Chapter 115 The Parliament
After the speech, he turned around and manifested a throne on the platform to sit on. Cane ascended the platform once again, stood at the front, and spoke, "As per His Majesty's wishes, The Parliament shall be formally created."
Cane then explained to the people everything about the new government. Different from the British regime where the monarch's authority would be lessened, The Emperor's authority would still be absolute, and the Parliament would only help him rule by publishing laws and customs.
Another thing was the creation of constituencies, division of the existing cities, creation of new lands under irrigation, and invigoration and leveling of barren lands and mountains that were just blocking valuable assets for the dynasty.
One of the things that Matthias did was the creation of the Lotus Firmament (lián huā tiān kōng), a wide circle-shaped mountain range that almost looked like a lotus located at the middle of the territory.
On the left side of the Lotus Firmament was the White Lotus Palace, a white lotus-shaped palace that was meant for The Representing Court of The Lawful and Hardworking People of Qin and The Empire or The Court of The People that represents the constituencies and villages.
On the right side was the Red Lotus Palace, a red lotus-shaped palace for The Court of The Rightful Nobles Who Guards The Realm and The Dragon Throne or The Court of Nobles that represents the nobles that have been proven to have good quality and conduct.
In the middle was the Golden Lotus Palace, the same as the other two palaces but gold in color, but taller than the two palaces. It was designated to be the place of meeting for the Parliament.
As per the agreed schedule approved by the Old Imperial Court, Cane, and Matthias, the start of the people's campaign of those who want to run for member of The Court of The People will be held the next day and will continue for two weeks.
The candidates would also be investigated because of the tightness of the schedule. To avoid nuisance candidates and corrupt ones, it would be necessary for this approach.
Representatives from the capital would all travel to the new constituencies and villages for the people to appoint their representatives a week after the campaign. The voting would last for a week
For The Court of Nobles, with the help of the Gongsun Clan and their allies nobles, they would inform all the nobles of the matter and choose their own representatives.
After the crowning ceremony, Matthias called upon him, "Cane Maxwell, I call upon you as the Emperor." And so, Cane did. He walked towards the throne and knelt.
"With the authority bestowed upon me as Emperor of Qin and The Head of State, I appoint Cane Maxwell, member of The Royal House, as the First Prime Minister of the Parliament and the State." Matthias took a book that he created the night before. Just the pages were 3.5 inches thick, and the cover was made from premium leather that is a half an inch thick. He stood up and extended the book facing Cane.
He then looked at Cane meaningfully, "Cane Maxwell, do you accept the proposition?" He asked. "Do you swear under the Book of The Parliament of Qin your allegiance to the Dragon Throne and The Dynasty?"
In response, Cane stood up and placed his left palm on the book and right hand raised up, "I, Cane Maxwell, member of the Royal House and the Parliament, swore allegiance to The Emperor, The Dragon Throne, and The Dynasty with all my heart and soul. I accept the position as Prime Minister that was placed upon me. I swear to be impartial and loyal, merciful and compassionate, stout and true, for the Emperor and The Dynasty." He swore.
Matthias smiled at him and handed him the book and faced towards the people, "Behold, the new Prime Minister of Qin!" He announced with joy.
"Glory to The Prime Minister!"
"Glory!"
Although shorter than the applause for the Emperor, the cheers and praises of the people were still there, present.
After the ceremony, trumpets blew, signalling its end. The people subsided, others stayed to look at the grandiose palace. The officials returned to their homes to prepare for the following events.
Below the palace, a woman had her mouth gaping, "Why is the Emperor so familiar to me?" She muttered.
Inside the palace, in the meeting room..
Matthias sat at the end of the table. He has already changed his clothes into a more comfortable one, a simple gold hanfu and a gold hair stick to hold his hair in place. Behind him was the newly appointed Prime Minister, Cane Maxwell and Li Shangren.
With him sitting at the table were four other people. One of them was a Middle-Eastern looking man, a Japanese, a Han, and an Eastern man.
