Procuratorate.

"Wait! Scholar Sima."

Zhang Fei said to Sima Guang with an uneasy look on his face: "That is to say, Sima Guang did not stop the emperor from handing the case over to our public security and judicial organs."

This kid is really good at pretending! Sima Guang looked at him with a mixture of anger and amusement, and said, "Actually, this is where your weakness lies. With your understanding of the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, it is impossible that you did not think of this step."

Zhang Fei couldn't help but smile bitterly and said, "Sima Xueshi, do you think too highly of me? I really didn't expect that no one in the whole court would dare to take this case. This has nothing to do with the judiciary, but with..."

Sima Guang chuckled and said, "The more you explain it this way, the more likely it is that you planned this."

Zhang Fei was about to cry but had no tears: "So, Scholar Sima believed that those bandits' ambush on the tax police and even their attempt to rebel were all planned by me?"

Sima Guang frowned and said, "Maybe this was not planned by you, but the actions of the tax commissioner are definitely related to you. Because the only ones who can really control the tax commissioner are the public security, procuratorate and courts. If there is no support from the public security, procuratorate and courts, the tax commissioner will never dare to do this. And among the public security, procuratorate and courts, only you, Zhang San, will support the tax commissioner. Therefore, they are fearless and dare to stir up such a big storm."

Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Sima Xueshi should know that using force is what I am least good at. I really don't know how to do it. The key is that this kind of thing cannot be done just because I support it or not. The key is whether it is legal or not."

"Stop!"

...

...

Sima Guang raised his hand and said, "No matter how you explain, I am sure this matter has something to do with you."

Zhang Fei said depressedly: "Master Sima, you are the most reasonable senior in my mind."

Sima Guang laughed and said, "Although this is not a principle, it is experience."

"experience?"

Zhang Fei wondered, "What experience?"

Sima Guang said: "Think about what you did before!"

".Ahem, Master Sima, do you have any misunderstandings?"

"How about calling Uncle Lü Hui and Wang Jiefu over so we can reminisce about the past together?"

"???"

Zhang Fei said: "Whether Sima Xueshi believes it or not, this case has nothing to do with me anyway. I don't recommend that the public security, procuratorate or courts try it. In fact, the Dali Temple is also a public security, procuratorate or court. This kind of major case should be handed over to the Dali Temple for trial. This is reasonable. As long as the Dali Temple handles it impartially, why should they be afraid of our procuratorate's investigation? We are also very sensible."

"I guessed you would say that." Sima Guang sighed, "It would be great if the judiciary could make all issues fair and just, but the problem is that this is simply impossible!"

Zhang Fei said: "In fact, the law of the legal system emphasizes protection."

Sima Guang frowned and then looked at Zhang Fei in surprise.

Zhang Fei added: "Protect everyone's legitimate rights and interests."

"I see. I see. I see."

Sima Guang repeated this three times in a low voice, and then asked, "Are you sure you can handle this case well?"

Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "No."

Sima Guang frowned and said, "You are not sure, you."

Having said this, he suddenly chuckled twice: "This trick of yours really works every time I try it!"

Zhang Fei spread his hands and said, "I really didn't do anything. I am innocent."

Sima Guang said, "I just don't believe it. Anyway, this is not a court case, so there is no need to present evidence."

".?"

Zhang Fei was speechless.

Sima Guang said earnestly: "In fact, if you are sure that you can handle this case well, I will be happy to see it succeed. You don't have to play this trick in front of me."

I don't believe you. If I really tell you, if you don't refuse, I will be called Sima San. Zhang Fei was almost crying because of grievance, "This really has nothing to do with me."

Sima Guang glared at him, then stood up and left.

He was really not testing him, but was certain that this matter was caused by Zhang Fei. If that was the case, then Zhang Fei would definitely have a way to properly resolve it, so he felt relieved.

After Sima Guang left, Xu Zun, Qi Ji and Wang Gong entered the house.

Xu Zun asked solemnly, "What did Scholar Sima say?"

Zhang Fei sighed: "What else can I say? It's just to coax me into taking this lawsuit."

