From Concubine to Pharaoh [Transmigration Book]

Although Plato and the others couldn't figure this out at all, it didn't prevent them from doing as they wished.

After all, since losing the throne of the first priest, Platu and Alba think about how to return to the council every day.

And Roach, who was lucky enough to be the number one priest, also knew that he didn't have that level of intelligence, so he could compete with people like Filin and Senmut on his own.He knew in his heart that the other two in the small group had to be pulled back into the council as soon as possible.

Therefore, the motion to dissolve the three-member council was quickly passed unanimously, the three-member council at the Karnak Temple was immediately disbanded, and the new 13-member council at Thebes entered the preparation period.

But it wasn't until the three-member council was disbanded that Plato and the others found out.Even if the number of members of the council is expanded to 13, there is no way for all three of them to return to the council——

Amon's envoy Erich announced the new rules for the 13-member council in the Karnak Temple: In the 13-member council of Thebes, thirteen members must come from all walks of life and all walks of life. Groups self-select.

The priest of the Karnak Temple, because he has always managed the public affairs of Thebes.Therefore, as an exception, two priests can enter the council, and the other 11 people are from outside the Karnak Temple.

This is almost unprecedented change.

Not only Plato and others were dumbfounded, but even the entire Karnak Temple couldn't believe it was true.

It has greatly reduced the power of the priests, from Plato, the former first priest, who monopolized power, to the young priest Filin who had a disagreement with Plato, entering the council, and then the council was completely diluted by a large number of secular forces. dilution.

It is said that Plato once led the priests to confront the envoy of Amon, Elyse, and asked her why she deliberately weakened the authority of God.

The answer given by the envoy was: Since everyone in Thebes devoutly believed in the god Amon, the authority of the god Amon has not been weakened.

"Under the watchful eye of God, I believe that those selected for the 13-member council will not and dare not make decisions that violate Ma'at—"

This was Erich's answer at the time, and this answer quickly spread throughout Thebes through various channels.

At a time when the three priests were furious and the rest of the priests were panicked but helpless, Feilin, who had been elected as the second priest, spent all day running and lobbying in the city of Thebes.

Relying on the reputation and contacts built by his family over the years, he explained the new rules of the council to the whole of Thebes, and invited people from all walks of life and interest groups in the city to nominate representatives to join the 13-member council.

Thebes has been in operation since the Old Kingdom, and there have been multiple classes in the city, mainly clergy, various officials, nobles, landlords, farmers, merchants, small handicraftsmen, and some special occupations, such as mercenaries.

When the three-person council monopolized power before, all interest groups other than the clergy were deprived of the right to discuss and make decisions, and used divine power to control the entire city.

But now it was the divine envoy of God Amon who proposed to bring all the groups in Thebes back to the council, and the whole city was confused for a while.But they all feel vaguely excited about it.

As the only person who knows the inside story, Feilin has spent the past few days tirelessly describing the visions promised to them by the gods to people from all walks of life in Thebes.

"Don't the farmers always complain that the temple invaded their land? As long as there is a farmer's representative standing in the council, they can make a motion to prevent the temple from encroaching on the land."

"The proposed motion will be submitted to the entire council for deliberation. During the deliberation process, both parties need to explain the reasons for their approval or opposition. The entire council will make a joint decision based on the interests of the entire Thebes."

"Really?"

"But...is it possible?"

Landlords big and small who owned land and farmers who cultivated small pieces of land couldn't believe it was true when they heard Filin's explanation.

"Filin, although no one from your family has been on the council since your father passed away, but you... are you a priest after all... If the god really needs a temple to build a new temple, you will be willing to be a Will the farmer stop it?"

"If it is really necessary for the temple to obtain new land, build temples, and worship the gods, then the temple should at least give corresponding compensation to the owner who lost the land... These should be decided after everyone's consultation and are fair to both parties .”

"In short, the envoy said that in order to maintain Ma'at in Thebes, public affairs must be decided by the entire city, and it cannot be done arbitrarily."

"However, Thebes now has a population of nearly 5, and it is impossible for us to ask everyone for their opinions on everything. Therefore, the angel's opinion is to invite thirteen members to join the council. Members can represent the opinions of different groups of people. Therefore, he can protect your interests when discussing matters..."

"Please don't worry about the temple. There will indeed be two priests joining the council at the same time. But you may know that there are different factions among the priests, so it is absolutely impossible to cover the sky with one hand..." Ferlin deliberately shrugged, Spread your hands and say.

Everyone looked at each other and smiled when they heard it.

Indeed, to coordinate various interests within a group, it is not easy to elect a representative.

But in order to ensure the interests of the entire group, they must coordinate, tolerate, and compromise... in the hope that a representative can be successfully elected to join the 13-member council.

"In short, to avoid dictatorship, we must disperse power and restrict each other." Filin summed up his lobbying today with a very profound sentence.

"Filin, I really can't see it. It's only been a few days since you were chosen by the gods, and you already understand such a complicated truth?" People who knew Feilin before showed admiration.

"Thank you everyone..." Feilin said embarrassedly after being praised.

In fact, his eyes have been opened these few days. After thinking about the envoy's words over and over again, he only feels that they are infinitely useful and beneficial. He even feels that these may need to be pondered and practiced in his whole life.

