Iron Powder and Spellcasters

   "Why was Maple Leaf Fort where you were captured? And you were captured as the commander of Maple Leaf Fort?"

  As soon as Colonel Scull said this, many free people in the Great Council Hall were startled—it turns out that the Federalist in front of him is the "Red Rose Shield" who is sticking to Maple Leaf Fort!

  Since Maple Leaf Fort was not conquered until July 2nd—that is, six days ago—many free men from other counties just caught up with the last moment before the red rose flag fell from the high wall of Maple Leaf Fort.

  Therefore, even free men from other counties have somewhat learned about the feat of the "Shield of the Red Rose".

However, at this moment, it is difficult for the people under the dome of the Great Chamber of Commerce to compare the haggard, walking corpse-like Interprofessional on the trial bench with the indomitable "Red Rose" who has stubbornly resisted the "Blood Wolf" for nearly a month. Shield" together.

  Even because Alder Felt left the jurors with a bad impression, the evaluation of Winters among the free agents also dropped slightly.

   "The blood wolf was blocked by this kind of thing for a month?" Someone muttered secretly: "It doesn't look very powerful."

  More new reclamation freemen were surprised by the overlapping of the two split images of "Interprovincialist" and "Shield of the Red Rose".

  It should be noted that the "Red Rose Shield" is currently the most famous commander of the Great Council Army in New Reclamation.

  Because of the early planning, game and details of the battle day of the Wailing Valley, none of them are known to outsiders.

  So the public who lacks information and military literacy can only judge heroes through success or failure.

  In view of the poor performance of others——Colonel Sanel Carroy, who made a wild victory before the war, was beaten to the ground in one day after a real fight;

Major Shandel Capello, who had a prominent family background, was still patting his chest to the gentry of Vergne County during the day to ensure that everything was under control. At night, he was approached by the "Blood Wolf". Not only did he become a prisoner himself, but even his ancestral saber became someone else loot.

  The Red Rose officer who stood firm on Maple Leaf Fort became the only commander of the Great Council Army who performed reasonably well in the eyes of the public in the new reclamation—after all, everyone else was finished, and he was still there.

Ever since, out of the motivation of fighting against the "Communication" issued by the "rebels", some gentry in Maplestone City who are interested in the Great Council will vigorously praise the remnants of the Parliamentary Army outside the city for defending Maple Leaf Castle and facing the Great Council whenever they have the opportunity. Blood wolf onslaught feat of standing still.

  As for why the Great Council Army was reduced to a situation where only remnants and defeated soldiers were trapped in Maple Leaf Fort, they hid it in good faith.

  According to them, it was precisely because of the containment of the defenders of Maple Leaf Fort that the "rebels" failed to strike new land and counterattack Kings Fort in the first place.

  The massive siege drills of the Tiefeng Army also inadvertently "sponsored" this perception.

  The story is repeated repeatedly, and the settings are gradually increased.

   I don't know when, someone gave the commander of the unknown Great Council Army defending Maple Leaf Castle the nickname "Shield of the Red Rose".

  Due to the authoritativeness of the Newsletter, it is naturally easy to arouse the audience's rebellious sentiment. Compared with the news that "the righteous new reclamation coalition forces defeated the pseudo-parliamentary army", the people of Platatus are more willing to hear the sad story of a besieged isolated city.

  As the story spread more and more widely, the name of "Red Rose Shield" also spread like wildfire, and became a banner of the Great Council Army.

  But at this moment, looking at the yellow, thin and lifeless Interprofessional on the trial seat, all free people who have heard of the "Red Rose Shield" are all disappointed.

   Especially a federal guy!

  The gap between expectations and reality has created a strong sense of disillusionment in people's hearts-this is also the reaction that Skool Mecklen hopes to see.

  If it wasn’t for tearing off the last fig leaf of Kings Fort, the federal officer who was brought to trial today should be another artillery lieutenant colonel, not a mere infantry major.

   Facing the silent Alder Felt, Colonel Scull asked again, nailing the final nail on the supporters of the Castle of Kings who were still harboring fantasies:

   "Why? A federal officer, will come to the new land to play the role of 'Shield of the Red Rose'?"

