All the officials sitting here were sweating profusely.
It's actually quite shady here.
"Prefect Cai, do you want him to continue the trial?"
Wei Yingfang said to Cai Yanqing slightly excitedly.
The faces of the surrounding officials were dripping with embarrassment.
In fact, the officials also clearly understood that Zhang Fei was not targeting a specific official, but the government and the Salt Administration.
This is why everyone is terrified. If it targets a certain official, they won't be too scared. It's not like they haven't investigated it before.
But the problem is that if the government’s underpants are stripped away, will the people still trust the government in the future?
This seriously endangered the prestige of the government.
The surrounding officials also looked at Cai Yanqing, as if waiting for his order, they would pounce on Zhang Fei and eat him alive.
Cai Yanqing sighed and said, "Wei Tongpan must have forgotten that we can't control the imperial court."
"...!"
Wei Yingfang was immediately stunned.
He seems to still be living in the previous world, where politics and law were integrated. Now that politics and law are separated, they can do nothing but watch stupidly here!
Zhang Fei didn't seem to notice them at this time and was still concentrating on the trial. Next, he summoned a supervisor named Chen Xu.
Ask about the financial situation of Huang Tong's family and the specific process of Huang Tong turning over salt and obtaining the salt capital.
The process is the same.
Chen Xu also hesitated and hesitated. He couldn't explain clearly. If it really didn't make sense, he would throw it up.
Zhang Fei didn't argue with him, and summoned some officials from all aspects of the salt administration one after another.
There is no need to delve deeper into the fishy nature of the salt administration. It is all on the surface. Everyone is aware of the problems, just like the former official.
It's just that I have never said it on such an occasion.
The angry people at first began to look a little numb.
It gave them the feeling that the country could not be saved.
Very decadent!
Very frustrated!
There is no difference between this and murder, except that one is legal and the other is illegal.
As a prosecutor, Chen Qi was like an audience, sitting in the middle, and she was really bored. They prepared just a few confessions, because the procuratorate believed that this was enough to convict Huang Tong of selling illegal salt. They couldn't help but ask Su Zhe in a low voice:
"What on earth is he doing?"
Su Che glanced at Zhang Fei and thought for a moment, "Actually, this is fine!"
Chen Qi asked curiously: "How do you say this?"
Su Che didn't answer but asked: "Everyone says that Magistrate Cai is smart and capable, but why are there so many problems?"
Chen Qi sighed: "This salt policy matter is constantly being cut and chaotic. Moreover, it is an important source of national finance. No matter how capable you are, you would not dare to act rashly."
Su Zhe nodded and said: "The reason why the cutting is continuous and the reasoning is still chaotic is that these issues are difficult to discuss. This is also because in the past, politics and law were integrated, and the prefects had to rely on the officials below to handle affairs. Therefore, no matter how capable they are, all the time
Many officials came to Hezhong Mansion, but in the end they only treated the symptoms but not the root cause.
But now that politics and law are separated, the imperial court does not need to consider whether those officials will obey his orders. Speaking out these issues openly will also facilitate future sorting and correction."
Chen Qi whispered: "But will this cause the local officials to become anxious?"
Su Che smiled and said: "Didn't they all pass the responsibility to the court? Zhang San didn't argue with them and just convicted them directly. It shouldn't be a big deal."
"That's true."
Chen Qi nodded thoughtfully.
It sounded frightening, but Zhang San never asked any of the witnesses' questions. They mainly talked about the Salt Law and Salt Policy. Once an official tried to blame others, Zhang Fei didn't care about it either.
Naturally, those officials would not jump over the wall in a hurry.
Before we knew it, the scorching sun was shining brightly. Although it was very cool here, there were too many people. The people outside the door were already sweating, but no one chose to leave.
This trial method is so exciting that it can be regarded as an entertainment program.
If I don't see the result, I will definitely not be able to sleep tonight.
After a witness came down, Zhang Fei suddenly asked Su Che: "Does the procuratorate have anything to add?"
Su Che shook his head and said, "We have nothing to add."
Is it coming to an end?
It’s almost over!
It’s not easy!
The officials immediately cheered up.
"Well!"
Winter winter winter!
