Ye Zuqia muttered in a low voice while packing up the copywriting.
But Shangguan Jun looked very worried: "Will there be any problems if the trial continues like this?"
At present, both sides have no bottom line, showing the ugliest side of the ruling class, which is frightening to hear!
Cai Bian said: "There's nothing we can do about it. They said it themselves. We didn't force them to say it. It has nothing to do with us."
Cai Jing asked: "Who do you think will win?"
Shangguan Jun glanced at him and said: "Two rotten fruits, which one would you choose to eat?"
Cai Jing was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "I still choose to go back to the lounge to eat pastries."
The four of them left one after another holding the copy.
But their departure attracted complaints from the people outside the hospital.
Adjournment?
Isn't it?
We are having a great time watching, and it’s not even time for lunch yet!
The people listened with great enthusiasm, because no matter where they were hurt by the other party, they felt very refreshed.
On the contrary, the officials in the hospital let out a sigh of relief. Some of them wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads with trembling hands and silk handkerchiefs, while some slumped on their chairs with dull eyes.
This kind of scene was extremely rare in feudal society.
I’ve never experienced that!
How can you not be afraid? They were almost suffocating just now.
After a while, they stood up, but soon they gathered together in twos and threes, whispering, and everyone's face looked worried.
Is it really okay for officials and gentry to pull off each other's underwear in public?
If this continues, will it affect the rule of the monarch and scholar-bureaucrats?
At the same time, there was even more public outcry outside the hospital.
Supporters on both sides are also arguing about who is more reasonable. However, in this argument, each side has been convinced by the other side and feels that the other side's words are reasonable. But this is not a good thing. This is simply double.
It was hurting, and the people were gradually feeling a little desperate.
These are not good birds.
Then we are all going to die anyway.
this
What a tragedy!
This is the fact. The prosecution and defense are originally on the same team. They both belong to the ruling class and are doing the same thing.
Yes, many people were ruined by landlords, but even more people were ruined by the government.
The more we fight, the more desperate we become.
Suddenly, they seemed to feel a bright light coming, and they looked up one after another, and saw two huge words hanging in front of the door - Imperial Court.
good!
There is also the Imperial Court.
The people suddenly woke up. Only the Imperial Court had never done this. The Imperial Court had always defended our interests, so they couldn't help but place their hopes on the Imperial Court.
Over there, Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian had just returned to the office. Before they could take a breath, Wang Shao and Guo Kui arrived.
"Why are you so anxious to see me?"
Zhang Fei pretended to be confused and said.
Wang Shao got straight to the point: "President Zhang, we feel that we cannot continue the trial like this because it will affect the rule of the imperial court."
This was too much fun, and it made pragmatists like them frightened.
Once turmoil occurs, their work will be impossible.
They have been working hard and thinking of ways to deal with the war in Xixia, but they cannot let everything go to waste because of a lawsuit.
This is unacceptable to them.
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said: "You two, I just enforce the law impartially. If they want to choose to reconcile, then I will agree. But if there is no special reason, I will terminate this trial, and that will be my dereliction of duty."
, this will bring risks to me."
Wang Shao and Guo Kui looked at each other.
Guo Kui retreated and asked the next best thing: "Can it be changed to a closed-door trial? Just like the Suizhou case last time."
If they are all from your own family, then you can say whatever you want.
They are very clear about the twists and turns here.
Zhang Fei shook his head and sighed: "Actually, I have thought about it, but this is different from a military trial. This concerns all the people of Hezhong Mansion. If the trial is held behind closed doors, our imperial court will bear great risks, because the final verdict
It may not satisfy everyone.
At that time, many officials, squires, and people may blame me. But both of you know that this matter has nothing to do with me, and there is no need for me to take any risks. A public trial is the safest way.
"
After the two heard this, they really couldn't say much, because the final judgment was in the hands of the imperial court, and suddenly it was changed to a closed-door trial. No matter what the verdict was, it would raise a lot of questions.
Here comes the problem.
Why should the Imperial Court bear any risk for this? This matter has nothing to do with the Imperial Court.
In the end, the two could only leave in anger.
As soon as they left, Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "They came to lobby me. Seeing that they didn't react, who is the biggest winner in this case?"
