Chaos of Ming 1628

The following cases were judged very quickly.

Meng Zhaoxiang read out the charges, and both parties had no objection and accepted the charges. Sun Qing then pronounced the verdict.

For cases with a valid reason and not serious: the labor service time is determined according to the severity of the offense, and the meal fee is ten coins.

After the verdict, almost all of them pleaded for a longer period of forced labor. Almost all of them, like Wang Ergou, had resorted to petty theft because they couldn't survive.

For serious offenses, such as fighting and injuring others: forced labor, one meal, and if there are no elderly or children in the household, all money will be distributed uniformly after the forced labor is completed.

Even murderers are still forced to perform labor. They only receive one meal a day, no money, and are forced to perform labor for life.

These completely break the criminal law, yet everyone can accept them.

As dusk fell, all the poor people had been sentenced.

Even after Shen skipped all the procedures, it still took a whole day.

Even though Sun Qing was sitting in the courtroom, he was still feeling sore and exhausted.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the wealthy people hadn't even started their trial yet. They were already standing so long their legs were numb and they were incredibly weak.

He didn't even dare to look Sun Qing in the eye; his case hadn't even been decided yet, and he was already terrified.

"Sir, shall we light the lamps?"

At this moment, Meng Zhaoxiang was as energetic as if he had been injected with chicken blood.

Sun Qing waved his hand, his mouth dry: "Let's stop here for today, we'll continue tomorrow."

"Court adjourned!"

With a loud shout, the people were reluctant to leave, some even huddled outside the yamen walls, waiting for the interrogation the next day.

Everyone was expecting it, but also indignant.

Outside, sighs of admiration continued.

"This is the first time I've seen an adult judge a case like this; it's wonderful."

"What's so good about it? You only see us poor people, finally having something to eat. But don't you see how many rich people there are?"

Many people's faces show anger when this is mentioned.

"They committed adultery, plunder, and all sorts of evil deeds. Finally, someone was brought to justice, yet they were allowed to live such a good life."

"Yes! They get food and money at the same time, it's too good for them."

"Damn it! I'm not leaving. I'm staying here tonight and waiting to see how Lord Sun sentences me tomorrow."

"The Dragon King has shown his power; Lord Sun will not let us down."

Inside the yamen (government office).

Meng Zhaoxiang didn't feel tired even after standing all day.

When he got back to the backyard, he swayed and almost fainted.

Fortunately, Sun Qing reacted quickly and helped him regain his balance.

"It was my oversight," Sun Qing said, her voice full of remorse. "At your age, I made you stand for so long. You even only had a quick bite of a pancake for lunch."

Meng Zhaoxiang waved his hands repeatedly, his eyes crinkling with laughter: "Young Master Sun, there's no need to say that. I'm truly delighted!"

"Having served as an official in the capital for decades, I've handled countless cases, large and small, but never before have I felt such exhilaration!"

Meng Zhaoxiang said excitedly, holding Sun Qing's hands tightly for a long time: "Young master, your intelligence is unmatched."

"The more than one hundred cases that had been piling up have all been resolved today. You not only saved those poor people, but you also provided the workers that our Hexi mudflats needed."

"We only need to find a few master craftsmen to start the project. It's much less than the budgeted amount."

"It seems that the shortfall of 19,000 taels has been filled. Moreover, our project can be completed in six months at most."

"Six months?" Sun Qing laughed. "I can't wait that long."

"Young Master, that's a huge project!" Meng Zhaoxiang said, his voice trembling with excitement.

Sun Qing's smile faded, and his expression turned serious: "We don't have that much time."

"Mr. Meng, please get some rest. Tomorrow, we expect to receive even more petitions."

"Please find a few writers at the free legal aid center tomorrow. The legal documents don't need to be elaborate; just clearly state the reasons."

"I imagine there will be hundreds more cases tomorrow, with people waiting to serve their mandatory labor service."

Meng Zhaoxiang hesitated for a long time, frowning repeatedly, still unable to figure out the reason: "Young master, with so many people, how can the time be continuously shortened?"

"But I don't understand," Meng Zhaoxiang pondered for a moment before mustering his courage to speak, "There are so many people who can't afford to eat these days. If you give them a steamed bun, a lot of people will be willing to work for you, let alone ten coins."

"Since you've already figured it out, there's no need to deliberately choose experienced workers; anyone with labor power will suffice. Why bother with a trial?"

"You could simply post a notice and invite people to come."

"As long as you don't choose, these people can all come."

There are countless people who can't get enough to eat; it's not that they can't work, but that they have nowhere to go for jobs.

With one hand behind his back, Sun Qing answered the question without reservation: "There are already established rules for market wages. A sudden influx of cheap labor will only drive down wages in the private sector. This will inevitably disrupt business livelihoods."

"It should be understood that countless talented people have emerged throughout history, and the benefits of providing employment for refugees at virtually zero cost are obvious to everyone. So why wouldn't even the most greedy merchant do it?"

"Commission rates should follow market conditions and should not be easily changed; if there are too many cheap laborers, all industries will suffer."

Meng Zhaoxiang, whose mind was entirely focused on the court, suddenly understood upon hearing this. He stroked his beard and nodded solemnly.

Sun Qing continued to explain: "As for why they must atone for their sins by bearing the guilt, this labor force consists entirely of those who are subject to labor service. Working is their duty. Even if they are released in batches after serving their sentences, it will not suddenly impact the market price of clubbing workers."

"When a person is desperate, a bowl of plain porridge is like sending charcoal in the snow, and the person is grateful. But if you eat plain porridge every day and still get paid, you will take it for granted over time and become resentful."

"Compared to market prices, it's inevitable that resentment will arise, leading to enmity. As criminals with criminal charges, they dare not compare wages, much less gather to argue, stop work, or cause trouble."

"In this way, wouldn't it save time and effort, and avoid a lot of trouble?"

Meng Zhaoxiang felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and bowed deeply to Sun Qing.

His voice was full of admiration. A thousand words would be too much to say, so after thinking for a long time, he could only utter three words: "I have learned a lot."

"Now that we have enough silver, tomorrow we must punish those wealthy households and those sycophants who cling to the eunuch faction!" Meng Zhaoxiang said through gritted teeth.

Sun Qing yawned: "Hurry up and eat a couple of bites!"

"Tonight, our gates will definitely be trampled to pieces."

Meng Zhaoxiang was puzzled and muttered to himself, "Why?"

Sun Qing had already taken the lead and headed towards the dining room.

The well-maintained mansions in Jiahe County were brightly lit.

Almost everywhere, the same scene was playing out: important family members sat together, discussing something tensely.

Sun Qing held the bowl of congee in her hand and ate it with some pickled vegetables.

The more I eat, the more I want to laugh.

In the eyes of the poor, all they see is a meal; they completely forget the horrors of forced labor.

A single instance of forced labor could result in injury or even death, or in severe cases, the destruction of families and the separation of loved ones. Forced labor was a deadly calamity without the sight of weapons.

Rich people value their lives; how could they possibly lack a bowl of rice?

But today, having witnessed Sun Qing's hotheaded enthusiasm for solving the case, who can possibly win?

Before the bowl of congee was even finished, an announcement came from outside: "Lord Sun, Master Wang requests an audience."