Shen Lingshan remembered that the girl with pink makeup in front of her was the girl who was falsely accused by Zhao Si of stealing money on the river slope outside Caobu Gate that day.

At this time, a well-dressed old man shouted: "It is fair to repay debts." In vain, you know the books of the sages by heart, don't you understand this truth?"

Confucian Sheng said angrily: "Out of nothing. How have I borrowed money from you?"

If you don't admit it, our government will judge you. The well-dressed old man waved his hand, and the strong man didn't say a word, dragging the Confucian student out.

Confucian stepped on the threshold, and said while resisting: "I don't owe you, why do you need the official theory?"

"Dad, you can't go. The pink-makeup girl hugged one of Confucius's arms and was also taken out of the door.

Although there were many people watching from the outside of the door, no one came forward to persuade them.

Shen Lingshan and Fang Haoling had the intention to mediate, but they didn't know the reason. And the old man's words are very reasonable, since the two sides have a dispute, they have to ask the government to judge, why does this Confucian refuse to obey?

At this time, the girl saw that she couldn't hold her father, so she stepped forward and grabbed the strong man's hand and opened her mouth to bite it. The strong man was furious and pushed her violently, and the girl staggered a few steps, and was about to fall on her back.

Fang Haoling didn't have time to think about it, she stepped forward to hold the girl, and shouted in a deep voice: "This brother, dealing with a weak woman, it is inevitable that it will be too heavy, right?"

The strong man's eyes widened, and he said in a rough voice, "Don't you see that she wants to bite me?"

Fang Haoling thought about it, and it was reasonable to say that she was a little stronger in a hurry, so she stopped arguing with him, turned to Confucius and said: "This uncle, listen to what you two said, he said that you borrowed money and didn't pay it back, and you said that you didn't borrow his money, right? Since the two sides are in dispute, you should ask the government to judge, why don't you want to go with him to see the official?"

Confucian replied angrily: "Childe, do you really think that the 'mirror hangs high' in the public court? ”

"If you don't pay back the money you owe, and you don't go to see the official, what do you want? Okay, Zhao Pan, bring the girl back and let him exchange the money. The old man commanded the strong man.

Strong man - Zhao Pan let go of Confucius, grabbed the girl's arm, dragged it away.

"Daddy—" The girl shouted in horror, twisting her body.

"Why? How dare you kidnap you?" "Isn't there a royal law?" Confucianism was in a hurry, and he couldn't care about "the one who cares," he shouted.

Shen Lingshan walked to the strong man's side, stretched out his hand and flicked the strong man's elbow, the strong man suddenly felt that one arm was sore, his five fingers loosened, and let go of the girl.

"This uncle, isn't it a contradiction for you to suspect that the official family is unfair and lawless, and on the other hand you accuse others of not obeying the king's law? In this Wuchang City, there are Jiangxia County, Wuchang Mansion, and Huguangbu Political Envoys, is there not a yamen that is 'hanging high'? If you are really reasonable, why are you afraid of seeing officials? It seems that you are entangled like this, when will it be a head?" Shen Lingshan persuaded and excited.

"It's okay to see officials, but I don't want to go to Jiangxia County. Confucian said.

"What's wrong with Jiangxia County? As a citizen of Jiangxia County, can't Lord Wu take care of your affairs?" At this time, two people walked in from outside the crowd, and the first one was a tiger's back, his temples bulging high, and it seemed that he had a horizontal kung fu practice, and it was this person who said those words just now.

The old man seemed to have met a savior, and hurriedly said: "You came just in time, this sour Confucian borrowed money and didn't pay it back, and your government wants to administer justice with the old man." ”

"What, don't you pay back the borrowed money?" the leader frowned, turned to Confucian and asked, "Is this the case?"

"How can he be so honest?" replied Confucius.

The leader turned to the old man again and asked, "You said that he borrowed money and didn't pay it back, but is there any evidence?"

