Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

The case of Lu Mu and Lu Huan was tried by Zhao Yuanyan. Yuan Yan took people to Wang's house and searched many instruments of torture from his house. Seeing that the master was arrested, some officers and soldiers came to the Wang family's family to testify to this matter and tell all kinds of things about Wang's family. Evil deeds, Defang came to the lobby to hear the trial, and was surprised to see that all the servants of the Wang family, regardless of gender, were all tattooed, and not only a word was tattooed, but all the servant contracts found from the Wang family agreed on life tenure, and there was no rest day (The Song Dynasty stipulates that slaves have one day off every ten days, and seven days each on Yuanri, Winter Solstice, La, and Cold Food. Maternity and parental funerals are given one month off each, and mourning is given seven days off.) The words of the servants add The scars on the upper body made the witnesses unable to bear to look at them. Yuan Yan was very angry. He sentenced the master of the Wang family and his three sons to [-] sticks each, with tattoos on their faces, and was sent to Dengzhou for imprisonment. The other family members were given [-] sticks. In the capital, all the slaves were released from their contracts, and half of the Wang family property was used to distribute the slaves, and half was charged to the state treasury.

It took only three days for Yuan Yan to handle the case, and the reported book was delivered to Zhenzong. Zhenzong was very happy and said to Defang, "Yuan Yan handled the case very properly. He not only helped the brothers and sisters of the Lu family to seek justice, but also released the innocent servant."

"Yes, Your Majesty, Yuan Yan has a stern face, and has always been jealous of evil, everyone is afraid of him." Defang said

"Yes, hahaha, Yuan Yan's appearance is very majestic, and now with this case, I believe it will be more convincing to assign him a post."

"Yes, Your Majesty" Defang said

At this moment, the commanding officer Huangfu Jiming came in, "See Your Majesty, Prince."

"What's the matter?" Zhenzong asked

"Return to Your Majesty, the King of Guangling County seeks an audience"

"Oh? Brother Huang, I really mean who will come, hahaha, let him come in," Zhenzong said

Yuan Yan walked in and "Kowtowed to the Emperor"

"Exemption" Zhenzongdao

Yuan Yan turned to Defang to "see Brother Wang"

Defang reached out to support Yuan Yan's arm, and nodded.

"Yuan Yan," Zhenzong said, "I have read your booklet, and you have handled this case very well. I am discussing with Brother Huang what position I should assign you."

"Yeah, Yuanyan." Defang nodded, "I wonder if you have any official position you want to do? You might as well tell me."

"Yes" Yuan Yan cupped his hands and said, "Brother Huang, after this case, I want to apply for a job in Kaifeng Mansion, and I want to do more for the people in Beijing, and eradicate those villains who wantonly violate laws and hurt people, no matter whether he is a public official or not." Still a scholar."

Zhenzong looked at Defang, "Is the emperor's brother thinking that Yuan Yan's invitation is feasible?"

"Your Majesty, Yuan Yan has a heart for the people of his family and country, and can treat each other selflessly. I believe that there is nothing wrong with it. Kaifeng Mansion is the government with the highest law and order in Beijing. There are dozens of capable officials in it. If Yuan Yan can ask them If you study more, I believe you will be able to make a difference and stabilize the hearts of the people in the capital for His Majesty and my Zhao family."

"Okay, haha, that's exactly what I mean, Yuan Yan, I will send you to Kaifeng Mansion as an imperial envoy, as long as you want to try, you can choose the case."

"Thank you, brother!" Yuan Yan bowed, "Your Majesty, I have something to ask you."

"Oh?" Zhenzong looked at Defang, "What's the matter?"

"Brother Emperor, I looked through the old system. As Brother Wang said before, if a servant of a commoner's family makes a mistake, he can punish himself and stab his face. I feel that this is too cruel, and I think ordinary servants can have it. What a mistake, to be tortured like this, there must be countless people who were injured or even killed, I would like to implore Your Majesty to abolish the old system."

"Abolish the old system?" Zhenzong looked at Yuan Yan, "This is a matter that can only be decided after consultation among various ministries."

Defang on the side thought for a while, "Your Majesty, major changes need to be discussed, but." He looked at Yuan Yan, "If only this matter is changed, there is no need to spend so much trouble."

"What does the emperor mean?" Zhenzong asked

"Your Majesty, the punishment of facial tattooing falls on private individuals, causing conflicts among the people to continue to expand. If this punishment is completely included in the criminal law government, the proliferation of lynching can be avoided, and the people will have something to rely on." Defang said.

Yuan Yan nodded, "Brother Huang, the meaning of my brother is exactly what Brother Wang said, and I ask Brother Huang to fulfill it."

Shinzong thought for a while, "Well, well, I will decree to change the old system to show the court's favor."

"Your Majesty's Holy Spirit" Defang and Yuan Yan pay homage

In the same month, the imperial court decreed that no one should have private tattoos on child servants, and ordered that slaves who stole property from their employers should be handed over to the public for disposal. Those who stole property worth more than five pennies would be punished with the spine of the stick, tattooed face, and prison city. Those who had stolen more than ten pennies would be punished .