Kingdom’s Bloodline

Latest website: In the trial court, the arguments between the two sides became more and more fierce, and Baron Trent blushed as he spoke.

"I demand that traditional public service hours be reinstated on the Trent family's land and that these unruly people be allowed back to work the land! They have been neglecting and evading their duties for too long and it has really damaged my land. Profit, the harvest of my territory, this will ultimately harm the South Coast Territory and even the kingdom..."

But correspondingly, the defense counsel Srimani opposite him was slow but clear:

“…in 661, the Duke of Leinster’s Order of Rest exempted lords and their subjects from many physical services, including military service, security patrols and agricultural labor, as well as construction labor The losses caused by labor and work that require the regular and regular participation of able-bodied adult men and women of each household are allowed to be made up by quarterly settlement and cash payment, which can be added to the rent and taxes paid to the lord..."

"The cash they handed over, even with rent and taxes, is not enough to make up for my losses!"

Baron Trent interrupted him with an angry roar, and the old Inquisitor Brennan had to bang his gavel several times before ordering the guards of Kongming Palace to come forward to "help".

In the box seats on the second floor, the conversation between Thales and Zhan became more serious.

"I rushed back to Yongxing City, tried to grasp the direction of the wind, and tried to ease the situation," Zhan said with a solemn expression, "but the king refused to see me."

"As the steward of the palace, the reason for Baron Quentin's reply is: His Majesty rarely reunites father and son, and they need to enjoy family happiness without seeing outsiders."

Thales swallowed his throat:

"Actually, his reunion with me...forget it, it's not important."

Zhan ignored him: "At that time, Anke Bailar came to me."

Thales frowned:

"So you gave him a sword and encouraged him to duel me at the royal banquet?"

Jenn does not deny:

"I said, I have to do it."

"First of all, once the conflict between Xihuang and Fuxing Palace breaks out, the South Bank Territory will no longer be your father's priority." He narrowed his eyes and looked at the trial below. "Secondly, only when he is in a state of distress, my gift It seems so precious.”

Thales frowned.

"your present?"

Jenn nodded.

"Before the royal banquet, I wrote a humble letter to the king. In the letter, I supported the reform of the royal standing army. I asked for money for money and a name for name. It hit him right where it hurts."

Jenn's letter to the king supporting the reform of the standing army...

That letter?

Thales narrowed his eyes and suddenly had a bad premonition.

"Your father refused to see me before," the Duke of Nan'an snorted coldly, "but once the Western Wasteland Incident affects the kingdom and his plans are frustrated and stretched, the price and weight of this letter will be different."

"So," Thales couldn't help but ask, "What's the result?"

"Result, result?"

Zhan's eyes froze and he sneered.

"After the royal banquet, the Xihuang people who always came here with bad intentions neither protested nor made trouble. Under the leadership of Falkenhausz from the desert ruins, they just surrendered to the Fuxing Palace happily."

He said disdainfully: "It was more satisfying than when the Free Alliance surrendered to the Exeters."

Thales felt mixed after hearing this:

"Actually, the Freedom Alliance is not that happy -"

But Zhan En didn't want to pay attention to his views on the war, and shook his head: "I guess your father must have caught some handle on the people of the Western Wilderness, making them unable to resist - he is indeed King Kessel V."

The handle of the people of the Western Wilderness...

Thales said calmly:

"In fact, the reason why Xihuang compromised so quickly...forget it, it's not important."

The two were silent for a while.

"That's it, I failed to get the South Bank leader out of trouble."

Zhan looked ugly.

"Not only that, my gift - the letter that might change your father's attitude - has never received a reply. Once it entered the Fuxing Palace, it disappeared into the sea without any waves, as if it had never existed."

That letter...

Lost in the sea...

Thales rubbed his hands with a strange expression: "Yeah, why..."

"There is only one explanation." Zhan En's eyes were sharp at this moment. "The Fuxing Palace has come out of the predicament, so the horizon has improved. His Majesty is no longer satisfied with the conditions I offered, and he wants more."

Zhan gritted his teeth and said:

"More."

Thales held it in for a long time, and finally couldn't help but speak:

"In fact, Zhan, the fact that your letter did not receive a reply is..."

Zhan's eyes shot to him.

Thales' words stopped for a moment:

"It's a pity...but forget it, it's not important."

Zhan looked at him for a moment, sighed and nodded.

"Yes, time has changed and regrets are useless. It is not important anymore."