   Hearing the Colonel's question, Major Felt was confused. What is the "Red Rose Shield"? The Major knew nothing about it.

  He turned his head and glanced behind him, because he wasn't even sure, if the colonel was talking to him.

  But he still didn't say a word, and responded to the colonel's question with silence.

   Colonel Scull frowned, and picked up the gavel.

   At this moment, Colonel Najib took the initiative to speak to Major Felt.

   "Colonel Skool Mecklen, can you tell me." Colonel Najib asked loudly without changing his face: "Why can't the federal officers appear in the new land?"

  One stone caused a thousand waves, and the words of Colonel Najib caused an uproar among the free men.

  People were astonished at first, astonished at how the dignified colonel and regiment commander could ask such nonsense;

   Then there was anger, anger at Naji Modaki, who was a Platon, dared to ask such a nonsense that was tantamount to treason;

  The last thing that came to my mind was confusion, because although no one wanted to see soldiers from other countries—even allies—set foot in Plato, few people present could explain clearly—why couldn’t federal officers appear in Plato?

   Colonel Scull was neither surprised, nor angry, nor confused.

  After enticing Colonel Najib to join the "confrontation", Colonel Skool immediately withdrew his aggressive attitude towards the juniors of the Federation and restored his previous calmness and restraint.

  He put down the gavel, reopened the indictment, and read it without haste:

"On May 28th and 29th, during the Battle of the Wailing Valley, Alder Felt, as the highest-ranking officer of the Puppet Parliamentary Army's South Route Detachment, actually commanded six infantry brigades, a cavalry detachment and the attached baggage Troops - a total of about 3,300 people, launched an offensive along the lines of Fengshi City, Maiqiu Town, and Green Valley Town, intending to cut off the coalition forces.

  "On May 27th, Alder Felt commanded the Puppet Parliamentary Army South Road Detachment to arrive at Green Valley Town, fought with the Tiefeng County Army, was repelled, and then the Tiefeng County Army voluntarily withdrew from Green Valley Town;

  "On May 28, Alder Felt commanded the South Route Detachment of the Puppet Parliamentary Army to occupy the undefended Green Valley Town;

  "On May 30, Alder Felt commanded the Puppet Parliamentary Army's South Route Detachment to fight again with the 3rd and 4th Light Cavalry Squadrons of the Tiefeng County Army in Green Valley Township and lost;

"On the evening of May 30th, Alder Felt commanded the South Road Detachment of the Puppet Parliamentary Army to withdraw from Green Valley Town. They were chased by the 3rd and 4th Light Cavalry Squadrons of the Tiefeng County Army and were defeated. Most of them were captured;

   "On June 2, Alder Felt fled back to Maplestone City, and then occupied Maple Leaf Fort;

   "On July 2nd, Alder Felt surrendered to the Union Army."

"Major Alder Felt." Colonel Scull closed the indictment, looked down at the interrogate who was also bowing his head, and asked without emotion: "The above is the reason why you were finally captured in Fort Maple Leaf Do you have any objection to the above content?"

  Major Felt tightly pursed his lips, enduring strange gazes from all directions.

  Even Colonel Nagy glanced at the major with a strange look when he heard the part that the "Southern Detachment Army was defeated by two squadrons of light cavalry".

  For the military, there is no such "trial method" more humiliating and cruel.

  Faced with the cold and accurate records, Major Felt no longer even has the strength to say "no comment".

  …

  [Iron Peak County Seating Area]

   "3,300 people, defeated by two squadrons? Two squadrons? Three hundred cavalry? Or light cavalry?" Nandor couldn't believe it: "Did I hear correctly?"

  Girard tried his best not to make his expression too complacent, but the corners of his eyes betrayed old Dusack.

   "Clean up his." He coughed lightly, "That's my son."

  …

  Major Felt remained silent.

   After waiting for a while, Colonel Scull ordered indifferently: "Scribe, record—the interrogator has no objection to the antecedents of his capture at Maple Leaf Fort."

  Laughter erupted again from the stepped seats, especially the officers.

"Skool Mecklen, you have already won." Colonel Nagy squinted at the people on the ladder seats in disgust, and warned the younger generation with a sullen expression: "There is no need to humiliate us like this. Because sooner or later, you will also taste failure taste."

