In fact, the Bianliang authorities were unaware of the new developments in this case. The official document from Bianliang only asked Xu Zun to return to the Dali Temple to take up his post, and did not even mention this case.
But the meaning is very clear, which is to let Xu Zun go back and stick to his judgment.
After all, the Dali Temple is the highest court, and Xu Zun's return would obviously be more beneficial to the faction that supports him.
This is already a political arrangement.
Since it was a political struggle, the Chief Justice Cao Yan would not be stupid enough to rush in on his own, so at the last minute, he changed his mind. In fact, he could have tried him at that time, and there was no connection between the two.
His decision to give up was entirely out of political considerations.
Xu Zun did not expect that things would come to this. He just insisted on his principles. Now he has not changed his original intention. Moreover, he has become a judge of the Supreme Court now, so he cannot compromise. He simply took all the people involved in this case to Bianliang for trial.
In fact, he also had a little idea, which was to return the issue to the law itself.
Because he did not want to provoke a political struggle.
There was no time to lose. After all, it had only been a short time and so many things had happened. Xu Zun did not dare to delay any longer. Two days later, he hurriedly set off for Bianliang with Zhang Fei and others.
After walking for several days, the group finally arrived in Bianliang.
For Zhang Fei, it was like entering another country. The level of prosperity was truly jaw-dropping and amazing.
Looking around, the streets were crowded with people and cars, there was an endless stream of boats on the river, and the shops on both sides were lined up one after another, which was a feast for the eyes.
Although Dengzhou's business is also relatively prosperous, it does not give people the feeling of a megacity like Bianliang.
You have to know that Zhang Fei has seen the world, and he has also seen the street scenes of the late Qing Dynasty from some images of the late Qing Dynasty, but he feels that it cannot be compared with the scene before his eyes.
He even thought that this scene was closer to modernity than the late Qing Dynasty.
One of the important factors is that the streetscape of Bianliang was very irregular and completely open to the outside. Facing the street were not high walls but shops, sheds and government offices. What was even more outrageous was that the storefronts of many government offices were pitifully small, just like toilets, and looked very shabby. They could not be compared with the storefronts of the big restaurants next door.
It can be seen that Bianliang was already a place where commerce, administration, and transportation were highly integrated, and there was no sense of enclosure like in feudal society.
One of the very key reasons why the Song Dynasty was so special was that it did not suppress mergers, not that it did not suppress business.
In fact, it would not have developed to this extent if business was not suppressed.
After all, the country's economic foundation is still the agricultural economy.
But if mergers are not suppressed, then it is possible.
Suppressing mergers mainly binds the people to the fields. When you don't suppress mergers, a large number of people who have lost their fields will have to come to the city to make a living, which is why there will be such prosperity.
With so many people trying to make a living, it is impossible to implement closed management.
Space is limited, and citizens naturally hope to break down the walls in order to make a living by doing business. This is due to demand, and business certainly pursues openness.
In fact, in the early years of the Northern Song Dynasty, the rulers still hoped to inherit the Lifang system of the Han and Tang Dynasties, which was convenient for management. However, the citizens disagreed. If the Lifang system was to be implemented again, there would be no place to do business. Therefore, they hoped to open shops facing the street. This would not only provide more places to make a living, but also facilitate business. After some struggle, the rulers of the Northern Song Dynasty finally chose to turn a blind eye.
However, it was not until the reign of Emperor Huizong that the Northern Song government officially levied "street corridor fees" on these street shops. Although the word "invasion" was used, the money collected was actually taxes.
In fact, the simplest and clearest way to judge whether an industry is legal is to see whether the country imposes taxes on it. As long as taxes are levied, it is definitely legal, which is much more reliable than the law.
Since Xu Zun was originally an official in Beijing, he had his own residence in Bianliang.
But when Zhang Fei arrived at Xu Zun's residence, he was disappointed. It was completely different from the luxurious mansion he had imagined. Although it was very clean and not small in size, with two courtyards in front and back and wing rooms on the left and right, it looked rather shabby. The key point was the gate, which only allowed two adults to pass side by side at most. It was not the kind of mansion shown in movies and TV dramas.
Zhang Fei couldn't help but sigh: "My benefactor, you are too honest."
