Chapter 514 Rebuilding the Country (End)

Kai Moran stayed where he was, staring blankly at the blood wolf walking towards him. It wasn't until the two were only a few steps away that he came back to his senses, took a few steps back in panic, and gave up the trial in embarrassment. seats.

Not far away, Lieutenant Colonel Matthias Corwin clearly observed that Kai Morland no longer had the confident look on his face, but instead showed shock and surprise.

This made Lieutenant Colonel Matthias Kerwin full of doubts.

Meanwhile, Winters stood on the stand.

Eyes from all directions focused on him, and a massive amount of collective emotions surged toward him. The people under the dome were confused, surprised, stunned, and annoyed. Winters was already very skilled in dealing with this challenge.

He fearlessly looked around the Great Council Hall, and every free man who met his gaze subconsciously avoided his gaze.

"Everyone." Winters's voice was clear and powerful and spread throughout every corner of the Great Hall: "Please allow me to make two points in response to the accusation made by Mr. Kai Moreland."

"First, it wasn't me who joined Colonel Gesar Adonis, Colonel Skull Mecklen, and Lieutenant Colonel Matthias Corwin."

Winters glanced at Kai Moreland: "But they joined me."

"Second, the only objects I swore allegiance to were the Alliance Charter and the people. When the New Reclamation Army betrayed the Charter and the people." Winters's words were resounding: "The New Reclamation Army also betrayed me."

After finishing speaking, the big meeting hall was so quiet that one could hear the sweat falling from the free man's cheeks.

Geza Adonis was so angry that he couldn't refute.

Colonel Skull looked at Kai Moreland, then at Winters Montagne, and asked with interest: "Captain Montagne, are you opposed to Kai Moreland's proposal?"

"Yes." Winters replied politely: "I object to the oath of allegiance to the General Assembly of Freedmen!"

Upon hearing Winters' reply, Kai Morland's face turned pale.

"Why?" He took a step forward, clenched his fists, and squeezed out a thin sound from between his teeth: "We have an agreement..."

Kai Morland's voice was so low that only he and Winters could hear it, but Winters's answer was addressed to everyone in the big meeting hall.

"I promised to renew my oath to the legal representatives of the people of the New Reclamation." Winters glanced at the faces in the great assembly hall, his eyes as sharp as a razor: "But, you, free men..."

Winters asked angrily: "Do you really think that you alone are qualified to represent all the people of the new land?!"

"...representing all the people of the newly reclaimed land..."

"...all the people..."

"……people……"

The lingering sound echoed through the columns and dome of the Great Council Hall.

Winters' questioning was like a cannonball fired into a powder magazine, detonating the emotions of the free people.

First, he was stunned - what was he talking about?

And then there's the anger - what is he saying? !

The last thing that came to mind was resentment - what was he saying...

The humiliated free people stared at the Wolf's Blood with resentment. They didn't dare to make a sound or make any move, but they kept staring at the Wolf's Blood.

Gesar Adonis, Skull Meklen, Matthias Corwin and their men were also astonished.

Although to be honest, the officers sincerely looked down on the new settler freemen with their idle behavior, public humiliation of all freemen at a general meeting of all freemen was not only unnecessary, but also unreasonable, and could even be regarded as a political suicide.

Even Kai Moran didn't care that he had just been tricked by Winters. He hurriedly moved behind Winters in small steps and squeezed out the words through his teeth as quietly as possible: "Are you there?" What are you doing? Mr. Montagne..."

However, Winters was far from done.

He gestured toward the door, and Charles, who was on standby, immediately left the Great Council Hall through the side door next to the door.

Just when everyone was still wondering what kind of pantomime Wolf Blood was performing with his men, the main door of the Grand Council Hall, which had been closed after the previous ceremony to mourn the fallen, suddenly opened a small crack.

The light shines through the gaps on the corridor, extending all the way to the center of the Grand Council Hall.

The crack in the door opened wider and wider until it was about two feet wide, and a person walked in from the light.

This man walked very carefully and timidly, as if he was afraid of stepping on the granite slabs paving the corridor.

It wasn't until this person completely entered the big meeting hall that the free people in the venue saw his appearance clearly and couldn't help but be disappointed.

It turned out that the person who walked in was just an old man, an old man who can be seen everywhere in the fields - thin, hunched, his forehead and arms were sunburned, and the wrinkles on his face were as deep as if they were cut with a chisel. Black deposits that cannot be washed away.

The most conspicuous thing is his hands, which have been changed by years of hard work. The knuckles are swollen and twisted, the palms and finger pads are covered with calluses, and the nails are almost worn away.

