Judge of the Song Dynasty Chapter 790: Just judgment

When Zhang Fei went to Jianghuai for inspection last year, Feng Nancy told him that there would be a fierce battle at the end of the year.

This situation is not an accident.

The future of the Department of Taxation is definitely not bright, it is definitely full of ups and downs. This has been true at all times and in all countries. The source of most conflicts lies in taxation.

Because no one likes paying taxes.

This is human nature.

But in the past, in the eyes of most people, the Taxation Department and the Public Procuratorate were a den of snakes and rats, and they attacked them indiscriminately. This even led to many prosecutors and police chiefs thinking that the Taxation Department was the same. Being in the same system as myself.

However, with the popularization of public security law, it gradually won the support of the people, which also led them to distinguish between the two.

Because they discovered that the Public Security Bureau is to protect their own rights and interests, while the Taxation Department is to claim their wealth, which is not the same thing.

The change in their views has also led to changes in the mentality of judicial officials, such as Qi Hui, Fan Chunren, Su Shi and others. They actually do not want to join the ranks of the Taxation Department.

In the final analysis, they belong to the same class as the scholar-bureaucrats. What the **** is the tax department? They are all made up of evil officials, from the top to the minions.

This makes the whole matter extremely complicated, because the Taxation Department is restricted by the Public Prosecution and Procuratorate Law. If the imperial court does not provide support, it will be difficult for the Taxation Department to carry out its work.

Zhao Xu and Zhang Fei had already taken precautions against this. Although Zhao Xu passed the official reform and took power personally, he did not weaken Wang Anshi's power in the court, and both Xue Xiang and Lu Huiqing were promoted.

In addition, there is the position of chief judge. It can be said that this position belongs to none other than Zhang Fei.

Otherwise, why Zhao Xu didn’t promote Zhao Pian up in the first place? In fact, he was just waiting. The main reason was that Zhang Fei was too young and it was inappropriate to directly promote him to the chief judge. The second reason was that Zhang Fei still had to lead the procuratorate. For newcomers, it is easy to train a judge, but it is more difficult for a prosecutor to train.

But now, Zhao Xu felt that he could not wait any longer.

He set up this chief court to check and balance Fu Bi, Sima Guang, Zhao Peng and others.

Also, the plan against Xixia is full of dirty deals, which is also a very urgent need. A chief court president will cover it and give support to this plan.

When he returned home, Xu Zun also came back, and Zhang Fei also truthfully informed his father and daughter that Zhao Xu was going to promote him to the position of president of the court.

"President?"

Xu Zhiqian looked at Zhang Fei in surprise and joy, "Is he the chief judge of the highest court?"

Zhang Fei nodded.

Xu Zhiqian was confused again: "You, can you take the responsibility?"

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "The president of the court is directly appointed by the officials, without going through the three provinces and six ministries."

Xu Zun was not surprised by this, but he frowned: "Is it because of the tax department?"

"Yes."

Zhang Fei nodded and asked: "What do you think, father-in-law?"

"This is not easy to handle!"

Xu Zun sighed and said: "I heard that many people blocked the coffin in front of the tax department's gate in Jianghuai and made a big fuss. However, there are almost no ministers in the court who support the tax department.

Not only that, Yushitai has also intervened. Didn't they set up the Supervisory and Legal Department before? So they are also actively preparing evidence to accuse the Taxation Department of abusing its power and violent law enforcement. They even compared the tax police to cruel officials like Lai Junchen.

The reason for all this is that many landowners and ministers no longer regard the Public Security Bureau and the Taxation Department as one body, but hope that the Public Security Law and the Taxation Department can curb the atrocities of the Taxation Department and protect their rights and interests. ”

Xu Zhiqian suddenly realized something and hurriedly asked: "Are the officials asking you to give support to the tax department?"

Zhang Fei nodded.

Xu Zhiqian frowned and asked: "Why don't the officials directly support the tax department?"

Xu Zun frowned and said, "Why do you keep asking endless questions?"

If you think back carefully, it is not difficult to realize that although all the people in the Taxation Department were arranged by Zhao Xu, he is almost invisible in the tax law.

All of them are supported by the establishment of the Ordinance Department of the second government and the Public Security Bureau.

Zhao Xu has never said who he wants to tax. He is actually very low-key.

The reason is very simple. If he asks the scholar-officials to tax, then he will be an enemy of the entire scholar-official class. Moreover, he is the largest landlord, how can he have the nerve to say this!