"I welcome you to our dynasty." Matthias stated as he extended his hands towards them.
"Thank you, Emperor of Qin." The Japanese man nodded at him kindly.
"Thank you for inviting us, Your Majesty." The Han person nodded respectfully.
"As you all know, I am the Emperor of Qin. May I know who everyone are?" Matthias inquired.
"I am Seizawa Suigetsu, Envoy of The Shogun of Tokugawa." The Japanese man took the first initiative and answered.
"My name is Shang Quewen, Representative of the House of Shang of the Qian State." The Han person seconded.
"I am the Second Son of Duke Verimont, Sanadir Verimont." The Middle-Eastern man also answered.
"And I am the Representative of the Xianping Faction of the Yuan, Kang Ganshu." The Eastern man answered.
"It is nice to know anyone." Matthias nodded with delight. "Do you want any beverages?" He asked.
"I'll go with tea." Suigetsu replied.
"I'll go with tea as well." Said Shang Quewen.
"I prefer coffee." Sanadir nodded at him.
"I'll just have water." Ganshu answered.
"I'll have the servants prepare it for you." Matthias smiled amiably. He then turned around to Cane and signalled him. Cane bowed and left the room with his front facing them.
"So, what are your thoughts about our dynasty?" When Cane left, Matthias asked his visitors.
"It has been developing a lot recently under your rule." Seizawa Suigetsu replied.
"Has the Tanaka Shogunate been watching the development of Qin all this time?" Matthias asked curiously.
Seizawa Suigetsu shook his head. "When you defeated Guan Shaoming, that was when our Shogun began watching your stance towards your neighbors and your way of rule. If you are proven to be a capable ruler, we would step forward and extend a proposition for alliance and partnership. If it was proven otherwise, the Shogunate wouldn't even bother with your existence." He replied.
"The Shogunate has always adapted to a neutral stance. We wouldn't even bother quarrelling with other nations as long as they don't harm our land." He added.
Matthias understood. From his Earth as well, Japan has always remained neutral after the huge war that ravaged the world. He then looked at Sanadir and inquired, "Has Duke Verimont decided if the Verimonts would establish trade relations with the Qinshan Commerce?"
Sanadir replied, "As long as Your Majesty can prove that you have abundant resources and treasures, we would gladly establish cooperation." He also added with a cold voice, "Our Verimont Clan had long since been disgusted by the lofty rule of the Kashmir Family, and we ought to strike that cruel family down to its knees."
Matthias nodded with understanding. He then looked at the remaining two, "As I have heard, the Yuan Empire has been in a very chaotic and terrible situation lately. What are the actions that your leaders would take? Qinshan Commerce would still cooperate with you as long as you have enough funds." He said.
"Qian State would definitely separate from those barbarians." Shang Quewen spat out coldly.
"Princess Xianping wants to change the Yuan Empire in a major way. We would do all that it takes to win the succession. If not, we would also separate from the Empire." Ganshu replied.
"Mr. Ganshu, how confident is Princess Xianping of claiming the throne?" Matthias asked.
With that question, Ganshu went silent. It was after a while when he replied, "The truth is, with his half-brother Dugu Zhuwei's power over the original Yuans, It would be hard to hold on to the capital even if the Princess wins." He continued, "And even before we seize the throne, Prince Dugu Zhuwei is also a terrifying adversary to go against."
Matthias clasped his hands and thought for a moment. He then faced Shang Quewen and questioned, "If Princess Xianping wants to change the interior of the Yuan Empire fully, can the Qian State help the Xianping Faction to prevent any of the princes to ascend the throne?"
"Hmm.." Shang Quewen went silent. Matthias then added, "The Qian State would of course stay independent after the fight for the throne. The State would just help the Princess' Faction to defeat their adversaries. Of course, Our Qin Dynasty would also help in the shadows. We would make sure that no one hinders our plans."
Finally, Shang Quewen replied, "I would have to consult the Elders and the other families with that, Your Majesty."