Chapter 124: Use the other person's way to repay the other person's kindness
Magistrate Wu was startled and immediately became more vigilant.
This is above the court. He is the eldest son of this county, and his county is under the rule of Yingtian Mansion. Almost any big or small incident can be heard directly. If the answer is wrong and makes people laugh, then
Jiangning County is not the only one to be embarrassed.
He is the chief judge, so he doesn't have to answer, but he is also curious. He wants to know the real purpose of this Qingzhou student member's inquiry, and he has not yet figured out the identity and background of this person. If Xia Xun hadn't said it himself, he
I still don’t know that the other party is also a person with fame. This is Yingtian Mansion. The water in Yingtian Mansion is very deep, and dragons and snakes are mixed together. Anyone who doesn’t know the details should always be polite. This is common among people who serve as local officials under the emperor’s feet.
consensus.
Magistrate Wu thought about it and replied carefully: "Well, the law is the rule, and the regulations are the expediency. Naturally, we cannot generalize. If there is a conflict between the two, even if the regulations are damaged, it will not be the same."
The law must be upheld because it cannot be expedient for a moment and destroy its foundation for eternity.”
Xia Xun smiled secretly: "I knew he would answer like this. This era is not the same. There are upper-level laws and lower-level laws. The former is greater than the latter. The two are in conflict, and the former should be maintained. This principle is the same in ancient times and today."
Xia Xun asked again: "Then the student asks the county magistrate to protect private property. Is this a regular thing or a temporary thing?"
Wuzhi County Road: "Protecting private property is an eternal common sense. If private property cannot be protected, how can the world be at peace?"
He raised his hands to the sky and said: "That's why I, Emperor Hongwu, stipulated in the "Da Ming Law" that anyone who enters someone else's house at night without any reason will be punished with an eighty stick. Those who are killed immediately by the master will not be punished. Anyone who invades other people's fields and houses will be punished with a rod of eighty.
For one acre and a house with one room or less, fifty floggings will be given. If each field is five acres and there are three houses, one level will be added. A penalty of eighty canes will be imposed and a prison sentence of two years will be imposed. Those who are officials will be punished by two levels. If they will fight against each other and others,
If a property or a house is used in vain, or if it is offered to a powerful official in a vague way, the giver and the receiver will be given a hundred sticks each, and they will be exiled for three years. If it is taken by force, a hundred sticks will be imposed, and they will be exiled for three thousand miles..."
The county magistrate memorized a Ming Dynasty law very well. When Yang Yu heard this, he broke into a cold sweat.
Xia Xun turned a blind eye and said again: "Student, let me ask you, sir, is filial piety a permanent practice or a temporary measure?"
Magistrate Wu's face straightened up and he said angrily: "You are a scholar, do you still need to ask me about this? Confucius said: Filial piety is the scripture of heaven, the righteousness of earth, and the behavior of the people; there is nothing greater than filial piety.
To teach people to love, don’t be good at filial piety; filial piety is the foundation of virtue, the foundation of benevolence, the basis of teaching, the three cardinal principles and the five constant principles, everyone should take this as the foundation, this is a universal truth, and it can be applied to anyone
This principle applies to everyone. If one does not practice filial piety, how is he any different from an animal?"
Xia Xun cupped his hands and said: "Students are being taught, the last question is, do you think it is expedient or common practice to protect farm cattle? Is it universally applicable, or should everyone, everywhere, follow it?"
"this……"
Magistrate Wu finally understood what was the purpose of asking one question after another. But he had already answered the first two questions, so it would be too obvious to avoid this question at this time.
Therefore, Magistrate Wu hesitated for a moment and replied slowly: "The imperial court ordered the protection of cattle because agriculture is the foundation of the country and cattle are tools for working. However, there are differences in time and place, so it is natural not to generalize, such as in the north and the west.
In the grassland and desert land, the land is not suitable for farming. Livestock are raised for their meat. The cattle are naturally slaughtered and eaten.
