Northern Song Dynasty Justice

Chapter 507 Salt Money Dispute

Chapter 507 Salt Money Dispute

sunset.

The trial of the case will be held tomorrow, but Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian are still sitting by the lake, reviewing the relevant evidence and discussing it tirelessly.

In fact, there is no trick to this legal work, just hard work and meticulousness. Outsiders only see their bright side, as if they take it for granted.

Little did he know that Zhang Feike worked harder than any Erbi.

Otherwise, he would not be able to produce so many surprising evidence in court.

But this trick has not been learned so far.

Even if Fan Chunren and Su Zhe were aware that Zhang Fei's lawsuit was "detailed", but they still couldn't be as meticulous as Zhang Fei.

It’s not that they didn’t work hard enough, it may have something to do with the style of contemporary articles, because nowadays there are only a few words in a sentence, and what is emphasized is a short and delicate sentence, and the pursuit of artistic conception, but the law is pursuing length and detail. The drowsy kind.

Maybe this kind of thinking is also disturbing them.

"The court will be held tomorrow. It seems that the government really doesn't intend to invite Er Bi." Zhang Fei put down the copy in his hand, and gently rubbed his eyes. .

Xu Zhiqian nodded while sticking the label, "They may not realize the importance of this pen."

Zhang Fei said: "The solicitation for essays has already arrived, do you want to..."

"That won't work."

Xu Zhiqian immediately objected: "The Legal Aid Department has only a small amount of manpower. It mainly helps those poor people to file lawsuits. It's not that the government has no money. Who can blame them if they don't hire them?"

Zhang Fei hesitated and said: "But according to the system, our imperial court can assign Er Bi from the Legal Aid Department to file a lawsuit for one of the parties."

He still hopes to pursue a fairer trial. He knows that the government does not look for it, not because he is stingy with money, but because he does not realize the importance of Erbi in today's trial.

But Xu Zhiqian insisted: "But they are not ordinary Erbi, and they are no worse than Li Min. If people find that the free ones are better than the charged ones, they will not all seek help from the Legal Aid Department. At that time, the poor will But I can’t find anyone to file a lawsuit, I think this rule needs to be changed, the Legal Aid Department can only help those living in poverty to file a lawsuit.”

Zhang Fei felt that what Xu Zhiqian said made sense. At present, there are too many poor people, but the resources of the Legal Aid Department are only so much.

Xu Zhiqian saw that Zhang Fei was still hesitant, so she said again: "Furthermore, if the government doesn't take the initiative to invite Erbi, if our imperial court helps them appoint them, they may blame us if they lose. This is purely thankless. We have already told They can ask Erbi, but they are unwilling, and obviously they also hope to win the lawsuit."

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "All right, you decide the rules."

Xu Zhiqian readily accepted, she has always been in charge of legal aid, and said: "I heard that many people go to the procuratorate to apply for procuratorate, why don't you let Mr. Su Xiao help the Legal Aid Department to promote it, and those who fail to pass the exam can come The Legal Aid Department works and accumulates experience."

Zhang Fei said: "That's fine, but I think there may not be many people coming for the time being. Prosecutors can be officials after all, but the Legal Aid Department is not yet an official government office."

Xu Zhiqian said: "If Li Min wins this lawsuit, it will definitely change the people's views on Er Bi in Hezhong Mansion, and maybe it will attract many people to come. Isn't that the case in Kaifeng Mansion."

Zhang Fei nodded.

At this moment, Li Si suddenly trotted over, panting slightly: "Third brother, the price of salt bills outside has increased by another [-] coins, and now it has reached [-] coins."

Zhang Fei nodded and said, "I see."

Xu Zhiqian asked curiously, "Why are you interested in the price of this salt note? Could it be related to this case?"

Zhang Fei shook his head, and said again: "I just want to know whether this salt note is more active among the people. After all, the government will continue to use it in the future. It seems to be pretty good so far, and the response is relatively fast."

Xu Zhiqian said: "However, the original price of salt bills was [-] renminbi, and it has only increased to [-] renminbi now. It seems that many people still think that those salt merchants may not win that lawsuit."

Zhang Fei asked Li Si again: "Are there many transactions?"

Li Si shook his head and said, "I just inquired about someone bidding, but I haven't heard of anyone actually selling the salt money in their hands."

Zhang Fei nodded, and said to Xu Zhiqian: "At present, there is a price but no market, and both parties are just shouting. This price is relatively false, but at least it can reflect that the merchants in the market are still more keen on speculating in salt money."

Xu Zhiqian asked: "Then is this a good thing or a bad thing?"

Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Of course it is a good thing. Giving interest to salt notes is also to make salt notes have better circulation. Any commodity must be circulated to still have value. If salt notes are not recognized by the market, then this It's really just a lawsuit, and it won't affect too much."

The next day.

The sky was still only dim, and there was already a sea of ​​people in front of the gate of the imperial court. Even though the courtyard was full of seats, it turned out that the imperial court had advanced the opening time of the court from the previous three quarters of Chen to three quarters of Mao, a whole hour earlier.

This is because the weather has been too hot recently, and the last trial lasted until noon, which seriously damaged the experience of the viewers.

But no matter how early, those officials will arrive in advance. This lawsuit seems simple, but the significance of this judgment is very important.

Officials are very nervous about this.

"If the imperial court really judges that the government has breached the contract and needs to compensate those salt merchants, will the government really compensate?"

Liu Daxing, the county lieutenant of Hedong County, asked curiously.

The surrounding officials also looked left and right.

Not to mention that they have not seen it with their own eyes, it is not even recorded in the history books, there is really no trace to be found, and they don't know what it will become.

"I don't know that either."

Wei Yingfang shook his head, then glanced at Qin Zhongshou beside him and said, "If the government really wants to compensate hundreds of thousands of dollars, Commander Qin, your military expenditure will definitely be reduced a lot this year!"

Qin Zhongshou hummed: "Hundreds of thousands of military expenses? All right, if the army is in chaos, you will be responsible."

Wei Yingfang hurriedly said: "Commander Qin, I just reminded you kindly, why are you still blaming me? Wasn't the additional salt money issued at the beginning just for military expenses? If you want to make up this sum of money, you can only come from military expenses buckle."

Qin Zhongshou said: "Isn't their public security law counted in the Hezhong government's finances? Why don't they deduct their money? They are the ones who judged the case."

Cao Yi said with a smile: "Their expenditures are all added up, and there is only so much. If they want to deduct it, it must be deducted from the military expenditure."

Qin Zhongshou said angrily, "I don't care what you want. Anyway, if something happens, you can take responsibility."

Liu Daxing suddenly said: "The imperial court is saying that we do not belong to each other, so why can the imperial court interfere in our government affairs?"

Qin Zhongshou immediately said: "That's right! Just ignore him."

Wei Yingfang said with a chuckle: "We don't want to pay attention to it, but it's a pity that Cai Zhifu and Yuan Xueshi are more afraid of this public prosecutor's law. If they don't take the lead, what's the use for us."

"Cough cough!"

Cao Yi suddenly coughed twice, and glanced to the side again.

I saw Cai Yanqing and Yuan Jiang entering the court.

Qin Zhongshou immediately walked over and asked, "Prefect Cai, Bachelor Yuan, if the imperial court really decides to compensate those salt merchants, it can't be deducted from the military expenses!"

Cai Yanqing frowned and said, "Who is spreading rumors?"

Qin Zhongshou's expression changed, and he said, "No one is making rumors, but the soldiers are very worried."

Yuan Jiang said: "Commander Qin, don't worry, the military expenses that should be given will not be less than a penny."

Qin Zhongshou breathed a sigh of relief, and said with a smile, "That's fine."

Liu Daxing also came forward about this matter, "Prefect Cai, Bachelor Yuan, compared to those in the army, people in our yamen are more panic-stricken. They were already afraid of losing their jobs when the police came, but now they are even more worried."

Cai Yanqing said: "This case has not yet been judged, what are you worrying about?"

Yuan Jiang nodded and said: "The magistrate Cai is right. This has not yet been judged. Don't worry. I believe that Chief Judge Zhang is also a person who understands the general situation and will not intentionally make things difficult for the government."

Liu Daxing said awkwardly: "I hope so."

But they all knew in their hearts that you should either not try this lawsuit. As long as the trial is held, the government must lose.

However, the finances are not rich in the first place. If it is necessary to make up for this sum of money, hundreds of thousands of yuan is certain, and the expenditure must be reduced. All parties are very worried that the reduction will be on their own heads.

Especially the army, they are big money eaters.

Wei Yingfang and the others also took into account the mentality of all parties, deliberately fanning the flames and creating panic.

After a while, Su Zhe, Cai Jing and others entered the court.

But this time, the long corridor next to Su Zhe was finally built, and its first user was ushered in. Li Min also entered the long corridor with three assistants.

As soon as they came in, there was a lot of discussion outside the courtyard.

Li Min has been really in the limelight recently, and this interest request is really explosive and exciting.

Is it still possible to do this?

After a while, Zhang Fei and Xu Zhiqian went to the presiding judge's platform, and the courtyard gradually became quiet.

