Judge of the Song Dynasty Chapter 698: Soft landing (Part 2)

In fact, Lu Huiqing did not see through the tacit understanding between Zhang Fei and Zhao Xu. The real reason why he thought the emperor might want to change was because of Han Qi.

At such an old age, Han Qi came from Daming Mansion to attend a hearing held by the Procuratorate. This is a signal worth pondering.

No one will believe that this is the authority of the procuratorate.

Not possible either.

Given Han Qi’s status, there is really nothing the Procuratorate can do if it is not in favor of the Procuratorate.

Only one person can make Han Qi come back to attend the hearing.

This man is the emperor.

And Han Qi hinted at the hearing that if the eastward flow was not possible, the northern flow would have to be. If the emperor really asked Han Qi to come back, then it is not difficult to guess that the emperor did have the idea to change his plan.

Once Han Qi's power returns to the court, coupled with the supporters of the Northern School, he can completely replace Wang Anshi.

This has to be done with caution.

Let's take a step back and take a look at the situation.

Of course Wang Anshi could not be swayed by the confessions of several river patrol soldiers, but he also had to consider the emperor's thoughts. Although he had always judged that Han Qi was unlikely to return to the court, but you have to say whether this is In fact, Wang Anshi was not sure about the emperor's hint.

Because Wang Anshi knew that Han Qi had been begging to become an official. He was indeed too old, but Zhao Xu refused and asked Han Qi to take charge of the extremely important task of guarding Northern Xinjiang. In addition, there were rich Bi, Wen Yanbo, Ouyang Xiu and other elders of the three dynasties.

Why do you keep a bunch of old men?

It was more or less intended to check and balance him.

Looking at it this way, Zhang Fei’s plan is really more suitable for the current situation. After all, developing technology is also in line with his political philosophy, and developing technology does not mean giving up the Dongliu Plan, but giving up on making a desperate move on this matter. , go to death Baocheng Fang.

Lu Huiqing went to find Zhang Fei that night, and the two discussed the matter together. Zhang Fei also personally wrote a draft of this article, and then Lu Huiqing took it back, and Wang Anshi personally wrote it based on the draft. Write an article.

After writing it, Wang Anshi believed it himself.

Not bad!

This seems to be the core concept of my new law.

Soon, this article appeared in the newspaper.

The article still starts with the business law, emphasizing that the way to control water should be realistic, with technology and experience first, and uses the inventions and experiences of our ancestors as examples, which leads to the core of the idea that the people do not increase the wealth and the state uses the resources. Concept means improving technology and improving tools, which is the driving force for the people not to increase the wealth and the country to use the resources.

To this end, the Agency will also establish a water conservancy school in Damingfu, focusing on innovative technologies and improved tools, and has stated that it will strengthen the reuse of technical officials. In fact, technical officials are also Wang Anshi's basic base. Sima Guang's men had few opportunities to display their talents.

Not only that, he also said that he would consider inviting Dongsheng to draw the river map in the textbook, and consider including the set of flood prevention methods Luo Jian mentioned in court into the textbook, and may also name Luo Jian's scale.

Of course these gimmicks are all Zhang Fei's intention. How could Wang Anshi understand these? However, Wang Anshi also agreed to do this, which could win over the lowest level officials.

In addition, although this is a draft written by Zhang Fei, no matter what, it is signed by Wang Anshi. This is also the first time Wang Anshi has clearly stated that the people will not be enriched and the state will use the labor with technological innovation. In the past, They are all tied to financial management.

As soon as this newspaper came out, it immediately caused an uproar.

Cheng Fang found Lu Huiqing immediately.

"What does this article mean?"

Cheng Fang shook the newspaper and asked Lu Huiqing.

He thinks he has been betrayed because the confessions of Dongsheng and Luo Jian are not conducive to his flood control plan. To praise them is to harm me!

Lu Huiqing consoled him: "Captain Cheng, please be patient. We are just leaving a way out for everyone."

Cheng Fang sneered: "Aren't you scared by Mr. Han?"

Lu Huiqing explained: "Of course not, on the contrary, we are preventing Xianggong Han from destroying our plan. Everyone agrees at the moment that the reason why the old road is constantly flooded is mainly due to siltation downstream, and currently we do not have the technology to remove it. Those siltations are a technical issue, not a policy issue.

We need to rely on this to regain control of the entire plan, and then we can discuss what to do. ”

Cheng Fang smiled and said: "Lv Collector, our family is not a three-year-old child. You have left yourself a way out, so who will bear this responsibility?"

