Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 464 Unfair Distribution of Sacrificial Meals
Zhang Dai couldn't help but admire his grandfather, who was truly a versatile and multi-talented person. He himself had only put forward an idea and did not yet have the ability to put it into practice, but Zhang Dai was able to select and gather suitable people to realize his idea.

Although Zhang Dai couldn't predict the final outcome, since his grandfather had intervened, the result was unlikely to be too bad. Therefore, Zhang Dai needed to actively expand his personnel resources and gradually infiltrate the North Gate following the path paved by his grandfather.

After returning to his courtyard, Zhang Dai ate a simple breakfast, then washed up and went to bed. Before going to sleep, he told Aying about his task of overseeing the execution of prisoners.

"Ah? Ah Lang is going to do such a terrible thing? Can't you refuse?"

People usually have a sense of aversion and fear towards death, and Ah Ying was no exception. Upon hearing this, her face turned pale, and she quickly said...

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai smiled and said, "How can I accept imperial favors without merit? I dare not refuse the imperial command. Besides, the cases I oversee should be those that deserve punishment. Killing one to save many is a good and righteous act, how can it be a tragic one?"

These words failed to appease Aying. After helping Zhang Dai to sleep, the woman muttered to herself and went out of the room to ask the knowledgeable elders in the family for information.

The next day, Zhang Dai got up very early, had breakfast, and went straight to the Imperial Censorate in the capital. Today, he would officially begin his work as a judge in the yamen.

From the fifth horizontal street of the Imperial Censorate in the Imperial City, heading west to Hanguang Gate Street, there is the Censorate's Judicial Office on the west side of the street. The Judicial Office was originally a place established by cruel officials such as Lai Junchen during the reign of Emperor Wuzong and Emperor Zhouzong to arrest, interrogate and persecute ministers. It originally only existed in Luoyang, the eastern capital.

However, like facilities such as the bronze box, although Wu Zhou returned to Tang after the Shenlong Revolution, the Censorate's Judicial Office was still retained for the censors to handle lawsuits and cases.

Later period dramas often depict county and prefectural officials sitting in their offices judging cases, with two groups of yamen runners standing on either side, shouting "Majestic!" However, there was no similar personnel arrangement in the Censorate's Judicial Office.

The magistrate's office has different halls for hearing different cases. These halls are not large in scale; they are just normal buildings arranged to resemble government offices.

A row of wooden fences several feet high stood in front of the judge's desk to separate the inside from the outside. The registrar, clerks, and other officials sat on both sides, while those involved in the case were judged below. As for the ceremonial procession that only local officials enjoyed, it did not exist in the Censorate.

After learning about this at the judicial office, Zhang Dai was quite disappointed, but since he was already there, he decided to focus on handling the case.

He sat down in the hall, opened the case file, and the first case to be tried was a bizarre one: a certain Taichang Doctor accused the Taiguan Ling (official in charge of the imperial kitchen). In April, there was a ceremony at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. After the ceremony, the Taiguan Ling cut and distributed the sacrificial meat left over from the sacrifice. Because he looked down on the Taichang Doctor, the Taiguan Ling was given less meat than usual.

The sacrificial meat was a large piece of white meat, partially cooked, used in sacrificial rites. After the ceremony, it was distributed evenly among the officials who participated as a reward. Although the sacrificial meat didn't taste very good, it was of great significance, especially to those who adhered to strict rites and traditions, who considered it a very serious matter.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, the State of Lu held a sacrificial ceremony. After the ceremony, the sacrificial meat was distributed to the ministers, but Confucius, who was serving as the Grand Minister of Justice, was deliberately omitted. Confucius was so angry that he left the State of Lu and began to travel around the states.

The Taichang Doctor was in charge of distinguishing rites and upholding the law, and was required to attend every ceremony. However, because the position was only of the seventh rank and was often held by rigid and pedantic Confucian scholars, it was often looked down upon.

The case Zhang Dai took over involved a court official who had been receiving slights and indifference since April. He had been complaining to the relevant authorities, but had received no attention or response. Now that Zhang Dai had impeached Xue Tao, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the court official immediately reported the situation to Zhang Dai.

The facts of this case are very clear, but the reason why it has not been resolved is also very simple: the relevant authorities simply ignore it.

According to the documents and testimonies provided by the Taichang Doctor, the predecessors had protested to the Taiguan Office several times and reported the matter to their superior, the Guanglu Temple, but had never received a response. The Zhongshu and Menxia Provinces, as well as the Censorate, had all responded, but basically no one paid any attention to the matter.

"Has the Imperial Kitchen Order been brought to court?"

After questioning the Imperial Academy Doctor, Zhang Dai asked another question.

"Reporting to Attendant Zhang, I sent a letter to the Imperial Kitchen yesterday, but the Imperial Kitchen Director, Li Ce, has not yet responded."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ling immediately stood up and reported.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai frowned slightly. Since the other party involved had not yet come to court, the case could not proceed with the interrogation. After a moment's thought, he said, "Send a letter to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and then to the Imperial Kitchen. If he still has not come to court by noon, impeach and dismiss him from his post tomorrow!"

"Zhang Shiyu is truly upright, fair, and wise in upholding the law!"

Upon hearing this, the Imperial Academy Doctor bowed to Zhang Dai with delight and then, led by an official, waited in the side hall.

