From Corsica to the Fourth Rome

"No, we can't sit still and wait for death!"

Dongcheng District Councilor, Milles gritted his teeth and looked at the three colleagues beside him, and whispered.

"Miles! Are you crazy?!"

Another member of Parliament suddenly glanced at Carlo Bonaparte, who was sitting opposite them, in a panic.

Fortunately, there were many citizens of Ajaccio who came to watch the voting in the auditorium. Their chatter drowned out Millers's whisper, so the brother of Governor Bonaparte did not notice the exchange between them.

"Don't you see what's written in this charter?"

Miles twisted his nose angrily, pointed at the copy in his hand and read:

“Once members of the House of Commons are elected and sworn in, they must regularly disclose their private property. Their whereabouts should also be actively reported to the Parliament and subject to supervision by the Parliament and the people of Ajaccio at any time. Damn it, this is treating us as a captive. Poultry? And they want to increase the number of seats, my God!”

The other three people also looked at the contents of the charter with depressed expressions. It was obvious that Speaker Rousseau had specially added many seemingly unreasonable obligations to this status in order to prevent the corrupt behavior of members.

Although this is also to prevent the members' seats from becoming the object of people's desire, causing those politicians to break their heads to get into the parliament at all costs; but for the several Ajaccio members who were already sitting on the seats, they were temporarily It is also difficult to accept that Speaker Rousseau is allowed to put a ring of shackles on himself.

Now under the autocratic rule of Laurence Bonaparte, their power as members of parliament has been almost gone. Unexpectedly, even their living standards and personal rights will be further reduced by the speaker from France.

In addition to the status restrictions of the members themselves, the charter also mentions increasing the number of seats in the parliament, which means that the power of a few people will be diluted to other people, including the four Ayaks. This is unacceptable to Mr. Xiao.

One of them sighed helplessly, shrugged and said:

"What can we do, Miles? Are you going to oppose Governor Bonaparte? I don't have the courage. Don't bring me to such a thing."

The remaining two people nodded in agreement. Although they were very dissatisfied with the part of the charter regarding the House of Commons, they did not dare to openly resist an autocratic ruler.

Dongcheng District Councilor Millers bit his lip tightly, closed his eyes and thought for a moment, and suddenly said:

"But if we let this charter pass, you all know what the consequences will be. More seats will dilute our current status. By then, there may be dozens of MPs called Mr. MPs in Ajaccio alone. Miss’s nouveau riche!”

Although the four of them were just political vassals supported by Pauli before Lawrence came to power, they were still one of the nine major parliamentarians in Corsica. They had distinguished status and had the supreme power to vote on national affairs. Everywhere people have to bow down and address them as your Excellency.

Once this new charter is passed, as Millers said, the newly added seats will undoubtedly take away their current power and status, and they will also become invisible to everyone from the high-ranking members.

This is what Rousseau wants to see, but it is definitely not what the four Ajaccio MPs want to see.

Looking at the thoughtful expressions of several colleagues, Miles struck while the iron was hot and continued to persuade:

"Besides, we are also members of the people elected by the people, elected by the citizens of Ajaccio with one vote. Governor Bonaparte will not put us in jail just because we said a word "no" in the parliament, right?"

Milles's words spoke to the hearts of the other three people. Although the four of them were supported by Poly, they were indeed elected by the citizens of Ajaccio through public elections. Representative, Poly only did some publicity and momentum in this process.

In Millers' eyes, if Laurence Bonaparte still cared about public opinion, he would not have ordered several of his members to resign like he did to those MPs who represented the landlord power. This was also the greatest confidence supporting him at this moment.

"Think about it, everyone." Miles lowered his voice and said urgently:

"Once this charter is passed, our power and status will plummet, and there will be no possibility of resistance."

The three of them looked at each other and couldn't help but feel a little shaken.

They all know in their hearts that although Laurence Bonaparte came to power through a coup and the army, his ruling method up to now has been very gentle. In addition to attacking the landlord class, he has not targeted Poly. The old parts are cleaned and replaced.

This also made several people somewhat convinced of Millers' words. Governor Bonaparte would not attack them in front of the watching people just because they, the public opinion representatives, voted against in the parliament.

If this charter is really passed, regardless of the rest, the legislation on the parliamentary part alone will give Corsica dozens more MPs in a short period of time. By then, the four of them will go from nine to nine. One-tenth has turned into tens of tenths, and even if you want to do something, you can't do anything.

"Milles, what do you want to do?" After a moment of hesitation, a member of Parliament mustered up the courage to ask Milles boldly.

