Chapter 36 Chapter Thirty-Six

Nefiri saluted Ramses' mother Tuya, "I have seen the empress dowager." "It should be me paying tribute to you, the Chief Physician. You have only been in office for a few months, and you have already achieved such brilliant results." Tuya's expression is proud, with a sharp and straight nose, piercing eyes, wrinkled cheeks, and a square chin, which is indeed full of authority.She has a palace in every big city, and there are countless people in the palace, but she only persuades but does not give absolute orders. The most important thing is that she maintains the inherent value that makes the Egyptian Empire stand firm.Like the important women in the past dynasties, she has absolute influence in the court.Don't you think that it was a powerful queen like her who expelled the Asian invaders and established the Kingdom of Thebes, which has been passed down from generation to generation?However, the dissatisfaction in Tuya's heart grew day by day, because her son hadn't confided in her for several months.

Ramses gradually alienated her, but he didn't express any dissatisfaction with her, as if he was keeping a big secret alone, and he couldn't even reveal it to his mother. "How is the Empress Dowager?" "Thanks to your treatment, I'm doing fine now, except for a burning sensation in my eyes." "Why didn't you call me right away for a diagnosis and treatment?" "There are too many trivial things... Do you really pay attention to your health?" "I don't have time to think about that at all." "Oh, you are wrong, Nefiri! How many patients will be driven to despair if you fall ill!"

"Let me check for the Queen Mother." The diagnosis came out quickly, and the Queen Mother had keratitis.Nefeli began to give her a medicine made from bat feces, which can reduce inflammation and have no side effects (bat feces are rich in vitamin A and are also excellent antibiotics, in other words, modern medical technology is consistent with ancient Egypt ). "It will be cured in a week, and the usual eye drops should be continued. The Queen Mother's eyes are much better, but continuous treatment is still needed." "I really can't take care of myself so much, and if other doctors told me, I wouldn't listen.

In my heart only Egypt is the most important.Your husband can still bear the post of Prime Minister, right? " "This position is heavier than granite and bitterer than gall, but he will never give up." "I knew him the first time I saw him. The courtiers admired, feared and envied him, and his ability can be seen. The appointment of him as Prime Minister surprised many people, and the voice of criticism continued. However, he took actions to silence those rumormongers, and even replaced Baji as Prime Minister. His contribution is not insignificant." "Actually, Pazar doesn't care what other people think."

"This is the best way. As long as he is indifferent to praise and criticism, he will be a good prime minister. The king will trust him because of his integrity, which means that Pazar knows some secrets that even I don't know. And Nefiri, you and Pazar are one again, so you know these secrets too, right?" "yes." "Is the country in danger?" "yes." "I've known since Ramses stopped telling me the truth, he was afraid that I would take too drastic measures. Maybe he was right to worry, now Pazar is fighting the battle. " "The opponents are terrible."

"So it's time for me to come forward. The Prime Minister dare not ask me for direct support, but I have to help him. Who is causing him the most headache now?" "Mei Feng." "I hate these nouveau riche people the most. Fortunately, they always end up being greedy. I think his wife Sirix also helped a lot?" "She was indeed one of them." "She left it to me. Every time she bowed to me, she twisted her neck like a goose, and it was annoying to see." "The queen mother must not underestimate her." "Nefeli, you've healed my eyes so I can see clearly. I know what to do with this villain."

"There is one thing I don't want to hide from the queen mother. Pazar is deeply troubled by the presiding over the tribute ceremony of foreign envoys. He very much hopes that the king can come back from Piramesis in time and preside over it himself." "He was wrong. The pharaoh's mood is getting more and more depressed. Now he doesn't go to the palace at all, and he doesn't go to court at all. He has left all affairs to the prime minister." "Is Pharaoh sick?" "Probably something wrong with the teeth." "Do you want me to check on him?"

"He just dismissed the royal dentist and accused him of incompetence. After I see the ceremony, you can accompany me to Piramses." * * * Fleets carried foreign dignitaries from north to south.Make the boat dock under the command of the river police, and all boats are not allowed to pass during this period.On the pier, the director of the Foreign Affairs Office is responsible for receiving VIPs.The envoy sat in a comfortable sedan chair, followed closely by the rest of the delegation, and the brigade headed for the palace in a mighty manner. Every year, vassal countries and economic cooperation countries will come to pay tribute to the law.And every time this season comes, Memphis will take two days off to celebrate the extraordinary years brought by the wise and wise Ramses.

Pazar sat tremblingly on a low-backed throne, wearing the starched official uniform of the prime minister, holding a scepter in his right hand, and a small statue of Maat hung around his neck.Behind him on the right is the Empress Dowager, and the pharaoh's "special friend" They stood in the first row of the courtiers, including Mei Feng who was full of joy.Sirix wore a new dress, and in the eyes of several less wealthy officials' wives, she was really envious.The former Prime Minister Baji also agreed to assist Pazar in matters related to etiquette. His presence made Pazar feel more at ease.The copper heart on his chest, for foreign envoys, represents Ramses' unchanging trust in him, and it also proves that the change of prime minister does not mean a change in policy.

