Chapter 45 Jadeite Gem (16)
◎Execution◎
Long tables were moved to the open space in front of the court. The black-robed monks and the court members filed out and stood behind the tables. This was an unprecedented feat, opening the entire trial process to the lowly people, as if they were objects that needed respect. Did the trial still need to listen to their opinions?
But no one dared to question at this moment. They stood silently in their seats. Everywhere they looked was filled with people.
The Grand Inquisitor was trembling, supported by two monks on his left and right. His legs seemed a little weak. He held a piece of parchment in his hand and tried to speak loudly: "... In accordance with the wishes of the vast majority of the people of Florence, the Grand Court will uphold the principles of fairness, justice and openness and will conduct a trial here against the lords of the Papal States headed by Lauren Russo for crimes such as murdering the Pope and slaughtering civilians. Now, the witnesses will give their testimony."
Whatever the Chancellor said was repeated verbatim by the monk standing beside him, and his words were carried from one man to another to the end of the street.
Unlike the Piazza dei Miracoli, the main base of the Vatican, which has a large number of copper pipes buried under it for sound amplification, the Grand Court has never been favored, like a neglected child. The building has not been repaired for many years, and of course there is no time for good things like laying sound amplification equipment. Therefore, now they can only rely on the most primitive manual communication.
After the Chief Justice finished shouting out what the Pope's Deacon had asked him to say, he couldn't help but wonder in his heart, the part where the witness gave his testimony had just ended, why did he have to do it again? But this was His Majesty's request, and he dared not disobey. The deacon even brought him a piece of parchment and asked him to read it according to the words on it. The Chief Justice had to say that he felt his professional level was insulted.
But the same words, he dared not disobey.
The old man held the parchment in his palm, and the sweat from his palm wet the scribbled words on it. He recognized that the handwriting belonged to Monsignor Portia, the Secretary General of the Papal Palace.
He didn't want to delve into the intention behind this. He just relied on his years of survival experience to keenly realize that today's trial would probably lead to an unexpected outcome - but it was definitely planned by several people.
The witnesses also noticed the repetition of the process. They exchanged puzzled and uneasy glances with each other, realizing that there must be some problems. But before they could think more, the black-robed monks who had been prepared came up with the holy book and urged them to take the oath.
They could only take the oath again with full of confusion.
While they were taking the oath, the defendants, who were surrounded and protected by the security guards - this was necessary, otherwise they would be torn to pieces by the angry people the moment they walked out of the courtroom - also noticed something was wrong. Quentin turned his head and wanted to say something to them, but before he could say anything, he was stopped by the security guards who were watching them closely.
Unlike in the grand court where he allowed them to speak freely, Raphael now did not need them to say anything except to plead guilty.
"Please ask the witnesses to testify about the sixty-eight crimes committed by Lawn Russo and others, including the attempt to assassinate the Pope, the massacre of civilians, and the bribery of public officials," the Chief Justice said loudly.
The witnesses who had previously spoken fluently in the courtroom now hesitated.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, every word they said was faithfully conveyed to everyone's ears. The whole of Florence was listening to their words, which made them feel instinctively alert. Some of them even decided to be like a silent clams.
The Pope, who was placed in an armchair nearby, saw that they wanted to change their minds at the last minute, sneered, turned his head to Ferrante behind him, and said softly: "Remind the lady what she wants."
Ferrante stepped back from behind, moved stealthily among the crowd, and finally stood in the crowd facing the witness stand. He did not speak at all, but his eyes met the female lord among them directly and frankly.
The woman in the wide-brimmed hat and veil made eye contact with Ferrante in the crowd. ◎
Without Ferrante having to speak or make any move, the perceptive woman realized what he wanted to say.
The woman's expression under the veil changed several times. Finally, she made up her mind, took a deep breath, and took a step forward: "I, Lucresa Bianchi, hereby swear that everything I say is true."
"March 18th..."
She once again recounted word for word what had happened, from the secret gathering to what everyone did afterwards. The details were so detailed that it was chilling. Every word of conversation, every look and movement of each person were repeated in full in her excellent memory. The monks followed her and spread her words in all directions, and people's faces slowly changed as she narrated calmly.
Everyone was stunned by this despicable and shameless conspiracy, this cruel and greedy plan. Those who lived at the bottom of society could never have imagined that someone would commit the heinous crime of murdering the Pope just to leave Florence, and even send more than 40,000 lives of Florence to the slaughterhouse - when they made this plan, they didn't know that the death toll was "only" more than 7,000!
The impact of the evil of human nature has caused most people to lose the ability to think. They can only stare at those people angrily, clench their fists, and wait for an outlet to vent.
