Judge of the Song Dynasty Chapter 696: Hearing (6)

Chapter 696 Hearing (6)

Oh, thank you?

That's it?

This passionate expression only received a "thank you".

Especially Zhang Fei's careless and even impatient expression made Wang Anshi feel offended.

What Zhang Fei said next made Wang Anshi completely angry.

"I wonder if there is anything else that Bachelor Wang would like to add?"

The implication is that if you don’t add anything, then I have to ask you to go down.

Wang Anshi suppressed the anger in his heart and asked: "It seems that Prosecutor Zhang already knows everything about the dispute between Dongliu and Beiliu."

Zhang Fei hurriedly said: "Oh, I don't know much about this."

Wang Anshi was very confused and said: "Then why don't you ask clearly?"

Zhang Fei responded with an apologetic smile: "Please forgive me, Mr. Wang. First of all, of course we are very grateful. Mr. Wang can help us fully understand the whole thing.

However, this hearing mainly involves the presentation of evidence on whether to prosecute Deputy Ambassador Cheng and Cheng Dujian, rather than specifically discussing the dispute between Dongliu and Beiliu. This hearing is not under the control of our Procuratorate, nor does our Procuratorate. There is no time to interfere in these matters. ”

Wang Anshi was stunned for a moment, and suddenly realized, yes, this is a trial, but this was also mentioned by Han Qi first, and I just followed his topic.

However, Wang Anshi is also battle-hardened after all. After a brief moment of confusion, he said: "As for many of the accusations against Cheng Dujian, they stem from this dispute. Isn't the Procuratorate going to understand clearly?"

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "Of course we know that this case stems from water control, and of course we will also find out the relevant river fortifications, but we hope to hear more professional and objective suggestions instead of Subjective policy."

Wang Anshi frowned and said, "Isn't my suggestion not professional and objective enough?"

"Well, Bachelor Wang is talking about policy choices, including many factors, as well as defense against the Khitans, but this is not within our scope of concern. We are mainly talking about river defense fortifications."

As he spoke, Zhang Fei suddenly lowered his head and quickly flipped through the text, "But as far as we know, Bachelor Wang doesn't have much experience in water control, and he hasn't published any articles with great repercussions on river defense technology. , and have never even served as a water conservancy officer."

Before Wang Anshi could refute, Zhang Fei added: "Of course, I know that many water control policies were drafted by Academician Wang, but Academician Wang also doesn't know whether the river should be widened by one foot or by one foot. . These opinions are directly related to this case. Because we have to find out whether Cheng Dujian has any favoritism in water control, such as deliberately adjusting the river course to benefit some people. This is of great concern to us. ."

Wang Anshi couldn't help but feel confused by these words. Even Han Qi, Wen Yanbo, Sima Guang and others below were caught off guard and looked at Zhang Fei blankly.

During the lunch break, they were all ready for a big river debate.

After all, this is a traditional political program in the Northern Song Dynasty. As Han Qi said, it has been quarreling for decades.

This platform is something they have never tried before, and they find it very fresh. Sima Guang and Wen Yanbo are all eager to try it.

As a result, this was just the beginning, when Zhang Fei poured cold water on him from head to toe.

If Wang Anshi is not worthy of sitting here and talking loudly, then they are not worthy either, because they are not that kind of professionals or technicians, and they have not published articles on water control.

That is to say, it is over before it even begins.

Some officials, such as Cheng Yi, felt that the procuratorate was impartial and impartial, because they knew that it was Han Qi and Wang Anshi who really brought in the private goods. They wanted to start a dispute between Dongliu and Beiliu, but the procuratorate If you don't buy it at all, isn't this selfless?

This also made Meng Qiansheng, Pei Wen and other officials extremely surprised and full of questions.

They originally thought that the Procuratorate deliberately provoked the matter at the hearing and then guided policy. This was also Zhang Fei's usual method, but they never thought that the Procuratorate had no such intention at all.

Wang An Shitou was criticized for being unprofessional, and in front of a large crowd. His chest was about to burst with anger. He got up angrily, returned to his seat, and waited for Zhang Fei angrily.

If looks could kill.!

