As the saying goes: The most difficult thing to resolve is a couple's case, and the most difficult thing to do is to be a Kyoto official.
Wannian County Magistrate Cui Di has this idea. Speaking of Cui Di, he has a decent background. He is a branch of the Cui family in Qinghe. He is considered to be a wealthy family. However, he did have a son from a concubine, not to mention these years. The imperial court suppressed the wealthy families, so that the wealthy children who originally had their tails raised have long lost their glory. Even now, everything is as usual, and the family's favor cannot befall him.
This Cui Di is also an ambitious person. The other children of wealthy families are complaining about themselves, lamenting the unfair fate, and scolding Du Rui for his troubles and troubles in the country, but he studied hard in his humble childhood and became an official through the imperial examination.
He was a Jinshi in the first department of the Hongwu Dynasty. He first worked as an editor in the Hanlin Academy for a few months, and then went to the Ministry of Punishment as a director. Within a year, he was appointed as the county magistrate for ten thousand years.
Since he became the county magistrate for ten thousand years, he has been focusing on politics, doing things impartially, and must do something spectacular under the eyes of the emperor.
????????????????????? Although this ten thousand-year county magistrate is at the feet of the emperor, his rank is only sixth grade, which is only one level higher than the ordinary county magistrate. In Chang'an, if the officials from various ministries were chained together like dogs, they would stretch from the east end of Zhuque Street to the front of Chengtian Gate. Every official would be much bigger than him, even if he was a high-ranking official. The great housekeepers are much more majestic than him.
But Cui Di, no matter how young he is, is still a parent. After understanding this, Cui Di's psychology became balanced. He wanted to do something earth-shattering and let the emperor know that he was no small talent.
Therefore, it has only been two months since he took the position of county magistrate, and he has already made everything look the same in this three-acre area. If things continue like this, he might not be able to wait until the end of the year for the official evaluation Sometimes, you can also get into a first-class position.
But now that the Tang Dynasty is peaceful and the people are at peace, how can there be any major events for him, a sesame official, to show his talents, especially at the feet of the emperor, and with a great god like Du Rui watching over him, who dares to do evil? After sitting in this position for two months, Cui Di has dealt with most of them. They were all trivial things that made his ambitious heart itch, wishing that something big would happen here.
At noon that day, he sat in the lobby for a long time, and every one of them filed a lawsuit. Cui Di felt bored and wanted to go back to the back office to rest. But when he got up, he suddenly heard loud drums outside the county office.
Cui Di did not dare to neglect, and quickly asked the class leader to lead the people. As soon as the people came to the hall, Cui Di became excited. He saw a few people in coarse clothes carrying a door panel, and there was a person lying on it. His chest was obviously collapsed, and his mouth was The nose bleeds and I can't live without seeing it.
Cui Di was very excited. This was the first murder case he had encountered since he took this position. But he wanted to laugh but felt that someone had died. It was unreasonable for his county magistrate to laugh, so he suppressed it.
"If you have any grievances, just tell them directly, I will make the decision for you!"
It was three semi-drunk men who complained that one of their friends had been trampled to death by a horse.
Hearing this, Cui Di didn't waste any more time and let the three people lead the way to the door of a wine shop. There was already a crowd of people there, and the man who was riding a horse to kill people actually got a chair and placed it in the main hall of the wine shop. At the door, people drank wine in a big way.
When Cui Di saw it, he became furious and rode his horse during the trouble in Chang'an. Who in the entire Tang Dynasty had such favor, except for the emperor himself, the only Duke of Song Dynasty was Du Rui.
According to the Laws of the Tang Dynasty, anyone who rides a horse during a disturbance will be punished with a rod for thirty years, not to mention trampling someone to death. Without saying a word, Cui Di had people come forward to arrest him.
But he didn¡¯t expect that when the kid wanted to take him, he didn¡¯t care and even shouted: ¡°I am the nephew of the late emperor and the cousin of the current emperor. My name is Fang Shu. Who can do anything to me?¡±
When Cui Di heard this, he couldn't help but hesitate. Everyone knew that the royal family didn't have many heirs. If he was really the emperor's cousin, he would really be a distinguished grandson.
Cui Di hesitated, but the people watching the excitement on both sides stopped and started talking one after another. They said nothing more than "the emperor breaks the law and the common people are guilty" and "it is better to go home and sell sweet potatoes when you are an official and don't make decisions for the people." .
It is easy to say that a prince is guilty of the same crime as the common people, but more often, it is just a beautiful expectation of ordinary people.
