Judge of the Song Dynasty Chapter 507: Salt money dispute (Part 1)

The sun is setting.

There will be a trial of this case tomorrow, but Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian are still sitting by the lake, reviewing the relevant evidence and discussing it tirelessly.

In fact, there is no secret to this legal work, just hard work and meticulousness. Outsiders only see their bright side and seem to take it for granted.

As everyone knows, Zhang Fei works harder than any ear pen.

Otherwise, he would not be able to produce so much surprising evidence in court.

However, no one has learned this trick so far.

Even if Fan Chunren and Su Zhe were aware that Zhang Fei played the lawsuit with a "fine" character, they still couldn't be as fine as Zhang Fei.

It's not that they didn't work hard enough, it may have something to do with the style of contemporary articles, because nowadays there are only a few words in a sentence, and what is emphasized is a short and delicate sentence, and what the law pursues is lengthy and detailed. The kind that makes you drowsy.

Maybe this kind of thinking is also disturbing them.

"The court will be held tomorrow, and the government seems to really not plan to ask for ear pens." Zhang Fei put down the document in his hand, and gently rubbed his eyes.

Xu Zhiqian nodded while sticking the label, "They may not realize the importance of this ear pen."

Zhang Fei said: "The solicitation for essays has already arrived, do you want to..."

"That's not okay."

Xu Zhiqian immediately objected: "The Legal Aid Department has only a small amount of manpower. It mainly helps the poor to file lawsuits. It's not that the government has no money. If they don't invite them themselves, who can blame them."

Zhang Fei hesitated and said: "But according to the system, our imperial court can assign the ear pen of the Legal Aid Department to sue for one of the parties."

He still hopes to pursue a fairer trial. He knows that the government is not looking for it.

Xu Zhiqian insisted: "But they are not ordinary ear pens, and they are no worse than Li Min. If people find that the free ones are better than the paid ones, they will not all fight for the Legal Aid Department." Help, the poor will not be able to find anyone to sue, I think this rule needs to be changed, the Legal Aid Department can only help those living in poverty to sue.”

Zhang Fei felt that what Xu Zhiqian said made sense. At present, there are really too many poor people, but the resources of the Legal Aid Department are only so much.

Xu Zhiqian saw that Zhang Fei was still a little hesitant, so she said again: "Furthermore, if the government doesn't take the initiative to ask for ear pens, if our imperial court helps them appoint them, they may blame us if they lose. This is purely thankless. .We have told them that they can ask for ear pens, but they don't want to, and obviously they also hope to win the case."

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "All right, you decide the rules."

Xu Zhiqian readily accepted, she has always been in charge of legal aid, and said: "I heard that many people go to the procuratorate to apply for procuratorate, why don't you let Mr. Su Xiao help the Legal Aid Department to publicize and test Those who fail can come to the Legal Aid Department to work and gain experience.”

Zhang Fei said: "That's fine, but I think there may not be many people coming for the time being. Prosecutors can be officials after all, but the Legal Aid Department is not yet an official government office."

Xu Zhiqian said: "If Li Min wins this lawsuit, it will definitely change the people's views on ear pens in Hezhong Prefecture. Maybe it will attract many people. Isn't that the case in Kaifeng Prefecture?"

Zhang Fei nodded.

Just at this time, Li Si suddenly trotted over, panting slightly: "Third brother, the price of salt bills outside has increased by another one hundred coins, and it has reached four pennies now."

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "I see."

Xu Zhiqian asked curiously: "Why are you interested in the price of this salt note? Could it be related to this case?"

Zhang Fei shook his head, and said again: "I just want to know whether this salt note is more active among the people. After all, the government will continue to use it in the future. It seems to be pretty good so far, and the response is relatively fast."

Xu Zhiqian said: "But the original price of the salt banknotes was 800 renminbi, and now it has only increased to 4 renminbi. It seems that many people still think that those salt merchants may not win the lawsuit. .”

Zhang Fei asked Li Si again: "Are there many transactions?"

Li Si shook his head and said, "I just heard about someone bidding, but I haven't heard of anyone actually selling the salt money in their hands."

Zhang Fei nodded, and said to Xu Zhiqian: "At present, there is a price but no market, and both parties are just shouting. Sell ​​salt money."

Xu Zhiqian asked: "Then is this a good thing or a bad thing?"

Zhang Fei said with a smile: "Of course it is a good thing. Giving interest to the salt money is also to make the salt money have better circulation. Any commodity must be circulated, and it can still have value. If the salt money is not recognized by the public , then this is really just a lawsuit, and it won't affect too much."

