Chapter 33 Inevitable Mutation (Part 2)
"I need an explanation, what is going on!" Facing the senators pouring out from the door, the high priest angrily stopped them, and then reprimanded them head-on.
At this time, Cicero, who was still taking the lead, came out and said, "High Priest, a dissolute young man, a well-disguised young criminal, is causing harm to this country and nation. He can no longer distinguish between justice and justice." The difference between self-interest, or Turinus hopes to seize the power of the country through terror, assassination and mutiny, just like Catiline in the past. That's why after learning the beginning and end of the conspiracy, I brought five people with me. Seventeen of the bravest and most righteous senators have stood up. This is our petition and detailed complaint." At this point, Taylor, the slave behind Cicero, walked out quickly. He was white-haired and still hung up. Holding the slave's gold nameplate, he held four tablets in his hands, which seemed to be the original and the copy, and handed them into the hands of Lepidus and Bisso respectively. After looking at them for a while, Lepidus looked at them with an expression of disbelief and surprise, and then It was transferred to the hands of the second consul Panza.
Pansa also looked at it, and then he looked at Piccolo who never let go, with a solemn expression, and said, "I believe that neither I nor the high priest will easily believe such news, that is, Turinus actually was behind the mutiny.”
But Piccolo still didn't answer, and finally it was Leo who spoke, "What should we do now? I have to respect both the elder Cicero and Mr. Piccolo, because after all, he is now the supervisor of the Julius family. ”
"A fair and just trial." Cicero finished at this time, "Don't worry, I will not be a prosecution attorney. Nor will I be a debate lawyer. If you are worried about me, I can become a lawyer. Outsiders, there will be people who will prosecute the ** court on my behalf."
"I have nothing to say about what you said, but you must understand the consequences of doing so, Cicero! You must know that now the censor Bisso is the supervisor of the Julius family, and the legal officer Peddis and Dichias is Turinus's uncle, I am Turinus's guardian and prospective father-in-law, and the second consul, Pansa, is his uncle's confidant. If this lawsuit turns out to be false. Then you, Cicero, will be exiled indefinitely, together with fifty-seven other senators," Lepidus said in a tone that was half threatening and half anxious.
"That's why I emphasize a fair and impartial trial! Don't worry about me. When I accused Veres, who among the dignitaries in the entire republic was not his disciple or friend?" Cicero replied confidently. , then he raised his finger, "In order to avoid commotion in the city of Rome and the legions outside, I suggest setting up a special trial team. It will be capable but every member must be highly respected. You know, if this kind of thing is delayed and expanded, it will be. It will be another tragic civil war."
Everyone present agreed with Cicero's request. At this moment, Bisso sighed and exchanged the tablet in his hand for Taylor. Then the old man looked around the crowd with a serious expression, and then fell on Lepidus' On the body, he asked in a hoarse voice:
"Your Majesty the High Priest, of course you don't have to answer my question, that is, was it true that rebels attacked Lilibi and attacked your son?"
At this time, both Lepidus and Leo fell silent, and finally the high priest shed tears. He held Bisso's sleeves, eager to get help from the other party, "Then give me a chance to be silent, because at this time At this moment, no matter what answer I give, it is wrong. The best answer is not to answer - I will stay out of this trial, although it makes me extremely painful to make such a decision."
These sincere words made all the senators and knights watching sigh. They knew that the high priest was in trouble. If he testified in court, it would definitely harm the harmony of his family. If he served as a member of the trial, he would be punished for his affair. I have no choice but to stay out of the matter.
And Cicero over there has already begun to conceive and plan a special trial group, "The period is five days, which means that a clear result must be given after five days, and Turinus' freedom will be strictly controlled during this period." , he will be placed in a separate room next to the court, closely monitored by fire slaves and guards, and will not be allowed to meet with relatives and friends; on the other hand, the trial panel should be composed of an inspector and a consul, Composed of six city legal officers, plus nine jurors randomly selected from the knights, no one was allowed to communicate directly with Turinus. The evidence and arguments were wordless, and they only needed to be listed immediately. I think the most fair situation can be achieved by having the clerk take charge of the communication.”
The senators present raised their hands to express their approval of Cicero's motion. However, now that the Senate has lost the power to judge any citizen, they just agreed. The current situation still requires the establishment of a knight's court. Can.
"Of course I can't be the judge among the censors, so I recommend His Excellency Bisso; as for the Consul, since the high priest has also announced his withdrawal, I will recommend His Excellency Panza to be the consul. The six capital legal officers can draw lots. Decision." Cicero remained calm, as if he had already prepared the next more specific candidate proposal, which was unanimously approved. Bisso just smiled bitterly, standing in the crowd, passively accepting all this.
At noon, after the motion was passed and the meeting adjourned, Bisso calmly came to the house where his daughter and Caesar lived before their death. Corpunya also heard about today's drastic changes and learned that her father would be the chief of the jury. So he went out uneasy, and asked his father what he thought of the matter, and whether he would be inclined to Turinus at the trial.
"Tendency? Tendency? My daughter, my position has been completely sealed since I was elected. I will not be able to do anything. If I am not in this role, I will be able to help Turinu. Si." Bisuo smiled bitterly, and after drinking two cups of mint tea, he came to this conclusion, "In addition, Pedis and Dichias should avoid this storm as soon as possible, and all the Julius family members Everyone must protect themselves in the coming years." As he spoke, he slowly walked to the backyard and looked at the huge tree branches there. "Where is the white-feathered eagle that originally nested here?"
"Father, it flew away at the end of summer today, and the eggs it laid are also missing." Corpunya stood behind Bisso and replied.
"That's right - it flew away and will never come back again. The eagle has flown away from Julius's house." Bisso raised his face and smiled bitterly. (To be continued...)