A Tale of Strategies For the Throne

Chapter 260

Views:

For a long time, whether it is Aaron Landis or other countries on the continent, the implementation of monopoly.

That is to say, all the powers of each department in the royal court are controlled by the director. Likewise, in local cities, all rights in a city except military power are controlled by the consul or the city lord.

This kind of system can easily lead to a situation where one person dominates and deceives the superior and the inferior.

Tozes City is a prime example.

Therefore, after thinking about it for a long time, Gallan decided to refer to the system of separation of powers in later generations and implement the pseudo-separation of powers in Aaron Landis.

In fact, to put it simply, it is to split the powers that can be restrained from each other and hand them over to different forces to check and balance each other.

It is too risky to rashly reform the political system, and after all, it is the first time to try a new system. Although he has a general direction, there are still many details that need to be improved.

If the whole country is used to test the new system from the beginning, it will definitely cause a certain degree of turmoil, and maybe even lead to irreparable losses.

Therefore, when Garland established the Commerce and Trade Department, he planned to use this new department to test the waters of the new system.

The structure of the old departments has been fixed, the personnel forces are complex and chaotic, and the implementation of the new system will definitely be resisted by the old forces. It is like a picture that has already been drawn, and it is very difficult to modify it.

Only the newly-born Commerce and Trade Department belongs to him completely, and it is a brand new blank paper, which he can plan according to his own vision.

For a long time, although the two major temples have a very high reputation in Aaron Landis, their status is detached and they are respected, but in fact their real power is not large.

Priests are generally attached to nobles, city lords, etc., and assist each other as subordinates. Therefore, it will happen that the temple forces in local cities obey the city lord. This is the case in Tozes City.

But now, Garlan has directly raised the status of the temple to the point where it is tied with it. In this way, the temple is free from the restraint of the noble city lord and becomes a power of its own.

Separation of powers.

Mutual restraint.

Form a stable tripartite trend.

Raising Nanna's temple power to the point where it is on a par with Shamash's temple power, Garlan thought, Xie Muer would definitely be dissatisfied with this.

Therefore, he deliberately asked Xi Muer to come over and talk about this privately in advance.

Although politically, he had to juxtapose the power of the two temples.

But in Gallan's heart, Xie Muer was an irreplaceable existence for him.

In previous lives, only Xie Muer had been by his side. Even, it is very likely that Xie Muer paid the price of his life for him in every life.

Shemuer will always hold an important place in his heart.

He didn't want any change in their relationship.

Therefore, Gallan prepared a lot of words, and planned to explain this separation of powers to Xie Muer from the inside out, so that Xie Muer could understand his approach.

Who knows, he just told Xie Muer about this system, and before he made any explanation, Xie Muer asked him directly.

"In your opinion, this system is good for Aaron Landis, isn't it?"

"Uh, that's right..."

"Since that's the case, just do what you want."

The high priest of Shamash said simply, without questioning.

He just added solemnly.

"This matter is of great importance, please do it carefully and do not rush for success."

Garland: "...Oh."

So all the prepared words were discarded.

Seeing the unexpectedly calm Xie Muer, the young king scratched his head in doubt, then turned his head and ordered someone to notify Heimos to bring Suojia over the next day.

After coming out of the palace, the priests of Shamash and the priests of Nanna had a rare walk together.

Although the two of them walked forward without looking sideways, ignoring each other, let alone speaking, the rare situation of them walking side by side made a team of guards who were patrolling next to them couldn't help but look sideways.

After walking for a while, the two came to a place where there was no one else.

There was a fork in the road ahead. Seeing that the two were about to part ways, Suojia glanced at the people around him and spoke first.

"It's surprising."

"what?"

Xie Muer's tone was cold.

"You didn't object to this."

Not to mention that the priests of Shamash are almost all rigid and conservative people, sticking to the ancient legal system and stubbornly unwilling to make changes, the fact that King Gallan appointed the priests of Nanna is enough to make Shamash The priests firmly opposed it.

