Chapter 212: There are countless false and wrongful cases, and the Minister of Justice takes the blame
Zhu Gang knew that the occurrence of unjust, false and wrongful cases was closely related to the personal character of ancient judicial officials.

In the ancient judicial system, emphasis was placed on the moral character of officials, which led to the emergence of some omnipotent and wise judges.

These judges not only have rich trial experience, but also possess fairness and integrity.

However, not all judges possess such excellent qualities.

Once a judge neglects his duties or is incompetent, false and wrongful convictions will occur frequently.

Even those omnipotent and wise judges cannot completely avoid human weaknesses.

Sometimes they may be stubborn and opinionated due to personal prejudice, which may lead to wrongful convictions.

In addition, the improper use of discretion by ancient judges is also one of the reasons for false and wrongful convictions.

Judges often convict and sentence people based on their own subjective ideas of good and evil and Confucian ethics.

Their personal convictions and likes and dislikes had a decisive influence on the outcome of the case.

In addition, the institutionalization of torture is also a major feature of the Ming Dynasty's judicial system.

Although ancient trials used confessions as the basis for verdicts, few criminals would voluntarily confess their guilt, so torture became a necessary means to obtain confessions.

Especially the factory and guard organizations that emerged under the extreme development of autocracy and centralization.

They arbitrarily arrested prisoners and tortured them severely, and gradually became the emperor's eagle claws to further control officials.

Most importantly, the system that combines the judiciary and the administration has greatly restricted the power of adjudication.

It was not uncommon for government officials to interfere with trials in yamen, and the yamen became a tool of local protectionism.

Or perhaps the judge, in order to please the officials, simply lets the other party's opinions go, regardless of whether they are correct or not.

Even when they knew that the opinions were full of errors and omissions, they still made wrong judgments based on the instructions.

Moreover, in the history of the Ming Dynasty, the number one person who created false cases was Zhu Yuanzhang.

Take the "Hu Weiyong case" that just happened not long ago. In order to avoid people from thinking of the saying "When the cunning rabbit dies, the running dog is cooked", Zhu Yuanzhang directly charged Hu Weiyong with treason.

However, in reality, the so-called Northern Yuan spy Feng Ji was actually a bait released by Zhuge Liang to conduct law enforcement before the Jinyiwei was officially established.

If Lan Yu had not been involved, it would not have been long before the memorials about Hu Weiyong's collusion with the Northern Yuan Dynasty appeared in the court.

Thinking of this, Zhu Gang turned to look at Zhu Biao, "Brother, do you know why I want to revise the Nine Laws of the Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Biao took a sip of tea and then said: "The law can provide a behavioral model for the common people, guiding them on how they can, must or must not behave, thus affecting the behavior of the actor himself.

Based on the provisions of legal norms, people can estimate in advance how the parties will behave and the legal consequences of their behavior.

So as to make reasonable arrangements for their own behavior. "

Zhu Gang looked at Zhu Biao with admiration, "I never thought that big brother could see all this. This shows that we two brothers are really in tune with each other!"

Zhu Biao, with a hint of tiredness on his face, covered his mouth with his hand and yawned.

"Third brother, the Liu Chen you asked for from Duke Cao's mansion is a talented person. What I just said was what he said.

Since you are planning to go to Quanzhou yourself anyway, why not leave Liu Chen here? My brother wants him to be in charge of compiling the "Nine Laws of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Gang nodded and said, "Then Big Brother, send Shang Hao to me. I have some things that I need him to do after I go to Quanzhou."

Zhu Biao said with some embarrassment: "Third brother, I'm afraid this matter is not easy to handle.

After all, the case Shang Hao was involved in was related to Xiong, who was about to be sent to the palace. "

Li Shanchang, who was the prime minister at the time, personally impeached Yang Xisheng and Councillor Li Yinbing for abusing their power and committing illegal acts.

Upon hearing the news, Zhu Yuanzhang carved words on the faces of the two men to humiliate them, cut Li Yinbing's chest to death, and cut off Yang Xisheng's nose. As time passed, it was discovered that the person punished was not the real Yang Xisheng, but his brother Yang Xiwu.

The matter was exposed when Zhan Hui impeached Shang Hao during the court session two days ago.

Since the real Yang Xiwu was dead, the Jinyiwei opened the coffin for an autopsy and found that it was just a cenotaph.

In a rage, Zhu Yuanzhang demoted Shang Hao and directly ordered the death of Yang Xisheng, who was living under the name of "Yang Xiwu".

If it weren't for the current shortage of officials, Shang Hao would probably not have been simply demoted.

Zhu Gang didn't expect that so many things would happen just because he hadn't attended court for a few days.

"Now that it has happened, I'm afraid that Xiong can no longer enter the palace, right?"

Zhu Biao shook his head and said, “My mother had a big fight with my father over this matter, and it must have been very serious.

You should hurry up and prepare to go to Quanzhou, because you have to come back in the first month of the lunar year to marry Miaoyun."

The two chatted for a while, and Zhu Biao suddenly continued with a serious expression: "But this girl from the Xiong family does have some tricks to make this old man protect her so much."

Zhu Gang secretly felt lucky that he did not let anyone get too involved in this matter, otherwise he might have been implicated now.

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Gang and said earnestly, "Third brother, this trip to Quanzhou carries a heavy responsibility.

Not only do you have to patrol the coastal defenses, but you also have to pay attention to local sentiments.

When you encounter any problem, don’t act impulsively.”

Zhu Gang bowed and said, "Don't worry, big brother. I will definitely fulfill my mission."

Although Zhu Gang knew that this business trip was not an easy task, he also understood that this was precisely an opportunity for him to demonstrate his abilities.

As the most powerful vassal king of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Gang knew that he needed to prove his worth and ability through this mission.

So that you can get more trust and support when you work overseas in the future.

At the same time, Zhu Gang was also clearly aware that in this complex and ever-changing situation, any carelessness could trigger a series of chain reactions.

Therefore, he must remain vigilant and act cautiously at all times.

After all, Zhu Gang had a very important mission to accomplish when he went to Quanzhou.

He had to send Yao Guangxiao, who was collecting poor and decadent scholars and dissolute young men, to Southeast Asia via the excellent port of Quanzhou as soon as possible.

Although Quanzhou, once the "largest port in the East", has declined, Zhu Gang believes that the Maritime Silk Road left over from the Song Dynasty still plays an important role in the Ming Dynasty's exploration of commerce and trade.

As the departure date drew closer, Zhu Gang, like Yao Guangxiao, began to work hard for an heir.

Xie Yuer, with slightly red cheeks, looked at Zhu Gang with a worried look on her face.

"My husband, are there any potential dangers in your expedition against the Northern Yuan Dynasty this time?"

Zhu Gang changed into a relatively comfortable posture, then he waved outside the curtain.

Less than half an incense stick of time later, someone brought over the ginseng tea that had been prepared long ago.

After taking two sips, Zhu Gang said slowly, "The Jin Palace is much more ruthless than the imperial court in suppressing the grassland.

They came at any time to fight and left at any time. The 20 black cavalry made the people on the grassland scalp numb.

For others, conquering the Northern Yuan Dynasty is a war, but for me, your husband, it is just an opportunity to train troops in a way that is infinitely close to actual combat."

(End of this chapter)