I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 401: Break the sky! Bao Zheng’s big move is a family scandal or a national scandal

The tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, morning.

The Reform Department drafted an order to help poor counties increase their income, called the Assistance Order.

The core content of this ordinance is: the imperial court allocates special funds, the state government makes great efforts, and selects talented officials to go to poor counties to help people get rid of poverty.

years later.

It will be led by Zhongshu Province to select assistance targets and provide targeted assistance in more than 1,200 counties in the Song Dynasty.

So that the people have houses to live in, clothes to wear, food to eat, the elderly to get medical treatment for their illnesses, and children to have books to read.

This is a reform decree that consumes a lot of money from the national treasury and will last a long time.

in the past.

Even if someone proposed this strategy, the court would not implement it because the treasury really had no money.

There are fewer and fewer pedestrians on the streets, but teahouses, restaurants and restaurants are becoming more and more lively.

Inside Su's house.

After the common people learned the news, they even praised it.

The flow of people in Bianjing City is increasing.

King Yelu Chongyuan of the Liao Kingdom also gained greater freedom.

If Nong Zhigao is still causing trouble in the southern border or occupying the two roads of Guangnan, the attitude of these missions towards the Song Dynasty may be different.

"Right now, Bianjing City is a place where you can pick up money by bending down, but the money may be gone before you straighten up."

Jucheng, a suburb in the south of the city, also held several Cuju competitions at the end of the year, causing roads in the southern suburbs to be often congested.

In less than half an hour, the city of Bianjing was completely white.

It’s easy to make money, and even easier to spend it.

While enjoying the beauty that money brings to you.

He can go out once every other day.

Only strong countries have friends, while weak countries are enemies. This is an irrefutable truth.

This is the current influence of the Song Dynasty.

As soon as Su Liang arrived home, snowflakes began to fall.

Go down and get bigger.

This also means that the Song Dynasty's reform has truly become a national reform, and the reform strategy has been biased towards the disadvantaged and poor groups.

The sky was gray and extremely cold.

However, Zhao Zhen also agreed.

Many businessmen go on a spending spree at the end of the year.

In the words of Wang Yaochen, the Third Chief of Staff:

On New Year's Eve and the first day of the Lunar New Year, he could stay with the Liao envoys to celebrate the New Year.

Near dusk.

Labor prices, commodity prices, and housing prices in Bianjing City have all risen to the highest peak in history.

The streets were busy and noisy.

With such a snowy scene, many people have written poems praising the snow.

The Xixia envoy never mentioned the dumb loss in Xihe Town. The Jiaozhi envoy said that he would be a permanent vassal state of the Song Dynasty. The Liao envoy was also polite and even apologized to the Song Dynasty again for being expelled by everyone last year.

……

……

Many specialty restaurants require reservations at least seven days in advance to secure a private room.

But it cannot exceed two hours at a time, and he cannot go out after the sun sets. He is surrounded by officials from the Imperial City who follow him every step of the way.

Tang Wanmei ordered people to set up the charcoal stove, cut the mutton, and prepare various side dishes.

Although they dare not be extravagant or ostentatious, there are still many people who spend thousands of dollars a day.

But now, it is completely different.

The New Year is approaching.

Missions from various countries also came to Beijing one after another.

Goulan Vasheli is even more crowded with people.

The family sat in the hall and ate hot pot around the fire.

following.

Simultaneously.

While talking about business.

Su Liang also had a drink with his father-in-law Tang Ze.

Such weather.

The best thing to do is: drink or sleep.

As soon as Su Zimu and Su Qin finished eating, they started playing in the snow and couldn't pull them back.

However, I get tired quickly.

The two played for less than an hour before going to bed.

It wasn't long after nightfall.

Su Liang and Tang Wanmei lay on the bed.

Tang Wanmei leaned in Su Liang's arms, and Su Liang held Tang Wanmei's white jade fingers.

The two of them didn't speak quietly, but they felt that everything was very beautiful.

……

It snowed heavily all night.

When Su Liang got up and walked into the courtyard, some snow had almost reached his knees.

Such bad weather.

If there is nothing particularly important, you don't have to go to the Yamen, or you can go later.

Uncle Ji, Aunt Ji and Mr. Tang Zetang, who always gets up at midnight, have already started to clear the snow.

Su Liang had breakfast.

After building a snowman in the yard with my son and daughter, I walked out of the house leisurely.

He was getting ready to get into the carriage.