Zhang Fei glanced narrowly at Xu Zhiqian who was being reprimanded, and then said to Xu Zun: "Father-in-law, there is no need to worry too much. In fact, from another perspective, if the president of the court can do this, he can also fully demonstrate the power of the court. I think this is a good opportunity."

Xu Zundao: "Aren't you afraid of offending everyone?"

The underlying meaning is that the emperor cannot afford to offend him, but can you afford to offend him?

Zhang Fei said: "I hope they know that I am the one who can't afford to offend."

Xu Zun opened his eyes and looked at Zhang Fei with slight surprise.

Zhang Fei said: "Otherwise, I won't be able to serve as the president of the court."

Xu Zunfu nodded.

Why Xu Zunhui was surprised? It was because Zhang Fei always hid in the background, played both sides, and was all-round. Through a series of complicated operations, he forced them to solve the problem in the imperial court and worked **** the judgment to satisfy the interests of all parties. need.

Zhang Fei suddenly became hard-on, which made him a little uncomfortable.

But what he doesn't know is that now that the stage of not using hidden dragons has passed, the public prosecutors and the law are no longer what they used to be. They no longer need to be afraid of all forces, but should let all forces be afraid of the public prosecutors and law.

We can no longer look at the law the way we used to.

Although Zhao Xu has never explicitly expressed his support for the Public Security Bureau, he was very direct when it came to the matter of being the president of the Grand Tribunal. He did not notify anyone or discuss it with anyone. He just issued an edict to promote Zhang Fei to the Grand Tribunal. long.

This really caught everyone off guard.

It also made everyone stunned.

In fact, most people also know that Zhang Fei’s final assignment will definitely be the Chief Justice, but they believe that he will be promoted step by step, at least until Zhao Peng retires.

This is appropriate.

Given Zhao Pian's status, it would be awkward to sit below Zhang Fei.

The key is that Zhao Pian is old and cannot stay for so long.

But I didn’t expect it to come so suddenly.

Fufu.

"Fu Gong, can the Chief Justice make such a hasty appointment?"

Wen Yanbo said to Fu Bi with a confused look on his face: "Zhang San just went on an inspection tour. Taken together, it didn't last more than a year, and he didn't make any achievements during this period. When he came back, he was promoted to president of the court. , this. This is simply unreasonable."

The gilded journey was very common in history. For example, if the emperor wanted to promote someone, he would go to the border to perform military exploits, so that he could become famous.

But such a gilded journey as Zhang Fei’s has never been seen in history.

You must know that in the eyes of many people, Zhang Fei failed to even pass the inspection. How can anyone patrol like him?

It's just paddling.

In Wen Yanbo's view, this is not a gold-plated journey at all, but a smear journey. It is better to promote him directly instead of letting him go out on patrol.

But Fu Bi smiled and said: "This is not hasty at all. The officials deliberately did not discuss it with you first, because according to the system, the chief judge is directly appointed by the officials."

The emperor is doing this to tell them that this is imperial power. If he wants to discuss it with you, what else is it called imperial power?

Wen Yanbo frowned and said: "Then the next president of the court will probably be a eunuch. This still needs to be restricted. The position of president of the court is very important and cannot be so casual."

Fu Bi stroked his beard and felt that what Wen Yanbo said made sense. He nodded slightly and said, "Let's discuss this matter slowly later. After all, there is no problem with the candidate this time. Sooner or later, Zhang San will serve as the president of the court. This is a matter of course."

This edict has been issued. If they object, it will destroy the entire public security system. This was the original provision. If they regret it, Zhao Xu can also regret it.

Wen Yanbo asked again: "What do you think the rich man is doing by appointing Zhang San as the president of the court at this time?"

Fu Bi smiled and said, "Why do you ask even though you know everything?"

Wen Yanbo frowned and said: "But according to the system, this lawsuit has to be fought level by level. Can it go to the highest court?"

Fu Bi said: "Litigation is a matter between two parties. The lawsuit is currently in the hands of Zhao Yuedao. As long as the final judgment is unfavorable to the Taxation Department, the Taxation Department will definitely go to the Supreme Court, because the Taxation Department only Being able to rely on the imperial court, no official family has ever come forward to protect the tax department."

Wen Yanbo said: "But if the case goes to the Supreme Court, in addition to the chief judge, there will also be a chief judge appointed by the Political Affairs Hall and the Privy Council from the second-level imperial court to participate in the trial."

Fu Bi said: "But at present, the five second-level imperial courts are still empty. Now the presidents have to be transferred from the capital to the local areas. Where can I find people in these second-level imperial courts?"

