Chapter 935
Chapter 935
Wang Qi's eyes widened, and as the constables came to pull him away, he shouted, "Wait, what information did I give false information about...?"
But no one listened to him. The bailiffs stuffed a piece of cloth into his mouth and dragged him away.
Wang Qi then panicked, looking at Magistrate He and his surroundings with a fearful expression.
Magistrate He raised his gavel again, about to leave the court, when Xue Shao stood up to stop him, saying, "Magistrate He, I see that the people know very little about the law. Since everyone is here, why don't you explain the relevant laws as a form of legal education?"
Magistrate He was taken aback: "Popularize the law?"
Xue Shao glanced at him with a cold look and said, "Education is also the responsibility of the county magistrate. In order to popularize the law among the people, Emperor Taizu Gao specially compiled the book 'Da Gao' and spread it throughout the world."
Magistrate He blushed. He had been so focused on economic development that he had also concentrated his efforts on the county's examinations for scholars, provincial graduates, and imperial examination graduates, while neglecting the examinations and education of those below the level of scholar.
After all, the performance evaluation criteria for education were how many scholars (xiucai) and juren (juren) the county produced in a given year, and whether any scholars (jinshi) passed the imperial examinations...
Who will educate those who are less privileged?
Oh, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
That emperor, who rose from humble beginnings, wished that every one of his subjects was literate and proficient in the law, so that they could protect him, crack down on corrupt officials, and help him govern the country well from every corner, so that every place in the world would be filled with light and free from darkness.
Therefore, after establishing the country, he had people compile a book called "Da Gao" based on the "Da Ming Lü".
The Great Proclamation popularizes common legal knowledge and includes case studies. Its main purpose is to teach people how to be good citizens with morality, courage, and legal awareness.
It not only teaches people to be honest and upright after becoming officials, but also teaches them how to report corrupt officials and bring them to justice.
This book is Zhu Yuanzhang's masterpiece. Oh, it wasn't written by him, but he strongly advocated that his ministers write it.
Therefore, after the "Great Proclamation" was completed, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered all county governments, county schools, and bookstores to display it extensively and set a low price.
In order to promote this book, relevant laws and regulations were also formulated.
For example, if a person commits a crime, as long as they have a copy of the "Great Proclamation" in their home, their crime can be mitigated.
For example, those who purchased official positions had to thoroughly read the "Great Proclamation" and also study the "Great Ming Code" and pass the relevant examinations.
Old Zhu is like this: I want you to donate money to get an official position, but I also want the quality of that position. Even if you don't have a real post, I can't let you do whatever you want because you're an official. So you have to learn about the law.
The initial intention was good, but when it came to implementation, very few people actually adhered to it.
But the good thing about the law is that it gives those who want to take things seriously an open and aboveboard opportunity.
At this moment, Xue Shao had this opportunity.
Magistrate He also needed this opportunity to express himself to Xue Shao and the emperor.
Magistrate He understood Xue Shao's implication and immediately explained to everyone the reason for arresting Wang Qi and the importance of the "Great Proclamation." He also reminded everyone: "Those who are literate and have the ability to buy a copy of the 'Great Proclamation' can buy one to take home and read themselves, and also to teach their children and grandchildren, so as to avoid doing anything that would bring shame to their ancestors."
Magistrate He looked at Xue Shao. "How was it? His explanation of the legal education and recommendations was quite good, wasn't it?"
Xue Shao nodded slightly, stood up and walked to Magistrate He's side, facing the eight plaintiffs and the people watching outside the county government gate, and said: "Wind, rain, thunder, lightning and clear skies are all weather phenomena. Because favorable weather is very rare, we pray for blessings and offer prayers every year."
“Good weather is rare, so natural disasters are the norm,” Xue Shao said. “There are many kind-hearted landlords, gentry and merchants in this world, such as the Qian family of Qiantang, the Wang family of Suzhou, and the Xiao family of Changzhou. Whether in daily life or in the face of natural disasters or man-made calamities, they are all generous and compassionate to the people. Truly good people will not take advantage of a disaster. Judging by their actions, Wang Qi is nothing but a cunning person, and the villagers of Wangjia Village are just ordinary farmers who are helplessly caught up in the chaos.”
Xue Shao said, "If they don't appeal for themselves and their families, after the autumn harvest, not only will Wang Qi take away all their land, but the whole family will also become tenants or long-term laborers for Wang Qi's family. The accumulation of several generations of ancestors will vanish in an instant. Judging from your own experience, are you all willing to accept this?"
The noisy scene quieted down, and the onlookers felt a pang of sorrow as they looked at Wang Jin and his eight companions.
Seeing them wipe their eyes, I felt a tightness in my chest and stopped calling them ungrateful.