Qi Ji hurriedly said, "Absolutely not! This public security, procuratorial and judicial system has never tried such a case of treason, and we don't know how to try it."

Zhang Fei said, "Inspector Qi, do you think I'm stupid? Of course I won't agree. I just refused decisively, but... But Scholar Sima didn't listen."

Then he said to Xu Zun, "Attorney General, this case should be tried by the Dali Temple. The current Chief Justice has taken over the power from Kaifeng Prefecture. The Dali Temple and the Criminal Court are still the highest judicial offices. There is no way we will be able to try this case."

Qi Ji and Wang Gong nodded repeatedly.

Xu Zun stroked his beard, glanced at Zhang Fei covertly, then nodded and said, "I will report this to the emperor and explain the matter."

He really did what he said and submitted a memorial the next day, stating that the case should be handed over to the Dali Temple or the Court of Criminal Justice for trial, as the public security, procuratorate and courts were not currently qualified.

Zhao Yan was really not afraid of these things, but he did not say anything. After all, if the procuratorate did not agree, it would be difficult for the royal court to take over the case alone. The implication was that whether to try the case or not was up to you. I am fearless anyway.

When the ministers saw Xu Zundu's memorial, they also followed suit, hoping that the emperor would not act on impulse.

Zhao Xu was quite reasonable and withdrew the order. He then handed the matter over to the Council of State Affairs and asked them to choose someone to judge the case.

Anyway, the criminals and witnesses are all still on the way, so there is no rush to make a decision.

The powerful people over there finally reacted and understood why Wen Yanbo and his colleagues were unwilling to take on the case, which made them feel troubled.

In fact, the matter has come to this point, and as long as someone is willing to step forward and take over the case, there is a high probability that it can be solved.

Because all the ministers will support it.

But no one dared to answer.

This case is like a hot potato, which makes people hesitate.

However, the Qizhou case did not affect the actions of the Commissioner of Taxation in Jingdong East Road. Last year's autumn tax was already two or three months later than usual. The later it is, the more difficult it will be to collect. The Commissioner of Taxation is still speeding up his actions.

In the end, the emperor did not order to stop collecting taxes.

Qingzhou!

In front of a large house in the suburbs.

"Don't shoot, don't shoot. I know I was wrong. I beg you gentlemen to give me a chance."

A crying voice was heard in the yard.

Someone outside the courtyard immediately responded: "Open the door now, raise your hands, and walk out slowly, otherwise we will attack."

The voice is also tense.

After a while, there was a creaking sound, and dozens of tax police in front of the door immediately pulled their bowstrings to their full extent, as if thousands of arrows would be shot at once if the other party made the slightest movement.

But a tall middle-aged man appeared in the door. When he saw the shiny arrows, especially the crossbow in the middle, his legs were trembling and his heart was broken.

Do you really need to?

You guys are using a bed crossbow to attack this broken door of mine? Not to mention the door, even the wall would be shot down by you guys!

"Li Fujiang raised his hands and walked out slowly. People behind him, stay five steps away from him and don't get too close."

“Yes, yes, yes!”

The middle-aged man turned around and ordered his servant, "Stand away, stand away, don't kill me."

He waited until the servants left before he slowly walked forward.

Two tax police officers standing by the wall suddenly rushed forward and captured the middle-aged man.

"Ouch! Ouch! Be gentle, my hand is broken."

The middle-aged man screamed in pain.

Only after they saw that this man had been captured did the tax police put down their bows and arrows, with beads of sweat on their foreheads. Although Qingzhou was not as violent as Qizhou, they had also suffered many attacks, and these wealthy people had secretly funded the bandits to fight against the tax police.

However, the devil is one foot high, but the road is ten feet higher. The tax commissioner has been secretly working in Jingdong East Road for so many years and knows their details clearly. He has many backup plans waiting for them.

At this time, a clerk came out of the team and came to the middle-aged man, "Li Fujiang."

"The villain is here!"

The middle-aged man nodded. Although he was tall and mighty, he looked like a poor quail at this moment.

The clerk said, "Did you receive the tax bill from our tax bureau in January this year?"

