Chapter 140 True Love

  The capital's departure from the controversy triggered by the sudden strange behavior of the Great Emperor did not have any impact on the turtle.

  Two days have passed, and Tu Wugong is busy with the procedures for granting titles. The noble council has sent someone to contact Xia Ya, asking him to report his family background and personal history. Unfortunately, Tu Wugong is a real unlucky star, and he doesn't even know who his parents are, so how can he report it?

  Finally, they added up the total and had Rourou and others help them fabricate a family tree that included eight generations of paternal and maternal ancestors, uncles, aunts, and so on. In the end, Tuer took it from Rourou and others with great effort; "Honestly, fatty, I thought I had to be careful around you... You're really good at lying without even blinking. This thing, I almost believed what was written on it myself."

  Lu Ru was so angry that he almost kicked it over, scolding: "General Ben is busy with official duties and doesn't care about you, staying up all night to get these out for you. Every thank you note has so many useless words! Don't bother returning them to me!"

  Xia Ya was unwilling, but couldn't help smiling and putting it away; "Alright, consider this a favor from me."

  Then, someone was sent to submit this thing to the noble council. The following things are just verification and identification work. Lul said that if the emperor wants to promote Xia Ya, a local turtle, the noble council will not obstruct it. This examination is just a mere formality.

  The next day, Xia Ya went to see General Adelric who had arrived in the Imperial Capital. By this time, news of the general's appointment had spread throughout the Imperial Capital. Although Xia Ya didn't quite understand what the "Vice Minister of Military Affairs" was, judging from the scene before him, it seemed that he must be a big shot.

  When they met, General Adrick himself was calm and composed, seemingly without any joy of promotion, but instead more serious. When he saw Xia Ya, the scar-faced general encouraged him well, and then didn't say anything else. However, Xia Ya instinctively felt that although the general's attitude seemed to have not changed much, some details in his behavior had become strange.

  Adrick seemed to be distracted several times during the conversation, and each time he was distracted, although it was very short, he stared at Xia Ya with an unusual gaze.

  Xia Ya knew that if he hadn't been arrested by the military that time, things wouldn't have turned out as they are now. If General Adrick hadn't stepped in to help him, he would still be a country bumpkin, clear about his grudges and affections. When someone treated him well, he was truly grateful. So when he saw General Adrick, he showed special respect for this general who had helped him, without any of his usual joking manner.

  After the conversation, Adrick suddenly said: "Kato and Sharba, they are all good men who have followed me for many years. I know that their relationship is very good, and there is also a Kevin."

  When mentioning the death of the bald-headed man, Adrick's deep thought also had a few melancholy, and then this hard general shook his head: "Don't mention this anymore, being a soldier and fighting wars, dying on the battlefield is a common thing, you and I don't have to be too indulged in this emotion. Kato and Sharuba, two of them, didn't want to stay in the 13th Cavalry Regiment anymore, these two kids, worried that Rul would not lead the 13th regiment well, so they came to beg me, wanting to follow me together.

  But... I didn't agree

  "Huh? Why?" Xia Ya asked in surprise: "Didn't you get promoted?"

  In his opinion, General Adrick was very good to those under him and had promoted them into the military department. If he could still follow him as the Deputy Minister of Military Affairs, it would be a great opportunity. The general was not the kind of person who would forget old relationships after being promoted, yet he refused to let two old subordinates follow him...

  "Alright, follow me to the military department. From now on, life won't be easy. Thinking about it, I'm afraid it's not as carefree and happy as staying in the barracks. So, I brought them to the capital, and let them follow you instead. In your eyes, you all are brothers who came out of the bloody sea together, I believe you won't mistreat old friends."

  Seeing that the general didn't want to say more, Xia Ya simply stopped asking. Anyway, Kato and Shale were his own brothers, no matter what, he would always treat them well.

  It's just...the general's attitude, yet somehow it always makes Xia Ya feel uneasy.

  Although the general was stern and rarely smiled, this time when he spoke, it somehow sounded like he was making arrangements for after his death.

  Adric fell silent, looking at Xia Ya, his eyes were originally firm, but in a certain moment, inadvertently revealing a warmth, only to be fleeting, quickly turning back to his usual severity.

  "Hmm... Tomorrow, I'm going to the Imperial Senate to go through the formalities of my appointment. Shaya, you come with me too. The Imperial Senate is where the Empire was founded, it's a place of great significance. You should go and experience it for yourself, it will be helpful for your future path."

