Walking out of the ward, Zhang Wei stopped in his tracks.
He looked up, surrounded by wounded soldiers.
"What is this..."
"Chef Zhang, we came to see the Speaker. How is she now? Is she out of danger?"
"It was all for the sake of protecting us useless people that she was targeted by villains. It's all our fault!"
"Is there anything we can do to help? As long as it can help the Speaker recover, we'll do anything."
It was clear these people were genuinely concerned.
They had already come to regard Mo Du as someone worthy of following. Before, enlisting was purely for the various allowances, benefits, and wealth. Now, other complex emotions had arisen...
Respect, reverence...
Or perhaps, adoration!
And Mo Du's daily words and actions were worthy of this respect, truly embodying the principle of treating soldiers like his own children.
Victory can be complete!
Zhang Wei sighed and replied, "Thank you for your concern. The Speaker hasn't woken up yet, but she is out of danger. What you need to do now is rest well, take care of your injuries, and don't let the Speaker worry when she wakes up!"
"It's all the fault of those useless old relics! Chop them!"
"Yes, chop off their dog heads and avenge the Speaker!"
Zhang Wei shouted, "Alright, since everyone demands it, let's set up a military court! Judge them! Everyone can come and witness the proceedings, everyone!"
"Long live Mr. Zhang!"
...
In the main hall.
Generals of the Military Department stood on both sides, including Ju Feng, Qingcheng, and others.
Zhang Wei sat in the leader's chair, with his legs crossed imposingly. No one found it improper for Zhang Wei to sit there and issue commands.
The tent was half-opened, allowing the surrounding crowd to clearly see what was happening inside.
"Bring in the prisoner! Hao Dongxi!"
"Bring in the prisoners, Sun Wukong, Yan Nanfei, Tōjō Hideki, Helm, Ju Ju..."
The leading seven were elders of the Northern tribes, and the dozens behind them were their trusted troops.
They were originally high-ranking government officials, nobles of higher status. But now they were uniformly wearing prison uniforms, disheveled and unkempt...
"Kneel!"
Hao Dongxi arrogantly said, "Kneel? For what reason? You are merely a cook escorting provisions, and you want me to kneel?"
Before Zhang Wei could speak, the guards on either side stepped forward and struck their knees, causing them to fall one after another from the intense pain.
"The Military Court is officially in session."
Hao Dongxi leaped up straight, "For what reason... Why do you make me kneel? You have no right to judge me! No!"
"Don't forget, I am also a member of the Northern United Government. To convict me, all the members must vote!"
"You people attacked a member of the council and a high-ranking executive of the council. Are you trying to rebel?"
Besides the 51 council seats, the high-ranking executives were the positions with the highest practical power. They were usually given to the original powerful families of the Northern territories.
This way, they would not resist the new government.
And most of these Northern tribal elders were high-ranking executives, with terms of appointment that were almost lifelong. In a sense, their authority was even greater than that of the Speaker.
Around them, both the generals and the soldiers began to show expressions of fear.
These words reminded the soldiers of their original social status.
If not for the army, these powerful figures could make anyone disappear in minutes.
Zhang Wei said nonchalantly, "Did I ask you to talk so much nonsense? Ju Feng, slap his face!"
For the top experts of the Black List, the status of a high-ranking executive of the Northern territories was like a joke.
Ju Feng didn't say a word, and after a few slaps, Hao Dongxi's face immediately swelled up from the immense force.
The surrounding generals and soldiers were silent.
Then, there was a burst of enthusiastic cheers!
Zhang Wei stood up and said, "Power comes from the people, and returns to the people! Ask everyone present if they grant me the right to judge villains?"
"Do I have the right to preside over justice?"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"See? This is the choice of the people!"
Hao Dongxi and the others turned ashen.
They had already foreseen their fate.
A doll made of human skin walked over, holding a tray with several exquisite bottles.
"What is this?"
The doll said, "This was found on Hao Dongxi. It's a potent hallucinogen. When combined with hypnosis, it can control people's behavior. It is extremely harmful to the human body. Overdosing can cause permanent coma."
"Hao Dongxi, do you have anything to say?"
Hao Dongxi's voice was indistinct, and his face was burning with pain.
But he still did not forget to quibble.
"This is a frame-up! I've never seen this thing before!"
"Your Speaker led the supplies and fled. They are pushing all the blame onto me when things went wrong. Hahahaha~ This is the truth of the matter."
...
"Bring in the witness."
Hao Dongxi was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down his face, "There's even a witness? You're playing this very seriously. Where did you find them? Who can prove that the witness is telling the truth?"
These scumbags already knew very well that today's events could not end well.
The trial was just a formality, and the outcome was already decided.
Since that was the case, they might as well let loose, throw all the dirt they could, and disgust them even in death!
Zhang Wei said, "Don't worry, this witness will definitely be convincing."
The witness entered!
"It's him..."
"The frontline commander of the Black List!"
"With his status, he would never deign to give false testimony."
The person who appeared was Chu Xiang!
Chu Xiang bowed slightly to Zhang Wei, then deeply bowed to Qingcheng and the others.
This showed how much authority this so-called supreme commander of the Black List possessed.
Let alone the top ten like Ju Feng, Qingcheng, and the doll made of human skin, he could not forcefully command even Haru.
Yet, this Black List, with its loose organizational structure, had unleashed combat power no less than that of the Northern territories.
Chu Xiang declared loudly, "I was at the scene when Hao Dongxi and the others administered the poison. I even saw them administer the poison clearly!"
"Then they used hallucinogens to hypnotize Mo Du and forge orders. All of this was done right in front of me!"
There was an uproar.
The surrounding soldiers found it unbelievable.
"Then why did they let you go?"
"Why didn't you stop them?"
Chu Xiang asked in confusion, "What obligation do I have to stop the power struggles within your Northern territories?"
"This kind of thing is completely normal. Do you expect the person in charge of the Black List to be a messenger of justice? Why should I stop it?"
"I clearly told Hao Dongxi at the time, do not involve the Black List in the affairs of your Northern territories. You can do whatever you want otherwise."
Hao Dongxi roared furiously, "Chu Xiang, you betrayed me!"
"I should have dealt with you along with them back then!"
Chu Xiang sneered, "Deal with me? For what reason? With those stupid, low-class tactics, are you trying to embarrass yourself in front of the Black List?"
"Besides, I have never been loyal to you, so how can it be considered betrayal!"