At that moment, Thales and Zhan each had their own thoughts and fell silent.

Boom!

Brennan's gavel rang again, drawing their attention back to the courtroom.

"Master Judge! In the past, after we paid the money and goods, we could do some other crafts, collect some firewood and so on, and we could still live. But this year, the baron's steward said that we should make more contributions... "

Next to the plaintiff's table, a farmer wearing ill-fitting clothes spoke under the guidance of the defense attorney. It was obviously his first time to come to Kongming Palace, and he was stammering and panicking:

"He wouldn't let us take the grain to the market to sell for money. He said he would collect rent on the spot. If he didn't want to, he would levy more money or give him more work! But I have a relative who is a foot trader in collecting grain. , he said it was wrong to raise taxes like this..."

“That’s not a tax increase!”

Baron Trent stood up from his seat again and spoke angrily.

"Prices are soaring every year, and even the price of food has increased by 20%. However, they still only give me so little cash when paying rent every year. This is like being robbed! These sneaky people can sell the food later. Go to the city and make a good living with the profiteers who are speculating, but I still have a large area of ​​land to manage! Of course they have to pay more money to make up for the losses, or change it back to the original situation, provide food or replace it with labor. , this is only fair!”

Amidst the excitement of the spectators, Judge Brennan almost smashed his gavel.

Defender Slimani coughed and stood up politely:

"Dear Lord Judge, regarding the tax payable by each household and person per fixed-sized field, my client follows the rules that have been established for more than ten years. Lord Baron, your land has not been increased, has not been enriched, and has not been changed. If the type and location change, then the number should remain the same, neither more nor less.

"As for whether to choose to pay in cash settlement, exchange in kind or labor service - as I said before, this was stipulated when the Duke of Leinster was in office - it is my client's freedom and right."

Hearing this, Zhan hummed softly and whispered to Thales:

"You know, that guy, Slimani was originally a clerk at the Police Department, but he never even went out on the street. His best job is to help people write closing reports and even quarterly summaries, especially those whose responsibilities are with the Police Department. The case... Later, every year-end, every police department rushed to second him. "

"This... is really not something ordinary people can do. No wonder he later became a defense attorney." Thales shrugged.

“As far as I know, Your Excellency, Judge,” Slimani’s defense attorney continued in court, “there have been no wars affecting the local area, no serious natural disasters, no plagues, and no large-scale church and castle projects in recent years. The most recent local bandit suppression was jointly carried out by the Emerald Legion and the New Suburban Police Department, but the Duke did not issue a recruitment order. The cost and personnel of the bandit suppression were independently supported by the Emerald City - in other words, the Baron did not have a higher authority. "

"And the kingdom has not issued a new decree involving Fengfei Village to increase taxes. As for the living tax items, the baron's two sons have grown up and got married, and his three daughters have also gotten married. There have been no weddings in his castle within a year, and no knights have been conferred. , there is no funeral, it is the only religious ceremony, and the taxes have been paid to the Sunset Church by the villagers themselves... In summary, Baron Trent has no reason or name to ask for extra donations without consultation and the Duke's approval. Under the circumstances, any request in kind, cash, labor, or any other form of customary tax increase is illegal!”

"fart!"

Baron Trent started yelling again, and this time Inquisitor Brennan had to send guards to tell him to "calm down."

On the other side, Slimani became more courageous as he fought:

"Lord Baron Trent, the law allows exemption from service, but you force additional service. The law encourages cash payment of rent, but you prohibit it privately. Then my client no longer recognizes your authority as the lord of a land, and no longer performs the special duties and responsibilities of the government. The Lunt family's sacred agreement is that they no longer want to work and produce on your land, and it is natural for them to even take their belongings—including this season's harvest—to another place.

"And you are still restricting your people for absurd reasons without a kingdom decree and a duke's warrant: seizing their harvest, not allowing them to move, not allowing them to trade, not allowing them to pursue a better life - Inquisitor My lord, this is unlawful robbery and unreasonable detention.”

After the defense lawyer finished speaking, the spectators in the back burst into applause, and many people cheered "Please help the people."

The villagers beside him felt hopeful and beamed with joy.

The old inquisitor had to maintain order again.

Baron Trent's hair was no longer as neat as before. Seeing that the situation was not good, he took a deep breath and seemed to have made some decision.

"Lord Zhan! Your Excellency the Duke!"

