Iron Powder and Spellcaster

Gaspar Behrendt observed the expressions of the "free men" calmly, and Colonel Scull also looked at Gaspar.

It is easy for outsiders to be misled, but Colonel Scull knew clearly: Gaspar Behrendt, the handsome man famous in the military, is actually not as good as the first impression he left on most people. So bohemian and free-spirited.

On the contrary, Gaspar Behrendt is a careful and thoughtful guy who is good at logical deduction rather than intuitive judgment.

Because they had known each other many years ago.

At the same time, Gaspar Behrendt also came to the conclusion that he should answer the senior's question head-on.

Because after hearing Colonel Skull's words, the free men in the newly settled land all looked at him invariably, which meant that people expected to hear his answer.

But the eyes were cold, with a hint of resentment, which meant that people actually already knew the answer.

Remaining silent or minimizing an answer that the audience already knows but still wants to hear is not a good option.

The former is tantamount to confrontation, and the latter is tantamount to lying.

Just as the fundamental purpose of Colonel Skool Mecklund's public trial was never to send Gaspar Behrendt to the execution ground.

The reason why Gaspar Behrendt answered all questions was not because he wanted to live quietly.

"As for your question, my answer can only represent my personal opinion."

Gaspar took a deep breath, raised his voice, and fearlessly gave an answer that was more honest than his audience's wildest expectations:

"In Hongchuan, the orders issued by the decision-making committee are laws; the gold and silver collected by the decision-making committee are taxes; the decision-making committee selects officials; the decision-making committee directs the army; whether to continue the war or conclude a peace treaty, all decisions are made by the decision-making committee with full authority... …”

The jury box was silent. Even the free men who hated military meetings had to admit that Colonel Blue Rose in the trial box was a "tough guy."

But rather than being annoyed and angry, the silver-haired school officer's sincere and almost arrogant speech made them feel more uncomfortable. This had never happened in the previous two trials.

"In Hongchuan, it is not an individual who controls the state power, but a closed, professional and orderly military group."

Gaspar Behrendt paused until he gathered the audience's attention again before revealing the counterattack dagger under his cloak: "In other words, no matter from which perspective, they are the same as 'you'! "

As soon as this statement was made, it was Colonel Skull's turn to enjoy the "eyes on the world".

The free men in the great chamber, without exception, all set their sights on the judge's bench.

Colonel Scull was unmoved and responded calmly: "Define 'you'."

"Do you still need me to define 'you'?" Gaspar laughed loudly: "Of course it is the New Reclamation Army, in fact the New Reclamation Army that rules the New Reclamation Land!"

"In 532, the Great Council signed the "Tolde Agreement" to form the New Reclamation Army. Therefore, all the rights and powers of the New Reclamation Army in the New Reclamation Province were granted by the Great Council." Colonel Kuhl quoted scriptures and spoke eloquently. He asked: "Gaspar Behrendt, who gave you the power and allowed you to separate the Jiangbei Province?"

"Your Honor, you are asking questions knowingly."

"I want to hear your answer."

"Every Platuan who still has justice in his heart will tell you - it was not us who betrayed the motherland, but Grove Magnus and his accomplices who betrayed us soldiers who lived and died for the motherland."

Gaspar looked around at the new free men and charged impassionedly:

"Bloodbathed the castles of the kings, massacred the Grand Council, and sold the Galloping Kingdom and his soul to the United Provinces. Grove Magnus and his lackeys are the traitors! They not only betrayed us, but also betrayed us. Having betrayed the country of galloping horses, their souls will perish in hell forever!”

The Grand Council Hall was momentarily suppressed by the aura of the silver-haired colonel, and the latter's voice could only be heard echoing among the columns and dome.

But a cold question shattered the glass curtain.

"Gaspar Behrendt." Colonel Scull said: "You still haven't answered. Who gave you the power to separate the Jiangbei Province?"

Gaspar frowned. Colonel Skull's attack direction was not within his prediction. He did not answer directly: "Grov Magnus's treason has made him and those under his control The pseudo-parliament under the rule of law automatically loses its power to rule the country."