After making some preparations, Zhang Fei glanced at the sky, looked around, and said loudly: "Because the weather has been very hot recently, in order to conduct the trial in a more comfortable environment, the chief judge has decided to advance the trial time to [-]:[-] a.m. In the future, the court opening time will also vary according to the weather, if you want to come to the hearing, you need to pay attention to the notice posted by the imperial court in time."

Considerate!

This handsome judge is still so considerate.

The people's affection for Zhang Fei is really overwhelming.

Cai Jing stood up again, and said: "Today our imperial court is hearing a case about a salt merchant suing for a dispute over the salt company's salt money breach of contract."

After he sat down, Zhang Fei tapped the gavel, "The court is officially open. The plaintiff's representative, Er Bi, will speak first."

Li Min stood up, made a salute, and said, "I beg the chief judge to send the plaintiff, Duan Chaobei, to testify in court."

"pass."

As soon as he got up, there were discussions all around him.

This is the first time in Hezhong Mansion to see Erbi appearing in court. Before that, the procuratorate played it. Today, the procuratorate is only here to supervise.

Not only is Erbi sitting on an equal footing with the Chief Prosecutor, but there seems to be no difference between the two.

Is the status so high?

Almost all Er Bi from the Hezhong Mansion also came. Seeing this scene, their eyes were moistened, and they felt that their spring was finally coming.

After a while, Duan Chaobei came to the court. It was early in the morning, and the cool wind was blowing, but this guy was sweating profusely, fidgeting, as if under the scorching heat, even though they had seen the court trial before, But actually sitting on it, the feeling is still completely different.

Li Min asked, "Duan Chaobei, where are you from?"

Duan Chaobei replied: "I am from Luoyang."

Li Min asked again: "Why are you in this Hezhong Mansion?"

Duan Chaobei said: "I have been engaged in the salt business, so I often stay in Hezhong Mansion."

"May I ask how long have you been selling salt?"

"More than ten years, to be precise, 12 years."

"But I heard you're changing careers recently?"

"Correct!"

Hearing this, Zhang Fei leaned back slightly, and said in a low voice, "This Li Min looks pretty good!"

Xu Zhiqian said in a low voice: "Don't look at him as young, he has fought hundreds of lawsuits in the Legal Aid Department, and he is actually no worse than Li Lei."

Zhang Fei said with a smile: "It can only be seen that he has experience, but the specific method is hard to say. After all, the other party does not have a pen, so he is taking advantage of it!"

Li Min said again: "Is that so? You have been in the business for 12 years, why did you suddenly change your career?"

Duan Chaobei said: "That's because the sale of salt has become increasingly difficult recently."

"Why is this?"

"According to the rules formulated by the government, our salt merchants transport money to the border, buy salt banknotes from there, and then go to the designated salt ponds to exchange salt banknotes for salt. However, in the past four years, the salt banknotes exchanged for salt has become more There are fewer and fewer, and many times it is not even possible to change the salt."

"Can you be more specific, how much salt can be exchanged for salt banknotes, and how much salt can be exchanged now?"

"Originally, a salt note could be exchanged for two hundred catties of salt, but now it is 110 catties or 120 catties."

"Salt banknotes can be exchanged for two hundred catties of salt. This is an unwritten rule, and it is clearly stipulated by the government."

"It's clearly stipulated by the government."

Duan Chaobei said excitedly: "The government issued a clear notice at the beginning, and it has been able to exchange two hundred catties before, and it has gradually decreased in recent years."

Li Min asked again: "Then what did the government say?"

Duan Chaobei said: "The government just said that there is not so much salt in Yanchi, so a salt banknote can only be exchanged for 110 catties or 120 catties, and many times the government directly refuses to exchange it for us because there is no salt.

Later, the government issued another salt banknote worth 120 catties of salt, but the original salt banknote could only be exchanged for two, which was still [-] catties of salt. "

Li Min asked: "Could it be that the government has changed the regulations, but you don't know."

"impossible!"

Duan Chaobei said: "The government has never issued a notice in this regard, and we have also signed a contract with the government."

Li Min nodded, picked up another piece of evidence, and said to Zhang Fei: "Chairman, this is the contract between Duan Chaobei and the government, and the notice issued by the government at the beginning can prove that the salt notes issued by the government It is worth two hundred catties of salt, and the value of the salt money has never been changed.”

"Submit."

"He has all the evidence, so why does he ask? Why don't you just submit it, it's really a mystery!"

Qin Zhongshou said with a look of contempt.

Fu Shichun on the side smiled and said: "Uncle Qin, you don't know about this. The purpose of Erbi's lawsuit is to convince the judge and the procuratorate that they will only ask questions that are beneficial to them."

