes. Please be careful when killing him... It's okay to dismiss him from office. Just dismiss him from office."
King Shangtai glanced at Xiao Letian furtively, and when he saw the Prime Minister nodding slightly, he said with relief, "Of course, it's natural. The other veterans have resigned from office to serve the people, so I won't offend...here comes someone." While speaking, a man The eunuch brought over a wooden plate with white silk and poisonous wine on it.
At this time, Jin Changsen suddenly became excited, "Your Majesty, this is not right. I have committed a heinous crime and killed tens of thousands of people. How can you give me a whole body? Please escort me to the dock. It is where the negotiations were held. At three o'clock at noon Immediately ask, let my death shock all those who come after you, let my death vent the anger of all people..."
"Brother Jin, why are you doing this..." Cai Mao's eyes became hot and tears rolled down his face.
Only Xiao Letian understands Jin Changsen's plan. He knows that Jin Changsen is trying to avoid disaster for his children and grandchildren. Only if he dies miserably and in front of all the people can the anger in people's hearts be drained cleanly, so that their grandchildren will not follow suit. .
Xiao Letian understood Jin Changsen's meaning, nodded and sighed, "I will reserve one of the quotas for international students in Germany for Jin Sanshun and let him go to Europa to exercise. Don't suffer the same disadvantage as you because of your limited horizons..."
Jin Changsen also understood Xiao Letian's promise. He knelt on the ground and bowed solemnly three times, "I can't thank you for your great kindness. I have nothing to repay, so I can only send you a piece of information... Gong Cheng's residence in the Shanghai Concession, he My housekeeper knows the residence of my favorite concubine. With his help behind the scenes, it will not be difficult to catch this old guy..."
Jin Changsen's fate was irreversible at this point. That night, the streets were filled with notices asking for Jin Changsen's death. Early the next morning, tens of thousands of people gathered at the pier, especially those who had lost their loved ones. They prepared stones and rotten eggs. Rotten vegetable leaves and other weapons are ready to humiliate this minister who has harmed the country.
After daybreak, the prison car appeared on the street. He was hit by a rain of stones and rotten eggs and other debris. Jin Changsen was beaten and half of his life was lost in an instant. If the New Army had not tried its best to maintain order, Jin Changsen would have been stoned along the way. Smashed to death.
"A traitor... he is a traitor to the country... a dog thief who colluded with the outside world..." Amidst the roar of curses, Jin Changsen was sentenced to death at 3:00 noon.
The death of Jin Changsen officially declared that the last opposition in Ryukyu was completely shattered. From this moment on, Xiao Letian's rule could be truly understood.