The meaning of this sentence comes from "Historical Records: Biography of Shang Jun": Since the Duke uses Wei Yang, the Martingale wants to reform, but he is afraid that the world will judge him. Wei Yang said: "Doubtful actions have no name, and doubtful deeds have no merit. Moreover, those who have the actions of an expert will definitely see things that are not in the world; those who have the worry of knowing alone will definitely see trouble in the people. Fools hide their secrets in accomplishing things, and wise people see in their infancy. . The people should not worry about the beginning, but they can achieve success. The most virtuous person does not follow the common people, and the person who achieves great success does not seek for the public. Therefore, the sage can only strengthen the country, but does not follow the rules; he can only benefit the people, but does not follow the etiquette. "Xiao Gong said: "Good." Qianlong said: "No. The sage does not change the people and teaches, and the wise do not change the law and govern."??If you teach because of the people, you will succeed without working; if you govern based on the law, the officials will practice it and the people will be at peace. "Wei Yang said: "What Long said is what the world says. Ordinary people are content with their old customs, while scholars are addicted to what they hear. With these two, it is okay to be an official and abide by the law, but it is not necessary to talk about what is outside the law. The three generations are different. Ritual is the king, but the five uncles dominate with different methods. The wise practice the method, the fool controls it; the sage is more polite, and the unruly person is restrained." Du Zhi said: "If the benefit is not a hundred, the method will not change; if the merit is not ten, the tool will not be changed. The ancient method There is no fault, and there is no evil in following the rituals." Wei Yang said: "If you don't govern the world in one way, the country will not follow the ancients. Therefore, Tang and Wu became kings without following the ancients, and Xia and Yin died without following the rituals. Those who oppose the ancients are indispensable, but there are not many who follow the rituals. ." Xiaogong said: "Good." Wei Yang was appointed as the chief of the left concubine, and he ordered the reform.
?????????????????????????????????????????????????? Those who do not accuse the traitor will be cut in half, those who accuse the traitor will be rewarded with the beheading of the enemy, and those who conceal the traitor will be punished with the same penalty as surrendering the enemy. If the people have two or more males who are not different from each other, the gift will be doubled. Those who have made military achievements will be rewarded with high rank according to their leadership; those who engage in private fighting will be punished according to the severity of their punishment. Those who work hard in their profession, till and weave, and gain a lot of grain and silk will be restored to their original state. Those who are not profitable and who are lazy and poor will be treated as children. Unless the clan has military merit, it cannot be a vassal. In the Ming Dynasty, the rank of nobles and nobles was ranked according to their differences, and their fields and houses were named according to their differences. The clothes of ministers and concubines were named after their families. Those who have merit will be honored, while those who have no merit will be rich but have no glory.
The order has been issued but has not yet been issued. In order to fear that the people will not believe it, a three-foot-long tree has been erected at the south gate of the capital city. Anyone who can move to the north gate will be offered ten gold coins. The people are so strange that no one dares to move. He replied, "Those who can move will be given fifty gold coins." There was a man who moved there and gave him fifty gold to show his innocence and not deceive him. Pawn gave the order.
The order was issued in the year of Minqi, and the people of Qin all said that those who were inconvenienced by the order at the beginning numbered in the thousands. So the prince broke the law. Wei Yang said: "If the law does not work, you must violate it from above." The prince will be punished. The prince, the heir of the king, cannot be punished. He should be punished by his master, Gongsun Ziqian, and his master, Gongsun Jia, should be tattooed. Tomorrow, all the people of Qin will follow the order. After ten years of traveling, the people of Qin said: "There are no scavengers on the road, there are no thieves in the mountains, and there are enough people at home." The people are brave in public battles and timid in private fights, and the countryside is well governed. In the early days of the Qin Dynasty, those who were inconvenient came to ask for convenience. Wei Yang said, "These are all chaotic people" and moved them all to the border towns. Afterwards, no one dared to issue orders.
However, the "Book of Rites. Qu Li Shang" records that "the rites cannot be extended to the common people, and the punishment cannot be extended to the officials", which was the embodiment of the guiding ideology of China's criminal legislation at the time. The criminal law at that time was openly unequal, and doctors and common people were treated differently in the criminal law. This became the guiding ideology of social criminal legislation at that time.
During the Warring States Period, the emerging landlord class stepped onto the political stage. Its political representatives were Li Kui, Shen Buhai, Shang Yang, Shen Dao, Han Fei and others. While opposing the guiding ideology of criminal legislation in the slave society, they proposed laws that were in line with the interests of the landlord class. and the guiding ideology of criminal legislation required.