Although the other two did not speak, they looked at Millers worriedly. They did not want their power and status to plummet because of a charter.

When that happens, the four of them will completely lose their united front value.

"Yeah" Millers held his chin and considered for more than half a minute, nodded and said:

"At least in the afternoon vote, we must vote against it. We cannot let this charter be passed today. As for later, we must unite to petition the governor. I think Governor Bonaparte is also eager to have this constitution passed. , you might as well use this to gain concessions from him."

The three of them listened to Millers' plan in silence. After hesitating for a while, no one raised any objection. They exchanged looks and silently agreed to Millers' proposal.

They had only one thought in their minds at this time - they must seek concessions from Governor Bonaparte while they still had their identity and status. Otherwise, all their hard work in the political world in the first half of their lives would be in vain. .

And just after the four people reached an agreement and prepared to vote against it in the afternoon parliament, a man wrapped in a black coat sitting in the first row of the auditorium also stood up and left the parliament auditorium inconspicuously.

Half an hour later, at 11 a.m., in the office study of the Governor's Mansion

"That is to say, all four members of the Council of Ajaccio are opposed to this charter?" Lawrence smiled and shook his head, still looking at the copy of the charter in his hand, as if he didn't care about this matter at all. In the heart.

Sitting opposite Lawrence was a girl covered in a black and gray pilgrim's robe, Shadiya Vicki, who was deeply trusted by Lawrence and the head of the intelligence organization directly under the Governor's Palace.

"Yes, Monsieur Bonaparte." Xia Diya's delicate face was looming under the hood, and her answers were always neat and clear:

"My people were in the parliamentary hall and listened in on the conversations of the MPs."

Speaker Rousseau on the side "here" suddenly felt at a loss. He frowned and asked:

"Miss, are you saying that all the members are ready to vote against it? God, how could they object? I clearly gave the parliament such great power in the charter."

Lawrence's smile still remained on his face. He turned the copy of the charter to the section about parliament, handed it to Rousseau and explained:

"The power of the parliament has indeed been enhanced, but the power and status of the members themselves are far less than that of the current nine-member parliament. It is inevitable that they will hold objections."

A sharp and fierce light flashed in Xia Diya's eyes, and she suggested in a deep voice:

"Sir, as long as you give me two days and the cooperation of the Ajaccio patrol, I will make them change their story."

This girl, who was born in the slums of Xicheng District, has been calmly observing the dark and corrupt side of the rich and powerful since she was a child. She has first-hand black information on all the members of the Corsican Parliament.

Even Lawrence's personal black material was recorded in Xia Diya before, but the girl had destroyed all the evidence when she showed her loyalty to Lawrence.

Therefore, when it comes to asking those high-ranking and corrupt congressmen to change their minds, Xiadia's first reaction is to a dark and damp dungeon and a bloody knife.

Lawrence was stunned for a moment, and shook his head with a wry smile. He knew that Xia Diya had seen too many dark sides of human nature, especially the dark sides of upper-class people, so she was deeply hostile to these hypocritical beasts in clothes; but this This was also the reason why Lawrence felt confident in appointing Xia Diya.

"They are members of the Corsican Parliament after all, Xadia."

Lawrence patiently explained:

"In any case, they are also elected by the citizens of Ajaccio. It is not appropriate to use such methods on them, especially if such behavior is exposed, it will have a very bad impact on the entire government."

Although Xia Diya already has full experience and ability in intelligence work, and has proved this to Lawrence many times, in terms of political awareness, the girl obviously still lacks a lot.

In order to be able to safely hand over the entire country's secret police department to Shadia in the future, Lawrence also deliberately and patiently explained to her the impact of this incident in all aspects.

"Then" Xia Diya wanted to say that there would be no risk of being exposed if she took action in person, but she still bowed her head in obedience, thought for a while, and suggested again:

"I have almost all the evidence of their crimes over the years. With this, I can coerce them just like you, Monsieur Bonaparte, forced the four congressmen to resign."

Lawrence nodded in approval, but did not order Xia Diya to execute it immediately, but continued to explain:

"This is indeed a feasible method, Xia Diya, but forcing four elected members to resign at once will inevitably cause public discussion, especially since I only used this method to coerce those members representing the landlord groups a few months ago. , The four Ajaccio deputies must know this in their hearts.”

Xia Diya put her slender fingers on her chin, and a puzzled expression appeared on her delicate face. In her eyes, the only way to make the enemy change his mind and surrender was to torture and compete with each other.

