Yuan Jiang's last sentence really left Wei Yingfang and others speechless.
The public security, procuratorate and courts haven't been sent away yet, and now the tax commissioner comes. This is really endless!
But in fact, this is the common routine of Yuan Jiang and Zhang Fei. You must know that the entire public security, procuratorial and judicial system was built step by step in their struggle.
Because as long as there is struggle, benefits will flow and they will be able to cram more benefits into it.
Originally, Zhang Fei planned to have the Tax Commissioner come to Hezhong Prefecture next year, but he had to find a suitable reason, and this case provided them with a perfect reason.
Wei Yingfang and his colleagues were very troubled by this.
Although they have not seen the Tax Commissioner in person, the last voluntary declaration has given them a very deep understanding of the Tax Commissioner.
This is not a good thing.
But they still believed that time was on their side, because once the lawsuit spread to the capital, the new and old factions would definitely fight over the Qingmiao Law, and before the matter was resolved, it would be impossible for the Commissioner of Taxation to come to Hezhong Prefecture.
They need to wait patiently for the results from the capital.
They predicted that as soon as this matter reached the capital, there would be a huge uproar and it would not be easily settled.
... ...
However, this verdict also had a huge impact on the entire political structure of Hezhong Prefecture, because it completely changed the situation where the government was the only dominant force.
Although the Imperial Court was also an official department of the imperial court and belonged to the ruling class, the special nature of its powers led to the participation of the common people. Even without a jury, the common people would stand outside and watch. Coupled with the litigation model, a new kind of check and balance was formed, but the change was rather subtle.
In addition, the entire trial process also left many officials feeling uneasy and they were unable to sleep that night.
Because this exposes the ugly side of the ruling class, which has never happened before, and they are afraid that this will cause unrest.
On the fourth day after the verdict, Wang Shao, Guo Kui, Cai Yanqing and others took a horse-drawn carriage and secretly went to various villages to inspect. If there were any signs, they would find ways to suppress them in time.
This group of officials has only one request for the fight between the two sides, which is not to mess up Hezhong Prefecture. This is also their bottom line, because they know that they are powerless to stop their fight, so they can only set up a fence to protect what they want to protect.
But the results shocked them.
Instead of complaining or arguing, the villagers became more active, looking for work and seeking trades. There were many more people walking around and going into the city than in previous years, presenting a thriving scene.
"I see."
Cai Yanqing nodded thoughtfully.
Guo Kui asked, "Why did Magistrate Cai say that?"
Cai Yanqing replied: "We only see the people's dissatisfaction with the gentry and the government, but ignore the people's trust in the imperial court. Yesterday's trial brought confidence to the people, not despair!"
Wang Shao nodded: "The confessions of Yuan Xueshi and Liang Youyi in court yesterday did not happen recently. It has always been like this. How could the people not know it? They had no way to deal with it before. Now the imperial court has provided them with help, and the people are no longer afraid of officials, landlords, and gentry. They dare to do more because they believe that the imperial court can make decisions for them."
To sum it up in one sentence, it is a sense of security.
In the past, people were very passive. They just wanted to earn a little bit to survive. If you earn more, you may have to give away more.
For example, those second and third class households would rather go bankrupt or even mutilate themselves than avoid serving in the yamen and would never give the court an advantage, because the court's practice is to kill the goose that lays the eggs. Once you have no eggs, the court will not kill you.
That's the idea.
Guo Kui suddenly realized, "So, the biggest winner is actually the imperial court."
As he spoke, he chuckled again, "Those people deliberately tried to deal with the imperial court, but ended up helping the imperial court."
Wang Shao shook his head and said, "It's hard to say at the moment, because they are trying to kill someone with a borrowed knife. We still have to see the attitude of the capital city towards this judgment."
Cai Yanqing also nodded slightly.
Those officials are not stupid. They will not take the initiative to give a big gift to the imperial court. In fact, this lawsuit is not complicated at all. The difficulty lies in whether you dare to judge it this way.