......

The next day.

The sky was only dim, and there were already crowds of people in front of the gate of the imperial court. Even though the courtyard was full of seats, it turned out that the imperial court had advanced the opening time of the court from the previous three quarters of Chen to three quarters of Mao, a whole hour earlier.

This is because the weather has been too hot recently, and the review lasted until noon, which severely damaged the experience of the viewers.

But no matter how early, those officials will arrive early. This lawsuit seems simple, but the significance of this judgment is very important.

Officials are very disturbed by this.

"If the imperial court really judges the government to breach the contract and needs to compensate those salt merchants, will the government really compensate?"

Liu Daxing, county lieutenant of Hedong County, asked curiously.

The surrounding officials also looked left and right.

Don't say they haven't seen it with their own eyes, it's not even recorded in the history books, there is really no trace, and they don't know what will happen.

"I don't know that either."

Wei Yingfang shook his head, then glanced at Qin Zhongshou next to him and said, "If the government really wants to compensate hundreds of thousands of dollars, Commander Qin, your military expenditure will definitely be reduced a lot this year!"

Qin Zhongshou hummed: "Hundreds of thousands of military expenses? All right, if the army is in chaos, you will be responsible."

Wei Yingfang hastily said: "Commander Qin, I just reminded you kindly, why are you blaming me? Wasn't the additional salt money issued at the beginning just for military expenses? If you want to make up for this sum of money, you can only Deducted from military expenses."

Qin Zhongshou said: "Isn't their public security law counted in the Hezhong government's finances? Why don't they deduct their money? They are the ones who sentenced the case."

Cao Yi smiled and said: "Their expenditures are all added up, and there is only so much. If they want to deduct it, it must be deducted from the military expenses."

Qin Zhongshou said unhappily: "I don't care what you want, anyway, if something happens, you can take responsibility."

Liu Daxing suddenly said: "The imperial court is saying that we do not belong to each other, so why can the imperial court interfere in our government affairs."

Qin Zhongshou immediately said: "That's right! Just ignore him."

Wei Yingfang said hehe: "We don't want to pay attention to it, but it's a pity that Cai Zhifu and Yuan Xueshi are more afraid of this public prosecutor's law. If they don't take the lead, what use is there for us."

"Ahem!"

Cao Yi suddenly coughed twice, and glanced to the side again.

I saw Cai Yanqing and Yuan Jiang enter the court.

Qin Zhongshou immediately walked over and asked: "Prefect Cai, Bachelor Yuan, if the imperial court really decides to compensate those salt merchants, it can't be deducted from the military expenses!"

Cai Yanqing frowned: "Who is spreading rumors?"

Qin Zhongshou's expression changed, and he said, "No one is making rumors, but... the soldiers are very worried."

Yuan Jiang said: "Commander Qin can rest assured that the military expenses that should be paid will not be less."

Qin Zhongshou breathed a sigh of relief, and said with a smile, "That's fine."

Liu Daxing also came forward about this matter, "Prefect Cai, Bachelor Yuan, compared to the army, people in our yamen are even more panicked. When the public prosecutor came, they were afraid of losing their jobs, but now they are even more worried." Already."

Cai Yanqing said: "This case has not yet been judged, what are you worrying about?"

Yuan Jiang nodded and said: "The magistrate Cai is right. This has not yet been judged. Don't worry, I believe that Chief Judge Zhang is also a person who knows the general situation and will not deliberately make things difficult for the government."

Liu Daxing said embarrassingly: "I hope so."

But they all know in their hearts that you don't want to try this lawsuit. As long as there is a trial, the government must lose.

However, the finances are not rich in the first place. If it is necessary to make up for this sum of money, hundreds of thousands of yuan is certain, so it is necessary to reduce expenses. All parties are very worried that the reduction will be on their own heads.

Especially the army, they are big money eaters.

Wei Yingfang and the others also took into account the mentality of all parties, and deliberately fanned the wind and ignited the fire nearby to create panic.

After a while, Su Zhe, Cai Jing and others entered the court.

And this time, the long corridor next to Su Zhe was finally built, and its first user was ushered in. Li Min and his three assistants also entered the long corridor.

As soon as they came in, there was a lot of discussion outside the courtyard.

Lately, Li Min is really in the limelight. This request for interest is really exciting and exciting.

Can you still do this?

After a while, Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian went to the presiding judge's platform, and the courtyard gradually became quiet.