"Gaspar Behrendt." Colonel Scull said unwillingly, "Who gave you the power to segregate the Jiangbei Province?"

"You never need permission from others to fight against traitors." Gaspar fought back: "Colonel Skool Mecklen, who gave you the authority to segregate the newly cultivated provinces?"

This question cheered up the audience on the steps.

Gaspar spread his arms, as if he wanted to catch the wind coming from all directions.

With the support of the free people of the new land, he asked Scull, who was sitting on the judge's bench:

"In this sacred court, in front of the people of the newly cultivated land, stop using the "Tolde Agreement" as a fig leaf! What you have done has long exceeded the scope of the authority granted by the "Tolde Agreement", no ?!

“The Tolde Agreement never allowed you to form an army, the Tolde Agreement never allowed you to go to war, and the Tolde Agreement never allowed you to treat the Congress of Free Men as a toy.

"The rule of your General Council in Jiangbei Province is called a separatist regime. However, you, the New Reclamation Army, control the New Reclamation Province even more deeply than the rule of the General Council in Jiangbei Province, reaching every inch of the soil.

"Please answer me, Colonel Skull Mecklen, who gave you the authority to segregate the newly settled provinces?"

Colonel Skull raised his head, and what came into view were hundreds of pairs of eyes with the same questioning look.

Invisibly, Gaspar Behrendt became the spokesperson of the free people of the New Reclamation. Riding on the wave of public opinion, he fearlessly asked the New Reclamation Legion the words that the free people did not dare to say.

But Colonel Scull is like a steep cliff on the coast, no matter how rough the wind and waves are, he still stands tall.

"Just as the republics transferred their rights, that's why there was an alliance." Colonel Scull replied calmly: "The existence of the Republic of Plato was also established at the beginning of the founding of the country. The states - today's provinces on top of the transferred rights.

“Therefore, when the Grand Council, the carrier of the rights transferred by the provinces, can no longer perform its functions, the provinces automatically take back all the rights transferred by them.

"As the administrator of the newly reclaimed land province, the new reclaimed land army has thus become the new carrier of the 'national rights' transferred by the newly reclaimed land province..."

Faced with Colonel Skull's tirade, all the free men in the big meeting hall were confused.

Gaspard Behrendt, the only one who could understand, was searching his mind, trying to find the contradictions in Colonel Skull's words.

After a moment of silence, he retorted loudly: "What you are talking about is just one of the interpretations of the Charter of the Union and the Charter of the Republic! Regarding whether the rights of the Republic are transferred by secondary entities or by The transfer of the minimum entity has never been finalized!”

…

[Tiefeng County Seating Area]

When Richard from Blackwater Town heard what General Blue Rose said, he punched his thigh with hatred.

After listening to the three trials, Richard, an observer, saw it clearly - in terms of legal skills, he could not tie up the other people in the big meeting room with him, but he was no match for Colonel Skoll Mecklen.

"At this time, it's just a matter of who has the loudest voice!" Richard shouted anxiously in his heart: "How can you run after Colonel Skull?!"

…

However, adapting to circumstances and inspiring people has never been Gaspar Behrendt's skill - Skur Mekelen understands this even better than Gaspar himself.

"Gaspar! You still don't admit it?" Colonel Scull shouted: "Whether it is the transfer of rights by the people or the transfer of rights by the provinces, the Military Council has no right to seize it!"

Colonel Skull pressed forward step by step, each sound more severe than the last:

“If the provinces cede their rights to the state, where is the assembly of free men in your regime?

“If it is the people who surrender their rights to the state, then where are the people of your regime?

"You stole the rights belonging to the country without any permission, which in fact constitutes treason! What else can you say?"

A considerable number of free people had not yet figured out the logic, but they saw the silver-haired Colonel Blue Rose lowering his head.

When the silver-haired colonel raised his head again, the previous calm demeanor was gone. His eyebrows were tightly knitted together and his eyes were bloodshot.