"Yes. The old man took out a slightly yellowed piece of paper from his bosom and handed it to the catcher with both hands, "Well, this is an IOU written by him." ”

He glanced at the "IOU" and asked Confucius: "The IOUs are all in the hands of others, what else do you have to say?"

Confucius raised his head and said, "This is not written below. ”

Catch a quick look at the old man, then look at the Confucian Sheng, and say: "You say that the public is reasonable, and the mother-in-law says that the mother-in-law is reasonable." Let's go, go to the county government and ask Lord Wu to judge. ”

"No, I'm not going to Jiangxia County. ”

He glared at Confucius and said word by word: "Do you really think that Lord Wu can't control you?"

When the catcher next to him heard this, he immediately stopped Confucius.

"Daddy—"

"You go too. "Catch the girl quickly, separate the crowd, and walk outside. I didn't take two steps when two people blocked the way.

"Who are you? How dare you hinder my grandfather's business? and don't let go of me!" The leader of the catcher stared at his eyes and said menacingly.

"Dare to ask the master, what kind of 'business trip' are you doing?" Shen Lingshan asked angrily.

"You don't have eyes, can't you see?" replied the catcher with a quick sigh. After more than 10 years of hunting, who is not respectful of the people everywhere they go? Today, there are people openly blocking the way, which is tolerable and unbearable, and the leading catcher is about to break out.

Shen Lingshan didn't seem to notice the change in the expression of the catcher, and said lightly: "Look at the outfit of the poor master, I think it is the Yamen's catcher......"

Before he finished speaking, the catcher next to him said: "Even if you still have a little vision, he is Yan He, the head of the county government's fast catching team." ”

Shen Lingshan pretended to be surprised and said, "Ah, it turned out to be Yan Bantou?"

Yan He's nose "snorted", and said arrogantly: "I know that it is the head of this class, and you still don't get out of the way?"

Shen Lingshan smiled "sneering", and said as if she was afraid: "I let it, I let it." He was about to retreat to the side of the road when he suddenly stood back in his place, "Oh, I remember, isn't the 'business trip' of catching fast people arresting criminals? Dare to ask Yan Bantou, what crime did their father and daughter commit?"

"This ......" Yan He was speechless for a while, and was annoyed that Shen Lingshan was playing tricks on him, and couldn't help but say angrily: "Are you in charge of this master's affairs?"

Shen Lingshan smiled, and said: "In the next grass people, naturally they can't control the arrest of the 'adults', but the Da Ming Law - Yan Bantou, is the Da Ming Law in charge of you? The two of them quarreled over something, but it was just a civil dispute, and the people did not sue it, and the officials did not hold it accountable." You forcibly detained his father and daughter to go to the county government, which article and which paragraph of the Daming law did you follow?"

"Yes, how can such a thing be arrested as a prisoner?" someone in the crowd of onlookers questioned.

The old man who was collecting debts saw that Yan He couldn't get off the stage, so he hurriedly came out to relieve the siege: "The old man asked for money, but he didn't pay it back, and he didn't go to the government to judge, so what should you do?

Fang Haoling was afraid of making things stiff, so Wen Yan said: "Uncle, if he really fails to repay the debt, you can sue the government, as long as the government files a case, he will be sent to the court for questioning." If he can't be summoned, he can be detained. These two poor masters are indeed in a hurry. ”

"Okay, the old man will sue the official. "Then lead the strong man to the county government to complain.

Yan He let go of the girl, said "Let's go" to his companion, and left the scene stupidly, glaring at Shen Lingshan fiercely before leaving.

Shen Lingshan pulled the girl over and asked softly, "Little sister, do you still know me?"

The girl's face turned red, she pulled out the hand held by Shen Lingshan, shook her head and said, "I don't know the child." ”

Shen Lingshan realized that she was a woman dressed as a man, how did she know this girl? She smiled secretly in her heart, and said, "Oh, it's abrupt." Uncle, if you have an IOU in someone's hand, how can you repay the debt? If you really can't get the money, this ...... Childe has a little bit of broken silver on his body," he said, taking out a few pieces of broken silver from his sleeve, "Do you see enough?"

