Judge of the Song Dynasty Chapter 593: The battle of the three laws (7)

Fan Zhen's question made the faces of many officials present slightly change, and there was a hint of nervousness in their expressions.

Yuan Jiang just shook her head calmly and said, "I'm sorry, Yuan Mou doesn't quite understand why Mr. Fan asked such a question?"

Fan Zhen pondered for a moment, then asked again: "Shicai Yuan just kept saying that the court would abolish the Green Crop Law because of this? But I don't know why Yuan Yuan made that decision?"

All eyes are on Yuan Jiang.

In fact, everyone knows the answer, that is, you can't make money.

Regarding this point, Sima Guang and Wen Yanbo have been arguing for a long time in the court, but they will not go outside to publicize the quarrel in this nest. After all, this is just a struggle within the ruling class, but Now it's full of people outside, so, can this be said?

The people outside the courtyard were still looking at the flowers in a fog, a little confused, but the officials were nervous and uneasy.

This window paper is about to be torn!

Chen Qi couldn't help whispering: "If you continue to ask questions like this, the majesty of the court will disappear."

Su Zhe looked at Zhang Fei, and said with a smile, "This is all learning from President Zhang."

Chen Qi was taken aback, thinking, this is indeed Zhang San's style.

In the past, Zhang Fei often pulled out the officials' underpants in court and asked some questions that the officials could not answer.

Wang Shen glanced at Su Zhe and asked curiously, "The chief prosecutor doesn't seem to be worried at all?"

Su Zhe just smiled and said: "The matter has come to this, what's the use of worrying."

Before the fight, he had already expected this scene.

Fan Zhen's complaint is not whether the government has the right to prohibit them from agreeing on interest, because he knows in his heart that the government certainly has the right to prohibit it, and it cannot be beaten on this point.

He is suing the government for abusing power and amassing wealth. He must expose the other party's black information and guide the government's behavior towards guilt.

On the contrary, Li Min and the others have to prove that this ban is legal and reasonable. Since their own side is legal and reasonable, then the other party must be wrong, and he must attack the other party.

This lawsuit is bound to hurt each other.

Yuan Jiang glanced at Fan Zhen and saw his resolute face, knowing that this test would not be easy.

In fact, before that, he had expected that Fan Zhen might attack on this point, just to see how deep the question was. Now it seems that he just wanted to pierce the window paper.

Yuan Jiang could only answer truthfully: "Because the role of the Green Crop Law is not only to benefit the people, but also to improve the country's finances. It is very clear, Mr. Fan should also know."

Fan Zhen continued to ask: "In other words, as long as the court fails to make a profit, even if it can benefit the people, it will definitely be abolished?"

Yuan Jiang pondered a little, and explained: "The Qingmiao Law promulgated by the imperial court was mainly to solve the harm of high profits, but it also absorbed the disadvantages of the Changping Warehouse Law. Before the Changping Warehouse Law provided interest-free loans, but once The government's finances are tight, and it becomes unsustainable, and the Green Crop Law provides interest-bearing loans, so that it can be guaranteed to continue to operate.

Then if the folks really have lower interest rates to lend to the common people, and usury is no longer rampant, then for the imperial court, the Young Crop Law is naturally unnecessary, and this is what the imperial court would like to see.

But the purpose of the other party's agreement on interest based on the patriarchal clan system is not to help the people, but to destroy the Green Crop Law. As long as the Green Crop Law does not exist, there will be no way to check and balance usury. They are so rampant and openly hostile to the government. How can the government indifferent. "

His response was clear, simple and clear, and he was clearly prepared for it. After all, he had thought that the other party would make an attack on this in advance.

This immediately moved many people, and many people outside the courtyard could not help but nod their heads.

After all, it was not the imperial court that lent usury before, but those big landlords.

The squires couldn't help being disappointed, but they didn't overwhelm him.

But Fan Zhen was not discouraged. He smiled and said, "Scholar Yuan keeps emphasizing that the squires use patriarchal law to agree on interest, but they are using monopoly techniques to destroy the young crop law. The patriarchal law stipulates interest, so will the promotion of Changping Division benefit from it? Or, will more people come to promote Changping Division to borrow money?"

Yuan Jiang nodded and said, "Of course the Green Crop Law will be better implemented."

Fan Zhen asked again: "Will the promotion of Changping Division benefit from it?"

Yuan Jiang hesitated for a moment, nodded and said: "Yes."

Fan Zhendao: "Since the government will benefit from this, how can Bachelor Yuan explain that the government is not adopting the monopoly technique by doing this. After restricting the low interest rates of the people, the government will adjust the interest to five cents. Or even higher, to accumulate wealth?"

Many officials broke out in a cold sweat immediately.

My God! Can this also be asked?

