Zhang Huangyan, the secretary of the military department, can be regarded as very busy today since the dispersal of the dynasty, and he is not only busy, but also costs money, not only does it cost money, but it also spends his own savings.

He instructed the family to gather the rich merchants and celebrities in the city and many people, just one thing, labor, the army, raising military food for the Ming soldiers is a matter of the military department, but now last night I heard that the champion army camp is starving to death, his face of the military department is gone, this can happen at the feet of the dignified emperor, this is going to spread out, isn't it to make the world laugh at the Ming Dynasty's military department is a group of bastards.

For this reason, it is a pity that the military department has no silver, not even silver to comfort the soldiers, but Song Xian sent it last night, four hundred taels of gold, but this money is not helpful, he has to pay some for himself, why can't he let the soldiers starve to death.

The streets and alleys for a time, that is the people on the street, the rich businessmen also rushed to donate, the champion army in Yangzhou nine deaths, although failed to recover the Ming Dynasty, but it can be regarded as the preservation of Nanjing City, in the city of the people that is a great achievement.

Not long after, more than a dozen carts full of grain, wine and meat, accompanied by the escort of the military department and thousands of people, drove to the camp of the champion army.

The troops of the labor and the army could not see the end at a glance, and the news soon reached Ma Shiying's ears, and when he heard that Zhang Huangyan picked the head, this made him angry, it was really angry, he immediately ordered his family to immediately notify Wang Yongji and others, blockade the ten miles outside the camp, no entry or exit, and never let the people see the miserable scene in the barracks.

What kind of army is Lao, I have been hungry for more than half a month, and I can't give up all my efforts.

It is very likely that the champion army will take the opportunity to make trouble. In front of so many

Ma Shiying was afraid that Wang Yongji would not be able to withstand the people's leisurely mouth, so he decided to take a two-pronged approach. To capture the thief, you must capture the king first, as long as you control Wang Lanping, you are not afraid of how much waves you can make. So, Ma Shiying sent dozens of more soldiers, no matter where Wang Lanping went, even if he went to, he had to follow, let alone let him out of Nanjing City, nor let him contact any generals of the Champion Army.

After doing all this, he was still not at ease, and let his son Ma Ming, the new commander of the Nanjing garrison, lead Nanjing with only 3,000 soldiers and horses to the head of Nanjing. Beware of anything that may happen.

As soon as Wang Lanping saw that there were suddenly a lot of soldiers outside the palace, he immediately understood that Song Xian and Song Dali had already agitated Zhang Huangyan.

No, I can't let Ma Shiying see what he wants, I have to find something to do, divert the attention of Ma Shiying and the emperor, just hiding in the house and learning Liu Bei to grow vegetables can't make much trouble, or learn from the emperor and invite a troupe to sing for a few days, it's not enough. Either gossip with Fang Ling about the beauty and love of heroes, it's still not enough.

At this moment, Qian Xiaole came to visit.

The soldiers followed Qian Xiaole to the front hall, and Fang Ling served tea.

Qian Xiaole said. "Master Hou, I checked the case of Miss Fang Ling's brother, and there is no drama. I guess it can't be overturned."

When Fang Ling heard this, his eyes lit up in a hurry. looked at Wang Lanping with begging eyes.

Wang Lanping glanced at Fang Ling, he was willing to believe that what she said was true. Her brother didn't kill anyone, I don't know why, he just believed her, it was an instinct.

But Qian Xiaole quickly said, "Although no evidence was found in the case to be resentenced, I also sent someone to Chaotian Palace to inspect it these days, and some people did see that it was Zhu Gongzi who was unreasonable and made trouble first, and it was he who lost his life after hurting others, but no one was willing to come out to testify."

Fang Ling hurriedly said, "Why?" If they can go to court and tell the truth, my brother will be able to clear his name."

Wang Lanping understands that it is the son of the prefect's family who died, and which ordinary people come to the court to testify when they are full, but they are not in a hurry, as long as her brother does not die, it will be delayed for a few more days, and when the surname is changed in this day, the case will be retried.

But Wang Lanping was not thinking about this case at this time, yes, isn't there something to do, and it is still a major event that has caused a storm in the city.

At that moment, Wang Lanping arched his hand to Qian Xiaole and said, "There is Lord Lao Qian, Wang knows, please go back."

As soon as Qian Xiaole left, Wang Lanping instructed Fang Ling to freshen up and dress up, and he himself changed into court clothes.

Then, Wang Lanping stretched out his arm, and the other party said, "Come, Ling girl, pull my arm"

Fang Ling was timid, her cheeks were red, and she gently held Wang Lanping's arm, "General, where are you going?" ”

"Fighting a lawsuit"

"Lawsuits? Who is in the lawsuit? ”

"Of course it's you, aren't you trying to save your brother? I'm going to accompany you to fight a lawsuit today, sue the prefect of Na Zhu, and sue him for not knowing the case, and that he is not separating between right and wrong, and that he is careless about people's lives."