   "I didn't humiliate you, Naji Modaki." Colonel Skool replied calmly: "I'm just stating the facts."

   The laughter from the stepped seats was even louder, especially the laughter from the officer's seating area, it was simply unscrupulous.

   "Silence!" Colonel Skool shouted angrily, picked up the mallet, and hit the base hard.

   It was like pouring a pot of cold water on a candle, and the big meeting hall fell silent in an instant. The person who was still laughing just now closed his mouth embarrassingly, but confusion and dissatisfaction rose in his heart.

"Nagy Modach, Alder Felt, do you think I'm humiliating you?" Colonel Skool stood up and looked down at the two with a stern face: "This means that you don't even know about your crimes now." where!"

"And you!" Colonel Skool looked at the seats where the officers were sitting, frowning and clapping his hands on the table: "You think I'm humiliating them? This means that you don't know what their crimes are. place!"

  The officers' seating area and the freemen's seating area were silent.

   "You!" Colonel Skool pointed to an official lieutenant of Leiqun County: "Stand up."

  The lieutenant who was pointed at immediately stood up, but his brows were full of confusion.

   "Recite." Colonel Skool ordered bluntly: "The sacred and inviolable "League Charter" signed by the republics, section 2, article 1."

  For an official officer who has memorized the "Alliance Charter" for ten years in the military academy, the seven chapters and thirty-six articles are more familiar than the date of his birth.

Although a little flustered, the lieutenant who was pointed out recited instinctively: "Section 2, Article 1, the protection of the rights and power of the people, the country, and the alliance requires armed forces. This force is for the well-being of all the people, not established by the interests of individuals or groups that wield such power."

  Colonel Scull waved his hand to signal the lieutenant to sit down, and ordered another lieutenant: "You, section two, section four."

The second lieutenant who was named also recited it fluently: "Section 2, Article 4, the scope of the armed forces of the republics using force within the alliance is limited to the areas that their republics own and claim to have jurisdiction over. "

   Then the third lieutenant: "You, Section Two, Article Eight."

   "Section 2, Article 8, without the consent of the Union Parliament and the allies, the republics shall not send armed forces to the allies, and shall not conclude agreements or treaties with the allies."

  Finally, Colonel Skool pointed to the captain sitting in the first row of the Iron Peak County Sector: "Second Section, Article Ten."

  Winters stood up and replied sonorously: "Section 2, Article 10, the republics shall not go to war with the allies unless they have been invaded or are in imminent danger!"

Colonel Skool listened solemnly to the lieutenants reciting the "Charter of the Union". From his expression, others could feel in a trance how sacred the people who signed the great alliance were when they wrote these words. .

   "Alder Felt." Colonel Scull looked at Major Felt and asked with burning eyes:

   "Are you a soldier of the Republic of Plato?

   "Is the new settlement an area owned and claimed by the Union Province?

   "Have you obtained permission from the Union Council and the Republic of Plato?

   "Or is the Inter-Provincial Republic invaded and in imminent danger?

   "Or is the Federation of Provinces already at war with the Plato Republic?"

  Colonel Scull's tone became more and more severe, hitting everyone's hearts like a sledgehammer.

  Although they were not asked by the colonel, people still held their breath subconsciously.

  By the time the colonel asked the last sentence, the large meeting hall was already so quiet that the sound of birds flapping their wings could be heard passing over the skylight.

  Major Felt was speechless.

  He is also familiar with the "Charter of the Union" recited by the lieutenants. But after more than ten years of wasting and suffering, he has already regarded the seven sections and thirty-six articles as empty words and nonsense.

  When the transfer order to the Kings Castle appeared in front of him, he regarded the transfer more as a promotion step than the mission of "defending the alliance" in Jason Cornelis's mouth, and agreed without hesitation.

  Similarly, facing the opportunity to lead an independent army to join the war, he immediately grasped it.

   Guilty? Maybe a little bit, maybe not at all.

  However, no matter how many reasons he had, he could not answer the Colonel's question after all.

  So, he could only lower his head.