When the emperor left the palace, Pazar did have the right to preside over the ceremony on his behalf, just like last year, Prime Minister Baji was also on behalf of him.Pazar would rather not be in the limelight, but he also knew the importance of the whole matter. He had to let the guests leave satisfactorily, so that the two sides could continue to maintain good diplomatic relations.While exchanging gifts, they all hope that the other party can respect and understand the economic situation of their own country. Therefore, Pazar must be just right in his behavior and attitude. If it is wrong, it may destroy the harmonious relationship between the two countries.

It may be the last time such a grand ceremony. Meifeng will never keep such an ancient ritual with no benefit.In fact, the sages in the Jinyu Pagoda period established this happy and civilized society on the basis of mutual trust, reciprocity, mutual respect and comity, but he just didn't understand. Seeing Meifeng's satisfied appearance, Pazar couldn't help being confused.The closure of the Bank of Greece should have been a major blow to him, but he seemed to be fine. Could it be that he was too slow to stop his progress?In less than two months, the rebirth ceremony will be held, and the king will have to abdicate at that time. It seems that during this period, Meifeng can rest assured and wait, and there is no need to create any more troubles. Wait...for an ambitious man who cannot survive without turmoil.This is the hardest.Pazar had heard too many complaints, and everyone wanted him to replace the American forward and replace him with someone with a calmer temperament.Because he constantly tortured his subordinates, did not give them a little breathing room, and often used the emergency as an excuse to give them a bunch of forged official documents, so that they had no time to think and were easier to control.As a result, protests began one after another. Mei Feng's methods were too extreme, and he did not think for his subordinates at all, and the people who worked for him were unwilling to be reduced to technical tools.But he doesn't care, the only word in his policy is "productivity", and anyone who refuses to accept it will walk away. Some of his allies even secretly confide in the prime minister.They were all tired, and they didn't want to listen to Mei Feng's endless words and those mountainous promises, and they were all tired of his hypocrisy and lies.His ambition to control everything clearly reveals his insatiable greed.Several provincial governors who were initially incited by him have now politely kept their distance from him. Pazar has been making progress, gradually seeing the true face of Mei Feng, seeing through his weakness and infirmity.The crisis he created has not been resolved, but his persuasive power is getting worse day by day. But why did he look so happy?The officer of ceremony announced the arrival of the distinguished guests, and everyone in the prime minister's audience hall immediately waited in silence. The envoys came from Damascus, Biburo, Palmyra, Albi, Ugali, Kadesh, Hittite, Syria, Lebanon, Crete, Cyprus, Arabia, Asian and African countries, as well as from various ports, In commercial cities and important cities, everyone came with gifts. The mysterious country, Punt of the African Paradise, is represented by a small, dark, bushy-haired man who offers hides, frankincense trees, eggs, and ostrich feathers.The Nubian envoy was amazed by all the people present because of his grand attire. He wore a loincloth cut from leopard skin, covered with a pleated skirt, with colorful feathers on his head, silver earrings and a big bracelet .His entourage placed jars of oil, some shields, gold and silver utensils, and frankincense under the Prime Minister's seat, and brought some cheetahs and a young giraffe. The dress of the Cretans also attracted everyone's attention: locks of long and short black hair, a clean face with a pointed nose, a concave loincloth with a ribbon border, and a rhombus or square patterns, and the tips of the shoes on the feet are slightly raised.The envoy ordered people to offer bald heads, swords, bottles made in the shape of animal heads, water jugs and cups.Next came the messenger of Biburo, Egypt's loyal ally, who brought cow hides, cables, and paper scrolls. Each ambassador saluted the Prime Minister and chanted the established protocol: "Please accept a little tribute from our country to the King of Upper and Lower Egypt to keep the peace." The army of Asia Minor had fought fiercely with the Egyptian army, but now Ramses no longer pursued it, and local representatives also came to pay tribute with his wife.The representative wears a loincloth decorated with acorns, a red and blue long-sleeved gown with tied cuffs, and the representative lady wears a fringed skirt and a short colorful cape.However, the tribute they offered was surprisingly small.Usually, the representatives of Asia, present at the end of the ceremony, place in front of the pharaoh or prime minister copper bars, lapis lazuli, turquoise, precious wooden beams, balsam jars, saddle bridles, bows with quiver full of arrows, daggers, and of course There are also bears, lions and males, etc.This time, however, there were only a few cups, jars of oil, and some modest jewels. When the emissary saluted the prime minister, the prime minister showed no emotional response.But the message the envoy wants to convey is already very clear: Asia is extremely dissatisfied with Egypt.If the reason is not clarified as soon as possible, and the misunderstanding is allowed to continue to expand, then the day when the two sides will fight again will not be far away. * * * While Memphis was filled with joy from the wharf to the handicraft district, Pazar received the Asian envoy alone.There was no clerk present, because an agreement had to be reached before it could be formally recorded and announced to the public. The Asian