Chapter 362
Trythodmos suddenly rang the bell, "Defendant, I'm warning you for the last time! If you continue to make wild guesses and accusations, the court will forbid you to speak again! "
Polyxis hurriedly swallowed his words and looked back at the jury, wondering if they had been influenced by his deliberate words. By now, he felt that his chances of being exonerated were getting slimmer and slimmer.
Aristócrates took out a piece of papyrus and said to the jury, "This piece of paper records the amount of property that the patrol team found in Polyxis's mansion. Fortunately, Polyxis didn't deposit the money in the bank. (At that time, the reputation of the Cristoia Bank was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. In order to prevent property from being lost, the people deposited their property in the bank. They only needed to pay a very low storage fee every year, and they could withdraw their property at any time. Moreover, with a certificate issued by the bank, they could withdraw money from any Cristoia Bank in the territory of Diónia. It was very convenient for them to trade in large quantities, so it was very popular. Polyxis refused to deposit the money in the bank because the bank was run by the Devers' family. Therefore, the patrol team and the servants of the mansion, as well as a few bystanders who accidentally broke into the mansion, could all be witnesses. The total amount of property is — "
Aristócrates deliberately paused for a moment. Facing the thousands of eyes that were focused on him, he loudly and clearly said, "22 Talian and 45 Minna!"
The audience gasped in surprise.
Aristócrates added, "As far as I know, Polyxis, you don't have any other property except for the income from 15 acres of land."
Polyxis tried to argue, "Many of them were left by my … my grandfather and father …"
Aristócrates smiled contemptuously, "But why are most of the money in your house made of Hades silver coins? (Referring to the silver coins issued after the establishment of the Diónia Union, famous for the portrait of Hades engraved on the front.) I asked your family, and they said that you never went to the bank to exchange money. "
Aristolochs's words blocked the lies that Polyxis came up with. He was so angry that he shouted, "The Dyvers family has more money than I do. Why don't you check if there's anything wrong with him?!"
The audience booed.
Aristotle Cradle smiled again. "You see, I don't even need to say anything. The people's eyes are sharp. Everyone knew very well about the Devers's family business. How many citizens of Diónia had been helped by the Banca Cristoia at a very low interest rate! I've saved many shops that were about to go bankrupt! "
"That's right, that's right!"
"Good Christoya!"
…
The people scrambled to shout. The anger that was about to erupt seemed to have disappeared without a trace. So Tritodemus was glad to see it happen, and did not interrupt Aristolochs.
"The restaurants and baths not only made the people's lives better, but also made the city of Turií the most attractive city in Greece …"
"Young man, you are absolutely right!"
"Master Devers has brought pride to Turií!"
…
"In addition, the money that Lord Devers earned was not stored at home like you do. He donated property to build the temple, the library that is currently being built, the stone bridge …"
"The stone bridge was also donated by the Devers? I really don't know about that. "
"I heard that after the library is built, the Devers will give a large number of precious books to the library."
"You Turií people are so lucky! If I want to read books, I have to come from Crimissa … "
"Maybe one day, the Devers will also donate a library to Crimissa."
…
While the audience was discussing, Tritodemus asked, "Defendant, do you have anything else to say?"
Polyxis was like a drowning man struggling for the last time. He said repeatedly, "Yes! Yes! My family used to own 350 acres of land in the city of Turií. That's true! I still have the title deed of my family! But since the Devers came, I … I voluntarily gave up all the land, and only owned this 15 acres of land. I made such a big concession for the sake of Turií and Diónia. Shouldn't everyone … consider the loss of my family?! "
"Even if there really is this so-called title deed …" Aristocles looked at Polyxis' rambling and knew that he was already at a loss. He became even more confident, "I hope the defendant understands that after the Crotone destroyed the city of Turií, the old city of Turií no longer exists, and the original government no longer exists. These contracts signed by the Turií City Hall are, of course, invalid. Let me ask you, if the Devers did not lead the army to repel the Crotone, would the original Turií people still dare to live in Turií? Obviously not. Everyone was forced to wander to other cities, and it was difficult for them to even survive, let alone own land … "
At this point, Aristocles' tone became slightly heavy, and then he raised his voice again, "So today, although the city of Turií is still called Turií, it is no longer the original city of Turií. It is a part of the Diónia Alliance, the center of Diónia!"
