Alien Knights

In the face of Saladin's questioning voice, Todd did not show the slightest panic, and said unhurriedly: "Scholar has two meanings, one refers to those who are knowledgeable, and the other refers to those who are dedicated to A person who learns. Maybe you have seen the former a lot, but you rarely see the latter. And I, just one of the latter.”

Hearing Todd's self-defense, Saladin laughed loudly while clapping his hands: "Well said, well said! In you, I can neither see the arrogance of a scholar nor the flattery of the world! Dedicated to learning People, that's how it is!"

Saladin turned his gaze to Mairis and said happily: "When those scholars from the north saw me, they either pointed to my nose and questioned Allah, or knelt at my feet and begged to surrender, your friend What a fun guy!"

Hearing the praise from the Emperor of the Empire, Myris nodded, with a rare smile on his face.

Saladin stroked his beard, sat up straight, and asked Todd: "Scholar from the north, you are my guest. Today's topic is up to you to decide. Tell me, what do you want to discuss with me?"

Todd was taken aback, and began to think in his heart.

If the topic of microbes or alchemy is chosen, Saladin will become suspicious within a few words, because the title of "Alchemist Blessed by God" on Todd's head is too loud, and it is easy to associate Come here; moreover, talk too much about bacteria, viruses and parasites, if Saladin thinks it is beneficial to the empire, he might force himself to stay.

Thinking of this, Todd finally chose a more popular topic - politics.

Saladin was a little surprised: "You want to talk about monarchy and governance of the people?"

Todd responded: "I've got an emperor in front of me, wouldn't it be a good time to talk about this?"

While observing Todd carefully, Saladin nodded happily and said with a smile: "Okay, the three of us will talk about power and governance today! Well, let me think about where to start... You are from the north , do you know about Muxi City?"

Hearing Saladin's question, Todd was shocked, but there was no emotion on his face: "Naturally, the Muxi Kingdom has risen within a few years, and now it has become the most eye-catching kingdom in the entire parish."

"The king in Muxi City, known as the Holy King, is still the ruler of the kingdom in name, but he transferred his power to a department called the cabinet. Do you know this?"

Todd nodded slightly.

Saladin looked at Todd's clenched hands and said with a smile: "Since you know all these things, it will be much easier for us to talk about them."

"Let's look back to two thousand years ago, before the ancient Tailuo Empire was established, in the world at that time, several independent city-states formed several countries, the largest of which was implemented on the basis of citizens. Democratic politics. In that country, all citizens have equal rights, and everyone has the right to participate in state affairs. The Citizens Assembly is the highest authority in the country. At that time, most of these citizens were farmers and handicraftsmen in a group of city-states. "

Saladin took a sip of water to moisten his throat: "However, with the rise of noble slave owners, land annexation gradually prevailed, and a large number of farmers and handicraftsmen went bankrupt and became slaves of nobles. The so-called citizen groups under democratic politics are also divided. collapsed, the aristocratic slaveholders became monarchs, and finally the democratic republic was replaced by an absolute monarchy."

When Saladin said this, he stopped, looked at Todd and asked, "How is it? Does it sound familiar?"

The latter frowned tightly and said nothing.

"The current situation in Muxi City is almost the same as it was two thousand years ago. Citizens have equal rights and can participate in politics and elect members. Members form the Kingdom Council to make decisions on national affairs. Those powerful people with wealth in the country are playing a new role. The role of the aristocrats, they annex land and embezzle property. Next, when the power accumulates to a certain level, these wealthy people will inevitably pursue political status and turn into the ruling class of the country."

Todd stared at Saladin, and asked in a low voice: "You mean to say that Muxi City is recreating the old road two thousand years ago..."

"Isn't it? With the development of commerce and industry, wealth will eventually be pooled in the hands of a small number of people. This small number of people can control the lives of most citizens through employment and slavery, thereby gaining invisible power, Ultimately achieve control of the country."

