Faced with Saladin's doubts, Todd did not show any panic and said unhurriedly: "Scholars have two meanings. First, they refer to those who are knowledgeable, and second, they refer to those who are dedicated to learning.
A scholar. Perhaps you, Caliph, have seen more of the former, but less of the latter. And I am exactly one of the latter."
After hearing Todd's self-defense, Saladin clapped his hands and laughed loudly: "Well said, well said! In you, I can see neither the arrogance of scholars nor the flattery of the world! You are dedicated to learning.
That’s it!”
Saladin turned his attention to Mairis and said happily: "When those scholars from the north saw me, they either pointed at my nose and questioned Allah, or they knelt at my feet and begged to surrender. This friend of yours
Really an interesting person!”
Hearing the emperor's praise, Mairis nodded, with a rare smile on his face.
Saladin stroked his beard, sat upright, and asked Todd: "Scholar from the north, you are my guest, and it is up to you to decide today's topic. Tell me, what do you want to discuss with me?"
Todd was stunned and began to think about it.
If the topic were microorganisms or alchemy, Saladin would become suspicious within a few words, because the name "Alchemist blessed by God" above Todd's head was so loud that it was easy to associate him with it.
So far; and, having talked too much about bacteria, viruses and parasites, Saladin might force himself to stay if he thought it would be beneficial to the empire.
Thinking of this, Todd finally chose a more popular topic - politics.
Saladin was a little surprised: "You want to talk about kingship and governing the people?"
Todd responded: "I have an emperor sitting in front of me. Isn't now the best time to talk about this?"
While Saladin observed Todd carefully, he nodded happily and smiled: "Okay, today the three of us are going to talk about power and governing the country! Well, let me think about where to start... You are from the north.
,Do you know this place called Muxi City?"
Hearing Saladin's question, Todd was shocked, but his face showed no emotion: "Of course we know that the Muxi Kingdom has risen in a few years and has now become the most dazzling kingdom in the entire diocese."
"The king in Muxi City, who is called the Holy King, is still the ruler of the kingdom in name, but he has transferred his power to a department called the cabinet. Do you know about this?"
Todd nodded slightly.
Saladin looked at Todd's clasped hands and said with a smile: "Now that you know these things, it will be much easier for us to talk about them."
"Let us first look at two thousand years ago. Before the ancient Tyro Empire was established, in the world at that time, multiple independent city-states formed several countries. The largest of them was based on citizens.
Democratic politics. In that country, citizens have equal rights, and everyone has the right to participate in and discuss politics. The Citizens' Assembly is the country's highest authority. At that time, most of these citizens were farmers and craftsmen in a group of city-states.
"
Saladin drank some water to moisten his throat: "However, with the rise of aristocratic slave owners, land annexation gradually became popular, and large numbers of farmers and craftsmen went bankrupt and became slaves of the aristocracy. The so-called citizen groups under democratic politics were also divided.
It collapsed, aristocratic slave owners became monarchs, and eventually the democratic republic was replaced by an absolute monarchy.”
When Saladin said this, he stopped, looked at Todd and asked: "How is it? Does it sound familiar?"
The latter frowned and said nothing.
"The situation in Duixi City now is almost exactly the same as it was two thousand years ago. Citizens have equal rights and can participate in politics and elect members. The members form the Kingdom Parliament to make decisions on national affairs. Those powerful people with wealth in the country are playing a new role.
The role of the nobles is that they annex land and embezzle property. Then, when their power accumulates to a certain extent, these wealthy people will inevitably pursue political status and turn into the powerful class of the country."
Todd stared at Saladin and asked in a low voice: "Are you trying to say that Muxi City is returning to the old path of two thousand years ago..."
"Isn't it? With the development of commerce and industry, wealth will eventually be concentrated in the hands of a small group of people. This small group of people will be able to control the lives of most citizens through employment and slavery, thereby gaining invisible power.
Finally achieve control of the country."
"If that day really comes, this "small group of people" with wealth and power will compete for an emperor and restore the glory of the monarchy; but it is also possible that they will avoid fighting and adopt the method of taking turns to govern.