The next second, the baron ignored the etiquette and rules and yelled at the second floor:

"Improving and reducing service, paying taxes with cash, these policies of the old Duke are just expedient measures after the Year of Blood! But this is not the tradition of the kingdom! And now we have recovered from the war, as your vassals , I don’t think we have a reason to—”

Zhan frowned.

"quiet!"

Boom!

The gavel was struck again.

"Forgive me to remind you, Your Excellency Baron," Judge Brennan looked very angry, but he still maintained a calm tone, "Of course the opinions of the two dukes are important, but I am the chief judge of this case in this court. ”

Under the gaze of almost everyone in the court, Thales secretly poked Zhan with his elbow:

"I'm asking you, why don't you respond?"

"As he said, we are just a jury." Zhan remained calm and sat farther away from Thales.

"Of course, your status is distinguished and distinguished, and you are a guest from afar. If you want to express your opinions, Judge Brennan will not stop you."

Thales chuckled:

"You want to trick me again?"

The two looked at each other and turned their heads.

On the other side, Baron Trent began to quarrel with the kingdom's traditions and the laws of the South Coast Territory, crying about how he struggled to marry off his three daughters in low marriages in exchange for the money to canonize his two sons as knights.

"So, Thales, do you feel it?"

Zhan sneered.

"Since you returned to China, the series of changes in the situation between Yongxing City and Emerald City... It's like someone in the dark, always exerting force at key nodes, disrupting all arrangements, and pushing the situation to the disadvantage of me. direction development.”

Someone somewhere somewhere...

Thales sat more upright.

"It also pushed your father to turn his attention to Nan'an Ling and pushed him to send you here - what's wrong with you? Why do you look constipated?"

"Nothing, just..."

Thales held it in for a long time, and finally sighed:

"Forget it, it doesn't matter anymore... So, have you figured out how to fight against my father?"

Hearing this, Zhan paused for a moment.

"The Arlend girl from Cold Castle and the little black lion from Heroic Soul Castle are all in your team now, right?"

"Yes?"

"Your father just took over the Northern Territory and the Western Wilderness, and you took in the heirs of the princes from these two places. The signal you gave is very unfriendly - no wonder he doesn't like you and even wants to exile you."

"do you have any opinion?"

Zhan chuckled lightly and glanced at the prince.

"No, I'm just thinking, if I were your father, I would just make a secret plan with you and let you pretend to take them in. Wouldn't it be easier to kill all the political opponents and opponents?"

At that moment, Thales seemed to have skipped a beat of his heart.

"It makes sense," but the battle-experienced prince remained calm and just gently rubbed the Gurtaksa in his pocket, feeling the ferocious spikes on it, "I couldn't help but want to suggest this to my father. ”

Thales and Zhan's eyes met in the air, as if they wanted to see through each other.

A few seconds later, Zhan En smiled:

"But unfortunately, you are not him."

Thales frowned: "What?"

"I'm talking about Thales Shining Star, who can fight against the injustice of the assassin who broke into the banquet, hesitates, and is even willing to take the risk himself, turning the table against me at all costs," Zhan En showed a mysterious smile, as if he was convinced. "It's impossible to get together with someone as cold and capable as the king."

Thales didn't speak, he just held the "covenant" tighter.

"He'll never believe you."

Zhan En looked at the chair he was sitting on, and there was frost in his words:

"You will never approve of him either."

What a lovely father and son.

At that moment, Thales didn't move.

He just stared at the trial below calmly.

Zhan didn't turn around either.

He patiently rubbed the back of the expensive chair.

The air around the two of them seemed to be frozen.

"Little Huahua, let's make a deal."

"trade?"

Zhan En smiled, but then his expression changed: "Okay - wait, what's the matter?"

Thales suddenly reached out and grabbed the Duke of South Bank's hand on the back of the chair!

"Don't mention anything about Ank Bailar, and don't mention the things you tricked me into before," the prince said coldly, "I'll stop mentioning your sister."

Zhan En's expression instantly turned cold.

"And you don't mention Xiaohua——that title?"

The two looked at each other silently, their clasped palms exerting force on each other, not giving in an inch, and they fought silently amidst the growing quarrels in the courtroom.

After a few seconds, the two of them let go of each other's hands, as if they had a tacit understanding.

"Deal." Thales said unhappily.

