Volume 1 The Wind Rises Chapter 9: Saying One Word and Meaning Another (Part 2)
There was no case to be heard today, so Luo Youdu took the time to read the laws of the Later Zhou Dynasty.
It is said to be the law of the Later Zhou Dynasty, but in fact it is the "Da Zhong Criminal Law General Classification" promulgated during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty.
Although the Tang Dynasty had been destroyed for many years, because there was no truly powerful country emerging, many rules and regulations were copied and implemented, with only a few changes.
Fortunately, I inherited Luo Youdu's own memory knowledge, so I can still read and understand even profound and niche books such as criminal law.
He once studied history for three years for a business, so he naturally had the perseverance to memorize the "Da Zhong Criminal Law General Class". He had made up his mind to complete the "Da Zhong Criminal Law General Class" in half a month.
He studied in Kaifeng Prefecture during the day and copied what he learned when he got home at night, practicing his calligraphy at the same time.
"Brother Luo!"
When Luo Youdu was working hard on "Da Zhong Criminal Law General Classification", Yin Yide, who was working in the same legal field with him, suddenly came over.
“Brother Yin!”
Luo Youdu greeted him with a smile .
Yin Yide said warmly: "From now on, you and I are colleagues, so we should get along well with each other."
Luo Youdu said hurriedly, "Of course. I just got some Nanyue Cloud Tea recently. Brother Yin, you can come to my humble abode to taste it. If you like it, you can take some back."
Zhao Kuangyin gave him a cart full of valuable gifts, including brocade, silk, inkstone, ink, and tea, of many kinds and very expensive.
"Nanyue Cloud Tea? That is a famous tea that even the Tea Saint Lu Yu praised... Brother Luo actually has such a good thing. I have no choice but to pay you a visit. Where does Brother Luo live?"
"It's Yong'an Street, Xuanrenfang, South City. You can find out by asking." Luo Youdu stated where he lived.
Yin Yide was slightly surprised. The population loss in the Central Plains was serious. Kaifeng City was too large, and people gathered around the imperial palace, which inevitably caused the surrounding area to become barren.
The imperial palace is located in the north of Kaifeng City. Naturally, the closer to the north of the city, the more prosperous it is.
Seeing that Luo Youdu offered Nanyue Yunwu Tea as a gift, I thought he was from a wealthy family, but I didn't expect that he actually lived in such a desolate place.
After a moment of hesitation, Yin Yide immediately smiled and said, "Brother Luo, you may not know yet! Your Majesty is benevolent. Officials above the fifth rank in Beijing who do not have a residence or are too far from the imperial city can be given a residence. Officials above the eighth rank can also apply to the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Revenue will also arrange for them according to the situation."
Luo Youdu's eyes lit up and he asked happily, "Is there such a good thing?"
He didn't care whether it was remote or not, but what he cared about was that it was too far away from Feng Mansion, and it would take too much time to go back and forth every day.
His family was not rich and they only had an old donkey for transportation.
Accustomed to the convenience of transportation in later times, he was not used to the slow pace.
Yin Yide said: "Of course, this should be done as soon as possible. You never know when the benefits will be cancelled."
Luo Youdu hurriedly said: "That makes sense. Anyway, I have nothing to do today, so I will go to the Ministry of Revenue to handle this matter. Thank you Brother Yin for your guidance..."
Kaifeng had suffered from unrest for a long time, so it was treated like this.
As long as popularity recovers and population returns, Kaifeng Prefecture's geographical advantages will make it impossible to implement this policy in a short time.
The land in the north of the city near the imperial city is so small, there are not enough houses to be distributed.
The Great Zhou had been recuperating for three years under the governance of Guo Wei.
This policy system will probably not last long.
Only a fool would refuse such a well-deserved benefit.
Looking at Luo Youdu's receding figure, Yin Yide smiled strangely and then went to the government office on the right wing of Kaifeng Prefecture.
For the convenience of management, court institutions of all dynasties were gathered in one place.
Luo Youdu arrived at the Ministry of Revenue soon after and stated his intention.
The office efficiency in ancient times was similar to that of later generations. It was extremely cumbersome. One had to run around several departments of the Ministry of Revenue, and finally be informed that one had to go to the Ministry of Personnel to get a certification report.
For the sake of the house, Luo Youdu accepted the offer and transferred to the Ministry of Personnel.
The person in charge of issuing reports and certifications in the Ministry of Personnel was the Sixun Langzhong.
