Chapter 174
Later, three regulations preventing interference in the judiciary were introduced, each applicable to different groups of people. Leading cadres were required to strictly adhere to these regulations, prohibiting them from interfering in judicial activities or meddling in the handling of specific cases. For example, private meetings with parties involved in a case, or exceeding one's authority to offer biased opinions or specific requests regarding the handling of a case were prohibited. This was also a prerequisite for maintaining judicial fairness and independence.
Facing her uncle, Yao Chunnuan pondered how to open her mouth. No matter how much she hated her grandson Li Lanshan, she still hoped for a glimmer of hope.
Yao Chunnuan considered it carefully and said, "Although Cousin Lanshan was only helping someone and the money he accepted was not much, it is a fact that he neglected his duties and caused losses to the Arsenal."
Hearing this, Uncle Li nodded heavily.
"Uncle, this matter should be judged as it should be. I will not interfere, nor will I allow anyone in my family to use their power to interfere with this matter." She couldn't interfere in this matter. If she did, the situation would change. Moreover, if she took the lead in interfering with the justice of the law, similar incidents would surely occur endlessly in the future.
After hearing this, although Uncle Li was very disappointed, he still managed to keep himself together.
At this time, Yao Chunnuan's second cousin jumped out and said, "No, sister, Zhang Jiuxiang is a new official and he has three major plans. The first one he made is targeting one of our relatives. Are we really going to stop doing anything?"
"Okay, stop adding fuel to the fire!" Grandfather Yao glared at his grandson.
"What else? How do you want to manage it? Do you want to fight with them?" Yao Chunnuan said with a smile.
Yao's second cousin shrank his neck and didn't dare to say anything. His cousin's momentum was so frightening that it scared everyone to death.
"If Cousin Lanshan did nothing wrong, forget about your help. I'd even lead the fight against Zhang Jiuxiang myself. But didn't Cousin Lanshan do anything wrong? If he did, shouldn't he be punished?"
Yao Erge followed up, "But, sister, Lanshan just made a mistake out of carelessness, it's not that serious..."
Yao Chunnuan interrupted him, "As for that, of course not! The severity of the mistake depends not only on what he did, but also on the consequences it caused."
"It's not just him, second brother, it's the same for you and others. As a public official, you must set an example while in office and must not make mistakes in your work! Since you are an official and have power, power, obligations and constraints are all one and the same." Some mistakes cannot be made, and once made, it is difficult to turn back.
"If you don't want to be constrained, if you feel you're not up to your current job, then step down from your relevant position as soon as possible. Then, like my eldest brother, you won't have to work for the government. You'll have a lot more freedom. I'm not just saying this to you, my second brother, but to everyone else in my family and among my relatives."
Yao Chunnuan's words made everyone silent. If that was the case, then the trouble Li Lanshan had caused was indeed not small.
After the incident, Yao Chunnuan now thinks this is a good thing. Just look at their thinking; they've all become complacent. This incident should serve as a wake-up call for them. Otherwise, as their influence in Yichun grows, and they climb higher and higher, with their current mentality, they'll eventually fall.
"Grandfather, uncle, I know that it seems a bit heartless of me to say that I won't interfere in my cousin Lanshan's affairs." In this society where human relationships are important, it is important that a father hides for his son and a son hides for his father.
"But, Grandfather and Uncle, have you ever considered that what Cousin Lanshan did wasn't a capital crime; he'll just be imprisoned for a few years. However, if I or anyone in my family were to interfere, that would be a recipe for disaster!"
Yao Chunnuan's words made everyone sit up straight and want to hear what she had to say.
"Everyone, you should know that we are a family, and there's more to our family than just Cousin Lanshan. My family members and I are all doing very well right now. My eldest and second cousins are working at the City Lord's Mansion, my eldest cousin Li is in the army, and the rest of our family are all involved in Yichun's military and political system. It's fair to say that our family is quite powerful. Indeed, if we want to protect Cousin Lanshan, it won't be difficult to do so."
"But have you ever thought about what the consequences would be if we really took action? Perhaps you don't know what kind of person Zhang Jiuxiang is. He has a nickname called Zhang Baizhan. I wonder if my grandfather and uncle have heard of it? On the first day of his tenure in the 21st year of Ganhe, this man dared to order the arrest of nearly a hundred disciples of the nobles in the capital. He almost wiped out all the dandies in the capital. He is a man who insists on being right. Are you sure we want to fight such a person? Under the premise that we are in the wrong? Moreover, my eldest cousin, second brother, and eldest cousin... did you clean up your messes during your tenure? Can you guarantee that there is no braid on your head that he can grab?"
Yao Chunnuan's words made everyone present feel a chill in their hearts.
After saying this, Yao Chunnuan stood up and returned to the courtyard. She had said everything she needed to say, and the decision had already been made.
