In the country, complaints and trials were also carried out according to certain procedures, and were by no means so arbitrary. March 6 and 9 of every month was the day when notice boards were posted. Only at this time could complaints be submitted, except for serious crimes such as human life and robbery. Last time,
The matter was sent to Tan Gongdao to see the official. It was also because it involved a government official that he handled the matter in a special way and accepted it in court.
After the complaint is submitted, it must be verified. Only after the complaint is approved, the case will enter the trial process, and it will be announced on the eight-character wall outside the Yamen. At the same time, a Yamen servant will be sent to hold a ticket to inform the defendant of the time to go to court.
For example, Yingwu was summoned right now because Miss Baimei sued him for two counts of defaulting on debts and causing injury, and he had to go to the county government hall for a hearing the day after tomorrow.
The county government office starts operating early in the morning, and Fang Yingwu does not live in the county town, so it will definitely be too late to set off on the same day, and he needs to arrive in the county town one day in advance.
On this day, Fang Yingwu went to the West Temple where he had stayed the last time he came to the county. He was accompanied by the village chief Fang Fengshi and the private school teacher Mr. Wang. The three of them paid more than ten cents to stay overnight and ate it early the next morning.
After a few mouthfuls of dry food and a few mouthfuls of well water, I went to wait outside the county government office.
Chun'an County is a small county with simple matters according to political classification. There are not many cases, but there are two or three cases that were tried on the same day as Fang Yingwu. I heard that in some places with complicated matters, when the trial date comes, the lobby is full of people.
The plaintiffs and defendants were all waiting in the courtyard, and the magistrate was exhausted and miserable.
However, there were still some idle people in the yard poking their heads in, all of whom had sneaked in through various channels. Because the notice on the eight-character wall clearly stated that a case related to the county's top prostitute Bai Mei would be heard today, so some idle people came to watch the fun.
, maybe you can also appreciate the beauty of the white beauty up close.
"Stop dreaming!" Someone familiar with the situation sneered at this idea. "Although Miss Bai is not a good girl, she is not convenient for showing up in court in public. She must have found someone to do it for her."
This is true. During the trial, the woman concerned can let someone close to her attend the court instead of having to show her face. However, before she finished speaking, she saw a stir at the gate in front of her. There was a young woman wearing a veil, and an old woman next to her.
With the support, Pingping appeared in front of people.
"Miss Baimei actually arrived in person?" The person who spoke before was stunned. This is unusual.
Bai Mei entered the courtyard, looked around, and soon found Fang Yingwu and his group standing at the foot of the steps. She took the initiative to walk up, and the other party Yingwu said: "Brother Fang, I was almost fooled by you last time. Later.
After asking around, I found out that you just wrote a poem, which caught the attention of the county magistrate for a while, so I met you, and the rest has nothing to do with it. This time the evidence is conclusive, you will definitely lose the lawsuit, and I don’t know who else can save you.
Got you."
Although her expression could not be seen clearly through the veil, Fang Yingwu could imagine her pride. But it didn't matter. Fang Yingwu calmly replied: "Today's matter in court actually has nothing to do with you. Don't worry."
It’s so self-indulgent.”
Miss Baimei couldn't figure out what this sentence meant, and what did it mean that it had nothing to do with her? But she could feel that Fang Yingwu didn't take her seriously, and he was exactly the same as his father Fang Qingzhi.
.
She was deeply hurt again, silently recited a few words "It's not that I don't report that the time has not come yet", and stood on the other side of the stairs with a cold voice.
I heard Zaoli in the hall shout loudly: "Baimei is suing Fang Yingwu. Call the plaintiff and defendant to come forward!"
Bai Mei and Fang Yingwu each walked up the steps to the platform from one side and knelt on the stone slab. Fang Yingwu felt uncomfortable for a while, and he couldn't get any fame. He was just an ant after all.
Magistrate Wang habitually slapped the hall and shouted, "Who is this person? Tell me your name!"
"Baimei from the Nu family is the plaintiff in this case."
"The little people are here to answer the summons from their parents."
After confirming the identity of the two people, Magistrate Wang asked again: "Fang Yingwu! Bai Mei accused you of owing thirty taels of debt and assaulting the debt collector. Can you admit it?"
Bai Mei turned her head and glanced at Fang Yingwu to see how this man could argue! But she heard Fang Yingwu report to the county magistrate: "Xiaomin's father once owed a debt of thirty taels of silver to Wang De, a neighboring village. Later, he heard that this debt was transferred to the county.
Baimei is due this month, so it should be true. As for the beating of the debt collector, it is actually because the debt collector has behaved badly, and the fellow villagers are out of righteous indignation, not deliberately causing trouble and defaulting on the debt."
