There is actually no definitive conclusion about the ancestral laws at present.
Everyone knows what the ancestral law is, or what the principle is, but they cannot express it clearly.
It is not known whether the legendary "Three Commandments Engraved on Stone" really existed, namely "protect the descendants of the Chai family", "do not kill scholars and officials", and "do not increase taxes on farmland".
But even if it exists, it is the emperor's personal family rules, and the emperor just needs to enforce it, because only the emperor can see it.
If it is to have legal effect on people all over the world, it must at least be announced to the public. This is the minimum requirement.
The "Three Commandments Engraved on Stone" were kept absolutely confidential. No one had ever seen them except the emperor. Therefore, whether the emperor would carry them out or not depended on his personal will.
The "laws of ancestors" mentioned by the ministers were actually pocket laws specifically aimed at the emperor and were only effective for the emperor. They could explain the so-called laws of ancestors based on the policies implemented by Taizu and Taizong.
This was to advise the emperor not to act recklessly.
This is the discussion of the "laws of our ancestors" that ministers often mentioned.
Instead of the "Three Commandments Engraved on Stone".
I knew you, old man, had bad intentions. Wang Anshi secretly looked down on Sima Guang.
The other officials showed a strange excitement.
Good job!
This one dropped a bombshell right at the start.
Because according to Confucian filial piety, the laws of ancestors cannot be discussed arbitrarily.
If you say it well, it's good. If you say it badly, it's very dangerous.
However, speaking objectively, the reason Zhang Fei filed the lawsuit was based on ancestral law. If this point was not explained clearly, the lawsuit would not be able to proceed.
But this concept is extremely vague. Those present here ask themselves whether they can explain it clearly or not. They dare not to explain it. They can only quote the policies of Taizu and Taizong, and then apply this "laws of ancestors" to it.
It seemed as if Zhang Fei was going to die anyway!
Many officials were expecting Zhang Fei to make a mistake.
Even Shen Zong, who was outside the door, felt a little nervous.
This ancestral law has a very strict restraint on him.
It concerns his vital interests.
"About the ancestral law..."
As he said this, Zhang Fei prepared to look through the documents and wrote down everything he wanted to say today. Xu Zhiqian beside him quickly handed him a copy.
Zhang Fei glanced at the label, gave Xu Zhiqian an appreciative look, then opened the document and read it carefully.
The jury officers were dumbfounded.
Are you considered sharpening your sword before the battle
Although Zhang Fei had also played with details before, he at least relied on his mouth. This time he went too far. He directly brought the documents up and read them out word for word.
Can't you just memorize it
You retard!
"About the ancestral law... ..!"
Looking up, Zhang Fei found that many officials were looking at him in disbelief, so he explained: "Please forgive me, the presiding judges. This matter concerns the laws of our ancestors. I have to be careful not to say the wrong thing."
That was indeed the case. He didn't dare to talk nonsense about this matter and had to write it all down.
Sima Guang nodded and said, "It should be so, it should be so."
"Thank you, Grand Secretary Sima, for your understanding."
Zhang Fei bowed his hands and said, "I think the law of our ancestors of the Song Dynasty only has this sentence, which is an edict issued by Emperor Taizong, 'The previous emperor founded the country for nearly 20 years. He took precautions and made rules. The disciplines have been established and everything has its regularity. We should respect and obey it and dare not transgress.'"
Fu Bi, who was sitting in the corner, nodded slightly. This sentence was absolutely the most suitable explanation of the laws of the ancestors of the Song Dynasty.
The construction of the entire Song Dynasty followed the guiding principle of "preventing dangers and controlling crookedness".
“How audacious!”
Qi Hui immediately stood up and pointed at Zhang Fei, saying, "How dare you, a mere traitor, judge the laws of our ancestors? You are truly guilty of great disrespect."
Sima Guang and Wang Anshi looked at Qi Hui at the same time and sighed, "I warned you before not to shout, but now it has just started and you can't help it."