Confucius didn't look at it, pushed back the silver two handed to him, and said, "Thank you Gongzi for your help." However, I don't know him, so how can I tell you about it?"

Shen Lingshan and Fang Haoling were taken aback, they didn't know each other, what was the matter with the IOU? Could it be fake? What was the purpose of the old man?

Fang Haoling persuaded: "Old man, since you don't know each other, and now he is collecting debts with an IOU, don't you want to find out what the matter is? ”

Confucianism was extremely stubborn, and he stiffened his neck and said, "If you want to go, I won't go to the county office." ”

"Why is that?" Fang Haoling asked patiently.

The girl interjected, "That old ...... The old uncle told his father that if he didn't pay back the money, he would have someone from the county government to arrest his father and go to jail. He said that there were people from his family in the county office. ”

I see.

"Uncle, where to go or where to go, I'm afraid I can't help you now. That old man has already gone to the county government to complain, and it won't be long before he will send you to the court for questioning, if you don't go, you will really be detained. Moreover, the Daming Law stipulates that 'all military and civilian lawsuits must be filed from the bottom up', and those who cannot go beyond the level to file a lawsuit. Shen Lingshan explained.

"In this way, didn't there be people in the court who did whatever they wanted? What kind of law is this?" and in his anger, the Confucian scholars could not care about the "non-conformists."

Shen Lingshan smiled: "Not really. The Daming Law also has a provision of 'recusal from hearing', as long as the uncle mentions that someone in the county government has a relationship with the old man, he can ask someone to recuse himself. ”

Fang Haoling praised with her ear: "Miss Shen is also proficient in the law." ”

"But I don't know who has anything to do with him. Confucian said embarrassedly.

Before the words fell, I suddenly saw a man in the costume of a servant holding a "holding" sign, came to everyone, and asked, "Who is Shu Xin?"

"I am. ”

"On the order of Lord Wu of Jiangxia County, Shu Xin immediately went to the county government court to cross-examine the evidence. Shu Xin, Master Wu is already waiting in the hall, let's go. The official said.

Shu Xin remembered what Shen Lingshan had said just now, "If you can't be arraigned, you can detain people", shook her head helplessly, and left with the officer.

"Daddy. The girl shouted as she chased.

"Yun'er, you take care of your home, Daddy will go back when he goes. Shu Xin commanded.

Where the girl is willing to listen, she still chases after her.

Shen Lingshan grabbed the girl and said, "Girl, if your father is fine, it doesn't matter if you go or not; if your father has something to do, won't you go in too?" ”

The group followed the arraignment officer to the county office. was about to enter the door, but saw Yan He holding the door with both hands, and shouted: "The county master asked about the case, what are you doing following up?"

"This is a civil dispute, and it's not a major criminal case, so why can't you sit in on it?" Fang Haoling argued. In this dynasty, the county government allows ordinary people to observe ordinary cases.

"Yes, we're just listening, and we don't disturb the court, why can't we go in?"

The onlookers were crowded, their emotions were high, and the noise spread into the county government and alarmed the county commander Wu Wei. Wu Wei frowned and shouted:

"Yan He, let them in. ”

Yan He reluctantly removed his hands and turned sideways to let everyone into the courtroom.

"Shu Xin, Zhao Youde sued you for not paying off your debts, but is there such a thing?" Wu Wei began to ask about the case.

"My lord, the student doesn't know him, so why do you owe a debt?" Shu Xin replied with a question.

Wu Wei picked up a piece of paper from his desk and asked, "You don't know each other, how do you explain this IOU?"

"What IOU? ”

"Okay, let him tell you. Wu Wei turned his face to the old man and asked, "Zhao Youde, Shu Xin said that he didn't know you. The county asks you, where does your family live?"

