I

  Chapter 155 153 [Law of Ming Dynasty]

  Fei Yinggong took his daughter Fei Ruhui, and the black servant Tienu, all the way to Ji'an Mansion by boat.

  He is a cultural bandit with aspirations. After his official career was hopeless and he was wanted, he originally wanted to build a paradise. It is to kill the notorious big landlords, and become landlords themselves and their subordinates, and then distribute a few acres to the farmers, without paying exorbitant taxes to the government.

  This is fundamentally different from Zhao Han!

  Fei Yinggong belongs to changing the soup without changing the medicine. Apart from not paying taxes to the government, how can there be any other changes? He now has more than a dozen domestic slaves.

  However, Tianhe Town and the surrounding villages he occupies can be regarded as a paradise, at least the people at the bottom will not starve to death.

  It's a pity that the tree wants to be quiet but the wind doesn't stop, and he will lose his paradise.

  The north is Anfu County, and the east is Luling County, both of which belong to Zhao Han's territory. To the west is Yongxin County, and there is also a Dianjia uprising, which has broken through the county seat and killed officials.

  Fei Yinggong was caught among a bunch of rebels, and had to think about what to do in the future.

  After disembarking at Chengnan Pier, Fei Ruhui said in surprise, "Daddy, this place is really prosperous, it doesn't look like a rebel's territory at all."

   "It's more than prosperous," Fei Yinggong sighed, "It's much more prosperous than the last time I came here."

   It was three years ago that Fei Yinggong passed by Ji'an Mansion last time. At that time, there were eunuchs collecting taxes indiscriminately, the customs clearance reduced the number of merchant ships passing through this place, and the heavy tax spread caused some merchants to close their doors. As a result, the business of Ji'an Prefecture became increasingly depressed.

  After Zhao Han ruled Fucheng, the banknotes were gone, and there were more merchant ships passing by.

  The more merchant ships, the more local consumption, stimulating the growth of shops and vendors. At the same time, Zhao Han also exempted last year's door stall tax. This year's door stall tax was collected according to the first year of Chongzhen, which continued to stimulate the prosperity of traders.

   Not only that, the people around Fucheng have obtained land, their income has increased significantly, their consumption ability has naturally increased, and it is also stimulating the prosperity of business.

  Fei Yinggong saw many people heading towards the ferry in the east of the city. He couldn't help stopping one and asked, "Old Cousin, what's going on at Bailuzhou, why are you all going there?"

   "Mr. Zhao personally tried the case today, and I'm going to watch the excitement." The man replied.

  Fei Yinggong heard the words, and also took her daughter and Heisi to the east ferry of the city and waited to go to Jiangxinzhou.

  From the east of the city to Bailuzhou, there is only one ferry, and there are not many people coming and going. Today, the boatman was very happy. Thousands of people lined up to take the boat, and even attracted several passenger boats to compete for business.

  Fei Yinggong didn't want to queue up, so he chose to take a high-priced passenger boat and walked all the way between the bookstore and the Pantheon.

   There is an open space, surrounded by gardens, and even built a rockery pavilion.

   One after another, about a thousand people rushed in to listen to the trial, and every corner of the garden was crowded with people. Those who came slowly could only stand on the periphery, unable to hear what was said inside.

   On both sides of the open space, there are many stools, which should be the official auditorium, and you need a number plate issued by the General Military Office to sit.

  Fei Yinggong saw Fei Ruhe and sat in the auditorium with Fei Chun.

  He squeezed over there with his daughter, and was soon stopped by the officer: "Show the number plate!"

   "I am your fourth uncle, General Zhao." Fei Yinggong pointed to Fei Ruhe, who had already found out his nephew's alias.

  The officials did not dare to be negligent, and told them to wait where they were, and then ran to report to Fei Ruhe.

  Fei Ruhe was overjoyed, and came together with Fei Chun, and said with a smile, "Why is Fourth Uncle here?"

  Fei Yinggong said: "I will discuss things with you, Mr. Zhao."

   "Sit inside quickly." Fei Ruhe immediately pulled Fei Yinggong inside.

  It was Fei Ruhe and Fei Chun who gave up their seats and let Fei Yinggong and his daughter sit down, while they themselves sat cross-legged on the ground.

  Fei Yinggong was surprised: "You general, can't you get two more stools?"