A scholar squeezed into the crowd suddenly waved his hand and said, "Let's go, let's go. Master Wang was harboring evil intentions all along, and this is just a backlash. Are we, who can't even earn twenty coins a day, supposed to sympathize with someone who can earn millions in interest with just a wave of his hand?"
Upon hearing this, everyone scattered in a huff.
But Xue Shao's words would be spread through their mouths, spread far and wide, all the way to very, very far places.
The scholar who had advised the man to leave took a few steps, then couldn't help but turn back to look at Xue Shao.
Xue Shao was also looking at him. When he turned around, Xue Shao nodded slightly and smiled in response.
Magistrate He, who had been paying close attention, quickly asked upon seeing this, "Does Lord Xue recognize him?"
Xue Shao: "We set up a stall together on the street the day before yesterday. He wrote letters for people and sold some of his calligraphy and paintings on the side. He was a scholar."
Hangzhou is full of talented people, and being a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the county-level imperial examination) is not a popular choice. His family was not wealthy enough to even open a school, so he could only write letters for others and sell some calligraphy and paintings.
The day before yesterday, when Xue Shao was his neighbor, he saw that Xue Shao's words were numb and indifferent, and he knew that Xue Shao had given up the idea of taking the imperial examination again. He was obviously disheartened.
I wonder if he has rekindled his fighting spirit at this moment?
The scholar strode away, his fighting spirit rekindled. He decided to try again and become an official like Xue Shao.
Magistrate He was deeply troubled by encountering an official like Xue Shao, and hesitated to speak.
Seeing him looking back and forth without saying a word, Xue Shao finally couldn't stand it anymore, turned his head to look at him, and said directly, "Magistrate He, please speak plainly."
Magistrate He quickly said, "Your Excellency, wouldn't it be bad if word got out that you said such things in court?"
Xue Shao said calmly, "What's wrong with it?"
Magistrate He choked for a moment, then muttered, "It just feels like we've torn off all pretense of civility."
Xue Shao looked him up and down, then shook his head slightly after a moment: "Magistrate He, how can you be a good magistrate with such a thin skin?"
Magistrate He's eyes widened: "Me, I'm thin-skinned?"
This is the first time someone has said he's thin-skinned.
“If it’s not generous, then it’s just hypocrisy,” Xue Shao said calmly. “His Majesty wrote down cases of how officials embezzled in the Great Proclamation to teach the people to identify corrupt officials, and also to let children know from a young age that it is the duty of an official to be honest and upright. He taught them from childhood that if they want to be officials, they must be good officials.”
“This is education,” Xue Shao said. “If even the emperor is sincere, why should we, his subjects, be hypocritical and pretend to be at peace?”
He said, "Since a problem has arisen, and a widespread and significant one at that, it should be laid bare." Magistrate He was greatly alarmed: "How...how should it be laid bare?"
Xue Shao said, "This is exactly what I wanted to say to Magistrate He. Hangzhou Prefecture should conduct an educational campaign to educate the people on how to avoid being scammed and how to avoid usurious loans."
Private lending was legal in the Ming Dynasty. Major money shops, gold and silver shops, pawnshops, and even some wealthy individuals were involved in lending.
"The Great Ming Code stipulates that private lenders shall not charge more than three percent interest per month. Even if the interest is high over many years, it shall not exceed one percent interest per principal. Violators shall be punished with forty strokes of the cane and the excess interest shall be confiscated. Magistrate He, usury not only harms others but also harms the lender. That is why it is necessary to publicize this law."
But to explain this matter thoroughly, we must go into how different social classes oppress the people through various means and seize their land, houses, and shops. Last year, a typhoon caused many people to become displaced, not to mention Zhejiang, but in Hangzhou alone.
How did they become refugees?
Once investigated further...
Magistrate He swallowed hard, feeling a sense of retreat. He said with a wry smile, "Lord Xue, you have audacity beyond measure, but I, the magistrate, do not have such ambition. I am about to be demoted and dismissed from office."
Xue Shao smiled meaningfully at him and said, "Hangzhou is about to undergo a major change. At this time, it is better to remain still than to make a move. Although Magistrate He has failed in his duties, he is a more suitable magistrate for Hangzhou at this time."
After saying this, Xue Shao nodded slightly to him, indicating that the conversation was over, and left with Xi Jin, leaving Magistrate He stunned.
Magistrate He only came to his senses after the man had disappeared from sight, then turned to his clerk and asked, "What does he mean by this? Does he think I can continue to hold this position?"
The advisor pondered: "Sir, you have been in office for two years and have one year left in your term. He is the Inspector General of Jiangnan. If he is willing to vouch for you, you can indeed continue to serve. After a year, your performance will be evaluated. If your performance is excellent, you may be able to make amends and stay in office for another three years."
As long as Magistrate He can achieve a good grade every year, even if he is not promoted after three years, he can be transferred to another place as magistrate without any problem.