ambassador was about forty years old, with sharp eyes and sharp words, and asked immediately, "Why didn't Ramses personally preside over the ceremony?" "As last year, he is overseeing the construction of a temple in Pirameses." "So Prime Minister Baji has lost his power?" "I think you have also seen that this is not the case." "His attendance and the copper heart he wears... Yes, I noticed, these are the iron evidence that Pharaoh still trusts him. But you are too young, Prime Minister Pazar. Why did Ramses put such a heavy Is the burden entrusted to you?" "Because Baji thought he could no longer bear the burden, the king agreed to his request to resign." "You didn't answer my question." "Who can guess Pharaoh's mind?" "Of course his prime minister." "I beg to differ on that." "So you're just a puppet." "That's for you to judge." "My idea is naturally based on facts: you were just a small judge in the countryside, but Ramses made you the prime minister. I have known the king for ten years, and he will never misjudge the ability of his cronies. So you must be a great man, Prime Minister Pazar." "Can I ask you a few questions now?" "Of course, this is your duty." "What is the meaning of your attitude of paying tribute this time?" "You think there are too few tributes from Asia?" "You should know that this move can be said to be challenging the limit of our patience." "It's the limit, because that's the limit for me to stay calm and reconcile after all the insults I've been through." "I don't understand you." "I heard that you pursue the truth in everything. Isn't this just a legend?" "I swear on Pharaoh's name, I really didn't know." The Asian representative was a little shaken, and his tone was no longer so bitter: "This is strange, isn't your administrative department no longer under your control? Especially the White House." "Because some measures before I took office were not appropriate, I am making reforms. Is there any fraud that I am not aware of that will cause your country to suffer?" "The matter is not so simple. The serious mistakes involved in this may lead to disharmony between the two countries, and even war." Pazar tried his best to hide his uneasiness, but his voice still couldn't help shaking: "Will you explain the truth to me?" "I just can't believe this has nothing to do with you." "As Prime Minister, of course I cannot shirk my responsibility. But even if you think it is ridiculous, I still have to admit that I don't know. If you don't let me know what mistakes we made, how can I make up for it?" "You Egyptians always laugh at us for our intrigues, but this time you will be the one doing the tricks. You are so young, you don't seem to be popular everywhere, huh? " "Please explain clearly." "If you're not good at acting, you'll be stepping down soon. Have you heard about our deal?" Faced with the sharp sarcasm from the Asian ambassador, Pazar still did not give up.Even if the other party regards him as a simple-minded and incompetent person, he still has to ask the truth. "We ship the products," the ambassador went on, "and the two courts give us the equivalent in gold. That's how transactions have been done since the Peace Agreement." "Did you not receive the gold this time?" "Gold has been sent, but the quality is very poor, impure, and easy to break. It can only be used to deceive those backward homeless people. Your country sent some unusable goods. Isn't it a malicious mockery? Ramses That responsibility has to be taken and we think he broke his word." Yes, this is why Mei Feng is so excited: first destroy the pharaoh's reputation in Asia, and then he will come out as a good man to make up for the king's mistakes. "This is just a momentary negligence, and it is definitely not our intentional provocation." Pazar explained. "As far as I know, the White House is not an independent unit! It must obey orders." "This is really just a flaw in the mechanism operation and communication between my departments. Please forgive me, we have no malicious intentions. I will personally go to Pharaoh to plead guilty." "Someone on your staff is up to something, isn't it?" "I will definitely investigate thoroughly and take necessary measures, otherwise you will meet the new prime minister soon." "It's a pity." "Are you willing to accept my sincere apology?" "I believe what you say, but your country must make it up to us as usual: send twice as much gold as quickly as possible. Otherwise, conflict is inevitable. " * * * Pazar and Nefiri were preparing to leave for Pirameses when a herald demanded an immediate audience. "Something has happened," said the herald. "A force of Libyans and Nubians has come from Coptos, and they have just expelled the mayor from the city." "Are there any casualties?" "No. They occupied the city without using force. The desert special police also joined their ranks, and the commander of the army dared not resist." "Who leads this team?" "A man named Suti, and a golden goddess to help him, so that these people can be subdued." Pazar was so happy: Suti was alive and well!This is really great news. Although the situation seemed a bit chaotic, he looked left and right, and finally Su Ti appeared! "The garrison in Thebes is ready to send troops to help. Now the general is only waiting for the prime minister's instructions. As soon as the official document is written, I will send it immediately. According to the general, the rebellion should be eliminated soon. Even if the rebels have excellent Weapons, but the number is small after all, it is impossible to resist the offensive of the regular army." "When I come back from Piramses, I will handle this matter myself. During this period, I will send troops to surround Coptos, only defending but not attacking. The supply army and merchants can come in and out as usual, and don't let the residents of the city be short of anything. .Send someone to inform Suti, and I will go to Coptos to negotiate with him as soon as possible."