  Fei Ruhe explained: "Fourth Uncle, this is the auditorium. The General Military Mansion has a number plate. I can get a few more stools, but I have to go to the general town to discuss it. Why spend so much time?"

  Fei Yinggong stopped talking, but was shocked in his heart, the rules here are really strict.

  The auditoriums were filled one after another, all were invited officials, gentry and academy students.

   In the back row of Fei Yinggong and his daughter were Tian Younian, Song Yingxing and Wang Diaoding. Song and Wang were chatting in low voices.

   "The soap class is worth it!"

  An officer shouted at the top of his voice.

  The yamen servants came out with water and fire sticks, and stood in two rows.

   "Judge, Master take your seat!"

  Huang Shunfu and Ouyang Zheng sat around the presiding judges. One was the magistrate of Luling County, who was the chief judge of the place where the case was tried; the other was the magistrate of Jishui County, who was the chief judge of the place where the case occurred.

   There is also a clerk who records the trial process.

   "The head of the town is promoted!"

   "Wei~~~wu~~~"

  Zhao Han came out from the bookstore and sat at the head of the trial bench.

   "Meet Mr. Zhao!"

   "Meet the general town!"

  Many officials and common people subconsciously bow down to worship.

   "嗙!"

  Zhao Han slapped the gavel and shouted, "Stand up!"

  So everyone stood up one after another and saluted Zhao Han, some bowed their hands, and some bowed.

  Zhao Han said: "Bring the plaintiff Yang Chun'e!"

   "Bring the plaintiff Yang Chun'e!"

  The plaintiff no longer used the nickname of the brothel, and resumed her real name Yang Chun'e. In order to protect the plaintiff, Yang Chun'e wore a small bamboo hat with a gauze hanging down from the eaves to cover her face so that no one else could see her.

  Zhao Han said again: "Take the defendant Wang Yuanlu!"

   "Take the defendant Wang Yuanlu!"

  Song Yingxing said to Wang Diaoding in a low voice: "This kind of trial is interesting. I used to call for the prisoner so-and-so."

  Wang Tiaoding smiled and said, "What if it is falsely accused? I think it is more reasonable to be called the defendant or the suspect."

   "Indeed." Song Yingxing nodded.

   Neither the plaintiff nor the defendant knelt down, but just stood there to hear the trial. Zhao Han wanted to use this case to establish rules.

  Wang Yuanlu came out dejectedly, and even covered his face with his hands. He is a juror, how can he have the face to show people because of this kind of thing?

  Zhao Han said to Huang Shunfu: "The deputy judge stated the facts of the case."

Huang Shunfu read aloud according to the document, which was revised by Zhao Han: "The plaintiff, Yang Chun'e, was born in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, and is now in Luling County, Ji'an Prefecture. For the mayor of Baisha Town, Jishui County..."

"On December 26, the seventh year of the Chongzhen reign, the plaintiff went to the countryside with a missionary group to give condolences, and stayed at the defendant's home that night. After the defendant was drunk, he entered the bedroom where the plaintiff lived and raped the plaintiff, accompanied by beatings. Afterwards, the defendant fell into a sound sleep. The plaintiff put on his clothes and asked for help. Other missionaries from the mission team came and subdued the unclothed defendant. The next day, he was turned over to the Jishui county government.”

   Fortunately, except for officials, scholars and students, most of the people who came to listen to the trial spontaneously were residents of Fucheng.

  If it were hundreds or thousands of peasants who heard the retelling of the case at this moment, they would probably rush up to beat people in agitation.

   Propaganda teachers are extremely loved by farmers!

  Zhao Han said: "Bring witnesses!"

  More than a dozen missionaries were brought up, began to explain what they had seen and heard that day, and then signed the testimony on the spot.

  Zhao Han said again: "Bring evidence!"

  It was the defendant's clothes, which had been torn in two places, and the defendant tore it when he was struggling.

  Zhao Han asked: "Defendant, are these your clothes?"

   "Yes." Wang Yuanlu bowed his head and said.

  Zhao Han asked: "Do you have any objection to the description of the case?"

   "No," Wang Yuanlu couldn't evade, but he argued, "I was drunk at the time, and I didn't know what I was doing."

   "You're talking nonsense!"

  Yang Chun'e roared angrily: "I didn't follow at that time, you still called me a slut, and you put a cloth on my mouth! You still hit me, and the slap marks on my face took several days to disappear!"

