"Conscience is when we are aware of the existence of the court of morality within us. No matter what method we choose to use to live in this universe, perhaps we can find a path for rats to crawl through in the radiance of the charter, perhaps we can turn the legal provisions into those yellowed papers and scattered electronic data, but when we grow old, we will always have to look back and see the verdict of the court of morality within us. "
"People, there has never been a truly harmonious world, there is no absolute fairness, but everyone walks the path of harmony and fairness. Perhaps some people will break the wooden stick and drive away the beasts on the road, but perhaps in the next moment, that wooden stick will become a job for us to bully our companions. Deep within everyone's heart, there will be a beast. What we need to do is to throw away those wooden sticks and use a non-beastly method to deal with the disputes between us. "
"George Carlin said that the greatest injustice in the Federation society is the unfair possession of information by different classes. This is a simple and thought-provoking judgment. People, please think about it. How much do we know about the things in the Federation? Are the things we know true? Are the things we know what some people want us to know? If there is no true sharing of information, then when we deal with the disputes between us, will we already be in a state of inequality? Will we angrily pick up the wooden stick in our hands again? "
"People, we need change. What we need is not a change on the surface, but a change on the deepest level. From the pond of the past, there will be no fish that wants to jump out of the pond."
"Thinking deeper from the sharing of information, I often associate it with that ordinary building in the suburbs of the capital, that one-way road. I am thinking about how the radiance of the charter protects the hundreds of millions of people in the Federation to live in a peaceful environment, but do we need to make some corresponding changes? Of course, this should be a matter for many years to come. "
"People, change in the Federation is right before your eyes, and the ones who can push for this change and make this change a reality are you, and only you. The autumn of the 67th year of the constitutional calendar has already arrived, and the votes are being printed under the supervision of the election committee. Your fingers will decide everything. "
"I am Senator Medellin from Region S2. I have come to the pond that is the Federation. I want to make a change, and I need you to vote for me and Governor Ross. This is a sincere and direct request."
...
…
It had been a few days since Xiao Wenjing had been transferred from the second branch of the District Procurator's Office. He knew that it was probably because of the aftermath of the murder case at the entrance of Hushan Road.
This office was located in a building next to Charter Square. This building was a foreign office of the Federal Justice Department. Until today, he only knew that this office should belong to the Investigation and Law Enforcement Department. However, he did not understand why the recent documents sent to the office seemed to be applications for the appointment of an independent prosecutor by the Federal Management Committee. There were no cases that required independent investigation in the Federation recently.
Since he had nothing else to do, he picked up the newspaper in his hand and continued to flip through it, preparing to finish reading Senator Medellin's column. As an inspector of the Federation, he had seen countless dirty deals within the Federation, but he still retained his faith in the judiciary and his love for the system. He was not a person who liked to participate in politics, but he had some feelings for Senator Macklin's article.
This was already the seventeenth article that Senator Macklin had published in the Capital Daily. Since the terrorist attack at the S2 concert in Mountainous Four States, Senator Macklin had used this method to communicate with the voters of the Federation. This former second-in-command of the anti-government army was indeed a political figure recognized by the people of the Federation as Saint George's disciple. The seventeen political articles included all aspects of the Federation's political and economic life. The language was simple and easy to understand. On one hand, he described the political views of Ross's presidential candidate and himself. On the other hand, he called for the entire Federation to continue on the path of reconciliation and non-violence. Ordinary language, coupled with this senator's legendary political experience, began to reveal an extremely attractive power.
When the first sixteen political articles were published, the people of the Federation fought to read them. It was not convenient for the scholars and professors in the academic world to express their opinions, but it was said that they also admired Senator Macklin in private. As a returnee, a member of the opposition, he was very clear about the shortcomings of the Federation's political scene. At the same time, he was able to use this kind of rational attitude to propose reforms. He was not blindly radical.
Today was the seventeenth political article, and also the last one. Senator Macklin changed his usual calm and gentle tone and began to use more eye-catching words and provocative tones. With the concrete thoughts of the first sixteen articles as a foundation, this last concluding speech was full of vigor and determination.
"It does feel a little hot-blooded. This councilor actually dares to mention the reform of the Charter Bureau. He is really bold." Xiao Wenjing put down the newspaper in his hand, crossed his legs, and began to browse the interesting articles on the Internet. In the past few days, he was like the average citizen of the Federation, mainly downloading the beautiful blueprints of the MX mecha named Purple Sea.
Right at this moment, a notification flashed on the screen. He stood up, tidied up his inspector uniform, and headed upstairs to the office. After entering the office, he saw the appearance of the middle-aged inspector in front of the office. He could not help but be stunned. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Teacher?"
The middle-aged inspector's eyes were sunken, his expression solemn. When he heard this form of address, he raised his head and said, "I am now an independent inspector personally appointed by the Minister of Justice."
