Su Che, who has always been a calm person, couldn't help but feel a little emotional at this moment and was very regretful.
It’s not that he is afraid of losing. He is not as arrogant as his brother. In his mind, victory and defeat are common in the military.
But he thought he should have noticed this in advance, because this phenomenon is actually quite common. It happened in the Han and Tang dynasties, so it is not an exception.
When Xu Shengzi was testifying, Su Che did not ask any question. He just asked whether he was selling salt and whether you were selling salt.
In other words, as long as it is discovered that Wang Hongjin's smuggled salt is not just sold to Xuzhou, Zhang Fei will have no chance at all.
Moreover, there is no doubt that Wang Hongjin's private salt could not have been sold only to Xuzhou, because Wang Hongjin was only after profit, so why would he care whether the people were sick or lacked salt?
detail!
detail!
We discussed it many times, but they didn't even notice such a big loophole.
They only focus on the legality of the salt.
...
...
Although he may not lose at this point, Zhang Fei’s reasons will definitely affect the final judgment.
The problem is, you shouldn't make such low-level mistakes.
As long as they put a little more effort into it, the other side will have no chance.
At this time, there was silence in the VIP seats.
In fact, many officials were cursing in their hearts, saying that you, Zhang San, were clearly calling a horse a zebra, and Zhao Wenzhen was not doing charity work, he was going to make money, but it was difficult to say it out loud.
Because they all knew in their hearts that there were indeed big problems with the salt policy, and it was no exaggeration to say that it was an evil law.
In fact, when people like Zhao Yan and Zeng Gong were local officials, they had also faced the problem of private salt, but many times they could only turn a blind eye. The people could not afford the official salt, so what could they do?
If there were no supply of private salt, there would be no telling how much trouble this country would have encountered.
In fact, the government did have records about the situation in Xuzhou at that time. Because some local officials could not stand it anymore, they reported the matter directly to the court.
But what can we do?
Without money to pay salaries, the court could only pretend to be ignorant.
Not to mention the Northern Song Dynasty, there were many drawbacks in the ancient salt administration. Salt profits have always been an important source of financial resources for the imperial court. No matter whether it is the central or local finances, as long as they encounter thorny problems, they will simply and crudely squeeze profits from the salt, which often leads to very high salt prices. The poor simply cannot afford it, and salt merchants cannot sell it at a loss, which in turn leads to the emergence of salt vacuum areas, which gives private salt an opportunity to invade.
Wang Hongjin's private salt was certainly not only sold to Xuzhou, but in the past two years, most of the salt was indeed sold to Xuzhou. This was because Xuzhou was close to Kaifeng and there was a vacuum zone there, so the profit was very high.
Most of the salt in hand is sold there.
Su Che took a deep breath, collected himself, and then stood up and said firmly: "The other party is obviously deliberately confusing us, calling a deer a horse. The government's improper governance cannot be used as an excuse for Governor Zhao to sell private salt. These are two different things and cannot be confused.
Moreover, Governor Zhao was a member of the royal family and a minister of the imperial court. When he learned about this situation, he should have reported it to the imperial court immediately to stop it, instead of immediately sending people to the local area to sell private salt and take the opportunity to make huge profits. According to the evidence we have, Governor Zhao was only seeking profit and did not care about human lives.
This is smuggling salt, just like any other smuggler of salt."
Zeng Gong nodded and looked at Zhang Fei again.
Zhang Fei stood up and said, "Actually, I have almost finished what I want to say. I just want to add two points. First, the doctor does not make money from selling medicine, and it is the patient who dies, not the doctor. Second, the court was not unaware of this matter at the time, and it is not that no ministers suggested it, but in the end the people did not wait for the government's good medicine. I have finished my words."
After saying that, he sat down.
That was all he had to say about this charge, because Su Che did not question the situation in Xuzhou at the time, and that the salt did save the people.
Since my core views have not been attacked, there is nothing much to say.
The final verdict is up to the presiding judge, and he has done his best.
Now all the pressure is focused on Zeng Gong.
He frowned in thought.
He was indeed influenced by Zhang Fei's remarks. The imperial court's evil laws harmed the people, and if it did not allow the people to save themselves, this was really unacceptable.
When he was an official in the local area, he also condoned the smuggling of salt into his territory.
Li Kai, who was sitting next to him, suddenly whispered, "Prefect, when Lu Gong was here, the verdict was often postponed."
Zeng Gong glanced at him with an extremely embarrassed expression.
At this moment, he finally understood why Li Kai was so afraid of Zhang Fei.
In the past, he always thought that as long as I handled things impartially, was fair and just, and had a clear conscience, that would be enough. What was so difficult about that?
He really doesn't understand.
But now he felt that no matter what the verdict was, he would feel guilty.
After thinking it over again and again, he adopted Li Kai's suggestion, slammed the gavel, and said loudly: "Since there are many controversial evidences involved in this case, I still need to investigate, so I will judge on another day. Adjourn."
Su Che and Qi Ji closed their eyes and sighed at the same time.
Even though they had solid evidence, they failed to catch the criminal on the spot. This was undoubtedly a failure for them.
Zhao Xu, who had been ignored, walked straight to the back door without saying a word.
Zeng Gong, Sima Guang and others saw it all but pretended not to see it. Now their communication was nothing but awkwardness.
......
"You are indeed worthy of being called Zhang Da Er Pen. Your reputation is well-deserved!"
Zhao Wen Zheng came up to Zhang Fei and bowed in praise.
Because he was a member of the royal family, the government could not detain him before a verdict was made. This was his privilege and he was relatively free.
"Where! Where!"
Zhang Fei bowed in return and said, "Master Zhao, please don't praise me first. After all, the verdict has not been made yet."