After making some preparations, Zhang Fei glanced at the sky, looked around, and said loudly: "Because the weather has been very hot recently, in order to conduct the trial in a more comfortable environment, the chief judge has decided to advance the trial time to Mao hour. In three quarters, the opening time of the court will also change according to the weather. If you want to come to the hearing, you need to pay attention to the notice posted by the imperial court in time."

Be considerate!

This handsome judge is still so considerate.

The people's affection for Zhang Fei is really overwhelming.

Cai Jing stood up again, and said: "Today our imperial court is hearing a lawsuit about the salt merchant's lawsuit against the salt department for breach of contract."

After he sat down, Zhang Fei knocked on the gavel, "The court is officially open. The representative of the plaintiff will speak first."

Li Min stood up, made a salute, and said, "I beg the chief judge to send Duan Chaobei, the plaintiff, to testify in court."

"Pass."

As soon as he got up, there were discussions all around him.

This is the first time you can see the ear pen in court in Hezhong Mansion. It was used by the procuratorate before, but today the procuratorate is only here to supervise.

This ear pen is not only on an equal footing with the Chief Prosecutor, but there seems to be no difference between the two.

Is the status so high?

Almost all the ear pens from the Hezhong Mansion also came. Seeing this scene, my eyes were moist, and I felt that my spring was finally coming.

After a while, Duan Chaobei came to the court. It was early in the morning, and the cool wind was blowing, but this guy was sweating profusely, restless, as if under the scorching heat, although they had seen the emperor before. It's a case in court, but sitting on it, it still feels completely different.

Li Min asked: "Duan Chaobei, where are you from?"

Duan Chaobei replied: "I am from Luoyang."

Li Min asked again: "Why are you in this Hezhong Mansion."

Duan Chaobei said: "I have been engaged in the salt business, so I often stay in Hezhong Mansion."

"How long have you been selling salt?"

"More than ten years, to be precise, twelve years."

"But I heard that you are going to change your career recently?"

"Yes!"

.....

Hearing this, Zhang Fei leaned back slightly, and said in a low voice, "This Li Min looks pretty good!"

Xu Zhiqian said in a low voice: "Don't look at him as young, he has fought hundreds of lawsuits in the Legal Aid Department, and he is actually no worse than that Li Lei."

Zhang Fei said with a smile: "It can only be seen that he has experience, but the specific method is hard to say. After all, the other party does not have an ear pen, so he is taking advantage of it!"

I heard Li Min say again: "Is that so? You have been working for twelve years, why did you suddenly change your career?"

Duan Chaobei said: "That's because the sale of salt has become increasingly difficult recently."

"Why?"

"According to the rules formulated by the government, our salt merchants transport money to the border, buy salt banknotes from there, and then go to the designated salt ponds to exchange salt banknotes for salt. There is less and less salt, and in many cases it is even impossible to replace it.”

"Can you be more specific, how much salt can be exchanged for salt banknotes, and how much salt can be exchanged now?"

"Originally, a salt banknote can be exchanged for two hundred catties of salt, but now it is one hundred and ten catties or one hundred and twenty catties."

"Salt banknotes can be exchanged for two hundred catties of salt. This is an unwritten rule, and it is clearly stipulated by the government."

"It is clearly stipulated by the government."

Duan Chaobei said excitedly: "The government issued a clear notice at the beginning, and it has been able to exchange two hundred catties before, and it has gradually decreased in recent years."

Li Min asked again: "Then what did the government say?"

Duan Chaobei said: "The government just said that there is not so much salt in the salt pond, so a salt note can only be exchanged for 110 catties or 120 catties. Many times the government directly refuses to exchange it for us because there is no salt.

Later, the government issued another salt banknote worth 60 catties of salt, but the original salt banknote could only be exchanged for two, which was still 120 catties of salt. "

Li Min asked: "Could it be that the government has changed the regulations, but you don't know."

"Impossible!"

Duan Chaobei said: "The government has never issued a notice in this regard, and we have also signed a contract with the government."

Li Min nodded, picked up another piece of evidence, and said to Zhang Fei: "Chairman, this is the contract between Duan Chaobei and the government, and the notice issued by the government at the beginning can prove that the salt money issued by the government , one is worth two hundred catties of salt, and the value of the salt note has never been changed.”

"Submit."

......

"He has the evidence, so why does he ask? Why don't you just submit it, it's really a mystery!"

Qin Zhongshou said with a look of contempt.

Fu Shichun on the side smiled and said, "Uncle Qin, you don't know about this. The purpose of the lawsuit with this ear pen is to convince the judge and the procuratorate that they will only ask questions that are beneficial to themselves."

