Facing the question from Prosecutor Villefort, Edmond fell silent for a moment.
If it were the eighteen-year-old sailor Edmond Dantès in 1815, he would have shouted here, "Anyway, I didn't know, so I was wronged!".
But now he is the Count of Monte Cristo in 1831. He has not only witnessed the changes in politics, but has even become a part of politics himself.
Not long ago, he worked with the Villefort prosecutor to investigate the "Treason Case of Marshal Marmont" and ruined the reputation of his old enemy, the dead Fernand, and became the center of the treason case.
figure.
Precisely because he has been deeply involved in all this, he already knows that in the world of politics, there is no knowing or not knowing, and it does not matter whether he is innocent or guilty. Politics is about the results, "needs", and who is more in control.
situation, and then control the right to speak, and then "define" the opponent's crime.
Because the captain suddenly fell seriously ill, he sent a secret message to the captain, went to Elba Island and met Emperor Napoleon. Then he was the "messenger" of the Bonaparte party, and he was inadvertently tied to Bonaparte.
On the Ba family's warship.
There is no doubt that if Emperor Napoleon had really won and the "Hundred Days Dynasty" had not only lived for a hundred days, then he would have rewarded himself if he was leisurely;
But there is also no doubt that when Emperor Napoleon is completely defeated and the Bourbon family makes a comeback, he will also be the target of liquidation - even if he has no knowledge of this, it is an irrefutable fact that he sent a message to Napoleon.
.
Are you innocent or guilty?
The correct answer is: for a Bonaparte court, he is not only innocent but also meritorious; but for a Bourbon court, he is a political prisoner, and "ignorance" is not a defense.
reasons.
For cases such as family disputes, debt disputes, and even vendettas, "justice" is an obvious thing and can be defined by thick legal books. However, when the highest power is involved, "justice"
"It has become a very vague thing, it all depends on the standpoint.
Is it justice for the National Assembly to chop off the head of Louis XVI? Is it justice for the Thermidorians to chop off the head of Robespierre? Is it justice for Emperor Napoleon to launch a coup and monopolize power?
"Justice" can no longer define these things, but what is "justice" is defined by the results of these events.
The National Assembly won, so they executed justice by killing the king. The Thermidorian coup succeeded, so they killed Robespierre to execute justice. Napoleon won, so he became emperor, and they became justice.
Therefore, according to what Villefort said, under the premise that "the Bourbons have temporarily won", even if a judge who "enforces the law impartially" does come, then he will definitely only judge himself according to the justice of the Bourbons.
.
Even if the verdict is completely fair, he cannot escape the reputation of "rebeling the party".
In politics, ignorance is no excuse for oneself. In the past few decades, how many people have been sent to the guillotine in a daze, and who cares about their cries?
This is what Villefort is not convinced about - because at that time, even if a royalist came to Marseille as a prosecutor, as long as his affairs were discovered, he would "have no way to escape the law" because he was already a "member of the Bourbon family"
"An enemy of justice", as long as he is in the land ruled by Bourbon, he must be a criminal, and his crime is unpardonable.
So, in this case, what will happen to you?
Maybe it will be better than before, and it will be sent to exile and hard labor instead of being sent to the dark Castle of Eve; but it is entirely possible to be shot during the liquidation, or be tortured to death in the exile.
Edmund has discussed these things with His Majesty before. He has gained a lot of insights from his experiences in the past few years, so he will come to a very different conclusion from that little sailor - he is really not completely "innocent"
.
Of course, this was a blessing in disguise. It was through "being imprisoned for delivering a letter to Emperor Napoleon" that he accumulated his first political capital. Then he was regarded as a confidant by the second generation leader of the Bonaparte family and was promoted to the previous position.
Unimaginable location.
Although he paid an unimaginable and painful price, he also received unimaginable rewards in the end. However, all of this was taken away and sent to him by fate, and he was just at the mercy of fate.
In a short period of time, thousands of thoughts flooded Edmund's mind, but he did not explain anything to Prosecutor Villefort.
In terms of eloquence, he is definitely not as good as Villefort, who has been practicing law for more than 20 years. This is not a court, so there is no need for him to argue.
He just looked indifferently at Villefort, who looked unconvinced in front of him.
With the signing of the marriage contract, the hatred is slowly dissipating, but "pity" or "family affection" are impossible.
"I know what you mean, and I also know that to a certain extent, you are indeed reasonable - but it is this kind of 'reasonableness' that makes people extremely desperate and resentful." Then, he responded slowly.
, "You are the superior Prosecutor Villefort. You have a superior family background and even the king knows your name. You are also smart enough to play with the laws as you like and send people you don't like to prison... You can always
While doing all the bad things, claiming that your hands are innocent, you won't even feel that you are at fault, because everything is so natural. Isn't the law created to protect gentlemen like you?
But it is because you always win, always win, and win with a clear conscience, that the morality of the world has fallen to such an extent! Everyone is sanctimonious but shameless, and they follow the crowd and are righteous, because everyone has seen how you are.
Pretending to be innocent while doing evil! You are such a good example. In the name of justice and law, you cruelly played with the fate of little people and easily ruined other people's life happiness. You took me away from my wedding,
Let me and my lover be separated forever, and then you can confidently teach me that I am not innocent!"
Speaking of this, Edmund laughed slightly sarcastically, "Finally, one day, the little sailor who was manipulated by others came back. Now he was no longer a nobody, and then... oh, the prosecutor who talks about justice
The official finally realized that he had done something wrong and he needed to make up for his mistakes. He apologized and he was afraid. All this was not because of his conscience, but because he found that the 'stick of justice' in other people's hands was thicker than his!