Because in the eyes of the priests of Shamash, the priests of Nanna are all insidious and cunning villains, good at intrigues and tricks, and good at exploiting the loopholes in the law.

They hoped that Wang would stand upright, of course, they would not allow such a villain to approach Wang.

Therefore, throughout the ages, the auxiliary priests around the King of Aaron Landis will only exist on one side, and the other side will be completely overwhelmed.

For example, there is only Shemuel, the priest of Shamash, by King Kamos.

Suojia originally thought that this matter would definitely be opposed by Xie Muer.

Who knew that Xie Muer acquiesced without saying a word from the beginning to the end, and did not exhort and advise King Garlan as harshly as he imagined.

Xie Mu'er looked at Suojia lightly.

"I used to be as arrogant as you were, believing that what I thought was 'right' was right," he said.

Self-esteem is very high.

The conclusion that you have come to think is correct.

Contrary to your own position, it must be wrong.

It was the young prince who made him see his arrogance.

"His Majesty will become a wiser king than ever before," said Shemuel.

Everyone agrees that he was the mentor of Prince Garlan, who taught an excellent prince.

But only he knew that over the years he had learned much more from the young prince than he had taught him.

He is good, Heimos is good, Kaihos is good, even King Camos.

Rather than saying that they are guarding the prince, it is more that the prince has been influencing and guiding them little by little, making them grow into a better version of themselves.

Like the stars in the starry sky at night that guide the direction of everyone.

"I trust Your Majesty."

"He will surely lead Aaron Landis in the right direction."

"That might be a road that I can't even see."

Xie Muer looked solemn, and his words were frank and calm.

"Suojia, I don't like people like you very much. But I will never use my personal dislike and prejudice to use the excuse of 'for his own good' to influence His Majesty's decision-making."

"I believe that the monarch I choose to follow can make the right judgment."

After Xie Muer finished speaking, he didn't say any more, and didn't look at Suojia.

He turned and walked straight off the road on the left without looking back.

It can be seen that his disgust for Suojia is not light at all.

Suojia looked deeply at the back of Xie Muer's departure, with a complicated expression.

After a while, he shrugged.

"To each other, you're also my least favorite type."

After a little silence, he suddenly sighed.

"'Believe in your monarch, and do not use your own preferences and prejudices to influence the monarch's decision'...?"

He smiled wryly.

"I have to admit, at least in this respect, you are better than me."

Soggar turned and went the other way.

"However, this time, I will never lose to you again in front of King Garlan!"

The priest of Nanna muttered to himself as if under an oath.

He is in no hurry.

Under the throne of the young king, he and Xie Muer still have a long time to decide the final outcome.

When everyone left, Garlan saw that there was only Heimos left anyway, and he didn't need to maintain any image, so he simply left the government room.

In the lounge on the side of the palace, which was closest to the water curtain, so the temperature was relatively cool, he nestled comfortably in the soft snow-white pillow, holding a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice in both hands.

The crystal clear ice cubes collided in the glass cup with the floating cloud pattern, making a clattering sound.

Heimos sat cross-legged next to him, holding a stack of documents in his hand, and discussed with Garland as he turned it over.

A few days ago, he submitted a set of proposals for legion reform to Garland. Garland had planned to discuss this matter with him two days ago, but this guy did something wrong to him while he was asleep.

Garland drove him away in anger, and ignored him for two consecutive days.

That's why this matter has been postponed to today's negotiation.

Military innovation is not a simple matter, and Gallan has self-knowledge. In terms of military affairs, his aptitude is not at the same level as Heimos.

You must know that in previous lives, even if Heimos became that way, during his reign, Aaron Landis was the worthy overlord of the entire continent in the military.

No one dared to take a step.

Therefore, he simply let Heimos do it after making a few suggestions.

As for the needed weapons, armor, and belongings, the recently rich young Wang waved his hand and said that if he needed anything, he would go directly to Tarr for it.

When the discussion was almost over, Garlan sat up, raised his hand and rubbed his shoulders.

There have been too many political affairs these days. I slept late at night, and I was inattentive. Last night, I fell asleep.

