[b]The German Exile, Part Four, The Agriculturalist, Part Six[/b]

Ludwig von Seckendorff was pleased to accompany the Mobile Court as they made the rounds of rural villages, rural villages close to Opposition Leader Aurelia's holdings, and thus the first to have Archibald's 'electric windmills' installed. This time, the only thing out of place was his parade military uniform, which seemed more fit for a festival than actual travel. Not that it didn't prove surprisingly tough, all things considered. As he observed horse and water buffalo-driven wagons - and a few trucks - carrying the judges, lawyers, and guards that made up the Mobile Court, the German Exile thought: [i]How delightfully Medieval, and yet effective.[/i]

The institution of the Mobile/Circuit Court was an old one dating from ancient times, where judges and lawyers moved around the kingdoms of Medieval Europe to bring justice directly to the people when they cannot afford to travel on their own. Considering the rural nature of most of the Philippines, Priscilla Aglipay-Rizal had revived the institution to meditate between the 'Local Courts' maintained by each village and community, and the 'Supreme Court' in the Capital, Manila. Another reason for the preference for mobile insitutions was because permanent courts in regional centers were seen as giving too much power to the cities. This in turn was [i]true[/i]; another reason to regard Priscilla as foresighted.

"Foresighted except when assuming herself Cincinnatus," Ludwig talked to himself, frowning as the Mobile Court reached the border posts that marked the edges of Aurelia's estates; it was legal for them to cross over when there were court cases to resolve. He frowned as the convoy that made up the Mobile Court entered the plantations and farms, some of whom were growing Teff; the plant reminded him of his current business in accompanying the Mobile Court and going into Aurelia's territory.

He had an agriculturalist to see.

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Ludwig and Archibald were in the former's private tent, a tough canvas model that clearly owed more to functionality than comfort. Archibald was back in his read peasant shirt and blue jeans, although he still wore a lab coat. His expression as he registered what the German Exile was saying was surprise.

"You want [i]me[/i] to run for elections after Priscilla's resignation? After I just accepted Aurelia's offer of grants?" Archibald was troubled, shaking in a mixture of anger and guilt at even pondering the idea. Gratitude, no, indebtedness was an essential component of the Filipino character, and one does not betray their debts and backstab their benefactors. At the same time, this was mixed with an awareness that Aurelia, for all her benefactor-ing, could not just be allowed to do what she wanted with the Philippines' democracy.

Ludwig was nonplussed. "You love the humble farmer more than few others do except Priscilla. Your motives for accepting Aurelia's grants were so that you can afford to research things that make life better for said farmers. Or was that all a lie, [i]Archie[/i]?" A thought. "Besides, as President, you can pass laws making it easier to fund agricultural science."

Now he had the Agriculturalist's interest, especially as the latter asked: "Who will back me?"

The German geologist's answer was, "Well, this Mobile Court here, then the Houist Party of the Philippines, and Priscilla's New Philippines Party, which still maintains a lot of loyalty. I can also call upon the Muslim Congress if needed; at worst, only a third of them will take your side. Plus, the small farmers of the Philippines love you for teaching them how to farm potatoes and sweet potatoes. And it's not as if Aurelia doesn't appreciate the value of dark horses..."

Archibald took Ludwig's hand at that. He was convinced.