After returning to the courtyard, she asked Luo Suyi to go to the front yard to invite her mother over. Perhaps at this moment, the most uncomfortable people were her uncle and her mother.
Grandfather Yao, leaning on his cane, escorted Uncle Li out. The two elders sighed as they walked. In reality, it was their fault. They were both reflecting on themselves. The family had thrived too smoothly, leading them to lose their vigilance and their former cautiousness. Now that this incident had occurred, it had made them reconsider themselves; it was a blessing in disguise.
Uncle Li was sent back by Second Brother Yao. He was worried that what happened today had traumatized him and that he wouldn't be able to walk properly, and that he might have an accident on the road.
As soon as they returned, Li Lanshan's wife rushed over and looked at them hopefully, hoping to hear good news.
The other members of the Li family were also called back home one after another.
After all the family members gathered, Uncle Li told Yao Chunnuan what he meant in the hall.
Hearing this, Li Lanshan’s wife felt as if the sky was about to fall.
She cried heartbreakingly, shouting something, "If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have come to Yichun."
Hearing her words, Uncle Li yelled, "Shut up! What nonsense are you talking about?! You two are not the kind of people who are content with your lot. You changed your positions and secretly accomplished such a big thing without even informing your family. Even if you stayed in Shanghe Village, you would have caused more trouble!"
The eldest daughter-in-law of the Li family also sincerely stepped forward to help the man, "Sister-in-law, you are so sad and confused, how can you say such things?"
The other sisters-in-law were also nearby, "Yes, sister-in-law, you are willing to stay in Shanghe Village, but we are not willing to."
Now they are living so well in Yichun, living in a big house, earning money, and holding official positions. What a good life, but it is all thanks to the support of the Yao family. Now you say this, and they are pulling you into resentment?
Second Brother Yao was also very angry.
Seeing that his granddaughter-in-law finally shut up, Uncle Li said to his nephew, Brother Yao, "There are always some ignorant people in the world. Your grandfather and I can handle this kind of thing. Don't tell An Nuan about it, it will only make her upset." They are just some ignorant young people in the family, there is no need to bother An Nuan.
Brother Yao nodded and agreed.
"Good boy." Uncle Li praised him.
At this moment, Yao's mother came. Seeing Lanshan's wife kneeling on the ground, she did not go in, but went into the next room to talk with Uncle Li.
"Brother, although Ah Nuan said she wouldn't interfere, she suggested that we raise money for the Arsenal to compensate for the losses. She calculated the losses and gave half of the money. You can all contribute the rest." As she spoke, Yao's mother handed over a box. The box was filled with gold ingots.
Uncle Li took it with trembling hands.
"Brother, I'll go back first. Let's talk to Dahai and the others about Lanshan's problem. It's okay." Mother Yao knew that the Li family was in a mess, so she didn't stay any longer.
Not long after, Uncle Li returned to the hall with a box of gold ingots. He opened the box immediately and told Yao Chunnuan what she meant.
"A Nuan gave us this gold to make up for our mistake, but it's not enough. According to her estimate, this is only half of the losses of the Arsenal. We have to collect the other half ourselves! As much as we can, we'll get it!"
The Li family had no objection to this. Their cousin had already given them half of the money, and they had to collect the remaining half by themselves in some way.
Everyone in the family went back to their homes to get money, and Li Lanshan's wife even spent all their savings. Later, other members of the Yao family also sent some money. But that's a story for later.
Uncle Li finally felt a little comforted when he saw that his family was still united.
Finally, he said solemnly, "After this incident, I hope everyone will remember this lesson. When you carry out your duties in the future, be vigilant! What happened with Lanshan is just this one time, and it won't happen again. If you encounter similar problems in the future, you will have to bear the consequences on your own, and don't expect the family to clean up your mess!"
After Li Lanshan's incident, many people, both openly and secretly, inquired about her attitude. Yao Chunnuan had only one attitude to the outside world: "Li Lanshan's crime should be sentenced as it is. I will not say anything. I trust Lord Zhang."
The case was decided quickly because the Li family made up for the losses and the master craftsman of the arsenal also helped to plead for mercy. In the end, Li Lanshan was sentenced to three years in prison.
The Li family could accept this result. They knew that this was the best outcome.
Only after the incident did Yao Chunnuan go to the prison to see Li Lanshan in person.
"Cousin, I..."
Li Lanshan, who had been lost in thought, quickly scrambled to his feet upon seeing Yao Chunnuan. Did he blame his cousin? He had, but then he heard that his family had compensated the arsenal for most of the damage caused by the accident, with her having paid half of the compensation. What else could he do? Ultimately, he could only blame himself. He blamed himself for his carelessness, his mistakes, and the consequences and punishment he deserved.
