Tang Qi Tan

Of course, in the face of Jiang Tian's arbitrary decision, surrounded by tens of thousands of soldiers on the periphery; whether it is the siblings who are the heirs of the uncle, or the Dutch nobles, vassals and citizen representatives who accompanied them to make a statement; In the end, there was still no way to express dissent and objections.

Next, most of the people instead fought over the qualifications of representatives of the auxiliary government conference and the specific details of the selection process; those who were red-faced argued on the spot;This situation also made Jiang Tian confirm one thing again.

After the defeat and death of the former Dutch count, neither the (citizens/merchant group) cod faction nor the (nobility/vassal) hook faction no longer wanted a serious and qualified ruler; they just wanted to support A puppet that is easy to manipulate and influence, with more power.

Even the process of the previous earl's defeat and death itself had serious problems.However, Jiang Tian sent troops to the lowland princes of the Netherlands not simply to solve their problems; he just wanted to obtain a relatively stable and peaceful environment for the northern border of the kingdom.

In the end, under the guarantee and endorsement of the Kingdom's force, the two parties reached an agreement called "Rotterdam Reconciliation"; and the New Kingdom Army could finally return with a full load of spoils, military expenses contributed by the local government, and many captives who were forcibly relocated. On the way home.

However, there was a small episode before leaving.There are actually a considerable number of native Dutch residents who have volunteered their requests and petitions, willing to migrate to the kingdom with the surrendered Britons.Of course, most of them are the destitute and heavily indebted farmers.

Because of the British occupation, the situation was directly or indirectly improved; there are also a small number of local officials and small fief owners who initially defected to the British for self-protection.Obviously after the Britons left, they were afraid of being held accountable from within the country.

In this regard, Jiang Tian did not hesitate to give them a last bit of favor; he turned around and bought a large amount of materials needed for the migration at a relatively favorable price from the two parties who had reached an agreement.Therefore, in the end, along with the First Army, there was a huge immigrant team of as many as 6 to [-] people.

In addition, Jiang Tian also took the time to hold a private award ceremony for a certain yellow-haired mercenary; he was awarded a bronze medal of courage and the title of honorary sergeant major as a reward for his contribution in this operation. Concrete performance.Also harvested a grateful new subordinate.

In the snowy city of Seine, the capital of the Kingdom of Zealand, Rafaro, who had just presided over a municipal meeting, did not sit in a carriage with warm charcoal fire, but walked straight in a cloak facing the bitter cold wind. After clearing the snow, it froze on the hard streets.

He just walked aimlessly until he passed through most of the urban area.Passed by and inspected several places, the public relief point set up by the Civil Affairs Department on the street, and then tasted the rusk full of impurities, after stewing a thick soup with a strong taste in a large pot;

"Well, it's another night when no one freezes to death for the time being." Rafaro murmured to himself, passing through the crowds who were busy clearing snow and clearing roofs on the street, and changing street lamp oil; Now a wagon full of rubbish.Finally came to the Civil Affairs Bureau.

With the cold wind and snow powder swaying as he pushed the door, he turned around a short corridor, and a hall full of heat and endless traffic was immediately presented in front of him.There are at least a hundred people busily moving in and out of it; there are rustling sounds of moving documents and writing everywhere.

Most people were so engrossed that after Rafaro walked in, he almost didn't raise his head to take a second look; he was still immersed in the figures and reports he had mastered.Therefore, without alarming most people, Rafaro came to the third floor.

As a member of the Capital Region Control Committee and the acting mayor of Senna, Rafaro also saw comrades who fought side by side in the past, survivors of the liberal radicals who advocated the rule of the wise and Platonism; they were released from the dungeon prison of Hezhou Castle, Seraphim, who volunteered to work.

In a sense, Serafi, the interim civil affairs director, has much deeper qualifications than Rafaro; he was also one of the famous leaders in the May storm that led to the downfall of the White Iris Dynasty. A frequent visitor to almost all prisons in the Capital Region.

Therefore, in his early years of political activities, he was either interrogated in prison, or on the way to prison when he was arrested, or engaged in radical and dangerous activities that could be imprisoned anytime and anywhere; but he also became familiar with people from all walks of life character, developed a following.

It’s just that his luck was a bit bad; when the charter government, which tried to protect the king and reconcile the royal power, was established, it was just taken as a signal of reconciliation between all social classes and the royal family, and he, who pardoned political prisoners in batches and released him from prison, was quickly included as a factor of instability , and was re-arrested.

Then, the Charter government, which was criticized for its command and muddle, collapsed within a few years amid internal and external difficulties.The royal family, which lost the protection of the charter government, was destroyed in the blood moon incident; the five dukes took the opportunity to summon local armed forces to enter the capital, retaliating massacres and civil wars.

Then he was also regarded as a symbol of being persecuted by the old regime during the coup in the capital. The rioting masses robbed the Royal Army Stable Prison, participated in the uprising launched by the liberals in the capital, and was elected as one of the public security committee members.The victors of the five great dukes' civil wars were expelled and defeated.

However, he, the Public Security Commissioner from the Supreme Freedom Commune, has not been in office for long, but he has been criticized for his cruel liquidation of the old nobles and officials, and his severe treatment of all potential traitors and wavering elements.As a result, after the establishment of the republican directory government, it was quickly liquidated.

But also because of this period of prison life, he escaped the constitutionalism (maintenance) government that advocated reconciliation, and the purge and counterattack of republicans and liberals.When he launched another prison riot and came out, he encountered the Burgundian dynasty raiding the capital.