"I don't expect to turn enemies into friends with you," Zhan En resumed his sitting posture, "but you are right, your father sent you here, perhaps to take advantage of our hatred and make you and I fall into a life-and-death struggle. Make noise in the east and attack in the west, and profit from it."

"And we can't let him succeed?"

Zhan nodded:

"So, let us sort out our grudges now and make sure there are no misunderstandings and reasons for us to go to war with each other."

"Then," he said cautiously, "we must be open and honest with each other during our days in the Emerald City."

Thales looked at him.

"Very good. Although it's not big, it's still the first step."

Thales raised his eyebrows.

"Now, can we end the hostilities?"

Zhan En smiled:

"cannot."

Thales' expression froze.

"Why?"

Zhan answered quickly this time:

"Because we must be hostile."

"Since your father expects and expects us to be hostile," Duke Zhan snorted coldly, "it's best to let him continue to think so."

Thales frowned.

All right.

I understand.

but……

"So, we just carry on as usual and continue to fight each other and cause trouble for each other during the day," Thales said with a strange expression. "At night, we hide in the bedroom to plot and discuss, and work together?"

"To confuse our enemies, wait for them to jump out automatically, and then capture them all?"

Does it sound like...

Sound familiar?

Zhan smiled mysteriously.

"I request a higher level of appeal! Even to the Noble Affairs Council of the Royal Capital!"

Baron Trent's screams reached the top of the hall, interrupting the conversation between the two dukes. Thales and Zhan frowned together.

But it goes far beyond that.

"Your Highness Thales! You come from the royal capital. You are generous and kind. You are the hope of the kingdom. You are here." Baron Trent stared at Thales. He ignored the judge's gavel and raised it. Hands, "Labor, taxes, the rule of lords, the old rules of the kingdom, this makes no sense! It makes no sense that my subjects are getting richer and richer, but I am getting poorer and poorer!"

Thales sighed lightly.

No.

The next second, the Baron shouted with an almost fanatical attitude:

"In the spirit of the Star Nation, and with the rights granted to us by the Bright Star Royal Family, I demand arbitration by the jury nobles! Now, now!"

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the trial hall!

"This is the tradition of the Stars! It is my right! The inquisitor has no right to stop it!" the baron shouted.

"Quiet! Quiet!"

Judge Brennan's hands were shaking with anger, but he was still conscientiously maintaining order.

But this could not stop countless eyes from shooting towards the prince.

"You expected that, didn't you?"

Thales looked at Zhan unhappily:

"This is also your plan. Is it a part of the show for my father?"

But the latter just smiled softly:

"Don't worry, this wasn't planned - although it's still a good idea."

Duke Zhan narrowed his eyes:

"But remember, you owe me one today."

The next moment, before Thales could react, Zhan suddenly stood up with a serious expression!

"Why, Lord Trent?"

The Duke of Nan'an spoke loudly, attracting everyone's attention.

Zhan took a step forward and leaned against the railing on the second floor, blocking Thales from everyone's eyes.

Baron Trent looked up in confusion.

"The land in Emerald City is so tight, but even in the suburbs, most of the land is not used for farming - we don't produce much food," Zhan said expressionlessly, "Then why, why do the fields and villages outside Emerald City, And the farmers and hunters on it, including the farmers in your territory, want to provide us with their crops, raw materials, and grain production? Why do they have to support the increasing population of Emerald City every year so that we don’t starve to death?”

If I push from behind now...

Thales stared at Zhan's back in front of the railing and calculated the height from the second floor to the ground.

But then he shook his head.

No, no, no, don’t think too much about it.

How can it be!

"Your Majesty the Duke..." Facing Zhan, Baron Trent seemed to be born short of breath. He was interrupted again before he could speak.

"Did we force them? Or did we rob them? Or did I use my privileges and appeal to tradition to brainwash them all into slaves and obediently surrender to me?" Zhan En's voice echoed in the hall.

"Because the lord protects them! Lords like you and me, Lord Duke," Trent said slowly, unconvinced, "This is a sacred contract and tradition, and it is their obligation to make offerings to the lord..."

"Then why, Baron Trent!"

Zhan continued coldly:

"What material is the coat you are wearing inside? Woolen? No, it doesn't matter anymore. Why do they have such good craftsmanship and shape, which are both beautiful and convenient for keeping warm? Do you have such craftsmanship in your manor? "

Not sure whether he didn't understand or was slow to respond, the baron was stunned and looked at his coat.

