"Your Majesty, there is no need to worry too much. As long as we, the British, are responsible for the government, do not harm the people with harsh governance, and use good governance to make the country strong and the people prosperous, France will not dare to be provocative."
Xu Qianxue comforted Charles II.
Charles II nodded.
At this time, James, Duke of York, hurriedly came over and said: "Brother, I think we should issue a stricter ban on smoking. Now there are suddenly many smokers smoking black incense in England!"
"Is this happening?!"
Charles II stood up in horror.
"You'll know if you go and take a look. It's easy to see skinny smokers outside the palace."
James replied.
After hearing this, Charles II immediately changed his clothes and left the palace for a private visit incognito.
As a result, as soon as he came to the street, Charles II saw many men whose blood seemed to have been drained.
James took him to a smokehouse converted from a residential house.
Then, Charles II really saw many smokers puffing away smoke inside.
Charles II even went to the counter nearby and took a look at the Wuxiang being sold. He couldn't help but be shocked: "Isn't this the Wuxiang we sold to the Ming Dynasty? How could it be sold in China? Isn't this king already long ago?" Is there a strict order that this product cannot be sold in the country?!"
James replied: "There must be some businessmen seeking personal gain, regardless of the interests of the country, and rashly selling in the country!"
"Perhaps it has something to do with the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty has been strictly investigating Wuxiang in recent years, which has caused a significant decline in our Wuxiang sales. Therefore, the return of these Wuxiang may even be instigated by the Ming Dynasty court behind the scenes. They may Sell the seized Wu Xiang back as revenge."
Xu Qianxue started talking at this time and added: "Now the emperor of the Ming Dynasty has always done things unscrupulously, and it is impossible not to do this."
"How despicable!"
Charles II couldn't help but scold Zhu Youxiao, and then said to Xu Qianxue: "You still know the Ming Dynasty better, but the most urgent task now is to ban smoking, otherwise our country will be destroyed!"
With that said, Charles II looked at James: "You will raise this case in Congress then!"
The British monarchy has now been restored. However, in order for the king to promulgate a bill, he usually has to hold a parliament and discuss it with the members of the parliament. It requires the approval of a majority of the members of the parliament, that is, it will only be implemented after it is passed by the parliament.
Of course, if it is an autocratic king, he can also directly bypass Congress.
Charles II had no intention of doing this.
"good!"
James nodded.
"What should we do? The Duke of York has proposed in the House of Lords to amend the anti-smoking bill, and the amendment will be strict. Both smugglers and smokers will be hanged!"
After Frank learned about this, he anxiously asked about Kang Qingchun, the Ming Dynasty's imperial guard who had contacted him.
Kang Qingchun said: "Don't panic. This matter has already been in our plans. This smoking ban is not something they can ban if they want. Didn't we let you bribe many congressmen? You can find a way to contact them and let them stop it." In addition, I will report this bill to our Emperor, and I, the Ming Dynasty, need a reason to send troops to ask you, England, to trade with us, so after I report it, I believe that my Ming Emperor, the Emperor, will take relevant measures."
Frank felt relieved after hearing this.
Because of selling black incense in England, he is now a famous and wealthy businessman in England.
Therefore, Frank has gone from being forced to smuggle black incense in the country to now actively smuggling black incense to England for the Ming Dynasty.
Frank then followed Kang Qingchun's instructions and contacted some of the congressmen who had been bribed by him.
These congressmen did receive a lot of benefits from Frank, and some even directly participated in Frank's smuggling network.
Therefore, these congressmen are very active in preventing the smoking ban.
this day.
King Charles II of England convened Parliament.
"I propose that a stricter anti-smoking bill be implemented, and those who smuggle and sell black incense in the country and smoke it should be hanged directly!"
James introduced his own bill in Congress.
"I object!"
But soon, a British MP named Stonelay expressed his opposition.
Stunlai said: "Geng Zhiyuan, the advisory minister of the Ming Dynasty, once said that people's most basic right should be freedom. As long as it is not an attempt to harm others, it should be allowed! The same is true for transactions, as long as there is no bullying and domination. , there is no selling of fake goods, it should be allowed! The smoking ban, I think this is the biggest malpractice of our British Empire! Our merchants must have the right to trade all goods freely, and the king should not impose restrictions!"
At this time, another British MP named Koehler also said: "You are right! The people should also have the freedom to smoke any tobacco! The king should not restrict it. The king's duty should not be to restrict the people's freedom, but to Protect the freedom of the Republic of China! Therefore, in my opinion, not only cannot we strictly ban smoking, but the anti-smoking law should be abolished."
For a time, there were many people who opposed the smoking ban.
As a result, the bill cannot be passed, and there is even a strong tendency to repeal the original smoking ban.
James did not expect that so many MPs would oppose it.
He knew that these congressmen might be greedy for the benefits brought by smuggling and selling black incense, but were ignoring the long-term interests of the country.
Therefore, James couldn't help shouting: "Everyone, do you want our British Empire to have no soldiers and people to fight in the future?!"
Everyone ignored him.
James directly asked Charles II for instructions: "Brother King, I request to directly bypass Congress and directly enact a stricter anti-smoking bill."
Charles II hesitated.
At this time, Xu Qianxue thought of a scene he was familiar with in the Ming Dynasty, that is, when Emperor Zhu Youxiao of the Ming Dynasty sometimes bypassed court discussions and issued imperial edicts directly.
Xu Qianxue does not want this to happen in England.
Therefore, Xu Qianxue stood up decisively and objected: "That's inappropriate! Your Majesty, Congress is a place for public discussion. If the bill does not pass Congress, how can it convince the public? How can it be regarded as governing the country with virtue? Isn't it the same as a single man?! "
James glared at Xu Qianxue, pointed at Xu Qianxue, and cursed: "I very much suspect that you are a spy of the Ming Dynasty, so you prevented the passage of the strict ban on smoking!"
Xu Qianxue was quite disappointed after hearing this, and hurriedly said: "I have learned literature and martial arts and sold them to the emperor's family! Your Majesty has been kind to me, and he is my father-in-law. How could I betray the British Empire and become a spy for the Ming Dynasty?!"
At this time, Charles II thought carefully and said: "It is better to bypass Congress and directly enact a bill strictly prohibiting smoking!"
"His Majesty!"
Xu Qianxue was quite shocked.
Other members of Congress were also stunned.
Charlie waved his hands and said: "Only this time! The harm caused by Wuxiang is indeed not conducive to the long-term development of the country!"
It was hard for those present to say anything.
…
"The king still enacted a strict ban on smoking, and members of Congress failed to stop him."
Frank reported to Kang Qingchun after this.
Kang Qingchun nodded and said: "I will send a report to His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. You should temporarily stop selling. Since your king still insists on banning smoking, then I can only use the cannon of the Ming Dynasty to force him to repeal the bill."