After saying that, a flash of despair flashed in his eyes, and he waved his sleeves and left without waiting for Lu Huiqing to speak.

It was not Wang Anshi who asked him to control the floods, but he proposed the plan first, and then Wang Anshi gave his support. Cheng Fang was leaning towards the conservative side before, because Sima Guang and Wen Yanbo were also Eastern sects, but Sima Guang He thought his plan was too radical, but Wang Anshi admired it very much, so Cheng Fang defected to the reformists.

Although he was a eunuch, he also had his own political ambitions.

But politics is very cruel.

Lu Huiqing came to the door, looked at Cheng Fang's lonely back, and hummed softly: "If you did a good enough job, you would not be a disgrace to the public, and you would almost drag us all into the water."

In addition, Wang Anshi's statement also caught the reformists a little off guard. What do you mean? Should you continue to support Cheng Fang, or betray your teammates and switch to the Beiliu route?

"What did Lv Xiaokan say?"

Meng Qiansheng asked Deng Wan.

Deng Wan said: "Lv Xiaokan said that this is just to give us a backup plan so that we can continue to promote the farmland water conservancy law."

Pei Wen snorted coldly: "I don't think so. You are praising the two river patrol soldiers. This is obviously to admit defeat!"

Deng Wan said: "It's not enough to admit defeat. Scholar Wang only emphasized the technology of water control and will not change the Dongliu plan. After all, we have to be more careful when facing Mr. Han!"

Meng Qiansheng frowned and said: "Does this mean that Mr. Han will return to the court?"

Deng Wan said: "It is not impossible. I heard that Mr. Han will stay in the capital for a while and will not be in a hurry to return to Daming Mansion. If Mr. Han's illness is not true, he will probably return to the court. Hall."

Xie Jun was deeply worried and said: "If Mr. Han returns to the court, then we have to be more careful. Moreover, if Wang Xianggong fights with Mr. Han, then Sima Junshi will get a big advantage for nothing!"

A few people looked at each other, somewhat uncertain.

For them, whether it is Han Qi or Wang Xueshi, they can actually accept it. The only thing they cannot accept is judicial reform.

But for Wang Anshi's die-hard loyalists, they would rather cooperate with Sima Guang than let Han Qi come back, because many people in the reformist faction impeached Han Qi in order to support Wang Anshi's rise to power, which also forced Han Qi to leave the court. an important reason.

Sima Guang can coexist with Wang Anshi, but if Han Qi comes back, he must be above Wang Anshi.

From this point of view, Wang Anshi's choice to take a step back is more in line with everyone's interests. Let's calm down and take a look at the situation.

Penal Court.

“It’s really just an illusion to hold on to Mr. Xianggong!”

Liu Shu sneered and said: "This is just a hearing before the court has even started. To have this Mr. Ao change his original intention and choose to stand with the Northern School. He is really seeking power and has no principles. ”

Lv Gongzhu said: "But this article doesn't look like what Wang Jiefu wrote. He couldn't write such a humble article."

Sima Guang nodded and said: "This is Zhang San's handiwork."

Liu Shudao: "Even if it is Zhang San's idea, at least the signature is Wang Jiefu, which means he supports it."

Sima Guang said: "I agree with this article, but it does not mean that he is giving up. The article is very clear. The reason why the old road is constantly flooded is that the temporary dredging technology is not enough to remove the sediment downstream of the old road. I It seems that he is using this as an excuse to continue to promote the farmland water conservancy law."

Wen Yanbo nodded, "This is actually not a bad thing. If Wang Jiefu is willing to make certain compromises, then we should not be aggressive."

Liu Shu looked at Wen Yanbo in shock, aren't we sworn in with that thief?

But neither Lu Gongzu nor Sima Guang said anything.

They are all from the Dongliu School, because they are all afraid of the Liao Kingdom. With an extra line of defense, they feel more at ease. As long as the threat of the Liao Kingdom exists, there will always be a market for the Dongliu Plan, no matter whether it succeeds or not.

But this is also why the Dongliu Plan failed. It is because their first consideration was national defense. In fact, this is also correct, but they simply cannot control the Yellow River. If they still think so much, isn't this just asking for death? .

If Wang Anshi is willing to compromise, it will become the slow-advance policy of the Eastern faction, which is in line with their original intention. It is better than losing both sides and letting Han Qi lose the advantage.

Although Wen Yanbo also knew that Han Qi would not return to the court, Han Qi absolutely supported Beiliu's plan. He also had this plan when he came back this time. The key is that he really has the ability to change the emperor's mind. Reversal of the entire policy.

