Red Mansion Royal Cat

Chapter 511 Princess Lin's Court Interrogation

Daiyu's identity is extremely special in Daxia. Not only does she have the halo of being the emperor's adopted daughter and the princess of the imperial court, but she is also entrusted with an imperial mission as a fifth-rank doctor in the Compulsory Education Department of the Ministry of Rites.

Therefore, when Jia Shiyi reported that something happened in the city and Daiyu asked Jia Cong to return to the city quickly, Guo Yuchuang and Jia Cong in the central military tent were both a little confused.

There should be no one in Shunyi County who is so stupid as to mess with this lady!

"Nephew, do you want me, your uncle, to send someone to go with you?"

As the commander of an army, Guo Yuchuang would not easily enter the city. However, it was still possible to send ninety-nine people to accompany Jia Cong, which was reasonable and legal.

But Jia Cong shook his head and politely declined Guo Yuchuang's kindness.

"It shouldn't be a fight. Sister Lin's Princess Mansion has 300 guards. 300 cavalrymen are enough for a small-scale battle. With just the number in Shunyi County..."

In the counties around the capital, the few yamen runners in the city and the ugly guys standing on the city walls, all added together, are not enough to fill the gaps between the 300 guards.

Daiyu definitely didn't call him over to fight. In all likelihood, she had encountered something that required her to use her brain and was very troublesome.

Guo Yuchuang would not miss the opportunity to show off in front of the emperor, and he selected ninety-nine brave generals, all wearing Mingguang armor and holding the Flying Eagle flag of Yingzhou Zuotunwei, to escort Jia Cong to the city quickly.

……

Jia Cong's guess was correct. Daiyu's troubles could not be solved by a knife alone.

While inspecting the official school in Shunyi County, she encountered a troublesome matter that she had never encountered before and had never even thought of.

There was a girl in Shunyi County Official School who was bullied by several classmates while studying there.

In fact, since Shunyi promoted compulsory education, many disputes have gradually emerged since male and female students from all walks of life in the county, including scholars, farmers, merchants and industrialists, have entered official schools one after another.

For example, students from the gentry class, both male and female, more or less looked down on children from poor families or students from merchant families.

It has become a common practice for the sons of gentry to bully others, and this situation even occurs in girls' schools.

Among them, the most pitiful one was Sun Qi, a little girl from a butcher's family, just because her grades were better.

Sun Qi could not bear the long-term isolation and bullying, and her mother's family was unable to compete with the abuser's family, so she hanged herself a month ago.

Fortunately, her mother had been paying attention to her daughter who was about to lose her mind and rescued her in time, thus avoiding a tragedy.

But Sun Qi's mind seemed to have become disturbed. Not only could she not continue her studies, she had to rely on her parents for care even to lead a normal life.

His father had struck the drum at the gate of Shunyi County Government a few days ago, but Shunyi County Magistrate Cui Xiang looked through the entire "Daxia Law" and could not find any clauses that could convict these people.

The Daxia Code, Law on Litigation, stipulates: "Those who are eighty years old or older, ten years old or younger, or seriously ill, may report conspiracy, treason, rebellion, unfilial children, or assault by others living together. Others may not report."

"For those under fifteen years old, exile and below can be replaced by redemption. Secondly, for those under ten years old, if they are guilty of treason, high treason, or murder and are punishable by death, they can make a petition, that is, ask the emperor to make a decision. For theft and wounding, the same method of redemption is adopted, and other crimes will not be punished. Finally, for those under seven years old, even if they are guilty of a capital crime, they will not be punished, and if they are instigated to commit a crime, only the instigator will be punished."

In other words, even if these female students, who were no more than ten years old, were convicted of assault, they could not be imprisoned and could only be fined at most.

But would a gentry family be short of money? Would a butcher's family need to exchange their daughter for money?

The fact that Butcher Sun was able to stop Daiyu's carriage and report the crime to the princess shows that he just wanted to seek justice for his poor daughter.

Daiyu flipped through the "Daxia Law" in her hand, and the anger and unwillingness in her heart made her more and more irritated.

It would be better if there was no "Daxia Law". At this time, "Daxia Law" has become a means for gentry to avoid legal sanctions.

It is estimated that when the law was first amended, no one would have thought that one day women from Daxia would be able to study in official schools.

No one was studying in Shunyi County's county school at this time. Dozens of students were crowded outside the lobby, quietly waiting for Her Royal Highness the Princess to speak on the main seat.

The story of Sun Qi has been circulating in Shunyi County for a long time.

Many people in the city were saying that how could a lady from a gentry family bully a butcher's daughter for no reason? The butcher's daughter must have done something disgraceful, which made many gentry's daughters angry and teach her a lesson...

