I remember that when the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems were first introduced, the court officials were at a loss for a while. It took them several years to gradually adapt.
At the same time, it is also believed that this should be the complete form until Zhang Fei became the chief judge.
They suddenly felt that the tight ring around their heads had become even tighter, and they had never expected that the authority of this chief judge could even influence some of the highest decisions of the court.
After experiencing the first two fires, they came to their senses and vowed to stop Zhang Fei from lighting the third fire.
Therefore, although Wen Yanbo only leaked a little news, the ministers in the court were shocked as if their tails were stepped on, and they were as if facing a powerful enemy.
Wang Anshi originally wanted to give his support, but when he saw everyone's reaction, he only expressed his support in a tactful way.
Wen Yanbo was under a lot of pressure. Someone nagged him almost every day. Whether from the perspective of national interests or the authority of the Political Affairs Hall, he should not let Zhang Fei succeed again.
Wen Yanbo did not agree with Zhang Fei's suggestion at first. At the same time, he was very curious about how the Grand Chief Justice would interfere with the court's policies, so he was cautious in his heart.
But during the period when everyone was on high alert, Zhang Fei behaved very low-key, and did not seem to pay much attention to the matter, as if he was very much abiding by the system of separation of politics and law.
However, he was not busy with the construction work of the Supreme Imperial Court. He was either at home taking care of the children, or working in the office or charity foundation. Anyway, it was easier than his previous job in the Procuratorate.
...
...
In the morning, Sima Guang hurried to the Supreme Imperial Court.
As soon as he entered the door, he was stopped by a gentle and elegant middle-aged scholar in his forties.
"Mr. Junshi is here."
"It's Gongsu!"
This man's name was Zheng Yong. He was originally a secretary of the Secretariat. Recently, he was recommended by Sima Guang to come to this highest imperial court to serve as a scholar.
Zheng Yong stepped forward and bowed, "Mr. Junshi, are you here to see the chief judge?"
Sima Guang nodded and asked, "How does Gongsu feel here?"
Zheng Yong said: "It is much more relaxed and comfortable than being in the Secretariat."
"Yeah?"
"Um."
Zheng Yong nodded with a smile, "This boss only comes every now and then, and doesn't assign any tasks. How can I not feel relaxed and at ease?"
"This brat."
Sima Guang said: "I will go and talk to him now."
Zheng Yong nodded with a smile.
When he arrived at the inner hall, which was the office of the chief judge, he saw Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian, a couple, designing the decoration inside and had not noticed him yet.
“Ahem!”
"Mr. Sima?"
Zhang Fei turned around and was startled to see Sima Guang suddenly appear behind him.
Xu Zhiqian hurried forward, bowed, and left the room on the pretext of asking someone to make tea for Sima Guang.
In fact, she was still very afraid of being in the same room with bigwigs like Sima Guang in this kind of office environment, because she knew in her heart that Sima Guang and others would definitely not agree.
As soon as Xu Zhiqian left, Sima Guang said, "I only said I would recommend talents for you, but I didn't say I would help you get things done. Why do you fish for three days and dry the net for two days?"
“There’s nothing to do!”
As he spoke, Zhang Fei extended his hand again and said, "Master Sima, please take a seat first. Please take a seat."
Sima Guang glared at him, sat down, and then asked, "You've become the chief judge but now you have nothing to do?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "The job of a Grand Court President must be easier than that of an ordinary Court President. In this year, there will be several cases brought to this Supreme Court."
"Yeah?"
Sima Guang looked suspicious and asked, "Aren't you planning some conspiracy again?"
“Am I that kind of person?”
"do not you?"
"I."
Zhang Fei asked, "But I wonder what Sima Xueshi thinks I am planning?"
Sima Guang said, "The matter of Xizhou's household registration."
"I knew that Scholar Sima would say this."
Zhang Fei said helplessly, "Yes, I did bring this up, but it was Judge Lu and the others who first mentioned it to me. I didn't come up with it myself. I've already conveyed the message. It's up to the Political Affairs Hall to handle it. It has nothing to do with me anymore."
Sima Guang chuckled twice, "I still believe your nonsense. I have been fooled so many times. What are you planning on the northwest border?"
Zhang Fei sat down, sighed and shook his head.
Sima Guang asked, "What do you mean?"
Zhang Fei said aggrievedly: "It's fine if others don't understand me, but I didn't expect that you, Sima Xueshi, don't understand me either."