Cao Dongdong said anxiously: "But why doesn't the government know what to do?"

Qin Zhongshou said: "If you ask for this lawsuit, you can't win it."

Cao Dongdong said: "That's not true. If Zhang San is invited, this lawsuit can be won."

Qin Zhongshou said in surprise, "Really?"

Cao Dongdong nodded, and kindly reminded: "If Uncle Qin commits a crime in the future, he must pay for an ear pen. This money can't be saved. Back then, the instructor accused me of raping...Xiaochun , why are you stabbing me?"

Fu Shichun rolled his eyes, "A hero doesn't mention his bravery."

Cao Dongdong suddenly woke up, sat up straight, and began to observe the trial seriously.

The military officers on the side looked at Cao Dongdong one after another.

"Yanei, you haven't finished yet?"

"Well... this Li Min still has some tricks!"

"...?"

After Li Min presented the evidence, he continued to ask Duan Chaobei: "Then did you exchange the salt bills for salt?"

Duan Chaobei shook his head and said: "Of course not. If you only count one hundred and twenty catties for me, then...then I will lose everything."

"How do you say that?"

"We need 4,800 yuan to exchange a salt note, which is 24 yuan per catty, and if we add the freight, if we sell it on Jingdong Road, we have to sell at least 40 yuan per catty to be able to make a profit. But if it is 120 catties, the cost is 40 Wen a catty, plus shipping costs, at least 50 or 60 Wen can be sold to make a profit, but fifty or 60 Wen is not sold at all, and there is May be punished by the government."

As he spoke, Duan Chaobei was full of grievances, and choked with sobs: "So we have been staying in Hezhong Mansion, hoping that the government will give us all the salt. In the past two or three years, all my money is here In the salt money, you can’t do anything, you can only sit and eat, and sometimes even rely on borrowing money to survive.”

The acting skills are good, and the words are touching, but compared to Wu Zhangshi and Huang Tong before, the people watching the trial this time are very calm. Although they hope that the salt merchants will win, it is only for the government, and they also You're not stupid, even if you can't get enough to eat, who would sympathize with these big salt merchants.

The officials sneered even more, wishing to end in person, who doesn't know you people, and still needs to borrow money to live, think us stupid.

Li Min asked again: "Then how much money do you have now?"

Duan Chaobei said: "A total of twelve thousand."

The common people shook their heads when they heard it. You can spend so much money, but you still cry poor?

Li Min said: "Is this a one-time exchange?"

Duan Chaobei shook his head and said, "No! We divided it three times, because at that time the government repeatedly promised that as long as we continue to sell salt, they would give us enough salt, but it has not been fulfilled until now."

Li Min nodded and asked again: "Then if you could get the same amount of salt back then, would your life be different?"

Duan Chaobei immediately said: "That must be much better than now. In the past few years, I stayed in Hezhong Mansion every day, looking forward to it day and night, and I didn't earn a penny."

"I'm done asking."

Li Min saluted Zhang Fei and sat down.

"He lied."

"I don't believe he didn't make any money."

"He has a lot of money, how can he borrow money to live?"

......

Sounds of dissatisfaction suddenly sounded around.

"Silence!"

Zhang Fei went straight down with a gavel.

Xu Zhiqian said in a low voice: "This salt merchant is definitely not telling the truth."

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Who told the government not to ask for ear pens."

Xu Zhiqian said: "Aren't you going to expose their lies?"

Zhang Fei said: "I'm the president of the court now, not an earbud. As long as they produce evidence to prove what they said, it's fine. Influence, they didn't even impress the common people."

Speaking, he said to Li Min: "Because the other party did not ask for an ear pen, the plaintiff represents the ear pen and can continue to testify."

A look of joy flashed in Li Min's eyes, this is really a crazy start!

He testified one after another to the remaining six plaintiffs.

All kinds of grievances, all kinds of misery, all kinds of hints that the government did not keep their promises.

The officials were so angry that they blew their beards and stared, but there was nothing they could do.

"To the President, all my witnesses have appeared in court."

"Yeah."

Zhang Fei nodded, and said loudly: "It is said that He Yanjian will appear in court."

Li Min did not testify to an official, it was all from his own side, but logically speaking, asking the officials is the key. Li Min and Zhang Fei have also discussed this point. If you want to ask an official, you must ask the dead.

But who dares to dig into the muddy water, Li Min doesn't know what he will ask.

In addition, the other party did not ask for ear pens, so Zhang Fei personally came to inquire on the government's side.