Jacko wrote:I've come back, and wondering what era we are in at the moment.
My last post referred to 1900,
so it's somewhere between 1901 and 1903,
depending on whether LNM's newest proposition is agreed by most.
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Settlements of Samkok (excluding the autonomous Four Rivers and Bengal) Establish "Policy Discussion Groups"
Local Administration Decided by the People, while Court and Aternian Soldiers Maintain Order
In the Samkok Court, ministers and officials are increasingly debating government matters in two groups. While this is not news in Chinese history, it never gets pretty. In fact, some dynasties fell "because" of it. To say King Yau feeling "frustrated" might be an understatement.
Today, King Yau called the head of the two "parties",
Hong Yau-wai (whose given name would be mentioned instead of surname, to avoid confusion with another, earlier
Hong) and
Suen Man, for a talk.
King Yau opened the discussion before any of the two party heads could even come up with a word. "I need both of you to express your opinion on how to run this country. While one is talking, do NOT reference the other's views, and the other is NOT going to comment. In addition, I have brought the chronicler here to record everything you have said. I promise you that neither of you will be disadvantaged by expressing your opinion."
After the two politicians had finished their lectures, and have everything recorded, King Yau just asked, "now, what do you think if we simply lay it out to the people, let them decide which of whom is better, and receive the same treatment that I had just offered you?"
None of them could place a word. They knew the King was going to let the public engage in the daily operation of the Kingdom. Not that they thought it's bad -- Samkok had always been benevolent, not like the Chinese dynasties before it. However, a move like this was almost opposite to what had been practiced in China for 2000 years -- a.k.a. either you accept it or you revolt against it. Understandably, the duo found it risky.
The King laughed. "At least neither of you were talking about asking for more independence from Aternia. And if any people dared to harm anyone else just by discussing matters, the Aternian folks would easily dispatch them. Let's just see what happens."
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In one month time, notices were posted in almost every settlement of Samkok.
Aside from publicizing the views of Yau-wai and Suen, the people are asked to stand on either side, or even welcome to form a group to agree with neither of them.
Then, every settlement held an election of "policy discussion groups", consisting of people who had come out.
For cities, it's easy to form groups of hundreds, while in remote villages groups of just 10 to 20 were common.
Any administration higher than settlement level were still bestowed upon from the Court, and the state military -- together with resident Aternian forces -- still maintains order, but the settlements were allowed to have free discussions on internal matters.
The King knew some people might be dissatisfied with their situation and come out to protest whoever they thought guilty. An additional edict was given which allowed demonstrations on the premise that no harm would be caused. Any life or property damage would be punished as stated by the current law.
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Oh, one thing forgotten: Anywhere
west of Dali was administered by Shi and his aide Cai, and as the place was already very autonomous, the edict explictly excluded the area. Nevertheless, the King sent another honoured minister,
Leung Kai-chiu, to convey the message to Shi (who had celebrated his 70th birthday not long ago) and Cai.