"Oh, because this is not produced from your manor and village," Zhan said suddenly, "but you bought it from the Emerald City - maybe a lot of things in your home, from your wife From the makeup and jewelry to the fine wine for your son.”

"Because the Emerald City produces more things, more goods, more resources, and more tools, which are in turn exchanged for them," Zhan En snorted coldly, "They, the farmers in your territory will Taking the food produced in the land, which originally only needed to be stored in warehouses to wait for the winter, they walked out of the countryside to the towns, participated in the markets, and finally sold them to us.”

"So, the people of Emerald City, and 'lords' like me, will not live solely on the little tax paid by a baron like you. Either they will starve to death in the end, or they will increase the tax rate to force the people to rebel."

The baron opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

"We, the Emerald City, not only protect them," Zhan put his hands behind his back, showing his majesty, "we also supply them in exchange for their output, so both parties can benefit from the development of the Emerald City, thus making the entire South Shore benefits.

"My father exempted them from redundant labor and even regular military service? This way they will have more time, become more enthusiastic, and become more efficient. The output on their own land will increase year by year, and the new people in your territory will With the increase, more and more wasteland will be reclaimed, their minds will become more and more flexible, and the types of products will become more and more abundant. Only then will they be able to sell more output to cities such as Emerald City and obtain higher and more profits. ”

"But our taxes—" the baron seemed to want to argue.

"As for being allowed to pay taxes and rent in cash...yes, in the rent tax you receive, the physical output is less and the money is more. But it is in exchange for the cash money to pay rent that the people on your land will be more We need markets, we need to trade, we need to exchange goods for money, and we need to collect taxes.”

Thales, who was behind, couldn't help but frown deeply when he heard this.

Zhan's words silenced the originally noisy hall, and he was the only one listening to his speech:

"More and more people will carry their produce to the towns and come to the Emerald City to sell grain and other goods that can be sold for money, so as to form large-scale specialties and attract businessmen from further distances. And their arrival, It can bring something to the Emerald City—and even the South Coast Territory and Star Kingdom—that it cannot produce on its own.

"Following this, countless grains, agricultural products, and raw materials will flow into cities and towns, supporting the population, thus driving commerce and connecting people far and near. Only the goods carefully crafted by craftsmen in the towns can feed back to you and the people on your land. , so that you can enjoy the products of civilization and distant merchants, instead of nesting in a castle or manor, guarding tattered clothes and broken bowls and pots, not knowing the seven seas, not knowing the four directions, sitting in a well and looking at the sky all your life until you die of old age - you still need me again Remind you, what are the raw materials of this luxurious coat, and where are they produced and made? "

Zhan scolded:

"Baron, the reduction and exemption of conscription that you hate, and the cash payment of taxes that you are not interested in, connect the city and the countryside and maintain the economic operation of the entire South Coast region. This is the purpose of these laws!"

"But...tradition..." Trent was covered in cold sweat by what he said, but he still refused to give up, "It turns out it was not like this...my grandfather's time..."

After hearing this, Zhan En did not immediately refute like before.

He showed hesitation and embarrassment, and was silent for a while before letting out a long sigh.

("You can fucking pretend." - Thales afterwards)

"I know your difficulties, Baron, and I also know your plans, but the arrival of Prince Thales is not a reason for you to take the opportunity to attack."

Duke Zhan raised his eyes and said coldly:

"It is not a tool for you to use the power of the royal family to exert pressure."

As soon as these words came out, everyone in the trial hall was stunned.

"But don't forget, Baron Trent, your ancestor four generations ago was just an ordinary farmer, working and cultivating in the territory of Kongming Palace." The owner of the iris gradually became gentle, "Yes. , I remember your family, in fact, I know the origin and past of every vassal under my command."

Baron Trent looked at him blankly, trembling slightly.

"The Fourth Continental War gave your ancestor the opportunity to go to the battlefield to prove himself. He seized it and earned the surname of Trent and the title of Lord. His descendants went a step further, winning the fief and the responsibility of guarding the land, and transferred the title to It becomes a hereditary honor of the family and will eventually be passed down to your generation.

"So, compared to ordinary people, Baron Trent, you have more opportunities: you were born under the care of servants and wet nurses, you have received an education that ordinary people can't imagine since you were a child, and you also have a large piece of land. , you have the family’s reputation, you have the savings left by your ancestors, you have the connections left over from generations, and you have a castle that still has military significance.”

Zhan En stared at him closely, his eyes complex, seeming to be pitiful and yet sullen.