Xiao Wenjing immediately understood. There must be a big case in the Federation. Otherwise, the Minister of Justice would not have let his teacher come out of the academy to take over. He was stunned for a moment before recalling that he had been transferred to this department. Could it be that his teacher had started taking over this case a long time ago? That was why he had been transferred here to help. But the question was, why had he not heard anything about this before?
"What case is it?" He walked up to the independent inspector's desk. On the desk was a small sword that represented the Federation's law and justice.
"Do you still have confidence in the Federation's law?" The middle-aged inspector raised his head and looked at his most valued student. He knew better than anyone else the embarrassing role played by the Prosecutor General's Office in the murder case at Tiger Mountain Road. He also knew the student's current state of mind, so he did not answer his question. Instead, he asked such a question.
Xiao Wenjing glanced at the small sword on the desk and said very seriously, "Yes."
"Well, I can tell you. The case that the Minister of Justice has authorized me to independently investigate is related to Senator Macklin. There are a total of seventeen crimes waiting for this senator," the middle-aged inspector said expressionlessly.
When Xiao Wenjing heard the name Senator Macklin, heard the seventeen crimes, and then connected it to the seventeen political articles, he subconsciously thought of many things. A hint of boredom and disgust flashed in his eyes. He said with a slight self-deprecating tone, "The Federation's political schemes are really endless."
The middle-aged inspector was not surprised by this student's reaction. This was because when the Minister of Justice first notified him, he also had the same thoughts. Now, Senator Macklin was assisting Governor Ross in the presidential election, but at this time, the Federation government wanted to investigate him. If it was said that there was no political conspiracy involved, no one would believe it.
"Just finish reading these materials in my office before you express your opinion." He frowned and reprimanded, "An inspector should have his own independent judgment, and not be blinded by the so-called public opinion and external image. This is the first lesson I taught you. Have you forgotten?"
Xiao Wenjing bowed his head and admitted his mistake. He walked in front of the computer and began to seriously look at the materials that had been organized into four files. The more he looked, the more shocked he was. He could not believe his eyes. Senator Macklin, who was famous in the Federation for his non-violent views, was actually the mastermind behind so many terrorist attacks?
As an extremely professional inspector, Xiao Wenjing did not spend much time to determine that these materials were definitely not used by someone to frame Senator Macklin. At this time, of course, he did not know that these materials were collected by an excellent spy named Shi Qinghai, who spent countless nights to collect the information. He only subconsciously thought that if these things were verified, the entire Federation would usher in a great shock.
After an unknown amount of time, Xiao Wenjing finally finished reading these shocking materials. His eyebrows gradually furrowed.
"The presidential candidate, after being registered by the Election Committee, has temporary jurisdiction." He looked at his teacher worriedly. "These materials can only be used in a reasonable way, but they cannot be used to help with the prosecution."
"What is your judgment?" The middle-aged inspector did not answer the question. Instead, he asked directly.
"I think that Senator Macklin is very suspicious." Xiao Wenjing once again organized the materials in his mind and said very seriously.
"Senator Macklin has jurisdiction, so the investigation can only be carried out in secret. The Ministry of Justice has already granted the authority, but now the Federation Management Committee will not approve the application to set up an independent inspector, so I am also a temporary guy. "
Xiao Wenjing understood the main work that had been done in this organization a few days ago.
"You have the authority to mobilize the police department, the Federation Administration's resources." The middle-aged inspector looked at him and said, "If there is no evidence, you have to find the evidence. Don't forget, we are the Federation, and he is only a suspect. No matter how experienced a politician is, he will never be able to hide in front of the law. Do you have this confidence? "
"Yes," Xiao Wenjing replied.
"Very good." The middle-aged inspector smiled and glanced at Senator Macklin's political column in the newspaper from the corner of his eyes. He said softly, "I don't know if this vice presidential candidate has a moral court in his heart, but I want to remind him that the Federation has a real court."
Xiao Wenjing nodded, but he knew in his heart that if Senator Macklin was really elected as the Federation's vice president, with the efficiency and decentralization of the Federation Management Committee, it would definitely be impossible to pass an impeachment bill or an independent investigation bill. At least during his term, it would be difficult for the Ministry of Justice to continue this investigation, and Senator Macklin would be very safe.
At this time, he suddenly realized that the vote in his hand was also very important.
…
…
At the same time, on Carbine Street, where the major media gathered in the Capital Special District, an argument that was much more intense than the one in the Ministry of Justice broke out in the editor-in-chief's office inside a building. The editorial department of the Capital Daily News had this kind of drama all year round, just like the profound lunar eclipse pattern outside the newspaper office building. There was no such thing as perfect peace.
