Promotion and fortune in Song Dynasty

Bao Zheng, the new Dali judge, should have been criticized for such an important and highly anticipated case.

However, since Bao Zheng entered Dali Temple, although the number of times it was his turn to settle cases was not many, he did it...simply and neatly.

He didn't care about the intricate relationships in the officialdom, as long as the case files were in his hands, he would solidly decide the case based on the evidence and determine the punishment according to the guilt.

Since he is so dignified and upright, he doesn't play tricks, and the two factions are not close, it is most appropriate to send him to push the well-known Lu Ci or the adultery case.

On the night of receiving the imperial order, Bao Zheng, who had been placed with high expectations by all parties, secretly threw the pleading paper for Lu Ci that he had carefully written over the past few days into the brazier.

He believes that he will never handle the case with preconceived ideas, but he can't prevent others from thinking too much.

In order to avoid suspicion, he must first be fair enough in his attitude.

He will never let go of a shameless villain who is full of crimes, and he will never wrong an upright gentleman who has been slandered by others.

The matter involved the former benefactor, Bao Zheng had no expression on his face, but he never hesitated in his hand.

After burning the letter, he took out the dossier that he ordered someone to copy in advance, and read it at night by candlelight.

This reading, I read it until the daylight.

Bao Zheng, whose eyes were red from the boil, after reading through the case files repeatedly, had an idea of ​​Lu Ci's case in his mind.

The evidence seems to be complicated, but when it is really sorted out, most of it is far-fetched, and there are many gossips that are difficult to trace the source.

——The so-called clear evidence is only the confession of Wang.

However, adultery, because both men and women must try their best to conceal it, unless the adulterer is caught in bed, or there is solid physical evidence, it is indeed difficult to prove it.

Bao Zheng wrote down the suspicious points he had found one by one, washed and changed his clothes absent-mindedly, and after drinking a cup of strong tea, he went to Dali Temple in good spirits.

When Bao Zheng was busy, the person who paid the most attention to the progress of his case was of course Zhao Zhen who wanted to return his wife's innocence.

Fortunately, after he made it clear that he would never condone and insist on strict investigation, the voices of court officials demanding that Lu Ci be recalled to Beijing for interrogation gradually disappeared.

Even if the push for this adultery case was launched at the same time in Beijing and Suizhou, at least it would not disturb Lu Ci, who was busy on the front line and directing the war on the road.

Seeing that Bao Zheng stayed behind closed doors all day long, he devoted himself to research and research. After more than ten days, he even collected information from Suizhou twice, but he never actually brought the prisoner Wang to trial. He really couldn't sit still. Living.

He wanted to send someone to secretly summon Bao Zheng, at least to find out some details, but unexpectedly, instead of bringing him back, the servant he sent was sternly rejected by Bao Zheng in front of everyone.

This made Zhao Zhen almost lose face.

He had been waiting for so many days, he was already very anxious, and he was uneasy when he met Bao Zheng who was cold and rigid.

He hastily summoned Kou Zhun, who seemed to be the only one who was most on his side at the moment, and complained to the other party: "...my husband strongly recommends this person, so it can be seen that he has not made any progress at all, but his temper is smelly and stubborn. Could it be that he chose him?" Wrong person?"

Kou Zhun raised his eyebrows, but he quite agreed with Bao Zheng's approach: "According to my minister's opinion, it is clear that the officials are a little rash, and Bao Pingshi will show his impartiality on the bright side, which is really the opposite."

Zhao Zhen frowned, very puzzled.

Kou Zhun did not continue to explain, but asked instead: "In the minds of the officials, do they think that Yu Yu is innocent, or does he really have an affair with this Wang family?"

Zhao Zhen said unhappily: "Even in the eyes of the world, my little master has always been as clear as ice, as pure as jade, and an upright and modest gentleman, how could he do such a nasty thing?"

Kou Zhun nodded: "I think so too."

Since Lu Ci is definitely innocent, then Bao Zheng would not hesitate to offend the officials and refuse to enter the palace in front of the many people in Dali Temple... In the future, he will be completely prevented from being coerced by the emperor, and the case will be resolved. biased criticism.

Zhao Zhen was enraged for a while, but after Kou Zhun asked him, he soon realized it.

He was silent for a moment, then admitted: "I was too impatient."

