Hearings
The four little golden men seemed to have thought of something and couldn't help but communicate secretly with their eye contact.
Is this the completion system the teacher was talking about
I think so.
Isn't this meant to restrict our royal court
Well... .
... ...
In fact, strictly speaking, this is a hearing rather than a lawsuit. It is just because the Royal Court did not have a hearing system before, the procuratorate can only resolve this issue through litigation.
But this is actually very necessary.
Although the imperial court did not change the laws and regulations, it continued to give new interpretations and precedent principles. If there were no hearings, then Zhang Fei would have the final say on judicial interpretation and judicial principles, and it would eventually evolve into Zhang Fei being the law, which would not be able to survive as a system.
Zhang Fei was also uneasy about other court presidents doing the same.
He must complete this system so that judicial interpretation and judicial principles are tested more frequently.
After the event, there was no applause, no flowers, only deafening discussions.
Compared with previous lawsuits, this one is particularly special and highly professional because the entire lawsuit revolves around the interpretation of laws.
Many people didn't understand, and some people only had a vague understanding, but they all found it very interesting and felt they had learned a lot.
As for the scholars, it was even more amazing. They realized for the first time that law was so interesting.
They did not leave immediately, but started discussing with each other.
At this time, law school students become the intersection, because they have already started classes and are learning about the legal system. Although they are less than half-baked, they are more than capable of fooling these people.
As for the officials in the VIP seats, they focused more on the changes in Su Che and Zhang Fei's expressions. They originally thought that this was another performance directed by the public security, procuratorate and courts, but the frustrated expression on Su Che's face made them feel that the procuratorate was serious.
This gave Wei Yingfang and others a very complicated feeling. If this was true, it meant that the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems were aboveboard. According to the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems, the three parties checked and balanced each other. It seemed that this was indeed the case. The procuratorate could openly question the royal court's judgment on the case and its interpretation of the judiciary.
Of course they don't want to believe this fact, and they don't want to accept it.
If the public security, procuratorate and courts are so serious, they will be the only ones who suffer!
You may not be able to slack off at work in the future. If you cause any problems, you will really be investigated.
But Su Che didn't care about these. He threw the work to Chen Qi and others, and then went to the back hall to find Zhang Fei.
"Judge Zhang's legal attainments are truly admirable."
Su Che first complimented Zhang Fei, which was regarded as his approval of the hearing, but then he said: "But I am still worried about this. Many laws have good intentions, but in the end they have become excuses for the government to exploit the people.
Although I know Judge Zhang's purpose, a fair government can indeed help the people avoid being bullied by big landlords in contract disputes, but facts have proven that when the government bullies the people, the people will only suffer more."
I agree that you are thinking about the people, but often good intentions lead to bad results.
This is exactly the same reason as the reason for opposing Wang Anshi.
In the past, it was impossible for the government to confiscate property from civilians based on contract disputes or civil lawsuits. However, with this explanation from the imperial court, the government has been given this power. Can you guarantee that they can enforce the law impartially
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Chief Prosecutor Su, in fact, in this lawsuit, you overlooked a very important point, so much so that I was embarrassed to take the initiative to speak in court."
"Really?" Su Zhe asked hurriedly, "Counselor Zhang, please tell me?"
Zhang Fei said: "It's you."
"Myself?"
Su Che couldn't help but be stunned.
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "If it was the previous system of separate courts for interrogation and adjudication, I would not dare to explain it this way, but now is the era of public security, procuratorial and judicial systems. The establishment of this system is to prevent Mr. Su's worries. My explanation is based on the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems.
In other words, what can truly dispel Mr. Su Xiao’s worries is not my judicial interpretation and the imperial court’s punishment principles, but the entire system of public security, procuratorial and judicial organs.”
After hearing this, Su Che was stunned for a moment, then he held his forehead with his hand and smiled awkwardly: "Yes! I... How could I have overlooked the system of public security, procuratorial and judicial organs?"
Zhang Fei said: "The reason why I gave this explanation is precisely to resolve Mr. Su's worries. So many lawsuits before are enough to prove that lawsuits between people are not that difficult to handle. The most difficult to handle are disputes between officials and people. If the debt is not cleared, it is actually difficult for the imperial court to make decisions for the people.