But apart from Qi Hui, jurors such as Liu Shu also criticized Zhang Fei.
Even three or five officials who were watching the trial could not help but recite a few words.
We don’t even dare to decide what our ancestors’ laws are, so why should you, a mere commoner, decide
And he said it so naturally.
If you've decided, then...what else can we talk about in the future
Facing their reprimand, Zhang Fei whispered to Xu Zhiqian: "It's really painful to sue such a group of unprofessional officials."
Xu Zhiqian asked: "What should we do now?"
"Just let it sit. What else can I do?"
As he said that, Zhang Fei subconsciously reached for the teacup, but it was completely empty. He muttered, "How ridiculous! You didn't even prepare the tea, and you just use these off-field tricks."
After they finished scolding, Zhang Fei said, "My fellow judges, your words are so convincing. I wonder what this ancestral law is, according to your opinions?"
Qi Hui said: "We are not as bold as you, so we dare not make such a rule, so as not to be disrespectful to our ancestors."
Zhang Fei smiled slightly and said, "According to what you said, this 'law of ancestors' should be classified as 'uncertain law'. I have heard of 'uncertain law'. What is 'uncertain law'? It means whoever has the bigger fist has the final say."
Outside the door, Zhao Xu silently cried out for Zhang Fei.
What a revealing statement!
"Asshole!"
Liu Shu shouted angrily: "You... you are simply lawless and unforgivable."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Unstable laws lead to lawlessness, which will breed traitors. If there are fixed laws, people will respect them and follow them, and the world will be peaceful. Think about it, isn't this the truth
The laws of our ancestors are fair and just, and they are for the stability of our country. If we cannot discuss them, how can we respect them? It is clearly blasphemy. I think some people want to follow the example of Cao Cao, and try to use the laws of our ancestors to seek benefits for the country. They deserve to be punished.”
When he said the last part, his eyes widened, two rays of light shot out, and his momentum boosted greatly.
"you... ."
Liu Shu was really scared.
However, Liu Zhao secretly glanced at Shenzong, and seeing that his face turned red with excitement, he couldn't help but smile knowingly. This kid has a great eloquence!
"enough!"
Wang Anshi suddenly said, "This question was raised by Sima Xueshi, so Zhang San cannot be blamed. If he had not asked about this law, there would be no point in starting this lawsuit."
Sima Guang glanced at Wang Anshi and said, "You old man really know how to stab me in the back."
In view of the previous reprimands from the jurors, this one sentence put all the responsibility on him.
Liu Shu snorted angrily and sat down.
Officials such as Qi Hui looked at Wang Anshi with disdain.
You are trying to divert trouble to others and drag Sima Guang into the water, so that we will kill each other. We will never let you succeed.
Wang Anshi smiled to himself and asked Zhang Fei, "You just said, 'The late emperor founded the country for nearly 20 years. He took precautions and made rules. The rules are set and everything has its own rules. We should respect and follow them and not dare to go beyond them.' Is this the law of our ancestors?"
Zhang Fei said: "And it's the only one."
Wang Anshi asked, "What is your argument?"
Look! This is called professionalism. Zhang Fei looked at the document and answered slowly: "Since it is the law of our ancestors, not the theory, behavior or conduct of our ancestors, then it must have the characteristics of legal regulations. First of all, it must have a written sentence structure. If there is no written sentence structure, it cannot be considered a law.
It can only be used as a reference for experience, but cannot have the force of law. The reason is what I have just said. If it is vague and there is no written sentence structure, everyone can use the laws of their ancestors to seek benefits for the country, just like the thief Cao who held the emperor hostage and controlled the princes.
This is the real crime of disrespect.”
Sima Guang said: "But there are more than one decree from our ancestors. How can you conclude that this decree is the only law from our ancestors?"
They don't object to this sentence being the ancestral law, but is it the only one
They obviously disagree.