Miss Bai didn't expect that Fang Yingwu had no excuse at all and actually admitted everything happily. According to the report analysis she obtained, Fang Yingwu was definitely capable of being eloquent and would not be so honest.
Magistrate Wang continued to interrogate and asked: "Since the debt is true, why have you delayed so far and been sued by the creditor in court? You must know that there is also a principle in the world where the father's debt is repaid by the son!"
Fang Yingwu said sincerely: "Xiaomin's mother died young and his father has not returned from his study abroad for two years. He usually only immerses himself in studying and is not good at management. Now the family is all alone and has no money to repay the debt. I hope my old parents will understand."
Wang Zhixian turned around and asked: "This is the truth about his family. What do you think of Baimei?"
Baimei kowtowed and said: "The good lord knows that Fang Yingwu and his son have three acres of land in their name, which can be used as compensation for fifteen taels. In addition, for the fifteen taels owed, please Fang Yingwu pay the debt with his own body and be punished by doing it in the slave's courtyard."
After three years, you can clear both sides."
Fang Yingwu thought to himself, as expected, the most poisonous thing is a woman's heart, so the future of a bad guy is no different from killing someone.
Magistrate Wang said nothing while stroking his beard. After a moment, the other party replied, "Acknowledging the punishment in this way is also a way to settle debts. Are you willing?"
Fang Yingwu shouted excitedly: "My parents have a clear conscience. Although the common people are young, they still know how to study and make progress, learn the teachings of sages, and are determined to take the county examination this year! Selling land is acceptable, but how can we be willing to be humble?
Being a slave to others? Such a sinking situation, with no hope of progress in life! This is the only reason for this little man. I beg my parents to understand and not to give up my desire to study and seek knowledge!"
Bai Mei vaguely felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't think of a way out, and she didn't understand what Fang Yingwu was thinking. Could it be that he was just pretending to be pitiful and asking for sympathy? But the debt was so solid that the magistrate couldn't erase it on the spot.
Magistrate Wang's face softened a little, and he said with a pleasant look: "Fang Yingwu! If you go by your own story, it turns out that you are an ambitious person who knows how to work hard. Do you dare to ask your neighbors to vouch for it?"
Fang Yingwu replied: "The head of my village and the social studies master saw that I was young, so they all accompanied me here. I am in the hall now. My old parents have been summoned and I will ask."
Wang Zhixian then ordered Zaoli to call Fang Fengshi and Master Wang to come forward.
Only one of them was heard saying, "Fang Yingwu is a kind person, but his family is poor, he only knows how to study and cannot make a living, and he has no intention of deliberately evading debts and trying to make a living";
One person pleaded: "Fang Yingwu studied diligently in social studies and studied calligraphy diligently. He has made some achievements so far. It is the time when the young eagle spreads its wings. It would be a pity if he was forced to be a slave because of his father's debt. Wanwang County
Respect and pity”.
Wang Zhixian sighed, "Many people with lofty ideals come from humble families. At a young age, Fang Yingwu knew how valuable it is to devote oneself to the knowledge of sages and not be deceived by external things."
Miss Baimei heard that the county magistrate's tone was not right, and she seemed to want to protect Fang Yingwu, so she quickly reported: "My eldest sir, I have heard a saying in my family that princes who break the law are guilty of the same crime as the common people, not to mention that debts and repayments are just and fair, and Fang Yingwu is the only one who owes money."
What does his character have to do with it? Besides, the village chief is his fellow villager and the private school teacher is his teacher. How can we trust these two people to testify to his character?"
Regarding the plaintiff's words, Magistrate Wang did not directly express his position. He only said to Fang Yingwu: "The testimonies of neighbors cannot be easily trusted, so I will take a test to see if you are really talented."
"Please ask the old parents to ask questions." Fang Yingwu replied respectfully.
Magistrate Wang thought for a moment and said, "Since we are talking about your study, I will compose a poem with the topic of study. You can also submit some old works."
After a while, Fang Yingwu replied: "I lived in the mountains by the water. My family was poor and I had no books. I often dreamed of a library, so I wrote a poem about it."
Then he chanted: "What is rich in life? The mountains and rivers surround my house. What is precious in life? Close the door and read my books. Dreams construct a reading building, and the building is connected with the mountains and rivers. There are thousands of volumes of books, and you can browse and fish. The mountains and rivers match the movement and stillness, and reading
Youxuanyu. Looking at the near and far, chanting makes me happy. I am in the ancient times, and my mind is too empty. Looking back at the world, I am rich and noble."
Wang Zhixian put his palms in his hands and sighed: "The poetry is not ordinary, it has the meaning of living in poverty and enjoying life, and it also has the meaning of leaving the world. I really put my heart into reading."
