Northern Song Dynasty Justice

Chapter 19 Political Correctness
How angry, angry, and ashamed this Sima Guang is, how happy Wang Anshi is as a bad friend and opponent.

The gentleman is magnanimous.

Wang Anshi didn't think there was anything to be shy about. He wasn't happy about the victory. After all, Sima Guang didn't pronounce the sentence in public. Based on his understanding of Sima Guang, he knew better than anyone else. Sima Guang would definitely continue to investigate. , Retrial, this lawsuit also has to be fought.

He just felt very happy seeing Sima Guang take such a big dick. After all, he had seen Sima Guang's eloquence before, and he was seldom beaten to the point of doubting his life.

In the classroom, he had already laughed out loud, and now he laughed all the way home.

After getting out of the carriage, seeing a middle-aged man in his thirties standing in front of the house, he was immediately overjoyed, "Jifu!"

There is a saying that it is better to come early than coincidentally.

"Master."

The man also came forward immediately and made a salute.

This person's name is Lv Huiqing, he was born as a Jinshi, and now he is the collator of Jixian Palace. More than ten years ago, he formed a relationship with Wang Anshi as a master and apprentice.

Wang Anshi smiled and said: "You came just in time, I will have a few drinks with my teacher today."

Lu Huiqing felt a little surprised, and asked: "Master is so happy, could it be that the Sima University scholar was really defeated by the people of Erbi?"

Wang Anshi laughed a few times and said, "Let's go, let's talk in the room."

When he came to the house, Wang Anshi first ordered his servants to bring the food and wine quickly, but before the wine was served, he couldn't wait to tell Lu Huiqing about Sima Guang's embarrassment in the hall.

He spoke with joy and vividness, but after Lu Huiqing listened, she frowned, groaned, and did not answer.

Wang Anshi was slightly embarrassed, and a trace of guilt was born in his heart.Is it too gloating?What about dishonest gentlemen?So he asked, "Jifu, don't you think it's funny?"

Lu Huiqing was slightly taken aback, and hurriedly said: "Master should take advantage of the victory to pursue and defeat them in one fell swoop, so as not to have long nights and dreams."

Wang Anshi was stunned for a moment, then asked, "How do you say that?"

Lu Huiqing said: "At the time when my teacher was arguing with the Sima University scholar, the ministers of the court and the central government had their own opinions. As far as the matter is concerned, whether the sentence should be commuted or not is reasonable. But it is different now. The argument is that the defense is too defensive. The key It is a matter of filial piety, so as long as the mentor insists on filial piety, the other party will have no power to resist, and even the mentor can win more support from the court to lay a solid foundation for the new law."

Wang Anshi's eyes lit up.

This is really a word that awakens the dreamer!
A few days ago, when discussing whether the case should be retried by Dali Temple, the intentions of both parties were very obvious, that is, to decide the outcome and not to delay it any longer.

Therefore, on the second day after the trial, Song Shenzong summoned Sima Guang, Wang Anshi, and other judges for questioning.

After this meeting, Sima Guang was really haggard, his dark circles were almost as big as the national treasure, and he must have stayed up all night last night to study the case.

Song Shenzong came to the scene in person yesterday and saw how embarrassing Sima Guang was. He really couldn't bear it, and said: "It's really hard for you."

Sima Guang hurriedly said: "Thanks to Your Majesty's concern, this is a matter of the minister's duty, and it is not hard work."

Look a little embarrassed.

Song Shenzong asked again: "Then I don't know if the result of the trial came out yesterday?"

Sima Guang said very cautiously: "Because the other party has raised some new doubts and is currently investigating, I dare not make a rash decision."

"Report to Your Majesty, the minister does not agree."

Xu Zun immediately stood up and said: "Your Majesty, in fact, the interrogation made it very clear yesterday that Ayun had no intention of murdering, but because she longed to be filial to her mother, she wanted to stab Wei Ada and delay the marriage. The defense was excessive, and Ayun had surrendered himself, so the crime should be reduced to a second degree. In addition, Ayun has been imprisoned for four months and has received the punishment he deserves. I suggest that the court should be lenient and release Ayun immediately."

