Speaking objectively, this punishment is actually very severe. Although members of the royal family have been punished before, most of them involved criminal cases and political cases, not economic cases like this.

In cases like this, the case has never been brought to court and is usually resolved in the court.

But even so, most officials in the court were dissatisfied with it.

This is because not long ago, the imperial court had just severely punished Xu Yu and other big landlords. Not only were they fined, but they also had to bear criminal penalties. It was very severe. Although Zeng Gong also punished Wang Hongjin, Zhao Wenzhen was not punished at all.

According to the evidence in the hands of the procuratorate, Wang Hongjin was a servant of Zhao Wenzhen. If this royal family member can let his servant take the blame, why can't we?

The situation was very chaotic both inside and outside the court.

Left Courtyard.

"May I ask Judge Lu, what do you think of the Kaifeng Prefecture's verdict?"

Xu Ji asked Lu Jia with a very serious expression.

For the same crime, my brother was almost sentenced to death, but Zhao Wenzhen got nothing wrong.

...

...

Lu Jiawen smiled and said, "Judge Xu, do you think that our imperial court's judgment on your brother is unfair?"

Is it public?

Xu Ji said: "I just want to know why the difference is so big for the same crime?"

Lu Jiawen said truthfully, "Because Governor Zhao spent 20,000 strings of cash to hire Zhang San."

Xu Ji was stunned. "Shouldn't the law treat everyone equally? How can it be different because of a pen? How can people be convinced by this?"

Lu Jia asked, "This is the public security, procuratorial and judicial system, which is mainly based on litigation. Zhang Fei is eloquent and eloquent. He was able to convince the prefect Zeng to lean towards him. That's his ability!"

Xu Ji said, "In that case, I can now ask Erbi to fight for my brother. Since Kaifeng Prefecture has ruled that Wang Hongjin's smuggling of salt to Xuzhou is drug trafficking, my brother can also be acquitted."

His brother was not pursued for tax evasion, but was mainly charged with occupying government land and selling private salt.

If this charge can be exempted, then my brother is not guilty and can just be fined a little.

Lu Jiawen nodded and said, "If the situation is exactly the same, I think Kaifeng Prefecture should also change the verdict, and there is no need to ask Zhang San."

Having said this, he paused for a moment and continued, "But Judge Xu, I have checked your brother's private salt sales account, and it is somewhat different from Wang Hongjin's situation. Your brother's private salt was not sold to salt-free areas."

Xu Ji snorted, "So, whether it's salt or medicine, it's all up to you."

Lü Jia asked: "So this has also caused great controversy."

Indeed, the controversy is enormous.

Zeng Gong had been an official for decades, but the number of impeachment memorials he had received before was not as many as this time, even if all of them were added together.

After all, this concerned the royal family and the ministers were dissatisfied, so Zhao Xu had no choice but to convene a meeting to discuss the matter.

"Your Majesty, according to my investigation, from the year before last to last year, many places in Xuzhou had no one selling salt for half a year, causing many people to fall ill. It was only later that the private salt entered the market that alleviated the situation."

"You yourself said it was smuggling salt, but why did you sentence him to drug trafficking?"

Jiang Zhiqi immediately stood up and questioned.

Zeng Gong replied: "On this point, Erbi Zhangsan has already made a detailed explanation in the court. For the people of Xuzhou, this salt is medicine and can save their lives. If I judge it as private salt instead of medicine, it is tantamount to helping the tiger and killing people for money."

Jiang Zhiqi asked, "What does it mean to be an accomplice to a tiger?"

Zeng Gong replied: "As we all know, the people cannot live without salt. If the government does not sell salt and does not allow others to buy it, wouldn't that be killing the local people?"

Peng Siyan stood up and questioned: "But has Prefect Zeng ever considered that such a ruling would make private salt more rampant, and salt administration is related to the financial lifeline and cannot afford to make mistakes."

Zeng Gong replied: "I explained it very clearly in the judgment. The reason why I judged that salt is medicine is entirely based on the fact that a large number of people in Xuzhou were sick because they could not buy the salt they needed for half a year. Therefore, salt is medicine.

In addition, if I sentence Governor Zhao to selling private salt, the official salt will become even more rampant. Even if a large amount of dirt is put into it, the people will have to buy it, otherwise they will be dead.

Compared with the two evils, the latter is obviously more terrible. After all, the former can only make the finances stretched, while the latter is fatal. If a civil uprising occurred in Xuzhou at that time, and it was so close to Kaifeng, it would probably consume the finances even more. "

Wang Anshi immediately said, "Your Majesty, I think that the ruling of the prefect Zeng was correct. The main reason is that there are malpractices in the salt administration."

Zhao Xu nodded.

The Imperial Censor Feng Jing immediately stepped forward and said, "This is all because the Transport Commissioner Xue Xiang was implementing the salt-horse policy in the northwest at the time, which led to the excessive issuance of salt notes, which caused the crisis in Xuzhou. When Fan Xiang was in charge of the northwest salt administration, this kind of thing never happened."

