Chapter 1016 - 1013: Public Trial
At this moment, Tang Yumeng's emotions were a mix of joy and worry. She was glad that Lin Chuan's life was finally spared, but worried that the minimum sentence after Lin Chuan's public trial might be life imprisonment, wondering when lovers could reunite.
However, overall, the joy outweighed the worry, because as long as Lin Chuan was alive, there would always be a moment of reunion.
Silver Fox and Blue Fox were in their Fire Fox Organization's secret residence in Washington. Their feelings toward Lin Chuan were very different. Silver Fox, being the leader of the Fire Fox Organization, had a substantial intimate connection with Lin Chuan, but she was very clear that they could never be together.
The reason Silver Fox was so attentive to Lin Chuan was not only because she liked him but also because Lin Chuan had saved her twice. She felt the need to repay him. More importantly, she wanted Lin Chuan to take over the entire Fire Fox Organization.
Between Blue Fox and Lin Chuan, there wasn't much of a genuine preference for each other. The reason they had that kind of relationship was largely because Blue Fox personally liked men with Lin Chuan's personality and was willing to be with him, perhaps also for physical needs.
Yang Zi was the most cunning of the women Lin Chuan had been involved with. She could abandon everything for Lin Chuan, but she also couldn't tolerate Lin Chuan engaging with other women and had quite a bit of jealousy.
All these women had gathered in Washington at this time. If someone asked him on the day of the public trial who his favorite woman was, it was likely that his answer would break the hearts of many women.
There were still ten days left until the public trial on July 16, and all of Washington was in an uproar.
The world's eyes were on Washington. A large number of foreigners were flocking to the city, all wanting to see this rare military public trial with their own eyes. After all, in a lifetime spanning seventy to eighty years, witnessing something like this once meant you hadn't lived in vain.
The President of the United States, Omama, and the director of the CIA hadn't expected the Lin Chuan incident to cause such a sensation. The visitors to Washington for Lin Chuan's public trial might outnumber those attending an Olympic event.
Hotel owners and businesses in Washington were overjoyed. Nearly every hotel room in the city was booked solid, and reservations kept coming in. Even some third- and fourth-rate motels were packed.
Women in Washington's red-light district were ecstatic. Previously, they might serve five or six customers a day, but now the district was buzzing with foreigners, and they were overwhelmed, receiving quite a bit for their services.
All of this was thanks to Lin Chuan. Some prostitutes even regarded Lin Chuan as their good luck charm, found his photo online, printed and copied it, and offered morning prayers to it.
Even more notably, Lin Chuan's staunch fans from several countries, all blossoming young girls, formed groups to come to Washington to cheer for Lin Chuan. Suddenly, on the streets and alleyways of Washington, there were girls with Lin Chuan's photo on them, and everyone's conversations revolved around Lin Chuan.
Lin Chuan had become the hottest superstar in the world.
In the past two years, the US economy had been in decline, and Congress had been pressuring Omama to resolve economic issues in the short term. Lin Chuan's incident had been a significant help to Omama.
The influx of foreigners into Washington stimulated consumer spending, giving the otherwise sluggish economy a shot of adrenaline.
Omama laughed joyously, and so did people around the world.
On the evening of July 15, at 8 PM.
The International Military Court's Washington branch's office building was brightly lit.
The branch was located on the famous Franklin Street in Washington, with a small square in front of its office building.
"Wow, I've never seen so many people today," a child around ten years old exclaimed in amazement.
"Yes, I've lived on this street for decades and never seen such a bustling scene," an elderly man in his sixties or seventies echoed in amazement.
"Hold on to the child tightly, don't let them get lost in the crowd," a family of three shouted at the man holding their child as they were jostled by the crowd in the square.
The entire square was packed with people. People had arrived early to secure a good spot for tomorrow to catch a glimpse of Lin Chuan, this legendary figure.
Zhou Kai, Zhou Rui, Lu Dapao, Li Qiang, and other Jvyi Gang brothers were squeezed into a corner of the square. Watching the vast crowd, Li Qiang lamented, "Oh my God, these Americans must be crazy. What's so interesting about Brother Chuan being on trial?"
Lu Dapao rolled his eyes at him and said, "You don't understand anything. This shows our boss's popularity. Following the boss is never a bad move."
Zhou Rui was most concerned about whether they could speak to Lin Chuan after the trial ended the next day. She said to the two, "You two stop bickering and quickly find a good spot up front."
Not far away, fireworks exploded in the sky, creating a loud bang followed by a dazzling display, seemingly heralding that Lin Chuan's appearance tomorrow would electrify the entire crowd.