  Xia Ya didn't ask much and immediately agreed. He had great respect for the general, and since the general had spoken up to have him do something, it must be good for him.

  The next day, Xia Ya accompanied General Adrick to the Senate for a motion. This time, Adrick only brought more than a dozen personal guards back to the imperial capital. According to tradition, when going to the Senate, they had to change into white robes, without wearing finery or any official uniforms that could show their identity - this was an embodiment of the spirit of democracy: everyone is equal.

  However, Xia Ya knew that in his heart he had a few points of disdain: everyone wearing the same clothes is equal and the same? It's just a few pieces of cloth to cover up. After leaving the Elder's Hall, high-ranking officials, common people are like ants, how can they be the same?

  But Adric seems to have a very respectful attitude towards the Council of Elders, and since General wants it that way, Xia Ya naturally does not say a word and follows suit.

  However, as Adrick General took off his armor and put on a white linen robe, the originally fierce face revealed a hint of sacred expression, which also made Xia Ya feel a little surprised.

  Young tortoise, at this moment he still doesn't understand what is called "faith", what is called "ideal". However, from the general's body, he has instinctively and vaguely felt a different kind of experience.

  It seems... these are things that generals hold in extremely high regard.

  A group of people all wearing indistinguishable white robes rode horses to the front of the Imperial Senate, still dozens of meters away from the entrance. The general led by example, dismounting and walking his horse.

  Adrick walked ahead, turned around and smiled at Xia Ya who was full of doubts, saying in a warm tone: "A thousand years ago, it was a tradition before the Yuan Lao Yuan that no matter how noble or royal, they were not allowed to gallop their horses, as a sign of respect for the people's rights."

  Xia Ya was bewildered in her heart, but she just did as she was told - he didn't know what kind of thing civil rights were, he only knew that whatever the general let him do, he would do!

  "Hmm... Tomorrow, I'm going to the Senate to go through the nomination process. Xia Ya, you come with me too. The Senate was established at the founding of the Empire and holds great significance. You should go experience it for yourself, it will be helpful for your future path."

  Xia Ya didn't ask much and immediately agreed. He had great respect for the general, and since the general had spoken up to have him do something, it must be good for him.

  The next day, Xia Ya accompanied General Adrick to the Senate for a motion. This time, Adrick only brought more than a dozen personal guards back to the imperial capital. According to tradition, when going to the Senate, they would change into white robes, without wearing finery or any official uniform that could show their identity - this was an embodiment of the spirit of democracy: everyone is equal.

  However, Xia Ya knew that in his heart he had a few points of disdain: everyone wearing the same clothes is equal and the same? It's just a few pieces of cloth to cover up. After leaving the Elder's Hall, high-ranking officials, common people are like ants, how can they be the same?

  But Adric seems to have a very respectful attitude towards the Council of Elders, and since General wants it that way, Xia Ya naturally does not say a word and follows suit.

  However, as Adrick General took off his armor and put on a white linen robe, the originally fierce face revealed a hint of sacred expression, which also made Xia Ya feel a little surprised.

  Young tortoise, at this moment he still doesn't understand what is called "faith", what is called "ideal". However, from the general's body, he has instinctively and vaguely felt a different kind of experience.

  It seems... these are things that generals hold in extremely high regard.

  A group of people all wearing indistinguishable white robes rode horses to the front of the Imperial Senate, still dozens of meters away from the entrance. The general led by example, dismounting and walking his horse.

  Adric walked ahead, turned around and smiled at Xia Ya with a puzzled face, saying: "A thousand years ago, the tradition before Yuan Lao Yuan, no matter how powerful or royal, was not allowed to gallop horses, in order to show respect for democracy."

  Xia Ya was bewildered in his heart, but he just did as he was told - he didn't know what kind of thing "civil rights" were, all he knew was that whatever the general told him to do, he would do it!

  Arriving at the entrance of the Senate, looking at the already mottled stone steps, looking at the copper-rusted large gate, although it has been temporarily decorated, but the rust marks of many years are difficult to conceal. Even if a few points of solemnity are deliberately made, the taste of decay is still difficult to conceal.

  The entrance was empty, the gate was wide open, Xia Ya was puzzled, but then heard Adric chuckle: "This is tradition, whoever is being proposed, regardless of their status or power, once they enter this door, they are equal! If there were people lined up at the entrance to welcome them, that would mean there's a distinction between noble and humble, it can't be called equality."

  Xia Ya didn't think so in her heart, but just nodded slightly.