Zhang Fei could only smile awkwardly at this. After all, he was unpretentious, what else could you expect, and nodded towards Wang Gong.

Wang Gong stood up uneasily and called a man named Dongsheng.

When they heard this name, everyone looked at each other.

Who is it?

No one seems to know anyone.

All eyes were looking at the corridor where the witnesses were present. They also wanted to see who the person who could compare with Wang Anshi was.

After a while, I saw a middle-aged man in his forties, with sinister eyebrows, thick limbs, a weathered face, and short brown clothes walking up.

This is really shocking!

What the hell?

Even looking at his temperament, he doesn’t look like an expert hermit!

Zhang Fei stretched out his hand and said, "Uncle Dong, please sit down."

"Thank you very much."

Dongsheng trembled his lips and replied vaguely. He looked left and right again with his rat eyes, and whispered in a low voice: "Why are there so many high officials here."

Zhang Fei smiled gently again: "Please sit down."

"Oh."

Dongsheng sat down straight, as if he was receiving magical instructions rather than his own behavior.

Zhang Fei reassured: "Uncle Dong, don't be nervous. We invite you here today mainly because we want to understand the water conditions in Hebei."

"I know, the official told me." Dong Sheng nodded.

Zhang Fei asked: "Can you tell me first, where are you from and what do you do?"

Dongsheng said: "I am from Chanzhou, and I am a river patrol soldier in the Transportation Department."

River patrol soldiers?

Wang Anshi almost lost his breath and fainted. You asked me to go down and sit down just to invite the river patrolman to come up.

You are obviously deliberately humiliating me!

This is really unreasonable!

Sima Guang and the others were also confused. What was going on, he was directly demoted from prime minister to river patrol soldier!

This gap is too big.

I have to admit, the value of this hearing has plummeted!

The atmosphere of the entire hearing did indeed change with the appearance of Dongsheng.

Zhang Fei ignored them and asked, "Can you explain specifically the duties of this river patrol soldier?"

Dongsheng said: "It's very simple. Just follow the river, sometimes walking on the embankment, sometimes taking a boat, and then come back and report where the water is, whether it is fast or not, etc."

Zhang Fei nodded, "How many years have you been a river patrolman?"

Dongsheng said: "I have served as a river patrol soldier for twenty years, but I have patrolled the river with my father since I was a child. In total, it lasts for thirty years."

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Is your father also a river patrol soldier?"

"Well, three generations of my family have served as river patrol soldiers." Dongsheng said slightly proudly.

Zhang Fei smiled and asked: "I heard that you once testified that the river map of the Transshipment Department was wrong."

Dongsheng nodded

Zhang Fei asked again: "Do you know that in recent years, the imperial court has been renovating rivers in Hebei?"

Dong Sheng nodded and said: "Of course I know, my legs have almost broken in recent years."

Zhang Fei nodded with a smile and said, "I think the court should pair you with a horse or a donkey."

Dongsheng grinned and scratched his head, "How is that possible?"

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Maybe it will be possible in the future."

Dong Sheng felt happy and thought to himself, maybe I said it well and there is a reward, that would be really great.

I immediately sat upright and cheered up.

Zhang Fei asked again: "Since you have participated in these river defense works, what do you think about this?"

"Humph!"

"Nonsense!"

As soon as these words came out, officials on both sides were extremely dissatisfied.

For such a big policy, you went to ask a patrolman and let us senior officials watch from the sidelines. Are you humiliating us?

Dongsheng was frightened and dared not speak.

Zhang Fei frowned and said with a serious expression: "We have stated the rules beforehand. If anyone interferes with the witness's testimony again, we will invite them to drink tea in the side room. In serious cases, we will even reserve the right to prosecute him. We at the Procuratorate never joke about the power we have.”

There was sudden silence.

But everyone’s faces are full of dissatisfaction, okay, this is your territory, and we will settle the score with you after the hearing is over.

Zhang Fei said to Dongsheng again: "Uncle Dong, you don't have to be afraid, just tell the truth. No one will blame you, whether it's right or wrong."