"Why are you so hypocritical? Senior Skull, why are you so hypocritical?"

Gaspar never wanted to have this desperate debate with Colonel Scull again. There were thousands of "judges" in the big chamber, but he only questioned one of Scull:

"I know, you know, everyone here knows! What would happen if we did hand over power, wouldn't it?

“The so-called free men, and the assembly of free men, have no ability, will, or even desire to fight for Plato.

"The New Reclamation Corps is here, and they are obedient people! The Military Council is here, and they are obedient people! The Pseudo Council is here, and even the people from the United Provinces are here, and they are just as obedient people!"

"Isn't it?" Gaspar's eyes glanced at the free people around him, and his tone was more sad than angry: "You?"

A handful of free men stared back indignantly, but more free men avoided the silver-haired school officer's gaze.

"Only you, me, us - we soldiers will fight for Plato!" Gaspar's voice gradually became hoarse. He pointed at the officers on the steps and then pointed at the officers in other sectors. Free man:

"If we stick to the Charter, you - and you, you all know what will happen! The Land of Galloping Horses will cease to exist, and Plato will become a vassal and puppet of the United Provinces. And then there is Veneta, By then, the alliance will exist in name only."

Colonel Scull said nothing, and only Gaspard's voice echoed in the great chamber.

"So we can't hand over power! Just like you can't hand over power to them." Gaspar met Colonel Scull's cold gaze:

"You accuse us of being sinners and traitors. I can't win against you! I'm willing to lose!"

"But I'm going to tell you, tell all of you."

"We are the last defenders of Plato!" Gaspar finished his final speech: "When we fall, Plato will also perish!"

There was silence in the Great Council Hall, and one could only vaguely hear Gaspar Behrendt's heart beating in his chest.

The free people did not want to acknowledge what Colonel Blue Rose said, but they did not know how to refute him. Many people even vaguely agreed with the silver-haired lieutenant colonel's words.

"You think too highly of yourselves, and you underestimate the Platos too much." Colonel Scull's voice came from the judge's bench: "Platus existed in the past, exists now, and will exist in the future. As long as the Platoons are still there. , Plato will not perish."

The free men were a little confused, and Gaspar Behrendt frowned.

Colonel Scull stood up slowly and faced everyone in the big meeting hall:

"That's why we need these three trials, and we need all the freemen of the new lands to be the judges in these three trials.

"Grov Magnus and his lackeys treat all the people who oppose him as pigs and sheep, and he himself actively plays the role of butcher, never thinking about where his power comes from;

“Arpad Duyome and his men claimed to have seized power from the people in order to protect them, but in reality they became tyrants and tyrants;

“The soldiers of the United Provinces shouted ‘Save the Alliance’, but everything they did was trampling on the Alliance.”

"Red Rose, Blue Rose, and the United Provinces, each of them is responsible for the Civil War in Plato. The paths they choose are destined to lead to destruction." Colonel Skull's calm voice contained power: "If If we want to avoid a tragic fate, we must embark on a different path than any of them."

The atmosphere in the big meeting hall was overwhelming.

Even though many free men had guessed in advance the purpose of the "New Legion" summoning them, they never thought that their boots would be so heavy when they hit the ground.

Colonel Scull paused for a moment to allow the free men to take a breath, and then continued: "My fellow citizens, you have attended all the trials. Now comes the moment that will decide you and me, the new lands, and the fate of Plato. ”

The people under the dome unconsciously lifted their spirits.

"Repeat the same mistakes, or take a different path from them. We leave this choice to you." Skoll Mecklen made a request to the Assembly of Free People word for word: "Follow your conscience , make the final decision!”

After that, he picked up the broken gavel head and slammed it on the base: "Bring the first two groups of people to trial to the court."

Immediately, three teams of military police took Sanel Karoi, Naji Modachi and Alder Felt to court.

