On the early morning of the fourth day of July, the usual dull days of the Military Justice Department of the Ming Dynasty's Ministry of War were broken by an uninvited guest.
Zhou Changfeng, who was carrying a canvas bag cross-body, was stopped by the guard at the door when he entered. He conducted a routine inspection and found a bulging hard object. He opened it and took a look...
Damn, is this a landmine? !
"Sir, what are you doing here?!"
"I'm here to confess my mistake."
After a cup of tea, in a large room on the second floor of the main building, there were two typists typing letters. In front were three officials, and the person involved, Zhou Changfeng, was slowly explaining in the middle.
After hearing the news, the officials from the Military and Administrative Department struggled for a long time and finally figured out the cause and effect of the matter.
The dumbfounded principals and Ke Zheng looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
After a while, the middle-aged leader said: "Your situation is really special. It is difficult to make a hasty conclusion. We must report it to you and then decide how to sentence it."
The so-called beating of a dog depends on the owner. It is not yet clear what the attitude of the big boss behind it is. How can it be easily judged?
So Zhou Changfeng was "invited" to the detention center and was temporarily detained pending specific disposition.
The so-called detention center is equivalent to a detention center in nature, where suspects who have not yet undergone formal judicial trials are detained.
Although he didn't know how long it would take for Daming to wait from trial to sentencing, Zhou Changfeng still "checked in" calmly.
What surprised him was that he originally thought it would take at least ten days and a half, but he didn't expect the results to come out in just two days.
The emperor had no intention of getting involved in this kind of thing, so most of the core of the matter was actually promoted under Zhu Lingjing's instruction.
However, considering the extraordinary nature of military power, Zhu Lingjing knew that it was not appropriate for her to get too involved in this aspect - how could military judgment be child's play? If you dominate and influence it, it will easily be criticized by others in the future.
So she asked for a message from the emperor, and conveyed this message to the Military Justice Department intact - "It is a good thing for young people to be active and proactive, so that they can be alive, otherwise they will be in stagnant water both internally and externally, but acting recklessly will It is inappropriate. After finding out the merits and demerits and then punishing them according to the law, it is considered as a trial and error."
The subtext of this statement couldn't be more obvious - I think this person is good, but he cannot encourage the trend of doing whatever he wants. Therefore, after the merits and faults are offset, even if the merits are greater than the faults, he will still be punished slightly.
Therefore, in the past two days, the Intelligence Office of the Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of War specially allocated manpower to organize a team to evaluate the value of the things Zhou Changfeng brought back.
The first is six rolls of film, which he shot with a small camera from the French Boya Company. The film is 135㎜, with a total of 216 pictures. The size of the developed film is 3.6×2.4㎝.
The contents of these photos are respectively the air-ground coordination instruction manual drafted by the Red Eagle Corps; the Army's trial training doctrine issued experimentally by the German army last year; the US military's FM-7 field doctrine and FM-5 field doctrine.
The Germans provided these items for the purpose of training the Republican Army, while other documents were brought by the volunteers themselves.
For example, FM-7 field doctrine is a guidance manual for the establishment and combat organization model of U.S. military battalions and regiment-level units, and FM-5 field doctrine is a guidance manual for concealment and camouflage methods of U.S. military combat units.
Both of these books were brought by Miller. His original intention was that he would have to discuss a unified combat model with other officers when he arrived in Spain, so he brought them with him.
Although Americans have never paid much attention to the confidentiality of the ADP, FM, and ATP regulations, it can be said to be very outrageous to take them directly to a foreign country. Therefore, Zhou Changfeng couldn't help but lamented that "Florida does not support idlers."
In addition, some volunteer officers from the United Kingdom and France also brought some notes or military regulations, but most of them were old and Zhou Changfeng thought they were of no value.
Among the more than 200 photos, some were invalid due to shooting errors, such as overexposure, shaking, etc. In the end, about 190 photos were clearly visible.
In addition, there is the .35 type mine with the charge removed. The Intelligence Office of the Metropolitan Governor's Office had learned of the existence of this thing a few months ago, but now it is the first time to obtain the real thing.
Its power has been affirmed by the Ordnance Bureau, which believes that the anti-infantry effectiveness and deterrence capabilities of this type of landmine are considerable.
On the morning of the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, Zhou Changfeng, dressed in crisp uniform, was taken to the court of the Criminal Division of the Military Justice Department by two military policemen.
This place seemed to have been renovated not long ago, and the air was filled with the smell of paint, which was very faint but obvious.
Although many characteristics of the classical Chinese legal system are retained at the core, the layout and process of court trials in the Ming Dynasty are the same as those of the civil legal system, except for the slightly different names.