Seeing that this young man was so powerful, Dongsheng gave him a lecture. The officials on both sides really did not dare to speak, so he breathed a sigh of relief, "I think the Ergu River dredging work was done very well. No. It took a few days to seal the breach, so the official must be someone who knows how to control water."

Cheng Fang smiled slightly when he heard this. This uncle had some discernment. No wonder the procuratorate specially invited him here.

Unexpectedly, Dongsheng suddenly changed the subject, "But I think the official might be a little anxious and didn't check the local river water trend clearly."

Zhang Fei asked: "Why?"

Dongsheng said: "After the Ergu River is dredged, the new river channel must be blocked. However, the Ergu River only diverts 60% of the water. The high officials must block the new river channel, which requires a lot of people to block it. But in fact, if eight percent of the water is diverted and then blocked, I estimate that only 30 percent of the manpower will be needed, and the working hours will only be half."

After hearing this, Sima Guang couldn't help but look at this guy, he was really quite capable.

Zhang Fei said with an encouraging tone: "Second Uncle Dong, please continue talking."

"Yes!"

Dongsheng nodded and thought to himself, could I have said it well? Immediately his confidence doubled, and he said: "In addition, to dredge the Ergu River there, we must cut off most of the huge depression in the Ergu River. The depression is very important. Without this depression, once the depression is gone, If the flood peak is too strong, the two rivers will merge with the new river channel, which will cause a flood."

Zhang Fei asked: "Does the new river course you are talking about refer to the north flow?"

"Yes. That's what officials often say."

Dong Sheng nodded and said: "And, according to my observation, the water of the Yellow River flows to the west, but there are several rivers in the Western Mountains that flow to the east. Once the water rushes in, the middle area will become a vast ocean, and at least five states will be submerged."

As soon as these words came out, Zhao Xu's expression changed drastically and he stood up suddenly.

Many officials also looked horrified.

Zhang Fei said: "Uncle Dong, we don't understand very well just by talking. Can you draw it for us to see?"

"OK."

Dongsheng said confidently: "As for the river near Chanzhou, I can really draw it with my eyes closed."

Zhang Fei quickly asked someone to put up a screen, covered it with a white cloth, and prepared the Four Treasures of the Study.

Dong Sheng came forward with a pen and just painted. Although it was just a few hasty strokes, it was not beautiful at all, but there was a different feeling, that is, you would not feel that he was just scribbling, giving people a sense of proficiency. a feeling of.

Some officials who are familiar with the rivers in Hebei nodded frequently when they saw it.

But there were also some civil servants who turned their heads to the side. It was really embarrassing for a group of court officials to watch a **** painting here!

Zhang Fei smiled and asked: "It seems you draw often!"

Dongsheng nodded and said: "That's what we, the river patrollers, do. We must know where the river will flow. However, I usually draw on sand and have never painted on such a good cloth. ”

While speaking, he showed a look of regret again, as if he had ruined a good piece of cloth.

Zhang Fei tilted his head and looked at the drawing board and said, "Uncle Dong, can you explain it to us again."

"Is this okay?"

Dongsheng felt a little uneasy when he saw that there were all high-ranking officials on both sides.

Zhang Fei said: "It doesn't matter, you just say it."

"That's good."

Dongsheng explained again according to the drawing, where the depression is, where the dredging point is, and how the water will flow when the flood comes.

Han Qi, Sima Guang and the others gradually became fascinated.

Even though Wang Anshi was angry, he couldn't help but be absorbed in it.

After Dong Sheng finished speaking, Zhang Fei asked again: "Second Uncle Dong, since you are so familiar with the direction of the water flow, do you have a way to let the water in the new river channel return to the old river channel?"

Dong Sheng shook his head and said, "I can't help it. It's like pouring water into a jar. When the water is full, it will overflow."

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "But you can put a wooden basin under the jar, for example, create a new river to divert the water."

Dong Sheng shook his head and said: "How wide can this man dig out a river? How fast can the water flow? After so many years of digging, can the canal be compared with the Yellow River? My father told me that this water needs to be There are reasons for where you go, but you can't change them."

Zhang Fei said: "Then have you told the above about this?"

Dongsheng thought for a while, "I think I told you, but who would listen to me, a little patrol soldier."