An elite political group completely controls the power of the country."
Saladin looked at Todd and shook his head with a smile: "So, in my opinion, the king of Muxi City's decision to transfer power is simply embarking on an old path destined to return to the starting point."
Todd shook his head and expressed a different opinion: "Although Muxi City today is very similar to that of two thousand years ago, it will not follow the same old path as in the past. The most fundamental reason lies in the government and the law. The democratic republic empire of two thousand years ago
, government decision-making and legal constraints are relatively weak, and the country is easily controlled by the aristocratic class. However, if government members are full-time politicians and rely entirely on elections; and the legislative, judicial and law enforcement agencies of the law are independent, it can avoid the erosion of civil rights.
.”
Saladin was silent for a moment, and after carefully chewing on Todd's speech, he slowly said: "What you said is very interesting, and some of it gave me new ideas and perspectives. But you still can't solve the most basic problem.
——The polarization between rich and poor.”
"The poor get poorer and the rich get richer. This is a common problem in all democratic countries. When citizens' wealth is deprived little by little, they will have to rely on the new aristocracy to survive. As the supplies available for use become less and less,
In order to continue living, they have only two choices, one is to resist, the other is to obey. If the resistance fails, these citizens will eventually lose their freedom; and if they choose to obey, although they retain their freedom, they will be completely reduced to something similar to
to the existence of slaves.”
Todd once again raised objections: "Compared to the past, the government should have an important public function, which is to adjust social wealth and reduce social conflicts. Specific means can use taxation, fiscal concessions, national welfare and other tools; on the other hand,
Democratic factors in the formulation of laws can eliminate inequality as much as possible."
Saladin waved his hand and said: "These are just temporary solutions, not the root cause. The government's speed of adjusting wealth cannot catch up with the speed of the nobles' wealth accumulation. If it is done too hastily, it may even trigger riots in the kingdom; the power to make laws itself is
If it is in the hands of a few people, how can we talk about fairness?"
Todd looked at Saladin and suddenly asked in a deep voice: "If in your opinion, the road of democratic republic is a dead end, then what about absolute monarchy? Is this a perfect road?"
Upon hearing this, Melis pulled Todd's sleeve anxiously, signaling him to pay attention to what he was saying.
When Saladin heard Todd's question, his heart felt heavy, and his whole body suddenly became depressed. After resting for a while, he calmly said to Melis: "It doesn't matter, academic discussions should not be bound by red tape.
"
"I must admit that in a huge empire, if you only listen to one person's words, it may not be a good thing." Saladin supported his body with his arms: "If the emperor is wise, then it may be okay for the country;
But if the emperor is fatuous, the empire will disappear in a blink of an eye like a small boat chasing the sea."
"Take the current Ayub Empire as an example. When I was here, it might be able to barely support it, but my heirs..."
"Your Majesty the Emperor!"
Melis's shout made Saladin smile bitterly.
"Mairis, this is not something taboo. People will eventually die one day. We have been preparing for this day all our lives. To fear it and avoid it is to try to stay away from the embrace of God."
Saladin looked at the blue sky and green mountains outside the window, and said softly: "But what makes me uneasy is the mission given to me by Allah, the great vision in the prophecy... If it weren't for these, I would never have touched Aba.
Every plant and tree in the Sri Lankan Empire will bear a lifetime of infamy..."
Saladin held his chest tightly with his right hand, a painful expression appeared on his face, and his body slowly tilted to the ground.
Mairis was shocked and stood up quickly and shouted: "Guards! Guards!"
The guards rushed in quickly. Seeing the emperor fall to the ground, the anxious captain of the guard drew his weapon, pointed at Myris and Todd and shouted: "What have you done?!"
Saladin, who was sweating profusely, waved his hands and said in an extremely weak voice: "It's none of their business, let them go."
Todd walked to the door of the room and looked back at the imperial caliph; it happened that Saladin, surrounded by doctors and guards, was also looking at him.
The latter trembled his lips slightly and said something.
Todd distinguished the first half of the sentence as "Allah gave you and me the same fate, but...", but he couldn't hear the second half.