Compared to Gaspar who was at the trial, the three officers of Red Rose were in a much more embarrassed state - because they were all gagged. It was clear that the conversation was over and Colonel Skull had no intention of letting them speak again.

Colonel Scull called out the first name: "Sanel Karoi!"

In the trial seat, Sanel Karoi stared with blood-red eyes.

Colonel Scull's accusation is convincing:

"Because of your responsibility for the one hundred and sixty-seven disabled people in the Maple Leaf Castle massacre, the thousands of disabled people in the Battle of Howling Valley, and the countless disabled people in the war caused by you, I You are accused of committing the crime of [destroying other people's limbs without reconciliation].

"Because you are responsible for the deaths of eighty-nine New Reclamation Corps members in the Maple Leaf Castle Massacre, the deaths of thousands of Platoans in the Battle of Wail Valley, and the countless deaths in the wars caused by you. , I accuse you of committing [murder].

"Because of your collusion with the United Provincial Army, I accuse you of the crime of [inciting other countries to oppose the motherland and sacrificing your compatriots to the enemy]."

"Citizens, make your verdict!" Colonel Scull's voice was cold: "Is Sanel Karoi guilty?"

"Aye!!!"

"Aye!!!"

"Aye!!!"

All the free men answered with three unquestionable shouts.

"Sanel Karoi." Colonel Scull banged the gavel and announced: "According to the ruling of the Special Court of Freedmen, you are found guilty!"

However, Colonel Scull did not give a specific punishment. He just waved his hand, and the military police picked up Sanel Karoi, who was still resisting, on the left and right, and took him down.

Before the free men on the steps could recover, Colonel Scull had already named the second person on trial: "Naji Modaki!"

Colonel Scull continued his accusation:

"Because you are accused of committing the crime of [destroying other people's limbs without reconciliation] during the battle in the Howling Valley.

“Because you were accused of committing [murder] during the Battle of the Howling Valley.

"Because you and the United Provincial Army ... accuse you of committing the crime of [inciting other countries against the motherland and sacrificing your compatriots to the enemy]."

There was no doubt that there were three more choruses.

"Naji Modaki." Colonel Scull banged the gavel again: "According to the ruling of the Freedmen's Special Court, you are found guilty!"

No penalty was announced either, and Colonel Naji Modachi was also taken away by the military police. As he left the Great Council, he looked at his free men and former colleagues with the same contempt.

Next came Alder Felt.

"Old Felt." Colonel Scull did not accuse the federal provincial soldiers of killing or wounding anyone: "Because you and the instigators behind you have no regard for the Charter of the Union, the Charter of the Republic of Plato, and everything else in the world. For violating justice and the law, I accuse you of committing 'betrayal of the alliance and contempt of the constitution'."

With the same three loud choruses, Alder Felt was led down.

From the beginning to the end, the army major from the United Provinces kept his head down, facing everything numbly, like a zombie.

Finally, we get to Gaspar Behrendt.

"Gaspar Behrendt." Colonel Scull's tone was rare with a hint of sadness: "Because you are suspected of participating in secession, suspected of subverting the republic, suspected of organizing, planning and carrying out armed riots... I accuse you of committing a crime. Charged with treason. Citizens, please render your verdict."

This time, the voice from the jury box was equally hesitant.

One sympathizes with the sincere, handsome Blue Rose Colonel, but in previous conversations Gaspar has made his position and attitude clear and unmistakable.

So there were still three cheers - albeit a bit messy - announcing that Colonel Blue Rose had been found guilty.

Gaspar Behrendt strode out of the Great Chamber with his head held high.

Colonel Skull on the stage and Colonel Gesa in the audience looked at each other. The most difficult part of the reservation process for the Free People's Congress was over.

Letting the "representatives" of Red Rose, Blue Rose, and the United Provinces stand on the trial bench means a huge risk for the preparatory meeting, because while judging them, they also give them the right to speak.

Fortunately, Colonel Scull managed to deal with it.

Now, the four "guilty" verdicts are like four sharp blades, completely cutting off the intricate entanglements between the new land regime and Hongchuan and Zhuwangbao.