Another example is the sea thousands of miles away in the east. Fishermen sail on the sea and rely on the water to draw water. Naturally, they do not attach importance to cattle. Or in the Central Plains, in the future, there may be better tools that can replace cattle for plowing, so there is no need to protect the plows.
Cow, so, it’s a stopgap measure.”
Having said this, Magistrate Wu quickly added: "However, at this moment, in our territory of the Ming Dynasty, farming cattle are still very important and must be protected by laws and regulations."
Xia Xun said: "Students know it, so why do students still kill cattle in anger?"
His voice suddenly doubled in volume, and he returned to his hometown all the way, but was shocked to see that his ancestral home had been converted into a pig pen and a cattle pen.
Mentioned it, and finally said impassionedly: "Occupying other people's houses, taking them as your own, destroying and destroying them, does this violate the Ming Dynasty's criminal law?"
Yang Yu was sweating profusely and rushed to say: "We are from the same clan, what is occupation, and what is non-negotiable? The clan elders also occupied your house because they had not heard from you and your son for many years. They mistakenly thought that they had died in a foreign land.
Now that you are back, even if you are dissatisfied, you can seize the cattle and sheep and claim compensation one by one. How can you kill the cattle brazenly?"
Xia Xun said sternly: "The ancestral house was destroyed and turned into a pen for cattle, sheep and horses. How can my parents rest in peace under the spring? My late mother's spiritual place was swept away from the corner of the house, and it was stained with filth. My late mother is still alive in heaven."
How can one live peacefully if there is a spirit? Since ancient times, the hatred for killing one's father has been irreconcilable. One cannot understand this hatred by eating the flesh of the enemy and drinking the blood of the enemy. How is the humiliation that Yang suffered different from this? Didn't Yang slaughter all those animals?
How can we eliminate this hatred? How can we live up to the spirits of our late father and mother in heaven? How can we turn this ancestral home into a pigsty and humiliate the spirit of our deceased mother? Otherwise, Yang Xu is a son of man in vain!"
Xia Xun's words immediately resonated with everyone in the hall. At that time, people described people as doing all kinds of evil and being extremely bad. How did they describe his behavior? "Kicking the widow's door and digging up the family grave", this is the most deceptive thing.
Too much, the most shameful behavior.
The word filial piety has been used as the most common moral concept since ancient times, running through all levels of the entire society, and based on this, it has laid various humanistic foundations. It is the last thing a person can do to shame his ancestors.
Regarding the matter of tolerance, Xia Xun's approach not only met the legal prerequisite of others occupying people's residences, but also conformed to the moral requirements of the entire society. Naturally, it aroused the resonance of everyone, including Shan County Magistrate.
Xia Xun continued sadly: "The funny thing is, it wasn't until I went to court today and saw these papers and these so-called plaintiffs that I realized that they were really my uncles and uncles, my elders. I'm so sad! Kill!
What's the point of getting rid of the livestock that invaded my house? I originally planned to send a pleading to the Lord, begging the Lord to seek justice for the students. But...but no matter what, they are always my closest relatives and elders, and I
How can you bear to do something that makes your relatives angry and your enemies happy..."
Yang Yu said angrily: "My lord, the county magistrate, this is sophistry. He is looking for an excuse to get away with the indiscriminate killing of cattle..."
A smile slowly appeared on Xia Xun's lips. He knew that unless the Yang family had the power to influence the local government and the emperor's officials dared to be corrupt and bend the law, he would be sure to win this lawsuit.
Already.
Killing farm cattle is certainly sinful, but it is insignificant compared with occupying people's houses. If you raise the banner of filial piety again, it will be unfavorable. Even the emperor will never dare to make filial piety that leads the world.
It is a decision that people question, not to mention that this cow killing case will never appear on the desk of Zhu Yuanzhang, who has many things to do and is seriously ill?
However, how deep is the water at the foot of the emperor, on the side of the true dragon?
"What did you say? Lost the lawsuit? Lost the lawsuit?"