Xu Zhiqian on the side suddenly said: "But both of them are already jealous. If they continue to fight like this, will it really cause turmoil?"
"Won't."
Zhang Fei said very firmly.
Xu Zhiqian asked curiously: "Why are you so confident?"
"Because the final decision is in my hands, and I also represent the court."
Zhang Fei raised the corner of his mouth and said lightly: "Yes, maybe the people will have some doubts about the squires and the government, but at the same time, Zeng Jin's trust in the squires and the government will be transferred to our imperial court, so that they can trust
Judiciary controlled by the imperial court.”
At this time, the outside of the imperial court was very lively. The commercial area outside the door was almost completed. There were many shops, large and small. Not only were there lofts, private rooms, and seats specially prepared for the rich, but there were also tea sheds and taverns for the poor. The prices were also very high.
They are all very people-friendly.
"Ouch! Chief Prosecutor Su is here, please come in, please come in."
When the big dog saw Su Che and other inspectors approaching his restaurant, he immediately went to greet them.
Chen Qi saw that the corridor outside the store was already full, and couldn't help asking: "Are there any seats left?"
"You've got it! You've got it!"
The big dog nodded, "President Zhang has already reserved a seat near the lake for everyone to rest."
Chen Qi suddenly felt a little flattered.
A group of prosecutors came and sat down under the big tree by the river. However, their eyes did not turn to the beautiful scenery by the river. Instead, they looked at the figures flashing past the window sill of the restaurant. They saw many squires talking with the government officials.
officials to negotiate.
"It seems that they have realized that if this lawsuit continues, both sides will suffer losses." Wang Shen whispered.
Chen Qi said: "Maybe there won't be another trial in the afternoon."
"impossible."
Su Zhe said: "If this matter can be negotiated, it won't cause trouble in the imperial court. Let's finish eating early and go to rest early. There may be a lot of things to do in the afternoon."
Chen Qi and Wang Shen looked at Su Che at the same time, seeming a little suspicious.
Because it seems that they have all realized that this is a lose-lose lawsuit.
So, are we going to continue hurting each other?
But any smart person would not do such stupid things.
But the reality was just as Su Zhe said, the afternoon trial came as scheduled.
This also shows that the alliance between officials and gentry at noon completely failed.
The reason is also very simple, it is the green seedling method.
Yuan Jiang definitely supports the Qingmiao Law, which cannot be compromised, but Fan Zhen definitely opposes it. In order to stop the Qingmiao Law, he is a Hanlin scholar and is not a minister of household affairs. How can he compromise on this? He is here.
Just to stop the Green Seeding Law.
However, if Fan Zhen and the others did not choose to appeal in the imperial court, they would have no other choice, because the reformists were also in power in the court.
This is currently the most effective method.
The fundamental contradictions between them cannot be resolved, and they can only be reconciled vertically and horizontally.
The key point is that a large number of officials are secretly responsible.
How can this be negotiated? I can only endure the pain and continue to fight.
"Good afternoon everyone."
Zhang Fei came to the court and looked at the people on the bench, "How did the assistant judges take their lunch break?"
“Very good! Very good!”
"Thank you, President Zhang, for your warm hospitality."
"Ouch! We are actually a little embarrassed."
These twenty people were laughing so hard that they could not close their mouths. They had arranged to dine in the imperial court and rest by the lake. This was definitely the most delicious meal in their lives. They had never thought in advance that when this helper
Judges have so many preferential treatment.
Of course, they did not expect that the imperial court arranged this because they were worried that someone would be in cahoots with them to influence their judgment.
"This is what we should do. After all, I asked you to help."
After talking a little with the assistant trial team, Zhang Fei said to Fan Zhen, Li Min and others: "If both the prosecution and the defense are ready, then we can continue the trial."
Both sides said they were ready.
"Then let's get started."
Zhang Fei knocked the gavel lightly.
Next, Fan Zhen summoned the witness, an old man with gray hair and a childlike face, and kind eyes.
Xu Zhiqian immediately handed this person's information quietly to Zhang Fei.
This man's name was Lu Xiaosheng. He was also a Jinshi. He once held an official position in the Ministry of Rites, but he had no interest in being an official. He became an official and returned to his hometown at the age of forty. He was a very upright man with no stain.