"Back to my lord, the grass people's house is outside the grass port gate, leading to the green mountains. ”

"Tongqing Mountain is in the north of the city, and Lingshan Mountain is in the west of the city, and the distance between the two places is not close. How did you meet Shu Xin?"

"Back to my lord, Shu Xin's family originally lived in Tongqingshan, and our two families were neighbors earlier. Zhao Youde opened his mouth and said.

"Full of nonsense, what kind of green mountains have I ever lived?" Shu Xin said with a red face.

"Shu Xin, don't interject. Wu Wei patted the shocked wood and warned Shu Xin. Then he continued, "What's the matter with this IOU?"

"That year, Shu Xin came to my house, saying that his family was poor and his life was not enough, so he begged me to borrow him five times. At that time, my family was not wealthy, but I thought that he was pitiful, and he was a neighbor, so I squeezed out two copper coins and lent him an IOU, which was written by Shu Xin at that time. ”

"Nonsense, nonsense, no misfortune, lawlessness, you have to be aware of it. Shu Xin shouted anxiously.

"Shu Xin, don't roar at the court. Yan He shouted.

"Zhao Youde, the date of the IOU is the third year of Tianshun, and it has been more than 30 years so far, why did you come to claim the debt today?" Wu Wei questioned.

"Back to my lord, not long after Shu Xin borrowed money, his family moved to another place, and he was nowhere to be found. Over the years, the grass people searched all over Wuchang Mansion before they found him at the foot of Lingshan Mountain. Zhao Youde replied fluently.

"You ......"

"Shu Xin, don't interfere with Lord Wu's cross-examination. Yan He intercepted Shu Xin.

"But Shu Xin doesn't admit to borrowing money from you, how can you prove the authenticity of the IOU?"

Zhao Youde smiled "hehe" and said, "Is the IOU true or false, is it clear that the adults check the handwriting?"

Wu Wei was stunned, turned his head and shouted:

"Someone, pen and paper are waiting. ”

After a while, a servant brought pen and ink and rice paper, and Wu Wei instructed: "Shu Xin, you write a few words and take a look at the county." ”

"Write what?"

"Write ......" Wu Wei handed the IOU on the official case to the official at the end of the pen and paper, and said, "You read it to him according to this." ”

"Yes. The official read, "IOU." Today, I borrowed two copper coins from Zhao Youde, and the interest was calculated at 100 wen per month. According to this, Shu Xin. On the sixth day of July in the third year of Tianshun. ”

"This ...... The student didn't lend him money, how can he write?" Shu Xin put down the brush and said angrily.

"If you want to write, you will write. It's just a check of the handwriting, and it's not a real IOU, what are you afraid of?" Wu Wei said.

Shu Xin was helpless, so he picked up the brush again and brushed the ink.

"There is nothing, there is nothing. Shu Xin said as he wrote. After writing, he threw the pen and said, "Adults, please see, is the student's handwriting the same as it?"

Wu Wei took the two "IOUs" presented by the officials, looked left and right, and then raised the corners of his mouth, and turned the two "IOUs" and said, "See for yourself, what's the difference?"

The two IOUs presented in front of everyone in the hall were in the same handwriting, and it was difficult to distinguish the authenticity.

Shu Xin was suddenly shocked, and said again and again: "How is this possible?

The high similarity of the handwriting made Shen Lingshan suspicious. She said to Wu Wei: "My lord, the grass people have a saying, I don't know whether to say it or not?"

"The magistrate of the county asks about the case, and it is forbidden for idlers to make noise, otherwise they will be expelled from the court. Yan He shouted.

Shen Lingshan originally didn't want to talk to him, but when she saw him shouting at him several times, she couldn't help but sneer: "Yan's 'official errand', today is the door guard and the hall is drunk, are you the head of the fast shift or the head of the soap shift? Don't you think that you are all 'idlers' like the grass people at this time?"

In the state and county yamen, the three classes of soap, Zhuang, and fast perform their duties: the soap class is on duty, the fast class is arrested, and the strong class is poor. Yan He is a fast class official, and it is naturally not his duty to "guard the door" and "drink the hall".