It's not serious, but when you turn your head, it still hurts.

He rubbed his shoulders himself, but his hands couldn't exert much force and were of little use.

never mind.

Endure it first, and let Tapti massage him in the evening.

Thinking like this, Garlan withdrew his hand and yawned tiredly.

Before the yawn was over, a warm palm suddenly pressed against his shoulder and rubbed the contracted muscle hard.

A burst of intense soreness suddenly surged out, causing him to shrink back reflexively and avoid the hand.

Garlan turned around and saw that Heimos was beside him.

"doing what?"

"A muscle strain in your shoulder?"

asked Heimos.

"Well, I didn't pay attention when I slept last night..."

Garlan pressed his still aching shoulders and answered in a depressing tone.

"Come on, let me press it for you."

Hearing what Heimos said, Garlan felt alarm bells in his heart for a while.

He didn't say a word, just moved a little to the side, looking vigilantly at someone with countless previous convictions.

Looking at the pair of golden eyes that were originally half-closed but suddenly widened because of his own words, staring at him vigilantly, the look of instant alertness was so cute that Heimos's eyes couldn't help but bend. for a moment.

He smiled and raised a hand in an oath.

"I swear, I will do nothing."

"..."

The golden pupils twitched and looked suspiciously at Heimos.

Garland said, "No need, I'll just ask Tapti to press it for me."

As he spoke, he subconsciously wanted to shake his head, but as soon as his head moved, the muscles on his shoulders and neck were sore that he froze for a moment.

"You know, I'm much better at things like muscle strains than Tapti."

Heimos coaxed people very patiently.

"You are very light. I can help you press it. You don't want to be in such a pain for a day, do you?"

"… "

There seems to be some truth. Heimos has been practicing martial arts all year round, and muscle strains are probably common, so he must be more proficient in treatment than Tapti.

Garland thought a little heartily.

After all, the soreness of the stiff neck is really uncomfortable. Of course, it is better to relieve it earlier.

but…

He is still hesitating.

"Garlan, I won't do anything except help you heal."

Heimos repeated the sentence again.

He said, "I never lie to you, do I?"

"… "

Indeed, what Heimos said to him was always what he said.

Should... You can trust him, right

Garlan thought so, and finally the thought of wanting to solve the problem of shoulder and neck pain prevailed.

He undid the short cloak from his shoulders, then leaned over the cushion.

Because of the hot weather, he was wearing a rather loose sleeveless tunic with no accessories.

Looking at Garlan obediently lying in front of him, Heimos stretched out his hand, pushed aside the blond hair scattered on his shoulders, and pulled it aside.

The back of the neck, hidden under the blond hair, was exposed.

The line of the back of the boy's neck is extremely soft, and the blond hair is pushed aside to reveal an extremely beautiful arc.

The moment I pressed my fingers, I felt the tension in my shoulders and neck under my fingers.

As soon as Heimos rubbed it hard, he heard Garlan groan in pain, but he wanted to hold back the sound, and half of it was swallowed back.

The golden red eyes darkened and became a little deeper, but the dark color that came up from the bottom of his eyes was quickly suppressed by him.

Heimos rubbed it hard again, and the sore and painful feeling made Garland shrink back and try to avoid it.

But as soon as he moved, he was held down by Heimos.

"to beat."

Heimos said his voice suddenly became a little hoarse for some reason.

After saying that, he rubbed the fingers on Garlan's side neck vigorously.

This kind of contracture muscle must be rubbed open with a little effort, as long as it is rubbed open.

Being held down by Heimos and unable to move, Gallan could only hold back abruptly, but he couldn't hold back and groaned again.

When he hummed like this, he felt the fingers that were kneading the side of his neck pause.

He thought it was alright, but just breathed a sigh of relief, who knew that the finger immediately moved again.

But fortunately the most unbearable soreness was only the first dozen or so times. After rubbing it away, the stiff neck was relieved a lot.

The kneaded area gradually became more comfortable.