Obviously, they do not support the Northern Stream plan.

So on this issue, continuing to fight with Wang Anshi is not worth the gain!

Fufu.

"Hahaha!"

Han Qi stroked his beard and laughed, "I didn't expect that I, Han, could scare them half to death when the oil was running out, hahaha!"

You know this guy is here to show off, but he is really stubborn. Fu Bi said lightly: "It sounds really tragic."

Han Qi's smile faded and he suddenly lost all interest. He said unhappily: "Yan Guo, when did you become more disappointing than Uncle Ouyang Yong."

Fu Bi said: "Things are not that simple. The imperial court spent so much manpower and material resources to open the Ergu River, so it is impossible to change the plan easily. Moreover, Wang Jiefu only said that we should pay attention to the technology and experience of river management, and did not mention changes. Dongliu Plan."

Han Qi said confidently: "If the officials still firmly support the Dongliu Plan, there will not be this hearing. Yan Guo, you know this better than anyone else, but you are just unwilling to admit it. ”

Fu Bi said: "Beiliu may not succeed, and the new river channel is built on people's houses and fields, which will definitely cause public resentment. Why don't we unite as one and manage the old channel well?"

Han Qi said: "The problems with the old rivers have been formed over thousands of years. The cost of managing the old rivers is certainly far greater than building new rivers. The key is that the management is not good. You are not in Hebei and you don't know the people's sentiments in Hebei. If I hadn't been behind to deal with the aftermath. , there has been a commotion a long time ago."

In fact, it was Han Qi who really muddied the waters. His appearance and opinions made both the DPRK and the Chinese factions somewhat afraid.

No one dares to judge easily what this old fox is thinking.

Han Qi was only opposing Wang Anshi's New Deal, which was similar to the views of the conservatives, but it did not mean that Han Qi was in line with the conservative ideas. In the final analysis, neither faction wanted Han Qi to return to the court.

After Qi Ji also returned from Daming Mansion and submitted a complete report, the Procuratorate issued another notice after review, still maintaining the original judgment and refusing to prosecute this matter, whether it was Cheng Yi or It's still Cheng Fang. Unless there is new evidence, this will be the final decision of the procuratorate.

Both the reformists and conservatives are somewhat dissatisfied with this, but they are also hesitant. However, the two houses of Taiwan did not hesitate to impeach the procuratorate for bending the law for personal gain and abusing its power.

After all, there is no room for two tigers in this mountain. Both Yushitai and Jianyuan have regarded the Procuratorate as a competitor.

This time Zhao Xu was very active. After receiving the memorial to impeach the Procuratorate, he immediately held a meeting in Chui Gong Hall to discuss the matter, and specially called Zhang Fei into the hall to explain the decision.

In this regard, Zhang Fei has to explain it himself. Xu Zun may go astray under the other party's questioning. In fact, their judicial concepts cannot be changed in a short while.

Of course, Han Qi and Fu Bi were also present, each with a chair, sitting on the left and right sides.

At this point, the censor Jiang Zhiqi grabbed Zhang Fei and accused the procuratorate of ignoring the facts. As a result, so many people became homeless and even died of exhaustion on the river. One after another, the procuratorate said there was no evidence. , this is simply talking nonsense with open eyes.

"Your Majesty, what Jiang Yushi said is very right."

Zhang Fei stood up and said, "According to the final investigation results of our procuratorate, first of all, there is nothing wrong with what Deputy Cheng did, because Deputy Cheng only gave the sailors three days to repair and replenish their supplies in the military camp. They were eventually given enough food and clothing to continue serving in the river, and Cheng Dujian himself also appreciated this."

Zhao Xu nodded slightly.

Cheng Yi is absolutely not wrong.

Zhang Fei continued: "In comparison, the issues related to Cheng Dujian are more complicated. Just in the dredging of the Ergu River and the construction of river defense fortifications on the Zhang River, at least 3,000 households suffered extremely. Huge losses. At the same time, as many as 300,000 soldiers and laborers were recruited. According to the accounts of the River Transfer Department, preliminary estimates indicate that this directly led to a reduction of about 40% of the tax revenue of Daming Mansion."

Zhao Xu asked: "In that case, why did your procuratorate still decide not to prosecute anyone?"

Zhang Fei said: "The reason is that whether it is dredging the Ergu River or building the Zhang River, they are all decisions made by the imperial court, and Cheng Dujian is just an official who provides suggestions and implements government orders.