Cao Dongdong said anxiously: "But why doesn't the government know Er's pen?"

Qin Zhongshou said: "This lawsuit can't be won even if it is invited."

Cao Dongdong said: "That's not true. If Zhang San is invited, this lawsuit can also be won."

Qin Zhongshou said in surprise, "Really?"

Cao Dongdong nodded, and kindly reminded: "If Uncle Qin commits a crime in the future, he must ask for a pen. This money cannot be saved. Back then, I was accused of rape by the instructor. Xiaochun, why did you stab me?"

Fu Shichun rolled his eyes, "A hero doesn't mention his bravery back then."

Cao Dongdong suddenly woke up, sat up straight, and began to observe the trial seriously.

The military officers on the side looked at Cao Dongdong one after another.

"Yanei, haven't you finished yet?"

"Well, this Li Min still has some tricks!"

".?"

After Li Min presented the evidence over there, he continued to ask Duan Chaobei: "Then did you exchange the salt bills for salt?"

Duan Chaobei shook his head and said: "Of course not. If you only count 120 catties for me, then I will lose everything."

"how do I say this?"

"We need 24 yuan to exchange a salt note, which is 120 yuan per catty. If we include the freight, if we sell it on Jingdong Road, we have to sell at least [-] yuan per catty to be able to make a profit. But if [-] catty , the cost is [-] Wen a catty, plus shipping costs, at least [-] or [-] Wen can be sold to make a profit, but for [-] or [-] Wen, you can’t sell it at all, and you may be punished by the government.”

While talking, Duan Chaobei was full of grievances, choked up and said: "So we have been staying in Hezhong Mansion, hoping that the government will give us the same amount of salt. In the past two or three years, all my money has been in this salt banknote. , can't do anything, can only sit and eat, and sometimes even rely on borrowing money to survive."

The acting skills are good, and the words are touching, but compared to Wu Zhangshi and Huang Tong before, the people who watched the trial this time were very calm. Although they hoped that the salt merchants would win, it was only for the government, and they were not stupid. Who would sympathize with these big salt merchants if they couldn't get enough to eat.

The officials sneered even more, wishing to end in person, who doesn't know you people, and still needs to borrow money to live, think us stupid.

Li Min asked again: "Then how much money do you have now?"

Duan Chaobei said: "A total of [-] guan."

The common people shook their heads when they heard it. You can spend so much money, but you still cry poor?

Li Min said: "Is this a one-time exchange?"

Duan Chaobei shook his head and said, "No! It was divided three times, because the government had repeatedly promised that as long as we continued to sell salt, it would give us enough salt, but it has not been fulfilled until now."

Li Min nodded, and asked again: "Then if you could get the same amount of salt back then, would your life be different?"

Duan Chaobei immediately said: "It must be much better than now. In the past few years, I stayed in Hezhong Mansion every day, looking forward to it day and night, and didn't earn a penny."

"I'm done asking."

Li Min saluted Zhang Fei and sat down.

"He lied."

"I don't believe he didn't make a penny."

"He has a lot of money, how can he borrow money to live?"

Dissatisfaction suddenly sounded around.

"quiet!"

Zhang Fei went straight down with a gavel.

Xu Zhiqian whispered: "This salt merchant must not be telling the truth."

Zhang Fei laughed and said, "Who told the government not to invite Erbi?"

Xu Zhiqian said: "Aren't you going to expose their lies?"

Zhang Fei said: "I'm the president of the court now, not Erbi. As long as they produce evidence to prove what they said, it's fine. If they can't prove it, just ignore it. The key point is that these miserable words will not have any impact on the case. They Even the people were not moved."

As he spoke, he said to Li Min: "Since the other party did not invite Erbi, the plaintiff can continue to testify on behalf of Erbi."

A look of joy flashed in Li Min's eyes, this is really a crazy start!

He testified one after another to the remaining six plaintiffs.

All kinds of grievances, all kinds of misery, all kinds of hints that the government did not keep its promise.

The officials were so angry that they blew their beards and stared, but there was nothing they could do.

"To the President, all my witnesses have appeared in court."

"Ah."

Zhang Fei nodded, and said loudly: "It is reported that He Yanjian will appear in court."

Li Min did not testify to an official, all of them belonged to him, but logically speaking, the key is to ask the officials. Li Min and Zhang Fei have also discussed this point. , must be asking to death.

But in this muddy water, who dares to dig into the dead, Li Min doesn't know what he will ask.

In addition, the other party did not invite Er Bi, so Zhang Fei personally came to inquire on the government's side.

　In the past two days, many friends have come back, and the update time is more unstable than before, please forgive me.

(End of this chapter)