Yang Rong paused on his walking stick and shouted angrily: "Not only our Yang family, but also all the people in Moling Town, from all over the country, how many people are watching now? Ten years have passed since Yang Dingkun's incident.
It has been many years, and now it has been found out again, and it is spread everywhere, and it is very unpleasant! Now his son is back, with bright clothes, angry horses, a lot of servants, and only twenty carts worth of valuables. It is a return home in rich clothes.
!”
Yang Rong gasped and said: "Isn't this a slap in my face? Isn't this a slap in my face? I was opposed to people in the clan doing business. This is great. He also passed the student examination.
As soon as he got home, he gave me a slap in the face. He killed cattle and sheep, beat the tribesmen, and insulted me. This was a slap in the face in front of the big guys. This little beast, this little beast is for him.
My parents have come to take revenge, and now we have lost the lawsuit. We, our hometown, with the strength of our people, have actually lost the lawsuit. Where can I put my old face? You are a worthless thing."
Yang Yu almost stuck his head into his collar and listened in shame without saying a word.
At this time, a young man in a green shirt with handsome features walked in quickly. As soon as he entered the room, he shouted loudly: "Grandpa, what happened at home? Do you need to call me back in a hurry?"
As soon as Yang Rong saw him, a smile suddenly appeared on his face. This young man was his most beloved grandson, Sun Yangchong, the eldest son of the Yang family. He was a student of Taixue and the most promising among the younger generation of the Yang family.
Afterlife.
"Chong'er, come here, come here to grandpa."
Yang Rong waved his hand and chased Yang Yu out, called his grandson in front of him, and told him everything in detail. After hearing this, Yang Chong raised the corner of his mouth and said with a half-smile: "My grandson, you don't think it's such a big deal.
For a junior who doesn’t know how to advance or retreat?”
"You're just confused!" Yang Rong said: "A thousand-mile embankment collapsed in a mosquito hole. Our Yang family in Moling Town is not as poor as the border towns that are isolated in all directions. Is it easy to maintain this big family? Today
A thorn pops up, a thorn pops up tomorrow, you have your own ideas, he has his own ideas, sooner or later our family will fall apart!"
Yang Chong smiled disapprovingly and said, "Grandpa, don't worry, my grandson won't let something like that happen. Yang Xu? I still have some impression of him. Is that wimp very promising now?"
Yang Chong is the eldest grandson of the eldest family member and the head child of the Yang family. Back then, he led the children in the clan to bully Yang Xu. He was naturally the leader. He didn't do much of it himself. He usually just came up with bad ideas and instigated others.
Go and do it, and every time you bully the young Yang Xu, he will go home crying.
Yang Rong said: "Yes, this little beast has become successful now. Like you, he has passed the student examination. Of course, you are a student of the Imperial College, and he is just a student of Qingzhou Prefecture. He cannot compare with you, but at least he is.
He has a great reputation. When he came back this time, he made it clear that he wanted to settle accounts with your grandfather for his parents. Hey! Yesterday, he killed all the livestock raised by more than a dozen of your uncles and uncles in one go. Hear this, you
Smell it, the whole town is still smelling of meat, with three meals a day, slapping your grandpa’s old face all the time.
Now, he has won the lawsuit again and is proud of himself. Your grandfather... is old. Strong branches and weak trunks. Strong branches and weak trunks. Your grandpa has been worried about this happening his whole life. At the beginning, Yang Dingkun... what grandpa was worried about was the appearance of Yang Dingkun.
A day like this... this time he has bad intentions. If we can't suppress him, I'm afraid this day... will really change."
"Grandpa, don't worry, this bastard Yang Xu can't change the world!"
Yang Chong smiled coldly. He was the eldest grandson of the eldest son of the Yang family. He was respected and favored by everyone. He developed an arrogant temper since he was a child. After entering the Imperial Academy, he became even more arrogant. Yang Chong sneered and said: "He won today.
Litigation is just a word of filial piety. In ancient times, there were examples of people who insulted their fathers and their sons killed them and were forgiven by the court. Later, they thought it was better. What's more, it was just slaughtering cows and sheep. The Jiangning County magistrate did not dare to do it.
