Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 215 Self-Examination

"My lord, regarding the accusation made by the Prince of Pingyuan against Zhang Sima... what should be done?"

Zhao Lin sought Liu Bei's advice: "If this matter is handled according to the law, it would be unjust. If it is handled according to reason and emotion, it would be against the law..."

Liu Bei also found it troublesome—this case was actually no small matter; it was the people of Pingyuan deliberately trying to sow discord between him and Liu Bei.

For Liu Bei at this moment, this matter is actually more important than fighting a war.

Because no matter how this case is judged, it will attract controversy.

If Zhang He and his clansmen are found guilty, no matter how serious the crime, it will unsettle their own troops and create numerous obstacles when recruiting talent in the future.

If Zhang He were solely convicted of treason by his clansmen, he would undoubtedly face death.

If Zhang He is to be exonerated, he must be separated from his clan—but that would be an even bigger trap.

Liu Bei could decide for his own family to split into branches, which was simply a matter of expanding his influence. However, if he demanded that other families split into branches, regardless of the reason, that would be nothing short of tyrannical behavior.

In this land, clan is everything. If someone takes Liu Bei's words out of context even slightly, he will become the target of resolute resistance from all clans—regardless of the size of the clan, whether rich or poor, regardless of class. All clans will care about this matter extremely, and the poorer they are, the more they care.

Tao Qiuhong's methods and Cao Cao's experience in Jinan make it clear that the Qingzhou gentry were exactly adept at spreading fame and smearing others.

At the same time, this was the first case Liu Bei handled after arriving in Qingzhou.

As the governor, I must handle this first case impartially, otherwise I can forget about governing Qingzhou properly.

In any era, as a newly appointed leader, one cannot afford to make a mistake in this first step. If the obstacles and thorns are not burned away, the situation will be devastated and progress will be impossible.

Moreover, this matter was actually Liu Bei's own responsibility.

This matter may seem like a minor inconvenience, but it is actually a huge flaw in Liu Bei's team—a lack of institutional mechanisms.

In the early stages, we could manage our brothers with loyalty and camaraderie, and it was like a mafia-style gang, so it didn't matter if things were a bit casual.

Now, the size of our team is different, and we need to be organized and methodical in our work, which is called "discipline".

Although most of Liu Bei's subordinates were trustworthy, even the best of men can be dragged down by others. Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, and others were moral exemplars, yet they still broke the law.

At this time, Zhang Baiqi escorted Jia Xu to the plains.

"It's difficult to handle if we combine them... so let's handle them separately."

Upon learning of this matter, Jia Xu quickly came up with an idea: "Didn't Liu Ping accuse three crimes? These three crimes should not be tried together; they should be judged separately."

“If it were a single trial, the Zhang family members would be convicted of treason along with Wang Fen, and Junyi would be implicated.”

Liu Bei certainly considered this approach.

“If the cases are to be tried separately, then naturally we should start with the smaller cases. How can we start with a major case of treason? The treason case is to be sent to Luoyang…”

Jia Xu shook his head and smiled: "Treason, murder, embezzlement... embezzlement of public property is the clearest and most obvious fact, so of course we should start with the clearest one. Moreover... the faults of subordinates are all the fault of their masters. The superiors give orders, and the subordinates carry them out. We must first try the principal offender, and then judge the accomplices..."

Liu Bei's eyes lit up, and he appointed Jia Xu as Chief Administrator, putting Jia Xu in charge of this matter.

The positions of Biejia and Zhizhong are collectively known as "Gangji". Biejia is in charge of the overall strategy, while Zhizhong is in charge of the details. They are the two highest-ranking officials under the governor.

Jian Yong's current core task is to resettle 100,000 people.

Jia Xu then stayed in Pingyuan to assist Liu Bei in managing state affairs.

Zhang He had been dispatched by Liu Bei to open up the Longcou ferry crossing and needed to quickly rendezvous with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei on the south bank of the Yellow River. Therefore, the person involved was currently too busy to participate in the case against him…

……

Liu Bei is about to hold a public trial.

In Pingyuan County, a new open-style public hall was set up. The walls of the county government office were demolished by Liu Bei's men, and the county magistrate's office on the west side of the government office was converted into the governor's office.

Zhao Lin led a group of people to beat drums and gongs in Pingyuan County, summoning scholars from all over Pingyuan to watch the public trial. He also invited the King of Pingyuan to observe the proceedings.

The Prince of Pingyuan was named Liu Shuo, the younger brother of Emperor Huan, Liu Zhi. He was actually a dutiful prince who always kept a low profile—he had no choice but to, given the example of Liu Kui, the Prince of Bohai…

Liu Ping, who reported Zhang He, was a member of the Prince of Pingyuan's household, but not a relative of the Prince of Pingyuan; rather, he was the Prince's Palace Attendant.

This was not an official appointed by the imperial court, but an official within the prince's palace. His position in the palace was roughly equivalent to an Indian version of the Grand Master of Ceremonies, in charge of the palace's guards.

The Prince's Mansion itself did not have military power. The Imperial Guard was limited to one qu (two hundred men). The Physician of the Pingyuan Prince's Mansion could only manage about two hundred Imperial Guards, and these Imperial Guards were not allowed to be equipped with iron armor. In fact, they were considered household servants.

The royal guards were also commonly known as the "Jinyiwei" (brocade-clad guards), but this was not a flattering name. It was mainly because they were not allowed to wear iron armor. The imperial court had a quota of brocade-clad guards to maintain the royal image of the various princes. The guards wore brocade-clad guards on duty in normal times.