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "Thank you very much, Uncle Dong, for attending. You can go down and have a rest first. If necessary, I will ask you to come up again."

"Okay! I'll leave first."

"Walk slowly."

After Dongsheng left, the procuratorate reported another person named Luo Jian.

This man was dressed similarly to Dongsheng. He was a little older, had two eyebrows, and looked like he was bitter and resentful.

Zhang Fei asked: "Uncle Luo, please sit down."

"Thank you."

Luo Jian sat down, his expression dull.

This made Zhang Fei feel that asking any more questions would be a sin, so he asked slightly embarrassed: "Uncle Luo, can you tell us where you are from and what you do?"

Luo Jiandao: "I used to be a dam patrolman in Guantao County, and now I am a ship repair craftsman."

"The dam patrol officer is responsible for inspecting the dams?"

"And also responsible for building dikes."

"How many years have you been working?"

"Twenty years."

"What do you think of Hebei's river defense fortifications in recent years?"

Luo Jian tilted his head and looked at Zhang Fei blankly, "I only know how to build dams."

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Then let's talk about the dams of the river defense works."

Luo Jian thought for a while, "The dam was built very solidly and with high technology, but it's just useless."

Cheng Fang was quite comfortable listening to it at first, but after hearing this, he immediately glared at Luo Jian, "Do you understand? If you don't understand, just stop talking nonsense, okay?"

Zhang Fei asked: "Why?"

Luo Jian said: "Because the river is too narrow, it is impossible to prevent it. The Zhanghe River has just been dredged for a year, and it has burst again.

In fact, dams can only prevent some minor floods, or slow down the water. If a flood comes, they cannot be prevented. Waterproofing is the same as fire prevention. Repair the dams, maintain the rivers, and provide warnings if the water rises. , people should be informed to run away quickly and come back after the flood is over. ”

Some officials nodded repeatedly.

How can this man defeat God!

Zhang Fei glanced at the copy and said: "According to our procuratorate's investigation, you have effectively foreshadowed a flood and told the local people to evacuate to higher ground."

Luo Jian nodded

Zhang Fei said: "But unfortunately it didn't succeed, and many people still died."

Luo Jian nodded again.

Zhang Fei said: "You also lost your position as dam patrol officer because of this."

Luo Jian nodded.

Zhang Fei said: "Why?"

Luo Jian said: "Because everyone thinks I am spreading rumors."

"But it turns out you're not."

"But if I don't take responsibility, then the county magistrate will have to take responsibility."

The officials on both sides slightly covered their faces. After all, there were many people watching outside.

"That's true."

Zhang Fei smiled and nodded, "Then how do you predict floods?"

Luo Jian said: "After many years of observation, I found that in some frequent breaches, as long as the river water rises to a certain position, flooding may occur. Therefore, I carved scales on the nearby dams to indicate when the river water When it reaches the mark, I will run to tell the people to avoid possible floods."

Zhang Fei nodded and said: "Now that the imperial court has dredged the Ergu River and diverted the water eastward, Guantao County will be free from floods and the people will have good farmland."

Luo Jianzhi shook his head and said: "I think this is more dangerous."

Zhang Fei asked: "Why is this?"

Luo Jian said: "My family lives next to the new river. In fact, the water in the new river has stabilized for several years. It's just that the court has always allowed the river to flow on its own without strengthening the dams of the new river. This makes it appear that The river is unstable. As long as the dams of the new river are repaired, the previous floods will not hurt too many people.

Now that the water is diverted eastward, the new river channel in Guantao County has been damaged again. Once the flood returns, no one will be spared. ”

Zhang Fei said: "So you think it is impossible to return to the east of the river?"

Luo Jian nodded and said: "As long as God is in a bad mood and it rains a lot, and the river over there can't bear it, the water will still come this way."

"Thank you, Uncle Luo, for attending."

After Luo Jian went down, the procuratorate immediately summoned a witness named Li Tuo.

Zhang Fei took the trouble to ask him where he was from and what he was doing.

"Xia Guan is from Huazhou and holds an official position in Xiuhe Company."

"I wonder how long Mr. Li has been in this position and what is he usually responsible for?"

