The prisoner was eager to confess his guilt, but Sima Guang was not happy at all!
Not only was he unhappy, he was extremely angry about it.
He had realized that he was not facing a young boy, but a cunning little fox.
The "little fox" looked calm and composed at this time. When faced with his question, he calmly asked, "I wonder if the presiding judge agrees that filial piety is the main reason that prompted Ah Yun to commit the crime."
Sima Guang hesitated for a moment and said, "This matter still needs to be investigated, but even if she is seeking filial piety, it is not enough to excuse her from the crime."
His words gradually became more cautious, which showed that the situation was already very unfavorable for him.
Zhang Fei shook his head and said, "I don't agree with this. Since ancient times, there have been many heroes who sacrificed their lives for benevolence, righteousness, filial piety, and loyalty.
In Chinese civilization, loyalty and filial piety are more important than life, so defending filial piety is naturally more important than defending life. According to the laws of our dynasty, when your life is threatened, your counterattack is considered self-defense, so defending filial piety can certainly be considered self-defense.
If someone threatens us to give up our loyalty to the emperor and our filial piety to our parents, can we not fight back? If so, then there is no need for the court to promote benevolence, filial piety, loyalty and righteousness. "
Where on earth did this kid come from? Is he really just a commoner? Isn't he afraid of the emperor when he speaks and the court when he keeps silent
Sima Guang had numerous questions in his mind, and asked, "But defending filial piety does not mean harming an innocent person. Do you think that harming others during the period of mourning is filial piety to your parents?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "So what I am fighting for on behalf of Ah Yun is excessive self-defense, not a defense of innocence."
Sima Guang frowned, and at this moment he had to admit in his heart that the use of the word "excessive" was really damn clever!
Zhang Fei continued, "Of course Ayun is guilty, the evidence is irrefutable, but her purpose was to protect herself and to defend the most important thing in her heart. She just chose the wrong method, but this is understandable, and we cannot ignore her original intention for doing so.
All the evidence has proved that she is not a malicious person, but her age and experience are not enough for her to think of a more clever way. And we should not forget that her parents are both dead, and there are only a group of elders in the family who want to use her for their own benefit, and no one can provide her with any help.
The presiding judge cannot expect her to handle every problem as rationally, intelligently and calmly as you do. In fact, there are many women like Ayun, but few of them choose the right solution. It is not that they do not know what filial piety is, but that they feel desperate and helpless.
From a legal perspective, Ah Yun hurt an innocent person while protecting himself, which is of course excessive self-defense.”
At this point, Zhang Fei suddenly calmed down and said humbly: "Of course, I am just a commoner. I came here to debate because of your majesty's kindness. I have no power to judge. I can only provide meager evidence to assist the chief judge.
It is undeniable that Ayun did make a serious mistake. If the court insists on sentencing Ayun to murder, I also implore the court to commend Ayun for her filial piety so that she can face her mother after her death. I believe this is what Ayun desires most at the moment. After all, in her heart, her mother is more important than her own life. "
After hearing these words, conservatives including Wang Shiyuan, Qi Hui, and Liu Shu all showed very frustrated expressions.
On the contrary, Wang Anshi and other reformists all showed smug smiles.
Sima Guang looked straight at Zhang Fei, his eyes filled with anger.
He is angry!
He is very angry!
When the other party did not provide strong evidence, he was unable to refute the other party.
Even though I know that the other party is just making excuses, I am powerless to save the situation.
The key reason is that filial piety is extremely important in modern times.
Even the emperor could not do anything unfilial.
Zhang Fei cleverly used filial piety as the motive for Ayun's crime. Of course, Zhang Fei did provide some evidence to prove that Ayun was a filial daughter. However, whether there was a causal relationship between the two, only Ayun herself knew. Outsiders could only provide some evidence to prove it from the side.
This was something Sima Guang had never expected.
Because before this, everyone believed that appearance was the motive for the murder in this case.
Although Zhang Fei could not provide direct evidence to prove that Ayun did not commit the crime because of her appearance, Sima Guang also could not provide direct evidence to prove that Ayun committed the crime because of the other party's ugly appearance. The original hard evidence, that is, Ayun's own confession, had just been destroyed by Zhang Fei.
