Judge of the Song Dynasty Chapter 697: Soft landing (Part 1)

This hearing really started high and started low!

Seeing that a big fight was about to begin, unexpectedly the trend took a turn for the worse and ended dull.

After Wang Gong announced the end, the officials were confused.

That's it?

That’s it!

What kind of hearing did we attend?

One afternoon, I heard a few pawns and officials forcing me to do this.

Interesting?

However, Empress Dowager Cao seemed to be very satisfied with this. With the support of Zhao Xu, she slowly stood up and said: "This hearing is really unique. A group of prime ministers are sitting and listening to a few river patrol soldiers. It makes sense, it’s interesting! It’s interesting!”

Zhao Xu added: "There are also the Queen Mother and the Emperor."

"Yes, yes, I forgot about myself and the official family." Empress Dowager Cao smiled and nodded.

Although she just said a few words casually, Zhao Xu knew very well that Empress Dowager Cao actually did not approve of large-scale construction in Hebei. After all, her husband was forced to issue a self-incriminating edict for water control. This grandson did it again. Who can bear this!

It’s just that Empress Dowager Cao has already seen that Zhao Xu wants Zhang San’s hearing to slowly adjust the policy, and at the same time avoid paying huge political costs. Because the emperor is a special profession, the political cost of admitting mistakes is definitely not high. It will be small.

It's just that you can't say this. If you say it, it will be the harem interfering in politics.

Zhao Xu was also very grateful for this.

Judging from this hearing, he also knows that it is imperative to adjust policies, but in fact he is already somewhat unable to do so.

Over there, Zhang Fei didn't pay attention to the complaints of the officials. He had already packed his things and was preparing to go home for dinner.

After getting off the stage, he first came to Fu Bi and Han Qi, bowed his hands and said, "Thank you two gentlemen for taking time out of your busy schedule to come here. This is really a big deal for our procuratorate. Support."

Han Qi chuckled and said: "You are still as cunning as before. This didn't trap you, and even allowed you to make a comeback again."

Zhang Fei was very confused and said: "The lower official is stupid and doesn't understand what Mr. Han means."

Han Qi pretended to be dissatisfied and said: "You are not stupid, but you think we are old and confused. Until now, no one can see what tricks you are playing and you are still pretending here."

Zhang Fei said with a serious look: "I'm really not playing any tricks, I'm just abiding by the rules of the procuratorate."

Han Qi was stunned, glanced at Fu Bi again, and coughed: "I almost forgot that you are not a Xiao Erbi, but a prosecutor."

Zhang Fei immediately smiled and said with a begging look on his face: "Fortunately, Mr. Han remembered it."

Han Qi burst out laughing.

As long as you know it in your heart, if you say it, Zhang Fei will definitely not admit it. If Zhang Fei admits it, wouldn't it be a violation of the system?

Fu Bi, who was silent, glanced at Han Qi and felt a little unhappy. He also supported Dongliu, while Han Qi supported Beiliu. After this hearing, Beiliu, who had been suppressed before, Genre is obviously the biggest beneficiary.

Of course, this is just based on the current situation, but no one can tell what the specific result will be.

In order to avoid suspicion, Zhang Fei only chatted with Han Qi for a while and then left with Xu Zun and the others.

Arrived outside the temple, Zhang Fei whispered: "Father-in-law, I will go back first, so as not to worry Zhi Qian and the others."

Xu Zun nodded and said: "You go back first. I will treat everyone to dinner tonight, so I will go back later."

Zhang Fei smiled bitterly: "I'm so sorry!"

Xu Zun chuckled: "You can't do it, I will hide."

"Uncle Zheng?"

Sima Guang came to Cheng Yi and saw that he was still sitting on the witness stand. He was stunned, so he shouted again: "Uncle Zheng?"

"Huh?"

Cheng Yi came back to his senses, stood up quickly, cupped his hands and said, "What can Mr. Sima do for you?"

Sima Guang asked: "This hearing is over, why are you still sitting here?"

Cheng Yi was stunned, "Xiaguan. Xiaguan is thinking."

"What are you thinking about?" Sima Guang asked curiously.

Cheng Yi said: "Think about the public security law."

Sima Guang didn’t know why and said: “Public Security Bureau?”

Cheng Yi nodded and said with a smile: "To be honest with Sima Xianggong, this time Cheng accepted Sima Xianggong's recommendation only because of the public security law. But unfortunately, Zhang Sanlang happened to be in Shaanxi when I took office. Today can be regarded as an experience. This is the Public Security Bureau."

