Chapter 39 Chapter Thirty-eight

The reverberation of the hearing still lingers in Memphis.Some already regarded General Asher as a heinous traitor and praised Suti's courage and Judge Pazar's ability. In fact, Pazar would like to ask Blaney's opinion, but the law stipulates that judges cannot talk to jurors until the end of the case.He declined invitations from some famous people and shut himself up at home alone.In less than a week, the team he sent would bring back the body of the scout killed by General Asher, and the general would show his embarrassment and be sentenced to death.Suti will also be promoted to high positions.The most important thing is that the conspiracy will be shattered, and Egypt will be saved from the crisis of cooperation between the inside and the outside.Even if Schech slipped through the cracks, at least the big target had been hit.

Pazar hadn't lied to Nefiri.He did think about her all the time, even during the court hearing, her appearance was always in his mind.Therefore, he must pay more attention to every sentence, so as not to accidentally enter the dreamland where only she exists. After Pazar handed over the divine iron and the cross-axe to the elder of the gate hall, the elder immediately handed it over to the high priest of the Ptah Temple. The judge will use the assistance of the temples to trace the source of this batch of divine iron.Pazar had a small doubt in his heart: Why didn't the temple declare the husband's theft?Due to the extremely special items and materials, his investigation direction immediately went to a temple that was rich, powerful, and the only one capable of possessing such items.

Pazar gave Yallo and Cam a three-day vacation, and Yallo hurried home because another big family incident happened: his daughter started refusing to eat vegetables and only ate desserts.Yalo can accept his daughter's waywardness, but his wife can't. Cam never strayed far from the office.He didn't need to rest at all, and he had to keep the judge safe. Even if no one dared to touch the judge, it was always good to be careful. A priest who shaved his head wanted to enter the judge's house, and Cam stepped forward to question him.The priest replied, "I have a message for Judge Pazar."

"I can convey." "I must tell him myself." "Wait a moment." Although the man was unarmed and thin, Cam felt unsteady.When he informed, he did not forget to remind: "There is a priest who wants to talk to you. Be careful." "Everywhere is dangerous for you!" "At least keep the baboons with you." "Ok." The priest entered, and Cam stayed behind.Baboons, on the other hand, peel and eat the nuts of the Egyptian ginger palm. "Judge Pazar, at dawn tomorrow, someone will be waiting for you in front of the gate of the Ptah Temple." The priest said expressionlessly.

"Who wants to see me?" "I have nothing else to say." "why the need to see me?" "I'll say it again: I have nothing else to say. Please shave your body hair, abstain from sex, and meditate in memory of your ancestors." "I'm a judge, I don't want to be a priest." "Please do it. May the gods bless you." Under the supervision of Kem, the barber shaved Pazar's hair. "You are completely smooth now, in compliance with the temple regulations! Will we have one less judge and one more priest?" the barber asked seriously.

"It's just a matter of hygiene. Don't those famous people do it on a regular basis?" "You have become a dignitary too, really! This is the best way." The barber said excitedly. "In the streets and alleys of Memphis, everyone talks about you. Who would dare to mess with the powerful General Asher? Now, everyone is frank, no one likes him. It is said that he tortured some soldiers Woolen cloth!" Surrounded by flattery and flattery yesterday, and insulted and slandered by everyone today, Asher fell from heaven to hell in just a few hours.The rumors outside made him even worse.Pazar also learned a lesson: No one is safe from the pie of despicable humanity.

"If you're not going to be a priest," the barber continued, "you're going to go on a date. There are a lot of women who like clean-shaven men who look like priests...or are priests themselves! Of course they can talk Love, but isn’t it more exciting to be in constant contact with these beings so close to the gods? I bought a lotion from the most famous manufacturer in Memphis, a lotion made of riley and lotus, which smells fragrant when rubbed under the skin. It's been a few days." Pazar agreed.So the barber went around spreading the big news that the hardest judge in Memphis was also a sensual lover.Who is it?It's up to you guys to guess.

After the garrulous barber left, Pazar read an article about a goddess.This ancient ancestor was a source of joy and harmony. She is the daughter of light, she also represents light, and anyone who works for her can get her help. Pazar then begged to be upright forever. Just before dawn, when Memphis was gradually waking up, Pazar arrived in front of the big bronze gate of the Ptah Temple, and a priest led him into the still dark palace.Kem has always strongly opposed Pazar's going on this strange appointment, because at his level, he has no right to enter the temple to investigate.But maybe some monk wants to give information about the theft of the god-iron and cross-axe chisel, no?Pazar was extremely moved.This is his first time entering the temple.Inside these high walls that cut off the secular world, there is a religious world where full-time priests maintain and spread divine power, so that the connection between human beings and the Creator is endless.Of course, the temple is also an economic center. The workshops, bakeries, butcher shops and warehouses here have gathered the best talents in the country; in addition, the first large open-air courtyard will also be open to people during grand festivals. The upper classes enter.However, beyond this courtyard is the realm of mystery, and in this stone garden no one is allowed to talk or laugh aloud in order to hear the voice of the gods.