The night passed in silence, and on the morning of July 16, at six o'clock.
The sun rose slowly over the sea, bathing the earth in a radiant light.
By this time, Franklin Street was already swarmed with a sea of people. The Washington Police Department dispatched all officers to manage traffic specifically on Franklin Street.
In the crowded throng, a few familiar faces emerged: Amu Han, Nuo Xiaoxi, Fang Yuan, and Luo Guoqing. They were desperately pushing forward with the crowd toward the International Military Court's branch.
As more people packed into the small square in front of the branch, it became so full that nearly ten thousand people had crammed into the small space.
Tang Yumeng, Silver Fox, and Blue Fox also arrived at this time. However, Silver Fox had already arranged for someone to find a favorable position at the front of the International Military Court office building.
Eight o'clock sharp.
The office staff of the International Military Court were supposed to enter the offices from Franklin Street as usual for work, but today it was impossible to get in. In the end, the head of the military court personally called the head of the police maintaining the traffic, asking them to arrange a special passage for the staff.
This special passage was already prepared, reserved specifically for reporters, media, and vehicles transporting prisoners.
At nine o'clock, several black luxury cars passed through the special passage. These were members of the judging panel.
At nine thirty, invited journalists from major media organizations began to enter the courtroom.
At nine forty, the presiding judge Francis entered the courtroom.
At nine fifty, a dozen peacekeeping officers escorted Lin Chuan into the courtroom.
When Lin Chuan appeared in the courtroom, major media outlets immediately turned their lenses toward him, taking continuous photos with the sound of clicking shutters.
In the small plaza, a gigantic screen was broadcasting live from the courtroom. Seeing Lin Chuan's appearance, Zhou Kai and others cheered and jumped with excitement.
Lu Dapao suddenly raised his fist and shouted loudly: "Lin Chuan, Lin Chuan."
The brothers from Jvyi Gang, who came with them, followed Lu Dapao and shouted: "Lin Chuan, Lin Chuan."
The surrounding people were moved by their enthusiasm and began to shout one after another: "Lin Chuan, Lin Chuan."
In an instant, the shouts spread across the entire square, and nearly a hundred thousand people crowded on the square shouted in unison: "Lin Chuan, Lin Chuan."
If you haven't experienced such a scene himself, you can hardly imagine how shocking it is.
A somewhat famous writer also arrived here, and described this scene in his new book "Dark Soldier" six months later, thousands upon thousands of people crowded in this small square, everyone shouting one person's name, Lin Chuan.
The clock struck ten, and the chanting of Lin Chuan's name in the square suddenly disappeared as everyone's eyes focused intently on the big screen.
Inside the courtroom, the presiding judge announced everyone to stand and take the oath.
After the oath, the questioning of Lin Chuan began.
The lawyer defending Lin Chuan was Zhong Dingwen, specially arranged by the old General.
On the opposing side, the defense lawyer was the United States' renowned top attorney, Steven. This open trial against Lin Chuan was initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The trial proceeded in a tense atmosphere, with both lawyers engaging in fierce verbal exchange.
The crowd outside watched the debate nervously, as if every word from the lawyers could tug at their heartstrings and breathing.
The trial lasted more than two hours, and journalists from major media outlets continuously sent the latest updates back to their companies. On the surface, much of the evidence seemed quite unfavorable to Lin Chuan.
At 1:10 PM, the trial finally concluded. The judging panel withdrew to make a final verdict on Lin Chuan.
Time ticked by slowly, and many people's hearts were in their throats, especially those familiar with Lin Chuan, hoping for a fair judgment for him.
Forty minutes later, the judging panel resumed, and presiding judge Francis began to announce the final verdict: The defendant Lin Chuan was found guilty of murder according to Chapter XXX, Article XXX of International Law, and should be sentenced to hanging. However, since Lin Chuan willingly confessed and showed a good attitude in admitting guilt, actively cooperating with the investigation and collecting evidence, this court hereby sentences Lin Chuan to serve a life sentence in the Swiss International Prison effective immediately. This judgment is final, and the defendant is not allowed to appeal.
As soon as the verdict was announced, the plaza erupted, with people whispering and discussing.
"What's this verdict, it's just utter nonsense."
"I think Lin Chuan should be released without charge. The Americans come to other people's territories acting high and mighty, they deserve to be taught a lesson by people like Lin Chuan."
"Exactly, the Americans are too arrogant, they need to be taught a lesson."
Inside the courtroom.
All major media turned their cameras on Lin Chuan, and a journalist from CCTV asked Lin Chuan: "Mr. Lin, do you have anything to say regarding the verdict in this trial?"