Wen Yanbo looked at Fu Bi, "I wonder what Mr. Fu thinks about this?"

Fu Bi said: "Let's take a look and talk about it. Like you, this is my first time meeting the chief judge."

Whether or not there is a chief judge, these are really two different things. Fu Bi is also encountering him for the first time, and he doesn't know how to deal with it yet.

Sima Guang received news yesterday that Zhang Fei was back, and was planning to discuss how to deal with this problem with Zhang Fei.

I never thought that after this night, he would directly become the president of the court.

This...

Sima Guang was speechless, this really reached the sky, but Zhang San is not yet thirty years old, how can he be promoted in the future.

Given Sima Guang's character, he would not go to Zhang Fei to discuss the matter before the final verdict.

But he was still very worried.

Hundreds of lives were lost, including some respectable scholar-bureaucrats. The influence was so bad that the literati basically resented the Department of Taxation.

This is equivalent to pushing Zhang Fei to the forefront.

Household Department.

"Teacher, by appointing Zhang San as the chief judge at this time, the officials must be hoping that the verdict will be favorable to the tax department."

Lu Huiqing said to Wang Anshi.

Wang Anshi nodded slightly.

Xue Xiangdao: "In this case, should we give Zhang San some support?"

Lu Huiqing immediately said: "Three secretaries must not be impulsive. Nowadays, the civil and military officials of this court are disgusted with the tax department. Even the officials dare not give clear support. If we support rashly, it will only cause disaster." , now the three departments and water transportation are undergoing reforms, which still requires their cooperation.

Furthermore, although Zhang San has always given support to the New Deal, his relationship with Bachelor Sima has always been good. This is an internal problem for them, and they will properly resolve it. ”

After thinking about it secretly, Wang Anshi said: "Ji Fu is right, we should not get involved in this matter easily. If Zhang San really needs it, he will take the initiative to come to me."

This matter is so unpopular now. Even if you want to support it, you cannot support it blatantly. Otherwise, you will definitely get into trouble. You must know that they are the chief executives. Anything they do requires the cooperation of the officials below. If If you offend everyone, who will cooperate with you?

Not just them, everyone is very cautious about this matter.

Including Zhao Bian.

Now this case has been in Zhao Pian's hands, and Zhao Pian is also dizzy with thoughts. He is thinking about the future, not the current case. In fact, everyone is arguing about the future, not about punishing a few people. The tax police are so simple, so how to judge will make things change for the better.

This is really hard to decide.

What will happen if the tax department is severely sentenced to collect taxes in the future?

It’s not okay to sentence the tax department harshly and cause lives to happen at every turn!

Constraints must still be given.

To this day, Zhao Pian has not come up with a solution. However, Zhang Fei's appointment as the president of the court has made Zhao Pian much more relaxed. He does not feel that Zhang Fei has robbed him of his seat. Even in terms of credit, Zhang Fei also deserves the title.

Now he knows very well that no matter how he decides, it will eventually go to the Supreme Court.

He simply gave the tax department a heavy sentence. First of all, this would not cause any trouble to himself, because the judgment was based on everyone's wishes. Secondly, it also left many reasons for Zhang Fei to overturn his own verdict. Thirdly, this is a warning to the tax police, the imperial court may convict you.

So, on the fifth day after Zhang Fei came back, Zhao Bian immediately gave the verdict.

More than 30 tax police officers were convicted of manslaughter for abusing their powers and violent law enforcement, and the tax officials were ordered to rectify their internal affairs to avoid such a situation from happening again.

This charge is very serious, manslaughter, and considering the identity of the deceased, this is definitely a capital crime.

As soon as this verdict came out, the ministers were very excited. It at least proved that most judicial officials were on their side. Everyone has not forgotten our roots. We are of the same class.

As everyone expected, the Taxation Department was directly dissatisfied and filed a complaint directly with the Supreme Court.

Now the pressure is all on Zhang Fei.

Everyone’s eyes were also fixed on Zhang Fei.

You are just a mere commander now, how dare you risk the disapproval of the world?

Most people judged that Zhang Fei might just take it back and not go too far.

After all, the law does not blame everyone!

With so many people opposing it, the Taxation Department is not guilty, so he is guilty.

This is a political law!

The consensus of the people is the highest law.

These literati also began to exert pressure in various ways through articles.

This made Xu Zun's family feel like Alexander. Even Xiaotao and the others were pestered with questions when they went out to sell vegetables. The atmosphere was simply suffocating.