?According to the legalist proposition: "If the rope is not twisted, the law will not be noble."
Those who break the law and commit crimes will be brought to justice.
When Shang Yang assisted Qin Xiaogong in his reform, the prince's master Gongsun Qian tried to stop Shang Yang from reforming and instigated the prince to break the law. Shang Yang considered that the prince was the crown prince of the country and could not increase the punishment, so he punished his master Gongsun Qian and pinched his nose. This is the origin of "the prince's crime is the same as that of the common people".
As far as the law is concerned, judging from historical records, there are too few examples of princes committing crimes and civilians being punished in accordance with the law.
In the Western Zhou Dynasty, the law had the "Eight Pi" system. There were eight types of people who committed capital crimes and could not be punished according to the law. Instead, they should be discussed by the most senior ministers of the court and then reported to the emperor for decision. The first of these eight types of people was Relatives of the emperor.
The laws of later generations contained a lot of preferential treatment for nobles and ministers. For example, the royal relatives were the top targets of the "Eight Discussions" system transformed from the "Eight Pis". Those who committed ordinary crimes were directly reduced to first-class punishment, and those who committed capital crimes had to go through the court. Discussed by the most senior ministers, punishment could only be imposed with the approval of the emperor. As far as the law is concerned, in ancient times it was never recognized that "when princes break the law, common people are equally guilty".
Of course, if the prince dares to plot rebellion, he will naturally be punished as severely as ordinary people.
The Duke of Zhou, one of the model figures of Confucianism, assisted King Cheng in ruling the world. His brothers Guan Shu and Cai Shu rebelled and were both executed by the Duke of Zhou. Taking this as an example, any prince who is labeled as a rebel will never die a good death.
The laws of the past dynasties have stipulated that if it is a serious crime such as treason or rebellion, you are not allowed to enjoy the "Eight Discussions" privileges.
In ancient times, even the Legalists who advocated "no hierarchy in punishment" did not advocate that princes who break the law are equally guilty as the people. Shang Yang advocated that "from the ministers to the officials and common people", all crimes should be punished in the same way.
When he was presiding over the reform of the Qin State, the prince broke the law. He ordered the punishment of the prince's teachers, one had his nose cut off and the other had his face disfigured. Han Fei, the master of Legalism, proposed that "the law is not noble" and "the ministers should not be spared from punishment." However, he did not say that princes should also be punished according to the law.
It can be seen that even the most radical Legalists only demand "no levels of punishment" for ministers and ministers. Because if the prince commits a crime and must be punished according to law, then will the emperor himself also be subject to legal regulations and sanctions?In ancient times, this issue was a restricted area for discussion. No scholar or politician dared to offend the emperor or the emperor's power with this issue. This may also be said to be the indispensability of the master mentioned by Han Fei in "Speaking of Difficulties" Touch the "reverse scale". Therefore, everyone is careful to control the "no level of punishment" below the level of ministers and ministers.
The most famous story of princes committing crimes is the same as common people. The most famous story is the story of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, Yang Jian, punishing his son Yang Jun.
Yang Jun was the third son of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty. He was named King of Qin and appointed as the general manager of Bingzhou. During his tenure, he carried out extensive construction projects and built a palace that was extremely luxurious and exceeded the specifications stipulated by the law. He also lent money and took interest to exploit the people.
After Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty learned about it, he dismissed his official position and summoned him back to live in the capital. The ministers all believed that King Qin's crime was just a violation of the system and did not need to be so severe.
Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty said: The law cannot be violated. Am I the emperor of five sons or the emperor of the people of the world? According to you, why are there not separate laws for the emperor's sons to abide by? A great man like Duke Zhou killed his rebellious brothers. I am far worse than Duke Zhou. How can I break the law?
As a result, Yang Jun died of frustration.
Sometimes, when the evidence is solid and under strong pressure, the emperor will be punished. The crimes committed by emperors are often much more serious than those committed by civilians, in terms of plot, scope, and relevant people involved. The relationships between the people involved in the entire case are definitely complicated. Common people's crimes are often just a matter of one or two people. No one can stop them from sentencing, and the relationship between them is relatively clear. This is the consequence of rights. Some people once said that rights are the devil. With rights, personal desires begin to expand, or with rights, people may be exploited and dragged into lawlessness. This was something that happened in previous dynasties.
" But Cui Di is also a stubborn person. He just doesn't believe in evil. When he heard what the people said, his blood immediately rushed to his head. He didn't care about Fang Shu's identity and quickly ordered someone to capture Fang Shu.