"Major Alder Felt." Colonel Scull put away his anger, sat back in the judge's chair, and launched an accusation in strict words: "As an active soldier in the province, you command troops and participate in combat in Plato. Casualties and property damage were caused.

"You, as well as the Federal Army Command that ordered you, and the instigators behind the Federal Army Command, as a whole that has been given public power, have actually trampled on the relevant provisions of the "Union Charter" regarding the armed forces of the republics .”

  Colonel Scull asked coldly: "You, do you still have 'no comment'?"

   "I..." Major Felt hesitated to speak.

   "Skool Mecklen!" Colonel Nagy yelled, interrupting Major Felt's thoughts: "Are you the only one who can recite the Charter of the Union?!"

  The attention of everyone in the conference hall was also attracted by Colonel Najib.

Colonel Najib turned to the audience around him, as if making a public speech, he also took up the "Charter of the Union" as a weapon: "Section 4, Article 4, the Union must safeguard the republic of the republics and protect the republics from foreign invasion , and shall assist the republics in quelling civil strife at the request of the assemblies or magistrates of the republics."

   Colonel Skool couldn't help frowning.

   "Major Alder Felt and other allied soldiers came to Plato at the request of the Great Council to assist in the suppression of the chaos..." Colonel Najib deliberately bit the word "squeeze the chaos" very hard: "Why not?"

   "It is the responsibility of the 'Allied Army' to pacify the civil strife." Colonel Skool immediately retorted: "It is not an excuse for the Federal Army."

   "Whether it's the Federal Army or the Plato Army, it's part of the Alliance Army." Colonel Najib confronted: "Although it belongs to different republics, the nature of the Alliance Army remains unchanged."

   "Absurd! The Alliance Army has long been disbanded. How can the armed forces of the republics and the armed forces of the Alliance be confused?"

   "There is no provision in the Charter of the Union that the armed forces of the republics cannot be the armed forces of the Union."

  One of the two colonels sat in the judge's seat and the other stood in the judge's seat, arguing with each other, arguing happily, but the free people on the ladder seats were dumbfounded.

  …

  In the seating area of ​​Iron Peak County, Nandor stabbed the people on both sides: "Uh...who won?"

   "The one who stands has the upper hand." Richard from Blackwater Town watched the debate intently.

  …

Perhaps thinking that continuing to debate the definition of "Alliance Armed Forces" would be fruitless, Colonel Skull took the initiative to change: "You claim that Alder Felt came to Plato 'on request'. Who requested it? ? And who approved it?"

  Colonel Najib saw that Skool Mecklen flinched, and immediately pursued the victory, loudly saying: "Of course it is a request from the Grand Council! The Union Government approves it!"

  Colonel Skull asked sternly: "What evidence do you have to prove that the puppet council of Kings Castle has issued a request? And what evidence proves that the Union Government has granted approval?

  Colonel Najib asked calmly: "Then what evidence do you have to prove that the Grand Council has not issued a request? The coalition government has not given approval?"

  …

   "The one who stands will win." Richard from Heishui Town in the seating area of ​​Iron Peak County suddenly spoke again.

   "Huh?" Nandor turned pale in shock: "Isn't that guy just trying to quibble?"

   "This is a trial!" Richard rubbed his stubble and said confidently: "As long as you can muddy the water, you have already won."

  …

   Most of the discerning free men have already seen that Colonel Skool, who pays attention to logic and rationality, was disgraced by Colonel Red Rose's messy tactics.

  As Richard of Blackwater Township said, this is a trial, a trial to build the legitimacy of the new regime.

  The party sitting on the judge's bench wants a complete moral and legal victory, not simply destroying the judged physically.

  If it is only for the latter, there is no need to go through so much trouble at all, an executioner can do things beautifully.

   It was also aimed at the core demands of the enemy that Naji Modaki, standing on the bench, launched a counterattack.

  His way of fighting back is to tell a lie, a lie that everyone knows to be false but cannot be proved falsified legally.

   And use this lie as a grasp to drag the judges who must be spotless into the cesspit.

  As long as he achieves this point, even if Naji Modaqi is sent to the gallows just after he walks out of the Great Chamber, he will still win the death.