The large ceiling fan above my head was spinning slowly, but it seemed to have no effect, and I couldn't feel a breath of wind.
"Bring the prisoners into position."
"yes."
In the sentencing room of the military court, prisoners do not have seats. Unless there are special circumstances, they must stand for trial.
The judge, or rather the judge, was an old man in his sixties with gray hair on his temples. He lowered his head and looked at the file, then raised his head and said:
"Lieutenant Colonel Zhou Changfeng, you lied about being ill and broke away from your duties as a military expedition team to participate in international organizations to intervene in other countries' civil strife."
"According to the Ming Dynasty Military Code published in the 24th year of Zhichang period, it constitutes three crimes of 'deception', 'absconding' and 'malfeasance in duty'."
"Given that you took the initiative to plead guilty and frankly, and that the results achieved are of considerable value, the merits and demerits are balanced, and you should be given a lighter sentence."
"However, in my opinion, your actions are really inappropriate. You are acting on your own initiative... If the sentence is lenient, it may encourage the frivolous and arrogant atmosphere in the army."
"Therefore, it is proposed that the sentence be 50 canes, half a year's probation, and one year's fine. Do you have any objections? If you are not satisfied, you can apply to the Science Department of the Military Justice Department for review."
The Criminal Division and the Science Division of the Military Justice Department are at the same level. The former is responsible for trials and the latter is responsible for review and supervision. They are relatively simple.
This is slightly different from the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple, because Dali Temple does not have the responsibility for supervision, and judicial supervision is the responsibility of the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
Because Zhou Changfeng's behavior was really outrageous, everyone was somewhat dumbfounded.
In fact, the initial internal discussion of the Military Justice Department was to just criticize it and keep it quiet. There was no need to make a fuss. The main reason was that although everyone was happy with the outcome of this matter, the impact would not be good if it spread out.
They even prepared a military briefing - Lieutenant Colonel Zhou Changfeng performed his duties as a military expedition team in an ingenious and creative manner. His merits and demerits were balanced and he was not punished.
This kind of rhetoric can be said to be a representative of the breadth and profoundness of Chinese culture.
However, because that was not the case above, the Military Justice Department could only re-formulate the verdict after careful consideration.
"What? Still want to deduct money?"
When he heard that he would be fined for another year, Zhou Changfeng couldn't help but joke, "Sir, this is just one year, a total of more than two thousand yuan. If you can't get married because you have no money, it will be a big deal." It’s Ming’s joke.”
Everyone present was happy, and several military policemen holding military sticks next to them also raised the corners of their mouths.
The older judge smiled slightly and said, "If you are short of money at that time, I will collect the money to make it up for you. You can't miss a life-long event."
Several officials around him also responded with smiles, and the atmosphere in the trial room became less solemn and more relaxed.
After a moment, the judge coughed lightly, straightened his expression, then picked up the boxwood tree and patted it. The crisp sound suddenly silenced the trial room.
"Then let's get down to it, go and carry out the execution." After saying that, he took out a command arrow from the wooden shelf on the table and flicked it forward.
As two things that are never absent in folk literature and opera, the gavel and the lottery can be said to have a high attendance rate.
In fact, the Jingtang wood generally refers to the Jingtang wood used by local civil servants. There are many types and names of Jingtang wood. For example, the Jingtang wood used by the emperor is called "Zhenshanhe", and the one used by the general is called "Jingtanggu".
The order sign and the order arrow are not the same thing. The order sign is usually packed in a square tube. The red-headed order sign is used for torture, and the green-headed order sign is used for arrests. The order arrow is more formal and serious, and must be neatly inserted in a special arrow. On the shelf.
In short, the order has been implemented and it is a done deal. Now even if the judge himself wants to change the sentence, only the review agency or supervisory agency can raise objections.
A military police sergeant walked over from the side, clasped his fists in salute, and said seriously: "Sir Zhou, I'm offended."
He reached out and took off the epaulets and collar badges from Zhou Changfeng's uniform one by one, and then put them into a small box.
After a while, the group of people left one after another.
After leaving the house, Zhou Changfeng boarded the car and was taken to the remote Yingtian Military Prison.
It is fifty miles away from the city and is located near Qixia Mountain, so it is also called Qixia Prison. The scenery is quite good.
All prisoners here are military officers, and criminals from the army, navy, and air force will be sent here after being sentenced. Zhou Changfeng's arrival can be said to have added another example to the already rich sample size here.
Those who collude with spies, those who neglect their duties, those who are corrupt and demand bribes, those who resell military supplies, those who commit manslaughter, those who rape civilian women, etc. It can only be said that the Ming Dynasty is so vast that there are all kinds of strange things.