I happened to meet one of Liu Chang'er's clerks delivering tabloids.

There was also a letter sandwiched between the tabloids.

Before Su Liang had time to look, he saw a young man with snow-stained trousers running over panting.

This person is an official of Jianyuan.

He cupped his hands towards Su Liang and said: "Su Si Jian, Bachelor Ouyang asked you to come to the Jian Yuan as soon as possible. I have something important to discuss with you!"

"I know, I'm getting ready to go now!"

Immediately, Su Liang got on the carriage.

It must be no small matter that Ouyang Xiu is looking for him so urgently.

Su Liang opened the car window.

The snow on the streets has been cleared to both sides by the Imperial Guard soldiers.

A cold air rushed into the car, making him instantly energetic.

He picked up the letter from the tabloid and opened it.

Everyone was stunned!
"Brother Xiren...is going to...pierce the sky of Bianjing City!"

The content of the letter is——

Last night, it was snowing heavily.

Bao Zheng led more than 300 government officials from Kaifeng Mansion to destroy a gambling establishment in the west of the city and arrested more than 100 people at once.

Among these more than one hundred people.

There are relatives and relatives, dignitaries, wealthy businessmen, and the female family members of some officials.

This is obviously a wealthy gambling den.

The people who are known to have been arrested include the two sons of Pu Wang Zhao Yunrang and three members of the Cao family.

There is also an old acquaintance of Su Liang, Zhang Yaozuo, Zhang Guifei's uncle who has become an official.

Zhang Yaozuo has been living in Henan Prefecture since he became an official.

Now, he has been in Bianjing for less than ten days, and at the age of sixty-six, he is still gambling all night long.

Also no one.

Regardless of their identities, Bao Zheng took all these people to Kaifeng Mansion and imprisoned them in the state prison.

What made Su Liang even more incredible was that the place where this group of people gambled was actually at Hui Residential House in the west of the city.

Housing for the benefit of the people is public housing.

That is, public rental housing built with money from the imperial court.

The purpose of building public housing by the imperial court was to allow those at the bottom who had no money to buy a house in Bianjing City to have a house to live in.

The imperial court issued repeated orders that dignitaries and nobles should not occupy public housing with the poor.

And under the New Year's Day.

The flow of people in Bianjing City is at its greatest, and occupying public housing is a big crime.

Gathering a crowd to gamble and occupying public housing are not minor crimes, and they also involve the housekeeping of the Yamen Branch, which is in charge of the construction of public housing.

……

People in the Song Dynasty called gambling Guan Pu or Bo Xi.

Song Xingtong stipulates——

Those who use property to perform guanfu attacks will receive a hundred canes.

Anyone who gathers a crowd to conduct guanxi for the purpose of profit or makes a business out of guanxi shall be sentenced to three years' imprisonment and a fine.

but.

Closure is allowed during major festivals and festivals. For example: on the first day of the first lunar month, the Kaifeng Prefecture releases the pass for three days; the winter solstice is also the day when the official releases the pass and the pass.

Although the punishment of Guan Pu in the Song Dynasty's decree was more severe than that of the Han and Tang Dynasties, in recent years, this punishment decree has been almost useless.

From traffickers and pawns to officials and nobles, including some ladies, almost everyone has participated in gambling.

And treat it as an elegant play.

Due to the privacy of Guanpu and the small amount of gambling for many people, the court basically turned a blind eye.

Even when Zhao Zhen had nothing to do, he would entertain himself with a group of servants!

The bet amount is small, so there is no need to pursue it.

But there are also those who play very big. Some wealthy businessmen will even bet on their houses, carriages, horses, concubines, dancing girls, etc. It is very crazy.

Su Liang frowned slightly.

Ouyang Xiu was looking for him most probably because of this matter.

This matter can be big or small, and it is indeed a bit tricky.

According to Bao Zheng's character of handling cases impartially, if these people are really punished severely, I am afraid that the entire Song Dynasty royal family will be embarrassed.

……

Soon, Su Liang came to Jianyuan.

Ouyang Xiu, He Tan, Zhou Yuan, Zhao Bian, Fan Zhen, Han Jiang and other Taiwanese admonishers were all present, and what they wanted to discuss was Bao Zheng's gambling on the snowy night.

In general.

The admonishment officials in Taiwan always come up to advise and express their opinions when encountering problems.

But this time, everyone was stumped, so they wanted to ask Su Liang's opinion.