According to the confessions of many water conservancy officials, whether it is building the Zhang River or dredging the Ergu River, it will inevitably require the recruitment of labor and the destruction of some people's fertile land. In the decree issued by the imperial court, they were also given the power, but they did not There is no restriction on how many laborers Cheng Dujian can recruit, and there is no restriction on how much fertile land Cheng Dujian can requisition.

At the same time, the "Song Xingtong" did not give a specific judgment on important river defense fortifications. ”

Jiang Zhiqi asked: "I heard that Prosecutor Zhang is very good at using precedents to improve the law. Why didn't the procuratorate consider using precedents to improve the system this time?"

Zhang Feiwu smiled to himself and nodded: "What Jiang Yushi said is reasonable, and our Procuratorate has fully considered this. But we finally believe that this precedent will seriously harm the interests of the country, the monarch, and the people.

Because according to our investigation, Cheng Dujian worked tirelessly to manage various rivers in Hebei in just a few years, including dredging, expanding dikes and other fortifications that were very beneficial to river construction.

Of course, in many aspects, his orders are indeed questionable and have brought suffering to many people, but he is still fulfilling his duties.

If the judiciary integrates this matter into a legal precedent and finds Cheng Dujian guilty, this will lead to a very bad phenomenon.

That is to say, officials will not seek merit, but seek no fault. Because in such a large project, various problems will definitely occur, just like people will definitely die in a war. If the judiciary determines that this is guilty, in other words, every water control minister can be judged in advance as guilty. ”

Jiang Zhiqi said: "You are just trying to hide it. Is it difficult to distinguish between intentional and unintentional things?"

Zhang Fei asked: "Does Jiang Yushi think Cheng Dujian dug people's graves intentionally or unintentionally? Can he gain anything by digging people's graves?"

Jiang Zhiqi said: "But you can't turn a blind eye, you should compensate the people."

Zhang Fei said: "When it comes to compensation, we have carefully reviewed it. First of all, the local government is responsible for expropriation and compensation. Secondly, the local government has not said that compensation will not be provided to the people. At the same time, there is no provision in the law. How much compensation is there and is there a time limit?"

Censor Peng Siyan said with a smile: "These words sound like sophistry."

"This is not a quibble."

Zhang Fei shook his head, "There is no room for quibbles in the judiciary. The fact is that the court's regulations in this regard are very vague, and the judiciary cannot just judge by right or wrong, but should judge by written norms."

Zhao Xu asked: "Then how should the court respond according to Zhang's prosecution intention?"

Zhang Fei said: "I think the relevant laws should be improved. For example, we can implement the legal system and use the law to defend the rights and interests of the people.

When the personal interests of the people conflict with national policies, the court should also write down the rules. For example, during a war, the court requisitions private houses, and during natural disasters, the government can destroy fertile farmland and private houses to protect the country and the country. The rights and interests of some people should be stipulated clearly at the same time, and compensation will be given to the people, in terms of the amount and the period.

Of course, it may be difficult for the court to consider everything, but these can be fixed slowly, mainly to determine whether it can be expropriated, whether to compensate, the amount of compensation, the period of compensation, etc. In this way, the Judiciary Office will have laws to follow. ”

Zhao Xu nodded, "That makes sense."

Sima Guang suddenly stood up and said: "Your Majesty, I think it is difficult to make up for these loopholes just by improving the judiciary, because the real reason for the complexity of this matter is the lack of the system.

If Cheng Dujian had submitted all expenditures on labor, land, etc. to the court in advance, these problems might not have arisen.

I suggest that the system in this area should be improved. Any fortifications must be counted first, and then finally decided by the court. You cannot just provide a suggestion and start construction rashly. ”

Zhao Xu nodded slightly.

Wang Anshi suddenly stood up and said: "Does Bachelor Sima know how much manpower and material resources are needed to dredge the Ergu River?"

Sima Guang said: "This kind of thing can be discussed by everyone."

Wang Anshi said: "Then we will never come up with a result. I think two hundred people are needed, and you think we need a hundred people. Then we will never be able to come up with an answer. Then it will be the same as before, everything will be different. It can’t be done.”

Zhao Xu immediately asked: "Do you have any suggestions for Academician Wang on this?"

Wang Anshi cupped his hands and said: "Before answering your Majesty's question, I would like to ask Prosecutor Zhang a question."

Zhao Xu nodded.

Wang Anshi asked Zhang Fei again: "Prosecutor Zhang, at that hearing, why did you choose a few river patrol soldiers to testify instead of water conservancy officials? As far as I know, many water conservancy officials also have many Experienced."