Sima Guang smiled and said, "I know you too well, so I am sure you must be planning something behind this."
Zhang Fei said: "Why do people think that I am the one who is plotting something? It is obvious that they are the ones who are plotting something. From the beginning to the end, I am the one who solves the problem, not the one who creates the problem.
Take the Jianghuai tax case for example. They took advantage of their seniority and were unwilling to pay taxes, which resulted in them losing their lives. As a result, it was my problem.
In the Xizhou case, Judge Lu and Prosecutor General Fan wanted to protect those businessmen in order to defend Confucianism and the local interests of Xizhou. I just supported them, but in the end it was my problem.
Now I finally understand why Sima Xueshi was unwilling to reform before. So this is the reason. Whoever solves the problem becomes the problem. "
After hearing this, Sima Guang couldn't help but look embarrassed.
Zhang Fei was not willing to give up. "Also, even if Sima Xueshi doesn't believe me, he should believe Judge Lu, Chief Prosecutor Fan, Chief Prosecutor Su and others. If I was really in the northwest and was plotting something, wouldn't they know about it?"
This barrage of questions made Sima Guang blush and keep silent, looking exactly the same as before.
But Sima Guang suddenly felt that this feeling was very familiar, and he raised his head suddenly, "Every time you make a convincing argument, it always turns out that you are just plotting something, and then you have to explain it to me in the end. Think about it yourself, is this the case?"
Damn! He was not even frightened. Zhang Fei's eyes flickered a few times, and he said, "Sima Xueshi, you have always been upright and hate evil, right?"
Sima Guang waved his hand and said, "Don't try that on me."
Zhang Fei said: "I'm not flattering you, I'm just talking about the facts."
Sima Guang asked: "Then what do you want to say?"
Zhang Fei said: "What I want to say is that those who can be on good terms with Sima Xueshi are all upright gentlemen."
Sima Guang nodded and said, "That's true."
Zhang Fei said: "Me too."
"I, you."
Sima Guang couldn't help but laugh at this guy, "You are really shameless."
Zhang Fei said: "I just want to ask, if I were the kind of person who schemes and plots every day, would Sima Xueshi still associate with me?"
Sima Guang was stunned and couldn't help stroking his beard again.
Zhang Fei said, "In fact, I am not planning anything at all. They always want to deal with me, but when they fail, they think I am planning something. And the reason why everyone is so surprised this time is that I am using the power of the Grand Court President to solve the problem, instead of using tricks like before. They can't stand it even more. Sima Xueshi, you might as well think about it, is this the case?"
Sima Guang thought for a while, nodded and said: "What you said does make sense."
"That's it."
Zhang Fei sighed, "They are making such a fuss over there that I don't want to bother with them. But the Imperial Court is located in the Imperial City, so I'll see them everywhere. So, I don't want to come here recently."
"Don't make excuses. You take the most vacations among all the officials."
Sima Guang glared at him and said, "Actually, I am also worried that you might cause trouble. I can rest assured about the judicial affairs, but you should not get involved in the military and national affairs."
Zhang Fei said: "Even if I get involved in this military and national affair, I may not be able to make a splash. A single move will affect the entire body. No matter how capable I am, I can't hide it from the world."
Sima Guang thought about it and realized that this was the case. If troops were to be sent out, it would be no small matter. Military pay, troops, and weapons would all have to be mobilized. Su Che and Fan Zhen would definitely not tolerate it. Even if he was conspiring with the emperor, it would have to go through the Privy Council.
The problem was that everything was calm inside and outside the court. The Ministry of Revenue was busy with the reform of the grain transport system, the three ministries were busy with currency, and the Privy Councilor Han Jiang was inspecting the northern border. There was really no sign of war.
“Okay, okay!”
Sima Guang said: "I misunderstood you."
Zhang Fei hurriedly said: "Master Sima also cares about me."
"Just so you know."
Sima Guang sighed and wondered to himself, this feeling seemed familiar!
But it is undeniable that what Zhang Fei said made sense, and he couldn't refute it.
Next, the two talked about the personnel arrangements of the Supreme Imperial Court, and then Sima Guang left.
"You are really amazing. I have fooled you so many times, but you still succeed."
Xu Zhiqian appeared quietly behind Zhang Fei, looking at Sima Guang's back, and felt a little sympathy.
Zhang Fei glanced at her and said, "Is it possible that what I said was all true and those people were too arrogant?"
Legislative Council.
"impossible!"