When we arrived at the office, two people were chatting in the room and the atmosphere was pleasant.
Luo Youdu did not interrupt immediately, waiting for the opportunity to speak.
Before he could find an opportunity, one of the tall and thin officials suddenly looked at Luo Youdu and asked, "But Luo is in charge?"
After receiving the answer, the tall and thin official immediately smiled and said, "Brother Wang, let me introduce you to this person. This is Luo Youdu, whom I just told you about. He solved the Misty Rain Pavilion incident on his own. He is a rising star in Kaifeng Prefecture..."
The official surnamed Wang smiled and praised: "He is indeed very heroic. It's a pity that he followed Lu Bin. Brother Zhang can't envy him."
Luo Youdu instantly realized the identity of the tall and thin official, Zhang Yue, the governor of Kaifeng Prefecture.
The Kaifeng Prefecture was headed by the prefect, followed by the waiting official, then the judge, and then the prosecutor, the prefectural court, and the six departments, all of the same rank.
Most of the prefects were concurrently held by the crown prince, and the position was currently vacant. The Kaifeng prefecture was headed by Cui Yan, the deputy governor, and the second-highest judge was killed by Guo Rong half a month ago, and the position was also vacant.
The Kaifeng Prefecture's magistrate was newly promoted and had no special achievements, so it was impossible for him to be promoted again in a short period of time.
Zhang Yue from the government and Lu Bin from the Six Departments are the best choices.
It has long been no secret in Kaifeng Prefecture that these two people are born to be incompatible.
Nowadays, they are fighting fiercely for the position of judge.
Luo Youdu, who was a minor official at the time, also heard it many times.
Zhang Yue waved his hands, looking unwilling to talk, and asked Luo Youdu: "Mr. Luo is not on official business in Kaifeng Prefecture. Is there anything important for you to do in the Ministry of Personnel?"
Luo Youdu explained his intention.
Official Wang frowned and said, "If it had been a year earlier, this matter would have been handled casually. Now there is a large flow of people around the imperial city, and there are too many officials applying for residences, and the supply cannot meet the demand. The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel are even discussing whether to submit a petition to Your Majesty to cancel this order."
Before Luo Youdu could speak.
Zhang Yue said, "Brother Wang, your words are too polite. We are just discussing and have not yet reached a conclusion. Brother Jiang and I are close friends. I have done you a favor by standing up for you. Please be flexible for my sake."
Official Wang hesitated for a moment, then sighed, "Okay, for Brother Zhang's sake, I will sign this document."
Luo Youdu looked at the two people performing and couldn't help but express his gratitude.
Zhang Yue said enthusiastically: "The procedures at the Ministry of Revenue are complicated, especially for unfamiliar faces. I have some connections in the Ministry of Revenue, so I will accompany the staff on a trip."
After Luo Youdu knew Zhang Yue's identity, he knew he came for him. He couldn't refuse, so he bowed and said, "In that case, thank you very much, Mr. Zhang."
As for why they knew that I would come to the Ministry of Personnel, it must have been the information revealed by Yin Yide.
However, Lu Bin's subordinates reported their whereabouts to their old rival Zhang Yue. Luo Youdu smiled knowingly, as expected, where there are people, there are bound to be open and secret struggles.
Walking on the road to the Ministry of Revenue, Zhang Yue and Luo Youdu chatted .
When they were almost at the Ministry of Revenue, Zhang Yue asked casually, "Does Luo Gongshi know the importance of criminal law to the country?"
Luo Youdu's expression changed, and he bowed and said, "Please give me some advice, Mr. Zhang!"
Zhang Yue walked towards the pavilion on the corner and said, "To strengthen a country, we must first strengthen the law. Especially in troubled times, strict laws are the first priority for a strong country. Haven't you heard that many heroes emerged during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period? Li Kui's reforms, Wu Qi's reforms, Zou Ji's reforms, and Shen Buhai's reforms all started with the rule of law, which made the country a new look. However, the only one who really achieved the ultimate was Shang Yang. Of course, Qin's laws were harsh and should not be imitated. But strict punishments can deter the ugly people."
Luo Youdu clasped his hands together and praised: "What Zhang Fuyuan said is wonderful! Law means the constitution and decrees are written in the government, and punishments must be in the hearts of the people. Rewards are given for careful law enforcement, and punishments are imposed on those who violate the law. Strict laws are not for punishment, but for restraint!"
I seem to have seen this plot before...