"I need a reason. You have to give me a reason today! I found three reporters and 17 paparazzi, spent 70,000 Federation coins, and finally verified a little bit of the anonymous information. It was written into a block of tofu with a few hundred words, and you actually suppressed it? And suppressed it three times in a row! "
Mr. Wood, the senior political reporter of the Capital Daily News, looked at the editor-in-chief angrily and roared, "Mr. Bob, what exactly do you want to do? Don't tell me that because you don't want to offend politicians, you have become a piece of trash who has forgotten the rules of journalism? "
The editor-in-chief Bob glanced at the closed glass door and confirmed that the conversation between him and his old partner would not be heard by anyone. He was slightly relieved. He was silent for a moment, shook his head with a bitter smile, and said, "Wood, don't forget that I am also a reporter, and I am the chief reporter of the Capital Daily News. I know the purpose of the daily news better than anyone else. The half-eclipsed moon outside is constantly reminding us, but you still can't publish this report. "
"We need to find out the reason why the moon is half eclipsed. This is a famous quote that the journalists said when they wanted to break through the government's blockade when the Federation opened up the Donglin Region." Mr. Wood sat down with a sullen face and said, "You are not even afraid of the government's pressure. I don't understand. Do you want to watch a politician who deceives the world and gains fame by playing with the anti-government army and the voters of the Federation become a vice president?"
"The problem is that your investigation has no real evidence." The editor-in-chief Bob frowned and said, "You know very well how much pressure the newspaper office has to bear when such a report comes out. The key problem now is that we are not facing the government, but a politician who is deeply respected by the voters of the Federation. We have to be careful in seeking confirmation. "
"Being careful in seeking confirmation is the job of a scientist. Journalists only need to report what they find objectively. As for what readers will associate and discover from these news facts, that is not a problem we should be concerned about." Wood directly cut him off.
"Our newspaper office has always been known for being fair and objective." The editor-in-chief also began to get angry. He slammed the table and shouted, "But now you want to use this report to influence the presidential election, and it is a candidate from the opposition, without any real evidence. What will the entire Federation think of our newspaper? Will they think that you or I just published the report based on the self-awareness of a journalist? They will only think that we were pressured by certain forces in the Federation to act as the thugs of the politicians to suppress an old man who has no foundation in the Federation and who has just entered the management committee less than two years ago who advocates non-violence! "
This was a very long paragraph. After Bob finished speaking, he was also a bit out of breath. He took a sip of coffee and said in a hoarse voice, "If you can find real evidence, I will agree to your report even if I have to give up my position as editor-in-chief. But if you can't find it, I can't agree."
"It is precisely because our newspaper is known for being fair and objective in the Federation that the informant gave us such important information." Mr. Wood was no longer as agitated as before. He said with a trace of pain, "I understand what you mean, but we are only journalists. If even we can investigate the matter behind Senator Macklin, then what is the use of the Ministry of Justice? What is the use of the judges? We are only the explorers of the facts. Those facts are right on your table. If we can't report these, how can we face the trust of the brave informant? "
"There are many kinds of facts. Different ways of writing will give readers different impressions after reading them," the editor-in-chief said tiredly. "I can't take this risk. If the readers of the entire Federation think that we have become thugs for the politicians, who will be responsible for the reputation of this newspaper that has lasted for thousands of years?"
"I will try my best to be objective."
"You don't have to say anymore." The editor-in-chief looked at his colleague who had entered the newspaper with him and said with a frown, "Don't forget, the person you are investigating is very likely to be the next vice president. According to the latest poll, the support for Ross and his partner is approaching that of Senator Pabre.
"And according to my sources, this afternoon, there will be a heavyweight bomb thrown at Ross and Macklin. At this time, we, a newspaper, can't expect to be able to change the attitude of the Federation voters."
Reporter Wood was silent for a long time. Suddenly, he asked, "Did the board of directors give you any hints?"
The Capital Daily News was funded by an institution under the Sanlin United Bank. The Sanlin United Bank belonged to the Li family, one of the seven families in the Federation. The Li family was a strong supporter of Ross and Macklin in this presidential election.
For these reporters who had been in the news industry for many years, these things were no secret. Seeing that the unfavorable report on Senator Macklin had been suppressed, Wood naturally thought of this.
The editor-in-chief, Bob, looked at him coldly. After a long time, he said, "You underestimate me."
Wood was silent for a moment. He believed that the editor-in-chief was not such a person. He said, "Sorry, I am a little emotional today."
"It's not that I don't want you to report, but I need an opportunity. The most famous method of a news reporter is to beat the dog that is in the water. We don't need hypocritical pity." The editor-in-chief, Bob, sighed and said softly, "Senator Macklin hasn't fallen into the water yet. It's not the right time for us to make a move."
Wood understood the editor-in-chief's meaning. He sighed and said, "The problem is that the autumn election is about to begin. Where can we find the right time?"
I believe there must be one. Bob said to himself in his heart. He looked at the column of Senator Macklin's political opinion in his newspaper. Suddenly, a trace of disgust surged in his heart. He threw the newspaper into the wastepaper basket.
He looked up at the respected reporter, Wood, and said calmly, "If the court of the Federation doesn't work by then, and the court of ethics in Senator Macklin's heart doesn't work, then our newspaper will have to become his court of ethics. Although this is a very inappropriate way of doing things."
…
…
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