Su Zhe's eyes lit up, and he thought to himself, it's no wonder that it's Xueshi Fan, so it turned out that he just shot a feint before, which is the killer move, good question!

He once argued with Lu Huiqing on this issue in the Department of Regulations of the Second Mansion. You can agree on two points, but you can also agree on twenty points.

And he predicted that this would definitely happen, because Wang Anshi's fundamental purpose was to make money. If he borrowed money normally and didn't make much money, he would definitely use tricks.

"I object."

Li Min immediately stood up and said, "This is all the other party's wishful thinking."

Fan Zhen immediately said: "My question is based on the reason why scholars of the Yuan Dynasty prohibit low-interest lending in the patriarchal clan, not some conjecture. If my question is not valid, then the reason why the government also prohibits it will also be invalid."

Zhang Fei thought for a while, and said: "The objection is invalid. The witness must answer this."

This question really caught Yuan Jiang by surprise, because the monopoly of the government is completely legal and there is no reason to say it, but it seems a little inappropriate to say it here, after all, they are now fighting for this morality. The commanding heights, pondering a little, can only evade the important point and say lightly: "The government did not prohibit low interest rates, but only prohibited the interest agreed by the patriarchal clan."

Fan Zhendao: "But the squires only restrained the landlords in their own villages, and did not restrict the people to only borrow money in the villages, but the government couldn't tolerate it, and the government thought that the squires were playing monopoly tricks. It’s just that according to the Green Crop Law, the two-point profit comes first, and the one-fifth they agreed to come later, but the government has benefited greatly from this ban, so how can the government guarantee that this prohibition is not a monopoly technique?”

Yuan Jiang said: "Because the imperial court has express regulations."

As soon as the words came out, boos suddenly sounded outside the courtyard.

Yuan Jiang was very embarrassed.

The common people are very, very clear about this matter. If you want to talk about the technique of monopoly, whoever has played the game before the court, there is something wrong with the rules.

Damn it, I've always paid much more than the stipulated amount.

You tell me the rules?

At this time, they have also suddenly realized that you said that the squires are playing monopoly, how can you prove that you are not playing monopoly?

You are more ruthless than them!

"Silence!"

As soon as Zhang Fei knocked on the gavel, he stopped the people, and then said to Fan Zhen: "Mr. Fan, you can continue."

"Thank you!"

Fan Zhen nodded slightly, and said to Yuan Jiang: "I heard that Bachelor Yuan just came to Hezhong Mansion, and he filed a lawsuit about salt money?"

Yuan Jiang fainted when she heard it.

"I object."

Li Min got up again and said, "This question has nothing to do with this case?"

Fan Zhen said unhurriedly: "I will prove later that this question is closely related to this case."

Zhang Fei said: "Objection is invalid."

Li Min sat down depressed.

In desperation, Yuan Jiang could only nod slightly.

Fan Zhendao: "May I ask how many salt banknotes are sold each year, and how much salt is exchanged for each salt banknote? Is there a clear regulation from the imperial court?"

Yuan Jiang nodded.

Fan Zhendao: "But as far as I know, I believe Bachelor Yuan also knows that in fact, the salt ponds in various places have not followed the regulations. Why is that?"

Many salt officials present were shocked, they were shot while lying down!

They secretly glanced at Zhang Fei guilty, and felt relieved when they saw Zhang Fei's expressionless face.

"Uh...cough...." Yuan Jiang Hanhu said unclearly: "There are many reasons for this, and I won't be able to explain it for a while."

This cannot be explained.

Fan Zhendao: "But the fact is that the government did not abide by the regulations, right?"

Yuan Jiang hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

The common people understand this in their hearts, and no matter how they explain it, it is just sophistry.

Fan Zhen asked again: "Then how can Bachelor Yuan guarantee that the government will not raise interest rates after the government prohibits private low-interest loans?"

Yuan Jiang fell silent.

After a while, Zhang Fei looked at Yuan Jiang and said, "I also invite witnesses to answer this question."

Yuan Jiang was forced to have no choice but to say: "I really can't guarantee this."

If he says he can guarantee it, Fan Zhen can find out 10,000 facts to prove that he can't guarantee it at all.

Because Yuan Jiang has been an official for so many years, such as county officials, magistrates, transit envoys, etc., don't these places have such phenomena?

He couldn't stop it either.

The fact is that it cannot be stopped.

The Four Little King Kongs shook their heads!

This is embarrassing!

Fan Zhen said: "I'm done asking."

The corner of Yuan Jiang's mouth twitched a few times. At this moment, he also understood why Wang Anshi didn't want to sit here when he was beaten to death.

What a torment!

At the same time, there were boos outside the courtyard.

Many squires couldn't help being secretly excited when they saw the sullen faces of the people, and applauded Fan Zhen silently.

But officials such as Cai Yanqing feel very anxious. If you do this, not to mention the reputation of the court, other monopoly projects may also be attacked!