"Sue the officer? I, I'm afraid"

"What are you afraid of, I have me in everything, I will call the shots for you, don't be afraid if you believe me, what's wrong with suing the official, the prince is guilty of breaking the law and the common people, go"

The two walked to the door, but were stopped by the soldiers.

"Master Hou, you, where are you going? If there is something missing in the house, the small one can run errands for you."

Wang Lanyu stood at the door with Fang Ling in her arms, and the door was really surrounded by layers of people, not to mention twenty or thirty people.

"Go to the lawsuit, can you help?" Wang Lanping said.

The soldier didn't dare to offend, nor did he dare to let him go lightly, so he hurriedly said with a smile, "Master Hou, you really know how to laugh, who in this Nanjing city dares to fight a lawsuit with you."

Wang Lanping waved his hand to get out of the way, "This is my business, you can't explain it, right, that's okay, follow me, my lord will take you to see the excitement."

Brought to Yingtianfu Ya, there were a lot of people around, Hou Ye's lawsuit was still second, and the Fang Ling beside him once again became the focus of everyone, who said that it was not, two days ago, she was still sleeping on the street and selling herself as a hard-working woman, and she turned into a woman next to Dingnan Hou, what a blessing.

There was a drum at the entrance of the yamen, Wang Lanping pointed at the other party with his mouth, "Go, beat the drum, don't be afraid, be generous."

Fang Ling was timid in her heart, and as soon as she turned around after a few steps, the soldiers at the door saw that it was Dingnan Hou who accompanied her, and they didn't dare to stop her, but hurriedly ran back to the Ya to find Zhu Zhifu.

'Knock knock'

The sound of drums was loud, which alarmed everyone in the government office.

Zhu Zhikui was in the back office, and when he heard the drums, he hurriedly ran out. It just so happened that the master also ran over. The two collided.

"Panic, what's going on in front. Who's beating the drum, sir, I just lay down, go, bang away"

The master said with a sad face, "Master, Ding, Dingnanhou is here."

Zhu Zhikui frowned, "What kind of drum did he knock?"

"No, no, it's not him. It's the sister of the prisoner who killed the young master in the street a few days ago, and she's beating the drum."

Zhu Zhikui smiled disdainfully, "I reported her brother's case to the Criminal Department earlier, and the case is over, and the government will not accept it, and it will be blown away."

"No, sir, you forgot, there are legends on the streets. That girl climbed into the Dingnanhou Mansion, if Dingnanhou personally accompanied her this time, master, take it or not? ”

Zhu Zikui said. "Why, I found a backer, and the case is closed. What about Dingnanhou, killing people on the street. The evidence is ironclad, and this case can still be turned over to the sky. The case is not accepted, but since the Hou Ye is here in person, he must be given some face and invited people in."

Zhu Zhifu changed into an official uniform and ran out of it.

At the entrance of the yamen, Fang Ling held the paper high and knelt under the steps.

Zhu Zhikui came to the door, hundreds of people gathered at the door, he searched around, and finally found Wang Lanping in the crowd, and immediately greeted him with a smile.

"Yo, Master Hou, the lower officials are polite" Zhu Zhisi hurriedly ran over and nodded.

Wang Lan flattened his hand and pointed to Fang Ling, who was kneeling on the steps, "You're welcome, Lord Zhu, I'm not looking for you today, it's this girl in my house who wants to find a place to reason, will you take this lawsuit?" ”

Zhu Zhikui hurriedly stretched out his hand to the side, "Master Hou, take a step to speak, come, please, Master Hou, if there is anything to talk about, there are many people outside."

Wang Lanping shook his body, "You take the case first."

Zhu Zhikui's face was embarrassed, taking the case means that it will be retried, and the retrial means that the case will be overturned, he will turn over his own case, how is this possible, if there are two results in the trial, it will not become a big joke.

"No, Master Hou, the case is really over, the evidence is ironclad, and the officials are very sorry for her brother's matter."

Wang Lanping smiled, "I said Master Zhu, you didn't take this case, how do you know that she came for her brother's case?"

Zhu Zhikui was stunned for a moment, "No, isn't it?" ”

According to the Ming official system, the prefect of Yingtianfu served in the important land of Gyeonggi, which was from the third grade, one level higher than the foreign prefect, and the official in the Ying Tianfu was at the same level as the foreign prefect, and the fourth grade.

Tuiguan's surname is Wu, he is a man in his fifties, with a shrewd and capable face, he arched his hand towards Wang Lanping, and by the way, he looked sideways at Fang Ling's position in the air, it doesn't matter if he doesn't look at it, he was startled when he saw it, and the whole person became bad, and his face was full of surprise.

"My lord, my lord, you come and see" Wu Tuiguan gently tugged at the corner of Zhu Zhikui's clothes behind him.

Zhu Zhikui turned around and just glanced at it, and suddenly his eyes skyrocketed, he looked at Fang Ling and then at Wang Lanping, and then looked at the state a few times.