  Zhao Han sneered: "The defendant should not quibble, he is not guilty if he is drunk? Why don't you kill someone while drunk!"

   Indeed, whether you are drunk or not has nothing to do with the judgment.

  Wang Yuanlu could only say: "I would like to take Yang Chun'e as my concubine, and please let the general town handle it lightly."

   "I'll be a nun, and I won't be your concubine!" Yang Chun'e said angrily.

   "嗙!"

  Zhao Han slapped the gavel violently, and scolded: "The defendant must not talk nonsense. The "Law of the Ming Dynasty" stipulates that only people who are over forty and have no children can accept concubines and prolong their incense!"

  Wang Yuanlu shouted: "General Town, I am a Juren, and I have also been the mayor of the town. I am an official, not a citizen."

Zhao Han stood up suddenly, and said to everyone present: "Under my rule, only the two emperors Taizu and Chengzu are recognized, and only the laws of the two holy monarchs are recognized. The 'people' in the "Law of the Ming Dynasty" includes officials and officials He Shizi! As for the messy things promulgated by successive emperors, it is absolutely impossible for me to abide by them, because they are contrary to Emperor Taizu's "Law of Ming Dynasty"!"

  The "people" in "Da Ming Law" does include officials. Moreover, during the Jiajing period, there were also procuratorial envoys who tried officials based on this.

  However, with more and more concubines, clauses that violate the "Law of the Ming Dynasty" were continuously introduced. For example, it is stipulated that officials are not allowed to take concubines from good families and prostitutes, and they are not allowed to take concubines when they are ordered to go to the place of envoy, and so on to restrain officials from taking concubines.

   Zhao Han's attitude towards taking concubines is that people don't raise officials and don't prosecute them, so you can't control if you take concubines quietly.

  But if someone comes to report to the official, report one and deal with one!

   While the gentry was in an uproar, it felt particularly nonsense. Zhao Han, the traitor, actually opened his mouth and shut his mouth about "Law of the Ming Dynasty", making it look like an imperial court official.

Zhao Han then said loudly again: "Emperor Taizu is a good emperor, and his "Law of the Ming Dynasty" should be obeyed. Don't look at me rebelling, if Emperor Chongzhen is willing to strictly enforce the "Law of the Ming Dynasty", I will immediately bind myself to the capital and lead him to death. Thousands of cuts will not be spared! Taizu is a good emperor, Chengzu is a good emperor, Xianzong is a good emperor, but the rest of the emperors are all fools! The Ming Dynasty has been founded for nearly three hundred years, and there have been three good emperors. How can I have a good life? How can I not stand up and rebel!"

"it is good!"

  Chen Maosheng, Fei Chun and others took the lead in cheering.

  The officials and common people who were closer also cheered.

  Zhao Han asked Ouyang Zheng: "According to the "Law of the Ming Dynasty", how should this case be judged?"

   "Hanging." Ouyang Zheng replied.

  rapist, hanged. Attempt to rape, one hundred battles, three thousand miles of exile. If the victim is under the age of twelve, regardless of consent or reconciliation, it will be punished as rape!

   This is the "Law of the Ming Dynasty", China's first law "Punishing Doctors", which classifies officials as "people" to judge cases.

   And it is very specific and perfect, which has influenced the formulation of Chinese laws for hundreds of years.

   "Law of the Ming Dynasty" also attaches great importance to contracts, and economic disputes are subject to contracts.

  Of course, this is exploited by the powerful and powerful to lure the people into signing unreasonable contracts.

  "Law of the Ming Dynasty" even specific to street management: build houses, repair gardens, if they occupy streets and roads, they will be punished sixty times and ordered to restore. Holes were punched in the walls of their houses, the sewage was poured into the street, and they were whipped forty times.

  Unfortunately, no matter how good the law is, it must be enforced, and the "Law of the Ming Dynasty" has long since become a dead letter.

  Don't talk about criminal cases, even polluting the streets can't be controlled.

  According to the records of European missionaries, Chinese cities before Wanli were so clean that Europeans were dumbfounded. Chinese cities after Wanli are full of stench and garbage everywhere!

  If you can’t even do a good job in urban sanitation, how can you manage the country to be stable and prosperous?

   "嗙!"

  Zhao Han shouted: "Sentenced to be hanged, you don't have to wait until after the fall, you will be sent to the execution ground immediately!"

  (end of this chapter)