"My lord, sir," Bai Mei said eagerly again.
"Bang!" Wang Zhixian slapped the gavel tree to stop Bai Mei from speaking, "The hall is quiet, listen to what I have to say! In the past, Taizu Emperor Gao had an edict: There are talents in the world who are also the treasures of the country, and the ancient sage kings
, always obsessed with seeking talents; appointing talents and appointing talents is the foundation of establishing a country. Although there is a most holy king, he still attaches great importance to employing people.
Therefore, the imperial court attaches great importance to talents. Since I am entrusted with the emperor's favor to pastor and guard the place, I should take it as my own duty to develop talents, and I cannot bear the regret of leaving a pearl behind!"
Later, Wang Zhixian dictated and took notes from the clerk beside him, and quickly made a judgment: "In the world of heaven and earth, the most important thing is to study. The examination is the national standard for promoting talents, and it is also related to a person's future. It must not be neglected. Today, the county government examination is about to take place.
The Taoist examination in the next spring is not far away. The imperial court has always cherished talents, and I did not hesitate to make an exception for this. I granted permission for students to postpone their debt payment date. If they succeed in their studies first, wouldn't it be the beauty of adulthood?
Therefore, it is ruled that before the end of the examination, creditors are strictly prohibited from interfering with the examination of students by pressuring them. Other students and students in the county can also use this example. Those who are interested in doing business in the future, if they have debts within three months before the undergraduate examination, before the end of the examination
Debt repayment can be suspended and there is no need to go to the government office to appeal."
County Lord Wang's decision, which blatantly favored the debtor, was beyond the expectations of everyone present. There was a lot of discussion in the hall, but after careful consideration, it seemed to be reasonable.
Because the law is nothing more than human feelings! The basis for judging cases in the state and dynasties is not only the law, but also morality. The most extreme method is the famous "Spring and Autumn Judgment", which uses the classics and meaning to decide the case.
In this case, Wangxian Zun first quoted the holy teachings of Emperor Taizu, and from the perspective of cherishing talents and helping people's future, he ruled that the debt should be postponed. This was perfect and properly took care of human feelings.
In any case, it is a great act of compassion to give a young boy from a poor mountain village an opportunity to concentrate on his exams and improve himself. Moreover, County Master Wang even took this opportunity to draw inferences and extend this rule to all scholars, which is extremely meaningful.
Giving students the right not to repay their debts within three months before the exam allows them to concentrate on preparing for the exam. If it becomes a regular practice, it can be said to be a great example of good governance that encourages people to learn and educates the local area! It is worthy of praise!
"My parents are wise, the people are so grateful, and the poor students in this county have also benefited a lot. They are really the blue sky for our generation!" Fang Yingwu quickly shouted loudly, which was very suitable for the occasion. Not to mention the Ming Dynasty, which is currently the only country with high academic standards.
Five hundred years later, when it comes to the college entrance examination, there will be a lot of examples of special things being done.
Bai Mei knelt on the ground blankly. This verdict was so unexpected. First, she didn't expect the magistrate to be so partial to Fang Yingwu, and she didn't get any benefits at all. Second, with her little woman's knowledge, she was really unprepared for a moment.
I don't understand the key to this verdict.
She suddenly remembered what Fang Yingwu said before going to court - today's matter actually has nothing to do with you, so don't be too sentimental.
Could it be that Fang Yingwu and Wang Zhixian were playing a double act from beginning to end, and she was destined to be unable to affect the outcome no matter what?
So on the surface, she was a major participant in actively promoting this lawsuit, but in fact she could only be regarded as a bystander, so she was ridiculed by Fang Yingwu as "stop being so sentimental."
Did she take the initiative to cause trouble just to let the two of them perform a double act in front of her? At this point, Miss Bai vaguely realized that Wang Zhixian and Fang Yingwu were not acting for her at all, and she was not even a spectator!
No wonder one of the two people pretended to be working hard, the other pretended to praise the other as a talent, and even asked questions to test Lao Shizi's poems in class, all in preparation for the final outcome! Both of them got what they wanted!
Only I am still stupidly acting as a background clown in the middle.
She has been in the entertainment industry for a long time and boasts that she has outstanding acting skills like Jonah, but today she failed miserably in front of these two people.
Fang Yingwu couldn't care less what Bai Mei thought. He kept laughing secretly in his heart after the verdict. In today's lawsuit, he and Magistrate Wang each got what they wanted. It was a win-win situation.
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Some people always report that the update time is unstable. I will try my best to correct it in the future and try to update around eight o'clock in the evening. Of course, additional updates and supplementary updates are not included in this list.