"Brother Lanshan, you must take good care of yourself in there. Three years will pass quickly, and we will come together to pick you up then."
Li Lanshan sniffed and nodded vigorously.
Yao Chunnuan took a look at the dirty and messy prison and walked out with a frown.
The other prisoners looked at Li Lanshan with envy, "Was that Lord Yao just now?"
"Brother, what crime have you committed? Even with Lord Yao as powerful as a Buddha behind you, you can't handle it?"
Li Lanshan didn't say anything.
He didn't say anything, and someone next to him said sharply, "It's not that big of a deal, it's possible that Master Yao is unwilling to help."
Li Lanshan yelled at the man, "Shut up, what do you know?"
An old man echoed, "That's right, don't listen to what Shanmao says. Since Master Yao came to see you, she's definitely not the kind of person Shanmao described. You're still young, and three years isn't a long time. You'll be able to get out soon."
After coming out of the prison, Yao Chunnuan went to the door of Zhang Jiuxiang's house.
Upon hearing that she was coming, Zhang Jiuxiang asked his servants to bring up good tea.
Seeing her, Zhang Jiuxiang teased her, "Master Yao, the verdict has been signed. You're only here now, it's too late."
He was very satisfied with the fact that Yao Chunnuan did not interfere in this matter.
Yao Chunnuan also noticed it.
The reason she came to his house this time was actually to discuss two issues with him. One was the issue of excessive sentencing, and the other was the issue of management of prisoners after sentencing.
Zhang Jiuxiang had a tendency to impose excessive sentences. Take Li Lanshan's case, for example. Initially, Li Lanshan's mistake was unintentional, and since the Li family had reimbursed most of the losses at the arsenal, a three-year sentence shouldn't have been appropriate. Yao Chunnuan felt one year was more than enough. Of course, his decision might have been due to his vengeful nature, or perhaps he wanted to gauge her reaction.
"Master Zhang, the purpose of legislation is, first, to ensure that those who break the law receive the appropriate punishment, and second, to correct mistakes. For example, in the case of Li Lanshan, our focus should be on recovering as much public property as possible, rather than severely punishing this individual. Severe punishment has a purpose; it cannot be imposed for the sake of punishment."
Yao Chunnuan mentioned this issue.
Zhang Jiuxiang didn't immediately get angry or walk away, as he would have done in his youth. He knew that she had no intention of interfering with his case by coming to him at this time. She probably wanted him to be more competent in his work in Yichun Law. Her words also made Zhang Jiuxiang fall into deep thought.
"Some people who have committed heinous crimes do deserve severe punishment, but there are also those who, in a moment of confusion, violated the law, or inadvertently injured others. If they admit their mistakes, shouldn't the sentence be less severe? We are not perfect and make mistakes. As long as the mistakes are not extremely serious, we can't just punish them with one blow."
Zhang Jiuxiang listened attentively, then pondered it for a moment, feeling somewhat enlightened. But he needed to think more about the specifics. When she'd come in, she'd said she had two questions to discuss with him: sentencing. What was the other? Curious, he gestured for her to continue.
Yao Chunnuan didn't waste any time and got straight to the point. "There's another issue, which is prison management. It's not enough to just find someone guilty. Besides capital crimes, there are some less serious crimes that still require incarceration. But I've seen the prison environment and the state of the prisoners, and they're both terrible."
"For those prisoners who need long-term detention, are we simply going to lock them up and let them languish in prison? No. As I said earlier, another purpose of legislation is to correct mistakes. For these prisoners, I believe re-education is the top priority." Most of those who are caught are lazy and unwilling to work. Without re-education, they will be useless when they are released.
"We can let them work, using their hands to create value. Let them work from sunrise to sunset, teach them to be clean and hygienic, and develop good living habits. When they get out, they should become good people." Yao Chunnuan adapted the methods used in later prison reform and prisoner management. A person's habits can be formed in 28 days.
Yao Chunnuan's words suddenly enlightened Zhang Jiuxiang. Yes, that was it. This was exactly what they, the legal scholars, wanted to achieve by entering the world.
It's no wonder he didn't think of this. Just convicting those people took a lot of effort. Even so, sometimes they couldn't get the punishment they deserved. Most of his energy was consumed by this, so how could he have the energy to think about the subsequent issues after the criminals were convicted?
However, later on, the prison was renovated with funds allocated by the City Lord's Mansion. The prisoners began to work, and with work, they earned money. The vegetables grown in the fields and the money earned by the prisoners actually allowed them to be self-sufficient.
Zhang Jiuxiang then realized something was amiss. With this setup, their prisoners were no different from Di Luo's captives, the only difference being that their labor wasn't as strenuous. Could it be that Lord Yao had suggested this because he didn't want to keep these prisoners in vain? The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. He suddenly felt a bit amused. Their Lord Yao was truly obsessed with money.
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