"The minister agrees."

Wang Anshi also stood up immediately, saying: "I think the evidence presented by the other party is enough to prove that Ayun is a kind and filial child, not a cruel villain as the Sima University scholar thinks. The court should be lenient."

Sima Guang immediately retorted: "It's all evidence, and the inferences of the people of Naerbi, it can't be used as definite evidence."

Wang Anshi argued: "But Sima University can't find any evidence to oppose these evidences. Based on the suspicion of the crime, Ayun should be released."

Sima Guang said: "I just ordered someone to investigate, how do you know that I can't find evidence? Besides, Ayun himself admitted that it was because of Wei's ugly appearance that he was assassinated that night."

Wang Anshi said: "A Yun's confession has been proven invalid in court. If the murderer's confession can be used as strong evidence, then every murderer will not admit his crime. And I believe Xu Shisi will not Giving perjury."

Sima Guang snorted: "Filial piety and murder should not be confused. This is a criminal case, not a person's morality. If in the future everyone decides a criminal case based on a person's morality, then the law must be judged." What can I do?"

Wang Anshi smiled slightly and said, "May I ask Grand Master Sima, which law did you rely on to conclude that Ayun is a ruthless villain?"

Sima Guang did not judge the punishment based on the law, on the contrary, he was actually based on the law of etiquette. He just believed that although the law does not recognize the relationship between Ayun and Wei Ada, they are already husband and wife in terms of etiquette. It should be clear that what she did was killing her husband, which is a heinous crime.

"okay!"

Song Shenzong suddenly interrupted the debate between the two, saying: "Since this case has been handed over to Bachelor Sima for trial, then I believe that Bachelor Sima will give a fair verdict to the people of the world."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your trust."

Sima Guang breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "I will definitely not disappoint His Majesty's trust."

When Wang Anshi heard this, he stopped arguing, and a smile flickered in his eyes.

Xu Zun seemed a little surprised.

That's it?

Back in the mansion, he immediately called Zhang Fei and said, "You lost."

Zhang Fei looked astonished, "I lost?"

Xu Zun nodded, and said, "The government has allowed Grand Master Sima to continue the investigation. No matter what the result is, no verdict will be issued within ten days."

Hearing this, Zhang Fei's self-confidence grew stronger, and he said, "Isn't it ten days yet?"

Xu Zundao: "As long as the officials allow the court to investigate, it is impossible to close the case so quickly."

Zhang Fei said: "But I don't have the habit of admitting defeat in advance, what should I do?"

Xu Zun said with a chuckle: "All right, all right. Believe it or not. I'm telling you this not because I'm afraid you'll renege on your debts, but to remind you to be prepared. The Sima University scholar is not so good."

Zhang Fei said confidently: "He will definitely lose."

Xu Zun was puzzled, who gave him the confidence?

Although Wang Anshi did not continue to compete with Sima Guang in front of Song Shenzong, but when he returned to the Imperial Academy, he immediately attacked Sima Guang, accusing Sima Guang of being angry, for the sake of face, and because he did not want to admit that he had lost to a child. There is no objective evidence, and Zhang Fei is quoted as saying that he is unprofessional and does not know how to handle cases.

Sima Guangniu's temper also rose, and he immediately turned back.

And this case was the culprit that split the court, and everyone stood in line because of this case.

The reformists around Wang Anshi also stood up and pointed at Sima Guang.

But what is different from before is that this time the reformists have an absolute advantage, because most conservatives have chosen to remain silent, or have chosen to disappear.

The atmosphere in the court immediately became treacherous.

"Junshi, this case cannot go on trial, it must be closed immediately."

Liu Shu, a doctor in the Ministry of Justice, found Sima Guang in private, and said anxiously.

Sima Guang wondered, "Why?"

Liu Shu sighed: "Because most people in the court are no longer willing to punish Ah Yun again."

Sima Guang frowned and said, "Is this related to filial piety?"