Wen Yanbo waved his hands and said, "That guy is definitely planning something. Junshi, it's not the first day you've known him, how can you still believe his lies?"
Lu Gongzhe on the side also nodded.
Sima Guang said: "But what he said is indeed reasonable. He is not the one who created the problem, but the one who solved it."
Wen Yanbo asked in return: "Which problem in the court today has nothing to do with him?"
Sima Guang was stunned again. It seemed to make sense, so he looked at Fu Bi, "What do you think, Mr. Fu?"
Fu Bi chuckled a few times: "I agree with what Kuanfu said. At least this matter is definitely not that simple."
But Zhang Fei really didn't pay much attention to this matter, nor did he create public opinion. Every day was the same as usual, until a petition from the Xizhou Imperial Court broke this moment of tranquility.
It turned out that since Western Xia closed trade with Xizhou, Xizhou merchants also enthusiastically joined the smuggling team and clashed with Western Xia soldiers on the border.
Some businessmen were caught by the police when they fled back to Xizhou for refuge, but the public security, procuratorate and courts were unable to do anything about it.
The reason lies in the identities of those merchants. They do not have household registration in the Song Dynasty, and most of them committed crimes in the territory of Western Xia. Whether they are considered smuggling or illegal immigration, even the imperial court itself does not know whether it can do anything about it.
Soon, there was a backlog of lawsuits.
This appeal first reached Zhao Yan, who was also confused after reading it, because such a dispute had been impossible before, and the interim law did not have any provisions in this regard.
So, he could only submit it to the Supreme Imperial Court, because he knew that this must have been done by Zhang Fei, and you must have a solution.
But after receiving the lawsuit, Zhang Fei went straight to the emperor to file a complaint without saying a word.
Zhao Xu also immediately convened an important meeting regarding this matter.
"Mr. Judge, what is going on?"
Zhao Xu first asked Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei said: "Your Majesty, when I was inspecting Xihe, Xizhou Court President Lu and Chief Prosecutor Fan talked to me about the household registration issue in Xihe. However, this is not something that our imperial court can solve, because it requires the improvement of systems and laws. Household registration is the foundation of the country, and this belongs to the responsibility of the Political Affairs Hall and the Legislative Council. So after I came back, I immediately informed Duke Fu, Duke Wen, and Prime Minister Wang about this matter, and also reminded them that this matter is very urgent and cannot be delayed.
But to this day, the Legislative Council and the Political Affairs Hall have not made any movement. As expected, Xizhou has indeed run into problems. I really have no other options. If the court does not legislate and establish rules, the imperial court will not be able to judge at all. That is why I came to Your Majesty to seek justice.”
After hearing this, Zhao Xu looked at Wen Yanbo, Fu Bi, and Wang Anshi, "My three lords, is this true?"
The three of them nodded at the same time.
Zhao Xu frowned, "I wonder if you have come to a conclusion?"
The three of them looked at each other.
They had been waiting for Zhang Fei to make a move and were on guard, but they had no idea that this kid had no moral principles and came here directly to complain.
What the hell...
So embarrassing!
Zhao Xu was quite dissatisfied and said: "When I wanted to separate the Zhongshu Menxia, you all thought that doing so would make government affairs more complicated. I followed your advice, but I never thought that it didn't improve much."
After hearing this, Wen Yanbo and the others blushed.
Zhao Xu then asked Zhang Fei, "Does the Grand Court President have any countermeasures?"
Zhang Fei said: "Your Majesty, this is not my duty. I have not even considered it. I have been busy with the construction of the Supreme Imperial Court."
As soon as these words were spoken, the prime ministers glanced at Zhang Fei in surprise.
What's going on?
They originally thought that Zhang Fei would give his suggestions, but in the end he really didn't care.
The key point is, are you also busy building the Supreme Imperial Court?
However, Zhang Fei continued to complain: "Your Majesty, there are only two court presidents in the capital, and there are nearly ten people in the court who hold the power of prime minister. It is unreasonable to let the Supreme Court solve the problem!"
That's enough!
Don't break up when things are tough!
Wen Yanbo couldn't help it. This kid was too hateful. He said, "Your Majesty, I have discussed this with everyone. They still think that the Xihe area has been separated from the Central Plains for one or two hundred years. The local people are not mainly Han people. Therefore, they still think that the control system should be adopted."
As he spoke, everyone glanced at Zhang Fei tacitly, only to see that Zhang Fei had a calm expression, as if he was listening.