Zhang Fei banged the gavel three times and said, "Adjourn the court for the time being. Since this case is quite complicated, the president of the court will discuss it with several trial assistants."
Adjourn...adjourn?
Both the common people and officials almost stared out of their eyes.
Those words were full of swear words, and I wanted to spit them in Zhang Fei's face.
Judge quickly!
Are you trying to boil us to death?
Many generals stood up and prepared to protest.
But Zhang Fei ignored everyone's anger and returned to the lobby behind with Xu Zhiqian, Cai Jing and others.
Tea cups and pastries are already prepared inside.
Originally, Cai Jing and the others were very reserved, but it was obvious that the teacher was devouring the food without caring about his image.
"Teacher, how do you plan to judge?"
Shangguan Jun asked with a slurred expression on his face, holding cakes in his mouth.
Zhang Fei asked: "What do you think?"
With a grunt, Shangguanjun swallowed it whole, then shook his head and said, "Students don't know."
Cai Bian also said: "The witnesses who were just interrogated... seem to have little to do with this case."
Cai Jing and Ye Zucha also nodded, and even Xu Zhiqian looked at Zhang Fei curiously.
Zhang Fei lamented: "You guys really don't work hard at all!"
Shangguan Jun said aggrievedly: "Teacher, the students have worked very hard."
"What are you trying for?"
Zhang Fei said: "You don't even look at the salt law of Hezhong Prefecture."
Shangguan Jun immediately said: "Students can memorize it like a stream after reading it."
As he said that, he directly pulled out a copy of the article and said, "Teacher, please look at this. These are the students' notes on the salt method."
"Don't show it to me."
Zhang Fei waved his hand and said: "You take the salt method and compare it with their confessions just now. What Huang Tong sells is private salt!"
The four of them looked at each other, not caring about eating or drinking, and immediately compared the confession they just made with the salt method.
But after looking for a long time, I didn't see any clue.
Cai Bian said awkwardly: "Teacher, please forgive me for being stupid. I really don't know what the problem is?"
Zhang Fei looked up to the sky and sighed, "What else do you want to learn about the law? Go home and farm."
"...!"
.....
There was a lot of excitement outside, and everyone was talking about how the verdict would be.
You must know that all the legal talents in Hezhong Prefecture are here.
I saw Wei Yingfang and other officials in front of Guo Xiaofa.
"In my opinion, it's definitely the death penalty."
"death penalty?"
"good."
Guo Xiaofa said: "Zhang San is just making a fuss. Based on the confessions of He Yanjian and others, it can only prove that Huang Tong deserves sympathy, but it does not excuse him from selling illegal salt.
In the previous lawsuit, Wu Zhang only reduced her sentence, but did not fully plead her innocence. Moreover, there was enough evidence at the time to prove that Wu's mother jumped into the river on her own, rather than Wu Zhang pushing her down.
But at this time, all the evidence proves that Huang Tong is indeed selling illegal salt, and he must be sentenced to death according to law."
Wei Yingfang snorted: "So, he went to great lengths just to embarrass us?"
"Nine times out of ten that's the case."
At this point, everyone had some idea in their minds that Zhang Fei must have known that this person was deliberately making things difficult, so he used his plan to retaliate against them and make them feel uncomfortable.
It’s really uncomfortable!
The power of the imperial court is too much, and they must appear in court to testify.
...
Half an hour later, Zhang Feicai, Cai Jing and others came out of the back hall. They were all in high spirits and full of confidence.
Chen Qi knew at a glance that they were well fed and drunk inside, and whispered: "Prosecutor General, we also need a special room for us to rest."
Su Che was stunned for a moment, then smiled and nodded, "That's how it should be."
No one was sitting at the VIP table, everyone was standing, and all eyes were focused on Zhang Fei.
"Everyone, please take a seat."
Zhang Fei stretched out his hand to indicate, then sat down, and suddenly found that no one sat down, and they were all standing, so it was left to them.
Xu Zhiqian carefully placed a copy of the article in front of Zhang Fei.
"Thanks!"
Zhang Fei nodded slightly, picked up the gavel and knocked, "Continue the trial."
As he spoke, he looked at the article in front of him, then raised his head, looked around, and said loudly: "Based on the trial just now by the president of this court, it is found that the government salt law is a complete mess, which is really difficult to understand.