Sima Guang asked with a smile: "Then what do you think."

Cheng Yi thought for a while, shook his head and said: "I just feel that it is both familiar and unfamiliar, and the knowledge is even more profound. I have to go home and think about it carefully."

Sima Guang smiled and said: "Then you have to hurry up, maybe you will be an official of the Public Security Bureau, Procuratorate and Law when you return to Daming Mansion this time."

"Mr. Wen, why didn't you say anything just now?"

Sheng Tao asked Wen Yanbo very puzzledly.

Wen Yanbo glanced at him, then closed his eyes and said nothing.

Sheng Tao looked at Mr. Lu who was standing aside very aggrievedly.

A smile flashed in Lu Gong's eyes, and he hurriedly said: "How could Wen Gong, with his status, argue with those river patrol soldiers? I can only say that Zhang San is too cunning. He made such an arrangement. , just to deliberately make Wen Gong and others unable to speak, and to fear Wen Gong's knowledge."

Wen Yanbo secretly opened his eyes and glared at Mr. Lu.

Sheng Tao had no idea. He felt that Lu Gong’s words were reasonable, and he questioned again: "The public prosecutor claims to be impartial, but I don’t think so!"

Lv Gong said hurriedly: "That's not unfair, it's just!"

He doesn’t know how to get round either.

Wen Yanbo is not stupid. Although he also knows the art of water control, those river patrol soldiers have more than ten or twenty years of experience, and their confessions are all based on experience.

You are not afraid to put down your dignity and refute them. After all, the people listening are all high officials of the imperial court, but you are afraid that you will not be able to argue, which will be very embarrassing.

Because the host is Zhang Fei, as long as Wen Yanbo opens his mouth to refute, Zhang Fei will definitely ask the question, and he will definitely not be able to answer later.

But word spread that Wen Yanbo, a dignified veteran of three dynasties, could not argue with a few river patrol soldiers, but in fact he was facing Zhang Fei.

As soon as Zhang Fei returned home, a pregnant Xu Zhiqian came up to him and asked eagerly: "How was it?"

Gao Wenyin, who was also pregnant, handed over a handkerchief.

"Thank you, madam."

Zhang Fei took the handkerchief and said to Xu Zhiqian: "We'll talk in the evening. You go to the backyard first. Someone will come to look for trouble later."

"Who?"

Xu Zhiqian said in surprise.

Zhang Fei shrugged helplessly and said: "Who else could be there besides Bachelor Wang?"

Sure enough, they had just sent Xu Zhiqian and Gao Wenyin to the backyard, and when they came to the living room, their buttocks were not even hot when they saw Wang Anshi walking in angrily.

When he saw Zhang Fei, he said: "It seems that you already know that I will come to you."

"Scholar Wang, please take a seat."

Zhang Fei stood up and said with great respect.

Wang Anshi rolled his sleeves and said: "Do you know what you were doing just now? You are suggesting that the imperial court abandon the east flow and change it to the north flow. Do you know how much impact this will have on the court?"

"Of course I know."

Zhang Fei said: "That's why I did it."

Wang Anshi was stunned and said with bulging eyes: "You know you still do this?"

Zhang Fei did not answer and asked: "Why is Academician Wang so nervous?"

Wang Anshi said: "You know it in your heart."

"Yes, I know very well."

Zhang Fei said: "Because it was Wang Xueshi who supported Dongliu in the first place, and it was Wang Xueshi who requested the development of water conservancy and implemented his own water conservancy law. Once the Dongliu plan fails, the New Deal will also become in danger."

Wang Anshi gritted his teeth and said: "So you are trying to harm me."

"On the contrary, I want to save Bachelor Wang."

Zhang Fei said: "Naluo Jian has made it very clear just now. No matter how strong your dam is, as long as God rains a few more times, there will still be floods. Changes in the weather are not something to be afraid of, but human hearts are scary.

As long as there is a flood, all the responsibility will be placed on Wang Xueshi's head. I don't understand why Wang Xueshi would put the New Deal himself on such a thing. ”

Wang Anshi said: "What you said can be applied to any situation. According to your wishes, I will not do anything, and I will be as virtuous as that old thief Sima, just talking but not practicing."

Zhang Fei said: "That's not what I meant. Problems with the Qingmiao method can be made up for, and problems with the Junsu method can also be made up for. However, the consequences of natural disasters cannot be made up for, and they are bound to happen.