Can you afford the consequences of the verdict
This is also the best way to deal with the Imperial Court at present, because they have tried it many times, and the result is that before defeating the big backer behind the Imperial Court, it is impossible to shake the Imperial Court's foundation in Hezhong Prefecture.
... ...
And today, the Imperial Court also ushered in its own highlight moment.
A large number of scholars and literati rushed to the imperial court to enroll in the law school, and the Four Little Kings were forced to come out to help because there were too many people.
Many of them had just dropped out of school.
But they were forced by the literati. However, after yesterday's trial, they suddenly realized that you also appealed to the imperial court, so why don't you allow us to register
Moreover, if you dare to use this incident to expel us from our hometown, we will come to the imperial court to file a complaint.
The chief judge said it very clearly yesterday that the clan system is just a folk agreement and that all relationships are equal. If there is oppression, one can file a lawsuit in the imperial court.
Of course, the main reason is that young scholars saw an opportunity to gain prestige.
As for the eight interns in the Imperial Court, they are all sons of businessmen and have no family background. However, because they work in the Imperial Court, they can gain the respect of the people. For many disputes in the neighborhood, neighbors are more willing to ask them to judge rather than those respected scholars.
This is a great opportunity for young people to get promoted.
On the hillside not far away, stood a perfect couple, Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian.
Looking at the numerous students in front of the door, Xu Zhiqian felt a little nervous: "Will they come to drop out of school again in a few days?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "You can rest assured this time. As long as the Qingmiao Law continues to exist, they will not easily target the imperial court again, because their killer move is not here."
After hearing this, Xu Zhiqian nodded slightly and said, "I didn't expect everything to go so smoothly."
Zhang Fei chuckled twice: "Beauty, our real test has not yet begun!"
"ah?"
Xu Zhiqian was stunned and said, "Didn't you say that there wouldn't be any problems in the capital?"
Zhang Fei said: "I'm not referring to the capital, nor this matter."
"So who are you referring to?" Xu Zhiqian asked curiously.
Zhang Fei raised a helpless smile, "In fact, fairness and justice are not what everyone really pursues in their hearts, they just say it to sound good. Think about it, there have been so many impartial officials throughout history, but only a very few have been given important positions. If the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs hope to gain a foothold by relying on fairness and justice, they will most likely fail."
Xu Zhiqian asked: "Then what do you need to rely on to gain a foothold?"
Zhang Fei sighed: "The world is bustling, everyone is here for profit."
"Benefit?"
"good."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Why do people pursue fairness and justice? In essence, they hope to protect their own interests. If the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs cannot be transformed into tangible benefits, they will definitely not last long.
Because the fundamental problem of the country is not fairness and justice, but finance. This is the most important thing. If the finances of Hezhong Prefecture are not improved, these problems will come one after another, and the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs will not be able to handle them. After all, fairness and justice cannot fill the stomach, and they will soon lose the support of the court. At that time, everyone will push down the wall when it falls. "
Xu Zhiqian couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. Although fairness and justice were obviously more important in her mind, she also knew that if the finances did not improve, no one would care about these things.
Because in the final analysis, the court still needs money.
If fairness and justice stand in the way of financial restoration, the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs will surely be the ones to suffer.
This is why, every time at a critical moment, Zhang Fei must discuss with Yuan Jiang first how to benefit the finances in the struggle.
Xu Zhiqian suddenly seemed to remember something and said hurriedly, "I remember you once said that the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs can make business prosperous."
"You didn't forget."
Zhang Fei smiled with relief, and then said seriously: "Yes, the agriculture in Hezhong Prefecture is not very good. The agricultural tax is less than one-third of the counties in Jiangnan. The only thing that can be developed is business, because Hezhong Prefecture has salt, horse and tea trade, and it is also the logistics base for the Northwest War. This is the advantage of Hezhong Prefecture."