Compared with the generally pampered free people, this old man is really pitifully poor and pitifully ordinary.

Realizing that he was being stared at by everyone in the venue, the old man subconsciously wanted to retreat out of the door.

Seeing this, Winters walked quickly to the entrance of the Great Council Hall. Seeing "Montagne Monsignor" appear, the old man no longer wanted to escape.

Winters lowered his head to greet the old man, supported the old man's arm, and led the old man to the center of the venue.

The old man shrank his shoulders and lowered his head throughout the whole process, not daring to meet the eyes from all around.

Both free men and officers all frowned, wondering what the blood wolf was up to.

Winters didn't care what others were thinking. He proudly introduced the old man to everyone in the big meeting hall:

"Please allow me to introduce you. This is Sashka Galanza, the representative of Hongling Village in Niuti Valley. He was elected by the 24 households of Hongling Village. Mr. Sashka once blocked Teldun in our army's confluence river. In the human battle, transport supplies and ammunition for our army and behead the enemy!"

The free people from outside Tiefeng County looked at each other. They heard clearly, but they didn't understand what the blood wolf was saying at all.

However, a burst of warm applause erupted from the Tiefeng County officer's seating area.

A loud and powerful voice shouted: "Three cheers for old Mr. Sashka!"

"Uukhai!"

"Uukhai!!"

"Uukhai!!!"

Hearing the applause and cheers, the old man raised his head and looked in the direction of the sound, tears rolling in his sunken eye sockets. In the crowd of landowners and gentry from all over the new land, the old man slowly puffed up his chest.

Immediately afterwards, the second person walked in from the main entrance of the Grand Council Hall.

The second person was a burly middle-aged man with strong and powerful steps, muscular arms and piercing eyes. The middle-aged man walked into the venue with his head held high without the need for guidance.

"Please allow me to introduce you. This is Sausser Tann, one of the representatives of Forge Township. He was elected by the eleven households of Forge Township..."

Representatives from Tiefeng County walked in one after another, and Winters introduced one after another. The free people present became more and more numb, and they even began to admire Xue Lang's memory - there was actually someone who could remember so many names. , so many places of origin, so many deeds.

It wasn't until the last representative - Atlee from the Wolf Town Refugee Farm - entered the Great Council that Bud stood outside the door of the Great Council and looked at Winters from afar.

Bud smiled and nodded, and the door closed again.

All kinds of people from Tiefeng County stood in the center of the venue, occupying most of the open space in the center of the venue.

If they were to be seated in the seating area, there would need to be at least two Tiefeng County sectors as large as enough for them to sit.

"The people I just introduced to you are the representatives of all the people in Tiefeng County who are not free people and are not qualified to participate in this conference."

Winters proudly declared to all the free people in the new land: "Each of them represents dozens of people at least, or hundreds of people at most. They come from all walks of life, from miners to blacksmiths, from farmers to walkers." Businessmen. They are the ones working in the fields, in the mines, and in the lumber camps. They are the ones bleeding in the wilderness, in Tiefeng County, and in the valley villages.”

Although the blood wolf was standing low, the free people on the steps felt like they were being looked down upon.

"They are the real legitimate representatives of all the people of Xinchengland. And you..."

Winters raised his hand and pointed at the people on the seats, ruthlessly tearing off the coat of respectability on the latter's bodies:

"You 'respectable gentlemen' who are respectfully called 'freemen', under the system of the old and new Reclamation Corps, you are all political pariahs and have no freedom at all.

"You have no power either. The Old and New Reclamation Legions treat you like rubber stamps and will only use them when they want to.

“All you have is wealth.

"But this is the only thing you have, and there is no guarantee at all. The old and new reclamation corps do not respect your property rights, and they have countless ways to drain you of your wealth.

“Without the labor of ‘unfree men’, your wealth is equally meaningless.”

Winters Montagne's words were like heavy hammers hitting all the free men of the new land, making their chests feel tight, their throats clogged, their mouths bitter, and they made them sad, angry and helpless. , dissatisfied and admired.

"I am not a successor to the old and new Reclamation Corps system. I respect your property rights and your right to participate." Finally, Winters gave his conclusion: "You are part of the people, but you have no right to represent All the people - let me pledge my allegiance to you?"

Kai Moran watched the whole process from the side and felt his scalp tingling.

Winters walked up to the trial seat and bowed gracefully to Skull Mecklen.

"Your Excellency Skull, please allow me to put forward my motion." Winters said slowly: "I propose to reorganize the 'Congress of All Freemen' into the 'National Assembly' so that the nominally highest authority of the republic can truly Representing the people of the Republic.”