Wu Wei worked in Jiangxia County, and he has always been cautious and walking on thin ice. This is because Wuchang City is a hidden dragon and a crouching tiger, not only the prefect's yamen, the provincial yamen, but also the capital yamen, the judicial yamen, and even the Chu Wangfu and the county king's mansion. At this time, listening to Shen Lingshan's sharp language, he felt familiar, and suspected that she was not an ordinary ordinary person, he raised his hand to stop Yan He, and said to Shen Lingshan:

"This son, you are ......"

Shen Lingshan was afraid that he would recall the incident of "boiling copper coins" two years ago, so he hurriedly said: "My lord, the grass people went to the county government court for the first time, and they didn't know the rules of asking questions. If you can't speak, it's better for the grass people not to speak. ”

"Tell me what you have to say. ”

"Master Xie. Adults, I often hear people say, 'Words are like people'. But even if it's the same person, the words written at different times are not exactly the same. Just like when Yan Zhenqing wrote "The Manuscript of the Sacrifice of His Nephew", 'the pen choked with sadness, and he had no intention of writing blood and tears', his words were completely lacking in his usual indifference and caution. If this IOU was indeed written by Shu Xin in the third year of Tianshun, when he was in the year of the weak crown, he would have been somewhat vain and immature, and he should not be able to write such vigorous and calm calligraphy. Please take a closer look. ”

Wu Wei listened to what "he" said seemed to make sense, but he didn't know how to "investigate in detail" for a while, so he had to throw this question to Zhao Youde: "Zhao Youde, what do you say?"

"My lord, this is a complete rhetoric. If this IOU was not written by him, how could it be so consistent with his handwriting?" Zhao Youde was sure of it, and immediately retorted.

"That's just as well. Wu Wei nodded and said to Shu Xin: "Shu Xin, if you can't come up with other evidence, the county will be sentenced." ”

"My lord, if you don't borrow it, you don't borrow it, what evidence do you have?" Shu Xin pleaded weakly.

Shen Lingshan said secretly: "Why is this Wu Zhixian so anxious, so many suspicions have not been ruled out and the verdict will be announced?"

Fang Haoling whispered to Shen Lingshan: "Miss Shen, judging from the handwriting alone, it really doesn't look like a fake. ”

"But this Shu Xin is pedantic, and it doesn't look like lying. Shen Lingshan said.

Fang Haoling didn't know that Shen Lingshan had doubts and another reason. Shu Xin's creditor's surname is Zhao, and his home is also outside the Caobu Gate, and Yan He's every move seems to be all towards him, she suspects that this is related to Zhao Si, who wanted to misbehave on the river slope that day, but there is no way to verify it for a while. Seeing that Wu Wei was working the public case, and then he was going to make a public ruling, in a hurry, Shen Lingshan quietly pulled "Yun'er" outside the county yamen, took out a handkerchief, and pointed to the prefect's yamen in the distance (Jiangxia County Yamen and Wuchang Yamen are on the same street, and not far apart, only a Caoyun granary is separated in the middle) and said to "Yun'er": "Quick, you send this handkerchief to the prefect's yamen, hand it to the prefect, if he wants to ask something, you just tell the truth." ”

She knew that her uncle had been looking for her for a long time, and when she saw the handkerchief he bought for herself, she would definitely come to the county office.

"Yun'er" knew that her innocence was at stake, so she took the handkerchief and ran to the prefect's yamen.

Shen Lingshan walked back to the court, only to hear Wu Weizheng read out the verdict: "After investigation, Shu Xin borrowed money from Zhao Youde twice in July of the third year of Tianshun, the facts are clear, the evidence is conclusive, and the county ruled that the IOU is valid." From July of the third year of Tianshun to the winter of the fourth year of Hongzhi, a total of 33 years and 4 months, according to the agreement between the two parties in that year, the monthly interest is 100 yuan, the interest payable is 40 yuan, plus the original loan principal of 2 yuan, Shu Xin should repay Zhao Youde's principal and interest 42 yuan, which can be paid within one month. Retire ......"