However, the results surprised everyone.

After nearly a month of review, Zhang Fei suddenly published the verdict of the Supreme Court in the newspapers. First of all, he expressed his deep sympathy for these tragedies and also felt extremely sorry.

But that's all. Then he directly overturned Zhao Pian's judgment, saying that the Taxation Department did not make any mistakes in law enforcement and that the tax police were not guilty.

At the same time, he said in the judgment that the root cause of this tragedy was that everyone felt that the tax was too high and therefore refused to accept it, so they blocked the tax department. He also gave an example, look at those ordinary people who did not follow the rules. There have been conflicts with the tax department, and they are all very enthusiastic about paying taxes. He even suggested in the name of the chief judge whether the court should reconsider the tax law.

Finally, he warned the people again not to conflict with the tax department again. If they encounter injustice, they should immediately seek help from the Royal Police or the Procuratorate or the Royal Court.

This verdict immediately caused an uproar.

But it is different from what everyone expected. Although the final judgment not only did not severely punish the tax department, but also did not pursue any fault, many ordinary people, wealthy households, and businessmen changed from opposing the tax department to supporting the judgment of the chief judge. .

Yes, yes!

As expected of the chief judge, he is really to the point, and his judgment is much wiser than that of Judge Zhao of Gyeonggi Province.

The fundamental reason is that taxes are too high, not that the tax department is too excessive.

If you can, you can double the tax rate so that no one will cause trouble and everyone will pay the tax in full.

The civil and military officials in the dynasty were so angry that they vomited blood.

I have never seen such a shameless person.

MD!

Isn’t it you who caused the warehouse tax?

Now you think the tax is too high.

God is also you, and ghosts are also you.

Why don't you die?

Everyone desperately reminds everyone that when it comes to the tax law, this brat is the culprit!

He did it all.

Now he is pretending to be a good person here again.

Don’t be fooled!

However, after their reminder, a considerable number of people suddenly thought that the tax department was right, the tax law was not wrong, and the chief judge was wise and powerful, because they suddenly realized that if the tax rates of big landowners were lowered, they might Just pay more taxes.

It will be the same as before.

Why do we not have conflicts with the Taxation Department? We only have conflicts between big landowners and powerful people and the Taxation Department. That is because the Taxation Department is beneficial to us!

This...

The ministers were completely depressed.

People’s hearts are not ancient!

It’s hard to lead the team!

"This brat is really more cunning than a fox."

Wang Anshi threw the newspaper in his hand on the table, "With this move, it changed from a judicial issue to an administrative issue."

Xue Xiang worriedly said: "We must not reduce taxes easily. The reason why the imperial court dares to issue tax coins and reform water transportation is entirely because of the increase in tax revenue. If taxes are reduced, the finances will soon be overwhelmed."

Lu Huiqing frowned and said, "But then, the pressure will shift to us again."

Adjusting tax rates is definitely an administrative power.

Wang Anshi said: "If they want to reduce taxes, then we will reduce people, salaries, and privileges. With the current system, this is the only way."

Now we can’t exploit people wantonly. If we don’t have money, we really have no money.

Whoever wants to reduce taxes will be responsible.

Not convinced!

The ministers were so angry that they could not be convinced.

Originally, they envisioned relying on public opinion to put pressure on Zhang Fei, but they forgot that the emergence of newspapers and periodicals meant that they no longer had an absolute monopoly on public opinion.

The current direction of public opinion has changed.

This trump card is no longer useful.

But in the highest imperial court, there is only the emperor.

So Yushitai took the lead and went to the emperor to make trouble. Their reason was that according to the system, this kind of case should have to be heard by two chief judges from the second-level imperial court, but now it is the chief chief judge. Qiankun is arbitrary and inconsistent with the system. At the same time, they also said that so many scholar-bureaucrats have died, but the imperial court still wants to protect the tax department. Why don’t you, the emperor, say a word?

Zhao Xu is actually happy to see this situation, which shows that the judicial power is still in his hands.

So a meeting was held in Chui Gong Hall.

"President of the Court."

"I am here."

"I promoted you to the position of President of the Grand Court because of your high attainments in the law and your great contribution to the construction of the Public Security Bureau. However, the first case you judged aroused dissatisfaction among the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty."

Zhao Xu asked with a frown.

Zhang Fei replied: "Reporting to Your Majesty, I will also make the judgment according to the law."

Jiang Zhiqi immediately said: "So many people have died, but the murderer is free under the judgment of the chief judge. What kind of legal judgment is this?"

