I studied in modern times

Chapter 311 Tool Man Sima Guang (1) [Happy Mid-Autumn Festival]

Wuyin ([-]th) in December of the eighth year of Yuanfeng.

When Zhao Xu opened his eyes, Feng Jing had already brought the toiletries and placed them in front of the imperial couch.

When he saw him waking up, Feng Jing immediately brought people forward to help him wash up and then dress him up.

Then, Feng Jingzi went to the imperial kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Zhao Xu took the daily Bianjing briefing sent by Shi Deyi last night and started reading it.

Wazi, Goulan, Taixue...

The focus of public opinion in every hotspot area is controlled by Zhao Xu.

It hasn't snowed yet, and the pressure from public opinion has slowly begun to mount.

Even in the Imperial Academy, some whispers began to appear.

Zhao Xu put down the briefing and let out a slight breath. He called Shi Deyi to him, and then told him: "Go and make arrangements, let Professor Miao get ready, and see you in the palace this afternoon!"

He had to take precautions in case there was no rain or snow in the first month.

Drought relief needs to be brought up on a daily basis!
Because there is no rain or snow in the first month, the winter wheat commonly grown in the vast northern region will face problems after overwintering.

An improper response may lead to widespread harvest failure.

A bad harvest will inevitably lead to refugees!

Once there were large-scale refugees, the Song Dynasty had to send people to the disaster-stricken areas to recruit the young and strong among the refugees as Xiang troops.

"Wei!" Shi Deyi took the order and left.

……

Sima Guang held the Chao Hut in his arms and stood under Zuo Zhaoqing's door.

Two old officials followed behind him, holding thick documents.

After waiting for a while, an official from the Tongjian Department came to Sima Guang, cupped his hands and said: "Sheng Zuo, your Majesty, please go to Chongzheng Hall to wait for orders!"

Sima Guang nodded, pointed to the documents held by the old officials behind him, and said to the official: "These are the official documents I want to use for your Majesty's meeting today. Please send someone to check and submit them!"

The man immediately said: "Don't worry, Minister, I will definitely handle this matter!"

So he called someone and took over the dozens of thick documents.

Let these people be taken to the small hall under the inner east gate for inspection by the marriage officers of the Imperial City Department.

He led Sima Guang into the palace.

Go through the inner east gate, come to the small courtyard in front of Chongzheng Hall, and lead it into the hall.

Then the official paid his respects to Sima Guang: "Sang Zuo, please stay here later. Your Majesty will come over after you have breakfast!"

Sima Guang nodded, hugged Chaohu and stood in the hall.

The official then stepped back respectfully.

Therefore, Sima Guang was the only one in the huge Chongzheng Hall.

Sima Guang stood in this hall and looked at the Chao Hut in his hand. There were words written on the Chao Hut.

These are the outlines of what he will be playing today.

As he looked at the words, he remembered what he saw in the bright mirror when Sima Kang was combing his hair and beard at home this morning.

His hair and beard have turned white.

The cheeks are thin, and the skin is like dry tree bark, full of wrinkles. At 66 years old, he looks older than Han Jiang, who is in his 70s, and Wen Yanbo, who is 80 years old.

What he knew, he already knew.

He has actually reached the limit of running out of fuel and energy!

The tone that once supported him in his life - "let's not forget the new law" - has long been exhausted after Han Jiang came to power, constantly reconciled the opinions of the old and new parties, and tried his best to make peace.

Even though Sima Guang didn't want to admit it, he knew it in his heart.

The new law is no longer realistic!

No one will support him!
Therefore, no matter how unconvinced he is, he can only face reality helplessly.

In the past, he could escape and hide in Luoyang to write books.

But now he has nowhere to run!
He can't escape either!
because……

Sima Guang thought about that day, the day he entered the capital, the moment when the official sent someone to hand over the encouraging edict personally written by the emperor into his hands.

"The Song Dynasty, the teacher protects the people!"

The officials' high expectations for him made him unable to escape.

He also recalled the details of the first time he met the young master.

That expectant look, that admiring tone...

Therefore, he cannot escape!
If he escapes, who will tell the officials what is right and what is wrong?
"Don't care about temporary gains and losses!" Sima Guang told himself.

"As long as officials are committed to Jiayou's administration and respect the virtues of their ancestors..."

"Everything will get better!"

It is this last expectation that keeps Sima Guangneng's fighting spirit alive.

He hasn't lost yet!
He can still win!
With this thought, Sima Guang slowly straightened his body.

At this time, the sound of ritual music sounded from the back of the palace.

Surrounded by Yu Longzhi, female officials, and ministers with imperial equipment, the small official family slowly walked out of the corridor at the back of the palace.

Sima Guang quickly bowed to greet him with a fluorine in his hand: "Old minister, I respectfully welcome the official to the palace!"

He looked at the little official eagerly, walked to the hall, and sat on the throne.

Sima Guang then followed the etiquette and bowed twice with the phoenix: "Old minister, I sincerely wish His Majesty the Emperor long blessings!"