Fang Shu didn't expect that an official the size of a sesame would actually dare to embarrass him. On the way back to the county government office, he scolded Cui Di. When he arrived at the lobby of the county government office, he brought Hun's generous character to the extreme. Not only did he He beat the class leader and even tore off Cui Di's official uniform.
Cui Di originally wanted to report the matter to Dali Temple, but seeing that Fang Shu was such a bastard, he didn't care anymore and started interrogating the case in court. Unexpectedly, Fang Shu was very smart and confessed to the murder. Make a bet immediately.
Cui Di was furious and thought to himself: "It doesn't matter whether you are the nephew of the late emperor or the cousin of the Holy One. Anyway, I have a basis for punishing you. Even the Holy One cannot protect you."
Cui Di reported the case file to Dali Temple that day, and did not say who the prisoner was. He only said that he killed someone and confessed. Gao Ying, the minister of Dali Temple, read the file and without saying anything, he put an "X" on the file with a red pen.
Immediately afterwards, the file was transferred to the Ministry of Punishment. Du Yangsheng, the Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment, and Du Yangxue, the minister on the right and left, and Cui Zhengdao approved the case and made annotations. Du Yangsheng brought it to the cabinet the next day, and everyone made a plan and decided. Behead and make a decision.
Du Rui naturally knew about Fang Shu. After arriving in Chang'an a few days ago, he visited his house. However, the emperor broke the law and was guilty of the same crime as the common people. Not to mention a nephew, even his biological son. No mercy, there is no argument in the Tang Dynasty that if minors commit crimes, their crimes will be reduced to one degree, so this was cut without any discussion.
But when the emperor Li Xian arrived, there was no news. It turned out that Princess Gaoyang heard that her son had committed a capital crime, so she sneaked out of the fiefdom and went to Chang'an overnight to plead with Li Xian.
Li Xian naturally knew about the bad things about Princess Gaoyang. Back then, he had even thought of forming a group to rebel. Li Xian also disliked this aunt. But now, there are not many of Emperor Taizong¡¯s descendants still alive. Over the years, Those who committed crimes were killed, those who died of illness, and Li Zhi who was counting stars in Wozhou, there were only a few of them.
After all, he was a relative of his own. Seeing Princess Gaoyang crying and begging, Li Xian softened his heart, so he suppressed the memorial and thought about how to save Fang Shu's life.
But before Li Xian could say anything, Du Rui said something about the people's sentiments. Feeling ashamed, he gritted his teeth and signed the execution of the verdict.
In fact, Du Rui felt a little unbearable in his heart. It was not because of Fang Shu. The boy simply deserved his death. He couldn't bear it because of Li Xian. He knew that Li Xian was a soft-hearted person. It was really embarrassing for him to kill his relatives.
But this matter must be done. Since Li Xian ascended the throne, he has not yet taken charge of the government and has no prestige among the people. This matter can be used to establish the image of a benevolent and wise king.
Since Fang Shu had to die, he might as well make this matter bigger and use this matter to publicize Li Xian well. He suggested that Li Xian go to Wannian County Government in person tomorrow to hear the trial.
At around noon the next day, Li Xian was accompanied by Du RuiNext, dressed in light casual clothes, I arrived at the Wannian County Government Office as if on a private visit. I saw a bustling crowd in front of the county government office.
In the lobby, Cui Di was a little excited. Yesterday, Du Rui sent Du Pingsheng to inform him that today the emperor was coming to see him for trial. This news made Cui Di so excited that he didn't sleep all night.
At this moment, Cui Di was both happy and scared. He was looking forward to the early arrival of Emperor Li Xian, because he had never met Li Xian once, let alone the emperor knowing him. This made him a little excited, and he worked hard to become an official. What is the reason? Is it not to gain the emperor's appreciation, so that I can take a step closer, stand on a higher position, and do a great cause with great vigor.
"But it's almost noon, and the emperor hasn't come yet. If he pronounces the sentence, and then cuts the knife, wouldn't it be like cutting his own neck?"
The most disgusting thing is that Fang Shu, who is still stiff-necked and always challenging him, and Princess Gaoyang, who is also arrogant, scolding Cui Di's eighteen generations of ancestors, and just opening her mouth is all about me. I bought a watch last year.