"Jing Ming, what do you think of this matter?" Ouyang Xiu asked.

Su Liang smiled helplessly and said: "How else can we look at it? They gathered people to gamble, occupied the imperial public house, and were caught. If these people fall into the hands of Bao Xueshi, they will most likely embarrass all the relatives outside the clan!"

"Then should we add fuel to the fire or pour water?" Han Jiang looked at the crowd and asked.

He Tan thought for a while and said: "I suggest to add fuel to the fire, the bad gambling habits in Bianjing City should be rectified!"

Zhou Yuan shook his head.

"It is indeed a crime to seize public housing, but gathering people to gamble is not entirely their fault. The higher-ups...the higher-ups have not taken a good lead. The imperial court has always been in a semi-open state regarding the confinement. If they are used to scare the monkeys, not only will they lose the It’s unfair to the relatives of the clan!”

"Above" naturally refers to Zhao Zhen.

Many people still know about Zhao Zhen's gambling and losing money with the servants in the palace.

At this time.

Fan Zhen said: "I also feel that this matter cannot be carried out completely in accordance with the law. It is the end of the year and this situation will inevitably happen. If we arrest all the people who have been detained, I am afraid that the entire Bianjing City will not have enough prisons to house them."

"Alas! It's really hard to say how to control the extent of this matter. If such a scandal occurs during the Chinese New Year, wouldn't it be a slap in the face of the court?" Ouyang Xiu sighed.

Su Liang thought for a while and said: "Bao Xueshi solves the case very quickly. There is a high probability that the case report will be submitted to the officials around noon. I suggest that we wait a little longer and make suggestions based on the specific situation reported by Bao Xueshi!"

Others nodded.

……

At this moment, inside Kaifeng Mansion.

Zhao Zongshi, a coach of the Thirteenth Regiment, and Cao Guojiu, Cao Yi, were pacing back and forth in the back hall with anxious expressions on their faces.

Of the two of them, one represents the clan and the other represents the relatives.

They were also forced to come.

We cannot let Pu Wang Zhao Yunrang and Cao Cong, the head of the Cao family, come to Bao Zheng to intercede.

Lean slightly.

Bao Zheng walked quickly from the prison.

"I wonder what the Thirteenth Regiment Training Officer and Cao Guojiu want to do to find me?" Bao Zheng said.

Cao Yi and Zhao Zongshi immediately handed over to Bao Zheng.

Although they were of high status, they did not dare to show off in front of Bao Zheng.

Cao Yi smiled and said: "Bao Xueshi, is there some misunderstanding about what happened at Hui's residence in the west of the city last night? The three brothers in my family and the two young masters from Prince Pu's Mansion do like to play, but they should not do anything that violates the rules. It’s about the Song Dynasty’s decree!”

Bao Zheng stared.

"They haven't violated the laws of the Song Dynasty. Will I arrest them for no reason?"

"They occupied the public houses of the imperial court and gathered people to gamble for several days. The amount of money was huge. Some even took out the gifts given by the officials and the maids at home. The impact was very bad!"

Zhao Zongshi, a coach of the Thirteenth Regiment, said: "Bao Xueshi, it is indeed wrong to occupy public housing. However, as the Chinese New Year is approaching, they may just have fun and would not gamble on weekdays. I beg Xueshi Bao to please be patient and not take this matter seriously." It’s so tense!”

Hearing this, Bao Zheng looked at Zhao Zongshi.

"The Thirteenth Regiment is practicing. Is it the New Year's Day when it's approaching? Is it the time allowed by the imperial court last night? If you don't know the laws of the Song Dynasty, I can give you a copy of Song Xingtong!" Bao Zheng said sternly.

Zhao Zongshi suddenly didn't dare to say anything.

As the adopted son of an official family, he was almost ready to become the prince, and everyone in the court gave him face.

But under Bao Zheng's reprimand, Zhao Zongshi lowered his head and did not dare to speak anymore.

Bao Zheng, that's the man who dared to spit in Zhao Zhen's face.

Cao Yi also knew Bao Zheng's temper, and immediately said: "Bao Xueshi, it is naturally up to you to decide the punishment for this matter. I don't know how you will deal with them. Whether it is punishment with a stick or a fine, we all accept it, but we hope not to do this." If the matter is publicized, otherwise the clan relatives may not have a good time this year!"

Bao Zheng stroked his green beard.

"I am currently asking for evidence. Once the specific situation is found out, I will report it to the officials. You can just listen to the information when you arrive."