"You have your last name...and the privileges it represents, tax collection, conscription, trial...too many privileges, some visible and some invisible."

"But you ended up in such a situation, with financial embarrassment and a poor family. You even resorted to illegal means to exploit the people." He changed the subject. "You also claimed that it was my father's decree and the development of Emerald City that caused you to fall into this situation. So far?"

"No."

Duke Iris said categorically:

"The reason you are like this, Baron Trent, is because you are unwilling to open your eyes and accept reality in order to make a change."

As he spoke, he suddenly stretched out his arm and gestured to the entire hall:

"This is my family's Kongming Palace, but it is also the Judgment Hall of the Emerald City."

"But you, Baron, you can't live without your castle, your manor, and your butler," Zhan said coldly, making the Baron feel ashamed, "You can't live without your status. Low, I want to call you master's farmers - not only because you need to rely on their work and output to support yourself, but also because you need their status to be lower than yours, and you need someone to look at you with submission and fear in their eyes. "

"You can't live without the feeling of being bossed around by the people around you since you were a child. You can't live without the sense of superiority that comes from having someone flatter you, someone flattering you, someone offering sacrifices to you, someone bowing your head to others, and someone letting you boss around."

Zhan En said coldly:

“That’s what really holds you back from living your life.”

The courtroom was extremely silent as everyone was thinking about the Duke's words.

Only Thales frowned.

"But we are the kingdom of stars! We are descendants of the empire!" The baron said sadly, "My ancestors protected his people, and his people attached themselves to his rule. From the king to the common people, we all perform our duties, from knights to Businessmen have their own place, this is rule..."

"I am also proud of my surname and lineage, and proud of the long history of my family," Zhan interrupted quickly, "but I would rather keep this emotion in my heart than impose it on others to be intoxicated. Self-concealment leads to disgust and self-degradation.”

"No matter you are the fourth generation of the family," the Duke of Nan'an said softly, intentionally or unintentionally pacing to the side, revealing Thales' figure, "you are still a descendant of the imperial family."

Thales immediately felt a lot of eyes on him.

So fucked.

"In terms of bloodline, there is no one in this hall or even this palace or this town who is more noble than His Highness Thales next to me. That is the Brilliant Star royal family who has witnessed the glory of the empire."

Zhan said, stretched out his hand from his pocket, flicked a silver coin downstairs, and was caught by the baron.

"But when you take out a silver coin, you will know that even they know clearly: the king does not respect blood."

Baron Trent looked at the silver coins and then at Thales.

The prince pursed his lips in displeasure.

"The Bright Star royal family abides by the law and follows the rules. They rule the kingdom wisely and with restraint. They come here with courtesy and respect, come to our land and our city, and they never rashly interfere in the lives of their subordinates. will rudely interfere in the internal affairs of the Emerald City, whether it is the way we govern or our actual interests, because they are fully aware of their responsibilities - but you? When you claim to appeal to the orthodoxy of the stars, thereby putting Brennan on trial. What about when officials are rude?"

The old inquisitor coughed and sat up straighter.

"Emerald City is a city of justice and law. This is not just our boast," Zhan En said loudly. "Emerald City believes in justice, believes that nothing is gained for nothing, and believes that efforts will be rewarded. In order to ensure this, Emerald City also I believe in the law and believe that governance should not be chaotic and arbitrary, and rules should be open and clear.”

"You think you are resorting to tradition and using the privileges granted to you by your status to regulate the territory and population under your jurisdiction. But if I support your appeal and favor you for arbitration, that means you are allowed to challenge the entire Emerald City and even the South Bank. That would be irresponsible.”

Zhan En slowed down and sighed:

"I know that the relationship between tradition and law is quite complicated, and sometimes they even cause and effect each other. But one thing is that the law cannot be changed at will because of the wishes of the superiors, because we believe that within the scope of what this city can see, There are some rules that even I, the hereditary ruler named Kevin Deere, cannot break, no secrets, no shady stories, no exceptions!”

“Only in this way can rules recognized and followed by everyone, in turn, contribute to the well-being of everyone.”

The Duke came to his senses and spoke righteously:

"Therefore, I cannot arbitrate for you, Baron Trent."

"I also advise you to retract your plan to force the prince to arbitrate for you in public - he has been forced to do too many things in his life, and you can't stand the queue."

Thales' face darkened.

The baron shuddered and fell down on his seat.