Liu Shu nodded.

Sima Guang immediately retorted: "You should know that it is just Zhang Fei's one-sided statement, and there is no conclusive evidence to prove that Ayun committed the murder in order to defend filial piety."

Liu Shudao: "But the crux of the matter is not here anymore, because most people in the court believe that Ayun is indeed a filial daughter, and after Zhang San made such a fuss, if Ayun is severely punished, it will make people in the world question loyalty and filial piety. When a person is faced with the problem of loyalty and filial piety, he should be stubborn and compromise. To be an unfaithful and unfilial person will have immeasurable adverse effects!
Wang Jiefu and the others also took this issue and blamed us.

Then if we continue to argue, most people will choose to stand on their side, and we all know that Wang Jiefu is not fighting for loyalty and filial piety, but for the new law. Now he clearly wants to use this case to win more support so that he can reform in the future.

So no matter what, this case must be concluded, and we must express our understanding of Ayun's original intention. "

After hearing this, Sima Guang was dumbfounded.

Anger, depression, entanglement, struggle, pain, and many other expressions were intertwined on his resolute face.

At this point, he suddenly realized that he had already suffered a crushing defeat.

He also knew Zhang Fei's routine before, which was to use filial piety as a shield, but he ignored the political meaning of "filial piety".

Loyalty and filial piety are the basis of Confucian rule.

And the foundation of all governance is the so-called political correctness.

The scholar-bureaucrats of the Song Dynasty were unwilling to destroy the meaning of loyalty and filial piety because of this small case.

During the two days here, many scholar-bureaucrats who have already retired came to the door one after another, hoping that they could give Ayun a light sentence and make a judgment that has far-reaching significance to society.

Wang Anshi made another attack this time, and the conservatives were not united. Although some people still supported Sima Guang, some people had already sided with Wang Anshi on this case. Of course, many people chose to remain silent.

If Sima Guang continues to fight, officials who oppose the new law will be forced to be bound to Wang Anshi's chariot just because of this case.

As for the core members of the conservative faction, their main appeal is to oppose Wang Anshi's political reform. They have realized the seriousness of the problem. I wish they could fight with themselves, the longer the better, it would be better to directly sentence the murder to the injury.

One day later, there might be one more person standing on Wang Anshi's side.

Judgment must be given immediately.

Many conservatives stood up without waiting for Sima Guang to give a verdict, saying that they also supported the sentence of Ayun's excessive defense, and at the same time gave their own reasons.

This means obviously that we did not lose, and we did not admit that the previous judgment was wrong, just because now there is new evidence, and we agree, we are willing to withdraw the previous judgment, which just reflects our fairness and justice ah!
Sima Guang is really an idiot, and I feel very wronged. I also admit the doubts raised by Zhang Fei. I just want to investigate the details of what Zhang Fei said. Is this not okay?

The answer is no.

Because there is one thing that can be proved, that is, Ah Yun has indeed been serving her seriously ill mother, and she has indeed rejected her uncle with filial piety, which is enough to prove that she is a filial daughter, so no one is willing to touch her for a little girl. The bottom line.

No matter how bad-tempered Sima Guang was, he didn't dare to risk the disgrace of the world. The key point was that it involved political struggles, so he could only make compromises. After only two days, he gave the final verdict.

The more this matter dragged on, the worse it would be for him.

Ayun was convicted of excessive defense.

On the one hand, the verdict pointed out Ayun's violation of the law, but on the other hand, it also praised Ayun's filial piety to his mother.

In fact, this is to tell the world that loyalty and filial piety are worth defending with life.

All of these set up Ayun as an example, so of course he cannot be punished too severely.

Sima Guang also adopted Xu Zun's suggestion.

This is already an over-defense, and naturally there is no heinous crime, which must be applicable to surrender and reduce the crime. In addition, Ayun has been in prison for several months and has received the punishment he deserved, so he decided to release Ayun.

This is definitely not a legal judgment, but a political one.

But for a citizen of Erpen, it doesn't matter, as long as he wins.

(End of this chapter)