The next case involved a subordinate of the Left Guard accusing his superior of abusing his power and subjecting him to private torture, resulting in injury. Again, his accusations had failed, leaving him no choice but to appeal to Zhang Dai. This time, both parties were present. After questioning them and confirming the facts, Zhang Dai recorded the case, made his judgment, and recommended that the superior be punished and compensate his subordinate.

Although the Censorate had the power of adjudication, the specific sentencing and execution of punishments still had to be transferred to the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice. For example, Zhang Dai could only be sentenced, but the specific amount of the fine and the amount of compensation to be given were still determined by the Ministry of Justice and executed by the Court of Judicial Review, while the Censorate was responsible for supervision.

If the sentencing and execution of these two sentences are inappropriate, causing dissatisfaction among the parties involved and leading to further appeals, then the case, along with the relevant judicial personnel, will be brought back to the Censorate for further rigorous interrogation.

In just one morning, Zhang Dai adjudicated seven or eight cases.

These cases are relatively clear-cut, unlike the many convoluted cases involving Judge Dee that required his personal investigation to solve. Usually, cases stall because of inaction by relevant departments or obstruction by powerful figures or other practical issues, requiring stronger impetus to resolve them.

This was precisely Zhang Dai's forte. He would handle each case swiftly and decisively, punishing those who deserved it and sentencing those who deserved it. If one party refused to comply with the law, he would submit a petition to impeach them, demonstrating his ability to cut through complex situations quickly.

Around noon, Zhang Dai finished questioning the cases, stood up from the hall, and prepared to return to the Censorate for lunch before continuing to adjudicate cases in the afternoon.

He had just stepped out of the court when several people hurried in from the outside. The one in the lead, a middle-aged man with a dignified bearing and a handsome, square face, was dressed in a purple robe. When he saw Zhang Dai come out, he raised his hand and waved to him, saying, "Zhang Liulang, do you recognize me?"

“Su Guanglu is a man of distinguished family and renowned throughout the court. I have seen his demeanor several times, but I have never dared to disturb him. Today I am busy with official business and have no time to greet him from afar. I hope Su Guanglu will forgive me.”

The visitor was Su Yanbo, the Minister of the Imperial Household Department. He was also the second husband of Princess Changning, the daughter of Emperor Zhongzong. Princess Changning remarried to him shortly after the death of the former Imperial Son-in-Law Yang Shenjiao, leaving herself no time to be single.

Although Zhang Dai had little contact with this family, he had seen the new imperial son-in-law in public before, so he bowed in greeting.

"I have come here because of your case. I heard that the case Zhang Liulang is presiding over today involves the Court of Imperial Sacrifices? This gentleman is Li Ling of the Imperial Household Department. He was very uneasy when he saw the summons from the Censor and asked me for advice. That is why I am late. Please forgive me."

Su Yanbo then pointed to a man in his thirties, in the prime of his life, standing behind him and introduced him.

Li Ce, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, was also a member of the Li Tang imperial family, the great-grandson of Li Xiaogong, the Prince of Hejian. He stepped forward under Su Yanbo's introduction, cupped his hands and smiled at Zhang Dai, saying, "The affairs of the Grand Master of Ceremonies are complicated and chaotic, unlike the important duties of the Censor. This morning, the affairs of the office were in such a turmoil that I suddenly realized that I was already late. I have also heard of Zhang Dai's upright and honest deeds, and I am secretly afraid. I can only ask Grand Master Su to escort me here."

"Most of the rumors are false. Although I am upright and just, I am not heartless. Since Li Ling is preoccupied with other matters and has no time to spare, he can simply come in and explain. Why bother Su Guanglu with such a long journey?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai smiled and said...

Seeing his amiable demeanor, Su and Li spoke up, saying, "Since the personnel are all here, please invite Zhang Liulang to come forward and make a judgment at your leisure."

“Su Guanglu is not from Taichung, so he is probably unfamiliar with Taichung’s regulations and rules. It is already midday, and I must conclude my duties as is customary and return to my office for lunch. If you two are free, you may stay here for a while; if not, you may leave.”

Zhang Dai bowed slightly to Su Yanbo, then ignored the two and walked straight out of the magistrate's office, leaving them standing in the courtyard.

"Minister Su, Zhang Dai is truly, truly as arrogant and haughty as the rumors say! How dare he..."

As Li Ce watched Zhang Dai's departing figure, his expression immediately changed, and he said resentfully.

Upon hearing this, Su Yanbo glared at him and said with displeasure, "Since he summoned you for something, why didn't you come on time and bother me? I have no time to wait here. You stay here to settle things! If the matter is not resolved, you are not allowed to return to your post. If you cause me to suffer the same fate as Xue Tao, I will not forgive you!"

Although he came from a prestigious family and was the grandson of the prime minister Su Liangsi, his career development was not smooth. For many years, he was always in a lowly position, moving between various departments. It was only after marrying Princess Changning that his career finally improved, and he was promoted to the third rank of a noble family. He was exactly the kind of nepotistic official that Zhang Dai mentioned, Xue Tao.

Having witnessed Xue Tao being expelled from the court with a single memorial, Su Yanbo was naturally uneasy, which is why he accompanied Li Ce to find out what was going on.

Left hanging in the court by Zhang Dai, Li Ce didn't dare to make a fuss. After giving his subordinate Li Ce a stern lecture, he turned and left, leaving Li Ce standing in the court with a conflicted look on his face, waiting anxiously for Zhang Dai to return.

(End of this chapter)