The priest who led the way along the outer wall came to a small door with a copper wheel used as a water gate.After the two of them turned the bronze wheel, water flowed out, and they washed their faces, hands and feet with water.The priest told Pazar to wait in the darkness at the entrance to the porch. A few hermits in white linen clothes walked from the kayak by the lake to draw water from the lake for early morning bathing and purification. Afterwards, they lined up to place vegetables and bread on the altar, and the high priest named him Pharaoh (Pharaoh is the only "priest" in Egypt, and only he can maintain the relationship between society and God. In various Egyptian temples, full-time priests It is authorized by the pharaoh to hold various religious ceremonies) light the lights, open the inner nave where the statue is located, spread frankincense, and then chant "Wake up peacefully" at the same time as the high priests who completed the same ceremony in other Egyptian temples ".

In a hall in the temple, nine people gathered.The prime minister, the messenger, the director of the White House (that is, the Ministry of Finance), the canal officer and the governor of the water, the clerical director, the agricultural land director, the intelligence chief, the land clerk and the pharaoh chief, these nine "friends of Ramses the Great" "A committee was formed.Every month, they meet in this secret place away from the office and subordinates. The tranquility of the sanctuary allows them to think without distraction. Since the pharaoh's unusual orders, as if the country was in danger, their work has been under increasing pressure.Each conducts systematic inspections within their own jurisdiction to ensure the integrity of each senior executive.Ramses also asked to see results as soon as possible.All illegal or connivance must be eliminated with all efforts, and all incompetent civil servants should be dismissed.After the nine friends met with the Dharma master, they all thought that the monarch seemed worried, even agitated.