Fan Zhen asked: "Mr. Lu, I heard that in the interest agreed upon by the clan this time, the interest of five cents was decided by you, Mr. Lu."
"Yes, this is what I suggested."
Lu Xiaosheng nodded.
Fan Zhen continued to ask: "Why is it set at 1:5?"
Lu Xiaosheng said: "First of all, it's because my hometown has always stipulated an interest rate of 1.5 cents."
Fan Zhen asked: "May I ask Mr. Lu where your hometown is?"
Lu Xiaosheng said: "Yinquan Township, Hedong County."
Fan Zhen nodded and asked: "Why does your hometown have such a rule?"
Lu Xiaosheng said: "Because the patriarchal system of our village advocates fatherly kindness and filial piety, brotherly friendship and brotherly respect, which benefits the villagers. At the same time, the elders in the village have seen that many villagers have fled because of usury, so they want to keep the population prosperous in the village.
, and at the same time implement the patriarchal laws, it is stipulated that villagers who borrow money can only lend interest at 1.5 cents."
"I see."
Fan Zhen nodded, picked up another copy of the document, and said to Zhang Fei: "President Zhang, this is concrete evidence about low-interest lending in Yinquan Township. It is enough to prove that the five-cent interest actually existed a long time ago and was not
Everyone specifically wanted to target the Qingmiao Law."
"Submit."
After Zhang Fei read it, he nodded slightly and said, "Mr. Fan, you can continue to ask."
"yes."
Fan Zhen asked again: "Apart from this, are there any other reasons?"
Lu Xiaosheng nodded and said: "Also, although loan sharking is rampant in various villages at present, most of them are concentrated in times of drought and natural disasters. Normally, rural loans are actually only one to five to two cents. The agreed interest rate, I think
Everyone can still accept it.”
Fan Zhen asked: "Usually, the rural loans are only one-five and two-cent?"
Lu Xiaosheng nodded and said: "You can get a lot of money from one to five cents or two cents. If you don't borrow it, others will. And during natural disasters, more people will borrow money, and some big landowners will sit on the ground."
Raise the price and take advantage of the situation."
In fact, private transactions, whether it is borrowing money or trading, will still follow the rules of the market. Usually people are short of money, but it is not the kind of life-saving money. This five-cent interest is everywhere.
It is impossible to say that I need to borrow 200% interest for a small emergency.
The rich also want money, so they also know that ordinary people will not borrow money if the interest rate is too high.
There is still a game between the common people and the landlords, but if there is a natural disaster, the ordinary people will have no ability to deal with it, which gives the landlords an opportunity to take advantage of it.
The fundamental reason for the proliferation of usury is not that the landlords are extremely evil, but that the people's ability to resist risks is too poor and the country does not have many rescue policies, which creates a huge demand market for usury.
Fan Zhen asked: "So Mr. Lu did not set this interest rate to undermine the Green Miao Law."
Lu Xiaosheng shook his head and said: "No. I just hope to reduce loan sharking."
"I'm done asking."
Fan Zhen sat down.
This time, it was not Li Min who stood up, but Qiu Zhengwen. After all, unlike Fan Zhen, they were very familiar with the court system and the rural system, so they could only study part of the content each.
Qiu Zhengwen said: "Mr. Lu, I have heard about the interest regulations in Yinquan Township. It is said that loans are made through the charity village in the township."
Lu Xiaosheng nodded: "Yes."
Qiu Zhengwen said: "The original Yizhuang in Yinquan Township was established by your Lu family organization, I wonder if it is?"
Lu Xiaosheng nodded: "Yes."
Qiu Zhengwen asked with a smile: "Such a great act of kindness will bring Mr. Lu the respect and love of the villagers, right?"
Lu Xiaosheng said embarrassedly: "You can also say that."
Qiu Zhengwen continued to ask: "In addition, I heard that the government also allocated food to your village, I wonder if that is true?"
Lu Xiaosheng nodded and said, "Yes, if there is a famine, the government will usually allocate grain to Yizhuang first, and then the Yizhuang will distribute it to the villagers."
