After Sima Guang chose to compromise, it was officially declared that Song Shenzong and Wang Anshi had won a great victory.
Then the losing party will naturally have to pay the price.
Song Shenzong could finally experience the pleasure of a new official making his first move upon taking office.
It’s really not easy to start this fire!
Burn it and cherish it.
Therefore, Song Shenzong immediately made a series of personnel arrangements, and all the censors, officials from the Dali Temple, and officials from the Ministry of Justice who had been the most clamorous at the time were sent to local areas.
To say it is an expatriate assignment is actually a demotion.
This also indirectly confirms that this struggle actually also includes a struggle between imperial power and prime ministerial power.
Those people he demoted were all officials who had advocated the rejection of the Holy Judgment, not those who demanded severe punishment for Ayun.
... ...
Since the Court of Criminal Justice is responsible for reviewing the judgments of the Dali Temple and is a supervisory body, the Supreme Court is still the Dali Temple.
The Court of Criminal Justice could only say that the judgment of the Dali Temple was correct.
The final judgment must be announced to the world in the name of the Dali Temple.
Sima Guang reluctantly handed the criminal court's review document to Xu Zun, and said indignantly: "In fact, you and I both know that this is not a fair verdict."
Xu Zun took the document and said frankly, "I admit that I did have some selfish motives in this case, because I think Ah Yun's circumstances are justifiable. She is not a vicious, cruel person. She is also a victim in this case. In addition, Wei Ada is still alive, so I don't think she deserves the death penalty."
Sima Guang scoffed at this: "But you are an official, you must handle it fairly, not emotionally."
Xu Zun said: "I did not add false evidence, nor did I force others to make false confessions. I even recommended Sima Xueshi to judge this case. Everything I did was in accordance with the law and I did nothing illegal. So I have a clear conscience for this result."
In fact, what he did really had some meaning of procedural justice.
Every official has his own values and subjective ideas, and it is really difficult to judge what is right and what is wrong. Xu Zun's confidence in having a clear conscience lies in the fact that he has not done anything illegal or against the rules. He is pursuing the results he wants on a legal basis, using legal knowledge and just means. This is of course just.
Apparently, Sima Guang didn't think so, and said calmly: "You have a clear conscience, but I still feel that this judgment is not glorious."
Xu Zun chuckled twice and retorted: "Since your Hanlin Academy has intervened in this case, any verdict will probably be dishonorable."
Sima Guang frowned and said, "So I will definitely find a way to erase this stain."
He also believed that he lost in the political game, so he agreed with Xu Zun's point of view. He believed that this would be a stain on his life.
At the same time, he is also responsible for the officials who were demoted as a result of this case.
How could Sima Niu give up so easily
... ...
After Sima Guang left, Xu Zun asked an official standing beside him, "Do you believe there are geniuses in this world?"
The official was stunned for a moment, then said, "Of course I believe it."
Xu Zun said with emotion: "But this genius is extraordinary!"
By now, he had fully come to his senses.
He had always been predicting from a legal perspective. He believed that Zhang Fei's evidence was not perfect and Sima Guang would definitely start an investigation.
But he overlooked one point.
Why did this case drag on for so long? He was actually just a fuse. The real reason was the political struggle within the court. If he had not been at the center of such a storm, could his doubts have delayed the case for several months
This possibility is very small.
But why was the verdict given immediately? The reason was also political struggle.
It can be seen from this that what can truly influence this case is no longer a legal issue, but a political issue.
Then Zhang Fei concluded that a verdict would be given within ten days, which shows that he was analyzing from a political perspective.
What’s funny is that Xu Zun was an official, and Zhang Fei was just a commoner. This made Xu Zun very depressed!
Little did people know that this is not a talent, but experience and knowledge. Although Zhang Fei has never fought a lawsuit, he has seen a lot. In many international cases, many big lawyers rely on political correctness to reduce the charges of their clients.
To put it simply, it means stacking BUFFs like crazy. The more you stack, the freer you are, and you can do anything illegal, such as going directly to the women's restroom to commit indecent acts.
If you tell me, I'm a girl.
However, Xu Zun kept his promise. After returning, he took out thirty strings of cash and gave them to Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei accepted all the advice and said to Xu Zun, "Don't be discouraged, my benefactor. As the saying goes, those who are involved are confused, while those who are on the sidelines can see clearly."
Xu Zun, who was originally depressed, couldn't help but laugh a few times when he heard this, but then he asked seriously: "Now that the case has been settled, what are you going to do next?"
Zhang Fei said: "I plan to stay in Bianjing."
Xu Zun said, "Why?"
Zhang Fei said very frankly: "Because I am afraid of being retaliated against. If I stay in Bianjing, I can still get the protection of my benefactor. If I return to Dengzhou, God knows whether I will suddenly disappear."
Xu Zun looked at Zhang Fei in surprise. After a moment's pause, he laughed and said, "It seems that you haven't gotten carried away yet!"
Zhang Fei smiled bitterly and said, "So this debt of favor is the hardest to repay."