Fortunately, he was in a hurry, but Bao Zheng remained calm from the beginning to the end.

Even the officials can't bear to wait, let alone other colleagues in Dali Temple?

Seeing him accepting this out-and-out hot potato, there are those who admire it, and there are even more people who hope that he will do it because of jealousy.

Faced with sincere or malicious inquiries, Bao Zheng kept his handsome face and dismissed them all with the words 'no comment'.

Fortunately, since the internal servants sent by the government have also had a bad nose, the number of people who come to inquire has dropped sharply-wouldn't anyone dare to think that they have more face than the emperor?

It made Bao Zheng's ears clean for quite some time.

These days, in addition to urging the progress of Suizhou's deduction and continuing to study the evidence, he made some arrangements for the prison where Wang was held.

He ordered people to detain Mrs. Wang alone in a cell without a window, and ordered people to reduce the amount of food delivered, but increased the frequency of delivery—from twice a day to four times a day.

When he first heard the order, although the subordinate officials were completely puzzled, since the officials assigned him full authority to investigate and handle the case, and he obeyed the orders, he suppressed his doubts and followed the instructions.

This seemingly inexplicable instruction was actually to make Wang, who was imprisoned alone in a dark cell, blur his concept of time under the frequent eating day after day.

Bao Zheng's confidence in doing this was born from the more confessions sent by Suizhou.

Wang Yuan and others, who were ordered to do Tui in Suizhou, were met with cold reception without exception when they questioned everyone in Yizhuang who had contact with the Wang family.

Those Yizhuang people who were very enthusiastic when they learned that they came from the capital, and wanted to ask a few words about Lu Engong's recent situation from these officials, now they know that the Wang family is so ungrateful and accuses them of being so kind to them. Lu Engong's complexion changed drastically, and he yelled at the lowly servant girl angrily.

In this remote place, if Lu Engong hadn’t used his family’s wealth to build this righteous village selflessly, and encouraged the gentry in the surrounding counties to donate generously to do this kind of charity, they might still be busy working all day long to make ends meet. Hard times, where is the dignity and freedom of today? !

As a result, the Wang family, who was greatly favored by the benefactor at that time, was fortunate enough to climb a high branch and marry far away in the capital, not only did not repay Lu Engong at all, but even after committing such embarrassing scandals, he turned around and bit Lu Engong One bite!

"That lowly maidservant is really a wolf, not as good as a pig!" Lin Xiuniang, who had taught the Wang family, blushed with anger when she first heard about this, she felt extremely humiliated, and wished to go back in time and kill the one who poured dirty water on Lu Engong with her own hands. the despicable scourge of

She didn't care about the difference in status or the difference between men and women, she just tugged at Wang Yuan's sleeve, and said from the bottom of her heart: "No fool will go to the stupid words that come out of her vulgar mouth." Believe it or not? Lu Engong's glorious, bright and upright gentleman, even when he was not in the filial piety period, was notoriously unfeminine. Think about it, how can you fall in love with her!"

Wang Yuan, who was one of the 'fools', twitched the corners of his mouth in embarrassment, casually perfunctory her a few words, and turned to ask someone else.

However, although other people are not as violent as Lin Xiuniang, who had a relationship with the Wang family, they all praise and respect Lu Engong, and hate the Wang family who is delusional about Lu Engong's failure and brazenly accusing him of slandering him. , stomping and cursing.

It is conceivable that if Mrs. Wang were present at the scene, she would have to be dismembered by the angry Yizhuang People's Congress in order to relieve her hatred.

After staying here for more than one day, Wang Yuan felt that he had been accused and scolded for a whole day, and his face became hot.

However, with Lin Neichen and others staring closely at him, he could only reflect truthfully when he wrote the notes, suppressing his anxiety, and wrote down all the contents that in his eyes could be said to have no progress, and ordered people to send them back to Beijing for Bao Zheng settle a lawsuit.

As Bao Zheng read it, he noticed one detail.

Several stewards who had worked in Yizhuang vowed: Although the Wang family used to be the envoy of Yizhuang, but the big Yizhuang is divided into two villages inside and outside, and there are countless mats. There are dozens of envoys alone.The Wang family mostly worked in the embroidery studio, and at most they visited the Waizhuang twice, while Lu Ci lived in a secluded home on weekdays because of his filial piety, unless necessary, he never went out of the Waizhuang.