Xu Zhiqian said: "No wonder you asked the police to take action immediately after the trial."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "What merchants need most today is fair laws. Merchants can also generate profits, so they are our natural allies with the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs. However, the business in Hezhong Prefecture is still basically controlled by those officials. We must break this and allow more merchants to develop. Then, we can cooperate with the tax department to pursue more business taxes."
Xu Zhiqian nodded thoughtfully: "So that's it."
After a moment, she suddenly looked at Zhang Fei again, "I thought we only needed to revitalize the judiciary, but I didn't expect we have to do so much."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "If you really just want fairness and justice, there is no need to send me. There are so many upright officials in the court, and they can still do a good job."
The reason why Zhao Xu continued to support Zhang Fei and remained unmoved was that Zhang Fei had drawn up a complete plan for him, and the key to this plan was commercial taxes, not the public security, procuratorate and courts. The public security, procuratorate and courts were merely tools for collecting commercial taxes.
This agricultural tax is too difficult to collect as the interests involved are intertwined, so it would be better to focus on business. The public security, procuratorial and judicial organs were created to collect commercial taxes and at the same time they can clean up the bureaucracy.
He never boasted to Zhao Xu about fairness and justice, because he knew that these things would not attract Zhao Xu.
Didn’t Zhao Xu know the value of fairness and justice before
Of course he knows.
But the court has no money and I can’t do anything. And you still talk to me about fairness and justice
... ...
However, this lawsuit created an excellent opportunity for the public security, procuratorate and courts, because at the local level, the conservative forces are obviously stronger, but now they all hope that the public security, procuratorate and courts will fight against the new law. So when the outcome is uncertain, they naturally dare not openly oppose the public security, procuratorate and courts again.
But to create a better business environment, we need to rely on the Royal Police.
Ever since they arrived in Hezhong Prefecture, Zhang Fei has been trying his best to create a peaceful environment for the police station. Now they have to stand up and play their role.
As the saying goes, maintain your troops for a thousand days and use them for a moment.
It was already night, but in a large house in the north of the city, the lights were still on, and the noise coming from inside was enough to make it difficult for the surrounding neighbors to fall asleep.
At this moment, a group of people suddenly rushed to the door.
With a bang!
But the leader kicked the door open.
"who?"
"Who are you? How dare you come here to cause trouble? Do you know whose territory this is?"
... ...
As the figure swayed, three or five idle men were seen rushing out with wooden sticks in their hands.
This person didn't even see clearly, but just started shouting.
But a dark-skinned young man stepped forward and said, "We are the Royal Police, ask your owner to come out."
If it’s not Ma Xiaoyi, then who is it
"Royal...Royal Police?"
The three or five idle men began to retreat because they found that the other side's equipment was obviously better and they had more people than them.
At this time, a burly middle-aged man came forward and asked, "What's the matter?"
One of the idlers immediately said, "Brother, the Royal Police."
The middle-aged man glanced at Ma Xiaoyi and immediately stepped forward. "It turns out that it is Inspector Ma who has come to visit. I am so sorry for my disrespect. I am Meng Sheng, the owner of this gambling house. I wonder if Inspector Ma has any advice for you."
Ma Xiaoyi appears in the imperial court every day, and most people in the city know him.
Ma Xiaoyi said: "Someone went to the Imperial Court to complain that your gambling house is disturbing the public and has also caused an increase in the number of thieves in the surrounding area. Therefore, you must first close down and stop operating, and then accept our investigation."
Meng Sheng whispered, "Captain Ma, if I close my business for one day, I will lose a lot of money. My uncle works for the Yongxing Army. Can you make some concessions?"
As he spoke, he took out some change from somewhere.
Is the Hezhong Prefecture so poor that they have to use this little money for bribery? Ma Xiaoyi couldn't help but look down on him. In their Ma family, this little money was used to send servants away. He said seriously, "Stop business now, and then go to the police station with me to accept investigation. If you can't do it, then this sheriff can order someone to help you."