Li Fujiang nodded.

The clerk said, "But our tax department has not received your tax return."

Li Fujiang said nothing.

The clerk asked again: "Did you receive your penalty ticket last month?"

Li Fujiang nodded: "Yes."

The clerk said, "In the penalty notice, we asked you to send the tax and fine together to the tax department at the beginning of this month, but you did not do so."

Li Fujiang said nothing.

The clerk said: "You will now face prosecution by our tax department."

Royal Court.

"Judge Qian, the twelve defendants who were tried for tax evasion yesterday have paid all their taxes, fines, and redemption fees today."

Fan Chunren handed dozens of documents to Qian Yi, "If there is no problem with the Imperial Court, the Taxation Department and the Police Department will release the person."

Qian Yi took it, read it carefully, and then stamped it with the imperial seal. He handed it back to Fan Chunren and sighed, "Sometimes, the actions of the tax commissioner are worrying, but we have to admit that they are really able to collect taxes. So far, including fines and redemption money, Qingzhou's autumn tax revenue last year was three times that of the year before. This was unimaginable in the past."

This time the tax commissioner has finally shown his fangs. If you don't pay taxes, he will use every means possible, including sneak attacks, break-ins, and even directly confiscating all the property of those big landlords. He will close your store and seize your goods. Even if you go to buy salt or a bottle of wine, it may be confiscated.

Both sides tried their best and suffered casualties, but as the saying goes, porcelain doesn't collide with tiles. After fighting for a long time, the Qingzhou gentry found that the Commissioner of Taxation was determined to fight them to the death. Coupled with the bloody incident in Qizhou, they gradually became cowardly.

The high fines made them extremely anxious. The autumn tax was three times the usual amount, and it was all paid with their fines.

It really is one against a thousand.

After hearing this, Fan Chunren felt mixed emotions and smiled bitterly, "There are corpses everywhere in Qizhou now, how can they not be afraid? Who would have thought that the tax commissioner was so cruel that he would not even let go of the taxes of those bandits? Back then in the capital, he just caught a wanted criminal."

At this point, he sighed deeply again, "To be honest with Judge Qian, I also really dislike the methods used by the Taxation Commissioner. However, we are the ones who make all the judgments against them. If they are wrong, then aren't we just aiding and abetting the evil?"

Confused!

Quite confusing!

The key is that the tax commissioner is so good at finding evidence that he has never lost a lawsuit.

Qian Yi stroked his beard and said, "It's really strange. Although there seems to be a river of blood in Qizhou, there doesn't seem to be much commotion."

Fan Chunren laughed and said, "Su Zizhan's letter has already explained this point. The tax commissioner is specifically investigating the big landlords and wealthy people, and has no time to care about ordinary people. The people of Qizhou are busy watching the show every day, so how can they have the time to join in the commotion?

Moreover, the tax bureau's voluntary declaration, without any conversion or transfer, has made the people more active. Those who wanted to take advantage of the situation were frightened and rushed to pay the tax."

Qian Yi said: "Now we have to see how the Qizhou treason case will be judged. Do you have any news?"

"How can it be so fast? The suspects and witnesses have just been sent to the capital."

Fan Chunren shook his head and said, "The government will definitely support the Commissioner of Taxation, but the resistance he will face is also imaginable!"

Fan Chunren was only half right.

There was definitely resistance. When the powerful and the literati failed in their plan, they had no choice but to go back to their old ways. The censors and advisers began to constantly impeach the Commissioner of Taxation for some of his actions.

At the same time, some ministers who were close to the emperor persuaded the emperor that they had no intention of rebellion and that they only retaliated because the tax commissioner was too reckless. This involved many meritorious deeds and the original edict of Taizu must not be violated.

Anyway, they used both soft and hard methods to put pressure on the emperor.

But Zhao Xu is under no pressure at all now. No matter whether you use a hard or soft approach, he has only one thing to say: you have to send someone to try the case. You can't just ignore the case of treason!

The Political Affairs Hall should arrange someone to conduct the trial!

Why are you telling me this?

I didn’t say what I was going to do!