Never even met her, let alone an adulterous affair?It is clear that she is extremely evil, wantonly making false accusations in order to get rid of the crime, so she will open her mouth.

After No. 12 days, Bao Zheng, who thought the time was ripe, returned to prison for the first time.

Although it was only the first trial in prison, he not only informed the chief of Dali Temple, but also reported to the court. Zhao Zhen, who had been waiting impatiently for a long time, simply changed into casual clothes, brought a few important officials, and went to listen.

In order to avoid suspicion, he not only brought several ministers with him, but also summoned Zheng Jian and others who made the most noise, and ordered everyone not to be the first to fall behind the curtain after Bao Zheng tried the case. seated.

Bao Zheng said coldly: "The successor is guilty."

After so many days in the dark prison cell, Mrs. Wang, who ate and drank well, was fattened up a circle, and was roughly dragged out by the vicious jailer. She couldn't help raising her head tremblingly, looking at the chief judge case officer.

Bao Zheng had a handsome face, but his expression was cold and ruthless. In addition to the gloomy surroundings, only candlelight illuminated, under the shadows, the Wang Shi who was looking at him trembled.

Bao Zheng narrowed his eyes slightly, followed the procedure rigorously, and read Wang's name, household registration, crime and previous testimony in person to confirm his identity and confession.

Wang Shi nodded numbly, Bao Zheng also nodded, and gave the little official beside him a subtle wink.

Very soon, there were three handsome men dressed in purple official uniforms, with bright eyes and dignified appearance, walked in at a leisurely pace under the guidance of others, and bowed to Bao Zheng slightly.

These three people are all outstanding in appearance, gentle and elegant, with warm smiles on their faces, and one of them shows a bit of suave and suave manner, even the dark prison cell is set off a bit brightly.

If Lu Ci were here, he would be able to easily recognize these three people as Yan Shu, Yan Shu's eldest son Yan Juhou and Liu Qi.

Wang was stunned, but Bao Zheng asked slowly at this moment: "Since you keep claiming that you have had private meetings with Lu Ci several times and committed adultery in the outer courtyard, you should be very clear about the appearance of the adulterer."

Zhao Zhen, who was in the cubicle, was taken aback by the sudden arrangement, and only then was he shocked, and understood the true intention of Bao Zheng's painstaking arrangement.

Wang Shi bit her lower lip tightly and nodded in a panic.

Bao Zheng said indifferently: "Since this is the case, if I order you to recognize Lu Ci, who once had an affair with you, among these three gentlemen, it should be as easy as pie?"

The author has something to say: Notes:

In March of the fourth year of Song Renzong Jingyou (1037 A.D.), Bao Zheng was 39 years old. The imperial court appointed him as the county magistrate of Tianchang County, Yangzhou (now Anhui Province).After the death of his parents, Bao Zheng turned his heart of filial piety into the heart of the country for the people.He wholeheartedly wanted to serve the imperial court, benefit the people, and make a career out of it.Yangzhou Prefecture is located in the Jianghuai Plain, known as the "Gateway to Northern Jiangsu". It was developed very early, and rice was planted in the Neolithic Age. It is a land of fish and rice.During the Tang and Song Dynasties, the economic and cultural exchanges with the Central Plains were closer, the production technology was advanced, and the people lived well.Tianchang County is adjacent to Yangzhou. Although it is a county, it is quite rich.The people are well-off, and Bao Zheng is stable and comfortable as a county magistrate. In the past three years, the magistrate has only tried one "ox tongue case", and the case is very simple. tongue.Zheng said: "The first kill is to kill him." In Russia, there was a person who sued a private butcher of cattle, and Zheng said: "I have cut off his tongue. It is not a private killing."

This was a very small civil case. The perpetrator was a close neighbor of the victim. He cut off the tongue of a cow raised by the family under the threat of retaliation because of a conflict.The victim sued the court, and Bao Zheng used tricks to lure the thieves into the bait. He asked the victim to slaughter and sell the injured cattle, and posted a notice that private slaughter of farm cattle was strictly prohibited. give rewards.The criminal went to report again in order to get a reward, and fell into Bao Zheng's trap...In this case, Bao Zheng analyzed the criminal's motives and grasped the criminal's greed for petty gain, so he easily solved the case. (Li Wei, author of "Bao Zheng", went to Duanzhou in Chapter 2)