"If that day does come, this group of "small people" with wealth and power will compete for an emperor and reproduce the glory of the monarchy; but it is also possible that they will avoid fighting and take turns to govern. An elite political group that completely controls the power of the country."

Saladin looked at Todd and shook his head with a smile and said: "So, in my opinion, the decision of the King of Muxi City to transfer power is simply to embark on an old road that is destined to return to the starting point."

Todd shook his head and expressed different opinions: "Although the current Muxi City is very similar to two thousand years ago, it will not follow the old path of the past. The most fundamental reason lies in the government and the law. The democratic republic empire two thousand years ago , government decision-making and legal constraints are relatively weak, and the country is easily controlled by the aristocracy. However, if the government members are full-time politicians, they are completely selected by elections; and the legislative, judicial and law enforcement agencies are independent, which can avoid civil rights being left behind .”

Saladin was silent for a moment, and after carefully chewing Todd's speech, he slowly said: "What you said is very interesting, and some things have given me new ideas and perspectives. But you still can't solve a basic problem — the divide between the rich and the poor.”

"The poor get poorer and the rich get richer. This is a common problem in all countries. When the wealth of citizens is deprived a little bit, they will have to depend on the new aristocracy to survive. With less and less available materials, they In order to continue living, there are only two choices, one is to resist, and the other is to obey. If the resistance fails, these citizens will lose their freedom; The presence of slaves."

Todd once again objected: "Compared to the past, the government should have an important public function, which is to adjust social wealth and reduce social contradictions. The specific means can be taxation, fiscal incentives, national welfare and other tools; on the other hand, Democratic factors in law-making can eliminate inequality as much as possible.”

Saladin waved his hand and said: "What you said is just a solution to the symptoms rather than the root cause. It is impossible for the government to adjust the speed of wealth to catch up with the speed of the nobles' wealth accumulation. If it is too hasty, it may even lead to riots in the kingdom; How can there be any fairness in the hands of a few people?"

Todd looked at Saladin, and suddenly asked in a deep voice: "If in your opinion, the road of a democratic republic is a dead end, what about an autocratic monarchy? Is this a perfect road?"

Hearing this, Myris tugged on Todd's sleeve anxiously, signaling him to pay attention to his speech.

Hearing Todd's questioning, Saladin's heart felt dull for a while, and his whole body suddenly sank down. After a long rest, he calmly said to Milis: "It doesn't matter, academic discussions should not be bound by red tape. "

"I must admit that in a huge empire, if you only listen to one person in everything, it may not be a good thing." Saladin supported his body with his arms: "If the emperor is wise, it may be okay for the country; But if the emperor is stupid, the empire is like a boat sailing through the sea, and it will disappear in a blink of an eye."

"Take the current Ayub Empire as an example. When I was here, I might be able to barely support it, but my heirs..."

"His Majesty the Emperor!"

A cry from Meris made Saladin smile wryly.

"Myris, this is not something taboo. People will eventually die one day. We have been preparing for this day all our lives. Fearing it and avoiding it is trying to stay away from the embrace of Allah."

Saladin looked at the blue sky and green hills outside the window, and said softly: "But what worries me is the mission given to me by Allah, and the great vision in the prophecy... If it weren't for these, I would never get my hands on Abba. Every plant and tree of the Sri Lankan Empire bears a lifetime of infamy..."

Saladin clutched his chest tightly with his right hand, with a pained expression on his face, and slowly tilted his body to the ground.

Myris turned pale with fright, stood up and shouted, "Guards! Guards!"

The guards rushed in quickly, watching the emperor fall to the ground, the anxious head guard drew out his weapon, pointed at Miles and Todd and shouted loudly: "What did you do?!"

Saladin, who was sweating profusely, waved his hands and said in an extremely weak voice: "It's none of their business, let them go."

Todd walked to the door of the room and looked back at the caliph of the empire; it happened that Saladin, surrounded by doctors and guards, was also looking at him.

The latter moved his lips slightly and said a word.

Todd recognized the first half of the sentence as "God gave you the same fate as me, but...", but he couldn't hear the second half.