vstars Chapter 539: For Heaven on Earth
Chapter 539: For Heaven on Earth
The stained glass windows of the Padua Court cut the last rays of sunset into pieces and sprinkled them on the judge's seat.
As soon as Min Caier finished speaking, the entire court fell into an eerie silence, with only the crackling sound of the torches in the corners.
Everyone was shocked by Minzer's words. Until now, whether or not one could enter heaven had been decided by the senior clergy of the church, so they could sell indulgences. Now, according to Minzer's theory, even farmers could sell indulgences to the rich.
The gilded cross in the Bishop's hand clattered to the marble floor. He pointed at Muenzer, trembling, and his lips moved but he could not utter a complete sentence:
"How dare you...you blaspheme the sacred teachings!"
"We are believers who serve the Lord. Whether we go to heaven or not is up to us!"
"But the resources you use to serve the Lord, whether it's the funds for holding events or the manpower needed to build churches, all come from the lower-class masses who you said need to work continuously to ascend to heaven."
"Why can you go to heaven just by saying a few scriptures, while these people need to work hard all their lives and pay taxes that they don't even know why they are paying in order to get a vague promise from you?"
Min Zeer asked loudly.
"Nonsense! War taxes are to protect the country and the people! The army has no funds, can you still talk to us here openly?"
The tax officer stood up and angrily retorted. His face flushed red, veins popped out on his forehead, and he slammed his hands hard on the table, making the documents on the table rustle.
"Okay, since you said it was to resist the Mitlan people, then let me ask you, the current situation is that the Mitlan people occupy the land of the Yoda people, or the Yoda people occupy the land of Mitlan!"
Min Zeer stared at the tax collector with sharp eyes and asked without flinching.
"This... of course, the Yoda army very heroically wiped out the invading Mitlan army."
The tax collector stammered in response, a hint of panic in his eyes.
"Okay, so why don't we stop the war with Midland now, but instead continue to send more captured men to the front and pay more war taxes?"
Min Zeer accused as a matter of course, his tone full of sarcasm.
According to the tax collector's logic, since the Midlans had been repelled, there was no need to recruit the Yodas or collect war taxes.
Seeing that the tax officer had no answer at all, Min Caier said pointedly:
"I'll tell you why the war is still going on. This war is not for the benefit of all Yoda people. It is fought by the nobles in the Council of Nobles in order to plunder the interests of the people of other countries. In order for this war to continue, the Yoda people have become victims."
"So this war is unreasonable, both in terms of justice and the interests of most Yoda people. It is an unjust war that belongs only to the nobility."
Minzer's voice was passionate and powerful, echoing in every corner of the courtroom.
While Muenzer was arguing with the bishop and other officials, William, who was in the plaintiff's seat, was completely confused.
He sat there with his eyes wide open, mouth slightly open, a dazed look on his face.
Isn't this him suing Min Caier? How come it has evolved to a fierce confrontation between these people and Min Caier? When will the verdict of his case be announced?
……
"Here, take a look at this."
Just outside the court, some people dressed in country clothes were reading out Minzer's claims to the citizens.
Although these country people were dressed simply and even a little shabby, their eyes revealed a determination and confidence.
The citizens were very curious about them. These country people were different from the numb, dirty and stupid people they had imagined. Although they still looked poor, they were very energetic and more importantly, they were all literate.
Some of the citizens began to listen carefully to Minzer's arguments, and as expected, they immediately became furious when they heard why they had to pay war taxes.
Perhaps they did not sympathize with these country people, but they immediately became restless when they heard that the money they paid was just for the nobles to better plunder the property of other countries.
"Hey guys, why are you using our money? If you want to fight, go ahead and fight us. We didn't say we would fight!"
A citizen shouted angrily, and his voice resonated with the citizens around him.
This became even more lively, as citizens also joined the protest, and the scene became even more passionate.
Everyone expressed their dissatisfaction and anger. Of course, when the news of the situation outside reached the court, the city council members became a little restless.
If Min Caier was really arrested at this time, what would happen if this group of country people started making trouble and the citizens followed suit?
Even if they let Blackwatch mercenaries come to suppress the rebellion, there are only a thousand of them, and if they win there will be rivers of blood. Can they still collect taxes after that?
"Bishop of Padua, my advice is to send Muenzer and those country folk away."
A city council official nearby whispered, a hint of worry in his eyes.
"Should we let this person who slandered me and distorted the doctrine leave here so openly?"
The Bishop of Padua frowned and said angrily.
"But if we allow the outsiders to continue making trouble, we will suffer greater losses. Min Cai'er's case is a small matter, but collecting taxes is a big deal. Please consider this."
The city council official persuaded patiently.
The Bishop of Padua was still angry just now, but now that he thought about it and realized it was true, he could only sigh and agree to this matter.
The judge who received the news could only pronounce:
"The defendant, Muenzer, has committed contempt of court and tampered with doctrine. You are hereby deprived of your church membership, dismissed from your position as deacon, ordered to leave Padua within a certain period of time, and not to organize strikes against William again!"
The door of the court was pushed open again, and Min Caier walked out first.
He held his head high and looked at the huge crowd outside with a determined look.
"Look, Mr. Minzer is coming out!"
Someone shouted. "Is this Minzer?"
People looked at him curiously.
Seeing the huge crowds of people from different professions looking at him, Min Caier shouted:
"Wise people, everyone can have divinity, and everyone can go to heaven!"
“Heaven is not something on the other side. The world we, the rational people, live in is ‘Heaven on Earth’!”
"The Lord is just, He will never tolerate tyranny, and He promises freedom and equality to all."
“It’s not just like this in heaven, it’s also like this on earth.”
“So he will take the weapons from the unjust rulers and give them to the people!”
The officials who had just come out got angry when they saw Min Ze'er giving a speech to the people below. They loudly ordered the soldiers to expel Min Ze'er and ordered the Black Watch mercenaries to rush here immediately to expel the country people behind.
But at this time, whether it was the citizens or the country folk, everyone understood what Min Tser was calling for. For a moment, the crowd was indignant, and all the shouts merged into one voice:
"For the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth!"
The sound was like a surging tide, one wave after another, shaking the entire square.
The officials left in panic, while the soldiers tried to maintain order, but to no avail.
It was not until the Black Watch mercenaries arrived that the people in the square dispersed.
Although they dispersed temporarily, the anger and yearning for the "heaven on earth" in the hearts of some people have not been extinguished. It is as if a seed is buried in people's hearts, waiting for the right time to break through the ground.