The next step is to follow the current and encourage the free people to pass the bill to "re-create the republic" three times, and then read out the charter of the new republic.

Colonel Skull also followed the original procedure.

However, when it came time to read out the Charter of the New Republic, the atmosphere in the Grand Chamber gradually cooled down.

Listening to Colonel Scull on the judge's bench read loudly the charter that had been drafted long ago, even the newly colonized freemen who were more inclined to the military would inevitably have a sense of absurdity.

The free people gradually became disappointed and silent, and the feelings of common hatred and hatred that had been inspired by the previous trials disappeared.

Girard Mitchell, Nandor Krylov, Richard of Blackwater, and hundreds of "free men" from the new lands, listened silently to Colonel Scull's voice.

It no longer mattered what Colonel Skull was saying.

The important thing is that in this kind of listening, the boundaries of free people gradually disappear, and finally converge into a vague behemoth.

Although this behemoth can breathe, it can only act on instinct.

And its instinct is so numb, slow and passive that no external stimulus seems to be able to awaken it.

Until a bored voice sounded from among the seats on the stairs.

"Oh, there are so many tricks." The owner of the voice yawned loudly: "Just to pass the piece of paper in your hands!"

On the judge's bench, Colonel Scull, who was reading the manuscript mechanically, was interrupted by this sudden voice.

Colonel Skull was stunned for a moment and looked up at the source of the sound, but found nothing.

"Why go to all this trouble?" The voice sounded again: "Isn't what you are best at convening a group of free people to decide on things that you have already decided on?"

Colonel Skull frowned on the stage, and Colonel Gesa in the audience also had a serious face.

The one-eyed military police officer walked quickly to the seating area of ​​Maple Stone City where the sound came from, and asked sternly: "Who is talking?"

"No need to look for it, it's me who's talking!"

A figure stood up from the back row of the Maple Stone City seating area and walked down the steps. The free men of Maple Stone City on the steps made way for him.

When Colonel Gesa, who was sitting in the first row of the Baishan County seating area, saw the other party's face clearly, his pupils couldn't help but expand suddenly.

"We have interrogated the soldiers from Blue Rose, we have interrogated the soldiers from Red Rose, and we have even interrogated the soldiers from the United Provincial People's Government. So how can we make sense if we don't interrogate a few politicians?"

The young man from the Maple Stone City seating area walked into the speech field in the center of the big meeting hall with a smile.

"I! Kai Morland! Permanent representative of the New Reclamation Province in the King's Castle! Member of the three-term Grand Council!"

The young man stood still at the trial seat, like a thunderbolt that woke up all the free men in the hall:

"Ask yourself to trial!"

[must! Win! ]

[Additional explanation]

[In the era in which this book is written, the domestic technology trees of various countries are far from the stage of [Social Contract Theory], and even the concept of [Sovereignty] is not yet complete]

[So Richard of Blackwater Town's views on this trial are not unreasonable - as long as the logic he holds can barely make sense, then whoever can get more observers will win]

[As for whether an individual can break the contract, according to Rousseau's point of view, it is obviously not possible. Because the so-called [contract] is not a fair sale, but a permission to access the network. It is written into the software and hardware the moment you are born, and it is a one-and-done deal. If an individual wants to break the contract, then other individuals in the group have the obligation to correct you, which is the so-called [freedom, but forced freedom]]

[In contrast, the concept of small collectives transferring rights to large collectives is more acceptable and more feasible]

[For example, the Constitution of the Soviet Union stipulates that each member country can freely withdraw from the alliance, but through some methods, the member countries cannot withdraw from the alliance]

[For example, although the U.S. Constitution does not stipulate how states can secede from the Union, it does not stipulate that states cannot secede from the Union]

[The knowledge of [Confucian classics] is vast, and the author cannot even claim to have a partial knowledge of it. There must be many mistakes and omissions, and I hope fellow readers will correct me and learn from them]

[And, thank God, the author writes cool articles...]