Zhao Wenzheng smiled and said, "I have full confidence in you."
While speaking, he glanced back a few times with a hint of provocation in his eyes.
Behind Zhang Fei is the VIP seat.
In fact, Zhao Wenzhen felt very aggrieved. He had previously stood up to lead everyone to fight against the conscription law, but when the disaster was imminent, those people pushed him out and wanted to use his identity to threaten the emperor. Later, they even vented all their anger on himself.
Can he tolerate this?
You guys are going too far.
Now that there is no verdict yet, you are just dreaming if you want to kill me.
Of course you have to be arrogant at this time.
"We've packed up, let's go."
Xu Zhiqian said suddenly.
She couldn't stand Zhao Wenzhen's arrogance and was very angry.
"oh."
Zhang Fei said to Zhao Wenzheng again: "Governor Zhao, if there is nothing else, I will leave first."
Zhao Wenzheng glanced at Xu Zhiqian and saw that the little girl had never bowed to him. He knew it in his heart, but he didn't care about Xu Zhiqian. Besides, he still had to rely on Zhang Fei. He nodded awkwardly and said, "After the verdict, I will reward you handsomely."
"Thank you very much."
Zhang Fei bowed and left with Xu Zhiqian.
Zhao Wen Zheng looked at Zhang Fei's back as he left and thought, no wonder he doesn't want those beautiful women, it turns out he is henpecked!
After getting on the carriage, Xu Zhiqian couldn't help it anymore. She stamped her feet fiercely and said excitedly, "Look at that Governor Zhao. He has no intention of repenting and is still complacent. Who knows, he still thinks that he can do whatever he wants with money. How can I, Xu Zhiqian, help such a person to fight a lawsuit?"
Zhang Fei comforted him: "Calm down first."
Xu Zhiqian said: "I always feel that what you did is inappropriate. It will make people think that 20,000 strings of cash can trample on the judiciary at will."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Some people will definitely think so, but this is progress."
"progress?"
Xu Zhiqian opened her eyes wide and looked at Zhang Fei murderously.
Zhang Fei said, "Because before they could trample on the judiciary without spending a penny, now they need to spend 20,000 strings of cash and take risks. Your hatred of evil in the past could only help some common people from being bullied by small landlords. Can you stop the court nobles? Can you stop the royal family?"
Xu Zhiqian's expression changed, he looked away, and snorted softly: "This kind of progress is really infuriating."
"Everything has to be done step by step." Zhang Fei said with a smile: "Is it the fault of Governor Zhao that the royal family can do whatever they want?"
Xu Zhiqian glanced at him and asked, "Whose fault do you think it is?"
Zhang Fei hesitated and said, "This is not about right or wrong, but human nature. The son of a powerful family can still do evil, let alone a member of the royal family. If the judiciary wants to solve the problem of the royal family, it needs the emperor's approval no matter what. Now the emperor is determined to rectify the royal family, but Confucian etiquette is in the way. Anyone can say this, but the emperor cannot say it."
At this point, he paused for a moment and continued, "Take this case for example. If it weren't for the conspiracy between the emperor and me, I guarantee that Governor Zhao would not have been able to sit in court for trial. We have actually made a lot of money."
Xu Zhiqian sighed, "I know that, but when I think about the look on Governor Zhao's face, I feel uncomfortable. A member of the royal family who has read books of sages, don't you have any sense of shame?"
"This is reality."
Fei smiled helplessly. He knew Xu Zhiqian's character too well and she would definitely feel uncomfortable for a while.
Instead of going straight home, they went to the office.
Fan Li, who had returned earlier, saw Zhang Fei and said with a chuckle, "It seems that Sanlang is still as skilled as ever. The lawsuit just now was really exciting!"
Zhang Fei rolled his eyes and said, "What do you mean by still sharp? I'm only in my twenties and I haven't had a lawsuit for only a year. What's the big deal?"
As he said this, he suddenly seemed to remember something, "Oh, right! Is Xie Huacun here?"
Fan Li hurriedly said: "Not yet, probably on the way."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Have Xie Huacun and his team prepared their indictment?"
There must be a benefit for Xie Huacun to be willing to testify in court. Zhang Fei promised to help him get the land back.
Fan Li nodded and said, "Everything is ready."
Zhang Fei said: "Let Zhengwen file a lawsuit in the imperial court."
Fan Li asked, "Aren't you going there in person?"
Zhang Fei snorted, "My current net worth is 20,000 guan. If you let me go, will you pay?"
"I can't afford you." Fan Li hurriedly shook his head, and then said cheerfully: "For such a small case, how can I let Sanlang personally handle it?"
He was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling, because he knew that if the final judgment was in favor of Zhao Wenzhen, then their firm's business would definitely be much better.
Xu Zhiqian rolled her eyes and continued, "If you file a lawsuit now, and the imperial court determines that the government has illegally occupied Brother Xie's land, then...then Kaifeng Prefecture will have reason to determine that Governor Zhao has occupied government land."
Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "Do you think the court doesn't want the 50 hectares of land? That's impossible. Prefect Zeng will definitely take the land back. But when the time comes, Kaifeng Prefecture should judge Prefect Zhao the same way the imperial court judges the government, because these two cases are exactly the same.
It is impossible to say that if the government encroached on the people's land, they should be fined a little money, and if Governor Zhao encroached on government land, he should be directly exiled. Logically speaking, knowingly breaking the law should be the highest punishment.
I guess they will just be fined and compensated, and then their respective fields will be returned. This will become a civil property dispute case and will not involve criminal penalties. For Governor Zhao, what he is seeking now is to give up his wealth to save his life."
Xu Zhiqian nodded: "It would be better to ask him to pay a little more money."
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