I have always been a strong supporter of the Farmland Water Conservancy Law. I even think that this is the essence of the people not adding taxes and the state using the land. However, I firmly disagree. Mr. Wang will bet the New Deal on water control. This is inevitable. Definitely lose.

According to our procuratorate's investigation, Hebei has continued to break up in the past two years. Although it has not caused major floods, this is an important signal. ”

"Don't pretend that I can't see what you're thinking."

Wang Anshi snorted: "In your words, the river defense fortifications over there are being promoted using Legalist methods. This will inevitably conflict with your legal methods. That's why you came up with this strategy, hoping to push the river defense fortifications as well. Incorporated into the legal system.

Then you are really fanciful. The river defense fortification will definitely increase the burden on many people, but it will also benefit more people. If you hope to manage the river in a fair way, then we can tell you that this fortification is a It won't move for ten thousand years.

When Fan Wenzheng went to the south of the Yangtze River to control water, he also encountered many obstacles. Even though Fan Wenzheng finally fought against all opinions and improved the local rivers, benefiting countless people, it was still not fully implemented because of the damage caused by the fortifications. of large landowners remained opposed. ”

Zhang Fei said sincerely: "Xueshi Wang really guessed wrong this time. I really didn't think about any legal method. If I thought so, then I can choose to open a trial and directly prosecute all the guilty people." Wouldn't it be better to assert the authority of the public prosecutor and the judiciary by asking for guilt?

I am helping Bachelor Wang, so that he can continue to promote farmland water conservancy laws and continue to manage rivers, but at the same time, he leaves the dangerous riverside and does not risk the complete failure of the New Deal to promote this project. ”

Wang Anshi was confused when he heard this. He held power but did not take responsibility. Such a good thing was possible, so he asked: "What are you talking about?"

"Scholar Wang, please take a seat."

Zhang Fei stretched out his hand to signal.

Wang Anshi then sat down.

Zhang Fei said: "Xueshi Wang is eager to come here, mainly because of the confessions of the few river patrol soldiers behind, because all their confessions are not conducive to the eastward flow plan."

Wang Anshi remained silent, apparently acquiescing.

He didn't care much about Cheng Fang's confession before, because the censor often said those words, and Zhang Fei clearly stated that there was no written law that could convict Cheng Fang.

Zhang Fei said: "But I swear to God, I have no idea what kind of confession they will make. I just asked people to find a few of the most experienced officers and soldiers from the relevant fortifications. If their confessions If everything is beneficial to the Dongliu Plan, will Bachelor Wang still come to me?"

Wang Anshi said: "The key is their confession, which is very detrimental to the Dongliu plan."

"But that's not the key." Zhang Fei said.

Wang Anshi was surprised and said: "Isn't this the key?"

Zhang Fei said: "The key is that they use their own skills and experience to make confessions. Isn't this what Wang Xueshi pursues?

The people do not pay taxes but the state uses crops to improve farmland water conservancy technology to create more wealth. In comparison, Cheng Dujian's governance was in shambles. He only relied on the human wave tactic, and it would have been fine if I replaced him. This would not be able to give the officials enough surprises.

It would be a surprise if a few people could repair the dam without harming people's livelihood. ”

Wang Anshi was shocked and said: "How is this possible?"

Zhang Fei said: "Is Bachelor Wang questioning himself?"

".!"

Wang Anshi was immediately embarrassed.

Zhang Fei continued: "On the surface, Beiliu is the biggest beneficiary of this hearing, but in fact, Bachelor Wang is the biggest beneficiary.

Do those officials really understand the dispute between Dongliu and Beiliu? They didn't understand that he only relied on his own experience to make his own judgment, which could not mean that the Dongliu plan was a failure.

But this can illustrate the point that river defense fortification technology is the key to everything.

Xueshi Wang should write an article quickly, praising these officials and tying them to technological innovation without adding taxes to the people but to the state.

Whether it is the east flow or the north flow, technology and experience will speak for themselves. In this way, Wang Xueshi will be able to escape the current predicament and be able to stand in a higher and safer position to promote river defense works.

This will be supported by many people, and no one on the other side can refute it. Why Mr. Wen just did not want to make a confession is simply because he could not refute those officials. He was certain about the flow of water in Hebei. It's not as good as Uncle Dunadong. Once he refutes, it will be easily exposed that he is talking on paper.

But Wen Gong was very smart and did not make any arguments.

Similarly, once Master Wang masters all the technology and talents, he will turn the opposition into clowns.