The Royal Police behind him immediately became restless.
“No, no, no!”
Meng Sheng was so scared that he quickly waved his hands and said, "Close the door, I'll have someone close it right away."
As he said that, he yelled at the idle man beside him: "Go quickly."
"yes."
After a while, a group of gamblers came out one after another.
... ...
South of the city.
In a brothel, when the guests were hugging beautiful women, nodding their heads and immersed in the wonderful music of the piano, the arrival of a group of uninvited guests interrupted their wonderful moment and the music of the piano stopped abruptly at this moment.
But when Cao Dongdong led more than 20 royal police officers into the house, this guy stood in front of the door with his hands on his hips, looking very coquettish, and swept his majestic eyes over.
All those present were dignitaries of Hezhong Prefecture. When they saw so many royal policemen, they couldn't help but panic. They all thought to themselves, are they here to arrest me
Many people even cover their faces and try to deceive themselves.
"What's up, police officers?"
A manager immediately came forward to inquire.
Cao Dongdong glanced at him and said, "Let your owner come out."
"I... I'm here."
But a middle-aged man in his forties with a goatee walked over quickly and said, "Superintendent Cao, what can I do for you?"
Cao Dongdong looked at him for a moment and said, "Are you Lin Shaowei, the owner of this theater?"
"Yes, I am Lin Shaowei."
"You are suspected of occupying a private house. Now follow this superintendent back to the police station for investigation."
Cao Dongdong took out an arrest warrant and slapped it directly on Lin Shaowei's face.
"Occupy... Occupy private houses?" Lin Shaowei said in panic.
At this time, another person came over. It was the judge of transportation, Cao Yi. "What's the matter?"
"Oh, is Judge Cao here too?"
"This is my brother-in-law." Cao Yi wondered, "I wonder what he did wrong?"
Cao Dongdong said: "He is suspected of occupying private houses."
Cao Yi frowned slightly and said, "I think there must be some misunderstanding here. I hope Superintendent Cao can show some leniency."
The implication is to give me some face.
Cao Dongdong said: "I'm not sure about this, but they have already reported it to the Imperial Court. This is an arrest warrant issued by the Imperial Court."
After that, he handed the arrest warrant to Cao Yi.
When Cao Yi saw that it was an arrest warrant issued by the imperial court, he was overwhelmed and pretended to be anxious: "Hey, young boy! What...what should I do? My brother-in-law's family, old and young, can...can all rely on him to support them."
Cao Dongdong said: "Don't worry, Judge Cao. It's still in the trial stage. Whether he is guilty or not will depend on the trial at that time. But Judge Cao can ask someone to sue for your brother-in-law."
"Yes Yes Yes."
Cao Yi nodded, then winked at Lin Shaowei, indicating that he should follow first.
... ... .
In the early morning, Meat Alley.
But I saw a butcher with a fierce look on his face picking up a butcher knife and chopping the mutton on the eucalyptus board into pieces without any emotion.
At this time, two royal police officers came over. They were Zhou Jia and Ou Jun.
"Are you Jiang Tu?"
"That's me, what can I do for you two?"
Butcher Jiang held the butcher knife in his hand and glanced at Zhou and Ou.
Zhou Jia took out an arrest warrant and said, "You are suspected of bullying the people, forcing people to buy and sell, and evading taxes. Please come with us to the police station for investigation."
Butcher Jiang suddenly swung his knife. There was a bang and the sharp knife stood on the eucalyptus board.
The four or five butchers nearby also walked towards this side slowly with their butcher knives.
Jiang Tu sat down, picked up a pot of wine beside him, took a big sip, and looked up at the two of them, "What evidence do you have?"
Zhou Jia ignored the butchers standing nearby and stared at Jiang the butcher. "Please come with us immediately, or we will add the charge of resisting arrest."
Jiang Tu smiled coldly, "If you have the ability, you can take me back?"