  He came to the Senate for the first time, a place with great reputation in the history of the Empire, but not particularly impressive in the Imperial City. He walked in and passed through a winding corridor, where the bricks on the ground and walls were already damaged, and some cracks had grown out of weeds.

  Deep inside, it was a circular place like a small theater. Adrick told Shaya that this was the Senate's meeting hall - at the beginning of the empire, the most important document of the empire, the Imperial Code, was passed here!

  Looking at General Adrick's face at this moment, he actually revealed a few hints of excitement, his eyebrows were stern, just like a devout believer on a pilgrimage, Xia Ya understood... The general was not happy because he was about to be promoted here, it seemed that he simply did not know why, but he attached great importance to the Senate.

  In this circular small auditorium, the surroundings are all a circle of tiered high platforms. After taking a look at the environment, it can accommodate hundreds of people. However, on that empty platform, only about 100 people were seated in the front row, and everyone was wearing white robes, looking a bit cold and deserted.

  In the middle of a circular platform, there were three old men in white robes, who were naturally the three chief elders of the Senate. Unlike others in the hall, these three elders had an olive-shaped gold badge on their chest in addition to their white robes.

  Adric told Shaya to find a seat on the steps and listen quietly, not making any noise, then he himself stepped up onto the high platform.

  As soon as he went up, the white-robed members sitting around him burst into an exclamation of surprise and commotion.

  "Ah! Is that General?"

  "How can he look so frightening? Good heavens, just look at that scarred face of his!"

  "Cut it out! You think that's all there is to being fierce, just having a scary appearance to intimidate the enemy on the battlefield? Do you think you're one of those pretty boys doing business in your father's shop?"

  "What general is it, military affairs... Ah, what's that official called again? Right, the Vice Minister of Military Affairs! I heard he's a big shot, even the emperor would show courtesy to him."

  "You said, what is he going to say to us in a while? What does this gesture mean again? Are we supposed to ask him something?"

  "Stop the nonsense, let's hear what he has to say. Ah, I still have chores to do at home. Those three old men said that if we work here for half a day, they'll give us ten companions, but who knows if it's true."

  The whispers and murmurs below were like hundreds of flies buzzing, and when Xia Ya heard them, a few points of dissatisfaction surged up in her heart. She couldn't help but frown, her face looking unpleasant, and she glared fiercely at the people beside her. Those people saw Xia Ya's ferocious expression and all shifted their buttocks to move further away.

  On the stage, Adrick heard the noise below, but what he heard was not clear. His originally passionate eyes were slightly dimmed, and he only frowned, but when he saw three elders working together to lift out a square stone slab with a Bobbi pattern on it and place it in the middle of a solitary table on the high platform, Adrick's eyes suddenly showed a wave of excitement!

  That stone tablet, who knows how many years of history it has been through, the stone tablet is slightly blackened, but on top of it, a line of words is carved, still clear.

  "Power comes from the people."

  This thing, as if it ignited Adric's passion in an instant. He forgot the noise below and walked directly to the solitary table, standing there, nodding at the three elders.

  "Silence! Silence!!!!!"

  An elder spoke up and called out twice: "Now, please let General Adrick accept the ceremony!"

  It's unclear whether it was the elder's dignity at work or that agreeing with him had an effect, but the people below quickly shut their mouths.

  Adrick's face was stern, he walked up and coughed slightly before speaking in a low voice, the general's words echoed clearly throughout the circular conference hall.

  "My name, you all know, today I come here to accept the nomination, it is because all power comes from the people! Today I stand here, accepting the nomination from the people, this is the spirit."

  Adric looked at the crowd below, and the three elders beside him showed a relieved expression.

  They were naturally delighted in their hearts, this proposal was actually reviewed by the "Vice Minister of Military Affairs" such a prominent personnel appointment - that's all. The key is that Adrick's political stance was originally pro-Senate. He himself was also an honorary member of the Senate. Such a person who values the spirit of civil rights is about to enter the core power circle of the empire, so in the future, if he can speak for the Senate more...

  Adric seemed to be getting excited at last; his voice was becoming more generous and expansive.

  "In the place where the empire was founded, a great philosopher once said: Whether it is sacred and supreme, or humble and crawling like ants - all of this comes from the people! If the people support it, there will be grandeur; if the people are not pleased, even grandeur will eventually become humility."

  Adrick's speech here, at the beginning of a Senate session, quoted a famous saying from a work written by this great philosopher and one of the earliest founders of the Senate.

  These words made the three elders' eyebrows dance with excitement, and Adrick himself spoke with a stern expression.