In the past, it was very difficult to collect the salt debt and military pay, and it required some tricks. The key was that the debt was not clear in their contracts, and the government actually had a chance to win the case, but they did not trust the scribes at the time, and were not familiar with the trial process of the public security, procuratorial and judicial departments. "
"Yes Yes Yes!"
Su Che nodded repeatedly. He understood everything now. The key was to stop the new law. Under the new law, it would be difficult for the government to force the people. He stood up and was about to bow and apologize, but was stopped by Zhang Fei.
"Mr. Su, there is no need to apologize. This is the public security, procuratorial and judicial system." Zhang Fei said with a smile.
Su Zhe was stunned for a moment, then he said with a chuckle, "Yes! This is the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs."
In fact, the reason why Zhang Fei gave this explanation was not mainly to resolve disputes between officials and the public, but to serve business.
Don't underestimate this as a small explanation and a small change. It is just writing the debt details into the contract and stipulating that the contract is equal to the law, but this is actually better than many of Wang Anshi's business policies.
This could even help the Northern Song Dynasty's economy to a higher level, because merchants would feel more secure, and industry and commerce would inevitably become more prosperous.
A few days later, the Royal Court published an announcement about the seizure and purchase system in civil litigation in the legal newspaper.
It was even stricter than what was said in court. Not only could the people's property not be touched, it could only be sealed on the spot. Moreover, once the lawsuit was won, the property could not be sealed immediately. Instead, it had to be urged three times before the imperial court could send out bailiffs to enforce the order.
Try to let the people solve the problem themselves as much as possible and do not use public power to enforce it easily.
Because that "hearing" aroused the whole nation's attention to law, this issue of the legal newspaper immediately sparked heated discussions among the public as soon as it was published.
At the same time, the front of the Imperial Court was crowded with people, but these people were not going to the Imperial Court to do business, but were crowded in the bookstore in front of the Imperial Court.
Because according to the judicial interpretation given by the Royal Court, the contract becomes crucial, involving profits, debts, and not only the starting point but also the end point.
The previous type of contract will be completely eliminated, and the new contract will need to be drafted by professionals, which ordinary people will not be able to write.
This is also why Zhang Fei transferred Qiu Zhengwen from the Legal Aid Department to the bookstore.
Regarding draft deeds, only the Bian Jing Law Firm is the most professional. Bookshops like Lu Bangxing and Li Min can only serve one person and cannot be extensive.
However, the Bian Jing Law Firm has now achieved small profits but quick turnover. Similar to ordinary land deeds, each only costs ten cents and is printed.
Not only is it more professional than a dental clinic, it is also much cheaper.
It’s hard for this kind of business not to be popular!
As a result, the ear-pen industry has completely established itself in Hezhong Prefecture. They not only sued, but also replaced some of the powers of the dental clinic. Now the dental clinic is just a trader.
Of course the brokers hated it very much, but they had no other choice. All the bookstores were opened in front of the imperial court. How could they dare to cause trouble
However, an announcement from the Taxation Commissioner instantly, literally in an instant, stole all the limelight from the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs.
This new tax collection method has finally been announced.
Nothing has attracted more attention than this matter, and it really concerns everyone.
It is essentially a new tax law, but since the Commissioner of Taxation has no authority to promulgate tax laws, his announcement mainly emphasizes the unification of various taxes, so the provisions of the exemption tax must be continued.
There are still six levels in total.
The yield is calculated based on one stone per mu.
For plots of land below 15 mu, a 5% tax will be levied.
Since the exemption tax is exempt from tax for land below 15 acres, the basic tax is 5%.
For 15 to 30 acres, a tax of 6% was levied, which was a crude 5% plus a 1% exemption tax.
For land between thirty and fifty acres, a tax of seven percent is levied.
For plots of land ranging from fifty to one hundred acres, a tax of nine percent is levied.
A tax of 11% is levied on land between 100 and 300 acres.
A 15% tax is levied on land over 300 mu.
As for merchants and citizens, the corresponding income is also the exemption tax, and the amount is the same for all six levels.
The previous tax laws were all about addition, adding together various miscellaneous taxes. The current voluntary declaration is based on subtraction. Tax-free privileges can be reduced, deed taxes can be reduced, and liquor taxes can be reduced. It is also solemnly stated that the final level is calculated only after all subtractions are made.