Immediately, Winters turned around and looked in another direction.

This time, he was not talking to Colonel Scull, but to the officers and freemen: "And I hereby declare that unless the 'General Assembly of Freemen' is reorganized into the 'National Assembly', the Iron Peak County and the Wo Nie County will never bow to any so-called 'legitimate representative of the Republic'!"

This time, the loud voice from the Tiefeng County officer's seating area shouted at twice the volume: "Three cheers for Monsignor Montagne!"

"Uukhai!!!"

"Uukhai!!!!!!"

"Uukhai!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The enthusiastic response of the Tiefeng County officers even surpassed the previous chorus of free people in the new land.

Colonel Scull looked around for a long time, suddenly clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Then let's vote."

He knocked the gavel: "Who agrees with the proposal of His Excellency Winters Montagne?"

“AYE!!!!!”

"AYE!!!!!"

“AYE!!!!!!!!”

A wave of sound erupted from the seating area of ​​the Tiefeng County officers.

Skull smiled and asked again: "Who objects?"

The large meeting hall of the new land was silent.

…

…

[Maplestone City]

[The mansion of the Mikaesh family]

Old Mikesh poured himself a drink with trembling hands and shook his head uncontrollably:

"Good skills, really good skills. He openly mixed water into the wine and forced him to subdue all the free men in the newly cultivated land."

The eldest son of old Mikhailesh, a stout middle-aged man, looked unhappy: "Why reorganize the National Assembly? Those newly added representatives are not puppets of the army? Now, the Free People's Assembly has become a Displayed.”

"Even if the wine is not mixed with water, the free people's meeting will become a decoration. There are too many people, and nothing can be done." Kai Morland sank into the soft chair. He pulled his hair and muttered to himself: "Power will naturally be concentrated, and real power will always be in the hands of a few people. If nothing else, it is the so-called Supreme Committee-six counties and one city. They should leave Maple Stone City to us."

Old Mikhail's eldest son impatiently drove away the maid who came to help him take off his boots, and said angrily: "What's the use of one vote? They are obviously perfunctory with us. There are seven votes in total, and they took six - Blood Wolf Two votes, two votes for the bald man, one vote for Skull, and one vote for Mr. Matthias. As long as two of the three parties reach a consensus, it doesn’t matter who we vote for!”

"This is the best condition we can get. We still have a vote in the Supreme Council after all, don't we?" Kai Morland propped up his body, cheered up, and comforted the old Mikaesh and his son. road:

"And they are bound by the Secession Act. As long as they want to lead troops, they cannot enter the National Assembly. And why do you think Skoll Mecklen and Matthias Corwin are willing to accept only One vote? Although their strength is greatly reduced, their status is equal to the other two. I guess there must be a secret in this. I will show it to you. "

"I hope so." Old Michael sighed.

The old man slowly lay down on the lounge chair by the window, and sighed again: "The world is so bad... If I had a choice, I would rather go back to the era when General Adams was in charge of the new land than this." ticket."

"Yes." Kai Morland also poured himself a glass of wine. He stared at the dark red wine and sighed:

"And what they said is right, the free men and the free men's assembly simply don't have the ability to fight for Plato, nor the will to fight for Plato, nor even the will to fight for Plato. The desire to fight.

"Whoever comes, the free people will be obedient people. Whoever has a big fist, the free people will be obedient people. If the Free People's Congress is really allowed to take power, it will be really advantageous for the mud bumpkins in the United Provinces.

"Only they are the defenders of the Republic. From young children, they are being forged until they are finally forged into weapons of the Alliance and the Republic.

"They have a greater sense of ownership than free people. They not only have the enthusiasm to maintain the republic, but also the enthusiasm to transform it..."

Xiao Mikesh said dissatisfied: "Your Excellency Kai Morland, how do you gain the ambition of others and destroy your own prestige?"

"Just a little truth." Kai Moran smiled: "In fact, I resonate with them more than the free people."

After a moment of silence, Kai Morland said quietly: "They love Plato more than we do. All the tragedies of the First Republic originated from this."

When old Mikesh heard this, he also fell silent.

Xiao Mikesh scratched his head and said distressedly: "However, you have caused them a lot of trouble today. It doesn't matter to others, but that bald man is a petty person. I'm afraid your life will not be easy in the future."

Kai Morland shook his head and said with a smile:

“It doesn’t matter, what I want to do is not to destroy them, but to help them;

“What I want to do is not to deny their love for the motherland, but to let more free people love the motherland as much as they do.