On the road, Zhang Fei often discussed laws with Xu Zun. Many of his opinions not only won Xu Zun's heart, but also made Xu Zun's eyes light up. The relationship between the two became closer. Zhang Fei even called Xu Zun "benefactor". This was of course Zhang Fei's initiative, because Zhang Fei knew very well that his only support in this world was Xu Zun.
Xu Zun chuckled and said, "These are still rented."
"rental?"
Zhang Fei was even more shocked, and said, "That's not right! As far as I know, the salaries of officials in our Song Dynasty are very high."
Xu Zun smiled bitterly and said, "But the housing prices in Bianjing are even higher! Of course, with my salary, if I save for about ten years, I can buy a house like this. However, since we officials in the capital are often sent to various places to serve, buying a house is not cost-effective. Most officials in the court also buy houses after retiring and returning to their hometowns."
Suddenly, a feeling of home came over him, making Zhang Fei feel very familiar and comfortable. He added, "Doesn't it mean that if I don't become an official, I can't afford to buy a house?"
Xu Zun did not answer this question, but asked with a smile: "Why? Do you want to pass the imperial examination?"
Zhang Fei was stunned and said, "Very good! But I can't pass the exam."
"Nothing."
Xu Zun looked at him with disdain and said, "You haven't even taken the exam yet, so how do you know you won't pass it?"
Zhang Fei said in frustration: "Do we still need to take the test? Just count the Jinshi candidates and you will know. Didn't Emperor Taizong of Tang say that if you use people as a mirror, you can know beauty and ugliness, or rather, gain and loss."
It's no wonder that he has no ambition. He was born in an era when geniuses emerged in large numbers, including Su Shi, Su Che, Su Xun, Wang Anshi, Sima Guang, Fan Zhongyan, Bao Zheng...!
Since ancient times, when it comes to the best military generals, the Han and Tang dynasties may have a say, but in terms of numbers, the Tang Dynasty may have more advantages. But if it comes to the best officials, then there is no doubt that the Song Dynasty is definitely number one.
In this era, Wenquxing is exceptionally bright and brilliant.
This is why the Tang Dynasty was able to fight all the way to Lake Baikal, and the Song Dynasty was able to fight all the way south of the Yangtze River.
Although Zhang Fei had excellent grades in school, he was not a super genius like those in the top 100 in the country. In addition, the knowledge available today was different from what he had learned, and he was past the age to study.
There is a great possibility that he will never be able to pass the imperial examinations even if he spends his entire life studying.
The risks are not proportional to the benefits.
But Xu Zun couldn't help but admire him and said, "Do you want to be a spy for the rest of your life?"
Zhang Fei thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "My benefactor, can you recommend me to be an official?"
Xu Zun had never thought that this boy would say such a thing. He glared at him and said with disdain, "If you think like this, then you'd better not be an official."
It's true that if Xu Zun really wanted to, he could have recommended Zhang Fei to be an official, because the Northern Song Dynasty had a system of imperial favors, and it would have been impossible for the phenomenon of redundant officials in the Northern Song Dynasty to occur solely through the imperial examination system.
After all, even genius is limited.
The Northern Song Dynasty's system of imperial favor had become increasingly widespread. The emperor might give you a quota of imperial favor on his birthday, resulting in not only the sons and relatives of officials becoming officials, but even their own students could be recommended and become a minor official in the government.
It can be said that when one person succeeds, the whole family will benefit.
Of course, those who truly hold high positions are still the geniuses who are Jinshi graduates.
In this period, if you don't have knowledge, you really can't get promoted, because there are too many geniuses. The best you can do is rely on military merit to get to a high level.
The most famous ones are the famous general Di Qing and the treacherous minister Gao Qiu.
Unfortunately, Xu Zun has always been a clean-minded person. He has several quotas for imperial favors, but he never uses them. He even doesn't want to give one to his son. However, he doesn't need to give it to him. The emperor directly awarded his son an official position, and he just left Beijing to take up his post at the beginning of this year.
"Ha ha!"
Suddenly, a hearty laugh came from the door. "It's a pleasure to have friends coming from afar!"
Zhang Fei looked back and saw a middle-aged man about forty years old, wearing a gray-green gown coming in.
"Look far ahead."
When Xu Zun saw this person, he was overjoyed. He walked quickly towards him and bowed.