It stipulated that the soldiers of the imperial guards were taxed at 50 strings of coins, and only those who exceeded 50 strings of coins would have to pay taxes.
This tax law is really like heaven and hell.
Those big landlords and gentry were all very angry. The poor only had to pay 5%, but we rich people had to pay 15% tax. Is this fair
Do you understand what a feudal class society is
How can you do the opposite
So they immediately went to the government and said that the tax commissioner was simply robbing us and we were really wronged.
In fact, officials are also very angry about this.
Government.
"Your tax commissioner keeps saying that he is only responsible for collecting taxes. This announcement is not about collecting taxes, but about the new tax law. Do you think we are all fools?"
Wei Yingfang shook the announcement and questioned Chen Ming.
Cai Yanqing and Yuan Jiang also looked at Chen Ming with interest. In fact, they all supported him in their hearts, but the Commissioner of Taxation made it too obvious. It was clearly a new tax law. Who were you trying to fool
Chen Ming was puzzled and said, "I have already discussed with you about the unification of various taxes."
“Are you combining all taxes into one?”
He Chunlin jumped up and said, "Even if we calculate it based on the autumn tax, we get one bushel per mu, which is 10%, not to mention the summer tax. Where does this 5% come from?"
"The goodness and barrenness of the fields."
"Liang...Liangqi?"
"Yes."
Chen Ming said: "For example, the land tax in Jiangnan is different from that in Hezhong Prefecture. Hezhong Prefecture also has a large number of barren fields, and their yield per mu is less than one stone. I take it based on the average, and then add the exemption tax.
But if you all think that the tax is too low, our tax department does not mind adjusting the lowest tax to 10%, and the taxes above that only need to be increased by 5%. "
Wei Yingfang opened his eyes and said, "Add five more, that's not 20 percent anymore, you might as well go and rob it!"
Cai Yanqing smiled secretly and said, "It's not low at all. We are just asking."
The other officials remained silent.
A smile flashed across Yuan Jiang's eyes, and he asked again, "Has Tax Commissioner Chen calculated whether this tax law can guarantee the financial security?"
Chen Ming nodded and said, "No more, no less."
He Chunlin muttered quietly: "In the final analysis, it's still a way to make money."
Chen Ming said: "It's more or less. The reason is not because of the unification of various taxes, but because of the way our tax department collects taxes. The unification of various taxes only makes it easier for our tax department to collect taxes."
Cai Yanqing nodded: "I see."
You have to know that two-thirds of the farmland in Hezhong Prefecture is concentrated in the hands of large landlords. In the past, they tried every means to evade taxes. Now we collect 15% from them. How can this tax not be too much
The officials knew it very well, but no one dared to speak out.
In fact, Chen Ming's reason is untenable. How can you use such a calculation? How did you average it to 5%
But if they want to question the tax commissioner's good tax reform, then they have to raise the tax rate, because this tax rate is definitely too low. Isn't that crazy
They are now like dumb people eating bitter herbs, unable to express their pain!
Life is bitter on their side, but it is so sweet for the people that they can't believe it.
The Hezhongfu Law Firm became completely popular.
Before, Qiu Zhengwen had already asked people to go to the countryside to do the tax declaration exclusively for the propaganda agency. The price was very cheap, only a few dozen coins a year, because the Bian Jing Law Firm had proved that this was a very profitable business, because there were enough people, and anyway, it was difficult for ordinary people to change their land, so a record could be used for a long time, and individual changes did not really matter. The scribes only needed to be busy for three months and could make a living for a year.
Soon, the Hezhongfu Office received a large amount of business.
Of course, there are also some people who do not believe in earphones. They believe in the Legal Aid Department more. After several previous lawsuits, the Legal Aid Department has been fighting for the interests of the people free of charge and is deeply popular.
At this time, the entrance of the Legal Aid Department was also crowded with people.
"How much? Mr. Fan, how much did you say?"
A thirty-year-old man, with his mouth wide open, looked at Fan Zhen.
Fan Zhen said: "You have 20 mu, and the tax law is based on one dan of rice per mu. Your annual harvest is 20 dan, which is equal to 200 dou. You have to pay 12 dou of rice every year."
"Just... just twelve buckets?"