OK! Since you will assume, please allow me to assume too - please, dear prosecutor, if I am not the Count of Monte Cristo, but a poor fugitive Edmond Dantès, one night
, Ji Zi, dressed in rags, came to your house miserably to visit, state his grievances, and beg you to clear his grievances... What will you do? Will you argue with him nicely?
Are we going to argue about whether he was wronged and who is more just, or are we going to keep doing the same thing and simply kill this dangerous fugitive and bury him in the garden, so that the dusty past can be put to rest?"
Edmund's questioning made Prosecutor Villefort, who was originally unconvinced, suddenly speechless.
In court, he was eloquent and could make countless criminals become speechless and bow their heads to plead guilty. However, in front of the Count of Monte Cristo, who knew his true identity and fully took the initiative, all his rhetoric and persuasion were meaningless.
Because both of them knew what Gerard de Villefort would do.
From the beginning, this had nothing to do with enforcing justice.
He burned the incriminating evidence to protect his father and himself; he put Edmond Dantès in a dark prison for more than ten years in order to preserve his reputation and power. If the poor little sailor suddenly suddenly one day
If you run in front of yourself, the result will be self-evident.
"Yes, you are not innocent, but I am already in hell." In the end, he could only admit the fact with full of unwillingness, "Now, I am already being punished for my sins. Thank you for your magnanimity and forgiveness.
My life, I have submitted my resignation to the Supreme Court and His Majesty. Now I am no longer a prosecutor, and I no longer have any power... I will live in seclusion and think about my mistakes... I hope that after I leave, the Paris Court will still be there.
With this world, everything can become better..."
"Even if you retire, you have nothing. On the contrary, you are still the only son of the Marquis of Noirtier and the father of Valentine. You are still an upper class figure in society, at least better than those who have been toyed with by you all your life.
Little people are too much stronger! So don’t ever expect me to pity you, because you don’t deserve it.” Edmund ruthlessly snatched the other person’s hand, “Of course, you are not the source of all evil, in Paris, London and even in
In the capital of any country, there are hundreds of sanctimonious yet domineering Villeforts! Letting you disappear from the public eye will not make the world a better place. I admit this, but I
I can work hard and do my best to make the world a better place! And you, you will be my reference, allowing me to remind myself all the time that if a person is swallowed up by ambition and power, he will
What a monster I have become, I will never become such a monster."
"I didn't expect that the Earl may seem cold, but he is actually a fiery-hearted idealist..." Villefort smiled bitterly.
"If a person has gained so much but has no idealism in his heart, wouldn't it be too cold-blooded? It's your Majesty and this country that has placed high hopes on me, and I can't live up to it all." Edmund replied proudly, "
Yes, I know that my power is limited, and I cannot turn the world into a paradise. Even if I sit in the position of Prime Minister, there will still be people who are destined to be poor and live a miserable life, and there will still be injustice and injustice; but even if I sit in the position of Prime Minister, there will still be people who are destined to be poor and live a miserable life.
In this way, I can also prevent myself from adding to the sins, never bully others, and cruelly play with the lives of people like Edmond Dantès! I may not have the ability of Prince Talleyrand, but I will let
Doing my best to make the world a better place, even just a little, is enough comfort to be engraved on my epitaph... My life has been full of twists and turns, and it is also thrilling, and it deserves a beautiful ending."
After finishing speaking, the earl looked at Villefort with blazing eyes, as if he wanted to burn him out. Although the earl's words sounded unrealistic, looking at the brilliance in his eyes made people feel extremely sincere.
At this time, Villefort finally could no longer maintain his forced composure. Although he was usually eloquent and spoke for justice, when he faced the real light of justice, he discovered that all his pretense and hypocrisy had turned out to be true.
Decorations are meaningless and serve only to make one feel ashamed.
Not only am I inferior to my father, I am also far inferior to him.
A huge sense of embarrassment and shame surged into Villefort's heart, his cheeks turned red, and his eyes became bloodshot.
"I hope you can succeed."
He turned away in shame, never daring to look directly into the count's eyes again. It was only because he still had the last trace of dignity and pride in his heart that he managed not to lose his composure on the spot, "But even so, my knowledge, my
My connections may be of some use to you. If you have anything to ask me in the future, just ask someone to ask. I will answer everything I know... I have committed too many sins. If I
Being able to help your career can be regarded as a little atonement. After all, even the brightest career is inevitably accompanied by shadows, isn't it?"
Of course, Edmund was well aware of Villefort's little thoughts - he was still greedy for power, and although he was forced to retire, he was unwilling to really say goodbye to the field of power, so he wanted to indirectly exert influence by acting as his own adviser.
, lived through the addiction to power.
However, how could he, who was so angry now, be willing to put aside his past grudges and regard Villefort as his think tank?
So he just smiled coldly.
"I don't have to, you should think about how to take care of yourself. In addition, I suggest you be more careful. Although I have given up my revenge on you, you must have many enemies. After they hear the news of your retreat,
, but you may not be willing to give up like me... Please wish yourself well next."
After saying that, he didn't want to tangle with Villefort anymore. He just frowned and nodded, and then walked out of Villefort's house with his head held high, leaving Villefort standing dejectedly in the room.
Edmund took a deep breath before stepping into the carriage home.
Some of the impassioned speech he had with Villefort just now was something he had thought of before, and some he blurted out in excitement, but no matter what, these were the words from his heart.
Even if he reaches such a position, he is still a bit naive. He truly believes that through his own efforts, he can make the world a better place - even if it is just a little better.
"Don't just sing high, poor Edmund——" he whispered to himself.