And they didn't have to wait too long for this outlet to come.
"Gentlemen, do you have any rebuttal or addition to the witness's statements?" the Chief Justice turned to the dock and asked.
The lords, led by Old Russo, remained silent.
"Do you have any objections to the above 68 charges, including the murder of the Pope, the massacre of civilians, the violation of the current commercial law of Florence, and the bribery of public officials?" the Chief Justice asked again.
This time, the expressions on the lords' faces disappeared, and they stood upright in the dock like snow-white plaster statues.
The Chief Justice picked up the gavel and said, "I declare that the court is temporarily adjourned until the judge and the special jury members vote on sentencing."
The gavel struck, and the black-robed monks simultaneously rang the copper bells in their hands and shouted, "Adjourn the court for the time being!"
A buzz of discussion arose, and the people waiting in the surrounding squares and streets shouted, "Hang them!"
"Hang them!"
"Off with their heads!"
"Burn them!"
All kinds of punishments that have appeared in human history appeared all at once. If there was a scholar specializing in this aspect at this moment, he could even find some niche punishments from ancient Babylon thousands of years ago from these collective ideas, and then compile them into a "History of the Development of Torture in the World".
This kind of call also put enormous pressure on the judges. Their discussion did not last too long. In fact, every time they said one more word, there was a feeling that the crowd could not wait to rush in and pull them out to pronounce the verdict. So the originally lengthy chat was compressed into an incredible fifteen minutes. Everyone voted for the death penalty without exception. The only question was how the execution would be carried out.
This was no small problem. From the voices of the people present, it was clear that overly lenient punishments would not satisfy them. On the other hand, cruel and bloody methods, such as the "dismemberment" that some erudite genius had called out, would be too inhumane.
Due to the reputation of the holy city of Florence.
This trial will surely be faithfully recorded in history, and the final punishment will undoubtedly need to be carefully considered.
But they didn't have any more time.
The Chief Justice was still thinking about this question at the last moment before he stepped onto the podium, hoping that someone could give him a hint. He looked expectantly at the young Pope beside him, but the other kept his head down and looked at the book in his hand, firmly refusing to meet his gaze.
Oh my god.
The Chief Justice cried out in pain in his heart, if possible, you might as well carry out the execution yourself!
He walked up to the podium, knocked on the gavel, and wiped the sweat off his face. "After serious discussion, this court now makes a verdict. Lawn Russo, Alessandro Piero, Simone Quentin, Clemente Lulanco, Materazzi Dune and other five people have committed 68 crimes, including murdering the Pope, slaughtering civilians, violating the current commercial law of Florence, and bribing public officials. According to the laws of Florence, all titles will be immediately stripped, all noble treatment will be revoked, the title of lord will be abolished, and the death penalty will be executed immediately. Please agree, Your Majesty."
The Chief Justice bowed to the Pope, and during the brief silent wait, he felt the sweat on his back soaking his thick judicial robe, and all the nerves in his body were tense with tension.
He admitted that he did play some tricks at the last minute, such as deliberately omitting the method of death penalty and throwing this difficult problem to other people. As for who will take over this hot potato, he doesn't care. He just hopes to get off this stage as soon as possible.
Raphael stared at the head wearing the silver-white wig with a half-smile, and answered under the attention of everyone: "I agree."
As he finished speaking, there was a thunderous roar of applause in the square, but soon the question that was vague by the Chief Justice was thrown out again.
"Hang them!"
"Beheading! Burning at the stake!"
Shouts came one after another towards the court. Raphael looked back at the chief justice and said softly, "Your Excellency, the people are waiting for the specific punishment."
He won't allow anyone to play tricks on him.
The Pope's gentle but firm tone completely shattered the last bit of hope in the Chief Justice's heart.
The old judge straightened up and looked at the Pope for a few seconds. He saw some hints in the eyes of the young and handsome His Holiness that he had long hoped to see, but at this moment he hoped very much that he didn't understand anything.
"I declare that they shall be put to the extreme punishment of having their limbs pierced with blades, having boiling sulphurous water poured over them, having the skin of their limbs and torsos peeled off, and finally being drawn and quartered by five horses."
The Chief Justice glanced at the Pope implicitly after each sentence he spoke, trying to discern from his face what he should say next, but it was obvious that the Pope had no intention of giving him any hints, so the Chief Justice could only finish his words slowly.
This terrible punishment was created by Roman Emperor Lavender III, who used it to punish rebels who intended to murder him. It is said that most of the people who were subjected to this punishment remained conscious before being thrown into the crematorium, which obviously exceeded the limits of people's imagination.