Seeing the confusion on the girl's face, Lawrence took out his pocket watch and looked at the time, then smiled and ordered:

"There is never an optimal solution to political problems. Sometimes, the biting cold wind will make people wrap up their clothes tightly, but the warm sun will make people take the initiative to open their shirts. Xia Diya, go and call the four congressmen. I'll talk to them personally."

After a while, four Ajaccio councilors anxiously led Xia Diya to the office study room.

When the girl wrapped in a black and gray wind robe appeared in front of them, the four of them were almost in a state of confusion for a while before they recovered.

They have all heard that there is a mysterious girl beside Governor Bonaparte who is in charge of the entire intelligence network of the Governor's Palace. All the spies sent to Ajaccio by the southern landowners fell into the hands of that girl. .

Those who wandered in the gray area were even more afraid of her, and they all nicknamed her "Shadow Lady"

When Xia Diya came to the four congressmen and revealed her identity, the four people instantly understood that their plan had already reached the ears of Governor Bonaparte.

Standing at the door of the office study, although Millers was not as scared as the other three, his legs were weak, but his face was also unusually pale at the moment. After taking several deep breaths, he whispered to the three colleagues :

"Everyone, remember, we must unite. As long as we stand together, there are hundreds of voters behind us, and Governor Bonaparte will not do anything to us."

Xia Diya glanced coldly at these important figures in her eyes in the past, snorted in disgust, and immediately opened the wooden door of the study and reported:

"Monsignor Bonaparte, I have brought them."

Millers and others followed Xiadia into the study tremblingly. Looking at the young man sitting behind the oak desk with a faint smile, they neatly leaned over and saluted:

"Greetings to you, Governor Bonaparte."

"Please feel free to sit down, everyone." Lawrence smiled and pointed to the empty seats in the room.

Miles forced himself to be calm and chose the chair closest to Lawrence to sit down. He lifted his coat stiffly and asked first:

"Your Excellency Bonaparte, I wonder why you suddenly want to see us...?"

"It's nothing important, gentlemen, there's no need to be so formal." Lawrence said this, but his calm eyes swept over the four congressmen in front of him one by one.

Except for Miles, the other three people lowered their heads in fear, not daring to look at Lawrence for even a moment.

"I haven't communicated with the public opinion representatives for a long time. The last time I met with you was..."

Lawrence fiddled with the tea sets on the table, poured four cups of hot tea for several people himself, and recalled:

"Oh, come to think of it, it was still that day in early April. It's been such a long time."

Hearing Lawrence's words, several people's hearts suddenly trembled. They would never forget what happened on April 1st - the young man in front of them led troops to attack the parliament, forcibly interrupted the agenda and forced Governor Pauli to give up his throne. to him.

Even Miles, the calmest and calmest among the four, didn't know how to answer the question for a while, so he could only respectfully take the tea cup handed by Lawrence with both hands.

"By the way, everyone will have a vote in the afternoon." Lawrence calmly took a sip of hot tea and suddenly said with a smile:

"You must have read the Charter of the Kingdom. I must say that it is a masterpiece. It was compiled by this unparalleled scholar here, Mr. Jean Jacques Rousseau. You must think so too. Yes."

Miles hesitated for a moment, then said bravely:

"My Lord Governor, that is indeed a masterpiece, but some of the regulations seem to require more consideration and dialectics."

"Oh?" Lawrence slowly turned around, stared directly at Miles and asked:

"What does Mr. Congressman mean?"

A thin layer of sweat appeared on Miles' forehead, but he still gritted his teeth, raised his head resolutely and said:

"Until this charter has been fully discussed by Parliament, I do not think I can hastily agree to its adoption as a duty to my constituents, to the country as a whole and to all Corsicans."

There was a brief silence in the office study room. Lawrence didn't say anything after hearing this. Instead, he picked up the teacup and took a sip, then smashed the teacup on the desk gently.

Hearing the sound of the teacup hitting the table, the other three congressmen immediately trembled in fright, as if the sound was coming from a sledgehammer that was hitting their hearts.

"With all due respect, gentlemen Congressmen."

The smile on Lawrence's face gradually faded, and his tone suddenly became cold and threatening. His sword-like gaze swept across the four people in front of him and said:

"I don't ask you to be responsible to the voters, the country, and all Corsicans, because I know you can't do it at all. You would rather sit in a high-end restaurant for an afternoon than spend half an hour to see the Corsicans. The chaos in the urban slums; therefore, my request to you is very simple, you just need to be responsible to me.”

"As for how you, members of Congress, should be responsible to me, that is the simplest and most core one."

Lawrence paused and said coldly:

"The council must obey me, there is no other choice."