Qiu Zhengwen said: "Then if I say that the money borrowed by Yizhuang also includes the grain allocated to Yizhuang by the government, does Mr. Lu agree?"
Lu Xiaosheng hesitated for a while and then said: "The government allocates food mainly during times of famine. It does not often allocate food to Yizhuang. But I dare not say that if the money and food used for loans are used, there will be no government support. But all the money and food owned by Yizhuang
The money is used to help the villagers and must not be used for personal use. The government will also send people to supervise the accounts."
Qiu Zhengwen nodded and asked, "Mr. Lu, do you support the Green Seedlings Law?"
Lu Xiaosheng was stunned for a moment and thought for a while, "To be honest with you, I don't support it."
Qiu Zhengwen said: "But didn't Mr. Lu realize that Yizhuang's lending method is somewhat similar to the Qingmiao method?"
Lu Xiaosheng hesitated for a moment and said, "It's somewhat similar."
Qiu Zhengwen pretended to be surprised and said: "This is strange. When the government allocated money to Yizhuang for loans, Mr. Lu not only did not object, but was very supportive and even proud of it, thinking that it could help the villagers.
But when the government wants to lend money on its own, the purpose is also to relieve the villagers, and the interest rate is only half a cent higher, but Mr. Lu clearly expresses his disapproval."
Lu Xiaosheng said: "Is this different?"
"What's the difference?" Qiu Zhengwen asked immediately.
"this."
Lu Xiaosheng was struggling.
He was in trouble.
He can't say that our Yizhuang sincerely cares for the villagers, while your Green Crops Law is to make money for the country. The key is that the Green Crops Law has not yet been implemented. He said this without any evidence.
Qiu Zhengwen smiled and said: "The only difference between the two is that Yizhuang is controlled by the gentry, while Qingmiao Law is controlled by the government. This is the reason why Mr. Lu opposes Qingmiao Law."
"Old man."
Lu Xiaosheng had a sarcastic look on his face. He was not good at lying. This was really the main reason.
If it wasn't the government that wanted to lend money, who would object if someone else did it.
Their group is opposed to the government and will be punished personally.
Qiu Zhengwen waited for a while and then said: "It can be seen that the real reason is that Mr. Lu is afraid that the squires will lose control of the countryside, rather than high or low interest rates. In fact, as long as it is under the control of your squires, high interest rates can make
The villagers become your tenant farmers, which may also facilitate your annexation of land, and low interest rates can also help you gain fame.
You are afraid that the emergence of the Green Crops Law will cause the villagers to escape your control and rely more on the government, so you use this clumsy monopoly technique to destroy the Green Crops Law."
After saying these words, many squires couldn't help but tremble, looking at Qiu Zhengwen gnashing his teeth and looking ferocious.
You kid is trying to dig up our roots!
Lu Xiaosheng was a slow-tempered person and was not good at arguing with others. He looked at Qiu Zhengwen with aggrieved eyes, spread his hands and said, "I never meant this."
A squire outside the courtyard suddenly couldn't bear it anymore and shouted directly: "Mr. Lu has been honest and upright all his life, and he has high morals and high respect. How can he allow you, a little Erbi, to spread rumors and slander here? It's really unreasonable."
Zhang Fei glanced at the mallet and said, "Who is making a noise outside the courtyard?"
The man immediately looked up to the sky.
After all, Liang Youyi had already set an example. No matter how angry they were, they would not dare to openly challenge Zhang Fei. They would really be caught. This kid has no respect for the elderly or the young at all.
"I'm done asking."
Qiu Zhengwen also sat down.
Yuan Jiang on the side was so excited that he almost couldn't hold it back. He stood up and cheered for Qiu Zhengwen. He had been holding back his anger in the morning.
The morale of the government has also been greatly boosted.
After seeing this, Xu Zhiqian whispered: "Zhang San, can you teach me?"
Zhang Fei turned around and frowned at her, "How can I teach such a clumsy trick?"
Xu Zhiqian was stunned for a moment, "What? Didn't he ask the question well?"
Zhang Fei said: "It still lacks some enthusiasm! On the contrary, Bachelor Fan's performance exceeded my expectations. It seems that he has learned a lot in the Procuratorate."