  …

   "All resolutions passed by the Great Council must be published in the Mansion Newspaper and made public. You said that the Pseudo-Parliament of Zhuwangbao sent a request. Why is there no record in the Mansion Newspaper recently?"

"The mansion newspaper is delivered every quarter. If it was not in the last issue of the mansion newspaper, it does not mean that it will not be in the next issue of the mansion newspaper." Colonel Najib answered eloquently: "What's more, after the New Reclamation Army suppressed the headquarters of the New Reclamation Corps , Zhuwangbao will no longer send mansion newspapers to the new land, will it? How do you know what's on the latest mansion newspaper?"

   "You claim that the Pseudo-Parliament of Kings Castle issued a request." Colonel Skool wiped the sweat from his brow lightly, and turned to the details: "When did the request be sent?"

   Colonel Najib smiled: "I'm too old to remember the exact time."

   "Can't remember the specific time?" Colonel Scull narrowed his eyes all of a sudden, caught the other's fleeting flaw, and asked in a deep voice: "That means there is a specific time, but you can't remember it."

   Colonel Najib also became cautious: "I said, I don't remember clearly."

   "You should know the approximate time." Colonel Skool pressed on step by step.

   This time, Colonel Najib didn't answer right away. He pondered for a long time and gave an absolutely unfalsifiable answer: "After March, before April."

Colonel Scull compared this time with his memory, and after a while, he sighed: "It's a coincidence that the residence newspaper is published every quarter, but December, January, and February are one issue, and March, April, and May It’s the first issue. You think I only have the last quarter’s Dibao in my hand, so it’s after March; on April 1, the coup in Keitu City, and on April 3, Alder Felt and others received the transfer order, so you Said it was before April."

  Colonel Najib responded lightly: "If what I said is true, you can easily prove it with the report from the second quarter."

"Stop pretending, Naji Modac." Colonel Scull's eyes pierced Colonel Najib's eyes: "After the second King's Castle coup, the mansion newspaper was completely suspended. Newspapers don’t exist at all.”

   "So." Colonel Najib laughed and unbuttoned his clothes, opened his arms, and exposed his chest to everyone present.

"Skool Mecklen." Colonel Nagy turned his head to look at his old classmates, and said calmly: "You put us on the trial bench, it's a gamble. The last time you and I played against each other, I lost Yes. But this time..."

  Colonel Najib has the chance to win: "You lost!"

   Colonel Scull was expressionless.

  The great meeting hall was silent, and the free people dared not even take a breath, for fear of offending Colonel Skool and becoming a victim.

   After a moment of silence, Scull Mecklen applauded.

"Since childhood school, you have been able to beat me every time." Colonel Skool took off the judge's mask and talked about the past with emotion. Then, he suddenly changed the subject: "But this time, it's you who lost consecutively." twice."

  Colonel Najib was slightly startled, the free people under the dome were equally astonished, and even many low-ranking officers were puzzled.

   "I really can't find the mansion newspaper that Naji Modaki said." Colonel Skool said to the free people in a loud voice: "But I have more conclusive evidence."

   After finishing speaking, he picked up the gavel and slammed it hard, ordering the military police: "Bring witnesses to court!"

   Soon, the military police escorted the witnesses into the conference hall.

  It was only then that it was discovered that the witnesses Colonel Skool spoke of were not one or two witnesses, but two entire teams of prisoners, one long and one short.

  The short team were all young men with strong Kong Wu. Although they were watched by thousands of pairs of eyes, they showed no signs of fear. They were only wearing shackles, and they acted a little awkwardly.

The   long team consisted of men, women, and children. No one was shackled, but tied with ropes. Many people were frightened and cried as soon as they entered the door.

   "Silence!" Colonel Skull warned calmly, scaring back the tears of the witnesses.

  At this time, an exclamation erupted from the seats on the stairs, as if someone had recognized the identity of the "witness".

   Afterwards, there were exclamations one after another, followed by chirping and whispering. Apparently, the appearance of the witnesses greatly stimulated the free people of the new settlement, making them desperate for more information.

   "Silence!!" Colonel Skool issued another warning.

   This time, the Great Council Hall fell into complete silence.

