Chapter 510 Rebuilding the Country (Twenty-Six)

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 Skull Mecklen's holding this 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 turned their attention to 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 freemen 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 stairs.

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

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 new reclamation province, the new reclamation army has thus become the new carrier of the 'national rights' transferred by the new reclamation 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 Scull'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 minimum entity transfer 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 it is the provinces that surrender 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 asked 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 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 it's impossible for us to hand over power! Just like it's impossible for you to hand over power to them." Gaspar met Colonel Scull's cold gaze head-on:

"You accuse us of being sinners and traitors. I can't win your argument! 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 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 imagined 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 on trial to court."

Immediately, three teams of military police took Sanel Karoi, Nagy 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 charge you with the crime of [inciting other countries against 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 in the Howling Valley.

"Because you and the United Provincial Army...accuse you of 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 Chamber, 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 soldiers of killing or wounding people: "Because you and your instigators trampled on the "Union Charter", "Platonic Republic Charter" and all justice and laws in the world, I accuse you of the crime of "betraying the alliance and despising the constitution." "

Also, with three loud shouts, Old Felt was taken away.

From beginning to end, the major from the federal army lowered his head and faced everything woodenly, like a walking corpse.

Finally, it was Gaspard Berent.

"Gaspard Berent." Colonel Scull's tone was rarely sad: "Because you are suspected of participating in the secession of the country, suspected of subverting the republican system, suspected of organizing, planning and carrying out armed riots... I accuse you of treason. Citizens, please make your verdict."

This time, the voices from the jury were also hesitant.

People sympathized with this sincere and handsome Blue Rose Officer, but in the previous conversation, Gaspard had clearly stated his position and attitude.

So there were still three shouts in unison - although a little messy, announcing that the Blue Rose Officer was guilty.

Gaspard Berent held his head high and strode out of the Great Council Hall.

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

Letting the "representatives" of Red Rose, Blue Rose, and the Federation stand on the trial seat meant a great risk for the preparatory meeting, because while judging them, they were also given the right to speak.

Fortunately, Colonel Skull successfully coped with it.

Now, the four "guilty" verdicts, like four sharp blades, completely cut off the intricate entanglement between the New Reclamation Land regime and Hongchuan and the Kings' Castle.

Next, it was to go with the flow and encourage the free people to pass the "Rebuilding the Republic" motion with three shouts, and then read the charter of the new republic.

Colonel Skull also followed the original process.

However, when it came to the reading of the new republic charter, the atmosphere in the Great Council gradually cooled down.

Listening to Colonel Skull on the judge's bench reading aloud the already drafted charter, even the free men of the new land who were inclined to the military could not help but feel a sense of absurdity.

The free men gradually became disappointed and silent, and the feelings of common hatred and hatred that were inspired in the previous trial disappeared.

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

It was no longer important what Colonel Skull was saying.

What was important was that in this listening, the boundaries of the free men gradually disappeared, and finally gathered into a vague behemoth.

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

And its instincts were so numb, dull and passive that no external stimulation seemed to be able to awaken it.

Until a bored voice sounded in the seats on the steps.

"Alas, so many tricks." The owner of the voice yawned loudly: "Just to pass the paper in your hand with three cheers!"

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

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

"Why bother?" The voice sounded again: "Isn't your best skill to gather a group of free men and decide what you have already decided?"

Colonel Skull on the stage frowned, and Colonel Gesar under the stage also frowned.

The one-eyed military police officer walked to the Maplestone City seating area where the voice came from, and asked sternly: "Who is talking?"

"No need to look for it, I am the one talking!"

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

When Colonel Gaisa, who was sitting in the first row of the White Mountain County seating area, saw the other person's face clearly, his pupils could not help but dilate.

"We have tried the soldiers of Blue Rose, the soldiers of Red Rose, and even the soldiers of the Federation, so how can we not try a few politicians?"

The young man from the Maple Stone City seating area laughed and walked into the speech field in the center of the Grand Council Hall.

"I! Kai Moreland! The permanent representative of the New Reclamation Province to the Kings Castle! A member of the three-term Grand Council!"

The young man stood at the trial seat, like a thunder, waking up all the free men in the venue:

"I ask to be tried!"

[Must! Win! ]

[Additional explanation]

[In the era of this book, the domestic technology trees of various countries are far from the stage of pointing out the [social contract theory], and even the concept of [sovereignty] is still imperfect]

[So Richard of Blackwater Town’s view on this trial is not unreasonable - as long as the logic held can barely make sense, then whoever can win more spectators will win]

[As for whether individuals 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 transaction, but a network access license, which is written into the software and hardware at the moment of birth, a one-time transaction. If an individual wants to break the contract, then other individuals in the group have the obligation to correct you, that is, the so-called [freedom, but forced freedom]]

[In contrast, the concept of small groups ceding rights to large groups is more acceptable and more operational]

[For example, the Soviet Constitution stipulates that each member state can withdraw from the union freely, but through some means, the member states cannot withdraw from the union]

[Also, although the US Constitution does not stipulate how the states withdraw from the federation, it also does not stipulate that the states cannot withdraw from the federation]

[The knowledge of [Confucianism] is vast, and the author cannot even claim to have a superficial understanding of it. There must be many mistakes and omissions. I hope that book friends will correct and forgive me]

[And, thank God, the author writes a refreshing article...]