Zhan was very dissatisfied with being interrupted, and he immediately called someone to come and ask what happened.

An assistant to the judge rushed from the castle and informed him that something had happened in the court hall: a hereditary baron with a real title was dissatisfied with the verdict and was "protesting fiercely".

"Kongming Palace is not a place for him to play rogue," perhaps it was Thales's eyes that made Zhan very unhappy. The Duke of Nan'an, who had always been gentle in front of outsiders, snorted coldly: "Not to mention the trial hall."

However, the judge's assistant told him with embarrassment that the baron had invoked the "Rhodri Regulation" of the Restoration King's period, requiring a noble with a high enough title to be present for the jury or even arbitration to override the previous judgment.

"How bold."

Zhan En sneered:

"This is simply contempt for the Tribunal, and it comes at such a critical time as Queen's Day."

"What's wrong?" Although this was an internal matter in the Emerald City and it was not convenient to discuss it, Thales couldn't help but ask: "Is it related to what we talked about before?"

Zhan gave him a meaningful look, and the Duke immediately ordered:

"Then do it and invite an honorary nobleman to him. Although it is rare, it is his right after all."

But the judge's assistant looked troubled.

"Master Zhan En, the person who was closest was the Honorary Earl of Pintor, but he..."

The assistant couldn't help but forget to glance at Thales with complicated eyes:

"The Count is still recovering from his injuries at home and cannot come forward."

Thales felt uncomfortable looking at him.

Huh? Count Pintor?

Why does this name sound so familiar?

Zhan also glanced at Thales and said disdainfully: "Maybe he feels embarrassed recently and doesn't want to come forward. Where are the others?"

"For some reasons, several adults are unwilling to come forward."

"What's the reason?" Zhan was obviously not satisfied, but his expression quickly changed.

But the assistant did not dare to answer.

Duke Iris realized something and looked at Thales.

"What's wrong? What are you looking at?" Thales touched his face and asked doubtfully.

"The reason." Zhan replied coldly.

Ten minutes later, when Tails walked into the Emerald City Judgment Hall in the Kongming Palace for the first time, he discovered that this place was wider and more spacious than any hall in the Kongming Palace and the Kevin Dill family.

majesty.

An old judge with gray hair and wrinkles wearing thick glasses sat in a position higher than other people in the hall. In front of him were the plaintiff and defendant's docks on both sides, and on the outer seats sat

The crowd was full of guests, most of whom were neatly dressed and respectable people. Seeing the Duke in person, they couldn't help but talk about it.

Under everyone's attention, Thales and Zhan, accompanied by their entourage, sat in the open box seats on the second floor, higher than the judge.

"Then we might as well continue," the old judge adjusted his glasses, "No. 680-10-0881, Mr. Slimani, the defense attorney, represents the farmers of Fengpei Village, suing Baron Elan Trent for illegal robbery and

Unreasonable detention case.”

"That's not robbery!"

In the dock, a middle-aged nobleman wearing a luxurious coat and taking care of the floor immediately jumped up, danced and shouted in a loud voice:

"Those farmers are all my subjects! Those are the food grown on my land! But they are sneaky and cunning. Not only do they default on arrears and refuse to pay rent and taxes for various reasons, they also secretly transport away this year's harvest behind my back! Together.

Get together"

Boom!

The old judge knocked down the hammer mercilessly, and the heavy sound echoed in the trial hall, making all other sounds disappear.

"The gavel is made of alloy imported from Hamble. Their formula of limestone is quite clever. The sound it produces ranges from deep and majestic to lively and bright. It is said to have the effect of cleansing the mood. The timbre of many musical instruments is

This is a huge improvement.”

Zhan En quietly explained to him in a low voice, but he couldn't hide the "never seen this in the countryside" look in his eyes.

Thales curled his lips in displeasure.

What? It’s great to have money.

"quiet."

Although the old judge is old, his voice is still firm and powerful, which is awe-inspiring:

"Or should I ask the guards at Kongming Palace to help silence you, Baron Trent?"

Baron Trent was still dissatisfied and wanted to say something else, but the servant beside him quickly persuaded him.