Typical victim guilt theory!

The people are not deaf and blind. They have extremely simple values. Compared with the interests of the gentry, these simple values ​​are more just.

A hundred guards were sent out, and in less than half an hour, Daiyu had collected most of the intelligence in the city.

Daiyu already knew most of what those perpetrators were like in school, what the victim Sun Qi was like, and the entanglement between them.

"Your Highness, it's not that I don't want to seek justice for Butcher Sun. I tried to punish him with the most serious crimes. But you can see that this is what is written in the Daxia Law. I can only fine those families a total of 100 taels of silver as compensation to Butcher Sun..."

Cui Xiang, the magistrate of Shunyi County, was not really a foolish official. After all, he was making a living in the capital, and the emperor's eyes might fall on this place at any time. He really tried his best.

But... let alone a small county magistrate like him, even the Minister of Justice would probably have to deal with this matter in this way.

Daiyu snapped the "Daxia Law" in her hand and narrowed her eyes slightly.

"County Magistrate Cui, one hundred taels of silver is indeed a lot of money. But ask Butcher Sun if he wants it?"

One hundred taels is enough for a family to use for three to five years.

But Butcher Sun, who was kneeling in the hall, obviously did not want the one hundred taels of silver.

Compulsory education has been implemented for such a long time, but there are only more than a hundred girls enrolled in the official school in Shunyi County, and most of them are gentry and wealthy businessmen. Small farmers and traders like Sun the Butcher definitely love their daughters so much that they can send them to the official school.

"My dear princess, I don't want money, I just want justice!"

Butcher Sun did not look up at his official Cui Xiang, but just kowtowed continuously until his forehead was bleeding.

Daiyu asked her personal guards to help her up, and said with a sigh: "I already know everything about your family. But there is no problem with Magistrate Cui's judgment. According to the law, the most he can do is to pay a fine..."

Butcher Sun's eyes showed despair, and he had forgotten about the status of the superiors and subordinates. He cried out in sorrow, "Does the law protect bad people just because they are young?"

This question even made dozens of county school students standing outside the hall fall into deep thought.

They were all students with a good reputation, so naturally they all had some knowledge of law. After a little thought, they discovered a fact, it seemed... probably...

……

Daiyu, the county magistrate Cui Xiang, and the teacher in the county school hall were all speechless by Butcher Sun's question.

They had no way to answer Butcher Sun's sad questions, and Cui Xiang even questioned the existence of the law.

"That's wrong. There may be loopholes in the law, but the existence of the law is necessary. If there is no law, how can the world be at peace?"

Although Daiyu was young, she was the most sensitive. After a brief moment of distraction, she quickly regained her composure.

She spoke in a gentle voice, but it was enough to wake up the deaf: "Since there is a loophole in the law, just fix it!"

Under Cui Xiang's shocked gaze, Daiyu used the paperweight on the table as a gavel and slammed it.

"As the saying goes, it's never too late to mend. Butcher Sun, I will do you justice today. But there is one thing I need you to do. It depends on whether you dare or not."

Butcher Sun knelt down again with a thud, kowtowed three times in a row, and shouted excitedly.

"As long as I can get justice for my poor daughter, I will be willing to die at your command."

Daiyu's eyes were unusually firm, but the corners of her mouth were slightly raised.

She stopped Butcher Sun from kowtowing any further. "It's not a matter of death, but I need you to accompany me to the capital. I need you to tell His Majesty and all the civil and military officials what happened to your daughter Sun Qi in person!"

Jia Cong rushed back to the city with ninety-nine cavalrymen from the Yingzhou Zuotunwei. After asking about Daiyu's whereabouts, he rode non-stop to the gate of the county school.

The gate was crowded with people, at least hundreds or even thousands of them.

The sound of the cavalry's hooves startled the onlookers, and they all made way for Jia Cong.

When Daiyu saw Jia Cong come in, a hint of relief appeared on her face.

"Brother Cong, I'll lend you the golden token."

The tool man Jia Cong was "left aside" by Daiyu, who held the golden order high in her hand.

"Your Majesty's golden order is here. Seeing your order is like seeing your Majesty!"

Cui Xiang was too busy being surprised. He stood up from his chair and bowed, "I am Cui Xiang, the magistrate of Shunyi County. I respectfully wish you the best of luck. Long live the emperor, long live the emperor, long, long live the emperor!"

The county magistrate, the teacher and other officials in the hall finally reacted and followed Cui Xiang, bowing and prostrating: "Your Highness, long live His Majesty, long live His Majesty!"