At this moment, Zhao Xu and Zhang Fei were sitting in the attic, toasting each other, looking so comfortable!

"According to the news from the Taxation Bureau, Qingzhou's autumn tax is already three times that of last year."

Zhao Xu's eyes lit up, he felt so relieved to receive this money.

Zhang Fei quickly reminded: "It is estimated that the court can only get about twice as much, after all, it is mainly fines, and the tax police will take more than half of the bonus."

Zhao Xu smiled and said, "This bonus cannot be less, it must be given, it is what they deserve, haha!"

Jingdong East Road is in such a mess, but they can still collect so much tax. It's really great. He sighed and said, "But why is this? In the past, we could never collect taxes from those gentry. Anyway, there would always be problems. Now that the tax commissioner has gone there, it has been successful immediately. I really didn't think that the tax commissioner would be so successful."

Zhang Fei said: "It's actually very simple, because this time we first established the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, and the government did not reduce their privileges. All the violent acts of the tax commissioner were based on legality. Otherwise, they would not have refused to take the case."

"That makes sense."

Zhao Xu nodded and said, "But whether this case can convince them depends entirely on you."

Zhang Fei hurriedly said, "Sir, this depends on the chief judge."

Zhao Xu laughed and said, "If I were to say, the best thing about the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems is that they can shirk responsibility on each other!"

Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "I don't deny that."

They were not in a hurry at all, because this case would definitely be handed over to the public security, procuratorate and courts. If they were not sure about this, the case would not become a big deal.

However, many people in the court were still resisting stubbornly. They still targeted Wang Anshi and Sima Guang, who were Zhao Xu's right-hand men. If they came to try the case, the procuratorate would probably have to think twice.

Establish regulations offices in the two prefectures.

"Mr. Wang, many ministers now hope that you can step forward and preside over this case. This is a great opportunity to strike a blow against the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, and also to gain more officials' support for the new law. The tax commissioner has already angered the public by doing this."

Meng Gansheng personally persuaded Wang Anshi to take over the case.

Wang Anshi said: "Do you know that this case is most likely a conspiracy by the tax commissioner?"

Meng Gansheng nodded and said, "Of course I know this. That's why so many people oppose it. The tax commissioner can use this trick to deal with the gentry and dignitaries in Qizhou today, and he can also use this trick to deal with us in the future. Treason is a capital crime!"

Wang Anshi said: "Since you know this is a trap, can you guarantee that the tax commissioner has no concrete evidence of their rebellion?"

"We have already found out everything. There is absolutely no one with the intention of treason in this case. Wu Tian is just a small bandit. The evidence is not solid. We will definitely support Mr. Wang." Meng Gansheng said.

Wang Anshi asked, "Can you guarantee that Sima Pifu won't interfere?"

Meng Gansheng blinked.

Wang Anshi said: "Why did I refuse at the meeting? It was because Duke Wen and Sima Pifu refused to accept it. This is most likely a trap set by them to deal with me."

Meng Gansheng was shocked. He had never thought about this.

Wen Mansion.

Wen Yanbo looked at his old friends and said, "Why don't you go to Sima Junshi for this matter, but come to me?"

A white-haired old man laughed and said, "Why didn't we go to Junshi? After all, the judicial reform is presided over by him. The government wants to transfer this case to the public security, procuratorate and courts, which is inconvenient for him!"

In this case, neither the progressives nor the conservatives wanted the tax commissioner to succeed, as this would have jeopardized the interests of all of them.

Wen Yanbo chuckled and said, "This Junshi is really getting more and more cunning, he doesn't even blink when he lies."

"Then I wonder how Brother Kuanfu plans to deceive us."

"I."

Wen Yanbo smiled bitterly and said, "I won't lie to you. I'll tell you clearly that as long as Wang Jiefu doesn't speak, I will never speak."

"What does this have to do with Wang Jiefu?"

"Because no one knows how much evidence the tax commissioner has in his hands. If one of them is really related to treason, and I let him go for the sake of the overall situation, Wang Jiefu will definitely attack me. Qi Xiye was the best example before. If I am related to treason, the Wen family will be defeated by me."