Zhang Fei said: "This is mainly because water conservancy officials have political leanings and have to consider many people and things. River patrol soldiers do not have these. They can only tell the truth, and our procuratorate hopes to get the purest technical analysis. ."

"Exactly what I thought."

Wang Anshi nodded and said to Zhao Xu: "Your Majesty, controlling floods requires technology and experience, so determining manpower and material resources, and determining the duration of fortifications should also be based on technology and experience.

It just so happens that the Engineering Administration plans to establish a water conservancy school in Daming Mansion to gather talents from all over the world in order to improve the technology of river management.

The minister suggested that the Minister of River Defense should propose a plan, and then the Water Conservancy Institute should provide a budget based on this plan. The imperial court would then use the budget provided by the Water Conservancy Institute as the basis. ”

Liu Shu immediately questioned: "Isn't this Water Conservancy Institute a government office?"

Wang Anshi said: "At the hearing, Mr. Han said something very right. The government and the opposition must work together as one, but I find it difficult to reach a unified opinion with some colleagues. To borrow the words of Prosecutor Zhang, the Institute of Water Conservancy There will be no political leanings. If everyone is a water conservancy school, we can work together."

Han Qi smiled and nodded: "What Academician Wang said is very reasonable. I agree very much."

As he spoke, he turned his head and looked at Fu Bi, "What do Mr. Fu think?"

Fu Bi glared at him, then nodded: "This is indeed worth considering."

Sima Guang was very depressed.

The Institute of Water Conservancy belongs to the business law. It was Wang Anshi who set it up. If not you have the final say, you are just changing your shell.

You guys are really good at playing.

But it seems a bit petty to say this, because the business law is not Wang Anshi's personal one, and anyone with idle talents can sign up.

Zhao Xu nodded and said: "It is said that both listening will lead to enlightenment, and partial belief will lead to darkness. I also want to hear the opinions of some non-officials."

Han Qi shouted again: "Your Majesty is so big-hearted, it is really a blessing for our people in the Song Dynasty!"

Lu Huiqing, Chen Shengzhi, Zeng Gongliang and others also came out to express their support.

Wen Yanbo and the others also stepped forward one after another.

Wang Anshi continued his efforts, "Your Majesty, the most controversial thing in this case is the abuse of civilian power. The hearing also explained this. There is no clear provision on civilian service, and it is difficult to stipulate it, because every day The situation of every household is different. It is almost impossible for the government to investigate clearly, especially in emergency situations, it is difficult to take full care of it.

The best way is to expand the exemption law and directly pay people to work in the future. According to the system of our dynasty, the main labor services are still borne by the soldiers. Large-scale conscription of civilians for service usually occurs during natural disasters.

At this time, if you choose to spend money to hire servants, you can not only recruit many people, but also provide relief to the people with work, which is two birds with one stone. ”

"It makes sense!"

Zhao Xu nodded frequently, but looked at Sima Guang.

Zhang Fei also glanced at Sima Guang.

Sima Guang was struggling there.

Wen Yanbo was anxious and immediately stood up and said: "Your Majesty, to implement the concept of legal system, it must be the public prosecutor's law. I suggest that the public prosecutor's law be implemented in Hebei."

"Accurate!"

Zhao Xu nodded without hesitation.

Lv Gongzhu whispered: "Jun Shi, what are you hesitating about?"

Sima Guang said: "Jingdong East Road has not been dealt with clearly yet, and we are eager to try it out in Hebei Road. If the personnel are improperly employed, the reputation of the public prosecutor, procuratorate, and law will be ruined!"

Lv Gongzhu said angrily: "Someone has to do this. If you want others to do it well, why should I count on you?"

Sima Guang said: "Everyone relies on the public security, procuratorate, and law, so we can't be anxious. We have to get things done, and we can't rush for success."

".!"

Mr. Lu was so angry that he turned away.

Zhao Xu coughed, "I also went to see that hearing. In any case, many people in Hebei did suffer losses due to the imperial river defense works, but the Hebei government was unable to compensate, so I decided to take it from the inner treasury. 300,000 yuan will be used to pay compensation and relief to the people of Hebei."

Sima Guang's eyes lit up, his worries turned into joy, and he immediately stood up and said: "Your Majesty is wise."

Conservatives also shouted excitedly: "Your Majesty is wise"

Although Wang Anshi also shouted, "Your Majesty is wise," he knew it well. The emperor must have believed that this fortification was indeed a waste of money and people, but the emperor could not admit this mistake, so he could only pay compensation.

Fortunately, we will hire servants in the future. We will spend money to hire people, so it won’t be a waste of time and money.