The day of the final statement saw the courtroom filled to capacity.
Not only were the main offenders such as Neil Scott present, but also nearly all of the judges and prosecutors made it to what looked like a small theater, with over eight hundred seats in the gallery all occupied.
The last time this large courtroom had been used was at the beginning of Jiang Yu's administration for the trial of the Dongguo Clan—a sign that only cases of significant impact were publicly heard here.
Of course, nearly half of the Solar System's population was watching the live broadcast of the trial.
Over the next two days, the other half would catch up by watching the recording or learn about the outcome through the news—it was a case that all of Humanity was paying attention to.
When Jiang Yu asked to speak, everyone's gaze turned to him, many with excitement. Wallfacer Jiang Yu was known for his intolerance of any foul play, and he was certain to harshly condemn the scum aboard the "Bronze Age."
Jiang Yu asked the crowd, "May I have a few dozen minutes of your time?"
The chief justice smiled, "Of course."
By now, in the human world, no one could ignore Jiang Yu's speeches.
Jiang Yu took the microphone that Number Three had prepared for him and stepped into the trial area.
Rediaz let out a long breath; he believed that Jiang Yu could articulate the vague and somewhat chaotic thoughts in his own heart.
Jiang Yu did not stand with the prosecutors, nor did he stand with offenders like Scott, but faced the chief justice, "I believe the crew of the 'Bronze Age' are innocent!"
There was silence for a few seconds before the crowd suddenly erupted into a buzzing debate!
The chief justice recovered from his shock and tapped his gavel, "Silence!"
In the gravity-free Jupiter City, the gavel could easily drift away if the judge wasn't paying attention. The image of the judge clumsily grabbing for the gavel not only lacked dignity but could also become a joke.
To prevent the gavel from floating away during the trial, a section of the handle contained a magnetic structure that would adhere to the table.
The chief justice reminded Jiang Yu, "Mr. Jiang, please consider carefully before speaking; everything that happens here will be broadcast throughout the human world, as well as the Trisolaran World."
Jiang Yu smiled and said, "Everyone seems to have forgotten what happened sixteen years ago, right? Back then, everyone thought I was crazy, outdated, and made many ridiculous remarks.
"Yet time and time again, facts have proven that I am right.
"If you don't understand, it's only because you don't see things as deeply as I do."
A prosecutor said, "Wallfacer, there's no need to be so profound when dealing with the 'Bronze Age' issue—they indeed violated Humanity's most basic moral principles! That is an indisputable fact!
"Do you think that their initiation of the 'Dark Battle' was correct?"
Jiang Yu spread his hands, "Where's the fairness of the law? Why even have this trial; why not just pronounce the verdict directly?
"No, you don't need to proclaim it; wouldn't it save a lot of trouble to just shoot them?
"The result of this trial is merely the result you wish to reach, which is: guilty!
"This trial is a farce; it's nothing but an act of self-deception!
"Isn't the 'Dark Forest Law' enough for you to recognize the nature of the universe? The universe is inherently filled with darkness!"
The murmurings from the gallery grew louder.
Another prosecutor said angrily, "Even the Trisolarans praise human moral standards as a demonstration of kindness and brightness!
"The very thing that distinguishes human beings from other civilizations in the universe is our beautiful moral compass!
"It is the foundation upon which we stand and the very thing that allows us to face the darkness and dangers of the universe!"
Jiang Yu glanced at the prosecutor, "Since we're talking about moral standards, let's have a proper discussion about what moral standards are!
"I am a sociologist and have done some research on moral standards.
"Moral standards are nothing more than rules spontaneously formed by people to better adapt to their living environment and to stabilize the society.
"Let me tell you about the moral standards during the tribal era or, to be more specific, the Matrilineal Clan era.
"Back then, to prevent inbreeding, generally two or three tribes lived together along a river.
"Women had their own private rooms, while men mostly slept in communal areas.
"During the day, everyone went out to work, and at night, the women waited in their homes for men from other tribes to visit and mate with them.
"After a child was born, they only knew who their mother was, not their father, hence the name, 'Matrilineal Clan era'!
"Can you imagine applying the morals of that era to modern times? Do any of you only know your mother, not your father?
"Do you agree with such ideas about gender?
"Yet, these were the morals of that era, and anyone who violated them was considered guilty!"
Most prosecutors fell silent, but one prosecutor said, "Mr. Jiang, we are here to judge the criminals of the 'Dark Forest Battle,' not to discuss the affairs of the Matrilineal Clan."
Many people looked at this prosecutor as if he were a fool, making him utterly perplexed.
Jiang Yu said with a smile, "Then let me ask you the reverse, how would the people of the Matrilineal Clan era feel about modern people? Would they look at us the same way we look at the 'Dark Forest Battle'?
"To me, it seems that the judges and prosecutors in this court have become primitive people wearing grass skirts, their necks adorned with ornaments made from animal bones, their hair wild and matted from dirt.
"You are pounding the table with your stone tools, expressing your thoughts with both shouts and words.
"And in the defendant's dock stand modern humans who understand the judges, but the judges will never fully grasp modern thoughts, only wishing to convict them with primitive laws!
"To the primitive people, modern practices are baffling: why strip women of their natural privileges? Why marry? Why enslave others with money?
"In their eyes, all actions of modern people are unreasonable and guilty!
"Do you understand now? Your so-called guilt is merely due to a difference in moral standards."
Jiang Yu raised his voice and continued, "The crew of the 'Bronze Age' are not heroes, but they are also not guilty.
"Just as the captain said, a fish out of water is no longer a fish. Earthlings may not look different from 'spacemen,' but psychologically, they are close to two different species!"
Rediaz stood up and applauded, "Well said!"
A portion of the audience followed Rediaz's lead, clearly accepting Jiang Yu's concepts.
Jiang Yu addressed the presiding judge, "Your Honor, I believe the existing laws and moral standards cannot be the criteria for judging this case.
"Earth will definitely not welcome the crew of the 'Bronze Age' anymore. I suggest handing them over to the Solar System State for them to pioneer new colonies."
"I object!" a judge from PDC at the side of the presiding judge said, "Since we are in the Solar System, we must follow the moral standards of the Solar System!
"To us, they are a cancer, corruptors of morality! They deserve the punishment they are due!"
Jiang Yu said coldly, "Don't make your fear of facing the darkness of the universe sound so noble!
"How long do you plan to keep deceiving yourselves? Another battle at Uranus?
"It is cowards like you who are the real cancer of humanity, the ones who should be judged!"