Wang Anshi immediately said, "But if we adopt the system of restraint, we need to appoint a chieftain. However, the Xihe region has already established public security, procuratorial and judicial organs, with tens of thousands of royal policemen. Everyone abides by temporary laws, which are not much different from the prefectures and counties in the Central Plains. How can we restrain them?"
Wen Yanbo said: "But our dynasty only has the market system on the border, and foreign merchants can only trade in the market, while the entire Xihe area is completely open to the outside world. If it is directly incorporated into the Central Plains, wouldn't it mean that those Western merchants can freely enter the Central Plains? How many hidden dangers will this leave?"
"It seems that you really haven't discussed it well."
Zhao Xu was very angry and said, "But I heard that the court has been very lively recently. I want to know what you are arguing about every day."
There was silence in the hall.
They were deliberately guarding against the Grand President's third fire.
Zhao Xu felt sorry for his lack of resistance and said, "You should discuss it clearly first, and then come and talk to me."
"I obey your command."
Everyone said in unison.
Zhang Fei suddenly said, "Your Majesty, Xihe is in chaos. Judge Lu and Chief Prosecutor Fan are extremely worried. I would like to support them, but a skilled cook cannot cook without rice. If something goes wrong, it is not a problem of the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems, but the result of the negligence of the Political Affairs Hall and the Legislative Council."
Zhao Xu first looked at Wang Anshi, Wen Yanbo and others with great dissatisfaction, and then said to Zhang Fei: "Grand Judge, don't put all the responsibility on the Political Affairs Hall and the Legislative Council. If the Political Affairs Hall and the Legislative Council can't come up with a solution, you have to make a judgment on this case. This is your authority."
"ah?"
"Um?"
"I obey your command."
After saying that, Zhao Xu got up and left.
These last words were undoubtedly like a slap in the face to Wen Yanbo and the others.
If you are not able to do so, then the Grand President shall make the decision.
After he left, countless murderous gazes were cast towards Zhang Fei, and then they also left angrily.
Zhang Fei came to Sima Guang with a wronged look on his face, "Master Sima, you saw everything. I am the chief judge and I am in a difficult position. If I had made a suggestion just now, it would have been considered a conspiracy. But if I don't make a suggestion now, they will still hold a grudge against me. What should I do?"
Sima Guang said: "You won't follow Duke Wen first!"
Before he could finish, Zhang Fei said excitedly: "I have discussed it with them, but after so many days, they don't take it seriously at all. However, our public security, procuratorial and judicial organs have always been known for their efficiency. Judge Lu and Chief Prosecutor Fan have mentioned this matter again and again. I can't just ignore it. But if the court doesn't come up with a policy, I have no choice but to ask the government to do justice."
Sima Guang was silent for a long time, then he sighed and said, "Okay, okay, let's not talk about this for now. What do you suggest?"
Zhang Fei glanced outside and whispered, "Master Sima, I will not hide the truth from you. If I had a solution, I would have proposed it just now. I am not like them, using national affairs to vent my anger.
But I really don't have a good solution, because this matter involves many problems, and I have never been to a border state. I can only give some legal advice, and I have already told Duke Wen about these suggestions. "
Sima Guang nodded. Things had come to this point. If Zhang Fei really had an idea, he should have brought it up at this time, but he didn't mention it, so maybe he really didn't have one!
Xu Zun did not go to the procuratorate today. He stayed at home, waiting for news from Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei had just returned home when Xu Zun asked, "How is it?"
Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "What else can I do? The emperor has taught those prime ministers a lesson. I can see that His Majesty has been holding this anger for a long time!"
Xu Zun couldn't laugh, nor could he not laugh: "It's true that even the wisest man can make mistakes. They never thought that your third fire would burn them."
Zhang Fei said: "This is all their own fault. If they don't work, others will do more work, which becomes a struggle for power and profit.
In fact, there was nothing wrong. When I discussed it with them, we could have settled it together, but they thought that this was my third move since taking office and that they were deliberately trying to guard against me. Now they are in a difficult situation. "
Xu Zun said: "But you must not be careless, what if they want to use the restraint system to deal with you?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "If they can return to the vassal system, I will resign immediately and go back to being a censor. After the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs come out, the vassal system will have no meaning to exist. Even if they want to do this, the people of Xizhou will not agree."
Government Affairs Hall.
"Jun Shi, at this point, are you still speaking for that kid?"
Wen Yanbo waited for Sima Guang in anger and humiliation.
Sima Guang argued, "I am only discussing the facts. What should Zhang San do to satisfy you?"