The old men looked at each other and nodded in understanding.

We really have to be on guard against this. After all, Wang Anshi didn't say anything. If the conservatives got involved, it would be all over.

This is a charge of treason.

These people planned to use party struggles to force Wang Anshi and Sima Guang to take over the case, but there is always someone better.

They also used party disputes to refuse to take the case.

You ask us to conduct the review just to strike at the Tax Commissioner, or at least to suppress him. But if I don't do a good job, the other party may team up with the public security, procuratorate and courts to deal with me.

After the Qi Hui incident, there is absolutely no trust between the two factions, and cooperation is even more impossible.

This becomes a dead end.

While the two factions were arguing, the prisoners and witnesses had already entered the capital area. After all, Qizhou was right next to it and not far from Bianliang.

Zhao Xu sent people to the Council of State to inquire what was going on and who would be in charge of the trial.

Wang Anshi meant that he was not judged.

Sima Guang also said that he did not judge.

Wen Yanbo, Lu Gong and others said that this was none of their business and they were really trying to avoid it.

As a result, an extremely strange situation arose, and the Political Affairs Hall did not make any arrangements.

If no arrangement is made, according to the system, it will be transferred to the public security, procuratorate and courts in the capital. Since this case was transferred from the public security, procuratorate and courts in Qizhou and Qingzhou, it will definitely be coordinated by the public security, procuratorate and courts in the capital.

The case eventually fell to the public security, procuratorate and courts.

All the officials in the procuratorate were at a loss as to what to do.

How can a case of rebellion be tried using the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems?

There is a special feature of treason cases: even if there is any connection with it, the person involved will be sentenced to death. It is different from ordinary criminal cases, where a lot of evidence must be found.

"Please don't look at me like that. I am innocent and I really don't want to take this case."

Zhang Fei spread his hands and said innocently.

Qi Ji said: "I know Prosecutor Zhang is innocent, but we can only count on Prosecutor Zhang now."

Zhang Fei frowned and looked at Xu Zun again, "Attorney General, is it really impossible to refuse?"

Xu Zun sighed, "Don't mention it! Those vice chancellors are smarter than each other. They neither said anything nor spoke. According to the court system, this case will naturally be transferred to the public security, procuratorate and court in the capital. If we want to blame someone now, we can only blame the public security, procuratorate and court in Qizhou."

“Oh my god!”

Zhang Fei slapped his forehead.

At this time, someone outside said, "Prosecutor Zhang, Chief Li wants to see you."

Zhang Fei frowned slightly, "Bring him here."

"yes!"

After a while, Li Guozhong and Li Lei entered the house. Seeing so many people, they quickly bowed.

Zhang Fei asked, "What's the matter?"

Li Guozhong hesitated for a while and said, "It's like this. We were entrusted by someone to defend several suspects in the Qizhou treason case."

Qi Ji said: "Are you crazy? This is a case of treason, and you still dare to defend it?"

Li Guozhong said: "To be honest, we don't know whether we can defend this case. If not, then we can just pretend we haven't been here."

The prosecutors were also dumbfounded.

Is it considered treason to defend a traitor?

Zhang Fei said: "How about this, you guys go outside and handle the relevant formalities first."

Li Guozhong said: "But I want to know, can we defend ourselves in this kind of case?"

Qi Ji said: "If you are afraid, you shouldn't come here."

Li Guozhong wanted to cry but had no tears: "I don't want to either!"

After these words were spoken, several people looked at each other.

Xu Zun said: "Our procuratorate is not very clear at the moment, you can go to the imperial court to ask first."

Li Guozhong said: "Yes."

As he said this, he glanced at Zhang Fei again.

This kind of thing should have been handled at the imperial court, but they were also very panicked. They came to ask Zhang Fei this time, but they never expected that Zhang Fei would not meet them alone, so they could only leave in disappointment.

Wang Gong said: "It's not necessary to know who the person who invited them is. If the imperial court doesn't allow it, will they use this as an excuse to attack our public security, procuratorate and courts?"

Qi Ji sighed, "We haven't even started the trial yet and we've already run into a problem."