"If they can really keep their promise, then it doesn't matter between us and them. Your Excellency, Geza Adonis, will not kill me after all."

Having already made up his mind to meet Kai Morland, Xiao Mikesh didn't say anything more. But thinking of today's failure, he still regretted: "Oh, just a little bit. Just a little bit, we can get the thing done."

"No." Kai Moran said surprisingly: "On the contrary, I think this is the best."

Xiao Mikesh was puzzled.

Kai Moreland patiently explained: "It takes a week to learn to use a musket, and a year to learn to use a saber. Power is a more dangerous thing than muskets and swords. It is easy for free people to taste the taste of power." , is tantamount to handing a musket with a matchlock to a child. The power given away will only be abused. Only the power won by one's own hands will be used properly. No matter what, we retain the seeds of constitutionalism. .The next step is to water it patiently and wait for it to sprout and grow.”

"Constitutional government? As long as they can stop tormenting us." Xiao Mikesh snorted and sneered: "I would be grateful. What are you going to do next?"

"Next, I plan to strive for the position of 'Speaker'."

"Ah?" Xiao Mi Kesh was surprised: "According to them, isn't the Speaker just a decoration?"

Kayi Morlan was confident: "Believe me, the right position will work wonders when it is handed over to the right person."

Xiao Mi Kesh smiled and poured himself another glass of wine: "Father and I will definitely support you with all our strength."

"Thank you very much." Kai Morlan clinked glasses with Xiao Mi Kesh, pondered for a moment, and sincerely said a toast: "May the Fourth Republic prosper and live forever."

Then he drank the wine in the glass.

…

…

[Officers' Residential Quarters]

[Colonel Gaisar Adonis' Residence]

"In my opinion, if we follow Winters Montagne's method." Skull Mekron rubbed his forehead and thought: "Maybe we can really create something that reflects the will of all the people in the New Reclamation to a certain extent."

"Create? Create a bullshit! The more people there are, the harder it is to get things done!" Gaisar gritted his teeth: "Just wait and see, when I return to Baishan County, I will find 1,800 people to fill up his shitty parliament! I will make them sit down and have them all stand at the meeting!"

Skull Mekron rubbed his forehead and was too lazy to say anything more.

Perhaps what Gaisar said is right. The more people participate in decision-making, the less likely it is to make effective decisions.

However, for a behemoth that can represent all the people in the New Reclamation to a certain extent, if someone can reach a consensus within this behemoth, then it will surely mobilize unimaginable power.

…

[Fengshi City]

[Municipal Square]

Flags covered the sky, and drums and trumpets sounded.

All the musicians and flags in Fengshi City were called to support the scene.

Witnessed by the citizens of the entire square, the soldiers of Tiefeng County, Baishan County, Leiqun County, and Bianjiang County - the troops stationed in Fengshi City - marched into the square in a line.

They laid down their weapons at the entrance and exit of the square, then walked to the Great Council Hall empty-handed, swore a collective oath under the traditional Plato's Cross Quadrant flag, then turned around and went to the entrance and exit to collect their weapons again.

As the messenger spread the news throughout the new land, similar ceremonies would be held in each garrison one after another, but it would not be so grand and there would not be so many people to witness it.

"Is this necessary? What's the point?" Mason looked at the scene in front of him and laughed: "It's a shameful waste to make such a big scene!"

Winters did not comment, but Bud on the side nodded seriously.

"I thought you would appreciate the virtue of frugality more than I do." Senior Mason joked.

"It has no meaning for the present, but it is of great significance for the future." Bud said softly, "Because this ceremony is not held for us, but for our successors and future people. This is a sacred moment. From now on, when people recall this day, they will say that the army of the New Republic was born at this moment."

Mason heard this and looked carefully at the chaotic scene when the soldiers took back their weapons. He felt that it was not related to the word "sacred".

"Heh." Senior Mason couldn't help laughing: "Then I hope that when people draw memorial paintings in the future, they can make me more handsome. It would be even better if they could make me one inch taller.

Bud lightly squeezed the ribs of the horse and walked towards the entrance and exit of the municipal square. Winters also tapped the stirrups to follow.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Mason was a little flustered.

Winters explained: "This may be Bud's last day in military uniform. I will accompany him through this ceremony. Aren't you going? Senior?"

"Hmph." Mason crossed his arms: "I'm too lazy to do this kind of formalism."

Winters turned around and was about to chase Bud.

"By the way." Mason suddenly remembered something and shouted at Winters' back: "Have you discussed how to name this army? "

"What else can it be called?" Winters saluted coolly and laughed: "The army of the New Republic - of course it's called the 'New Army'!"

[Orz]