After a long night's talk and achieved considerable results, the nine people left each other.A priest whispered a few words in Baji's ear, and Baji immediately walked towards the corridor. "Thank you for coming, Judge Pazar. I am the Prime Minister." Padra was already deeply moved by the solemn atmosphere in the temple, and now seeing the Prime Minister, the feeling in his heart is even more indescribable.He is just a small judge in Memphis, and he has the honor to meet Prime Minister Budge, a figure who shocked the government and the public with his strict experience. Baji was taller than Pazar, with a slightly elongated face and austere appearance. His voice was low and hoarse, and he spoke in a cold and commanding tone. "I want to meet you here because I hope no outsiders will know. If you feel that it is not in line with the law, you can leave." "Please speak up if you have something to say." Pazar replied respectfully. "Do you realize the importance of the courts you are running now?" "General Asher is an important man, but I think I've exposed the fact that he's been re-elected." "Do you really believe it?" the Prime Minister asked Pazar. "Suti's testimony cannot be disputed." "Isn't he just your best friend?" "Yes, but our friendship does not affect our judgment." Pazar said firmly. "A mistake like this is unforgivable." "I think the evidence is clear." "That's for a jury to decide, isn't it?" "I will respect their decision." The Prime Minister raised another doubt: "Your attack on Asher is tantamount to involving the entire Asian defense policy, and our military morale will be affected." "If the facts are not exposed, the country will be in greater danger." "An attempt to obstruct your investigation?" "There were some traps set by the military and I'm sure someone was murdered." "The fifth retired soldier?" "The five retired soldiers were all victims of violence, three of them were killed in Giza and the other two were in their own village. This is my personal opinion. The rest of the investigation falls to the elders of the gate hall Yes, but..." "But what?" Pazar hesitated.Prime Minister, right in front of you.Reckless remarks will lead to serious consequences, and hiding one's thoughts is tantamount to lying.All the people who had cheated Baji in the past are now out of the government. "But I think he didn't investigate with the perseverance he should have." In the end, he honestly expressed his thoughts. "Are you accusing the top judges in Memphis of being incompetent?" the Prime Minister asked, with a sharp look in his eyes. "I don't think he has any interest in fighting the dark forces anymore. His experience has often led him to foresee too many worrisome results, so he would rather hold back than take risks." "That's a harsh criticism. You think he took bribes?" "He just has a close relationship with some important people, so he doesn't want to offend them." "This is too contrary to judicial justice." "That's what I don't want to see." After thinking for a while, Baji said, "If General Asher is found guilty, he will appeal." "It's his right." "No matter what the verdict is, the elders of the gate hall will not allow you to hand over this case, and will order you to continue to investigate doubts." "I'm really not sure about that." "You are wrong, because I will order him to do so. I want to know the whole truth, Judge Pazar." "Suti came back last night," Kem said to Pazar. Pazar was deeply surprised. "Then why didn't he come to see me?" "He was detained in the barracks." "It's illegal!" Pazar immediately rushed to the main barracks, where he was met by the clerk who was commanding the group this time.He said angrily: "I want you to explain." "We arrived at the scene of the accident, and Suti, the chariot captain, recognized the exact location, but we couldn't find the scout's body. Therefore, I think it is necessary to detain the chariot captain." "You can't make that decision as long as it's still in court." The clerk admitted that the judge was right, and immediately released Suti. The two friends embraced tightly as soon as they met.Pazar asked happily, "You were not tortured, were you?" "No. My companions who traveled with me were convinced that Asher was guilty, and were disappointed that no body was found. In order to annihilate all clues, those people even destroyed the hole. "But we've always kept it a secret." "Pazar really didn't understand. "Asher and his accomplices did this just in case. Pazar, I'm as naive as you. The strength of the two of us alone can't defeat them." "We haven't lost the case yet, and besides, I now have full control over it." The next day the hearing started again, and Pazar sent Su to appear in court. "Please describe your visit to the scene of the crime." "In the presence of sworn witnesses, I found that the body was missing and the scene was completely destroyed." "It's ridiculous." Asher said, "The Chariot Captain clearly fabricated the facts, and now he wants to explain himself." "Are you still unwilling to drop your charges, Chariot Captain Suti?" "I did witness General Asher torture and murder an Egyptian." Suti's attitude remained firm. "What about the body?" asked the defendant sarcastically. "You moved the body away." "The commander of my majestic Asian Legion would commit such a despicable and shameless crime! Who would believe it? In fact, there is another possibility: Didn't you collude with the Bedouins and kill your chariot commander at that time? Could it not be you This murderer spewed blood to protect his own reputation? If you can’t produce evidence, it means that you are responsible for everything. Therefore, I must punish you. " Su Ti clenched his fists and said angrily: "You are guilty, you know it well. You killed your own subordinates and let your own soldiers fall into the net. How can you have the face to teach the elites in our army? ?” Asher said in a low voice: "Go on, the jurors will definitely be interested in your increasingly absurd remarks. Yes, I will be appointed as the terminator of the Egyptian army soon." The mocking smile on the general's face won the confidence of the jury. "Suti has taken the oath." Pazar reminded, "And you also admit that he is an excellent soldier." "It was his heroism that made him swoon." "The disappearance of the body does not mean that the chariot captain's testimony is invalid." "However, Judge Pazar, you should admit that the force of the testimony is indeed greatly reduced! I also swore that what I said was not as good as Suti's? If he did witness the murder, then he Wrong person. I'm willing to forgive his temporary insanity as long as he apologizes publicly to me immediately. "So Pazar asked the plaintiff: "Suti, the chariot captain, will you accept this proposal?" " "Ever since I escaped from the brink of death, I swore to bring that despicable man to justice. Asher was really cunning, and he kept the whole thing in doubt. Now, he wants me to deny what I said! But even with my last breath, I have to tell the truth. " "I, the general and fan-bearer to the king's right, maintain my innocence in the face of a sane and obstinate soldier." At this time, Su Ti really wanted to hit the general, strangling him out of breath.But seeing Pazar staring at him, he could only endure it. "Anyone here wants to speak?" No one spoke. "In that case, let the jury begin deliberation." The jury deliberated in a hall of the palace, with the judge as the chairman, but the judge had no right to speak at all during the debate, he was only responsible for directing the speakers.The first speaker was Meng Moxi, who was very objective and calm.After he finished speaking, the conclusion was roughly settled, and the others only added details one after another, without major changes. Less than two hours later, Pazar read the verdict, which was recorded by Yalo. "Kadashi, the dentist, committed perjury. Since the lie he told was not serious, and he had a brilliant medical record, and he was old, he was sentenced to dedicate a fat cow to the temple and to give the ex-soldiers a quarter A hundred sacks of grain in compensation for his undue interruption." The dentist breathed a sigh of relief and patted his knees. "Dentist Kadash, do you accept the verdict, or do you wish to appeal?" Kadash stood up and said, "I accept, Judge Pazar." "Chemist Sheche was acquitted." The chemist with the black mustache didn't respond, not even a smile could be seen on his face. "General Asher did commit two administrative errors which did not affect the operations of the Asiatic Corps. Furthermore, his defense was valid. He was therefore only given a warning to avoid repeating the same error. The jury found murder The allegations against General Asher are not specific and therefore at present do not regard General Asher as a traitor or murderer, but neither does the testimony of Suti, the charioteer, as defamatory. Since several important facts remain in doubt, the jury also A definite verdict cannot be reached, so this court has asked for an extension of the investigation in order to find out the truth as soon as possible."