Scholar Wang can build a water conservancy school in the flood-stricken Daming Prefecture, attract talents from all over the world, and achieve absolute mastery of technology, so as to achieve the goal of not adding wealth to the people but to the country, and at the same time ensuring that the New Deal will last forever.

Because technology is always correct, the opposition cannot choose to use backward stone sticks just because Scholar Wang uses a better iron rake.

If technology becomes the driving force of the New Deal, the New Deal will be invincible. ”

Wang Anshi was silent for a long time, the anger on his face gradually disappeared, and said: "But the Dongliu Project shoulders the heavy responsibility of guarding the Liao Dynasty."

Zhang Fei said: "When I was in Hezhong Prefecture, I had a cursory discussion about water conservancy issues with a local official who was familiar with water conservancy.

He said that the sediment in the Yellow River is due to the destruction of the upper reaches of the river, resulting in a large amount of sediment flowing down the river. Facts have proven that the Yellow River is flooded because the silt in the lower reaches is too high. If we want to completely cure it, we must control the upper reaches. But who controls the upper reaches? ”

Wang Anshi was startled, "Xixia."

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "I tell this story to prove that there is not enough theoretical support for the eastward flow to control the Liao Dynasty. It is far less convincing than 'To control floods, Xixia must be destroyed', because If the upper reaches are managed well, the amount of river sand in the water will definitely be reduced.

This is called a reason.

And Dongliu Yuliao is just a joke. If the river flows eastward, will it ensure that the Liao Kingdom cannot go south? In fact, history books have proven that what can really defend the Liao Kingdom is the complete Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures, not the extremely unstable river. If the river over there floods and the water flows to our side, the Liao army will be able to defend it without any effort. Come here!

The so-called eastward flow to Yu Liao was just out of fear of the Liao army and to add a little psychological comfort to oneself. I am the person who is most afraid of war, but Dongliu does not give me even a hint of security. ”

Wang Anshi frowned, suddenly raised his head, and said hehe: "You did this to keep yourself out of the matter and calm the turmoil so that neither party will be offended."

Zhang Fei laughed directly, "So Master Wang thinks he is not offended by me now?"

Wang Anshi's expression was stagnant and slightly confused.

Zhang Fei smiled bitterly and said: "Actually, I have offended both sides now. The only one who supports me is the previous prime minister who is determined to become an official.

Xueshi Wang should be very clear. Xueshi Sima and others are also in favor of Dongliu, but they think it should be implemented slowly. They may value the role of Dongliu plan in Yu Liao more than Xueshi Wang.

The difference is that they are staying out of the matter and attacking Bachelor Wang without any risk. It is impossible for the public prosecutor and law to convict Cheng Yi.

And according to the plan of Sima Xueshi and others, they will not make mistakes, because they will not do anything. If there is a flood, they will think that the officials have not implemented benevolent governance.

At that time, all we can see is that they reduce taxes, reduce corvees, and consider the people. They are in an invincible position, so Wang Xueshi thinks, who am I helping? ”

Wang Anshi was extremely embarrassed by these words. After thinking for a long time, he stood up and said: "I'm going back first."

He needs to calm down now. The interests here are too complicated, and Zhang Fei's mouth is really eloquent.

"I'll give it to Bachelor Wang."

Just after seeing off Wang Anshi, Xu Zhiqian, who had been eavesdropping, came out and said slightly tiredly: "Can't you discuss it with Academician Wang in advance? Every time, Academician Wang is so angry that he blows his beard and glares. If you weren't so eloquent, you would have fallen out with me a long time ago."

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Since I do this every time, of course I have my reasons."

"What's the point?"

"It doesn't make sense to discuss this kind of thing with him in advance." Zhang Fei said with a smile: "Only by forcing him to do this, he will think about how to change, and then we can propose changes. Only then can he accept it."

Xu Zhiqian nodded and asked, "Same for Bachelor Sima?"

Zhang Fei nodded.

Xu Zhiqian asked again: "Will Bachelor Sima also come later?"

Zhang Fei shook his head and said: "No! Bachelor Sima has always attached great importance to rules. Before the procuratorate makes a decision, he will not come to see me, so as not to embarrass the truth.

As for Academician Wang, he wants to advocate Legalist methods more and use his power to modify the results. In his opinion, this is just normal operation. ”

What Zhang Fei expected was correct. It was impossible for Sima Guang to come to Zhang Fei for discussion. At this time, he was discussing countermeasures with Fu Bi, Wen Yanbo, Lu Gongzu, and Liu Shu.