When Lu Huiqing saw that they were impeaching Xue Xiang again, he immediately stood up and said, "Xue Xiang exchanged salt profits for horses. Not only did he abolish thousands of corvée labor and alleviate the suffering of local laborers, he also bought tens of thousands of hectares of farmland to alleviate the local military food shortage. The crisis in Xuzhou was clearly caused by those unscrupulous merchants. How can Xue Xiang be blamed?"

The Salt Note Law was proposed by Fan Xiang. During his tenure, the issuance of Salt Notes was always very cautious. However, Xue Xiang saw that the salt merchants liked to hoard and speculate on Salt Notes, so he chose to issue more Salt Notes. Since you won't exchange them for salt anyway, use the profits from the Salt Notes to buy horses and graze them in the wilds of Shaanxi. The pastures that were previously forcibly set up by the government were converted back into arable land and given to the people to cultivate, thereby increasing local grain tax revenue.

This combination of measures helped the Northwest's finances overcome the crisis, and both Zhao Xu and Wang Anshi admired him very much.

Wang Anshi said: "Although Fan Xiang's method is good, it allows merchants to sell salt freely. Merchants pursue profit first. At that time, salt was in short supply in various places. Xuzhou could not make money, and merchants would not sell in Xuzhou. If we want to avoid it, the government can set up a special office in various places to purchase the materials needed by the local people and then sell them to the local people. This crisis will not occur, and the court can also benefit from it."

Simply put, it is government-operated and government-sold.

Zhao Xu nodded repeatedly after listening.

"Your Majesty, absolutely not."

Sima Guang's hair stood on end when he heard this. "Merchants pursue profits, so will the imperial court do charity? Will it benefit the people? Before Fan Xiang's reform, the government was in charge of everything from salt production to salt sales, but what was the result?

In order to seek profits, the government forced the people to work, causing countless people to flee."

Wang Anshi immediately interrupted him, "My case is different. With the implementation of the conscription law, the people will no longer be forced to work, and the court can set prices according to the law. Isn't this better than those profiteers?"

Sima Guang immediately retorted: "The private salt sold by the unscrupulous merchants only costs 20 coins, while the official salt costs 47 coins. I don't know what you are so good at?"

Wang Anshi said: "If unscrupulous merchants are allowed to completely control the salt profits, then the price will only be higher than the official salt."

“Nonsense!”

Sima Guang bulged his eyes and said, "The most valuable things in the world are government property."

After these words were spoken, everyone's faces turned unhappy.

You are exaggerating!

Sima Guang was really anxious and confused. In his opinion, this method was even more terrifying than the equalization method, and merchants would have no way to survive.

Fu Bi suddenly asked, "Why didn't you say anything about Han Si's affairs?"

Han Jiang, who was standing with his head bowed, raised his head and looked around. Are you talking to me? After confirming, he said, "I think this is a matter of great importance regarding the salt administration, and we need to consider it carefully."

Fu Bi laughed and asked, "I want to ask you, how much tax has your Sinong Temple collected recently?"

Han Jiang blinked guiltily and asked, "Why did Mr. Fu suddenly ask about this?"

Fu Bi chuckled and said, "I'm just asking casually, can't you tell me?"

Han Jiang's timidity immediately attracted the attention of the court officials, and they all looked at him.

Yes! How much money have you received recently?

Zhao Xu looked at Han Jiang curiously.

Recently everyone has been concerned about the lawsuit, so no one has paid attention to the situation at the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Taxation.

Han Jiang said awkwardly, "Three hundred thousand strings of cash."

Everyone had their eyes open, including Zhao Xu.

Some even exclaimed: "So many?"

After these words were spoken, many ministers were extremely sad and wanted to bow their heads and stamp their feet. This was all our money!

Han Jiang has been surprisingly low-key recently. Everyone, including humans and ghosts, is crying, but he is the only one laughing. Of course, he has to laugh with the door closed!

If you stand up and laugh, you will be beaten.

Wang Anshi had just learned about it and was overjoyed. At the same time, he was blaming Han Jiang in his heart, saying, "You took so much money and didn't even tell me."

He had to take credit for laying a solid foundation for his new law.

"So many?"

Fu Bi saluted and said, "Han Sishi is indeed worthy of his famous family background. He has collected so much tax in just a few days."

Han Jiang said hurriedly: "This is not my credit, it is all the credit of the public security, procuratorate, courts and the tax department."

He literally took the money while lying down.

Wang Anshi's face changed. Don't you mention me?

Lu Huiqing understood what he meant and immediately stood up and said, "Now the people have not been affected at all, which shows that those who accused the conscription law of increasing the burden on the people were talking nonsense."

Wen Yanbo snorted, "This is all thanks to the tax commissioner and the public security, procuratorate and courts."

Lu Huiqing smiled and said, "I don't deny their contribution, but at least it proves that this method is correct."

Wen Yanbo's expression froze and he said nothing.

Fu Bi said to Zhao Xu: "Your Majesty, I think the success of the conscription law lies in the voluntary declaration of the tax commissioner, which is extremely lenient, and thus provides a basis for the tax commissioner to strictly enforce the law.