"My lord, if the student is not satisfied, I will go to the prefect's yamen to appeal. Shu Xin shouted angrily, turned around and ran out.

"Might-martial-" The official on duty shouted and blocked Shu Xin.

"The prefect has arrived—" The shouts of the guards came from outside the county office.

When Shen Lingshan heard this, she hurriedly whispered to Fang Haoling: "Aunt Fang, I'm in a hurry, I'll come when I go." With that, he turned around and hid behind the crowd.

Wu Wei was about to go out to greet him, but Han Ming had already come to the court. He ignored Wu Wei, his eyes scanned the crowd, and then asked "Yun'er", "Where is it?"

"I was standing with this son just now, why is it gone?" "Yun'er" pointed at Fang Haoling and replied blankly.

Han Ming was about to open his mouth to ask Fang Haoling, but he saw Shu Xin kneeling down in front of him and said, "The student has been wronged, I implore the adults to investigate." ”

Han Ming was stunned for a moment, and asked Wu Wei, who rushed over to give a salute, "Lord Wu, are you going to the hall to ask about the case?"

"Yes, sir. Wu Wei replied with his hand down.

"Ah, it's the mansion that is abrupt. Han Ming said to Shu Xin, who was kneeling in front of him, "Get up and talk." Oh, today is Lord Wu's ascension, and if there is any grievance, he will tell Lord Wu that he will judge impartially. Then he turned to Fang Haoling and said, "This son, can you take a step to speak?"

Fang Haoling and her family lived in the mountains for a long time, and had little contact with the government, especially after the accusation of "gathering in the mountains and forests", they stayed away from the government, and they were particularly disgusted with the "prefect". At this time, the prefect took the initiative to invite himself to "borrow a step to speak", and the boss was uncomfortable. When they first arrived, the two met in Pingshui again, and their identities were very different from each other, what did they say? After Lord Wu's case is finished, this uncle is about to go to the prefect's yamen to appeal. ”

A "soft nail" was touched in front of everyone's eyes, and Han Ming was a little embarrassed. But seeing that the son in front of him was not like a vicious person, he let go of most of Shen Lingshan's worries. As soon as he heard that the subject was going to go to the prefect's yamen to complain before leaving the county office, he felt very strange, and turned to Wu Wei and asked: "Appeal? Lord Wu, what's going on?"

"My lord, that's ......" Wu Wei invited Han Ming to the side of the court and explained the IOU dispute and the questioning process.

"Lord Wu, you are confused. Since Shu Xin argued that he didn't know Zhao Youde, why didn't you investigate in detail?" Han Ming said unhappily after hearing this

"My lord, I think that Shu Xin's words are not enough to be believed. Otherwise, where did the IOU in Zhao Youde's hand come from?"

"Can't it be faked?"

Wu Wei presented the two IOUs on the official case to Han Ming and said, "My lord, please see, this is the IOU kept by Zhao Youde, and this one is written by Shu Xin Shicai, and the two handwriting are exactly the same." If the two don't know each other, how can Zhao Youde forge Shu Xin's handwriting?"

Han Ming took the IOU, looked at it carefully, and finally paced while watching. Suddenly, Han Ming strode up to Wu Wei, "Lord Wu, this IOU is forged. ”

"My lord, how can you be sure that it is a forgery?" Wu Wei asked in surprise.

Han Ming didn't answer, he went straight to the back of the case and sat down, glanced down at the court, and then asked, "Who is the plaintiff?"

Zhao Youde prostrate on the ground and replied, "Go back to my lord, grass people Zhao Youde." ”

Han Ming nodded, "Hmm": "Stand up and talk back." Who are the defendants?"

"Student Shu Xin has met the prefect. Shu Xin said that he was going to kneel.

According to the routine, Xiucai saw the seven-rank magistrate, and there was no need to kneel and salute, but the prefect was from the fourth or fifth grade, so he still had to kneel.