A big fuss was made about this matter. But is there really no flaw in his actions? Not necessarily..."
Yang Rong perked up and said hurriedly: "Chong'er, what do you mean?"
Yang Chong said: "We can't get rid of this rule of invading people's houses, but...the law does not punish everyone, let alone there are more than a dozen families, and they are the elders of the same clan. They are different from the occupation by outsiders, so it can be dealt with easily."
Whether it's light or serious depends on the mind of the presiding judge. Well, as long as you find a capable person to mediate, it's actually not that serious."
Yang Rong said: "Of course this is not serious. Jiangning County has not imposed heavy sentences. The county magistrate's punishment today can be said to be a fifty-fifty blow. He is trying to make peace with the situation. The problem is, Yang Xu did this,
If I don't punish him, how will I be able to hold my head high in front of my clan members in the future? Will anyone listen to what I say?"
Yang Chong thought to himself: "You have used someone else's ancestral house as a pigsty. You are just sitting on someone else's head and shitting. If it were me who came to kill people, you wouldn't be able to forgive me. Why would you be unhappy if I slaughtered a few of your pigs and sheep?"
But he could only say this in his heart. He also understood that his grandfather's oppression of Yang Dingkun's family was to nip in the bud the danger of trying to challenge his eldest brother's authority. Later, he punished the clan members for occupying Yang Dingkun's house and courtyard.
The condolence is also to shock other tribesmen with a living example. In the final analysis, it is to prevent their interests and authority from being damaged.
He is the eldest grandson of the eldest family member. What grandpa defends is exactly what he should defend. He pondered for a moment and said: "Killing cattle is against the imperial decree after all. Those livestock belong to the family of the elders of the clan. Even if there is something wrong, he will not do it."
Shouldn't the following commit the crime of superiors? Do they have to be slaughtered to show their filial piety? This filial piety is not only filial piety to parents, but shouldn't he also be filial to the elders of the clan? Hey, we can repay others in the same way.
Let’s make a fuss about this.”
Yang Rong said: "The Jiangning County Magistrate has already made a verdict. Can you overturn the case?"
Yang Chong smiled deeply: "Continue to sue and go to Yingtian Mansion."
Although Yang Rong is a local squire, he has never gone to Yingtian Mansion to litigate a lawsuit. Yingtian Mansion Yin is not an ordinary prefect.
When the emperor's ministers came to him to file a lawsuit, Yang Rong was really a little frightened. He hesitated and said: "Ying Tianfu? Is this... okay?"
Yang Chong said: "Of course not now. I will go back to the city immediately to find my mentor. He is a close friend of Yin Wang Hongrui Wang of Yingtian Mansion. I will report this to my mentor and ask my mentor to say a few nice words in front of Mr. Wang. Then grandpa
Then go to Yingtian Mansion and file a complaint."
Yang Rong said worriedly: "That teacher of yours, can you really speak in front of Mr. Fu Yin?"
Yang Chong said proudly: "Grandpa, don't worry. This teacher of mine is a great talent who ranked first in the Hongwu examination in the 18th year, third in the palace examination, and passed the third prize. He was awarded the title of editor in the Hanlin Academy, promoted to compiler, and moved to the position of lecturer in Chunfang.
He studied with the East Palace, taught the grandson, and was promoted. Now he has become the Minister of Taichang Temple and a doctor of Taixue. His surname is Huang and his given name is Zicheng. Not only is he a good friend of Yingtianfu Yin, but the current Emperor Taisun also obeys his advice. He said
In a word, the portion is generous.”
Yang Rong was overjoyed, stood up and laughed loudly and said: "Okay! Okay! My good grandson, you recognize such a person, why should we be afraid of him?"
When he suddenly heard the good news, the old guy was very excited and gritted his teeth and said: "Yang Xu, you are a disobedient and rebellious little beast. With your sharp mouth, how can you be bigger than the two mouths of the official family? I will definitely say this.
The treatment will make you unable to live or die!"