Letting the passer-by leave, Wen Zhao was a little stunned and said to himself: "The county order decided the case, since it can attract so many people to watch?" ”

Dian Wei immediately said angrily: "Isn't the lord coming this time to investigate this person's talent, why not take this opportunity to go and make things difficult for him." ”

"I want to see if this person has real talent and real learning, or is he vain."

Wen Zhao's heart moved, so he found a place to stay, took off the armor on his body, and wore civilian clothes. Dian Wei and the others also did the same, they all dressed up in civilian clothes and rushed to the county office.

At this time, when he entered the county seat, he didn't have to worry too much about Wen Zhao's safety. After all, there are still some soldiers in the county, and if you encounter something, you only need to shout, and someone will come to help.

Therefore, Dian Wei did not stop Wen Zhao from taking off his outer armor and only hanging his sword. It's just that his own two pairs of iron halberds were carried with him.

Wen Zhao and others came to the county government and found that there were already people, and surrounded the county government to the ground, only to see an old man and a young man kneeling in the hall.

Above the county office, a scribe sat in the first place, holding the document in his hand and reading it carefully, but did not speak. The onlookers in the hall also held their breath and did not dare to make the slightest sound.

After a long time, Zhang Jicai raised his head and drank to the two people kneeling on the ground: "The Zhang family lost 1,200 yuan, but it was found in your home, and the two of you conspired to steal the Zhang family's property, can there be such a thing?" ”

The law and order in Xinfeng County has always been very good, and there are very few thefts. Therefore, when people learned that these two men had committed the crime of theft, they all talked about it.

When the young man heard Zhang Ji's words, he was about to speak, but he didn't want the old man to take the lead and say: "These belongings are all stolen by me, and they have nothing to do with my children." ”

The young man's face turned red, and he called softly, "Ah Weng......"

"Shut up!"

The old prisoner, as if he knew what his son was going to say, immediately shouted so loudly that the young man did not dare to speak again.

Zhang Ji saw the scene in the hall, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he asked again: "You two both know where the property is hidden, how can it not be that you are stealing together?" ”

The old man kowtowed twice on the ground, and said sadly: "The money was really stolen by the old man himself, but it was discovered by Xiao'er later, and this matter has nothing to do with Xiao'er." ”

Zhang didn't answer when he heard this, but just stayed on the young man for a long time before asking, "But that's the case?" ”

The young man hesitated, but he just didn't answer, and the old man immediately became anxious and shouted: "Ming Ting's question, how dare you not tell the truth?" ”

The young man opened his mouth, but he couldn't open it anyway.

Zhang didn't persecute the young man anymore, but took out a volume of documents and said slowly: "Li Laohan has been diligent and conscientious all his life, and he will never do anything that violates the law and discipline. ”

"At the beginning of this year, Li Laohan's wife was seriously ill, and the Li father and son scattered all their family wealth, but they could not cure her. Later, the Zhang family's belongings were lost. ”

Speaking of this, Zhang didn't pay attention to the expressions of the two, and said to himself again: "Li Wen, the son of Li Laohan, and even the filial piety, saw that his mother was seriously ill and had no money to treat, so he borrowed money from others first. ”

Unexpectedly, the money was still not enough, so Li Wen had evil thoughts and stole the Zhang family's property and hid it at home.

Li Laohan was shocked when he heard this, and hurriedly said: "This matter is really done by the old man, and it has nothing to do with Xiao'er. ”

Zhang Ji stopped the old man's words and said, "Let me finish my words first." ”

Li Laohan looked at Zhang Ji's stern eyes, so he didn't dare to say anything more.

Zhang Ji continued: "Later, when the East Window incident happened, Li Laohan took all the crimes on himself for the sake of Li Wen's future. ”

"Because Li Laohan knows that it is not a crime to hide the prime minister, when the time comes, he only needs to say that he stole property and was discovered by Li Wen, but he was not sued, and Li Wen can be exonerated from the crime."

"If Li Laohan insists that the money was stolen by himself, there is no way for the official to convict Li Wen."

There is also a saying that kisses and hides.

Although the law stipulates that a person who learns of a crime committed by another person and does not report it is punished as a crime. However, the law is nothing more than human feelings, and there are some exceptions for the sake of human nature.

People who care for and love each other, especially their parents and blood relatives, even if they have mistakes, they can't bear to be harshly punished, and they are moved to cover up and protect each other, so it is normal.

Even if the laws of the Qin State were harsh, if the son sued the father, the government would not accept the matter.

In the Han Dynasty, the principle of "concealing relatives from each other" further formed a principle of criminal law: that is, relatives should hide their guilt from each other, and those who do not report and testify are not guilty.

On the other hand, if your own family member commits a crime of theft, you go to the government office and file a complaint, not only his family will be punished, but he will also be sentenced.

In fact, this kind of thinking has existed since ancient times, and it is said in the Analects of the Son: The father is hidden for the son, and the son is hidden for the father.

Of course, not all crimes are suitable for 'kissing and concealment'.

For example, conspiracy, rebellion, treason, and some other serious crimes; or the crime of violating each other between certain relatives, it is not included.

Even with the new law now in use, this principle remains unchanged.

Zhang Ji stood up, slowly walked to Li Wen's side, and personally tidied up his messy hair.

Then he said softly, "I know that you did this. As long as you deny it, I can't sentence you. ”

"However, your father is willing to bear the infamy of a thief for you, since you are even a filial person, and you are willing to sin to save your mother, how can you bear to see your old father married for sin?"

Speaking of this, Zhang Ji sighed faintly and said, "I only ask once, who stole the Zhang family's money?" Your answer is the final verdict in this case! ”

After finishing speaking, Zhang Ji stood directly to the side and stared at Li Wen closely.

Li Laohan was afraid that his son would admit it, so he shouted loudly: "I did it, I did it, you can't admit it." ”

However, Li Wen suddenly kowtowed to Li Laohan a few times, and said with tears in his eyes: "Ah Weng Meiyi, how can the child not know? ”

"But if I let Ah Weng take the blame for me, I will really be inferior to a beast."

After speaking, he raised his chest and said to Zhang Ji: "The Zhang family's property is exactly what I stole and has nothing to do with my father, and I hope that Ming Ting can return my father's innocence." ”

"As for my crimes, but the verdict will be pronounced by the Ming Court!"

When Li Laohan heard Li Wen's words, his face immediately turned pale, but he didn't know what to say.

Zhang Ji smiled at this time and said, "For your crimes, I will naturally pronounce the sentence impartially." According to the law, in addition to returning the stolen goods, the thief should also be fined the same value as the stolen goods. ”

"If you can't pay the fine, you have to be sent to conscription to pay for the crime."