Because Emperor Yu worked too hard to control water in his early years, he had only been in power for a few years, and he felt that his health was not safe and his health was worried. Therefore, Di Yu began to worry about his health, he was afraid that if his body collapsed, he would not be able to bear the heavy responsibility in this world.

Therefore, Emperor Yu decided to take the first emperor Yao Shun as an example to make the virtuous position. He first asked a few ministers to inquire quietly, and then asked the minister Long to discuss the matter, but Long thought that Gaotao, Dali, who manages the judiciary, should be the best candidate.

Di Yu very much agreed with Long's proposal, he said: "Long, I know Gaotao too well, he is really good, and I also admire him." Gao Tao was originally a descendant of Emperor Zhuan, he was the leader of the Dongyi tribe, and I have worked with Gao Tao for many years, so I naturally know that he is very talented in management. Therefore, I also considered giving him the throne in the future. ”

The idea has been decided, and Di Yu learned Yao Shun's method again, so he wanted to do an investigation of Gaotao first.

On this day, Emperor Yu asked Gao Tao: "Leoch, I want to fulfill the virtue of the previous king, but there is no good way, and now there is a phenomenon of wicked people in society, what do you think can be done?" ”

Gao Tao said: "Emperor Yu, as an emperor, if you can be cautious about your words and deeds, maintain your own cultivation, be generous to your relatives, and be kind to your people. In this way, the people will naturally obey, and the courtiers will try to assist, and the phenomenon of wicked people disorderly government will be eliminated. ”

Emperor Yu admired Gao Tao's insight very much, and he asked: "Leshi, how can the king always make wise decisions and keep his ministers together?" ”

Gao Tao said: "Emperor Yu, if you want to have a wise move as an emperor, you must know people well, use people properly, and do everything worthy of your heart." Only then will your subjects remember your kindness. And those traitors who talk flatteringly and observe words and emotions will not dare to tell right and wrong in front of you. ”

Di Yu silently affirmed in his heart, and he said: "Leoch, what do you mean is that if you want to govern the country well, you must first implement moral government, not harsh government." Secondly, we must also understand the three principles of self-cultivation, knowing people, and reassuring the people, and we must take it as the guiding ideology to do things. ”

Gao Tao said: "Emperor Yu, yes." In addition, in terms of employing people, we also need to test whether the behavior of the people we use has the nine good qualities. If his words and virtues are also consistent, we can reuse him. ”

Di Yu said: "Leoch, what is the nine virtues?" ”

Gao Tao said: "The performance of the nine virtues is: magnanimous and humble and prudent, gentle and assertive, modest and solemn and serious, talented and serious, good at listening to others' opinions and resolute and decisive, honest and gentle, straightforward and open-minded and pay attention to subtleties, upright and down-to-earth, strong and brave and in line with morality. These are the specific manifestations of the nine virtues. ”

When Di Yu heard this, he couldn't help nodding, and he said approvingly: "Leshi, you really have a high opinion." So how do we reuse a person who has the nine virtues? ”

Gao Tao said: "Emperor Yu, in Weichen's opinion, a person who can show the three virtues every day can let him be the secretary of the court." A person who can practice the six virtues every day can make him a prince. The person who can gather the nine virtues and implement them in an all-round way every day is the person with the most moral character and talent, and can let him assist the Son of Heaven in handling government affairs.

Such a virtuous minister must be given the highest honor and position. In this way, he became a model for ministers to follow, and ministers were inspired by the example, and they would do their duty accordingly, and more work would be successfully accomplished. ”

Emperor Yu couldn't help but ask Gaotao, and he said: "Leshi, in the war with Waiyi, we captured some prisoners. Because these captives were used as slaves, they often started riots, so how can we stop this from happening? ”

Gao Tao said: "Emperor Yu No matter what kind of person he treats, as long as he does not abide by our laws, we have the right to punish them, even if they are captives or slaves. ”

Di Yu said: "Then there are some people who have held privileges for a long time, because they have accumulated a certain amount of wealth. These people regard themselves as high-minded and have nothing to look at, and they always have selfish thoughts in their hearts, wantonly usurping other people's property, and some even murder and arson. There are also some people at the bottom of the society, who are forced by life to do some excesses. How can we punish such people? ”

Gao Tao said: "Emperor Yu, in the face of such people, we must have a systematic code of laws and regulations to restrain them." ”

Di Yu said: "Leoch, I think this matter will be done by you." You're responsible for writing a code of criminal law to punish criminal offenses, right? ”

Gao Tao thought for a while and said: "Emperor Yu, such a book is a comprehensive legal classic, which should be difficult to write, and I also need to discuss many ways to finalize the content of the book." However, I already have a rough outline in my mind, and I will call this criminal law book [Yu Punishment]. ”

Di Yu nodded again and said, "Leshi, you must complete this code as soon as possible, so that you can restrain and regulate those who violate the criminal law." ”

Since Gaotao received the decree of Emperor Yu, he has directly devoted himself to the study of criminal law. After many years of experience as a judge and in-depth discussions, he first formulated a code of laws to regulate the management of prisoners in prisons, which was called the "Prison Code". ”

On this day, Gao Tao handed over the [Prison Code] to Di Yu, and Di Yu was very happy, so he asked about the exact content of the book.