Han Ming raised his hand and said, "Excuse me, just stand and reply." ”

Han Ming held two IOUs in his hands and said quietly: "The plaintiff and the defendant, the dispute between you two over the IOU was originally not a big deal, but if there is a suspicion of violating the laws of the Ming Dynasty, it is a different matter. Of course, if you take the initiative to explain the situation, even if you violate the law, the government can not be blamed. Therefore, in the subsequent cross-examination, I hope that you can tell the truth so as not to make mistakes. Do you understand?"

"Understood, sir. The two replied in unison.

"Good. Zhao Youde, you said that you and Shu Xin used to be neighbors, but Shu Xin firmly denied it. It's not hard to find out, just find out if you ask other neighbors......"

"My lord, that was more than 30 years ago, except for the grass people and him, the death of the neighbors who died and the relocation of the house can no longer be found. Zhao Youde hurriedly said.

"Really? It's not that hard. As long as there are still people in the world, no matter where he moves, the government will find him. But-" Han Ming smiled and said, "Some trivial matters, this government doesn't want to bother with this, and what you said is true." ”

"Master Xie. Zhao Youde bowed.

"My lord, this is all a fictitious thing, and I can't believe him. Shu Xin said urgently.

Han Ming was not in a hurry or annoyed, and said warmly: "Master, don't be impatient. After the government finishes questioning, you will be allowed to plead. ”

"Also," Han Ming continued to say to Zhao Youde, "These two IOUs have exactly the same handwriting. I don't have a good understanding of calligraphy, but I also know that characters are like people. Let's ask, how can a person's handwriting not change after more than 30 years?" Seeing that Zhao Youde wanted to plead, he shook his hand and said, "This government knows what you want to say." Indeed, this is just a matter of common sense, and if we insist that there is no change, we have no way to refute it. Therefore, this government has the right to believe that this IOU was indeed written by Shu Xin. ”

"Master Xie. Zhao Youde began to feel a little proud.

"Big ......"

"Shu Xin, have you forgotten what this mansion just said?" Han Ming was still smiling.

"Also," Han Ming shook the IOU again, and said, "Although the paper used for this IOU is a little yellowed, it is not difficult to find out whether it was made thirty years ago or recently. ”

When Zhao Youde heard this, a trace of uneasiness appeared on his face, and Wu Wei was also embarrassed.

Han Ming pretended to turn a blind eye and continued: "In short, there are many suspicious points in this IOU dispute, but it will take time to verify these. As long as you answer the last three questions truthfully, the first ones will not be pursued by the government. What do you think?"

"Master Xie, the grass people must reply truthfully. Zhao Youde subconsciously wiped the sweat on his forehead.

"Good. First question, are you sure that this IOU was written by Tianshun in the third year?"

When it was written, what is the relationship between the authenticity of the IOU? Zhao Youde muttered in his heart, and the people who were listening in the hall were also puzzled.

"Back to my lord, it was indeed written in the third year of Tianshun. Zhao Youde didn't know the meaning of Han Ming's question, but he couldn't deny the date on the IOU, so he simply nodded in agreement.

Han Ming asked, "Why are you so sure?" ”

Zhao Youde seemed to have been prepared, and blurted out: "Back to my lord, the grass people remember very well that from May to September of the third year of Tianshun, there was a general drought in Huguang and a grain harvest, so the price of rice rose sharply, and Shu Xin borrowed money from the grass people under this circumstance. ”

Han Ming nodded and agreed: "Yes, although this mansion has not experienced the great drought, it is indeed clearly recorded in the Wuchang Mansion Chronicles, 'In the third year of Tianshun, all counties in Wuchang suffered from a severe drought, with poor grain harvests and countless hungry people'. So, you're telling the truth?"

"The grass people are true, and they don't dare to deceive adults. Zhao Youde seemed to be encouraged by Han Ming's affirmation and replied without hesitation.