"If you have no other income, that's all you need to pay."
"Wow... wooooooooooo!"
The man suddenly cried out and burst into tears.
There was really no warning.
In the past, their family had to start with at least fifty dou per year, and the tax law stipulated twenty dou. There was also the summer tax, as well as transfers and discounts. Now it has suddenly dropped to twelve dou.
How can I not cry
"Mr. Fan, help me take a look."
"It's my turn. It's my turn."
... ...
The people behind immediately became agitated, hoping that they could also hear a very astonishing number.
Fan Zhen also patiently calculated for them, without any sign of fatigue on his face, and always kept smiling. He was actually quite supportive of this tax law.
Officials like him who are upright and honest also strongly support this tax law. Anyway, their annual income is basically within the tax-free range.
This new tax law also caused a split in the officialdom to some extent. Honest and upright officials began to side with the tax commissioner, the public security, procuratorate and courts, while also winning strong support from the people and soldiers.
The soldiers were terrified before, but now when they heard that the tax would be levied at 50 strings of coins, they said, "Go ahead and collect the tax. If the court can give me an annual salary of 50 strings of coins, I'm willing to pay the tax."
This is human nature. If their annual income was one hundred strings of cash, they might not think so.
This also reversed the previous bad image of the Tax Commissioner.
Cai Yanqing and Yuan Jiang also came to the imperial court to inspect today, but when they saw this scene, there was no joy on their faces.
Cai Yanqing said solemnly, "I heard that the tax commissioner has only collected a few dozen strings of coins in deed tax so far?"
Yuan Jiang nodded. "It's always difficult to get people to pay money on their own initiative!"
Cai Yanqing said: "This tax law is like a sword hanging over the head of the tax commissioner."
There is only so much money, and to reduce taxes on ordinary people on such a large scale, we must collect money from the rich. However, their taxes are difficult to collect, and if we can't collect them, then everything will be over.
Yuan Jiang stroked his beard and said, "We must burn our boats and fight to the death."
... ...
Department of Taxation.
"I have met the tax collector."
I saw a group of unkempt, ununiformed monsters suddenly stand up and bow towards Chen Ming with their fists clasped. It really looked like the Liangshan Gathering Hall.
Chen Ming nodded slightly, "Everyone, please take a seat."
These people sat down again.
The chief clerk beside him said, "Tax Commissioner Chen, there are only a few people who have come to pay the deed tax."
"We stipulated that it would be one year. Let's talk about it after one year."
Chen Ming just said this calmly. He had expected that those people would delay paying the stamp duty later, so he said to those evildoers, "We, the tax bureau, are different from other government offices where people can just eat and wait for death. But unlike them, we can make a fortune. Our rules are very simple. The more tax evasion you find, the more bonus you will get. You can take away 50% of the fine imposed by the imperial court. You will not lose a penny."
A thin man heard this and said anxiously, "What if I find a thousand strings of cash..."
Before he could finish, Chen Ming said, "Then you can get 500 strings of cash."
The thin man couldn't help but gasp.
“Then how do we check taxes?”
"Whatever you want."
After that, Chen Ming added: "Of course, I suggest you use legal means."
"clear!"
Everyone nodded.
It's a suggestion, not an order!
That is to say, you can do it even if you don’t use legal means.
Chen Ming added: "There are prey everywhere outside, you can do whatever you want. In the first year, our tax department will give you some living allowance, but after that it's up to you."
... ...
In a shop next to the police station, Cao Dongdong, Ma Xiaoyi, Fu Shichun and Fan Zheng were sitting here, eating hot pot and drinking wine. They didn't realize that they were in Hezhong Prefecture at all, just as if they were in the capital.
"Mr. Fan, you've chosen a good shop. It's right next to our police station. Hehe, we can get together often in the future." Cao Dongdong put down his wine glass and wiped his lips.
Fan Zheng smiled and said, "This is a store with a safe inside. It's located next to your police station, so people can rest assured!"
Fu Shichun suddenly asked, "Aren't you planning to open one in the Imperial Court?"
Fan Zheng said: "But the new store will take about a year to build, but the government can't wait that long, so we will open it here first, and then set up the headquarters there."
Ma Xiaoyi suddenly said, "Oh right! Mr. Fan, this seems to be our Ma family's business as well."
