Catherine and the Black Emperor

79. Retracting confession in court

"You're really tough; that's something I'm quite impressed with."

Shuvalov looked at Sergei, who was covered in blood.

Sergei's voice was hoarse: "Jom is one of your men, isn't he?"

"How can you say that? Chom is a veteran of the secret council. Everyone is working for His Majesty, except for you, a traitor who colluded with the Ottoman ambassador." Shuvalov said with a victor's smile.

Sergei gave a cold laugh.

Shuvalov's eyes flashed with coldness: "I advise you to hand over the list. You should know that I haven't even had anyone use those torture methods on you yet. This little bit of physical pain is just an appetizer."

Sergei remained unmoved.

Shuvalov looked at his crotch: "In your younger days, you were the most dashing young nobleman in St. Petersburg. Instead of properly seducing women, you insisted on getting involved in this mess. If you hadn't told me, I would have had you castrated so you could never seduce a woman again."

"Oh, by the way, your wife is very beautiful, her name is... Anastasia. If you can't satisfy her, I can reluctantly take her place."

Sergei's eyes were cold: "Shuvalov, you'd better understand that I'm not this vice-chairman for nothing. If all the secrets I possess were to reach Her Majesty the Empress, no one would escape unscathed!"

Shuvalov said coldly, "Are you threatening me?!"

Sergei didn't speak, he just looked at him indifferently, but in Shuvalov's eyes, this answer was far more intimidating than any words.

Finally, Shuvalov left the cell.

He told Vadim, "Hand him over to a special court. The trial will begin next week, and I will try him personally."

Now that things have come to this, he has no choice but to abandon the list.

Sergei has the physique of a vice-chairman. Even if he dies in the committee before his crimes are proven, Elizabeth will not let it go. As the chairman, he will be even more culpable.

He couldn't let Sergei reveal those secrets, otherwise the entire committee would be thrown into turmoil, as the secrets the other side possessed involved many, many people.

Therefore, he had to proceed with the original plan and send Sergei to the special court to substantiate his treason charges.

This is actually the tacit understanding between two people in a game of strategy.

They both possess a great deal of secrets about the secret committee, and while they can confront each other at the table, neither of them can overturn the table unless absolutely necessary.

"From now on, the secret committee is under the highest level of security. No one is allowed to approach Sergei!" Shuvalov instructed Vitaly.

Sergei hasn't given up because he doesn't believe he's reached a dead end.

Therefore, at this point, Shuvalov's task is to cut off all possible means that the other side might use.

6 month.

The trial of Sergei Saltikov, deputy chairman of the Secret Committee, for allegedly colluding with the Ottoman ambassador to betray Russia, has begun in a special tribunal.

In the audience, the Saltykovs, along with his brother Peter and wife Anastasia, were all seated.

During this period, they sought help from many people and repeatedly requested to see Elizabeth, but because it involved the serious crime of treason, no one dared to help them, especially since their opponents were the Shuvalov family.

Besides them, there were also Ekaterina, Naryshkin, and others.

Razumovsky was also present.

As a supporter of Sergei, he did not want to see Sergei convicted, but as Elizabeth's lover, he was even less willing to allow Sergei to betray the Empress and Russia.

In addition, there were many, many people, including nobles, landlords, and some civilian representatives who were allowed to attend and watch.

Sergei Saltykov's reputation was simply too great.

A young duke or nobleman.

The Grand Duke's friend.

The Grand Duchess's confidante.

Vice Chairman of the Secret Committee.

A favorite of the Empress.

Therefore, the audience seats were packed to capacity at that moment.

Shuvalov was determined to succeed. With so many people as witnesses, once Sergei's crimes were proven, the Saltykov family would be completely wiped out of St. Petersburg!

"Bring the suspect to court!"

Sergei, dressed in prison clothes, was escorted into the courtroom by guards. His clothes were covered in blood, and his hair was disheveled.

Seeing Sergei's appearance, his father Ivan immediately stood up.

Peter and Naryshkin were filled with righteous indignation.

The mother and wife Anastasia burst into tears.

Ekaterina's hands clenched involuntarily, and her gaze fell on Shuvalov, who sat at the highest point, a coldness flashing in her eyes like never before.

At that moment, she wished she were Elizabeth, the Empress of Russia!

Despite Pimen's assurance that Sergei was prepared, she remained deeply worried. Moreover, judging from Sergei's current condition, it was possible that he had already used his preparations, but to no avail!

Shuvalov had a smug smile on his lips.

This was exactly what he had arranged. He wanted Sergei to appear in front of his family and audience in this unsightly state, so that everyone would know that those who opposed him, Shuvalov, would not have a good end!

The trial has officially begun, and the case is now in the process of being heard.

Having reviewed all the details and evidence before the trial, he was fully confident that he could convict Sergei of treason!

After the court officials finished outlining Sergei's crimes, Shuvalov asked, "Sergei Saltykov, do you have any defense for colluding with diplomatic ambassadors, betraying Russia, and selling secrets and intelligence?"

Sitting in the defendant's seat, Sergei looked at Shuvalov and asked, "Do you really think you've got this in the bag?"

Shuvalov smiled and said, "Please don't say anything irrelevant to this case, especially nonsense."

Sergei slowly sat up straight, his eyes beginning to gleam: "I need witnesses."

Shuvalov narrowed his eyes, paused briefly, and then said, "You won't shed a tear until you see the coffin! Bring witnesses!"

The witness was summoned to court.

"It's him!"

Ekaterina, Naryshkin, and others were all taken aback.

The other party was none other than a chief steward, who was in charge of Grand Duke Peter's squires. What Catherine, Naryshkin, and the others did not know was that this was only the other party's public identity.

The other party's true identity is Jom, a veteran of the Secret Committee!

Sergei didn't even look at the other person, and asked directly, "You said you saw me secretly meeting with the Ottoman ambassador in the garden and even exchanging letters. Did you really see that?"

Chom fell silent, and Shuvalov urged him on.

"Did you see Sergei Saltikov secretly meeting with the Ottoman ambassador?!"

Chom spoke, but his answer surprised everyone present.

"no."

This is completely contrary to his previous confession!

Shuvalov's fist clenched instinctively: "What did you say? Nothing?"

He never expected that the place where things shouldn't have gone wrong would have a problem!