Do you want to continue the trial?

As for Wei Yingfang and the others, they were secretly excited. They were very happy to see this scene. The battle over reforms and new laws, not the outcome of this lawsuit.

Qiu Zhengwen said in a low voice: "This grand scholar is very powerful."

Lu Bangxing said: "Aren't you talking nonsense, can a scholar of the Hanlin Academy be an ordinary person?"

Li Min said: "It seems that we can't continue to ask Bachelor Yuan, otherwise, it is too easy to be caught by the other party, and we can attack instead of defend."

Qiu Zhengwen and Lu Bangxing nodded at the same time.

This window paper has been pierced. If you continue to ask Yuan Jiang, it is too easy to be counterattacked by the other party. There is more **** on the government's **** than anyone else. It is impossible to argue.

Suddenly heard a few bangs, and Zhang Fei raised his eyebrows and shouted: "Silence! Be quiet!"

After the courtyard became quiet, Zhang Fei looked at Li Min, "Does the defense have any questions?"

Li Min said: "We have no problem for now."

Zhang Fei looked at Fan Zhen again, and saw that Fan Zhen shook his head, indicating that there was no problem, so he said to Yuan Jiang, "Thank you, Bachelor Yuan, for testifying in court. Now, Bachelor Yuan can go down and have a rest."

Yuan Jiang stood up slowly, but her body still swayed slightly, and under the sympathetic eyes of everyone, she walked slowly to the court.

Next, Li Min called witnesses.

It is also an old acquaintance, it is Liang Youyi.

When the old man came up, he just glanced at Zhang Fei secretly, trying not to look directly at him, for fear that he couldn't help it again, and he would get into a fight with him. Competing with Zhang Fei in this court is tantamount to lighting a lamp in a hut.

Li Min stood up and bowed to Liang Youyi first.

Liang Youyi just glanced at him slightly.

Li Min didn't care too much. After all, there are too many class differences. He pretended to glance at Wen Yu, and then asked: "According to our investigation, Mr. Liang paid for the patriarchal law in each township. Contribute, and make suggestions, I don't know if it is?"

Liang Youyi nodded and said, "You are right when you say that."

Qiu Zhengwen reminded in a low voice: "His ambiguous tone is not conducive to our future questions."

Li Min nodded slightly, and then asked gently: "Mr. Liang, please answer with a positive tone, yes or no."

Liang Youyi glanced at him with dissatisfaction, and then said confidently: "Yes."

He looks magnanimous, serving the country and the people.

Li Min asked: "I don't know what is the purpose of Mr. Liang's hard work?"

Liang Youyi immediately said righteously: "Naturally, it is for the benefit of the villagers. Is there any need to ask?"

Li Min asked: "It seems that Mr. Liang is always kind and charitable in the village?"

Fan Zhen frowned, and was about to get up, but he shouted his objection and gave Liang Youyi a reminder. Unexpectedly, Liang Youyi didn't give him this opportunity at all, and said directly: "It's not about being kind and charitable, but I usually follow the example of my ancestors and help the villagers who come to ask for help."

Li Min nodded and asked, "We need financial support to help the villagers. How many fields does Mr. Liang have in his family?"

"I object."

After all, Fan Zhen knew his destiny, so he got up slowly, not as quick as Li Min. This time he shouted first, and then slowly stood up, "What the other party asked has nothing to do with this case."

Zhang Fei nodded, and said to Li Min: "The defense, this question involves the witness's private property, unless you can come up with sufficient reasons, otherwise, the witness does not need to answer."

Lu Bangxing said in a low voice: "Don't ask these questions, just ask usury directly. This old man is easy to deal with, so don't let him go easily."

Li Min nodded and said to Zhang Fei: "I take back the question just now."

Afterwards, he said to Liang Youyi quite seriously: "Just now Mr. Liang said that the reason why the patriarchal law is used to agree on interest is to benefit the villagers, and he must be against usury."

Liang Youyi nodded and said, "That's natural."

Li Min took out a contract, "This is a debt loan contract signed between your Liang family and a commoner in the village. Please read it over, Mr. Liang."

A court policeman came up immediately and handed over the contract in quadruplicate to Zhang Fei, Fan Zhen, Su Zhe and Liang Youyi respectively.

Fan Zhen couldn't help but change his expression slightly when he saw it. He glanced at Liang Youyi and shook his head secretly.

The interest on this, visually converted, reached 200%.

After watching it, Liang Youyi panicked and immediately asked, "Where did you get this?"

Li Min ignored him, and continued to ask: "Is the seal above your Liang family's?"

Liang Youyi's eyes were slightly dodged, "I don't...not sure."