"
The officials couldn't help but be startled.
The people nodded vigorously, saying that was so right. According to the trial just now, it was indeed a complete mess.
"first!"
Zhang Fei glanced at the article, then raised his head and said: "The imperial court stipulates that the salt produced by salt households must be sold to the imperial court, but there is no explicit stipulation on when to collect it and at what price. This court has reviewed all the evidence
, no one has discovered at what price the government purchases the prolific salt from salt households, and under what regulations salt households must follow to sell the salt.
Secondly, the imperial court only stipulated that salt households must sell the salt they produced to the government, but did not stipulate that the government must purchase the salt from salt households, which meant that the government could refuse to accept it, which was obviously unreasonable.
Finally, and most importantly, the agreement between the court and the salt households was that if the salt households turned in 120,000 catties of salt every year, they would receive forty-five guan of salt and two liters of rice per day. This was not a very high price, but
Evidence shows that Huang Tong did not receive the agreed salt cost.
The reason why he did not receive the agreed upon salt cost was entirely due to the government's chaotic management system. The government should bear the main responsibility. Therefore, this court determined that it was due to the government's breach of contract first, which caused Huang Tong to face an existential crisis and could only sell salt.
Salt Qiuzheng, his behavior does not constitute the crime of selling illegal salt, he will be released in court, and the police station must immediately return the salt and money collected."
"good!"
"Well judged!"
"As expected of President Zhang."
...
The people were as happy as drinking nectar under the scorching sun, and they raised their arms and shouted excitedly.
But those officials were dumbfounded, could they still judge like this?
Is the government responsible?
Aren't you...it seems like he really isn't.
Politics and law are no longer a family.
this...!
"I object!"
At this moment, Su Che suddenly stood up and said, "According to the law, the evidence that Huang Tong was selling illegal salt is conclusive. Even if the government is responsible, the imperial court should judge according to the law instead of changing the law without authorization. President Zhang should
You don’t have this power.”
Zhang Fei has the power to supplement regulations based on some cases, and at the same time, he can impose penalties as appropriate, but he cannot amend the regulations at will. Moreover, the Salt Law is of great importance and cannot be modified.
"This court has not changed any laws."
Zhang Fei said: "According to the Salt Law, selling ten kilograms of illegal salt is punishable by death. It is not the death penalty for salt sellers, so we must first determine whether the salt sold by Huang Tong is illegal salt.
This is explained in the latest salt law of the imperial court. In exchange for the salt capital of forty-five guan and two liters of rice, the salt households must turn over 120,000 jins of salt every year, and the salt households must sell their prolific salt to
Court. Prosecutor Su, the president of this court may have made a mistake."
Su Che nodded and said, "That's right."
Zhang Fei added: "But all the evidence proves that Huang Tong did not receive enough salt money and two liters of rice per day, and the reason for all this does not lie with him. All the witnesses just now were included."
The answer is unclear and unclear. The key is that there is no written record of the reasons and amounts of these deductions and fines in black and white.
Therefore, there is no sufficient evidence to prove that Huang Tong should not receive the agreed salt and rice. In other words, the government did not abide by the previous agreement.
At the same time, this salt law does not explain that if the court fails to comply with the agreement, the salt household must still perform subsequent responsibilities. So according to the principles of contract law, when one party does not comply with the agreement, the other party naturally does not need to comply.
.
Therefore, what Huang Tong is selling is not private salt."
Chen Qi opened her mouth and looked at Zhang Fei with admiration. Is this okay?
Not bad for Zhang Da Er Pen.
"I have no objection." Su Zhe sat down.
Other officials also kept silent.
Want to argue?
Come then!
See if you are legally deducting salt from salt households.
Bring out the evidence.
This will definitely defend yourself.
Because the expenditures in the government accounts were sufficient, not even a penny was worth, Zhang Fei did not say this.
But Zhang Fei suddenly looked at them and said: "In addition, the president of this court would also like to advise the government. It is best to write the regulations clearly on paper and stamp them with the official seal. Only in this way can there be laws to follow, rather than putting them on the
Speaking of words, I believe you all know that Jun Wu is joking and refers to the officials, not everyone sitting here."