"That's right, the current Turií has nothing to do with the previous one. You still want to occupy more than 300 acres of farmland? Dream on! "
"For a greedy person like you, Hades will definitely send you to hell and let Lord Rhadmandas whip you mercilessly!"
…
Under the ridicule of the people, Polyxis seemed to have lost all his strength and slumped back into the wooden chair.
Tritodemos looked at him and said, "People below the stage, please keep quiet! Now, it's up to the jury to decide whether the defendant is guilty or not! "
After saying that, the orderly immediately put an hourglass on the judge's table. Before the hourglass finished dripping, the jury and citizens had to make a decision.
Each of them had two bronze plates in their hands, one engraved with "Guilty" and the other engraved with "Not Guilty". Almost without hesitation, the members of the jury quickly threw the bronze plate in their hands into the copper pot in front of the table.
"Clang! Clang! Clang! " The crisp sound was like a hammer hitting Polyxis' heart.
After the voting was over, the orderly walked over and began to announce the votes. He picked up a bronze plate from the pot and showed it to the members of the jury, saying, "Guilty! … Guilty! … Guilty! … "
Every time he said it, the audience cheered, and Polyxis' face became paler.
The results were out: 50 votes found guilty, and no one abstained. (If there were exactly 25 guilty votes and 25 not guilty votes, then the judge in the court would have the final say.)
The audience immediately cheered, and Polyxis' face was ashen.
What followed was the trial of Oliphus, Masisakus, Enanilus, Eurippus, and other senators, as well as some nobles and public officials, which was much easier. In the face of ironclad evidence, they were all found guilty.
But the collective crime committed by so many senators and public officials made the people present feel fear and anger. In the end, the people in the square called for "a full investigation of the Senate and public officials, and find out the criminals who embezzled the public property of the Alliance".
This roar reached the ears of the senators in the Senate, and they were shocked. And the Devers who were presenting the bill to the Senate smiled.
… …
The day's public trial lasted until dusk before it ended. After it ended, many people spontaneously ran to the front door of the Senate Hall in front of the square to protest to the senators.
As a result, after the meeting ended, the senators had to quickly retreat through the back door. When they came out, they all looked serious.
"After the new bill is enacted, the power of the Senate will be greatly restricted! How can Lord Devers have the heart to propose such a bill? What good does it do for him! "Strompoli said with slight dissatisfaction.
"Lord Devers is right to do this! Listen to the people's shouts in the square — "Cornelis pointed to his back and said with a sigh," We should give the citizens some rights to participate in politics. Wasn't it always like this when we were in Amendola? It's not like you haven't experienced it before. Why do you feel uncomfortable now?! "
Strompoli was stunned, thought for a moment, and said, "I think the current system is quite good. At least you don't have to worry about suddenly being accused by the citizens, and you don't have to worry about things being terminated halfway through because your one-year term is over and you're not elected again. In the Diónia Alliance, I can do a detailed investigation of the things to be done, then plan, and focus on implementing it step by step … Now, a group of ignorant people who only care about their own interests can also criticize our affairs! "
Similar conversations kept happening among the senators who were rushing back to the city.
Marigi and Plesinus walked behind.
"Lord Marigi, why did Lord Consul propose such a bill? You should know that the anger of the citizens is not directed at him! I know very well in the temple that most of them are full of respect for Lord Consul. "Plesinus could not help but voice out the doubts in his heart.
Marigi laughed and said in a low voice, "You have already stated the reason for your question just now."
Plesinus was even more confused.
Marigi raised his head and looked at the setting sun that was almost hidden behind the mountains. His eyes were in a trance as if he was recalling something. Finally, he murmured, "… You Greeks have been away from the era of kings for too long. Obviously, you don't know what the most important thing to be a king is?"
The obvious metaphor of "being a king" did not surprise Plesinus. He thought about it carefully but still could not grasp the main point.
Marigi gently spat out a word, "Balance!"
… …
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