Fan Zheng wondered, "You're not just reacting now, are you?"
Ma Xiaoyi asked: "Can you make money?"
Fan Zheng laughed and said, "Uncle Ma is so smart. Even if he doesn't make money, he won't give way."
Ma Xiaoyi chuckled and said, "It's all about making money. When I run out of money, I can always ask you for it."
Cao Dongdong's eyes lit up, "This is indeed very convenient."
Fan Zheng was speechless for a while.
... ... .
At the same time, the Royal Court was also holding its year-end meeting.
"We have achieved our goal this year, which is to gain a foothold in Ha Trung Province. Next year, our goal is to expand abroad."
Zhang Fei said, "The work of the four of you will become extremely busy. First of all, you will not have a day off this winter. You still have to go to law school for classes and handle the backlog of cases. Starting from the middle of next year, you will have to take turns to go to nearby counties for internships. Then you will know whether you can handle things on your own."
After hearing this, the four little golden warriors were not worried at all. Instead, they were ready to fight and were overjoyed.
Zhang Fei saw this and said with a smile: "I hope I am not forcing things to happen."
Ye Zuqia immediately said: "Teacher, don't worry, we will never embarrass you."
Zhang Fei said: "Don't hide it even if you lose it. After all, you often embarrass yourself in front of me. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
Ye Zuqia smiled awkwardly, "Yes."
Cai Bian suddenly asked, "Teacher, won't you be going to the law school for classes soon?"
Zhang Fei said, "It's so cold, and you let the teacher go to class? Do you want the teacher to freeze to death? You still think I'm as young as you. Let's talk about it after the spring next year."
The four of them looked up at Zhang Fei at the same time. The teacher looked younger than us.
After the meeting, Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian left the meeting room.
"You are so lazy."
As soon as he left the meeting room, Xu Zhiqian said with disdain.
Zhang Fei said: "Do you think that if you work like them every day, you can solve the problem? I am the only one who is busy with everything."
Xu Zhiqian muttered, "But you don't seem to be very busy."
“Everyone is busy here.”
Zhang Fei pointed to his head and said, "I have to give myself a long vacation so that I can have enough energy to prepare for the decisive battle next year."
"decisive battle?"
Xu Zhiqian was surprised.
Zhang Fei smiled bitterly and said, "If we can't make money and improve our finances, all fairness and justice will become meaningless. The world is full of people who are only interested in profit."
After hearing this, Xu Zhiqian couldn't help but reveal a hint of sadness between her brows. Suddenly, she felt a white shadow passing by from the corner of her eye. She tilted her head and looked, "It's snowing!"
Then, she looked at Zhang Fei again and said confidently: "Auspicious snow indicates a good harvest. We will win next year."
Zhang Fei smiled and nodded.
... ...
Tokyo Bianliang.
It was snowing heavily and people were hurrying on the streets.
Two carriages were seen slowly approaching the gate of the Meng residence, and two old men got off the carriages. They were Xie Yun and Zhao Wenzhen.
In the past, at this time of time, they would stay at home and play with their concubines, and would never go out in such a heavy snow. However, the last express letter from Hezhong Prefecture this year arrived in Tokyo, making them unable to sleep or eat!
"It seems that the tax commissioner is the most terrifying."
Meng Qiansheng put down the letter in his hand and said with a serious expression.
The exemption tax alone is enough to make them depressed. If all taxes are combined into one, it will increase by another 5%. Who can bear this
Xie Yun sighed, "It's not scary to have just a tax commissioner. There were people collecting taxes in the past. But it's the tax commissioner plus the public security, procuratorate and courts that are scary!"
The ones who really make the decision are not the tax commissioner, but the public security, procuratorate and courts. If there were no public security, procuratorate and courts, then the government would make the decision, and it would be the same as before.
Zhao Wenzheng said: "Speak up! Sima Junshi's judicial reform is more terrible than Wang Jiefu's new policy. What is more worrying is that many officials in the court have changed from opposing the new law to supporting judicial reform, such as Fu Gong and Zhao Xianggong. They have joined the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs."
Prime Minister Zhao refers to Zhao Yan, who has served as the chief judge of Tokyo Bianliang. Zhao Yan was originally a prime minister, and now he is going to be the chief judge again. His intention is very obvious, that is, he wants to begin to replace the judicial power of Kaifeng Prefecture.
