Chapter 10 The Speaker's Proposal, Cultural Double Saints Festival
“Grow potatoes to feed more people to achieve population growth.”
——Population policy plan
…
After talking about the population plan, Peter paused for a moment, called the guards and gave instructions:
"Go and fetch Countess Roman."
"yes!"
Vorontsov looked a little strange. Countess Roman was his brother's wife and had been in the palace recently. There were rumors that the countess had an unclear relationship with His Majesty. He didn't know whether it was true or not.
But now he hopes it's true.
After all, let alone the emperor, who among the nobles doesn't have the nerve to tell others about his mistresses?
Moreover, during the days when the countess was holding her niece in the palace, her brother was really letting loose, living and drinking everywhere, and he couldn't be too happy.
If His Majesty really falls in love with the Countess, the Vorontsov family will only gain more favor.
Moreover, Bestudev would not talk too much about this matter. Vorontsov knew that Bestudev was very concerned about Ekaterina, who was of German descent.
Although His Majesty also has German ancestry, he has no choice now.
In order to be wary of Prussia, Bestudev would definitely want to see some of Catherine's favor be divided.
The others didn't understand why a countess was called, but they didn't say anything and waited silently.
Soon, Vivian arrived, Peter stood up, and other ministers also stood up one after another, and they couldn't help but look at each other.
Why was the countess given such a big hand?
Is it true that His Majesty is related to the Countess?
The countess was very dignified, but she was very frightened at this moment, especially when she saw the people here.
"His Majesty!"
Vivian bowed deeply and waited for Peter's instructions.
Peter took the countess's hand and gestured for her to sit next to him, which made everyone look at her sideways.
Then Peter asked the maid to bring a pen and paper, and said:
"Whatever we discussed, please note down the key points."
That's right, Vivian was asked to come here to take meeting minutes.
For the sake of confidentiality, other ministers did not have paper and pen. He kept the minutes of the meeting for himself, in order to provide reference for later emperors, and these are the basis for future generations to evaluate him.
He didn't care about the evaluation, but he still thought it would be good to leave some information. After all, there might be a chance to be displayed in a museum in the future. It would also be considered as a time traveler and the intersection of time and space.
After more than 400,000 words of writing by Peter Ai, he believed that Vivian's hand speed could meet his needs.
Vivian took the order and sat down, and the door of the conference room palace was closed again.
The population policy had been decided, and Peter looked at Nikita Trubetskoy.
Trubetskoi is both the prince and the speaker of the parliament.
When the Queen does not issue instructions, matters agreed by Parliament will become law, and even the specific use of the treasury is allocated by Parliament.
But now it is an autocratic monarchy, and Queen Elizabeth's period was not so much an enlightened monarchy, but rather a desire not to interfere with so many things.
She wants to be a beautiful woman more.
But that's where the king's power lies.
Peter spoke:
"Prince, do you have any suggestions for improvements in the law?"
When his name was called, Prince Trubetskoy was a little confused and uneasy.
The proceedings of the parliament are basically formalities. The Privy Council makes suggestions. Where money is used, they decide whether to pass it based on the treasury funds. The last time a large amount of money was used was His Majesty's coronation ceremony.
But now ask him for a proposal?
Trubetskoy was panicked.
Peter further said:
"Any proposal that can serve culture and administration is acceptable."
Culture...Culture...
Trubetskoy racked his brains and thought wildly, his eyes suddenly lit up and he said:
"Your Majesty, I suggest that the country legislate and establish a dance festival every Tuesday. Dance makes everyone happy, and there will be a lot less trouble."
Then he thought of the Queen's hobbies.
"Don't you think it's too much to set up a dance festival every Tuesday?"
Peter spoke.
There is no other way. Government meetings in the 18th century were meant to be simple and not too demanding. It was best not to laugh at any opinions put forward by the ministers.
Even if the parliament appears ignorant.
For example, one morning during Ye Er's period, when the congressmen were discussing a remote area in Russia, Ye Er clearly saw that these people had no idea about the location of this area.
Ye Er suggested that these people look at the map first, but there was no map in the venue. Ye Er called the herald, took out five rubles from his handbag, and ordered the herald to go to the Academy of Sciences and bring them from there.
Got a map.
The congressmen finally knew where the place they had been discussing for a long time was. Then Ye Er gave the map to the congress and wrote a letter to all congressmen on June 6, 1763:
"I cannot say that you lack sincere concern for my welfare, and the welfare of all my subjects, but I have to say with regret that many things have failed to achieve their desired goals."
Thanks to a little more historical knowledge, Peter did not laugh, but asked seriously.
He felt that at this moment, he was quite similar to Ye Er's meeting attitude in the TV series Ye Er he had seen in his previous life.
When there are no major conflicts, it's just like chatting.
Prince Trubetskoy hesitated and said:
"Your Majesty, how about setting up a dance festival twice a year based on Her Majesty the Queen's birthday and Your Majesty's birthday?"
Peter smiled and nodded, appreciating:
"This is a good idea. Let's have fun with the people. The Queen will also like it. It's great!"
Trubetskoy was overjoyed by the emperor's approval and began to relax.
"However, since it happens twice a year, let's not call it a dance festival, let's call it the Double Emperors Festival."
"There will be a total of ten days off during the Double Emperor's Day. Not only dancing, but also other entertainment activities are allowed. The tax on commercial activities held during these ten days will be reduced by half, and corporal punishment of serfs is not allowed."
Peter added.
"yes!"
Trubetskoy smiled happily and respectfully accepted the order.
Countess Roman saw Peter scolding Fang Qiu from the side, writing in her hands, and her eyes showed admiration.
Vorontsov saw all this.
"Okay, the prince proposed the Double Emperors Festival, does anyone else have anything else to say?"
"Minister of General Affairs, please present the decree on everything later and I will sign it."
"yes!"
It was quiet for a while, and everyone was thinking about what to add.
Peter couldn't help but smile.
The three stooges were at odds with each other. Trubetskoy had not thought of this holiday before he came up with the idea.
His birthday and his aunt's birthday only last ten days in total, which is not too much in this period.
You must know that when returning to St. Petersburg from Moscow, the officials wanted to take leave for several months or even half a year.
Moreover, he made an inconspicuous change to the serfs on this festival. These ministers were not aware of it and thought it was because he was in a good mood and issued the decree.
Serf... boil the frog in warm water, cook it slowly.
Vivian's recording hand stopped, and Peter noticed that she was hesitant to speak, so he said:
"Countess, when it comes to being honest, you can say whatever you want."
The others were stunned for a moment. They were thinking seriously just now and didn't pay attention to the countess. Now seeing His Majesty's attitude, they couldn't help but look at the countess.