Then he fought to the last moment, exhausted and captured among the dead. He should have been sent to the beheading platform by the restored dynasty; In the palace prison.But at this time fate made another joke.

The short-lived Burgundian dynasty was soon defeated by the free army rising in the south.In order to meet the upcoming new government, as the number one internal responder and spy Rafael; in the last period of the Burgundian dynasty, almost opened the prison and began to list all kinds of social talents.

Even the case files were lost, and Serafi, who had been forgotten for a long time and was dying, was able to see the light of day and receive medical treatment and recuperation.Then unexpectedly, Serafi, who seemed to be dying of illness, volunteered to work for the new government after initially recovering his health.

However, the long-term street riots and prison life left many deep imprints on his appearance, but also seriously damaged his health.Therefore, even though he is not much older than Rafaro, his beard and hair are gray and mottled prematurely, and his face is full of wrinkles...

Now the other party, who is the interim Director of Civil Affairs, has been buried in the piles of documents and files, and failed to notice and pay attention to Rafaro's arrival.Until a few civil servants and staff who strode forward to report suddenly saw Rafaro sitting by the door, and hurriedly saluted and said hello.

Seraphim, the Director of Civil Affairs who was immersed in his work, raised his head in astonishment.Then he ordered a pot of hot strong coffee and a pot of black tea with a lot of brown sugar, a large plate of rough biscuits with jam, and a small bowl of fried salted lard slices and a salt shaker.

"..." However, Lafaro raised his brows slightly after taking a bite of the rough biscuits, because the rough biscuits were exactly the same ingredients as the thick soup used to help the poor on the street; ; And jam and coffee, strong tea are also cheap tastes.

However, Serafi ate with relish, and crunched the fried lard dipped in salt.Therefore, Rafaro couldn't help asking: "Is the price of goods in the capital already so high, or is there a shortage of your salary and personal ration?"

"Of course not, it's just that after so many years in prison, the tastes and habits I have developed can no longer be changed!" Serafi smiled slightly: "But compared to others, I am still lucky; after experiencing so many things, And live to see the kingdom rise and rise."

"This is simply the most ideal era. A wise monarch directly selects capable men to discuss state affairs, and lower-level officials are selected through fair examinations; instead of being based on noble origin and bloodlines; they also listen to the opinions of the subjects through the Council of Senior Citizens composed of various classes. voice and need."

"This is simply the most perfect and exquisite combination of the centralized power of (Seres) Orientalism, the co-governance of the (Roman) republican elite, and the wise man of (Greek) liberal thinking. Our Majesty, really You are worthy of being an apostle and saint walking in this world!"

"So don't worry, I will take good care of myself and try to live longer." Having said that, his face showed an unusual brilliance: "This is how we can witness and experience with our own eyes. How prosperous and powerful will it be?"

"By the way, the signal tower on the border has sent a message that His Majesty has led the First Legion back to the country." Rafaro said helplessly: "It's just that this time we will take the coastal road in the province of Calais; so we estimate the next goal , that is, the armed forces in the upper and lower Normandy provinces."

"So next, I need the Civil Affairs Bureau to fully cooperate with the Royal Statistics Office and the Finance Committee's manpower, and use the last time of winter to complete the population statistics of the redundant capital region and the preliminary accounting of local resource output as soon as possible."

"This is not possible, I need more replacements, otherwise it will be unthinkable." Seraphim shook his head without hesitation and said: "You have sent most of the old officials to remodel; And the students of the vocational training institute, each department is not enough."

"I came here just to solve this problem," Rafaro said with a confident smile, "The war in the Netherlands has been quelled, and the newly established northern special military region has also replaced a group of disabled veterans. There is no shortage of candidates who can count and read."

"Originally, I planned to transfer all of them to the nearby General Police Department and local branch of the Capital Region; but if you need it, I can request to be seconded to the Civil Affairs Department to replace some positions; but whether they can be persuaded to stay voluntarily, we must It depends on your ability and means..."

"Nowadays, many entertainment venues in the outer ring area and the lower city have passed the review again, received licenses, and gradually resumed business." Theatres, clubs and private salons also came alive."

"I personally suggest that you can strengthen the placement of some eyeliners in those places where the public gathers, such as cafes, restaurants, hotels, etc., through the approval of business licenses; in addition, the relevant practitioners of those theaters, clubs and private salons in the inner ring are The same reason..."

"Are you planning to let me take the job of the former Public Security Commissioner with the duties of the Director of Civil Affairs?" Serafi's expression gradually became serious: "You are not satisfied with the work of the Capital Police Department today, And do you want to distribute its powers separately?"

"No, no, the police department has its own responsibilities, which are the basic needs of maintaining order and public security on the surface, at least there are no problems now." Rafaro shook his head without changing his expression: "But because of special regulations There are too many people retained, and I feel a little uneasy."

"So, whether I am a member of the control committee or the acting mayor of Seine City, I need a source from the lower class or even the gray area; as a basic reference. The gray area of ​​Seine City is not to worry about for the time being, so I need to come from The cooperation of the Civil Affairs Bureau. At least after the return of our king, it would be nice to be able to show an improved new look of the capital."

However, when Rafalo walked down the stairs again, he looked at a young man standing at the corner of the stairs calmly, and glanced at him; the other party nodded slightly and retreated into the shadow of the building.This is also one of the eyeliners he secretly arranged in the Civil Affairs Bureau.

As the spy chief who had been lurking in the capital for many years, he certainly would not listen to anyone, even if this person was very close and trustworthy; Be subtly changed, become beyond recognition.

This is the experience and lessons he learned from surviving the previous tragic turmoil in the north, and after changing his appearance, he still lived with ease.