Many people fell silent after hearing these words, but then they started shouting again: "That's it! We can't let them have it easy!"
After the Chief Justice finished speaking, Piero, the fattest man in the dock, began to slide down without a word. The black-robed monks beside him lifted him up from both sides. The others were not in a much better situation. They instantly turned into a puddle of mud and needed someone to pull them up to avoid falling to the ground.
"No, no, no... Your Majesty! I plead guilty! I know I was wrong! I am willing to give you everything I have!" Quentin, who was the most responsive, shouted to the Pope on the stage, "My estate, my land! I have two ports in Calais! And six sailing ships!"
His hoarse shouting did not attract any attention from the Pope. Raphael slowly flipped through the book - this was the second time, but no matter how boring the mumbling was, it seemed more interesting to him than the lord's tearful plea for mercy.
The black-robed monks walked over expressionlessly and dragged the five lords to the center of the empty square. People only then realized that a few crude wooden platforms with cross-shaped wooden racks had been set up there at some point, which looked like a simple execution platform.
Seeing themselves getting closer and closer to the platform, the faces of several lords changed. Even Old Russo, who had just sneered and made irresponsible remarks, turned pale and his eyes moved rapidly. When he was dragged up the first step, Old Russo kicked his legs hard and hooked the edge of the step with his toes: "Wait, wait a minute! I have something else to say--"
The black-robed monk, who had not waited for the order, pretended not to hear his words and dragged the man up the stairs coldly. He easily made old Russo, who had exerted all his strength, fall into the air and was carried up the stairs in an almost comical manner.
"Wait a minute - I have something else to say! Your Majesty - Holy Father! I have something else to say!" Old Russo turned his head hard, trying to look at the young victor. "I have something you want, and you will be interested in it, I swear!"
He roared at the top of his voice, and the Pope tilted his head as if he was bored. The black-robed monk who was holding old Russo immediately understood, and took out a piece of hemp rope from his sleeve, and strangled old Russo's mouth with force. The tongue was immediately useless, and the old man's voice was blocked in his throat, and he could only make a low humming sound.
Several people were tied to a wooden rack. The experienced executioner was covered in a loose cowhide smock to prevent the splattering blood from getting on his skin. Only two small round holes were made above the eyes. Through the holes, old Russo saw a pair of cold eyes with a hideous smile.
"ah--"
The sharp blades pierced their palms and ankles, and they let out shrill screams, while the people in the audience raised their arms high and shouted with joy, as if they had drawn infinite strength from their pain.
This set of punishments was not completed in one breath. While waiting for the sulfur water, the Chief Justice once again went up to the podium. This time his expression could no longer be described as ugly.
"This court is trying Lucreza Bianchi, Albert Filch, Casapa Montage and seven others for their involvement in the murder of the Pope and the massacre of civilians—"
The seven lords standing in the witness stand were still immersed in the horror of the punishment. They were unable to come back to their senses for a moment. When they heard their names being spread far away, they all showed a dazed look. It was not until everyone's eyes fell on them that they suddenly realized what had happened.
Several people in the witness stand turned their heads to look at the Pope with a force that seemed to twist their own heads off, and questions of fear and anger almost burst out of their mouths.
——He clearly promised them!
They felt betrayed for the first time in a long time. They paid all their wealth and land in exchange for the Pope's promise to spare their lives and for the qualification to stand in the witness stand. Otherwise, they would be nailed to the wooden rack and screaming like old Russo. But they didn't even have time to celebrate for a quarter of an hour before they were dragged to old Russo's position just now? !
Even a person with a strong spirit cannot accept this fact.
The black-robed monks, who were well prepared, didn't even wait for them to shout out anything. They stepped forward and grabbed their wrists, restricting all their movements. At the same time, they picked up a piece of wet linen and covered their mouths and noses for a few seconds.
When they let go, the lords were shocked to find that they could not utter a word!
The lips are numb, the tongue is swollen, the muscles relax uncontrollably, and only vague syllables can be uttered.
The high-concentration anesthetic mixed with the juice of datura, hemlock and henbane is not enough to make people unconscious, but it is enough to paralyze their mouths and tongues and make them unable to utter a word.
The Pope put down the book in his hand and smiled at them.
This smile was holy enough to be painted with a halo and hung in the Vatican's great gallery, but in the eyes of several paralyzed lords, it was nothing more than the devil grinning at them.
The only one who escaped was Lucresa Bianchi. She looked pale and indifferent as she watched her companions, speechless, and looking at her expectantly.
The Chief Justice's forehead was covered with sweat. "The defendant has proved in his testimony that he participated in all the plots. However, since the defendant has a sincere attitude in admitting guilt and has taken the initiative to report the crime, after a special jury trial, the seven people are sentenced to be beheaded and executed immediately."