The implication is that if he hadn't wanted to repay a favor, he wouldn't have been so foolish as to jump into this vortex. How could he dare to be complacent? It would be difficult for him to protect himself.
Xu Zun's eyes flashed with admiration. When this kid gets arrogant, he can really scare everyone. But that's just a strategy, not his character. He is actually very cautious. His love for talent suddenly began to overflow. He stroked his beard and sighed, "In fact, this case is not completely over yet! In the past, I used the gaps in the law many times to defend Ayun. Many people think that I am using public power for personal gain. Although I have a clear conscience, if I don't improve these regulations, that would be using public power for personal gain. I wonder if you are willing to lend me a hand?"
After this incident, he admired Zhang Fei even more, so he hoped to recruit him under his command even more.
Zhang Fei pondered for a moment and said, "You have been kind to me, so I am willing to lend you a helping hand. However, if you want to improve the law, you probably need someone who is good at finding loopholes in the law and redressing the people's grievances. Only when it rains can you tell if the roof is leaking."
Xu Zun chuckled twice: "It seems that you look down on me as a guest in your mansion!"
Zhang Fei said awkwardly: "My benefactor, you have misunderstood. Zhang Fei has absolutely no such intention."
Xu Zun smiled and said, "That means you plan to be a spy in Bianliang."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "That's the plan for now."
In fact, he has been thinking about this question for the past two days. What should he do in the future? Before this, he had never thought about it at all, because at that time he was determined to save Ayun. Now that the dust has settled, he also has to consider his future.
It's not that he hadn't considered following Xu Zun. In fact, at the moment, he had no way to leave Xu Zun. After all, he had humiliated Sima Guang and other top judges of the Song Dynasty. Who could guarantee that they wouldn't retaliate against him
However, he thought that the Dali Temple was full of people who opposed Xu Zun. If he went there, he would definitely be targeted by these people. The key point was that Xu Zun would only give him the status of an official, not an official. That would be too passive. Just being an official could order him around.
After careful consideration, he chose to be an outsider first, wait and see, and then make plans. At least this was the area he was best at, and at the same time he was not supervised at work.
... ...
Two days later.
Dali Temple.
The heavy gate of the government office slowly opened, and a frail girl was seen standing inside. Looking at the street outside, her clear eyes gradually became moist, and there was a hint of disbelief. She slowly raised her foot, but her weak body made it difficult for her to cross the high threshold.
"careful!"
A man came up and supported her.
"Thanks... so much... Yeah... it's you."
When the girl saw who was coming, she couldn't help but feel surprised and happy.
The person who came was Zhang Fei, and the girl was Fang Yun who had just been released.
"it's me."
Zhang Fei nodded and smiled.
Fang Yun seemed to suddenly remember something. She bent her knees and was about to kneel down, but she couldn't.
Zhang Fei supported her with all his strength and reminded her, "I am the one who is repaying the favor."
... ..
At the same time, Xu Zhiqian, who had been on a hunger strike for many days, finally came out of her boudoir and saw the light of day again.
"Daddy."
Xu Zhiqian knelt in front of Xu Zun and said, "My daughter knows she was wrong, and I hope you can forgive me."
"You!"
Xu Zun had calmed down a long time ago. He locked up his daughter because he was actually worried that Xu Zhiqian would disturb Zhang Fei. After all, he knew his daughter's personality very well. She was more serious than him. He pulled his daughter up with one hand and said, "When can you change your temper? It's not decent for a lady from a wealthy family to go out and come back drunk."
Xu Zhiqian blushed and could not say a word.
Xu Zun said: "Forget it this time, but next time I see you, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Don't worry, Daddy. My daughter will never do it again."
Xu Zhiqian hurried forward and gently held Xu Zun's arm with her delicate hand.
Xu Zun shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Xu Zhiqian suddenly asked: "Dad, why didn't you see Zhang San?"
Xu Zun was startled and asked cautiously, "Why are you asking him?"
Xu Zhiqian said: "My daughter wanted to thank him. Qingmei told her that she almost fell that day, but fortunately Zhang San supported her in time."
When Xu Zun thought of that incident, he felt extremely embarrassed and said, "Don't mention it again. Aren't you ashamed?"
Xu Zhiqian's cheeks flushed, but she continued, "I can't help but mention it. Although I want to thank him, I also think that Zhang San is cunning and despicable, not a gentleman. How could Daddy bring such a person into the family?"
Xu Zun knew what his daughter was referring to, of course, as he had seen it with his own eyes. However, he still believed Zhang Fei more and thought that what happened that day was just a misunderstanding, so he said, "Daddy knows Zhang San better than you do. Besides, what did daddy teach you since you were a child? Before you blame others, you must first look at yourself, be strict with yourself and lenient with others. You didn't look like a lady at that time. You behaved improperly first, so how can you blame others?"
Xu Zhiqian looked depressed, "Daddy, am I your daughter?"
Xu Zun laughed and said, "So you want Daddy to help the relatives instead of the affairs?"
Xu Zhiqian said: "My daughter doesn't dare."