Zhao Xu also pretended to be confused and said: "Yes! If the tax police collected taxes in accordance with the law, how could so many lives have been caused!"

Zhang Feidao: "Based on the confessions and evidence provided by Yangzhou, the main conflicts occurred in two stages. One is the seizure of the suspect's property.

According to regulations, the Taxation Department does not need the approval of the royal court before it can directly seal up. This is because it is afraid of alerting the suspect and causing the suspect to transfer his property.

But this is just to put a seal on it, not to confiscate it. In this process, the tax police cannot take away any needle or thread. However, many people, including some of the deceased in this case, blocked the tax police from entering their homes to put stickers on them. Seals, which led to conflicts.

However, in the view of the Tax Department, this kind of behavior may be a delaying tactic by the other party. On the one hand, it prevents the tax police from entering, and on the other hand, they transfer the property, which is why they are very anxious.

Secondly, when it comes to confiscating property, at this point, it must be an order from the imperial court. However, there are also many people who obstruct the Department of Taxation from enforcing the law.

All evidence shows that it was the other party who blocked the incident first that led to the tragedy, rather than the tax police actively provoking the conflict. ”

Wen Yanbo stood up and asked: "Do we have to kill people to raise taxes? Besides, the other parties are all old Confucian women and children. Isn't there anything wrong with what the Tax Department did?"

Zhang Fei said: "Mr. Wen may have some misunderstandings about the tax department. The tax police and the royal police cannot be confused. The royal police protect the rights and interests of the people, but the tax police are only responsible for tax laws. They don't care about other things. They I won’t pay attention to whether the other party is an old Confucian woman or a child.”

As he spoke, he took out a tax bill, "And on the tax bill, it is also clearly stated what people need to do when facing the tax police."

Wen Yanbo retorted: "But you are the chief judge, not the tax envoy. You should consider the rights and interests of the people. Is it possible that human life is as trivial in the eyes of the chief judge?"

Zhang Fei said: "What Mr. Wen said is very reasonable. I have also carefully considered this point, because from the perspective of the imperial court, we must prevent such things from happening again."

Feng Jingdao: "So you think that by covering up the tax department, this kind of thing will not happen again?"

Zhang Fei said: "First of all, I am not covering up, I am just making a judgment according to the law. Secondly, I think this judgment can effectively prevent such things from happening again."

"I would like to hear good advice."

"How to prevent this kind of situation, the imperial court is faced with two choices. One is to strictly restrain the tax department. The second is to deal with it impartially and maintain the authority of the tax department.

After carefully studying this case, I think the latter can prevent such things from happening again.

Because the conflict is caused by the other party blocking it in the first place, if the tax department is strictly restrained, they will definitely intensify their efforts, and the tax department must complete the tax collection tasks. Such conflicts will definitely continue to occur and become more serious. frequently.

But if they knew that a conflict with the Tax Department would do them no good, they would naturally not dare to conflict with the Tax Department again.

Concerning this, Gyeonggi District and Jingdong East Road are the best proof. At first, the Taxation Department also encountered a lot of troubles in these two places, including many conflicts. However, due to the support of the public security supervision and the court, these two places are now There has never been any such conflict again and everyone coexists in harmony. ”

Feng Jing scolded: "You are talking nonsense. Everyone is just forced by the power of the tax department, rather than living in harmony."

Zhang Fei said: "That is better than losing one's life innocently. Moreover, I also wrote very clearly in the judgment that the cause of this tragedy is not the tax department, but whether the tax is too high?

Because the reason is that they evaded taxes, were discovered by the tax department, and then refused to pay taxes. There were many reasonable scholar-officials among them. Why they did this must be because they thought the taxes were unreasonable! ”

"The most unreasonable thing is the warehouse tax, but isn't this the bill you submitted?"

Feng Jing immediately asked.

"I submitted it."

Zhang Fei nodded, "I think it is reasonable, and it is beneficial to the country and the people, and it is still the case now. But they think it is unreasonable, and there is no conflict between the two.

So I wrote the cause and effect of the whole matter in the judgment very arbitrarily. I didn't just brush it off just because I brought it up. I think I did it selflessly. ”

The ministers were all dumbfounded. This is not shameless, but selfless?

You really deserve to be born in Erbi.

Zhang Fei added: "Moreover, if you think the tax is unreasonable and too high, you can change the tax rate, but you should not blame the tax department who collects the tax in accordance with the law.

If this problem is not fundamentally solved and the tax department is severely punished, it will only make things more complicated. ”