Cui Di's face was now as black as if it had been smoked. He slapped the crowd and said angrily: "Princess Gaoyang, this is the Wannian County Government. Xu is not the eldest princess of His Highness, she is a law-abiding person. Well, if Your Highness interferes with my investigation of the case again, I will report it to the Zongzheng Mansion, and you, Fang Shu, you said that I didn¡¯t dare to kill you, so I have to deal with you today. Now, why don¡¯t you ask for mercy? ?¡±
However, when the teenage Fang Shu heard this, he laughed loudly and said: "Old Cui Di, you are just an official the size of a sesame seed and a mung bean. If you dare to kill me, you will kill me! If the Holy One knows about it, he will definitely kill you like a dog." The official was cut into pieces!"
Cui Di was furious when he was scolded. He sneered and said, "Then tell me again, did you kill the person?"
At this time, Li Xian, accompanied by Du Rui, had arrived at the entrance of the lobby. Li Xian wanted to go in immediately, but was stopped by Du Rui.
Then I heard Fang Shu yelling inside: "I killed him, or I killed him, so what! I killed someone, what's the big deal? I am the grandson of Emperor Taizong, the nephew of the late emperor, and the cousin of the current emperor. Even if I kill you, the bastard magistrate, what will happen!"
Although Cui Di comes from a wealthy family, he has been disliked by others since he was a child. What he hates most is bullying others. Hearing this, he said coldly: "Okay! Just admit it. Killing for life is an iron law of our Tang Dynasty. , then you are dead!"
Fang Shu didn't care, and laughed and said: "I'm dead. If someone dies, you have to kill me. What a joke. It was the man who bumped into my horse. He didn't know how to hide. Even if he died, he deserved it." , If you want to kill me, okay! Just come and see if you can save your head then!"
Cui Di snorted coldly and said: "Do you think I will pay you with your life for killing a murderer like you? Although the Holy Lord is still young, he is indeed a hero of the generation. He will never pity a villain like you!"
Fang Shu couldn't say goodbye for a while. He didn't dare to say that the emperor was unsage, so he stretched his neck and said, "Then my uncle Song Guogong Du Rui will kill you too!"
Cui Di was happy when he heard this and said: "Mr. Du, Duke of Song Dynasty, you need to know what kind of person Du is. This Code of the Tang Dynasty was compiled by Duke Guo of Song Dynasty. Duke Guo has always abided by the law. The late emperor gave Duke Du the right to ride a horse in Chang'an, and the country Your Excellency, you don¡¯t dare to overstep your bounds. You are a bad young man. You are just relying on your reputation as a royal nobleman to think that no one dares to do anything to you. However, today you have fallen into the hands of me, which is unlucky. Who can intercede? Not even!"
Hearing this, Princess Gaoyang, who was scolding Zhenghuan, was also stunned. When she thought that it was Du Rui who was in charge now, and the relationship between her and Du Rui had always been cold, she couldn't help crying. Li Xian watched from a distance, Feeling a little unbearable, he was about to move, but was stopped by Du Rui. Du Rui signaled him with his eyes to see how the next scene would play out.
Fang Shu ignored his mother and looked like a hero who would fight to the end: "Okay then! Just kill him. Twenty years later, I will be a good man again!"
Cui Di thought to himself, anyway, when it comes to this, even if the emperor doesn't come, it's because I don't have the luck. I can't lose to a playboy like you!
Cui Di gritted his teeth and stamped his feet as he thought about it: "Then you can come to me again in twenty years to settle the score! Everyone in the hall will hear the verdict!"
" Du Rui looked at it and saw that it was almost over. If Li Xian didn't show up, it wouldn't matter if Fang Shu lost his life, but this wise king's drama would not be able to be staged.
"The Holy One has arrived!"
Du Rui shouted out at the top of his lungs. When everyone heard that the emperor had arrived, they all knelt down.
Cui Di was secretly happy, knowing that Li Xian and Du Rui had watched the great drama just now. He quickly stood up and left his seat, knelt down in the hall, and did not dare to raise his head: "Wei Chen Wannian County Magistrate Cui Di, See, Your Majesty, long live my emperor!"
Then he greeted Du Rui and said, "I have met the Duke!"
Fang Shu quickly shouted: "Your Majesty! Uncle! Please help me!"
When Princess Gaoyang saw Li Xian and Du Rui coming, she hugged Fang Shu and burst into tears.
Li Xian glanced at Princess Gao Yang with an unbearable expression, sighed, sat down on the prepared chair, and said, "Cui Di! I'm here today just to hear the trial. You and Song Guogong can go over the details of the case together!"
Du Rui and Cui Di accepted the order together: "I obey the order!"
Du Rui gestured to Cui Di and asked first: "Mr. Cui County, I dare to ask what crime this Fang Shu has committed, and he should be sentenced to beheading!"