Then the students and common people outside the hall either bowed or knelt, shouting "Long live the emperor" in unison.

This is the Emperor’s golden order, something you can only see once in eight lifetimes.

"Seven students from Shunyi County, including Caihua, daughter of Lai, and Xiaoxi, daughter of Yan, bullied a girl and caused her to become insane... Although the Book of Rites states: 'Eighty and ninety are called mao, and seven years are called dao. Although dao and mao are guilty, they shall not be punished.' The laws of the country have provisions for caring for the young, but the laws also have the responsibility to sympathize with the weak and punish evil..."

Daiyu took the time to wink at Jia Cong playfully, then her pretty face turned stern and she said in a cold voice: "Today, I am following the order of heaven to re-examine the case of Sun Qi. There are omissions in the law, and I will use your majesty's golden order to make up for it. Come, move to Shuntian County Court and summon Lai, Yan and other criminals..."

The case was really simple, so simple that Daiyu didn't need to look for too much evidence at all.

Even the local gentry such as Lai and Yan had no objection to the case. The only objection was the final verdict on Daiyu.

"Seven students of Shunyi County, including Lai's daughter Caihua and Yan's daughter Xiaoxi, were expelled from the official school and sentenced to three years in prison. They were also fined 100 taels of silver each. Considering their young age, their sentences were suspended for three years. After three years, they will be sent to Shunyi County Prison to serve their sentences."

"The Lai family, the Yan family, and eleven other gentry families in Shunyi County spread rumors and caused trouble, trying to interfere with the judgment of the officials through public opinion. Each of them was given thirty strokes of the cane, fined 200 taels of silver, and sent to the Shunyi County Official School to be used as a school."

As soon as the verdict came out, there was an uproar inside and outside the county government.

Several local gentry who were to be punished directly, such as the Lai family, immediately signed a joint letter of objection and shouted, "This case is unfair and violates the provisions of the Great Xia Law. Even though Her Royal Highness the Princess is of noble status, she has no right to interfere in local affairs. We do not accept this!"

"That's right. Such a blatant violation of the law is a rebellious order. Forgive us for not following it. We must go to the capital and file a complaint with the authorities!"

Daiyu had never tolerated these people. She slammed the gavel down heavily and rebuked them coldly and firmly: "The verdict of this case is made by me according to the holy order. Even if you are dissatisfied, you have to hold it in. If you want to go to the capital to appeal to the authorities, I will not stop you. But before going to the capital, you must serve your sentence first. This is also stipulated in the Daxia Law!"

……

Who is the biggest in the world?
The Emperor's Golden Decree is absolutely the most powerful thing in Shunyi County. Lai, Yan and other gentry may be able to act arrogantly in the county, but in front of the Emperor's Golden Decree, their strength is really not enough.

The beating was quickly completed and Daiyu did not go back on her word. After her family members sent the fine money, she ordered people to drive her out.

Part of the fine was given to the county government for disposal, and the rest, about 800 taels of silver, was given to Butcher Sun.

Daiyu also ordered someone to exchange the money for silver notes that were easy to carry and store, and sent someone to escort Butcher Sun back home to settle his family.

"County Magistrate Cui..."

Cui Xiang bowed and replied, "I am here."

Daiyu instructed, "I will bring Butcher Sun to the capital tomorrow. You must send people to look after the people of the Sun family and don't let anyone with ulterior motives disturb their lives."

Who is the person with ulterior motives? Does Daiyu need to tell me more?
Cui Xiang has been in Shunyi County for three or four years, and he knows it very well.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I will make arrangements right away and will definitely not let anyone from the Sun family get into trouble."

Cui Xiang was full of admiration for Daiyu. Whether it was her single-handedly filling the loopholes in the law or her final careful arrangements, it could be seen that this noble lady had wisdom and character.

Princess Wen'an is a remarkable woman!
……

After everyone had left, Daiyu and Jia Cong enjoyed their rare leisure time in the back hall of the county government office.

A breeze blew in the pavilion, and the spring breeze blew a strand of hair on Daiyu's forehead.

Jia Cong reached out to help her comb her hair and said softly, "Sister Lin brought Butcher Sun to the capital not just for this school bullying case, right?"

Daiyu's lips curled up, and she nodded slightly, saying, "As I said today in the county school, the incomplete laws need to be supplemented, but what I want to do more is to make Your Majesty and the officials in the court see one thing clearly - the power of the gentry is too great. They can influence the public opinion of a county and interfere with the judgment of the local officials. They need to be suppressed."

Monthly ticket recommendation ticket

　I’ll stop here tonight and continue tomorrow. Good night!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)