There is no need to change into prison uniform here. You can just continue to wear your usual uniform, but without the collar and epaulettes.
"D number 327, Commander Zhou, please come in."
Accompanied by three military policemen, warden Yuan Huai personally sent Zhou Changfeng to his new home where he would stay temporarily for the next few months.
The latter looked around at the interior decoration and furnishings - there was a bed on the left and right sides, a long table in the middle, and an electric fan above. It was generally quite spacious. Although the tables, chairs and beds were a bit old, the overall environment was still good. Okay, it has nothing to do with being messy.
At this time, he was shocked to see a tall and thin young officer walking out of the toilet of this cell with his head lowered and his trousers held up.
"Oh? There's another inmate?"
"Yes, this is from the Air Force. Okay, that's it. Just relax and take a long vacation. If you need anything, just ask."
After Yuan Huai finished speaking, the military policeman next to him came to close the door and locked it, and then the group turned and left.
Zhou Changfeng stepped forward and adjusted the electric fan from fixed to left and right, then stood on tiptoe and looked out of the small window in front of the table.
The young man read the newspaper intently and casually introduced himself: "I am Mu Yu, the adjutant of the 20th Light Bombing Detachment of the Air Force."
"Bath? Huh?"
"It's Yu from the Empress of the Southern Tang Dynasty." Mu Yu explained calmly. He had said this countless times since he was a child.
"A descendant of Prince Mu's family?" Zhou Changfeng looked him up and down. His sword-shaped eyebrows and starry eyes... No, thick eyebrows and starry eyes would be more accurate. He is quite handsome.
"That's right, but it's just a side branch."
"Oh. I am Zhou Changfeng, the commander of the 1st Marine Regiment of the Dongyang Fleet."
Then the two of them exchanged tacit understandings about the reasons why they were imprisoned, and then...
"You are too outrageous." The two said almost in unison.
The reason Mu Yu was imprisoned was because he slept with someone else's wife. After a written petition, the Criminal Division of the Military Justice Department sentenced him to thirty canes, half a year in prison, and half a year's salary.
Zhou Changfeng, who had black streaks all over his head, sneered: "You brought it upon yourself. Why do you do such dirty things when you have nothing to do?"
Mu Yu waved his hand and replied helplessly: "I didn't know that at the time. That woman deceived me and said that she had signed a divorce agreement with her husband. I didn't think much about it. I didn't expect that she was lying. It's a pity. I happily spent a lot of money..."
Having a fellow prisoner added a lot of fun to the otherwise boring prison life, especially since the two of them had a lot of fun talking about their jobs.
There is no translation of the word "unit" in the Ming Dynasty, and units at the same level are called "detachments".
The 20th Light Bombing Detachment is actually a light bomber wing, with a four-four system, detachment-team-detachment. Each detachment has twelve aircraft. It can be temporarily organized into a two-plane formation, a three-plane formation, or a three-plane formation depending on the situation. The four-machine formation is very flexible.
Mu Yu was very interested in Zhou Changfeng, who had first-hand combat experience. From morning to night, he kept discussing the application scenarios of tactical bombing and close ground support.
Compared with tactical bombing, close ground support that focuses more on air-ground coordinated operations is an area that the Ming Dynasty Air Force has not yet fully explored. In other words, looking at the world, only the Germans have made outstanding achievements in this area today, and have gone through Practical test.
"The effectiveness of air-ground coordination is still very obvious. In other words, this is the general trend. Once the troops move faster, it will be difficult for heavy artillery to accompany them in time. It's okay on the plains and can be towed by trucks, but what about complex terrain?"
Mu Yu fully agreed with Zhou Changfeng's views.
He stretched out his hand and gestured, and said: "For example, if we carry out a conquest operation in the Nanyang region, in such bad areas, infantry can move faster and more conveniently on two legs than on four wheels of a car, but the heavy artillery will definitely not be able to keep up. Once the infantry encounters a solid The fortifications can only be ignored. If there is an airplane to help in time, I don’t know how much time can be saved!"
"Yes," Zhou Changfeng nodded, "So does the Air Force have any considerations in this regard?"
"Yes, yes, but naturally the opinions cannot be unanimous, because... who is the leader and who is the follower?"
As an independent service, the proud and arrogant Air Force obviously cannot afford to lose face and become a vassal of the Army. Close support must be led by the Army, and ground units will bomb wherever they want.
This is completely different from the ordinary tactical bombing that the Air Force has free reign, so this is one of the problems.
(End of chapter)