Before he finished speaking, there was a sound of breaking air, and then a cold arrow shot directly into the eucalyptus.
There was a sound in winter.
There was another buzzing sound.
The butchers who were slowly approaching nearby immediately ignored what was happening and quickly returned to the meat eucalyptus, pretending to be very busy.
Butcher Jiang was also dumbfounded and jumped up excitedly, "Two policemen, I'm just a butcher, do you really have to shoot me from behind?"
I have never seen such a scene. The yamen runners in the past didn't know how to shoot arrows, and they couldn't even hold a knife properly.
Albert Ou pointed at him with a frown and said, “If you don’t come out, don’t blame us for using force.”
Jiang Tu quickly came out of the meat eucalyptus and said aggrievedly: "Royal Police, I was wronged."
"Stop talking nonsense and go!"
At this time, the people nearby cheered for him.
"Okay, okay, this bully should have been caught long ago."
"This bully always forces us to buy his meat, but his meat is expensive and not good."
... ...
In the southern suburbs, more than 20 Royal Policemen surrounded a regular store, and a dozen idle men holding sticks slowly retreated with trembling steps.
"Dear Royal Police, what happened? Why is there such a big fuss?"
But a short middle-aged man wearing a small hat stood in front of the door and spoke fearfully to the Royal Police in front of him.
"Are you Zhou Zheng?"
"Yes, that's right, Xiaomin."
"You are suspected of forced purchase and extortion. Come back with us for investigation immediately."
"Misunderstanding! This must be a misunderstanding! My uncle is working in the prison."
"Is it Shi Maocai?"
"Do you know my uncle?"
"He's already at the police station."
"???"
... ...
On an official road leading to Jingzhao Prefecture, more than thirty wild dogs were seen running wildly on the road, barking non-stop. After a while, they came to a corner, suddenly stopped, and then retreated while barking at the front.
I saw a group of people in uniform walking slowly towards me.
"Captain Ma, these are the wild dogs. According to what the businessman said, the bully nearby has raised dozens of wild dogs here and forced them to walk on the single-plank bridge on the other side of the mountain in order to collect tolls."
A Royal Police officer said to Ma Xiaoyi.
Ma Xiaoyi stretched out his hand and said, "Give me my bow and arrow."
Immediately, a bow and arrow was handed to him. Ma Xiaoyi drew the bow and shot one of the wild dogs to death with one arrow.
With a whimper, the wild dog ran back madly.
Ma Xiaoyi led the Royal Police in pursuit, and they continued to hunt these wild dogs while running.
"stop!"
Suddenly, a loud shout was heard.
But then I saw seven or eight villagers rushing up from the fields with weapons in hand.
"Who are you? How dare you kill my dog?" A bearded man blocked Ma Xiaoyi's way.
Ma Xiaoyi asked: "Who among you is Li Song?"
The bearded man was stunned for a moment, "It's me."
Ma Xiaoyi smiled and said, "It's really easy to get what you want. I am Royal Police Officer Ma Xiaoyi. You are suspected of deliberately allowing mad dogs to bite people, occupying the road, and extortion. Now come back to the police station with me to be investigated."
"Bullshit! This road belongs to my village. I keep dogs here and no one can stop me."
"If you have a grievance, you can go and tell the president of the court. Now you must go back with us for investigation."
"I won't go, what can you do?"
... ...
Ma Xiaoyi said: "You really don't want to accept my toast. Come on!"
He rode his horse and rushed forward.
More than 30 royal policemen behind him also rushed forward. They were all experts in the military camp. In no time, they tied up these seven or eight villagers.
The villagers were all dumbfounded. In the past, the yamen runners never used force with the villagers. They usually just asked for some money for tea. But these royal police just started fighting right away without showing any mercy!
"With this little ability, you dare to collect tolls."
Ma Xiaoyi looked down on Li Song and said, "You are now also suspected of resisting arrest and assaulting a Royal Police officer."