The main reason is that there are a group of ministers in the court who began to support judicial reform from the bottom of their hearts, believing that this is the ultimate way out. They no longer support judicial reform because they oppose the new policy.
Xie Yun nodded and said, "Wang Jiefu's new policy is mainly based on officials and politics and law. Judging from the current situation in Hezhong Prefecture, judicial reform is mainly based on law."
Meng Qiansheng said: "If we oppose both the new policy and the judicial reform, we may be caught in a dilemma and instigate them to kill each other, but the government will always balance the situation. It is better for us to fully support the new policy and defeat the judicial reform first."
After hesitating for a moment, Xie Yun and Zhao Wenzhen nodded at the same time.
Weighing the pros and cons of these two evils, choose the lesser one.
Judicial reform has endangered their core interests, namely power.
... ...
Palace.
"Whether Hezhong Prefecture can succeed depends on next year."
Wang Anshi nodded.
Lu Huiqing looked worried and said, "But Master, many ministers in the court have joined the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs. They all think that the success of Hezhong Prefecture lies in judicial reform and has nothing to do with the new law. They even think that the new policy should be abolished and all efforts should be made to popularize the public security, procuratorial and judicial organs."
"That's nonsense."
Wang Anshih immediately angrily rebuked him: "If there were no exemption law from military service, would there be a tax commissioner?"
Lu Huiqing said in embarrassment: "Although this is true, it will also seriously affect the morale of the two government regulations."
This exemption law was a great success in the capital, but everyone was talking about it, and not many people thought that this success should be attributed to the new policy.
This leads to reformists feeling that their efforts are not recognized and they do not gain power.
Judging from the situation in Hezhong Prefecture, if the new law follows the public security, procuratorial and judicial systems, most of the reformist officials will not be able to obtain power. People who follow you, Wang Anshi, not only have ideals, but also desire political achievements.
Wang Anshi was clear about this. He had never intended to follow Sima Guang. Given his slow-moving character, how long would it take for the new law to be popularized? He suddenly asked, "How is the corvée law being implemented in the East Road of Tokyo?"
Lu Huiqing immediately said, "It went very smoothly. Moreover, it is actually cheaper to hire people directly from the government instead of using merchants to transport goods. After all, merchants make most of the money."
Wang Anshi nodded and said, "Next year, the Qingmiao Law will be tried out in Dongjing East Road. You will personally watch it."
Lu Huiqing nodded quickly and said, "Student understands."
... ...
Xiangguo Temple.
In a side room, Sima Guang was seen sitting cross-legged in front of a Buddha statue, chanting sutras and reciting Buddhist scriptures.
With a creaking sound, a cold wind blew.
Sima Guang looked back and saw his good friend Wen Yanbo. He couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, "Mr. Wen, why... why are you here?"
Wen Yanbo laughed.
Sima Guang quickly stood up, bowed, and asked, "Why is Duke Wen laughing?"
Wen Yanbo chuckled and said, "If Wang Jiefu saw this, he would think you were asking for God's blessing and he would laugh his teeth off."
Sima Guang said: "He knows that I have always had the habit of reciting scriptures and chanting Buddha's name."
Wen Yanbo smiled and said, "But he probably hasn't seen you come to Xiangguo Temple to chant sutras and recite Buddhist scriptures in this heavy snow."
Sima Guang saw the mischief in his eyes and sighed, "I think this is too fast. The public security, procuratorate and courts only went there this year, but the results will be seen next year. The key point is... the public security, procuratorate and courts are in charge of justice, but it is finance that decides life and death. This is unfair!"
Wen Yanbo said, "Who can be blamed for this? Only Zhang San can be blamed. He spoke righteously and forcefully about those lawsuits, completely exposing the government's fig leaf and winning the hearts of the people. If there is a problem with the finances, he will definitely be held fully responsible. When the time comes, the officials of Hezhong Prefecture will definitely push all the responsibility onto the public security, procuratorate and courts."
Sima Guang asked: "Is there anything we can do?"
Wen Yanbo chuckled and said, "May the Buddha bless me."
Sima Guang's face darkened, "Then Duke Wen is here to interrupt me."