The next day, everything continued, and Zheng Jiang knocked on the door of Zhang Guodong's office.

"Chairman Zheng, what's the matter, sit." Zhang Guodong greeted.

"Chairman Zhang, I would like to ask for your opinion on something." Zheng Jiang sat down and took out a document from his bag, "I'm taking over the work of the Military Commission these days. As you know, I haven't done this before, and I don't know anything, so I'm sorry if there's something wrong. ”

Zhang Guodong looked at Zheng Jiang and said with a smile: "Chairman Zheng, say whatever you want, didn't Wei Yang and Dong Fei start from not knowing anything." ”

Zheng Jiang handed the document in his hand to Zhang Guodong: "Chairman Zhang, this is the verdict document on the handling of the prisoner of war riot in Tiandu Mine and Maniche. The prisoners of war who had participated in the uprising were imprisoned in labor camps and could not leave the mines for 10 years. But this decision was not made by a court, but by a decision made by the General Assembly, and of course we did not have a military tribunal at that time. ”

Zheng Jiang said a little but saw that Zhang Guodong had been looking at him without speaking, and unconsciously stopped talking, Zhang Guodong said with a smile: "Chairman Zheng, continue, don't have any doubts, say everything you want to say." ”

Zheng Jiang plucked up his courage: "Eight years have passed since the prisoner of war incident, and seven years have passed since Maniche was originally decided by a military tribunal. I wonder if these people should have their sentences commuted or released, of course, you are a military court judge, and you have to make up your mind. ”

Zhang Guodong did not answer Zheng Jiang's question directly, but sighed: "Alas, I didn't expect that seven or eight years have passed in the blink of an eye. ”

Zheng Jiang was a little confused by Zhang Guodong's words: "Chairman Zhang, what do you mean。。。。。。 ”

"You are now the chairman of the Military Commission, you can do it." Zhang Guodong said with a smile, "I suggest that you convene a meeting of the Military Commission, these people and these things do not involve the committee and go through the court, your Military Commission can make up your mind." If the CMC's opinion is for commutation and release, I, as the chief judge of the military court, will sign a document. But you have to discuss what to do with these people when they are released. ”

Zhang Guodong is 54 years old this year, and he has completely lost the competitiveness he had at the beginning. And he himself knew that the treatment of those riotous prisoners of war and Maniche was somewhat inappropriate, but the situation at the beginning could not be done otherwise. The situation is different now, hundreds of prisoners of war have been in labor camps for seven or eight years, and even if they are all released, there will be no problem. So since Zheng Jiang raised this issue, Zhang Guodong didn't want to care anymore.

The meeting of the Military Council quickly approved Zheng Jiang's proposal, and the original prisoners of war and Maniche were immediately released. Several high-ranking officials felt that it had not been bad for two or three years, and it was not much fun to lock them up, and they had to spend manpower and material resources to watch them, and it was best to release them. Especially Xu Lang, when he defended Maniche back then, the words Maniche said are still deeply imprinted in Xu Lang's heart: "You don't understand what the legal system and the spirit of contract are, and you will never be able to conquer and lead the world." ”

Xu Lang, as a representative of the Military Commission, took Gao Chen and took the amnesty order signed by the military court to the labor camp of Tiandu Mine.

Hundreds of prisoners of war stood in the open space of the mine, and in front of them was Maniche, the captain of the Empress. Xu Lang's heart was a little sour, Maniche, who was so energetic at the beginning, has now become a rickety little old man, his eyes are dull, and his two hands are restlessly crossed in front of him.

Xu Lang stabilized his mood and took out the amnesty order: "Yulin Bay Military Court Amnesty Order." In view of the fact that all the personnel of the labor camp have complied with the law and discipline in the past years, they have been seriously reformed, and there has been no violation of the law. The Yulin Bay Military Court hereby issued an amnesty decree, and all the personnel of the labor camp will be released from now on, and the labor camp will be disbanded. ”

Xu Lang finished reading the amnesty decree, walked up to Maniche and said, "Captain Maniche, on behalf of the Yulin Bay Military Council, I am here to inform you that you are now free and can go wherever you want. ”

Maniche raised his head and looked at Xu Lang blankly, and there was no joy in his cloudy eyes.