On the other hand, the salt law is extremely harsh, but it is not conducive to the government's law enforcement, so that private salt is rampant, which also adds difficulties to the prefect Zeng. In my opinion, if you want to have a fair salt administration, you must first set up public security, judicial and taxation departments in the local area, and on this basis, change the bad policies, which is the long-term solution. "

Sima Guang suddenly had an idea. "Your Majesty, it is a waste of talent for Zhang San to be placed in the Imperial College. The key is that he does not often go to class. Instead, he often stays in the office to fight lawsuits. Therefore, I suggest that he be sent to the northwest region to preside over the public security, prosecution and courts."

"I second the motion."

"I second this motion."

Almost all ministers agreed.

"Um?"

Sima Guang was dumbfounded. I suddenly had an idea. Are you guys going to support me like this? I turned around and looked at them. Suddenly, I realized that I had heard their voices.

Let’s get this kid out of here right away and stop causing trouble for the powerful people in the northwest.

Zhao Xu also noticed it, and his mouth twitched, but he tried not to laugh. However, Zhang Fei was his man, so he couldn't act rashly. He was originally scheduled to go to Yangzhou, because Yangzhou was also the center of the country's finances. So he said, "We will discuss this matter later. Let's discuss the case of Governor Zhao first today."

Fu Bi said: "Based on that lawsuit, I think there is nothing wrong with the ruling made by the prefect. If there are similar cases, you can appeal and then change the ruling."

What I mean is that you cannot ignore the process and talk about the result. The process of the lawsuit is very important. In that lawsuit, Zhang Fei took complete initiative and the procuratorate was completely defeated. What can be done?

Of course, we have to be fair and if it seems similar, we can change the verdict.

Prime ministers including Sima Guang, Wang Anshi, Chen Shengzhi, and Wen Yanbo also stood up to express their support for Zeng Gong's verdict.

If you lose the lawsuit, you have to admit it!

Zhang family!

Xu Zun finally returned home.

Da da da da!

Zhang Fei held a cup of tea with trembling hands and handed it to Xu Zun, "Father-in-law, please have some tea."

The son-in-law beat his father-in-law so hard that his teeth were all over the floor. He must apologize.

“No!”

Xu Zun turned his face away and said, "I'm not thirsty."

Xu Zhiqian said, "Dad, although I don't agree with Zhang San's lawsuit, as a man, you have to admit defeat."

"You won unfairly, why should Daddy acknowledge you?"

Xu Zun looked at Zhang Fei and said, "You provided all the evidence. You deliberately chose some controversial evidence to harm our procuratorate."

Zhang Fei quickly apologized with a smile, "I really can't hide anything from my father-in-law. This is the only ability I have. If I don't use some tricks, how can I win over my father-in-law?"

"Stop flattering me."

Even so, Xu Zun still took the teacup and said, "I may not have defeated you, but our relationship as father-in-law and son-in-law makes it difficult for us to compete head-on."

Xu Zhiqian smiled slyly and said, "Dad, don't fight him about the lawsuit. He is a bad guy. How can Dad be his opponent?"

Zhang Fei said unhappily, "Zhiqian, if you want to praise someone, just do it in a nice way, and stop being so sarcastic."

Xu Zun shook his head helplessly, put the teacup on the table, and sighed: "Let's talk about the facts. In the crime of occupying official land, the evidence you provided is a big advantage, but in the crime of selling private salt, it depends more on your ability. Although you provided it selectively, it is still irrefutable evidence. Having said that, it is actually not easy."

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "That's what Zhiqian and I said as well."

Xu Zun said: "But this also exposes the shortcomings of our procuratorate. We rely too much on the tax department and the police station. We must have our own investigative talents."

Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "Absolutely not necessary."

Xu Zun asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhang Fei said: "What the procuratorate really needs are technical talents who are responsible for verifying the authenticity of various evidences, such as experts in accounting and experienced coroners. In other aspects, we can still maintain cooperation with the police station and the tax department."

Xu Zun said: "If we rely on them, I am afraid that the same thing will happen again in the future."

Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Let them keep an eye on the people. That is their duty. The procuratorate is responsible for keeping an eye on them. The tax commissioner is directly under the government, so no one can control them. But the procuratorate can sue the tax commissioner, so they will naturally maintain a pleasant cooperation with the procuratorate."

Xu Zun stood up and stroked his beard. After a while, he pointed at Zhang Fei and said with a smile, "You are really smart!"

Zhang Fei said: "Father-in-law, the most urgent matter is not this."

Xu Zun asked hurriedly: "Is there anything else?"

"move place!"

Zhang Fei said: "The monthly rent here is 200 guan now. We are being ripped off."

"Two hundred strings of cash?" Xu Zun was shocked and asked, "Yes! Why haven't you moved yet?"

Xu Zhiqian said: "Daddy hasn't come back yet, how dare we move."

"Pedantic!"

Xu Zun angrily scolded the two of them, "I never care about these things. Hurry up, move in as soon as possible. By the way, have you paid the rent this month?"

"I have!"

"How many days are left?"

"About half a month!"

"Then just stay here for the next half month first, don't waste it."

"ah?"

"They've taken two hundred strings of cash from us. Can we let them take advantage of us again?"

"Well!"

(End of this chapter)