  But after he spoke for a few minutes, the resolution members below gradually showed signs of impatience. At this time, let alone the prestige of the elder, even the effect of ten copper plates seemed to have decreased a lot.

  "What did he say he was talking about up there?"

  "How would I know? What's with the ants crawling around?"

  "Cut, ants are all crawling on the road, what is creeping? Is it a toad?"

  "What did he say? That if the people don't like it, then even the most exalted becomes an ant? What does that mean?"

  "You ask me, how do I know? I don't like that tax collector's face every day, dreaming of getting rich. But what can I do if I don't like it? That tax collector, I dare not provoke him."

  "Shut up! Do you still want those ten copper coins or not?"

  The murmurs below grew louder, but Adrick on the stage seemed to have no reaction, still talking eloquently, only his eyebrows furrowed a few times, and his originally passionate eyes couldn't help but reveal a hint of loss.

  Finally, his speech came to an end. The ten-minute speech made the delegates below yawn repeatedly, and some were already getting restless - there were no seats on this platform, only hard stone, which was uncomfortable after sitting for a long time, making them shift around. Some people seemed to be used to their habits at home, with their legs curled up and propped up on the platform, half-reclining. There were even more outrageous ones who whispered to each other, discussing family matters, meat prices, vegetable prices, and so on.

  Adric finished speaking, his expression gradually becoming more despondent. He slowly turned around and glanced at the elder.

  "Hmm! Silence!!" The elder also blushed a bit, and loudly commanded; "Next, please proceed with the ceremony! Please, Mr. Adrick, accept everyone's inquiry!"

  Interrogation?

  The people below suddenly came to their senses. Before this ceremony, the three elders had temporarily and urgently trained these "members" a lot, and this inquiry was actually a process of accepting everyone's questions and answering them on the spot. Even if it was a difficult or sharp question, the person being held accountable must answer. Even in the ancient tradition, in the most glorious years of the Senate, some dignitaries often couldn't satisfy the members during the ceremony and ended up being asked to be embarrassed.

  Such things, however, have sparked great interest among everyone.

  What a rare good opportunity! Can casually be difficult for this kind of high-ranking person who is usually high above, and doesn't have to bear the consequences?

  Watching such a big shot, such a high-ranking official being made to look foolish by these small fries - what an opportunity! No matter what, even if it's just for the thrill of watching a spectacle, it'll be something to brag about later, a great conversation topic over tea and dinner.

  As expected, once the elder opened his mouth to declare the inquiry, a buzz arose from below, and some noisy disputes began.

  "General, you tell me, why must we collect war taxes every year!"

  "It's like, I live in Australia, wars are fought elsewhere, what's it got to do with me?"

  "There are always people causing trouble in that store of mine, those patrol teams all have connections with the thugs, they're black-hearted! I've paid for security but no one takes care of it!"

  "Too dark! Corrupt officials!"

  "My nephew was beaten by those security guards last year!!"

  "How much does this big shot's car cost per year?! Why are they still exploiting us common people?"

  "Nonsense! It's strange for a noble like him to not be greedy!"

  "Ha! Look at his red face! He's guilty and can't say a word!"

  "Overruled! Overruled!!"

  A loud shout from a starter suddenly reminded the people around him.

  Didn't those three old men teach everyone about the procedure last night and say that at the end of the discussion, it can be either passed or vetoed?

  Most of them didn't pay much attention when going through the process.

  But to reject him... That would be even more satisfying! Normally, when we see such big shots, we have to bow our heads and show respect. To actually have the chance to make someone like that lose face in front of us is a rare opportunity indeed!!

  Disagree! Disagree!!!

  "Rejected!!"

  "Rejected!!!"

  The murmurs of discontent filled the hall, and Adric, who had not uttered a word, was at the top. The so-called "interrogations" below did not even ask anyone a serious question about his promotion to the position.

  Xia Ya's face turned red with anger, and he almost stood up several times, but Adrick shot him a stern glance, stopping Xia Ya's actions.

  Young Xia Ya couldn't understand, a general as good as him, a general who is dedicated to the country, kills enemies and resists foreign invasion, and never does anything wrong in daily life. Why are these bastards treating such a good person like this?!

  General Pi, why be so polite to them?!

  "Overruled! Overruled!"

  "Oh!!!! Rebuttal rebuttal!!!"

  "Right! It's just not letting these nobles get their way!! Reject him! Reject him!"

  "Hahaha! Rejected!"

  The three elders above were red-faced and ear-red, they certainly understood Adrick's character, and knew that Adrick, as a high-ranking official of the Yuan Lao Yuan, was beneficial to the Yuan Lao Yuan.

