"Colin, do you really not need me to accompany you?"
The carriage stopped in front of the prime minister's mansion, and after Colin got off the carriage, he stopped Vera who wanted to follow.
"No, you go back to the Phoenix Palace first, and I will go talk to the Prime Minister myself."
"All right."
Although full of doubts, Vera had long been accustomed to obeying Colin's orders, she tiptoed to lightly peck her husband on the mouth, and then waved goodbye.
After announcing his identity, an attendant led Colin into the living room.
Colin waited for about five minutes before he saw Baron Heidegger, Prime Minister of the Empire, walk in.
"Good day, Viscount Angelet!" Baron Heidegger was a little surprised to see that Colin was alone.
After all, these days, Colin and Willa have been appearing in various public places at the same time.
"Good day, Mr. Prime Minister. I take the liberty of visiting, I hope I didn't disturb you."
"Of course not." Baron Heidegger waved his hand, signaling Colin to take a seat, and rang the bell. Afterwards, several maids came in with silver trays and placed red wine and small cakes in front of them.
Colin knew that when Maester Dawn visited last time, Heidegger entertained him with roasted sweet potatoes. Compared to this, it seemed that his reception this time was more formal.
But Colin also understood that Dawn was actually the way to entertain real friends that time.
"Master Prime Minister, I heard that you have deep insights into how to govern a country, so I have always wanted to find an opportunity to chat with you and learn from your experience."
"Your Excellency, Viscount, you are too polite." Heidegger smiled slightly, did not say much, and waited for Colin's next words.
Colin took a sip of the red wine, and then said in a relaxed tone: "That's right, Mr. Prime Minister, I have never quite understood the existence of the Senate.
Of course, I understand that the establishment of the Senate is to limit the imperial power, lest Your Majesty make a wrong decision in a moment of confusion.
But what I want to know is, if the senate makes a wrong decision, then who can limit it? "
Baron Heidegger shrank his eyes and said with a faint smile: "Your Excellency, your doubts are indeed justified. However, the Senate is not monolithic, but has 117 members. If you think about most of them Humans make mistakes, it’s just not possible.”
"However, more than a hundred senators will be greatly influenced by the five consuls. Therefore, as long as most of the five consuls make mistakes, the senate is likely to lead the empire to a dangerous situation."
Heidegger seemed to be interested, and asked with a smile: "So you think the influence of the consul is too great, right?"
"That's right."
"Then what good solution do you have?"
"It's an immature idea."
"Please tell me."
Ke Lin shook the red wine glass in his hand, the corners of his mouth slightly curled up, and he said leisurely: "I think the fundamental reason why the consul has so much influence is because this position is for life!
So, if we abolish the lifetime tenure of consuls and replace them with, say, elections every three years, then the above-mentioned problems will not arise. "
A hint of disappointment flashed in Baron Heidegger's eyes. Obviously, Colin's suggestion did not arouse his interest. He shook his head and said:
"Your Excellency Viscount, your idea is good. But you know that in order to abolish the lifelong tenure principle of consuls, the "Charter of Glory" needs to be amended, and to amend the charter, His Majesty must agree, and an absolute majority must be obtained in the Senate up vote!
Your Majesty may be interested in your proposal, but it will definitely not pass the Senate. "
Ke Lin shook his head and said unhurriedly: "Master Prime Minister, this may not be the case."
"Oh? What do you mean?"
"Do you know how I plan to elect this consul?"
"How to choose? Isn't it re-recommended by the five paladin families? And then voted by the Senate?" Baron Heidegger wondered.
But just after saying this, he seemed to realize something, and his expression suddenly became serious.
Colin smiled slightly and continued to explain: "If the election method is like what you said, of course you can't pass the Senate. However, if we let every member of the Senate have the same candidacy, they can all run for the consul Woolen cloth?"
"How can the consul not be a member of the paladin family? It is even more impossible to pass the Senate, not even His Majesty..." Heidegger stopped in the middle of speaking.
He stood up abruptly and kept pacing back and forth in the living room.
His face became more and more excited. After a while, he stood still again and laughed loudly: "Wonderful! What a wonderful idea!"
Heidegger finally realized the feasibility of Colin's approach.
This is to take advantage of the biggest loophole of the Senate - consuls and ordinary senators have only one person, one vote!
Although the consuls have great influence, they have no privileges in the number of votes. In fact, it is more than a hundred ordinary senators who really decide whether a proposal can pass the Senate.
Of course, since the consuls were from the five major paladin families and they were able to gain the right to speak in the Senate meeting, their attitudes could largely influence those ordinary elders.
However, when the interests of the consul and ordinary elders conflict, will the elders still vote according to the attitude of the consul
Obviously not.
Colin's current proposal takes advantage of this.
Of course, today's consuls will strongly oppose this reform plan, but what about those ordinary elders
If Ke Lin's proposal is passed, then from now on, the position of consul in the Senate will no longer be exclusive to the elders of the paladin family, and ordinary elders will also have this opportunity!
Faced with such a temptation, ordinary elders will definitely vote for it!
In this way, no matter how much the current consuls object, this proposal by Colin will definitely pass the Senate with an absolute majority of votes in favor!
As long as the consuls are no longer tenured for life, they will not have the detached political status they have today. In order to keep their positions, they will become weak, they will start to compromise, and they can be drawn, divided, and threatened.
In short, the status of the consuls of the Senate will drop a lot.
More importantly, Colin also has a way to get that damn Sebas St. Hilde down!
Baron Heidegger took a deep look at Colin and exclaimed: "Your Excellency, Viscount, I am amazed by your wisdom! I have to say, this idea is very feasible!"
Ke Lin smiled reservedly, and said lightly, "That's good."
Baron Heidegger rolled his eyes and suddenly smiled: "However, your proposal may touch the interests of some people."
"Of course." Colin shrugged and didn't pay much attention. "Every reform will touch vested interest groups, but as long as it is beneficial to the empire, it has meaning to implement."
Listening to Colin's righteous words, Baron Heidegger smiled and exposed:
"Really? You made this proposal for the benefit of the empire? How did I hear that in the just-concluded Senate meeting, some people made it clear that they opposed Vera's succession to the Duke of the North?"
Ke Lin didn't feel that his petty thoughts could be hidden from the imperial prime minister, and he didn't feel embarrassed when he heard the words, he still said righteously:
"I do think about the future of the Empire. Prime Minister, don't you want to see a weakened Senate?"
A stern look flashed in Baron Heidegger's eyes, he nodded and said, "Yes, the Senate needs to be reformed..."
But then, he showed a sly smile again, and asked suddenly: "Then Viscount Angelet, can you tell me why Miss Vera was sent back to the Phoenix Palace alone when I was at the door just now?"
Now, Colin's expression finally changed.
(end of this chapter)