Chapter 1398: Chapter 103: Rebuilding the Nation (End of Volume 5)

Whether it was the freemen or the officers, all frowned, not knowing what trick the Blood Wolf was up to.

Winters, however, didn’t care at all what others thought, and proudly introduced the elder to everyone in the grand assembly hall:

“Allow me to introduce, this is Sasha Galanza, the representative of Red Ridge Village in Niutigu Valley, elected by twenty-four households in Red Ridge Village. Mr. Sasha once delivered military supplies and ammunition to our army during the battle against the Terduns at the Confluence River, and he has taken an enemy head!”

The freemen from outside Ironpeak County looked at each other, they heard clearly but did not understand what the Blood Wolf was saying at all.

However, a burst of enthusiastic applause erupted from the seating area of the Ironpeak County officers.

A loud and powerful voice shouted: “Three cheers for Mr. Sasha!”

“Uukhai!”

“Uukhai!!”

“Uukhai!!!”

Hearing the applause and cheers, the elder raised his head to look in the direction of the sounds, tears welling up in his deep-set eyes. Surrounded by the landlords and gentry from all over the Newly Reclaimed Land, the elder slowly straightened his chest.

Immediately afterwards, a second person walked in through the main door of the grand assembly hall.

The second person was a burly middle-aged man, with strong and vigorous steps, muscled arms, and eyes shining brightly. Without needing a guide, the middle-aged man strode into the conference hall confidently.

“Allow me to introduce, this is Sostel Tain, one of the representatives from Forging Village, elected by eleven households in the village…”

One by one, the representatives from Ironpeak County walked in, and Winters introduced them one by one. The freemen present became increasingly numb, and they even began to admire the Blood Wolf’s memory – someone could indeed remember so many names, so many places of origin, so many achievements.

Until the last representative – Atlee from the refugee farm in Wolf Town – walked into the grand assembly hall, Bard stood outside the main door, exchanging a distant glance with Winters.

Bard nodded reassuringly, and the main door closed again.

All sorts of people from Ironpeak County stood in the center of the conference hall, occupying more than half of the central open space.

If they were to sit in the seating area, at least two Ironpeak County sectors would be needed to accommodate them.

“What I just introduced were the representatives of all the non-freemen from Ironpeak County who are not qualified to participate in this assembly.”

Winters proudly declared to all the freemen of the Newly Reclaimed Land: “Each one of them represents at least dozens, and at most hundreds of people. They come from all walks of life, from miners to blacksmiths, from farmers to traveling merchants. In the fields, in the mines, in the lumberyards, it is they who labor. In the Great Wilderness, in Ironpeak County, in River Valley Village, it is they who bleed.”

Although the Blood Wolf stood below, the freemen on the tiered seats felt as if they were being looked down upon.

“They are the true and legitimate representatives of all the people of the Newly Reclaimed Land. And you…”

Winters raised his hand, pointing at the people in the seats, mercilessly stripping them of the facade of dignity:

“You who are respectfully referred to as ‘freemen,’ ‘honorable gentlemen,’ are political pariahs under the old New Reclamation Legion system, with no freedom to speak of.

“Nor do you have power, the old New Reclamation Legion treats you as rubber stamps, using you only when they wish.

“All you own is wealth.

“And this only thing you have is also without any guarantee. The old New Reclamation Legion does not respect your property rights; they have countless ways to squeeze you dry.

“Without the labor of ‘non-freemen,’ your wealth is likewise meaningless.”

The words of Winters Montagne were like heavy hammers, pounding at the freemen of the Newly Reclaimed Land, making their chests feel tight, their throats clogged, and their mouths bitter, leaving them both angry and helpless, resentful yet respectful.

“I am not a successor of the old New Reclamation Legion system, I respect your property rights, I respect your right to participate in governance.” Finally, Winters gave his conclusion: “You are part of the people, but you have no right to represent all the people – for me to pledge allegiance to you? Dream on!”

Kai Morland, witnessing the whole process from the side, felt his scalp tingling.

Winters ascended the trial bench, gracefully bowing to Skur Meklen.

“Colonel Skool, allow me to present my proposal.” Winters said slowly and deliberately, “I propose to reorganize the ‘Assembly of All Freemen’ into a ‘National Assembly,’ allowing this supposedly highest authority in the Republic to truly represent the people of the Republic.”

Then, Winters turned, looking towards another direction.

This time, he was not speaking to Colonel Skool, but addressing the officers and freemen: “And I declare here, unless the ‘Assembly of All Freemen’ is reorganized into a ‘National Assembly,’ Ironpeak County and Vernge County will never bow and swear allegiance to any so-called ‘legitimate representatives of the Republic!'”

This time, the loud voice from the Ironpeak County officers’ seating area roared with doubled volume: “Three cheers for His Excellency Montaigne!”

“Uukhai!!!!”

“Uukhai!!!!!!!”

“Uukhai!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

The fervent response from the officers of Ironpeak County even surpassed the chorus of the Newly Reclaimed Land freemen before.

Colonel Skool leisurely looked around, suddenly clapped his hands, and laughed: “Then let’s vote.”

He tapped the gavel: “Winters Montagne’s proposal, who agrees?”

“AYE!!!!!”

“AYE!!!!!!”

“AYE!!!!!!!”

The seating area of the Ironpeak County officers erupted with waves of sound.