"Johnny Brennan is the most senior judge in Emerald City and even the entire South Coast. He is highly respected," Zhan said in a low voice. "It was very difficult for Emerald City to hire him from the Principality of Anrenzo back then."

"What case is this? Is it related to...what we are talking about?" Thales observed the surroundings silently.

"You're asking me questions." Zhan shook his head.

The old judge turned to the plaintiff's seat:

"Mr. Srimani?"

A smart and capable man with a simple hairstyle stood up from his seat. He bowed to the two dukes first, and then faced Judge Brennan:

"Dear Judge Brennan, as I have complained before, my clients, the 230 farm families in Fengfei Village under the jurisdiction of the Trent family, do not accept the defendant's defense. That is illegal.

Robbery of property and subsequent illegal detention.”

"Villain!"

Baron Trent’s roar sounded again:

"You will defend them, Slimani, just because you are the dedicated defender of the Grain Merchant Guild! They have secretly negotiated a price with the grain merchants in the city and want to receive this batch of grain!"

"And you are still a former security officer! Look around, the people in this court are all your old colleagues, and they are all working together!"

Boom!

"Baron Trent, this reason is enough once," Judge Brennan said solemnly, "and the current court has responded to your seemingly reasonable protest."

"but"

"You asked for nobles with status, prestige, status and conduct to be present on the jury. This request has been met." Brennan touched his gray beard. He narrowed his eyes and looked up to the second floor. "Maybe it's too much.

I’m satisfied, since the Year of Blood, the Judgment Hall has not welcomed such a distinguished guest for a long time.”

The next second, the old judge stood up tremblingly, along with his deputies, assistants, scribes, and finally almost everyone in the trial hall stood up.

"Duke Thales, Duke Jenn, I welcome you on behalf of the court on duty today," Brennan bowed in the direction of the two dukes. "Witness the setting sun. I hope your arrival will make justice and law more evident."

"

"Judge Brennan," Zhan stood up humbly, and even Thales had to stand up together and bowed to the old judge, "The Kevin Dill family is a part of the Emerald City, and I am here to serve as the jury.

Obligation, I just hope you don't mind: I brought guests, and His Highness Thales also wants to visit the Emerald City."

"Master Judge, please understand," Thales said with a smile, "No matter when and where, as the royal family, the Nine-Pointed Star has the obligation to serve the entire kingdom, and as the Brilliant Star, I am even more duty-bound."

After the words fell, the two dukes looked at each other unkindly.

The entire trial hall was buzzing with discussion.

"Very well, two dukes," Judge Brennan sat down again and spoke in a normal tone, "I just hope that you can keep the political disputes in words and don't bring my court."

These words made Thales and Zhan's expressions stiffen, and they sat down.

"He doesn't seem to give us much face?"

"More than that, he didn't even give my father face," Zhan En said softly. "It is said that when your grandfather was patrolling the South Bank, he was ordered to pay compensation because his guards trampled on a street stall."

"Then what?"

"Your grandfather obediently lost the money and came back to reward him."

Thales raised his eyebrows.

The trial court resumed, and the defense attorney and the baron went back and forth, arguing fiercely.

"I am exercising the rights that the noble lords of the Star Kingdom should have!" Baron Trent said angrily, "They are farmers working on my land. I give them protection and they work for me. This is the most sacred thing.

relationship and contract!”

Defense lawyer Slimani responded calmly:

"They are indeed working on your land, but since Duke Josh Kelvindir's "Separation Order" in 421, at least in the South Coast Territory, the relationship between most lords and farmers on the land has become one of renting.

Tenant employment. Yes, they work on your fields and pay part of their income, but before paying it over, the food grown on it is the result of their labor and belongs to them, not you."

"But this means that at least part of the crops in his fields should be handed over to me naturally. This is the tradition!" The baron became more and more angry as he spoke. "This is the tax they should pay! But they are trying to avoid this.

At one point, making private deals with grain merchants is despicable theft and smuggling!"

The trial hall was noisy, with some supporting and some opposing.

"quiet!"
To be continued...