I saw a few lines written on the complaint: Fang Ling, the daughter of the people, sued Zhu Zhikui of the Heavenly Governor for bending the law for personal gain, which was unfair; second, he accused Zhu Zhikui, the prefect of Tianfu, for abusing lynching and beating him into a trick; Three sued Zhu Zhikui, the prefect of the Heavenly Governor's Mansion, who knew the law and violated the law, and despised the laws of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Zhikui snatched the shape from Fang Ling's hand, pointed at Fang Ling and said, "You, so bold, you dare to ...... Master Hou, you, what are you trying to do? ”

"Master Zhu, don't be careful, I'm just watching the excitement today, people are kneeling at your yamen, you see if you take it or not"

Zhu Zhikui set his eyes on Wu Tuiguan, Wu Tuiguan nodded, how can you do it if you don't take it, if you don't accept it, you won't recruit yourself, and only if you accept it can you show that you are clear, and you are not afraid of crooked shadows.

"Please, Master Hou, come here, help her in, ascend to the hall"

The three classes of officials, scribes, messengers, and executioners all came to the main hall, and the floor was pounded with water and fire sticks.

The onlookers also poured in, according to the law, the trial of the case, the people can be spectators, but it is only close to the main hall, more than 20 steps away from the lobby, there is a courtyard in the middle, and basically the voices of the old men in the hall can not be heard clearly.

The bluestone slabs in the courtyard are paved with two stone piers on the left and right, the left is the plaintiff, the right is the defendant, the stone pier on the left is kneeling with Fang Ling, and the right is empty.

Because of his special status, Wang Lanping did not stand outside the hall with the people, but set up a chair on one side of the main hall and sat behind the official with a water and fire stick in his hand.

Wang Lanping passed through the half-height fence, and Fang Ling nodded, signaling her not to be afraid.

'Pop' sounded.

"With the plaintiff" Zhu Zhikui thinks that he has not done anything wrong, and he seems to be unhurried at the moment.

After a few relay words, the two poor women walked up to Fang Ling and took her to the lobby.

"The people's girl Fang Ling knocked to see the eldest master" Fang Ling was very nervous, and from time to time she cast a comforting glance at Wu Lanping, she didn't understand why the Hou Ye asked her to inform the government, the people sued the official, and this was worth it.

Fang Ling just knocked his head down, and saw that Zhu Zhikui stood up suddenly, "Come on, play twenty boards first" As he spoke, he took out a chip from the lottery holder on the table and threw it down.

Wang Lanping hurriedly said, "Slowly, what's going on, she's the plaintiff, why didn't you beat her first before you tried it?"

Zhu Zhikui had no fear, and arched his hand and said, "Master Hou, the official is disrespectful, but the official decided the case in accordance with the law, and did not use lynching, suing the official with the people, if he is a crime, he should first beat 20 kills to prove that he is indeed wronged"

The people sue the officials, first hit the board, this thing has existed since ancient times, but in the Ming Dynasty Hongwu was abolished at that time, Emperor Zhu continued to exempt this unfair means and encouraged the people to sue the officials, not only encouragement, but also allowed the people to be oppressed by the officials when they can tie up the officials to the capital to find the emperor, for a time, the Ming officials ruled that it was quite clear.

However, after a few years, the people of the capital tied up the officials and sent them to Nanjing, and after a check, although many of them were indeed wronged, more of them were local ruffians or people who had enemies with the officials and took advantage of the emperor's momentum to seek personal interests and suppress the government.

Emperor Zhu saw that this was really thankless, everyone in the world had it, and the people not only damaged the image of the officials, but also gave the people an excuse to rush into the government, so he gradually gave up.

After Zhu Hongwu's death, the matter of the people sending officials into Beijing has never happened again, and only Zhu Hongwu can think of this kind of thing.

keeps doing this, no matter how good-tempered the emperor is, he can't stand being slapped in the face every day, so he still comes with the "Great Message" written by Zhu Hongwu himself.

Since then, where there is a civil complaint official, first twenty kills the mighty stick, and then try the case, although this is not written into the Ming law, but it has also become an unwritten rule, to the Qing Dynasty, the civil prosecutor will be officially written into the amp; amp; lt; The Great Qing Statutes amp; gt; : Whoever sues the officials will be given fifty rods, and even if he wins, he will be in vain for two thousand miles.

Wang Lanping really doesn't know about this, if she wants to beat Fang Ling, don't pull it, just give you the twenty boards of her fine-skinned and tender buttocks, and she won't be alive.

"Come on" Wang Lanping beckoned to Wu Tuiguan on the other side, leaned over and asked softly, "Is there really such a thing?" ”

Wu Tuiguan went through all the causes and consequences, and Wang Lanping shook his head when he heard it, what nonsense justice.

"Then how can you not fight?"

Wu Tuiguan thought for a while, "Well, if you are sick or disabled, if a woman is pregnant, etc., you can write it down for the time being, and then make up for it after her body recovers."

As soon as Wang Lanping heard this, he immediately shouted to the court, "Can't fight, can't fight, she, she has a child in her belly, yes, yes."

This shout, not to mention that the officials in the hall were stunned, and even Fang Ling, who was kneeling in the middle of the hall, raised his head in shock. (To be continued.) )