Gao Tao said: "Emperor Yu, the [Prison Code] is a criminal law book used in the management of prisoners, and it is mainly for prisoners who have been taken into custody. The classics summarize many types of crimes such as theft, robbery, rape, and homicide. This code is mainly based on the severity of the crime, to give different sentencing punishments, this will be the first criminal law book in China. ”

Di Yu said very happily: "Leoch, thank you so much, in this way, we have a law to follow." Leoch, tell me what it all includes. ”

Gao Tao said: "Emperor Yu, this prison code includes five kinds of punishment examples:

First, persist in the crusade against foreign invasion and internal rebellion: all prisoners who are caught by foreign invasion and those who defect and are captured can also be punished by restricting their freedom. However, the administration of their punishment will be left to the princes who capture them, and the princes will directly exercise the right to dispose of them.

Second, insist on the punishment of criminals within the army: For criminals within the army, severe 'axe punishments' must be enforced. This punishment is to punish them with a heavy punishment with an axe that represents the severity of political authority.

Third, we insist on the most brutal capital punishment for death row prisoners who have committed the most heinous crimes. Because death row inmates are guilty of unforgivable crimes, they must not be treated with extrajudicial mercy, and they must be punished with extremely severe punishments, which are feared by all.

Fourth, insist on corporal punishment for offenders who are minor offenders. Such prisoners can be punished with a painful but not life-threatening punishment of 'light corporal punishment'.

Fifth, insist on only mild deterrent punishments for minor offenses, such as the less painful 'whipping punishment'. ”

After Gaotao introduced the example of the five punishments, Di Yu said with satisfaction: "Leshi, this is very good!" That's great! ”

Gao Tao said: "Emperor Yu, the prison code also clearly stipulates that we must not only judge cases impartially, but also adhere to the political principle of fairness and integrity. This is done by:

First, we should try to forgive those who have committed negligent crimes and treat them leniently.

Second, we must severely punish those recidivists or repeat offenders who refuse to change their ways.

Third, we must punish those suspected of committing crimes lightly until we find definitive evidence.

Fourth, we must also be cautious in collecting evidence in dealing with those who kill people, so as to prevent manslaughter and miscalculation, and if we cause irreparable mistakes, we will be ashamed of them.

Fifth, as a judicial officer, we must enforce the law impartially and must not wrongly harm the innocent. We must ensure that 'there is no torture in the world' and 'no unjust imprisonment in the world', this is the principle of doing things pursued by our code. ”

"Good! This prison code is indeed a good code. Leoch, since the position I have given you is 'Leoch', the duty of the Leoch is to manage the affairs of the prison. You are also the first Chinese magistrate, and I think that today, you are really the 'first official of China's justice and integrity'. Ha ha! I'm so proud to have a sergeant like you! ”

Gao Tao said modestly: "Emperor Yu, Weichen just fulfilled his responsibilities, and he has nothing to be proud of." In addition, I also followed your teachings and wrote the content of this prison codex, as well as the five teachings, the five rites, and the nine virtues into the [Yu Punishment]. ”

Di Yu was overjoyed when he heard this, and he said, "Okay! Tell us what you think. ”

Gao Tao said: "Emperor Yu, the five religions that Weichen talked about are only the five teachings advocated by Emperor Yao and Emperor Shun. We advocate that people continue to adhere to the tradition of the five religions, and use the teachings of the five religions to restrain people to continue to abide by the principles of father's righteousness, mother's kindness, brotherhood, brotherhood, and filial piety, so that the broad masses of the people can consciously form a beautiful atmosphere of justice and humility, love and friendliness, and virtue and filial piety. ”

Di Yu listened to it and couldn't stop praising it: "Well, it's good! Not bad! It's really good to stick to the five religions! Leoch, what are the five rites you are talking about? ”

Gao Tao said: "Emperor Yu, the five gifts customized by Weichen are:

First, when people worship their ancestors and gods, they must follow the 'auspicious' rite and take auspiciousness and piety as a gift of respect for their ancestors and gods.

Second, when people hold funeral memorials for their loved ones, they must follow the 'fierce' rite and express their condolences to the deceased with painful and solemn feelings.

Third, when maintaining friendly exchanges between inside and outside the tribal alliance, people must follow the 'guest' etiquette, and show respect for friendly allies in the way of the guest and host.

Fourth, when people organize and restrain the people, they must abide by the 'military' etiquette, and they must maintain the etiquette of getting along with the people with the discipline of governing the army.