Gao Chen said again loudly: "Do you understand what our chief of general staff means, you are free now, and you don't have to mine anymore." ”

Maniche seemed to understand Gao Chen's words, and muttered in Chinese, "Obey, sir." I know it's time to go down, and I'm going to work hard and not be lazy. ”

After speaking, Maniche bowed to Xu Lang and Gao Chen, picked up the pickaxe on the ground, turned around and staggered towards the mine.

Gao Chen looked at Maniche's back with some surprise, and then turned his head to look at Xu Lang.

Xu Lang bit his lip: "Gao Chen, after you go back, go to the navy to see who is there in Da Silva, let them go and see me, I have something to order." ”

"Yes, sir." After Gao Chen answered, he pointed to Maniche's back again, "Then what should he do?" ”

Xu Lang sighed, beckoned a lieutenant on the side, and called over: "Lieutenant, you find someone to take care of Captain Maniche now, don't let him work anymore, I will personally pick him up in a few days." ”

"Yes, sir." The lieutenant didn't dare to ask more, and saluted Xu Lang.

Xu Lang and Gao Chen returned to Yulin Bay. For these released prisoners of war, the Military Commission meant that those who were willing to stay in the Tiandu mine could stay and become ordinary miners. Those who are unwilling to stay will first return to Yulin Bay, and the Military Commission will arrange food and lodging in a unified manner, and then slowly arrange a place to go.

The day after Xu Lang returned, Da Silva, Fernandez, Mattheis and other former Western captains came to Xu Lang's office one after another after receiving Gao Chen's notice, and even Van Basten, who is currently the captain of the customs anti-smuggling team, also came, full of people standing in the room.

Xu Lang slowly raised his head and glanced at the Westerners in the room: "Staff Officer Gao has already told you about the matter, according to the decision of the military court, Captain Maniche has been released now, but he is still in Tiandumine and has not returned." I called you here today to discuss with you, and let's go and get Captain Maniche back tomorrow. ”

The people in the room looked at Xu Lang and didn't speak, and Xu Lang said again: "You all know that I was Maniche's defender in the military court back then. I don't want to comment on that trial, it's been seven years and it's time to end it. I just want Captain Maniche to live the rest of his life in peace, you know? ”

Mattheis, who had been captured with Maniche during the Pearl Harbor operation, was the first to speak: "Sir, we can see what you mean. Rest assured, Sir, we will take care of Captain Maniche. ”

Early the next morning, Xu Lang took a group of Westerners to Tiandu Mine.

Maniche had been housed in a small room alone, and yesterday the lieutenant had arranged for Maniche to be bathed, shaved, and dressed cleanly. At this time, Maniche had already finished breakfast and seemed to be much more energetic than the previous two days.

Xu Lang's heart felt a little better, and he came to Maniche again and saluted him: "Captain Maniche, I am now here to take you back to Yulin Bay on behalf of me and these old friends of yours. Please prepare, let's leave as soon as possible. ”

Maniche raised his head and stared at Xu Lang, who seemed to recognize the man in front of him as the man who defended him in court seven years ago.

Maniche stood up tremblingly, and weighed Xu Lang with his right hand on his chest: "Your Excellency, thank you for defending me seven years ago, and thank you for still remembering me as an old man." I've been in this dark mine for seven years, and I've been looking forward to getting out every moment. But I'm sorry, Your Excellency, I can't go with you now, and I'm going to stay here. ”

Xu Lang was a little confused, turned his head to look at the Westerners around him, Mattheis stepped forward and asked, "Dear Captain, now that the military court has issued an amnesty, you are now free, why are you still unwilling to leave here?" ”

Maniche glanced around at the people in front of him and slowly spoke, "Because I'm not guilty, I can't leave here this way." ”

The room fell silent all of a sudden, in fact, everyone knew what was going on, and Van Basten stepped forward and persuaded: "Captain Maniche, many years have passed since this matter, and there is no point in us pursuing it further." Now Yulin Bay is very good to us people, you see, we are still working as the captain and first mate, and the treatment is much better than before. And Chief Xu also said that he will take care of your life in the future, so you should go back with us. ”

Maniche shook his head again: "I'm not guilty, I can't get out of here this way." ”

"Lieutenant." Xu Lang suddenly shouted, "Take care of all the food and daily life of Captain Maniche, send someone to take care of it, and wait for me to come back." ”

The lieutenant next to him didn't know why Xu Lang was so excited, and put his legs together: "Obey, sir." ”