Cui Di is an eye-catching person. How can he not know why Du Rui asked questions knowingly? He replied calmly: "If you return to the country, Lord, Fang Shu rode his horse in the bustling city of Chang'an in broad daylight and hit passers-by." , and then instead of dismounting for treatment, he trampled the injured person with his horse, causing death. He also confessed that he did not violate it. According to my "Datang Code", killing must be paid with life, so the lower officials sentenced him to beheading. Dali Temple and the Ministry of Punishment all have The instructions have been approved as requested by the subordinate."
Du Rui nodded when he heard this. This Cui Di was a strong leader who was not afraid of the powerful, but he still asked: "Is it because he scolded you and roared in court that you quickly sentenced him to death?"
Cui Di calmly replied: "Your Excellency, you are joking. Although the official has a small and humble position, he also knows the laws of the court. How can he interfere with the law just because of his own selfishness? This Fang Shu has committed a capital crime, and the official is a low-ranking official." If you want to kill him, it has nothing to do with scolding him. Even if he doesn't scold him and begs him for mercy, he will still kill him."
Du Rui nodded again. Regardless of whether Cui Di is really so strong or just pretending, it is commendable that he can be so decisive. Then he asked, "Does Magistrate Cui know who this Fang Shu is?"
Cui Di thought to himself, now that the drama has come to this point, no matter what the emperor is thinking, his only choice is to fight to the end. He gritted his teeth and said: "Fang Shu claims to be the cousin of the Holy Emperor and the nephew of the Duke. , but the official thinks that no matter how noble his status is, since he has violated the king's law within the jurisdiction of the official, he is just a criminal."
Du Rui asked further: "Zhixian Cui, you heard what Fang Shu said just now. If you kill him, you will offend the Holy One and me. Even if the Holy One will not cut you into pieces, I will not be able to kill him." I'm afraid the officials will also cause trouble for you, so you're not afraid?"
Cui Di couldn't guess what Du Rui was thinking now, but thinking that with so many people watching, it was unlikely that Du Rui would bend the law for personal gain, he raised his head and looked at Du Rui as sincerely as a sunflower looking at the sun. Said: "Send it to your lord! The lower official thinks that the Holy Lord is the emperor of the ages and will not kill law enforcement officials just because a person commits a murder. As for the Duke of the country, the lower official has heard many rumors about you. Your Excellency. I have always governed impartially as an official, how can I find it difficult to be demoted because of a playboy who wasted his life?"
Hearing this, Li Xian suddenly said: "What if I am stupid and kill you?"
Cui Di was unambiguous and said: "That humble minister also died to abide by the law. He will leave his name in history and die well!"
Hearing this, Li Xian nodded repeatedly and cheered loudly: "Okay! Okay! I think it is a great blessing for our Tang Dynasty to have an official who enforces the law like you! Song Guogong!"
Du Rui said hurriedly: "I'm here."
Li Xian asked: "What is the rank of Wannian County Magistrate now?"
"Returning to the Holy Spirit, the capital city of Chang'an is divided into two counties, Chang'an County and Wannian County. The county magistrates are all of the sixth rank, which is one level higher than ordinary county magistrates."
After Li Xian thought for a while, he said: "In the most virtuous area of ??Chang'an, where the capital is located, isn't it too light to have only the sixth-grade county magistrate? I'm afraid it will be difficult to intimidate the young people. Duke Guogong of Song, I will make an arbitrary decision today. Please don't stop me. According to my decree, Chang'an will withdraw from the county in ten thousand years and establish a governor, Du Aiqing! What rank is the governor?"
Du Rui replied: "Fu Yin is the fourth rank official title!"
"The Governor of Chang'an is a third-rank official. I see Cui Di, who enforces the law strictly and is not afraid of the powerful, so I will make him the first Governor of Chang'an!"
When Cui Di heard this, he was really overjoyed. He was only a sixth-rank official now, and he was promoted to a third-rank official all of a sudden. That was not bad. He kowtowed repeatedly: "I thank the Holy One for his kindness, and I should die in return!"
Li Xian stepped forward, personally helped Cui Di up, and said: "You don't have to thank me, I should thank you. What I want is law enforcers like the Qing family. Only by entrusting the people of this world to you can I Only by governing with good officials can the people have their grievances redressed and the world be in order!"
The people watching outside the door also burst into praise.
Seeing that things were almost done, Du Rui whispered a few words to Li Xian, and Li Xian also looked at her.Princess Yangyang felt very unbearable and said, "Du Aiqing! Let you and Cui Di take care of this matter today! It can be regarded as an explanation to my aunt!"