"About fifteen years, I am usually responsible for cleaning up the river sediment." Li Tuo replied.

Zhang Fei asked: "Have you participated in the Hebei river defense projects in recent years?"

Li Tuo nodded, "Yes."

Zhang Fei asked: "What do you think of this?"

Li Tuodao: "The official is not optimistic about it."

"Why?"

"Because since ancient times, the old path has been difficult to restore. The reason is that if the river chooses another path, it is probably because there is too much silt downstream, causing the upper stream to burst. If you want to solve the problem, you should also go to the lower reaches to clear the silt instead of The river is diverted upstream, and this may be counterproductive. According to my many years of experience, this slow flow will lead to siltation.

Now that the water in the north stream is gradually slowing down, you can see silt accumulating on the river and causing congestion. The court should quickly remove the silt from the north stream, otherwise it will be difficult to collect the water. ”

"Based on your years of experience, how should this mud be cleaned?" Zhang Fei asked.

Li Tuodao: "The best way is to maintain it continuously and not slack off. The reason why floods in our dynasty were so frequent is because in the chaotic times of the late Tang Dynasty, the river channel was neglected and seriously damaged. The dams on both sides should be strengthened. Planting trees and clearing silt in time does not mean to eliminate floods, but to reduce them."

Zhao Xu in the hall nodded frequently after hearing this. A word of official business was much more pleasant to the ear than those of the ministers. In the chaotic times of the late Tang Dynasty, the river course was almost destroyed, resulting in constant floods. We, the old Zhao family, are here to clean up the mess, but we are not It was caused by the old Zhao family.

After Li Tuo went down, Zhang Fei summoned several people to appear in court to testify.

Without exception, they are all petty officials and soldiers, but they all serve as technical officials in river defense construction, and all have at least ten years of experience.

But according to their confessions, no one believed that returning to the eastward flow of the river could be successful. They all believed that the northward flow was the general trend.

The reason is also very simple, because they are technical officials, politics and technology are two different things. Politics has a purpose, not just water control, but in terms of technology, there are only things that can be done and things that cannot be done.

After that, Zhang Fei finally invited Wen Yanbo over.

Everyone couldn't help but cheer up again. There was a trick. After all, Wen Yanbo was also an Eastern sect, but he, together with Sima Guang, suggested taking things slow and managing things slowly, not in a hurry.

The little soldiers in front all thought that Dongfeng was unavailable, so inviting Wen Yanbo to come up at this time would naturally give them a chance to refute.

Zhang Fei asked: "Wen Gong is a veteran of the three dynasties, so he should be familiar with this matter. I wonder what Wen Gong thinks about this?"

Wen Yanbo was silent for a long time, took a deep breath, and said calmly: "I don't have much opinion on this."

Many officials were shocked.

Wen Yanbo has been in officialdom for a long time and has extraordinary eloquence. How could he have no opinion?

Lu Huiqing was shocked and said: "How could this happen?"

Wang Anshi gritted his teeth and said, "We were all teased by that kid."

"Haha!" Han Qi lowered his head and covered his face with his wide sleeves, faintly seeing his shoulders shaking rapidly.

Fu Bi beside him shook his head helplessly when he heard his proud voice, thinking to himself, this kid can always win by surprise!

Zhang Fei pretended to be surprised and said: "Don't you have any opinion at all?"

Wen Yanbo stared, "No." At the same time, his eyes warned Zhang Fei, "Enough is enough, kid."

Zhang Fei understood and said, "Then there is Mr. Lao Wen."

Wen Yanbo immediately stood up and returned to his seat.

Zhang Fei looked at Sima Guang and others again, and the latter turned their faces aside.

The helpless Zhang Fei looked at the sky again and saw that the sun was already setting, so he said with a hint of fatigue: "Today's hearing ends here. Our procuratorate will judge whether it can be prosecuted based on today's confession." Cheng Dujian and Deputy Ambassador Cheng filed a lawsuit. If we feel that the evidence is insufficient and someone can provide new evidence, we will hold another hearing."

Wang Gong stood up, expressed his gratitude to everyone, and then officially announced that the hearing was over.