Fifth, men and women must follow the 'Jia' etiquette when dining together, and relatives and friends should be courteous to each other, and each other should respect the etiquette of harmonious coexistence. The above five etiquettes are the principles of life and work that everyone must abide by. ”

After hearing this, Di Yu said happily: "Very good! Very good! In this way, everyone can use the five etiquettes to standardize their own way of life. Very good! Very good! Leoch, is there anything else you can say? I'd like to hear about it. ”

Gao Tao said: "Emperor Yu, the second is to establish nine virtues." Wechen has already talked about this topic before, and all people must achieve these nine good qualities.

These nine virtues are: generous and principled, gentle and able to stand up, simple and upright and able to respect the virtuous, talented and resourceful and respectful, modest and kind and assertive, honest and bold but not arrogant, broad-minded and pragmatic, resolute but not reckless, strong and not willful. ”

At this point, Di Yu finally couldn't suppress his excitement, and he said to Gao Tao with great satisfaction: "Leshi, today I can finally proudly tell you that your wisdom is too clever, your governing law is too unique, and you are already a very remarkable person." The next step is to hold a general meeting of the ministers, and I will tell you that after my death, I will make you my rightful heir to the throne. ”

Gao Tao saw that Emperor Yu appreciated him like this, and he was also flattered, so he thanked him again and again.

So, Gao Tao said in a panic: "Emperor Yu, Weichen is panicked, this is not daring!" Don't dare to be! ”

Di Yu said: "Leoch, what don't you dare to be?" I've heard that you are very good at handling prison lawsuits, can you take me on a tour. ”

Gao Tao said: "Emperor Yu, of course you can, please come with me." ”

So, Di Yu followed Gao Tao to the place where the case was tried. As soon as they got there, they saw someone come to complain.

Gao Tao said: "First ask the plaintiff to submit your claim, and then ask the defendant to explain your reasons." ”

When Gaotao's words fell, the plaintiff rushed to say: "Dali, please give me a comment." He is a cousin of mine, and last year he borrowed some grain from me, and this year my family had a poor harvest, so I went to ask him for it, but he not only refused to give it, but also said that I owed him some grain. How can you say that there is such an unreasonable person in this world? ”

Gao Tao asked the defendant, "Is that so?" ”

The defendant hurriedly said: "Dali, it's not like this. It was true that I borrowed some grain from him last year, but because he had borrowed some of my grain a few years ago, I had come up with this way to get him to return my grain, so that we could settle the account. ”

Gao Tao said: "Plaintiff, you tell the truth, is this what he said?" ”

The plaintiff said: "Dali, there is no such thing, I dare to promise God." ”

Di Yu listened to their conversation, and he was also confused, so he asked, "Leoch, can you make a clear decision on such a case?" ”

Gao Tao smiled and whispered in Di Yu's ear: "Emperor Yu, this case will definitely be cleared, please look at me." ”

As he spoke, Gao Tao asked the jailer to bring a unicorn beast similar to a big ram, and as soon as the unicorn came up, it slammed into the plaintiff, until it used its unicorn to push the plaintiff there, and the plaintiff did not dare to move, and then it howled twice to call the police.

Di Yu still didn't react, but Gao Tao showed a victorious smile.

He said, "Plaintiff, is there anything else you have to say?" Plead guilty this time! ”

The plaintiff knelt there, so frightened that he could not say a word.

Gao Tao said: "Don't underestimate my unicorn, it's called 'Hedgehog'." The pig is very spiritual, because it has the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, and to identify criminals.

Therefore, whenever I encounter a difficult case, I will release the pig. If the person is guilty, the pig will hold on to him, and if the person is not guilty, the pig will ignore it. When someone came, the plaintiff was first put in prison. ”

When the jailer took the pig aside, the plaintiff said: "Dali, I'm guilty, I wanted to get rid of those grains, but I didn't expect ......."

Gao Tao said: "Plaintiff, you are guilty of slander, so let's go to prison and reflect on it." ”

In the following days, with the assistance of Gaotao, Emperor Yu governed the world in an orderly manner, and the land of Kyushu also appeared in a peaceful and prosperous era that did not leave no stone unturned and did not close the door at night.

However, after all, Gaotao is older than Di Yu, so although he was appreciated by Di Yu, he was not blessed with the fate of being called the emperor. Later, because of his advanced age, Gaotao contracted an illness and died before he could ascend the throne.

Later, because Gao Tao had held the position of Leoch, this Leoch was passed down by people and was called "Lee". Therefore, the descendants of Gao Tao gradually adopted the surname "Li" as their surname, and Gao Tao naturally became the original ancestor of the surname "Li".

When Emperor Yu learned the news of Gaotao's death, he was extremely sad and had been sad for a long time. The elders also lamented Gaotao's death, and they then recommended Gaotao's brother Boyi as the new king.

Boyi has also followed Di Yu to control the water for many years, and the two of them have also been brothers and friends, so Di Yu also appreciates him. So, Emperor Yu passed on Boyi to come to the imperial capital to discuss matters.