Zhan smiled slightly, sat back in his seat, and received Thales's eye roll.

One, two, three... countless applauses rang out from the audience one after another, and Zhan En waved humbly in response.

Boom!

"quiet."

The judge calmly restored order in the courtroom.

"Sorry, Judge Brennan," Zhan said with an apologetic smile to the old judge, "I overstepped my authority and led your case astray. In fact, I should probably focus on the case itself."

"Not only that, kid," Brennan said bluntly, "you also turned the courtroom into a place where you can elaborate on your political ideas, show off your ideas, and even compete with the royal family."

Zhan's face froze.

Thales frowned.

"Therefore, this court will fine you three hundred Tormund gold coins, Lord Zhane," Judge Brennan said coldly, "Do you have any objection to this, or do you want to appeal?"

Zhan frowned fiercely.

Wait, how much?

Thales was stunned.

The owner of the iris sighed:

"No. I respect the Inquisitor's decision."

Judge Brennan stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction.

"Three hundred..." With this number that would probably give Logistics Officer Straw a heart attack, Thales lowered his voice and asked in surprise:

"You just accept the punishment? Do you really don't want to appeal, or are you too rich to care?"

Zhan En's brows twitched imperceptibly.

"Because I don't want to get punished more by him."

"How did you know there would be more penalties?"

"Experience." Zhan said unhappily.

Tails suddenly began to gloat.

Three hundred gold coins, haha...

"Also," unfortunately, the Duke's next words extinguished Thales's interest, "I am indeed very rich."

"But besides that, I have to say..." Judge Brennan's words attracted the attention of the entire courtroom.

"Although you have not quoted specific laws, Lord Zhan, nor have you given a practical answer, but you have stood at the unique height of a ruler and described for us the way to survive in the Emerald City - why you pay taxes like this, Why are you exempted from conscription, why do towns not have to farm, why do goods circulate like this, and why are laws and regulations arranged in this way? You elaborated on the entire set of operating methods of governance and the spirit and principles behind it, and told the story of the people on this land. What we believe in and what we strive to achieve.”

The judge sighed a little:

"In the imperial era, a scholar once said: Tradition creates law, and law responds to tradition. In this aspect alone, you are better than many. I studied law at Longkiss College, but I became a legal craftsman. I only know how to read what is written and adhere to legal regulations. , but completely ignore the spirit behind it, ignore the fundamentals of our legislation and law enforcement, colleagues who know it but don’t know why.”

Thales looked at Zhan with strange eyes.

"You are exaggerating, Judge Brennan."

Zhan stood up and bowed at the right time:

"When my father was here, he often mentioned your knowledge and conduct to me, and appreciated your experience and expertise. You made decisions and pointed out the direction for everyone in the Emerald City and even the South Coast Territory. Compared to me, the Duke of Laoshizi, you are the one who A gem in the Emerald City.”

Brennan nodded, obviously very impressed.

"I will fine you an additional hundred gold coins," but the judge's next words were not so friendly, "because you flattered and cultivated relationships with the judge in the court through the sacred duty of noble arbitration. "

Zhan's smile froze.

Thales suddenly felt that the judge was very pleasing to his eyes.

"Baron Trent, Slimani Defender, and the Molina Village Chief," the inquisitor returned to his current appearance, "because of the Baron's special request, we have gone through this process twice. So I believe you have no more evidence and arguments, so this case will be decided at a later date. Of course, Lord Baron, you are a noble, so you can also exercise your noble right of review and appeal three times - but that will be the last time. ”

He took off his glasses:

"Before that, I suggest you hire a defense attorney. Their guild is in the glorious area. It is better than you coming all the way from the castle and shouting loudly in front of His Highness the Prince in Kongming Palace. Be good."

Baron Trent trembled:

"It costs money to hire a defense attorney?"

"Yes, it costs money again," Judge Brennan sighed, "but it's less trouble."

He banged his gavel: "Closed court."

There was renewed discussion in the trial hall.

"But sir, adults," the village chief's voice trembled, "our food is still withheld. If he appeals again and delays...if he misses the market, he will have to go through the winter in a few months. We can’t delay it any longer…”

The defense attorney Slimani beside him stretched out his hand and pulled him, stopping the village chief from continuing.