Zhang Fei flipped through the document again, looked at it for a while, and then read directly: "We have just discussed this ancestral law. Since it is a law, it must have the characteristics of a legal regulation, that is, it must have a written sentence structure.
However, the ancestral laws were not included in the "Song Dynasty Criminal Code", which shows that the ancestral laws belong to a separate category of laws, and are unique, binding and extensive.
First, let's look at the uniqueness. As the name suggests, it is the only one and cannot be reproduced. The law of the ancestors should only belong to the founding monarch, who laid the foundation for the country, and this cannot be reproduced. "
If there is another founding emperor, the problem will be big.
Wang Anshi nodded thoughtfully and thought, this is another way to explain it!
The word "ancestors" is actually very controversial.
As long as the time is long enough, there will be infinite ancestors.
The current mainstream also refers to Taizu and Taizong, with Taizu being the ancestor and Taizong being the ancestor, but later it became all ancestors.
Uniqueness determines the founding monarch.
Let’s not talk about our ancestors.
Liu Shu and the others actually disagreed in their hearts. Why do you get to set the tone while this matter cannot be decided? But he really didn't dare to say a word about this matter, so he could only agree.
The founding emperor is above everything!
Zhang Fei turned a page and continued reading, "The founding emperor of our dynasty is Taizu Taizong."
He didn't dare to say only Taizu, because all the current emperors were from Taizong's lineage, so Zhao Laoer had to be included.
Then he read: "Please listen to the first half of this edict, 'The late emperor founded the country for nearly twenty years. He took precautions and made rules. Disciplines have been established and things have their regularity.' This is Taizong's edict, but it talks about Taizu's policy for governing the country, and I believe you are very clear about this."
He turned his face towards Xu Zhiqian, who immediately threw a document on the ground, and opened it. Zhang Fei took it and read it, "In Taizu's enthronement edict, there are two sentences that say, 'Reform the old and establish the new. The emperor first received the mandate of heaven. Change the family into a country. The great grace should be spread to the world.'
Among them, "reforming the old and establishing the new" and "changing the family for the country" are in the same vein as "preventing things" and "making rules for twists and turns", which can also prove that Taizong's edict is indeed a summary of Taizu's policy of governing the country. "
After saying this, he looked up at Sima Guang and others.
No one spoke.
But with a look full of contempt, you still have to read out Taizu's accession edict. Don't you have any memory
Fortunately, Zhang Fei is not an official, otherwise he would have been kicked out.
Every official present could recite it by heart.
But then again, this argument is indeed quite perfect.
After waiting for a while, Zhang Fei saw that no one objected, so he continued: "It can be seen that Taizong is very clear about justice and clearly knows the uniqueness of the ancestral law."
Han Qi stroked his beard and whispered, "This boy's debate skills are not inferior to yours or mine!"
Fu Bi smiled and said, "Mr. Han, please do not underestimate yourself. There are many things that he can say that Mr. Han cannot."
Han Qi smiled modestly and added, "That's right! The fact that he can sit here means he has already won half the battle!"
That’s true. Zhang Fei’s disadvantage is actually also his advantage. He doesn’t have so many concerns since things are already like this anyway.
The expressions of many officials changed.
This really needs to set the tone!
It was Zhang Fei who said the uniqueness just now, who agrees
Who do you think you are, Zhang Fei
But if it is explained this way, it is hard to say. Taizong admitted it. He did not say his own way of governing the country. He said Taizu's way of governing the country. He was also a founding monarch, but he still followed Taizu's strategy. Who dares not to admit it
Even from a legal perspective, this logic can be legally effective.
Hmm... it's a bit hot.
This has just begun, and many officials have already regretted suing Zhang Fei.
They would rather admit their mistakes, pay money and be acquitted.
It is outrageous that the ancestral law was determined by a person who only knew the secrets.
This is also something they cannot allow.