"I have to say goodbye. Before this evening, I have to rush to pay a visit to the artisans in the city." Fei Lin said his farewell sincerely.

"Haha, the most important thing is to finish all the errands assigned by the envoy and go back with the little wife. Hurry up, Mushana has been waiting for you outside the door for so long."

Felin and Muzana had not been married for long, and their grand wedding was still fresh in the memory of the whole of Thebes, so it was easy for people to joke around at this time.

Feilin's face flushed immediately, but he turned his gaze outside the door without any offense.

The Mushana standing outside the door was wearing a long robe at the moment, her hair was completely covered with a scarf, the hood of the long robe was torn off, and the brim of the hat was pulled down low.

Occasionally, the young girl raised her eyes to look around, and suddenly there was a fierce look in her eyes, which is unique to warriors. She glanced around and then retracted vigilantly.

In the Thebes Hotel, Erich was watching with great interest as Senmut wrote rows of neat words on the papyrus with an ink pen in his hand.

"What is this you wrote?"

Elyse cannot read hieroglyphic or hieroglyphic script.Therefore, I am particularly envious of Senmut's high reading and writing skills.

"I'm recording the rules of procedure for the 13-member council that you explained to Ferrin yesterday."

Senmuth seems to be playing a pious scribe, who will record all the important words spoken by the oracle.

"I think this is an important innovation in the history of Egypt, especially for the Nomes of Upper Egypt..."

The nomes in Upper Egypt have always been disgusted with the pharaoh, and they have violated the rule of Tilos.Most of the nomes are like small city-states. Leaders elected by the city-states usually manage their own internal affairs, and they will gather in Thebes to discuss when encountering military affairs.The Pharaoh of Lower Egypt was the person they would consider contacting when they were desperate.

Therefore, the rules of the council will be particularly suitable for the various nomes of Upper Egypt.

Erich smiled and said, "Yes, the 13-member council should be enough for a city-state the size of Thebes."

As far as she knows, in the same historical period, small-scale city-state politics had already appeared in the Mesopotamia, and decision-making mechanisms such as multi-person councils, elders, and temple groups had already appeared. What she proposed was not particularly ahead of the times. new concept.

But for the people of Thebes, they really need to get familiar with politics as soon as possible, which is an open and fair power struggle, rather than letting a small group secretly control it.

"Do you really think that the people of Thebes can manage their own city in this way?"

When he was young, Senmut had already written a whole piece of papyrus, held it in his hand, and gently blew the ink on it.When he went to fetch the second papyrus, he couldn't help asking.

"Of course. But they need to get used to this way as soon as possible, and it can't be the same as before."

"Then... do you think that the decision made by this council will be better than that made by Pharaoh?"

The question Senmut asked makes it easier to recall that he has always been a loyalist to the pharaoh-this is a topic that has been avoided between Senmut and Erich recently.

"Of course it depends on which pharaoh it is."

Alicia turned her head to look at Senmut, and said with a half-smile.

"Master High Priest, do you still remember that I also elected you into the three-person council during the selection ceremony of the temple?"

"Thanks to God's favor, Your Excellency—"

Senmut lowered his eyes and said politely.

"In fact, not only do I think you are qualified to be on the three-member council, but I think that even if you are in charge of the Thebes council alone, you will do better than the previous priests, and even Filin."

Hearing this, Senmut's handsome face immediately flushed red, and even his fair neck instantly turned rosy - it should be because he is not used to Alicia's outspoken compliments in person.

"But you...haven't you ever thought that if I were to be in charge of the council alone... I would gradually be corrupted by excessive power, and I would also...become bad?"

Senmut has recently heard a lot of discussions between Erich and Ferrin about the council, and the arguments that excessive power is corrupted by power, and he blurted out such words.

Alicia was as calm as a huan, she just raised the corners of her lips casually, and said: "In my opinion, even a strong but not necessarily kind person, as a leader, is definitely better than an incompetent, but A kind-hearted man."

Senmut couldn't respond for a while, and silently recited Alicia's words, and fell into deep thought for a while.

"Lord Senmut, you are both powerful and kind. You have always been the type I trust very much—but can you stay in Thebes forever and solve problems for the people here?"

Erich praised Senmut face-to-face again, and then asked a rhetorical question.The high priest opposite her continued to flush, and then shook her head gently.

"Yes, as the priest of God Tut, you have the obligation to protect the Lord of Egypt, and you cannot stay here forever—"

When it comes to protecting the Lord of Egypt, Erich's tone is more or less sarcasm.

"Although I am the envoy of God Amon, I am a mortal and cannot interfere with the affairs of this city forever. Therefore, the only way is to establish a suitable system here to prevent this city from being Inappropriate people take full control."

"Establish the proper system..."

Senmut's slender eyebrows couldn't help but raised slightly, the ink pen in his hand paused thoughtfully for a while, then quickly flowed out the words, and wrote down quickly.

And in his pair of golden pupils, small and complicated symbols flashed quickly, as if the high priest had instantly transformed these views of Erich's into information and stored them in his knowledge palace.

And Ellie was looking forward to those eyes, and there was a feeling in her heart out of thin air—a feeling that she was about to be squeezed dry.

If this continues, Senmut will see through all her arrangements in Thebes.