This result indeed exceeded their predictions. They hoped to target Cheng Fang and the entire Hebei river defense fortifications, but they never thought that Cheng Fang's failure would give Beiliu a glimmer of hope.

But this is not what they want.

Zhang Fei is obviously the culprit, and Liu Shu is quite dissatisfied with this. He believes that Zhang San secretly helped Cheng Fang escape the crime by relying on his knowledge of the law.

“You can’t blame Zhang San.”

Sima Guang sighed: "After all, Cheng Fang is a member of the official family. This is actually very difficult for the public prosecutor and the law. He chose to let the river patrol soldiers end this hearing. He must still want to calm down the storm."

Liu Shudao: "Cheng Fang has done so many things that are harmful to nature and justice. If the public prosecutor and the law cannot restrain him, who will trust the public prosecutor and the law?"

"This is wrong."

Fu Bi said: "Zhang San is not shielding Cheng Fang, but solving the problem. Why the public prosecutor, procuratorate and law cannot punish Cheng Fang? In fact, Zhang San has made it very clear. It lies in the imperfection of the system. Only by improving this aspect can we Only the system can truly constrain it.

If not, even if the public prosecutor punishes Cheng Fang today, the officials can replace him, which is meaningless. The entire hearing was to find out the shortcomings of the court system. ”

Sima Guang nodded and said: "What Mr. Fu said makes sense. In fact, this case is also a good reference for medicine, because Cheng Fang personally did not take bribes and pervert the law. He just wanted to achieve meritorious service and ignored the people. This is of course wrong. But in the past, this situation could only be judged in terms of success or failure. If it succeeded in the end, even if many people died, and even if you and I thought it was wrong, the court would not care.

If we can improve this system, we can protect the interests of the people in the process. This is a long-term solution. ”

Wen Yanbo suddenly said: "I can see the mystery behind this, but what I don't understand is why he wanted me to go up and embarrass myself in the end. Did he think I was easy to bully?"

"???"

This matter is not over yet! Sima Guang said sarcastically: "Maybe it's because Mr. Fu and I have both been there."

Wen Yanbo pointed at Mr. Lu and said, "Uncle Hui has never been up there."

Lü Gong, lying innocently, said hurriedly: "Maybe Zhang San thinks that I am not smart enough, and is afraid that we will get into an argument. After all, Mr. Wen, you are mature and prudent, and you can keep your composure."

"Bah!"

".!"

The palace.

"The students very much agree with Zhang San's statement."

"What?"

Wang Anshi looked at Lu Huiqing in surprise.

Lu Huiqing said: "Students have said before that controlling floods is a difficult task. The more we go on, the more we will be unable to do what we do, thus losing the overall situation."

Wang Anshi said: "It is precisely because most people in the court think like you and are afraid of taking responsibility that this problem has not been resolved."

Lu Huiqing said patiently: "So the students did not stop the teacher at first, but now Zhang San's plan allows us to relieve this burden and use the business method and farmland water conservancy method to manage the rivers more easily and effectively, teacher Why bother."

Although his ideas are very similar to Wang Anshi's and he is also ambitious, he is more proficient in calculations. He had no choice before because the Dongliu Plan was tied to the New Deal, and they had to protect Cheng Fang. There is no room for error, but that does not mean that he supports this plan. He has always believed that this will greatly increase the burden of the New Deal.

If Zhang Fei could let them land safely, he would of course be willing to abandon this plan. Considering the political cost, this is a very bad deal.

Leave yourself exposed on the ground and allow the opponent to attack.

Wang Anshi looked a little embarrassed and asked: "Do you think it can be removed?"

Lu Huiqing nodded and said: "The student thinks it's completely possible. It's impossible to change such a big plan of the imperial court just based on the words of a few river patrol soldiers.

At the same time, judging from the hearing process, it is difficult to convict Cheng Fang. As long as this time, we promote the use of talents and technology to solve river problems, and then take the opportunity to improve some policies.

It is entirely possible to continue to hold the power to manage rivers in our hands, but at the same time we do not need to bear too heavy a responsibility. At least the implementation of the entire New Deal will not be affected by floods.

The key is, this can also lighten the burden on the officials' shoulders. After all, Cheng Fang is an official! ”

Wang Anshi raised his eyebrows and hesitated for a moment, "Go and discuss with Zhang San first to see how to write this article. In any case, it will be more beneficial to us to have an extra hand."