"I sympathize with you, the mayor of Molina, but since you have accepted the advice of the sponsors behind you and appealed the matter, you should be aware of the risks involved," Brennan looked at Slimani. Then he looked at the auditorium in the back with an unkind look, "And maybe you should think about it: those who are sponsoring you to go to court, do they really care about your food and your interests - or will they be dragged into a long trial? After the process, what can they gain from a group of desperate poor people and a desolate land? "

Thales' eyes moved when he heard these words.

The village chief was confused, but was quickly pulled away by Srimani.

Judge Brennan seemed to hesitate. He turned back and sighed to the entire hall:

"To be honest, as a judge, I am not happy to see this trial."

"As a judge, I should have tried to bridge the gap between justice, restrain the strong, and protect the weak. But the fact is that the truly strong person in this trial hid in the dark and continued to gain, while both parties in the open lost. heavy."

Thales and Zhan looked at each other.

The old inquisitor looked at the baron and village chief on both sides:

"But since the rules are like this... Forgive me for one more sentence: Laws and regulations are just dead words. What flows outside the words is the real power. And if you continue to be limited to the former and ignore the latter..."

Judge Brennan sighed and remained silent.

Zhan frowned at the seat and called his subordinates:

"Go ahead and allocate some money from this year's disaster response funds to make up for the price difference in grain sales lost by those farmers."

His eyes turned cold:

"At the same time, send a message to the Grain Merchant Guild: I'm watching."

Thales, who was lost in thought, hummed softly: "Unexpected."

Zhan glanced at him.

Boom.

"The next case, No. 680-10-0882," Judge Brennan put on his glasses again, "Three merchants from the Wool Guild sued Lord Bedlon for breach of debt..."

Halfway through his words, he looked towards the second floor:

"Why are you still here? Two dukes?"

ah?

Thales and Zhan were stunned.

"Don't you know that the arrival of a big shot will seriously divert people's attention, take away my authority, and affect the work of the Tribunal?"

Brennan said in a bad tone:

“Still you think the fine is not enough?”

The next second, Thales and Zhan jumped up from their seats with a whoosh and disappeared in front of everyone.

Thales and Zhan both walked out of the trial hall.

"Very good, at least we know now," Zhan En smiled coldly, "This trial is just a case of some brainless nobleman seeking medical treatment in a hurry."

He glanced at Thales:

"Not a tool for someone to reach out to the Emerald City."

Thales frowned: Are you starting to act now?

Zhan, who came back to the public, had a cold attitude towards Thales and left without even a few simple greetings. Ashford bowed to Thales and left with his master with a smile.

Thales looked at Zhan's back, then at the location of the trial hall, and finally at the Kongming Palace built on the Ancestral Rock, and fell into deep thought.

"My heart is complicated." He said quietly.

Miranda, who had been waiting at the door, came to Thales and nodded her chin at Zhan who left:

"He still doesn't want to see you?"

Thales shook his head, but his expression became solemn.

"Mira, do you know why the Exters were unable to stay and continue to occupy the North after they invaded the stars in the Year of Blood?"

Miranda was stunned for a moment.

"The people of the North have been loyal to the king for a long time," the fortress's Neverwinter Sword responded very quickly, "and also respect the rule of Cold Castle. They have continued to resist and revolt."

Thales smiled.

"That's certainly one of the reasons."

"But when I was taking classes, there was another saying that the people of Exeter did not have enough governance and management capabilities. They could only take care of their own three-quarter acre of land. If they had too much, they would not be able to handle it. If it is too far away, it will be difficult to look at the beginning and the end; if it is too complicated, it will be difficult to focus on one thing and lose the other.”

Miranda's eyes moved.

"So once there is no army to suppress it, either the people will be angry and complain about the officials and force the people to rebel, or the business will be miserable and they will retreat. In short, the rule of the Exters has its limits - they cannot understand it, let alone adapt to the fact that the stars have become accustomed to it. rule and lifestyle.”

The limits of domination.

Thales said silently, while thinking of his long-lost classmate from Longxiao City.

"What do you mean?" Miranda asked carefully.

Thales exhaled and smiled bitterly.

"My father has favored the Emerald City for a long time, so we came here from the royal capital. But look around, Mira, look around."

Thales turned around and glanced at the ancestral rock of the Kevin Deere family and the trial hall where the sound of the gavel was still heard.

Finally, he faced the direction of Emerald City and felt the hustle and bustle outside Kongming Palace.

He spoke calmly:

"Now, we are Exeters."

Looking at the worried prince, Miranda was suddenly stunned.