Du Rui nodded and said: "I respect your decree!"
Du Rui then walked up to Fang Shu, pointed at his nose and said: "Fang Shu, when you arrived in Chang'an, I told you that Chang'an is at the foot of the emperor and you cannot do whatever you want, but look at it. You yourself, don¡¯t think that I don¡¯t know. Within a few days of your arrival, you were hanging out with a bunch of idlers all day long. Why did you kill someone? Tell the truth!¡±
In front of Du Rui, Fang Shu didn't dare to be tough this time, so he could only answer honestly: "Uncle! My nephew was drunk that day and hit someone while riding a horse. Several people with that person The companion spoke rudely, quarreled with the nephew, and even tried to pull the nephew off the horse. The nephew was angry for a moment, so he mounted his horse and trampled the man to death."
Du Rui looked cold and said: "You killed someone and neither escaped nor surrendered. Do you think that because of your identity, no one dares to do anything to you?"
Fang Shu said truthfully: "My nephew is stupid, thinking that no one dares to do anything to me."
Du Rui scolded: "Asshole! How can the Tang Dynasty allow you to do whatever you want? Not to mention you, even the Holy One would not dare to test the law with your own body."
Fang Shu lowered his head and begged: "My nephew is confused, please help me!"
Du Rui said angrily: "You asked me to save you, but you told me how I should save you! Do you really think that because you have a noble status and can kill people, no one can kill you?"
Fang Shu hurriedly said: "As long as my uncle is willing to plead with the Holy One, the Holy One will definitely forgive me!"
Hearing this, Du Rui said angrily: "Nonsense! You are so lawless that you kill people indiscriminately, and you also use your power to speak arrogantly and curse the court officials. Do you know what the crime is?"
When Fang Shu heard the words, he was speechless and just cried and begged.
" Du Rui also sighed. He knew that Princess Ankang liked this nephew very much. When he came home yesterday, Princess Ankang had begged him for mercy and asked him to read Shu in the house because he was young and ignorant, and was merciful outside the law.
But this favor is so easy to extend. Although he is a very popular minister, he is not so courageous. He has worked hard to transform the Tang Dynasty for so many years. Why? Is it just to hope that the Tang Dynasty can embark on a new path? Can the path of the legal system truly ensure that the emperor commits the same crime as the common people, so that everyone can be restrained by the law?
"Fang Shu! When you first arrived in Chang'an, you came to visit me. I once advised you to read some books and not be idle. If something happens, no one can protect you, not even the Holy One will forgive you. You." Du Rui paused as he spoke, as if to give Li Xian some time to think about his last words. He stared at Fang Shu with a cold look and said loudly, "Fang Shu! You killed him. People should pay with their lives. This is the iron law of the "Datang Code" and no one can change it!"
Fang Shu seemed to feel that he was going to die today. Li Xian and Du Rui were planning to kill chickens to scare monkeys, and he was the chicken who was going to be killed. He felt despair in his heart and started to cry.
Du Rui no longer asked, but said to Li Xian seriously: "Your Majesty, this case does not need to be retried, please leave it to your Majesty to make a decision!"
Li Xian was stunned. He didn't expect that Du Rui would kick the ball back to him in the end. He had no idea for a moment. Although he had made the decision to kill Fang Shu, in front of Princess Gaoyang, this sentence No words could come out.
Du Rui said: "The Holy One can issue a decree to forgive him, save his life, and let him go home to share the happiness of family with his parents."
Li Xian was stunned and thought to himself: How can I do this? If you do this, how can you ask your ministers to enforce the law impartially in the future? Ask your subjects to abide by the law! ?
Du Rui then said: "If the Holy One wants the people to be convinced, please kill Fang Shu! Fang Shu is the Holy One's cousin. If the Holy One can kill his relatives with justice and bring him to justice, then the people of the world will surrender, and I will see the eternal truth." The demeanor of an emperor. The holy king is in power. He cries for rewards but does not avoid his enemies. He kills without regard for his own flesh and blood. Today, the holy king is strict and the world is very lucky!"
After hearing what Du Rui said, Li Xian couldn't help frowning. He knew that killing Fang Shu was not a matter of a word. He knew that the eldest princess of Gaoyang, with a son like Fang Shu, would kill her only son. The son regards it as life.
At this time, Princess Gaoyang saw that Du Rui actually forced Li Xian to kill Fang Shu, and she immediately became anxious and said loudly: "Your Majesty! Fang Shu is your cousin! I have such a son, can your Majesty really look at me?" Is this my aunt a white-haired person giving away a black-haired person?"