"Do you have any objection to this punishment?" The Chief Justice raised his sweaty face and looked at the seven lords.
The seven people opened their mouths and tried to shout.
I have objections!
They are so dissenting!
Raphael clearly promised them! I won't kill them! This is going back on one's word! Despicable, obscene, and shameless!
The Pope looked at the lords below who were glaring at him, stood up from his seat, and faced the Grand Chancellor: "I want a chance to pray for them."
"Of course, Your Majesty, of course you can," the Chancellor replied quickly.
The Pope walked up to the few people, stretched out his hands, and pressed them on their heads - of course, the few people were firmly controlled by the monks behind them to ensure that they would not harm the Pope.
"I promised not to kill you," the Pope's voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum, but loud enough for several people to hear. "But I am not the one who judges you. I have never imposed any personal will on the court from beginning to end."
A strange emotion flashed across the pope's lavender eyes: "The one who judges you is Florence."
This was one of the reasons why he insisted on using the Grand Tribunal instead of the Inquisition.
Amid their angry glares, he gently touched each person's forehead as a sign of blessing, and finally came to the only female lord.
"You promised me..." Lucreza lifted her veil, revealing a pair of blue eyes, staring at the Pope, "Is that also a lie?"
Raphael looked into her eyes and said calmly, "I never lie to anyone. It was clearly written in the agreement we reached at the beginning."
Lucreza stared into his eyes, as if she wanted to dig out every emotion from them and spread it out before her eyes to see it clearly. Finally, she said in a trembling voice: "I hope you remember your words and swear to God, otherwise I will crawl back from hell and bite your throat off."
When she said this, her eyes were as fierce as a she-wolf in the wilderness.
Raphael raised his hand calmly: "Swear to God."
In fact, now that he has won a great victory, there is no need to make this oath. What else can prevent him from getting what he wants?
The female leader withdrew her gaze, turned to the chief justice, and said in a clear voice: "We have no objection."
The six lords looked at her with eyes that were more ferocious than those of evil spirits. If the monk let up, they would pounce on her and bite her into pieces!
The executioner was already standing on the newly built platform. Several people were pulled over. Lucreza walked over by herself. When she passed by Raphael, she whispered, "Please tell my child that her mother deserved it."
Her voice was shaking badly, but there was no hesitation.
This was her last gift to her child. She saw something terrifying in the eyes of the young Pope, and she sincerely hoped that her child would not become his enemy, but could grow up safely under his protection.
Raphael had his back to them. He heard the long knife fall, blood splattered, and heavy objects rolling dully on the wooden floor. Deafening cheers rang out all around him, and he suddenly felt extremely tired.
Ferrante was keenly aware of the cloud of weariness that seemed to be covering the pope. He quietly walked over, held his elbow, and asked with concern, "Holy Father?"
Raphael turned his head to look at him, there was a faint light of fatigue in his half-closed eyes, like a handful of broken gems, flashing beautiful light, but everyone knew that it was the remains of a corpse after being shattered.
Ferrante's heart skipped a beat, and he involuntarily increased the strength of his hands: "Are you...are you feeling uncomfortable?"
Raphael closed his eyes and quickly suppressed his inappropriate emotions.
Degree was properly wrapped in an impeccable body: "No, I'm fine."
He faced the crowd, with countless eyes of trust, expectation and admiration cast upon him.
There is no doubt that this bloody massacre won Raphael the absolute support of the entire Florence. No matter whether it is Russo or Portia, no one can overshadow the Pope's glory here, and no one can take away the Pope's authority. His orders will be unimpeded in Florence, and the Papal Palace will become the de facto ruling center of Florence.
Saint Sistine I finally completely possessed his Florence.
But this is not the end.
He has done so much, so he must get the best results.
“In the name of reclaiming the criminal lord’s territory, issue a conscription notice,” Raphael said softly to Ferrante, “Let Lesherte select the people he needs, put them in the name of the Papal Guard, and then go to war—it’s time for the Papal States to unify.”
He wanted a Papal State that obeyed the Pope's orders alone, a unified and independent Papal State.
The young Pope stood on a high platform with the bloody execution ground behind him. Like a colorful oil painting, this scene was frozen on the paper and became a moment that will never fade.
History has faithfully recorded it in books: the June Trial of Florence, the beginning of the unification of the Papal States by Saint Sistine I.
The author has something to say:
Florence is cleared! The Papal States are coming soon!
The punishments imposed on the five lords in the text were derived from Louis XV's sentence on Damian.
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