Li Min immediately said to Zhang Fei: "Chairman, it is very simple to verify the authenticity of this contract. You only need to compare the seal of their Liang family with the previous contract signed by their Liang family to know the authenticity. .Even the imperial court can investigate the land on the contract, who owns it at present."

"I object." Fan Zhen said immediately, "I don't know what this question has to do with this case?"

Li Min hurriedly said: "What is the original intention of them to stipulate interest in the patriarchal system is the key to this case."

"Objection void!"

Zhang Fei looked at Liang Youyi, "Mr. Liang, please confirm carefully, is this from the contract of your Liang family?"

Liang Youyi pretended to look at it again, nodded and said: "Yes... it is from the old man's house. But the old man doesn't know, because the family affairs are managed by dogs."

Li Mindao: "In this contract, the interest agreed upon by us has more than doubled the principal after our calculations. It is definitely a usury. May I ask Mr. Liang if he agrees with this approach?"

There was an uproar outside the courtyard.

Liang Youyi immediately said: "Of course the old man disagrees, but the old man is old and his energy is limited, so he can't manage so many things, but after returning home today, the old man will find out about it immediately."

Speaking of the latter, it's like killing relatives with righteousness.

Li Min asked again: "According to what we know, the Liang family obtained at least 356 acres of land last year with high-interest loans. Does Mr. Liang know?"

Liang Youyi seemed very impatient and said: "The old man has already said that the old man is not in charge of the affairs of this family, so how do you know, don't wrong the old man."

Li Min was not discouraged by this, and continued to ask: "Then Mr. Liang, does Mr. Liang know how many concubines he has?"

Fan Zhen just wanted to protest, but Liang Youyi said first: "Bastard! This is my private matter, what has it to do with you? You are here to avenge your private revenge."

Avenging private revenge? Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, he couldn't be insinuating at me, could he? Then I really want to avenge myself.

Fan Zhen hurriedly shouted: "I object."

Zhang Fei couldn't help but frowned and looked at Li Min again, "The defense, what does this question have to do with this case?"

Li Min hurriedly explained to Zhang Fei: "Returning to President Zhang, according to my investigation, Mr. Liang has a total of twelve concubines, seven of whom are paid off by means of loan sharks. Therefore, we believe that Mr. Liang Mr. is not ignorant of this."

As soon as this remark came out, the audience was in an uproar.

"Really?" Zhang Fei asked, "Do you have evidence?"

"Yes."

Li Min immediately presented the evidence in quadruplicate to them.

After Zhang Fei looked at it, he asked Liang Youyi again: "Mr. Liang, do you know all this?"

Liang Youyi blushed and thought to himself, where did these **** get these evidences? Now he is in a bad mood, he can't say that they are all Gouzi's concubines, the old man just sleeps occasionally, and he avoids the seriousness and says lightly: "The old man doesn't understand what this has to do with this case?"

Li Mindao: "Mr. Liang just said that the reason why the patriarchal law is used to agree on interest is to oppose usury and benefit the villagers. But from the facts, your Liang family has benefited from usury many times, including Mr. Liang. Myself. I don’t know how Mr. Liang explained everything?”

Liang Youyi was already sweating profusely, and the corners of his mouth were twitching. How could he know that the other party would attack him from this angle.

In the past, the number of appearances of ear pens was very small, and he had never seen such a scene where blood was about to be drawn.

Since you can't explain it, then pretend to be deaf and dumb!

Seeing that Liang Youyi couldn't let go, Li Min began to pretend to be dead again, so he said: "The reason why Mr. Liang is keen to agree on interest based on the patriarchal law is because the Young Crop Law will seriously harm the interests of the Liang family, so Mr. Liang thought of it." This method, to destroy the young crop method, this is your true purpose."

"I object." Fan Zhen hurriedly raised his hand and shouted.

Li Min sat down, "I'm done asking."

Playing dead?

This is useless in the imperial court. After all, a lawsuit is not a debate, but to convince the judge that Li Min's goal has been achieved.

It's not hard to see this from the expressions of the assistant jury, they all looked at Liang Youyi with disdain.

Zhang Fei looked at Fan Zhen again and said, "Mr. Fan, do you have any questions?"

Fan Zhen glanced at Liang Youyi, who seemed to be ten years old again, and couldn't help but sighed secretly, then shook his head and said, "I don't have anything to ask."

Just at this time, Ma Xiaoyi suddenly came to the court and said, "To President Zhang, a witness suddenly passed out."

Zhang Fei asked: "Who?"

Ma Xiaoyi said: "Xu Qingnian."

Hearing this, Zhang Fei couldn't help but glance at Fan Zhen, who looked slightly embarrassed.

But there is no other way, you are so ruthless in attacking and picking on your weak spots, who would dare to come up here!

After thinking for a while, Zhang Fei glanced at the sky again, "It's getting late, the trial will be here in the morning, and the trial will continue in the afternoon, and the court will be adjourned."