Hearing this, Li Xian couldn't make a choice for a moment. It would be easy to kill Fang Shu, but how could he face Princess Gaoyang? Even if he had always disliked Princess Gaoyang, an aunt with a wild and slutty nature, they were relatives after all, and there was a sense of flesh and blood. , how can it be given up casually?
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?If he didn't kill him, how could he face all the people in the world? Li Xian thought, and looked at Du Rui for help, to see if Du Rui had any other better ways to solve this matter.
Du Rui's eyes were also fixed on Li Xian, and he didn't give in when he saw Li Xian's frown.
Li Xian felt cruel, nodded calmly, then stood up slowly, walked down with a stern expression, and walked to the middle of the lobby. He first looked at the poor Fang Shu, and then at Princess Gao Yang.
"I am not the kind of foolish king who would disregard the laws of the country and put the great cause of the country behind his head just for the sake of a relative of the emperor!"
Du Rui, neither humble nor arrogant, cupped his hands and said, "Holy Saint, Holy Ming."
Li Xian turned around sharply and shouted: "Cui Di!"
Cui Di was at a loss. He was afraid that Li Xian would be soft-hearted and let Fang Shu go. If that happened, it would be his turn to die. When he heard Li Xian's voice, it was like getting a life-saving straw. He was busy Agree: "I'm here!"
Li Xian said loudly: "Kill that Fang Shu at three o'clock at noon tomorrow!"
Cui Di was also surprised when he heard this, but immediately replied: "I obey the order!"
Princess Gaoyang was stunned when she heard this. When she thought that her son was about to die, she became crazy. She stood up, pointed at Li Xian and cursed: "You bastard, Shu'er is your cousin, are you serious about this?" So cruel, good! Good! Good! The Li family is indeed heartless. Li Shimin killed my Bianji, Li Chengqian imprisoned me in the fiefdom, and was not allowed to leave for more than ten years. Now you, little beast, are actually going to kill me. My only son, you three generations are really cruel-hearted, good! Good! Good!"
Princess Gao Yang then turned to Du Rui: "Well, Du Chengming, who enforces the law like a mountain and is unparalleled in justice! If you can kill my Shu'er today, there is no guarantee that none of your children and grandchildren will break the law in the future. When the time comes, I will be sent to the guillotine. Let¡¯s see who comes to the rescue!¡±
Du Rui said: "Thank you for your concern, Princess Dachang. If my children and grandchildren are unfilial, there will be national laws to punish them. I don't need anyone to come to rescue me. Please be very strict, Your Highness, and don't speak rudely again!"
Li Xian frowned and ignored Princess Gao Yang, but said to Du Rui: "Du Aiqing!"
Du Rui stepped forward, cupped his hands and said, "I'm here."
Li Xiandao: "Tomorrow at two o'clock at noon, you will bring all the royal relatives, the lords in Chang'an, and the families and children of the third-rank and above court officials to the execution ground to watch the execution! I want them to know who has violated the national law. We can't save them, Wang Fa wants to take their lives, no one can plead for mercy!"
It was then that Fang Shu realized that he was really hopeless. He cried out: "Your Majesty! Please spare me! Uncle! Please save me!"
Du Rui stepped forward and sighed: "Fang Shu! Do you think I want to watch you die? If you don't want to die, then don't commit the death penalty! Since you have committed a capital crime, no one can save you! "
When Fang Shu heard this, he immediately fainted and fell to the ground. Princess Gaoyang rushed forward, hugged Fang Shu and cried into a ball. Li Xian looked at it, but he couldn't bear it, and he was afraid that Princess Gaoyang would come to pester him, so he went back to the palace through the back door.
Du Rui ordered people to send Princess Gaoyang back to the fiefdom, and after explaining a few words to Cui Di, he also left.
From the perspective of the mind, Du Rui does not want to kill Fang Shu. If the legal concept of the future generations, the age of Fang Shu is not yet adult, and the second is also a passionate killing, and the crime will not die.
But this was in the Tang Dynasty, and Fang Shu's identity was too sensitive. Before Li Xianen's authority was established, if he didn't kill Fang Shu, it would cause endless harm. When the time comes when Prince Wang and Sun stand up to challenge Wang Fa again, what should he do? manage?
Since there is no room for forgiveness, we can only kill him. Kill one person to serve as a warning to others, and kill Fang Shu at the same time to establish prestige for Li Xian.
Let everyone in the world see that after Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong, there is still Emperor Hongwu in the Tang Dynasty who can lead this huge empire to continue to prosper.