plumnovel #591 - Constitutional Convention (upper middle)
#591 - Constitutional Convention (upper middle)
The Central Palace is a renamed version of the Papal Palace, because from now on, it will be the location of the central administrative body of Thousand River Valley.
It is located on the banks of a tributary of the Nauan River, a long, narrow palace running north-south, with the Pope's private city gardens directly to the west.
To the east is the entrance to the palace. Standing on the platform of the Central Palace, one can see the sky-colored river water behind the elm trees and the gray-green river bass leaping in the water.
On the street between the elm trees and the Central Palace, several vendors push their carts, smiles plastered on their faces, handing rice wine and dry bread to these representatives of the common people.
Representatives from the Council of State, dressed in gray-yellow linen shirts and silk robes, entered one after another from both sides of the arch, while others stood by the door, chatting idly.
Dozens or even hundreds of idlers stood nearby, occasionally trying to glean information from the commoner representatives.
Sitting in the shade of a tree, Lufiel ate a sugar-coated biscuit with a bored expression: "Cousin Catherine has been inside for so long, why haven't we heard any news?"
The honest and simple Abaz did not reply, but stared blankly at the sugar-coated biscuit in his hand.
Lufiel patted him on the shoulder: "Hey, I'm talking to you. Is there something wrong with this sugar-coated biscuit?"
"No, it's just that the price is much cheaper than what we have back home. Why is that?" Abaz took a bite. "And it's sweeter too."
"The Black Serpent Bay is just south of here. Didn't that warlock Pope always get along well with the Black Serpent Bay? Probably got it from them," Venise replied casually, chewing on a biscuit.
Hearing the term "warlock Pope," Lufiel frowned: "What are you talking about? Venise, where did you learn the most basic respect in etiquette?"
Venise's expression stiffened, clearly not expecting Lufiel to react so strongly, but his youthful pride prevented him from admitting defeat: "That farmer Horn, wearing the Pope's hat, always mingles with wizards and secret societies, not to mention his alchemical weapons. How is he not a warlock?"
"And he came up with the 'Thousand River Valley Declaration of Freedom' and the 'Sacred Charter,' didn't he? He was already a Protector of the People in a territory before he was twenty. What about you?"
"Give me the same luck as him," Venise retorted stubbornly. "I could do it too."
Lufiel rolled her eyes at him: "If you went, you would have gotten your head chopped off in Gulag. We're here to learn. Be humble."
"Learn? Learn my ass." Seeing everyone looking over, Venise felt even more embarrassed. There was even a hint of pleading in his angry eyes. "What's so good about them to learn from? You'll see, today's constitutional convention won't be anything good. It'll probably be just vulgar language, devoid of rhetoric and logic."
"Hey, what do you mean by that?" A representative who was passing by and was about to be late, hurrying towards the Central Palace, immediately turned around upon hearing these words.
"Our Council of State is a noble and sacred hall of elegance, serving the supreme two Protectors of the People. Who's speaking vulgar language? I'll curse your whole family! You dumb pig!"
"Did I say anything wrong? Is there any need to study a remote region's parliament?" Seemingly relieved, Venise shifted the argument from himself and Lufiel to the passerby. "Besides, isn't that vulgar language?"
"I'm not in the Council of State!"
On the other side, the three were still arguing, but Abaz was still studying the sugar-coated biscuit.
Abaz came from the Lilac Corridor. His family was a newly wealthy noble family that made its fortune through the sugar trade. He was much more sensitive to sugar than the other two.
In his opinion, at this price, given the quality of the sugar frosting, the profit margin was already very low, even suspiciously like malicious competition.
But the problem was that there weren't many sugar merchants in Thousand River Valley. It was definitely a seller's market. Who were you competing with?
Silently noting the name "Saint-Machinery Court Madeleine Bakery," Abaz decided to investigate it thoroughly in the next few days.
But before he could think clearly, a warm little hand took his hand, and a flushed Lufiel dragged him away: "Let's go eavesdrop. Don't pay attention to Venise. He's just an idiot."
Abaz instantly forgot about the sugar frosting, smiling foolishly as he followed Lufiel towards the Central Palace gate.
Seeing this, Venise's originally flushed face turned pale. He didn't even bother with the remaining argument and quickly followed Lufiel, trying to explain and beg for forgiveness.
But the more he begged, the more Lufiel ignored him, striding forward.
Fortunately, Catherine arrived in time, leading them into the venue as the bell for the start of the meeting rang.
Finding the three of them in a bad mood, Catherine couldn't care less: "You sit in this observation seat and don't make any noise."
"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Sister Catherine."
Catherine patted her hair and turned to walk back to the representative seat.
"Stop talking, Venise. If you say anything more, I really won't talk to you anymore," Lufiel whispered, scolding him as she heard Venise still trying to explain like a mosquito buzzing.
Venise quickly shut his mouth, but after a moment, he suddenly whispered, "It must be crude and unbearable."
"Tsk!"
Meeting Lufiel's gaze, which was about to explode, Venise quickly lowered his head.
"Salute the Despot-Consul!"
"Salute the Grand Patriarch!"
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As the master of ceremonies shouted, the three Elven youths sitting in the corner looked up and saw a man and a woman entering from the doors on the left and right sides of the lecture hall.
Behind them were two executioner guards holding axe-guns. Many representatives stood up and paid attention to the two highest rulers of Thousand River Valley, one tall and one short, who slowly entered.
Lufiel couldn't help but widen her eyes. The attire of these two people was exactly the same as that of the Protectors of the People in history.
Although the Holy Elven Empire now flies the banner of "El," their emperors and kings always wear gaudy, colorful, split-necked short robes, and add white lace to their sleeves.
Not to mention all kinds of red, green, jade, gold, and silver ornaments on their hands and necks, pink diamonds on their crowns, amber brooches on their chests, and thick white or even orange foundation on their faces.
The two Protectors of the People in front of them wore no makeup, dressed in pure-colored red and white togas, wearing Elven sandals, green olive branch crowns, and gold-tasseled sashes, with no decorations on their bodies.
Even the other two Elven youths couldn't help but be stunned, as if they saw figures from classical times walking out.
Even their number was two, in line with the ancient Elven dual Protector of the People system.
Walking to the adjacent thrones, the two sat down almost simultaneously.
After they sat down, the remaining representatives in the venue sat back in their seats amidst the sound of footsteps and the rustling of clothes.
Scanning the venue, Melia's cold, magnetic voice sounded: "Is everyone present?"
"180 representatives, one late, two absent due to illness, three expelled from the venue for fighting in front of the hall, and the rest have all arrived, Despot-Consul," Catherine replied, sitting across from the two.
Horn nodded slightly and took out a small wooden hammer: "Since everyone is here, then Article 4 of the 'Sacred Charter,' 'The Definition, Obligations, and Rights of the People of Thousand River Valley,' and the binding bill, 'The Law Granting Permanent Lease Rights to Public Book Farmers'..."
"Ding—"
Tapping the copper bell next to him with the small wooden hammer, Horn said loudly:
"Officially begin the discussion."