The clerk looked at him with bright eyes and said in a low voice, "Sir, you have studied hard for more than ten years. Are you willing to return to your hometown now?"
Of course, I wouldn't want to.
He began his education at the age of five and passed the imperial examination at the age of twenty-five. He then served as a county assistant for three years and a county magistrate for three years before being promoted to this position. Although he is still a county magistrate, this is a superior county.
He was also ambitious, thinking that he should be promoted to prefect before he turned forty, and then he could be promoted to prefect around the age of forty-six. He could work steadily and perhaps return to the capital at fifty to enter the Six Ministries and try his luck for the position of vice minister. As long as he lived long enough and did not make any mistakes, he might have a chance to enter the cabinet.
Which scholar wouldn't dream of becoming a high-ranking official?
As long as Xue Shao doesn't strip him completely this time, it's not impossible for him to give it his all.
His eyes darted around rapidly, but the clerk was even more astute, whispering, "My lord, Lord Xue's proposal is already a major achievement. If this method of education takes effect, although it will offend some people, it will also curb the loss of land by farmers, prevent the continued emergence of displaced people, and garner public support. Your achievements are very likely to be outstanding, perhaps even..."
"If Hangzhou succeeds, it can be used as a model to promote the whole country. At that time, my name, He Zhi, will be known throughout the world. I will be a famous minister!"
The advisor nodded repeatedly, his eyes shining: "Lord He's great ambitions are just around the corner!"
Magistrate He was filled with excitement and immediately decided: "Let's do it! Anyway, my home isn't in Hangzhou, so I can just go back home and farm!"
The advisor's family wasn't in Hangzhou either, and both of them had only been in Hangzhou for two years and hadn't settled there deeply, so they could leave at any time.
This is also an important reason why officials are appointed to positions in different locations, and are typically transferred after two terms, with each term lasting three years.
As soon as Xue Shao stepped out of the county government office, Wang Jin and the others who were waiting outside immediately stepped forward, knelt down, and were about to pay their respects.
Xue Shao grabbed the person and said with a light smile, "There's no need for that."
Wang Jin's eyes were red: "Thanks to the adults who spoke up for us, otherwise we would not have been able to win the case today... not to mention whether we would have won or lost the case, my Wang Family Village would probably be seen as an ungrateful bunch."
Xue Shao said, “This is because everyone is unaware of the deception involved. People are generally kind and tend to think the best of others, so they naturally don’t realize the sinister intentions behind it. Once you have more experience and understand people’s hearts, you will know that you were forced into a corner and are not ungrateful people.”
Wang Jin hurriedly asked, "Then how can we let them know? The people gathered outside the county government today know, but they are only a minority. The others, especially those from the villages near ours, will probably think we are ungrateful."
Xue Shao laughed and said, "As long as you win the lawsuit and reduce the interest, and you also remember how the Wang family helped you in your time of need, they will know your true nature."
"what?"
"The Wang family is here to save people from suffering?"
"Yes, regardless of whether their intentions are bad or not, they did borrow food from you. Just keep spreading the word, and things will turn out as you wish."
Sometimes, praising your enemies appropriately can actually attract more allies.
In particular, those people also had significant interests tied to the royal family, and when they also wanted to reclaim their land from the royal family, they naturally became allies.
Wang Jin didn't quite understand, but he wrote everything down and planned to go back and discuss it with the elders.
The things they don't understand, the older generation might.
To make it easier for them to go to the city to file a complaint the day after tomorrow, Xue Shao also gave them a handful of copper coins: "The next court session is the day after tomorrow. You can ask some elderly people from the village to accompany you."
Wang Jin thought for a moment, took the copper coin, and bowed repeatedly to Xue Shao.
Seeing them walk away, Xi Jin quickly stepped forward, carrying a black cat: "Young Master, Pan Xiaohei has come to find us."
Xue Shao reached out and took the black cat, asking with a smile, "Where did you find it?"
"Where."
Xue Shao turned his head to look, and Xi Jin said with a smile, "It was just squatting there, listening to the young master's words while watching the person blowing sugar figurines."
Xue Shao then bought two sugar figurines, one for Pan Xiaohei, but not for it to eat; he just showed it to it.
The other one was taken back to the inn and given to Pan Jun.
Pan Yun ate the food in a few bites and said, "So many people wanted to see me today, but I turned them all down. I plan to go to Ningbo tomorrow."
Xue Shao paused, then asked, "Aren't you waiting for the results from Hangzhou?"
Pan Yun smiled and said, "The Emperor has already replied to Lord Sun with an official document. It will arrive in a couple of days. It's convenient for me to come and go, so there's no need to waste time here. I'll come over after he receives the document and persuades the gentry and merchants of Hangzhou."
Xue Shao raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, and then asked, "Then why did you choose Ningbo? Perhaps you prefer to build the port in Ningbo?"
Pan Yun smiled at him. (End of Chapter)