The rough palms pressed against the skin on his shoulders, and the scalding heat penetrated deep into his skin from Heimos's fingers, driving away the soreness and making people feel extremely comfortable.

Every time that finger rubbed, there was an electric shock-like numbness transmitted from the back of the neck to the limbs.

It was a strange and painful pleasure, which made people unable to use their limbs at this moment, and could only lay lazily.

Garlan was lying on the ground, squinting and looking comfortable.

He felt a little drowsy with comfort.

The beautiful young man lay lazily on his stomach, revealing his entire body defenselessly in front of the man who peeped at him.

Heimos stared at the boy below him.

Under his fingers was soft skin, as smooth and delicate as a fine silk garment.

As soon as he touched it, the skin seemed to suck at his fingers, preventing him from leaving.

He watched his brown fingers sink into the soft skin, as if embedded in it.

He watched as his fingers pressed red marks on his fair skin, the marks he left on the body below him.

Make him more and more fascinated by it.

Because the sleeveless robe was rather loose, he could vaguely see the two thin bones on Garlan's back, under the fair skin.

Because Garlan was lying on his stomach, his shoulders tensed from time to time, and it showed a little there.

Like the wings of a butterfly, symmetrical and slender.

Every time Heimos rubbed Garlan's side neck with his fingers, Garlan's shoulders would tighten, and the looming butterfly bones would move accordingly.

Like fluttering wings, it induces people's desire to touch.

It gave Heimos the urge to lean over and take a bite.

He took a deep breath and tried to suppress the urge that was almost unstoppable in his heart.

Difficulty looking up.

Moving up, he saw a pale pink trace like a petal on the back of Garlan's neck.

This petal-like brand mark has landed on Garlan's body since he was very young.

He stared at the trace, not knowing whether it was intentional or unintentional, and the hand that was kneading Garlan's shoulder moved in that direction.

The next moment, the pulp of his thumb gently rubbed the pale pink trace.

When his rough fingers brushed the small brand mark, the back of the neck of Garlan, who was already drowsy, suddenly trembled, as if he couldn't bear the sensitive touch.

The boy who was half-awake and half-sleeping let out a muffled sound like a whimper.

Soft, like a whimper, that fragile and helpless groan, on the contrary, more and more arouses the most cruel desire in the depths of the heart.

Heimos took a breath.

He stared at Garlan, his eyes were no different from those of a hungry wolf with green eyes.

The man's eyes were extremely terrifying at this moment, as if the prey in his eyes would be swallowed alive in the next second.

The young man didn't notice it.

Sensing that Heimos stopped moving, Garlan opened his eyes, turned his head, and looked at him in confusion.

He didn't know how dangerous he was when he looked back at Heimos with a hazy gaze.

He didn't know that just one look from him made the man behind him almost out of control.

Taking a deep breath, using his remaining rationality to control the burning desire in his body, Heimos withdrew his hand with difficulty.

"It's almost there, just massage a little to relax."

He stood up, avoiding Garlan's eyes, and said,

"I'm going to have Tapti come over and continue."

"why?"

Garland asked in a daze.

Why do you want to change people in the middle

He is comfortable, continue to press ah.

Heimos, who had already stood up and turned his head, suddenly turned his head.

He leaned down deeply, his fingers gripping a strand of Garlan's blond hair.

He clenched his blond fingers very hard, and his gaze looking down at Garlan was so dangerous that Garlan shuddered and instantly woke up.

Heimos's gaze made Garlan's heart beat rapidly. He felt like a prey being stared at by a wild beast. He couldn't move for a while, and he was a little flustered.

"Go on..."

Staring at Garlan, Heimos whispered.

His voice was unbelievably hoarse.

"...I can't help but break you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Heimos got up and left.

Garlan, who didn't react for a while, stared blankly at the back of Heimos.

When he understood what the other party had just said, the boy's fair face suddenly flushed red, until it reached the base of his ears.

Holding down half of his hot face, Garlan gritted his teeth.

This guy is getting bigger and bigger! Not by-

Uh

By... what