Not just with royalty or dictators, but also with representatives in a democracy.

不只有君主或獨裁者，也包括民主國家的議員。

Families pass power, or vie with other families for a turn at the top, much more than chance would have.

家族傳承權力，或和其他家族競爭寶座， 的可能性遠高於隨機機率。

Dynasties seem so natural, you may have never deeply considered them, but you must if you wish to grasp and hold power as long as possible.

王朝似乎太過自然，讓你從未深入思考， 但若你想掌握大權千秋萬世，就非得認真思考不可。

Even if you follow The Rules for Rulers we have discussed:

即便你遵循我們之前討論的執政者規則：

… swaying the keys to power, securing the treasure, and controlling the court: no man rules forever.

掌握權力的鑰匙、確保收入並管理好人事， 請記得：沒有人能永遠統治。

Dictators with resources abundant and power unchallenged still die.

擁有再多資源和權力的獨裁者也遲早會進墳墓，

And representatives must contend with death both literal and political.

議員們也必須和死亡奮鬥，無論是生命或政治層面。

But no matter what kind of ruler you are, your keys to power value their treasure.

但無論你是哪種統治者，你的鑰匙們在乎他們的財富。

They keep you in your position, not for love of you in particular, but for the rewards you provide, in general.

他們把你拱上台，不是因為特別愛你， 而是因為你給的報酬。

But dead rulers can't distribute treasure.

但死掉的統治者不能再分配財富，

Thus as your grave approaches. your keys supporters get nervous.

所以當你一接近死亡，鑰匙的提供者們就緊張了。

Your impending death forces your keys to plan for your replacement, …

瀕死的你迫使鑰匙們尋找替代者，

…not just to maintain their treasure, but also because a dead ruler surprise without plans in place will lead…

不只是為了確保財產，更是因為 在沒有計畫的情況下，面對執政者的橫死將導致

…to a scramble for power at best, and a blood bath at worst, …

權力爭奪，甚至是浴血衝突戰。

… leaving many keys on the inside now, on the outside after.

而導致很多原本位於權力核心的鑰匙們， 在鬥爭後離開權力核心。

This is why, if you happen to be sick, keep it secret:

這就是為什麼，你若是生病絕對要保密。

If your keys even think you might die on them, they must start planning for the next ruler to avoid this.

如果鑰匙們認為你可能會死去， 他們便會開始計畫下一任執政者以免上述情況發生。

Which is what makes even a rumor about the ruler's health… concerning.

因此任何有關統治者健康狀況的謠言都非常重要。

Whispers about your health are a destabilizing poison in the minds of your key supporters, nearly impossible to remove.

關於健康的謠言是你鑰匙提供者心中的不定時炸彈， 且幾乎無法根除。

To the keys, your replacement is inevitable anyway, so why not start planning sooner. Just in case.

對鑰匙來說，反正遲早你都會被人接替， 何不未雨綢繆一下。

Thus after a rumor, the keys might seem to stay on your side in their actions, …

因此在謠言擴散後，鑰匙們表面上似乎還效忠你，

…but you’re already dead in their minds.

但在他們的心裡你已經死了。

You've lost control and will lose your throne, sooner than you like.

你會失去對他們的控制， 並比你所期望地更早喪失權力。

But while you can't defend against the reaper or extract poison from the minds of your key supporters:

雖說你無力阻止死神或是消除鑰匙們的擔憂懷疑，

There is a way to defend your power in this world from rumors of your departure to the next.

但還是有個方法，能在謠言之中守住並交接你的權力。

Family. Family is the answer.

家庭。家庭就是答案。

Dictatorships and democracies have so much family rule, because the key supporters want it.

獨裁或民主政體都充滿著世襲執政， 因為他們的鑰匙們也希望如此。

As your term limit or deathbed approach, your family is there ready to keep turning the machinery of power:

當你任期屆滿或大限將至， 你的家族已準備繼續運轉權力機器，

…keep raising the treasure, keep the keys calm and plot-free.

繼續聚歛財富、安撫鑰匙並運籌帷幄。

Sure, warmhearted rulers may want to give their family advantages, …

當然，溫馨的執政者可能會給他家人一些特權，

…and being the ruler comes with many, …

而身為統治者特權當然不少，

…but the key supporters also want the ruler's family in positions of power because…

但鑰匙們也願意讓統治者家族握有權力，因為

… the family that plots together, rules together.

整個家庭通常會一同謀劃、一同執政。

Generational power: transcending death and term limits.

權位世襲：超越死亡與任期。

Thus your keys get to worry less about transitions of power, and you get to worry less about their plans for your replacement.

於是你的鑰匙不用那麼擔心權力轉移， 你也不用太擔心他們對你的替換計劃。

While key supporters won't ever simply trust you and your family,

雖說鑰匙們不可能如此簡單的就相信你和你的家族，

…the keys can look at the motivating interests of you all:

他們卻可以查看你們的激勵利益。

Calculating that sticking with your family during a transition gives them better odds of staying on the inside …

評估在權力交接時，繼續待在你家族門下的損益， 是否讓他們更可能留在權力核心

…because they know you and your relatives.

因為他們知道你與你的親戚們也同時在計算

Also, calculate sticking with the keys during a transition gives you better odds of staying on the thrown.

在權力交接時，繼續攏絡這些鑰匙的損益， 是否讓你更容易穩住寶座，

It's a virtuous cycle. Formed by calculations that are like trust, but better.

這是個正向循環，由類似信任的算計驅動，但更牢靠。

The ruler gets to rule longer, the keys get to worry less, …

當統治者統治更久，鑰匙們會更少煩惱，

…and everything is smooth because when the king is dead, long live the king.

一切順利，因為當皇上駕崩、新皇上萬歲。

So put family in high-ranking military, business, or political positions.

所以趕快把親人送上軍隊、商界或政界高層，

Never mind their 'qualifications' because being family is the qualification.

而不用管有沒有「資格」， 因為成為家庭成員就是資格。

They must work with your key supporters, so they know where the money comes from and how it is distributed.

他們必須和你的鑰匙們共事， 才能了解財務的來源、流向和分配。

Family's relationships with the keys keep everyone calm not just during the transition,…

家人和鑰匙們的關係讓大家安心，不只在交接時，

… but more importantly for you and your political longevity: preceding it.

更重要的是你和你的政治生涯：使其延續

So even if you have no interest in a spouse and have no love for babies, nonetheless: acquire them.

所以即使你對結婚沒有興趣又討厭嬰兒， 但請還是接受他吧。

Of course, the risk you run with family is they too will overthrow you.

當然，世襲的風險在於：家人也有可能會推翻你，

Many a cunning prince has stabbed his king in the back once confident the keys won't mind.

很多狡猾的王子都刺殺了他們父王 只要他肯定鑰匙們不在乎。

But nothing is certain, you can only play the odds, and a ruler without family is more vulnerable to rivals and rumors.

但不能保證，你只能賭，而沒有家族靠山的統治者 在敵手和謠言面前更顯脆弱。

Remember, your keys care about the security of their treasure in general, not you in particular.

記住，鑰匙總是在乎他們財富的穩固，而非你這個人。

And for them, a family of rulers is a safer investment.

對他們來講，家庭統治是較安全的投資方案。

Thus, possible regicide is the price you pay for buying the longer and securer reign a family brings.

因此，潛在的叛變只是更長久、安全的家族統治 必要的代價。

Which is why: families are so popular among rulers and their key supporters.

這就是為什麼家族在執政者和鑰匙中如此普遍的原因，

Family is a tool for maintaining power, just like any other.

家族是維護權力的工具，一如其他。

**playful music**