"I am blessed!" The little official's voice was as calm as in the past: "Master Sima is exempt from the courtesy! Come, give Mr. Sima a seat and tea!"

So, a chair was moved in front of Sima Guang, and at the same time, a cup of tea was delivered to Sima Guang's hand.

After Sima Guang thanked him, he took the tea cup and sat down.

Then I heard the official on the throne say: "I have read the letter Sima Gong wrote the day before yesterday!"

"I think what Mr. Sima said is true!"

"I live deep in the palace, and I don't know the sufferings of the people, nor the hardships of the farmers!"

"Therefore, I invite Duke Sima to the palace today because I want to ask Duke Sima for advice on the current situation in the Song Dynasty!"

"I hope Mr. Sima can speak freely and without any scruples!"

After listening to this, Sima Guang suddenly felt warm in his heart.

This is exactly what he has been pursuing his whole life!

It was exactly what he had longed for all his life!
The emperor pays homage to the virtuous and corporal officials, and uses the rites to inquire about the affairs of the world.

Wang Anshi once enjoyed such treatment in front of the late emperor.

It's a sudden year, and the teacher is looking forward to seeing you!
The late emperor himself almost put himself in the position of a disciple in the words he used when making the book of worship of the prime minister.

The late emperor had never respected him so much.

Even if respect is occasionally shown, it is only superficial!
He never really listened to himself.

So, Sima Guang was moved and bowed again: "I respectfully obey the imperial edict!"

Then, he played: "I would like to ask your Majesty to allow me to speak before you!"

"Can!"

Sima Guang took a deep breath and turned to look behind him.

The people who met with the Secretary respectfully brought the documents he had brought into the palace and placed them in front of him.

The documents found one after another from the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple.Those cases, those absurd judgments, those cases that completely violated public order and good customs.

Each one tells the story of Wang Anshi's troubles in the criminal system and the harm caused by changing the laws of his ancestors!
Sima Guang looked at them, and his heart was filled with heat!
"Your Majesty..." He held the Chao Hut and looked at the outline written on the Chao Hut. Then he remembered the memorial he had written for more than half a year, so he stood up and bowed: "My minister, Chen Guang, I would like to pay my respects. : I have heard that since ancient times, kings have ruled the world only by laws. Since Han Dynasty, it has been the law of the world that those who kill people must be put to death, and those who hurt others and those who steal must not be punished. If those who kill people do not die and those who hurt others are not punished, then even though Nothing could be cured by Yao and Shun..."

After saying that, Sima Guang nervously raised his head and looked at the palace, waiting for the verdict.

He remembered that after he said these words to Lu Gongzhu, Fan Chunren, Lu Dafang and others.

The faces of these people changed.

They are all scared!
They were afraid of offending the governors in the capital, and even more afraid of disturbing the situation in the world and ruining their "overall situation".

They are all satisfied.

I feel that it is enough to abolish the Market Change Law, the Horse Protection Law and other evil laws, adjust the Labor Law and the Young Crops Law, and modify the scope of application of the Armor Protection Law.

You should take it as soon as you see it, and be safe.

Some people even have the absurd idea that "the new law actually has some good features"!

Therefore, these people persuaded him tactfully or talked about him.

Just no one supports him!

This is especially obvious after returning to court!

Fan Chunren and Lu Dafang are completely satisfied with the status quo.

Although Lu Gongzhu became the prime minister, he only wanted to make minor repairs in addition to what Han Jiang did.

When Sima Guang thought about these things, his heart thumped and beat violently.

He was even a little scared.

He was afraid that His Majesty, the Holy King he was looking forward to, was just like Lu Gongzhu and others. He would either ignore him or not let him continue talking.

Once this happens, Sima Guang doesn't know what to do?
But beyond his imagination.

The official in the palace only paused for a moment, and then said directly to him: "I am young, don't know much about punishments, and I don't know anything about the law..."

"Please also ask Mr. Sima to speak for me!"

Sima Guang's eyes suddenly burst out with eager light.

He lowered his head and bowed deeply: "I obey your will!"

His mind began to boil.

His spirits were lifted!

He gently picked up a familiar document and said, "For example, this case..."

"The Taining Army reported the case to the Ministry of Punishment..."

"The local security guard Jiang Qi, the acting chief security officer Zhang Cun and others met two local people, Sun Yu and Yuan Gui, fighting on the road..."

"Zhang Cun had an old enmity with Sun Yu, and he wanted to offend Sun Yu. Seeing this, he and Jiang Qi said: This man calls himself 'Dongyue Jixiangzi', and he always beats people randomly in the countryside and refuses to obey discipline! "

"So the two of them stepped forward, pulled Sun Yu away, and then covered Sun Yu with their clothes. They punched dozens of times in a row. Sun Yu was rolling on the ground, but they didn't let him go. Jiang Qi also joined in, and they punched together. He was beaten and kicked, and Sun Yu was beaten to death!"