  But...

  Adrick stood on the stage, his face cold and stern, but his eyes were filled with a sense of loss. He seemed to be ignoring the jeers and catcalls from below - yes, they were just purely annoying catcalls.

  But this general, his face is like that... yet what's in his heart?

  No matter what, at this moment, Xia Ya looked at this place, looking at these guys who were panting with white eyes, his heart was filled with anger and hostility!

  General, what you said about democracy and human rights, I don't understand.

  But, is it really just what you said...?! Is it just about democracy?!

  At this moment, Xia Ya's heart was filled with contempt for things like the Yuan Lao Tai's righteous uprising.

  At the end of the quiet long street in the north of the city, passing through a series of buildings and courtyards, in the innermost round large desk, Kaviser was quietly leaning on a soft couch, with one leg raised, wearing snow-white socks, holding a book to read, as if he had reached the most exciting part, the foot wearing white socks also lightly shook twice.

  Next to him, the freckled girl stood with her hands hanging down, saying in a low voice: "It's probably like this, always is. Today, General Adrick's proposal in the Senate was rejected. I just got the news and thought..."

  Bang.

  Kalvi smiled lightly and put down the book in his hand. He looked at his female disciple with a gentle voice, "Alright, I've known it for a long time."

  Then he stretched out his hand and the girl immediately went over and respectfully helped him sit up.

  Karlvi straightened his body, stretched and yawned: "This structure, I had guessed it long ago. Hmph... those who don't even know how to write connected characters, can't even hold their own rice bowls, how would they understand these things? The people's wisdom is not open, then there's no point in talking about democracy..."

  He said calmly, "This principle, I understand, Your Majesty also understands. However, this time, Your Majesty intentionally made such a move, throwing Adelric's appointment to the Senate for handling, the intention is very clear, it is to let Adelric see what kind of state the current Senate has fallen into! He wants to make Adelric give up on the Senate system, and from now on, wholeheartedly serve Your Majesty~~He wants to use this to make Adelric see things clearly, and extinguish the hope in his heart."

  The girl sighed: "Your Majesty's profound meaning is indeed extraordinary, but I didn't think of this layer."

  Kavi looked at this female disciple and smiled slightly: "What a pity, Your Majesty's intention is ultimately in vain."

  "Oh?" The girl looked up and gazed at the teacher in confusion.

  "I'm quite familiar with Adric's character." Kavisel shook his head, pointing to the teacup on the table. The girl hastily went over and brought it back with both hands. Kavisel took a sip, looked up at the girl, and asked: "I ask you, if you love someone, but the person you love suddenly becomes disfigured and afflicted with a terrible illness, what would you do?"

  The girl was taken aback, but the teacher asked her, and she respectfully replied: "It depends on whether it is true love or false joy. If it's just false joy, I will naturally change my mind and ignore that person. But if it's true love... I will do my best to cure the illness of the one I love! I will never give up because of the other person's illness!"

  Kawashiri listened and let out a long sigh, after a while, he said in a low voice: "That's it."

  He took a glance at this female apprentice: "Adrick, his 'faith' in his heart is true love!"

  The girl listened, her face thoughtful, and after a while, she also let out a soft sigh.

  "Oh?"

  Kavi heard this matter, his eyes suddenly lit up, and a happy smile appeared on his face.

  He stood up, walked to the table, and suddenly raised his hand to gently tap on the tabletop.

  "Haha! Great! Great indeed! Adric brought him along, probably to make this kid believe in that notion... But now, it's backfired. Great! Great! That kid will likely never have a shred of goodwill towards the Senate from now on. Come to think of it, this is actually good news."

  He glanced at this female disciple and suddenly said: "Prepare the carriage, I'm going out."

  "What? Teacher, it's already lunchtime, you..."

  "You don't understand!" Kawaii Hill casually threw out a sentence, striding towards the study door, and the girl behind her quickly followed closely.

  As for the words of the Senate, they must be written and cannot but be written!

  Writing about this kind of subject, only writing about adventure, monster-fighting and leveling up is easy. But to fabricate a complete world framework, worldview, that's what it means to be rigorous. A novel should be like a painting, the best ones should be like famous ancient paintings such as "Along the River During the Qingming Festival", depicting all sorts of lives, different ecosystems, vividly on the canvas. This should be a virtually created world, a complete world framework.

  So these things have to be written down.

  Moreover, it has a huge impact on the personal growth of Tuo Bie.

  Finally, vote for me!!

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