Absolutely objective evidence does not exist.
However, Zhang Fei presented an indirect evidence. If Ayun just wanted to marry someone who was not ugly, then why did she refuse before? Moreover, Ayun had used the excuse of mourning to refuse marriage several times.
If more direct evidence cannot be produced, then indirect evidence can deny that appearance was the motive for the crime.
At this point, Sima Guang also came to his senses.
Unfortunately, it's too late.
Loyalty and filial piety were the political correctness in ancient times.
To challenge political correctness for a little woman is not something a mature politician would do.
If he wants to uphold the original verdict, he must find evidence to prove that Ayun's motive was not filial piety.
And he must prove this, otherwise it would be politically incorrect, which makes him very passive.
Sima Guang knew that the other party was deliberately making things mysterious and confusing, so he would not give up easily. He said, "The statements you have provided so far are only one-sided. I still need to investigate the truth. Once everything is clear, I will make a decision based on the circumstances. That's all for today. I'm adjourning."
After saying this, he got up and left.
After he left, the hall remained silent.
Many officials looked at Zhang Fei in surprise.
They thought the same as Sima Guang: where did this monster come from
Is there still such a person in our Song Dynasty
After a while, Wang Shiyuan, Qi Hui, Liu Shu and others suddenly stood up and left in a hurry.
The others then woke up as if from a dream, stood up, and walked out of the hall while talking among themselves.
"Why did the trial turn out like this?"
"To be honest, I have been trying cases for many years and have seen many cases, but I have never seen a case tried like this."
"If it were me, I would have severely punished this traitor. Others didn't know and thought he was the chief judge."
"Do you think this Grand Secretary Sima is on their side?"
"Don't say such nonsense."
... ...
The gentlemen, who had just woken up from a dream, always felt that something was wrong with the trial. It did not seem like a trial but more like a debate competition in the Hanlin Academy.
Is the Song Dynasty really so tolerant
Even the unruly people dare to yell at the Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy
Outrageous!
It's really outrageous!
After everyone left, Zhang Fei, who had been standing in the hall, suddenly bent down, supported his hands on his knees, and gasped for breath, with beads of sweat the size of beans dripping from his forehead.
Snapped!
Suddenly he felt someone patting his shoulder. He tilted his head and saw Xu Zun looking at him with a smile.
"So you also know how to be afraid!"
"I'm so scared!"
Zhang Fei stood up, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said with a wry smile: "I have always known that when I stepped into this court, it was like standing on the edge of a cliff. If I am not careful, I may lose my head and body."
Xu Zun asked: "Since you know it in your heart, why do you still do this?"
Zhang Fei hesitated for a moment and asked, "My benefactor, do you agree that good is rewarded with good and evil is punished with evil?"
Xu Zun shook his head and said, "If good is really rewarded with good and evil is punished with evil, there would be no need for officials like us."
"That's true."
Zhang Fei smiled and nodded, and then said: "But this case is indeed a case of good deeds being rewarded with good!"
Xu Zun asked, "What do you mean?"
Zhang Fei said: "If Ayun is a vicious person, even if Wei Ada is not dead, she will be seriously injured. It can be seen that no matter whether Ayun has the intention to murder or not, she is reluctant to kill someone.
Besides, Ayun saved my life. This was all due to kindness. Without this kindness, this lawsuit would not exist, let alone win or lose. "
Xu Zun asked: "If Ayun is a vicious person, but is also your savior, will you still help her?"
Zhang Fei said: "If I were a person who listens to the pen, I would definitely do this."
Xu Zun asked: "Why?"
Zhang Fei said: "On the premise of fairness, if I can save a person who has committed the most heinous crime, it is equivalent to killing countless people who have committed the most heinous crime."
Xu Zun's eyes lit up, full of admiration, and he asked, "What if you were an official?"
Zhang Fei said: "If I were an official, I would also try my best to reduce the prisoner's charges within the scope of the law, just like a benefactor."
Xu Zun chuckled and said, "You are really good at comforting people."
Zhang Fei said: "I wonder if this consolation can forgive my debt?"
"Of course not. Hehe..."