"Sun Yu was beaten to death, but these two people captured Yuan Gui. They claimed that Yuan Gui and Sun Yu killed him by mistake because of a fight, and they wanted to kill Yuan Gui instead..."

Sima Guang paused and then continued: "Although Sun Yu is in the village, he has always been a scoundrel. He calls himself the 'Dongyue Jihuangzi'. It is true that he beats people randomly and refuses to obey discipline. The crime will not lead to death!"

"Zhang Cun and Jiang Qi have pulled him away, and he no longer resists. He can just send the weapon to the government for punishment. Why bother to beat him to death with punches, kicks and life? Later, he falsely accused Yuan Gui and wanted to make Yuan Gui a scapegoat. It was more of a crime than a crime, but the local official said: Zhang Cun and Jiang Qi were 'merciful', pointing out that Sun Yu usually beat people randomly and was guilty, so he was given a lighter sentence and both of them escaped death!"

"The Ministry of Punishment received the retribution without asking whether it was right or wrong. Instead, it decided according to the rules and allowed the local magistrate to decide!"

After Sima Guang finished speaking, he waited for the ruling from the officials in the palace.

Just listen to the official saying: "If it is as Sima Gong said, the local magistrate may have made a mistake in judging the case..."

"Wait until I finish reading the file before I reply to Mr. Sima!"

Sima Guang was immediately overjoyed and immediately presented the case file in his hand.

Then, he said: "There are many more cases. If Your Majesty is willing to listen, I can tell you one by one..."

The official replied: "Yes!"

Sima Guang was inspired again.

Therefore, several cases were introduced in succession.

They are all murder cases carefully selected by him.

For example, Wei Jian and Guo Xing in Huaizhou had a dispute over gambling. Guo Xing's father, Guo Sheng, heard about it and came over. When he saw his son being pushed to the ground and beaten by Wei Jian, he hit his head with it.

The father and son subdued Wei Jian, and Wei Jian could only lower his head. When the father and son let go of Wei Jian, Wei Jian suddenly attacked and punched Guo Sheng in the throat, causing him to die on the spot. However, the local magistrate sentenced him to death. ’, Wei Jian was saved from death.

There is also Zhang Zhisong from Yaozhou. Because he was drunk, he heard his neighbor Zhang Xiaoliu cursing his brothers and sisters at home, so he rushed over and punched one of them to death. However, the local magistrate ruled that Zhang Zhisong had no intention to kill, so he "It's a pity", and you can avoid death, it's just a stab in the spine...

Sima Guang became a little excited as he spoke, and said: "Your Majesty, if this way, the murderer will be saved by grace, and who should the murdered person complain to?"

"Does this prohibit violence and protect kindness?"

……

Zhao Xu turned over the facts of each case submitted by Sima Guang.

This is why he summoned Sima Guang.

Such omissions are inevitable in the criminal system led by Wang Anshi's thought of cautious punishment.

This is also the shortcoming of the bureaucracy.

Everything follows the rules and follows precedents.

However, many people actually do not have the ability to resolve cases and lack practical methods of governance.

This creates a phenomenon - taking precedents and applying them mechanically.

In the next state, a similar case was sentenced to avoid death.

Then I won’t die!
They don’t ask about the specific situation at all, and they don’t look at reality.

No one else will lift this lid.

Only a stubborn person like Sima Guang would lift this lid!

Zhao Xu put down the few documents selected by Sima Guang, and then said: "If it is as Sima Gong said, in these cases, the actions of the local officials and the Ministry of Punishment are worthy of discussion!"

"It seems that he is indeed unjustly imprisoned!"

"I will discuss with the Cishengs of the two palaces carefully what Sima Gong said, and order the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple to carefully deal with it..."

"We will also send censors to the places where the case occurred to reiterate the case!"

"The wronged will be brought to justice and the dead will rest in peace!"

Sima Guang became anxious immediately after hearing this!

He quickly said: "Your Majesty, only by redressing the injustice can only save one person. Only by changing the punishment system and restoring the Jiayou Law can we prevent future incidents!"

The criminal system is a lock. As long as a gap is opened in the criminal system, the theoretical foundation of the new law will be shaken immediately!
Because careful punishment is one of the foundations of Wang Anshi's new law!

Otherwise, how could he, Sima Guang, spend so much time paying attention to the cases of fights and killings between the lower class people and Guizhou leaders?
It should be noted that Sima Guang was the red banner of the old party.

And what is the greatest common denominator of the old party?
The collective interests and dignity of scholar-bureaucrats!

It is to safeguard the fundamental interests of nurses, doctors, landowners and nobles - perhaps Sima Guang himself did not think so, but everything he did was for this goal!

　I wish all readers a happy Mid-Autumn Festival, family reunion, happiness and good health.

　　Ok…

　　There are really a lot of guests at home today.

　　Players playing cards and mahjong were shouting loudly. The author's head was buzzing and he really couldn't concentrate.

　　Wait and see if I can write another chapter.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)