Cao Yi and Zhao Zongshi handed over their hands again and then retreated.

The two of them had just gone out.

Vice Prime Minister Zhang Fangping and Song Xiang came to Kaifeng Mansion.

The two of them did not come under holy orders.

But after learning about this, in order to avoid embarrassment to the officials, he came to remind Bao Zheng.

In the back hall.

Zhang Fangping, Song Xiang and Bao Zheng took their seats respectively.

Zhang Fangping was the first to speak: "Sister Bao, after all, this matter involves the court's reputation. I believe that you can be severely punished but not publicly punished, let alone the identities of the relatives of the clan, otherwise the family scandal will become a national scandal."

"Yes! During the Chinese New Year, although they made mistakes, they will not be dealt with completely in accordance with the law. It is reasonable to treat them outside the law! Otherwise, the court's face will be lost in front of the envoys from various countries!" Song Xiang also said. .

Although the two were deputy prime ministers and had a higher position than Bao Zheng, they did not dare to speak to Bao Zheng in a commanding tone.

All facing up and down.

Except for Su Liang, no official was afraid of Bao Zheng, and none of the ministers said a harsh word in front of Bao Zheng.

Even Zhao Zhen has a sense of fear towards Bao Zheng.

This is the charm of Bao Zheng.

He is an upright official recognized by the people of Kaifeng.

If other officials said that they were the rulers of the Song Dynasty, the people would think that they would engage in malpractice for personal gain and bully others based on their official power.

But if Bao Zheng calls himself the Dharma of the Song Dynasty, the people will feel that he is well-deserved.

This is Bao Zheng's authority in Kaifeng Mansion.

None of the ministers can compare.

Bao Zheng smiled faintly, stood up and said: "The official knows the intention of the two husbands. But since the official has let the official know about Kaifeng Mansion, the official must think about all the people of Kaifeng Mansion. This matter is being investigated strictly by the official. , The case will be submitted to the ban later, and everything will be handled in accordance with the laws of the Song Dynasty. If the two ministers feel that the official has done something illegal, they can impeach the official. "

"The lower officials still have to review the case. Please come, you two!" Bao Zheng directly issued an order to expel the guests.

Zhang Fangping and Song Xiang both looked helpless.

Faced with Bao Zheng, who was so incompetent, they had no choice but to leave as expected.

The two couldn't help but think of Tang Jie, but Bao Zheng was more difficult than Tang Jie.

In anger, Tang Jie would choose to resign and remonstrate.

But Bao Zheng never forced him to resign, but laid out the evidence neatly.

Don't say that Zhao Zhen and all the ministers have nothing to say.

Even if Taizu Taizong is resurrected, he will probably shout: What Bao Qing said makes sense!
……

In Chui Gong Hall, Zhao Zhen looked depressed.

An hour ago.

Queen Cao cried so hard that she didn't manage the Cao family well.

Half an hour ago.

Concubine Zhang knelt in front of him and said that her sixty-six-year-old uncle was just bored and she was willing to take his place if he was punished.

Zhao Zhen was very helpless.

He could never beat up the sixty-six-year-old Zhang Yaozuo, nor could he beat up the sons and daughters of the Cao family and Prince Pu's mansion.

He himself also has a bad habit of fighting.

Although he didn't gamble often, the fact that he once lost a thousand yuan to the chamberlain had long been spread among the people.

Zhao Zhen thought for a while and called all the ministers from Zhongshu Province in to discuss countermeasures.

If he were an ordinary official, he could still suppress the matter.

But the only thing that can suppress Bao Zheng is the laws of the Song Dynasty, and Bao Zheng is almost the embodiment of the laws of the Song Dynasty.

After a while.

All the ministers gathered together and discussed for nearly half an hour.

In the end, a unified result was reached: heavy punishment, but not public disclosure, defining the matter as a family scandal, not a national scandal.

As for how Bao Zheng will deal with it, it depends on the outcome of his case.

……

In the afternoon, inside the Chui Gong Hall.

The princes of the two governments and three departments, Tai Jian, the chief official of Dali Temple, and Su Liang all gathered together.

Everyone is waiting for Bao Zheng to enter the palace to meet the saint.

I want to see how Bao Zheng will handle this matter.

All the ministers frowned. If Bao Zheng really wanted to publicize this matter as a national scandal, they really had no confidence in convincing Bao Zheng.

(End of this chapter)