"you."
"Okay."
Fu Bi interrupted their argument and said, "In any case, if we could have come up with a plan earlier, we wouldn't have encountered this situation today. It's not too late to make up for the loss now!"
By now, he has realized that Zhang Fei was actually certain that they would wait for him to make the first move, but he did not make the first move and instead went to complain.
Be willing to accept defeat.
Lü Gong asked, "What do you think of this, Lord Fu?"
Fu Bi first glanced at Wen Yanbo, then pondered for a while, "What Wang Jiefu said makes sense. The public security, procuratorate and courts have already controlled the Xihe area. If we want to restore the vassal system, we must withdraw the public security, procuratorate and courts first. But this is totally unreasonable and illogical.
I originally thought that maintaining the status quo was fine, and it wasn't that urgent, so there was no need to change anything for the time being. But now it seems that this is not feasible. The conflicts with Xixia are so frequent now, and if the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs do nothing but impose constraints, the situation may really get out of control further. "
Lu Gong said: "But those people are all Tibetans and Tanguts. If we allow them to enter and leave the Central Plains, it may endanger the stability of the Central Plains."
Fu Bi said: "In the past, the control system was adopted because the systems, laws, customs and habits of the two places were different, and the court was difficult to control. But now everyone is under the same system and the same law, so the risks are naturally reduced a lot."
Everyone fell silent.
In fact, everyone knows that Fu Bi was implying that Zhang Fei's suggestion was the most reasonable.
But the problem is that most ministers in the court are still against it, so doesn’t this allow Zhang Fei to succeed?
You can't do that!
But neither this nor that is okay.
What should I do then?
In the past, if this happened, the case would often drag on and involve a lot of arguments. But things are different now. There is a chief judge standing nearby, holding a whip and staring at them with a fierce look in his eyes.
Zhao Xu made it very clear: if you can't solve it, let the chief judge solve it.
Don't delay.
I want a solution.
But those who opposed it could not come up with a specific plan. They only knew of a system of control. The problem was that the system of control could not be used in the Xihe area.
Lu Dajun and Fan Zhen came to appeal, but the answer you gave was to get rid of them both, and there is indeed no problem with that.
Wen Yanbo was also exhausted.
Wang Anshi couldn't help it. He was also a efficiency-oriented person and was most annoyed by their endless quarrels. So he held another meeting in the Council of State Affairs. Zhang Fei's suggestion was the best option.
Under the vassalage system, not only could taxes not be collected, but one also had to pay money. Now that we have the public security, procuratorate, courts and the tax commissioner, with more people, we can collect more taxes. What's wrong with that?
What's the saying that people who are not of my race must have different hearts? People are willing to pay taxes to you in exchange for household registration. Even the Heavenly Khan has not done this. What else do you want? Many people in the Central Plains who have household registration in the Song Dynasty are unwilling to pay taxes.
If you can't spare the face, I will do it.
There are more than a dozen prime ministers who can't come up with a solution and still want the chief judge to make the decision. Isn't this a joke?
Wen Yanbo is also very annoyed now. He just leaked a little bit of news at the beginning, but it caused a huge uproar in the court. Now, everyone is in a dilemma.
There is really no future in hanging out with them.
Dry!
What do you care about them?
In the end, after some discussion, they decided to adopt Zhang Fei's suggestion, but it was definitely much more complicated than what Zhang Fei said.
First of all, all the temporary Xizhou household registrations previously issued were changed to Song Dynasty household registrations.
At the same time, it was stipulated that if one paid taxes for five years and did not commit any crimes during that period, a temporary household registration would be granted. This type of household registration allowed one to come to the Central Plains to do business, but one could not take the imperial examinations or become an official. At most, one could serve as a royal police officer or join the army. If one had made great contributions, one would be granted household registration in advance. Otherwise, one had to pay taxes for ten years before one could obtain the household registration of the Song Dynasty like the people in the Central Plains.
Secondly, regarding the regulations of Xizhou, Xizhou must still be open to the outside world, but the local government must give written certificates to merchants entering the Xihe area to facilitate law enforcement by the public security, procuratorial and judicial authorities. At the same time, it is stipulated that foreign businessmen in Xihe must abide by the temporary law and be treated equally. However, they can only stop in Xizhou. If they want to enter the Central Plains, they still have to apply to the local government, and they have also established a very strict review system.
For example, if you want to come to the capital, it is useless if Xihe agrees, you must also get the consent of the capital.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