"Let me introduce you to the witnesses." Colonel Skool stood up, pointed to the shorter group of witnesses, and directly called out their names and identities: "Lieutenant Rainier Ball, John Second Lieutenant Felt, Second Lieutenant Axel Orange, Second Lieutenant Jan Cohen..."

  Free people are first confused, then enlightened, then shocked, and finally angry.

"That's right, they are all officers of the Union Provincial Army." Colonel Skool lifted the last veil in the hearts of all the free people: "They sneaked into the new land secretly, cooperated with those with bad intentions, armed the rogue bandits in the counties, Waiting for an opportunity to create chaos."

  Colonel Scull pointed to the longer group of prisoners: "That group of witnesses is their collaborators. It seems that several gentlemen present have recognized their identities."

"And the time when these spies and spies were sent to the new land was in the late summer and early autumn of last year!" Colonel Skool turned his head to look at Alder Felt and Naji Modach, and said sharply: "Far Longer than the Battle of Wailing Valley! Longer than the Maple Leaf Fort tragedy! Longer than the coup d'état in Keitu City on April 1!"

  Every time Colonel Scull uttered a sentence, he slapped the table hard, and also slapped every listener's heart:

   "Even before New Clearing sent troops into New Clearing! Long before Turdun plundered! Before every lie of yours!

   "Early before we became enemies! You have been planning to attack us! You have even inserted your daggers into the new land!

   "Whether it is the Great Council of Kings Castle, or the federal provincial government far away in the sky, you have never thought of solving problems by peaceful means!

   "Military force has never been your backup plan, but your first choice!

   "From the very beginning, you intend to conquer the new lands by force! You come with swords and guns, and you will have no mercy even if you kill blood."

  Colonel Scull scolded: "The evidence is overwhelming! What else do you have to say?!"

   After a moment of silence, Najib laughed: "Winners and losers, we just lost."

  Naji Modaki laughed and glanced at the free men around him: "Winners and losers! We just lost!"

   "You and Sanel are really the same breed." Colonel Skool replied: "I can't imagine what it will be like if you win."

   "Hang him! Hang the Interprofessionals!" The familiar shout sounded again in the Great Chamber, and the freemen of the new lands, who had recovered from the astonishment and shock, were even angrier than before: "Hang them!"

   "Silence!" Colonel Skool raised the gavel high and slammed it on the base.

  Accompanied by the sound of cracking, the handle of the hammer broke, sawdust shot out, and the hammer head flew somewhere.

  The shouts of the Great Council Hall were like a broken gavel, disappearing without end.

"Take them down." Colonel Scull waved his hands wearily. He wiped his monocle eyes, took a deep breath, and gave an order that was beyond the expectation of the free people in the audience: "Take them down." group of interrogators."

  …

   In the sector of Tiefeng County, Nandor's mouth was dry: "Ah? Still going to trial? Who else is going to go to trial?"

  Richard in Blackwater Town had three deep lines between his eyebrows, and he looked at Old Dusak in surprise.

   "I don't know who to interrogate." Girard shook his head at Richard, and then said to himself: "But I'm afraid this is the most difficult."

  …

  Major Alder Felt and Colonel Naji Modach were taken down by the military police.

  A third group of interrogators is brought up.

  There is only one person, a school officer in military uniform, forty years old, handsome, with silver hair combed into a beautiful ponytail.

  [Because the era in the book did not have a perfect legal system like today (of course, today’s legal system is far from perfect), so many crimes cannot be used, and many behaviors have not been clearly criminalized]

  [Such as the crime of endangering national security, did no one endanger national security in the 16th and 17th centuries? ]

  [Of course there were, but at that time the crimes were not classified carefully enough, and they might have committed crimes endangering national security, and in the end they were executed as [treason], [major treason] or simply [homicide]]

  [It’s not because people in the past didn’t value procedural justice, but the procedure itself was immature, so it turned out that justice was easier to obtain—let’s say he didn’t hang him.jpg]

  [So for Skool, it is easy to kill people, but the most important thing is to win morally, procedurally and legally]

  [However, this also buried new contradictions, allowing the subsequent plot to unfold]

  [Thank you for your collection, reading, subscription, recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, rewards and comments, thank you all]