This man was named Liu Zhao, and he served as the attendant of the emperor. He was a classmate and close friend of Xu Zun.
Liu Zhao returned the greeting with a bow and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Brother Zhongtu, on your promotion to the magistrate of Dali."
The full name of Pan Dali is Pan Dali Temple. To put it simply, it is the chief of Dali Temple. It was officially changed to Dali Temple Minister after the Yuanfeng reform.
"Shame on me! Shame on me!" Xu Zun shook his head and sighed, "This promotion is really more of a surprise than a joy!"
Liu Zhao stroked his beard and laughed out loud.
Xu Zun looked ashamed and kept saying, "Come on, come on! Let's go upstairs and talk."
As he said this, he pulled Liu Zhao into the house.
Zhang Fei heard something behind their words and wanted to follow them to find out some information, but he was stopped by Xu Yuan.
... ..．
"Brother Zhongtu has really made a splash this time!"
After sitting down, Liu Zhao said with a smile.
"Hey young!"
Xu Zun said: "It's fine if others laugh at me, but you laugh at me too. I definitely don't want to be in the limelight, it's just..."
Liu Zhao said: "It's just that you just love to fight against the law."
Xu Zun sighed, "When can I change this bad habit?"
Liu Zhao's smile faded, "If you ask me, I think this problem is quite good." At this point, he sighed again and said, "It's just that the court has been undercurrents recently, and this is not your fault!"
Xu Zun hurriedly asked: "What is the situation in the court now?"
Liu Zhao sighed: "After you rejected the Dali Temple's decision again, the imperial censors in the court impeached you for interfering with the judiciary, and they also demanded that the case be handed over to the emperor for judgment.
Afterwards, the emperor handed the case over to the Imperial Academy Grand Secretaries Wang Jiefu and Sima Junshi for discussion. Both of them disagreed with sentencing the woman to ten heinous crimes!
However, the two had a great debate on whether to reduce the sentence by turning oneself in. Wang Jiefu thought that your suggestion should be adopted, but Sima Junshi thought that there was no objection to the fact that the murder had already caused injury, and the murderer's intention to murder was full of malice, so it was not suitable for turning oneself in to reduce the sentence.
The emperor finally chose to support Wang Jiefu and issued a royal decree to reduce his sentence for surrendering himself. However, before the decree left the capital, it was rejected by the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple, so the emperor handed it over to them for reconsideration.
Both of them had the support of many ministers, and they argued endlessly about this, but neither could convince the other. "
Xu Zun was very unhappy and said: "But they are not fighting for the law."
Liu Zhao shook his head and said, "What they are fighting for is the law, it's just a dispute between the new and old laws! Your promotion and return this time was secretly instructed by Wang Jiefu, and his purpose was to hope that you could preside over the Dali Temple and help him win this victory.
Therefore, Brother Zhongtu, you must not be careless. This fight is extremely dangerous. If you are not careful, I am afraid your career will end here!"
Xu Zun nodded and said, "In fact, I also expected that this return would be dangerous, but I will never act as their vanguard."
Liu Zhao said: "This case was caused by you. I think it will be difficult for you to stay out of it."
"That may not be the case."
"Oh? I wonder what clever plan Brother Zhongtu has?"
"hehe!"
Xu Zun stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "Because there is another person who wants to appeal for the criminal woman. If he succeeds in his appeal, I will not get involved."
Upon hearing this, Liu Zhao waved his hands and said, "This is a futile effort. Any doubts in this case have been debated by the court officials for more than a hundred times. There is nothing left to debate. It all depends on what the emperor will decide in the end."
Xu Zun said: "But I have confidence in this person."
Liu Zhao couldn't help but ask: "Who is this person? Do I know him?"
"it's him."
Xu Zun pointed outside the door.
Liu Zhao looked in the direction he pointed and saw a young man looking into the house. He couldn't help but wonder, "Are you talking about the young man next to Xu Yuan?"
"Exactly!"
"You...you entrust such a matter of interest to a young man who is still wet behind the ears." Liu Zhao questioned.
Xu Zun said: "This man is not only well versed in the law, but also very good at debate. To be honest, it was he who suggested to me that Ayun could be exempted from the death penalty if he surrendered himself."
"Yeah?"
Liu Zhao was quite curious and said, "Then I would like to meet this young talent."