Han Ming was noncommittal and continued to ask, "Second question, are you sure that it was copper coins that were lent to Shu Xin at that time, not gold, silver, and treasure banknotes?"

As soon as these words came out, the audience whispered, only to hear someone whisper: "The previous few questions were so important, he didn't check them, but now he asks these trivial questions, it seems that this prefect is still a little tender." ”

Fang Haoling echoed Shen Lingshan and said: "Really, the first few questions will know whether they are true or false as soon as they are checked, but he gave up, and now I am afraid it is useless to ask these insignificant things." ”

Shen Lingshan believed that her uncle would not be untargeted, so she laughed in a low voice: "Ride a donkey and read the record book - we'll see." ”

Zhao Youde didn't think so, he felt that Han Ming's question was very mysterious, but he couldn't guess how borrowing copper money was different from borrowing gold, silver, and treasure money?

"Lord Hui, it's a copper coin, yes, the grass people handed him two pieces of money. Having said that, I don't know what the consequences will be, Zhao Youde's head is actually dripping with cold sweat.

"My lord, this matter is very old, Zhao Youde is a countryman, he is old, and he is afraid that he will not remember many things clearly, if he is asked to recall these trivial things, I am afraid that he will talk nonsense, which is not conducive to cross-examination. Seeing that Zhao Youde was a little overwhelmed, Yan He couldn't hold his breath and hurriedly relieved him.

Han Ming was still kind and pleasant just now, and when he heard this, his face was suddenly full of dark clouds, and he asked in a loud voice: "Who are you? Without the permission of this government, why do you speak lightly and disturb the court?"

Wu Wei hurriedly said on the side: "My lord, he is Yan He, the head of the express class in our county. ”

Han Ming's anger did not subside, and he reprimanded sharply: "Lord Wu, when your county asks about the case, the officials can interject at will?

Wu Wei's face turned red and his ears were red when he asked a question, so he waved his hand to Yan He angrily and shouted, "Don't get out of with me yet!"

Fang Haoling smiled quietly: "This prefect is very different from Mo Renxing, he is soft and kind to the people, but he is very strict with his subordinates. ”

Shen Lingshan pursed her lips and smiled, but did not make a sound.

Expelled Yan He from the court, Han Ming's face turned slightly pale, and he continued to say to Zhao Youde: "Zhao Youde, whether you answer these two questions truthfully in this mansion is clear in your heart. I'll ask you another question, this is the last chance, and you should take advantage of it so that you don't regret it. ”

Zhao Youde was fifteen buckets of water at this time - seven up and eight down. At that moment, he gritted his teeth and replied: "My lord, what the grass people said is true, and I implore you to see it." ”

Fang Haoling said to Shen Lingshan suspiciously: "What did this prefect ask? It can't be a fraud against him, right?"

Although Shen Lingshan also had doubts, she believed that her uncle would not be bluffing.

"Since Hong Wuye, this dynasty has banned copper coins several times. Zhao Youde, this government asks you, in what year was the last time the imperial court resumed the circulation of copper coins?"

As soon as this statement came out, it was earth-shattering!

It turned out that in order to implement the Ming treasure banknote, the imperial court not only stopped minting copper coins, but also banned copper coin trading in the 27th year of Hongwu and the 13th year of orthodoxy, and it was not until the fourth year of Tianshun that the circulation of copper coins was restored, and the minting of copper coins has not been restored so far.

Han Ming's previous question about the time of the IOU and whether it was a copper coin was borrowed was to knock on the corner of the nail and not let Zhao Youde have a reason to justify.

Zhao Youde was speechless and at a loss. I thought that there was no flaw in this bureau, but who knew that the court had banned copper coins. If you think about it carefully, Tianshun's three-year copper coins have not yet been lifted, and if the copper coins are lent out at that time, wouldn't it be a violation of the imperial court ban and a violation of the Ming criminal law?

Zhao Youde knelt in the public hall with a "poof", and said in a loud voice: "My lord, I recruit, I confess everything." ”