The Imperial Physician, an official within the royal palace, was essentially a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard...

In reality, these were just retainers, not officials. Moreover, they were usually retainers under the prime minister—the prime minister was the court official who held real power in the vassal states, while the prince was just a puppet. Apart from having a higher status, they were not much different from ordinary powerful families.

However, the former chancellor of Pingyuan State had already fled at the very beginning of the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Qingzhou, and the position of county magistrate had remained unsold.

Previously, Tao Qiuhong was the leader of the gentry in Pingyuan, but now that Tao Qiuhong is dead, and the Yellow Turbans have resurfaced in most parts of Pingyuan, and there is no prime minister or county magistrate, the Pingyuan Royal Palace has become the backbone of the gentry.

Liu Ping, the "Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard," actually represented the local gentry of Pingyuan.

On the day of the public trial, the Prefectural Judge's Office, which no longer had walls, was completely surrounded.

As soon as he entered the hall, Liu Bei consciously stood below the steps: "When I was sent as an envoy to Qingzhou, I was supposed to protect the territory and its people, but I failed to manage my subordinates properly, which led to their illegal behavior. This is all my fault. The crimes of my subjects are all my fault, and I will accept the complaint myself!"

Prince Liu Shuo of Pingyuan was sitting in the main seat of the court. He had originally intended to politely decline and let Liu Shijun sit in the middle, but he was dumbfounded when he heard this.

Looking around, Jia Xu was sitting in the guest seat, and Zhao Lin was taking notes with a pen in his hand. The two of them seemed to be seriously judging a case...

But Liu Bei called for the court to begin and stood on the right side of the hall without moving... that was the defendant's seat.

Liu Ping is standing in the plaintiff's position.

Liu Ping was also completely bewildered. What was going on?
"There are three cases in this case. Let's start with the first one, which is Liu Ping's accusation against Zhang He for embezzling public property."

Seeing that the King of Pingyuan dared not speak, Jia Xu stood up and acted as the mediator: "This matter has been verified. It was Lord Liu Xuande who ordered Zhang He, the commander of a separate division, to choose a place to settle his troops and their families. Zhang He was simply following orders, and this crime should indeed be brought against Lord Liu. However... according to the law, lower-ranking officials of prefectures and counties have no right to sue their lords..."

"Apart from the governor, no one can sue this envoy. Therefore, this envoy has set up a court in Qingzhou to sue himself!"

Liu Bei nodded and continued, "Without the approval of the court, I ordered my troops to seize the homes and lands of the rebels and set up camp. Although this is a common practice in military affairs, it is indeed a crime of disregarding regulations... I plead guilty! Zhao Jue Cao, I disregarded the court's regulations. According to the law, how should this crime be judged?"

Apart from Jia Xu and Zhao Lin, no one expected that Liu Bei would hold a public trial to try himself...

Liu Ping complained to Liu Bei about Liu Bei's subordinates...

And Liu Bei himself held court to try himself...

This was quite a novel event, and the scholars of the plains immediately perked up—although they were just there to watch the spectacle, they had never seen anything like it before, and they could brag about it for years to come.

Zhao Lin stood up, picked up the bamboo slips, and read directly: "Officials who disregard the regulations of the court shall be punished for dereliction of duty and shall be brought to the capital for trial."

"I have been ordered to pacify Qingzhou. If I return to Luoyang before Qingzhou is pacified, that would be a dereliction of duty. I cannot abandon the king's affairs because of the same crime... May I ask Your Majesty, what decision should I make?" Liu Bei asked Liu Shuo, the Prince of Pingyuan, who was sitting in the hall.

Liu Shuo had no idea what to do; he was completely baffled. He could only say, "I am not familiar with Legalism; I leave this matter to Your Excellency to decide."

"Since that's the case, then he has been entrusted with the royal duties but has been negligent and disrespectful, and should be punished more severely... Zhao Jue Cao, what should be his punishment for dereliction of duty, which should be increased by one degree?"

Liu Bei added another crime to his list.

"This is a dereliction of duty to the king, a crime of mismanagement and misleading the army, and should be punished with exile."

Zhao Lin continued reading from the bamboo slips.

"Very well, then let it be judged this way! Liu Xuande, the governor of Qingzhou, ordered his troops to forcibly seize the land and houses of the rebels, which is considered a dereliction of duty to the king. He is hereby sentenced to exile to Lulong Pass to serve as a barbarian!"

With an impassive and impartial demeanor, Liu Bei asked everyone present, "Zhang He is my Sima, and his actions are all under my orders. I hereby declare this my judgment. Do any of you have any objections?"

Lulongsai is already the most dangerous border post. This sentence is second only to the death penalty. It is not only a fair handling of the case, but also an aggravated offense. No one can say anything about it.

Seeing that no one responded, Liu Bei then asked the plaintiff, Liu Ping, "Does the plaintiff have any objections to this judgment?"

He's already sentenced himself to exile, so who can object? Liu Ping shook his head, not knowing what to say.

Prince Liu Shuo of Pingyuan was unaware that Lulong Pass was now Liu Bei's territory, and even felt that Liu Bei's judgment was a bit harsh. He pleaded in court: "Why must Your Excellency do this? If Your Excellency sentences yourself to exile, wouldn't that still be neglecting the affairs of Qingzhou?"

"Well, there's no way around it... The law is the law. The same crime doesn't negate the king's duties, but the crime of disrespecting the king is clearly higher than dereliction of duty, so according to the law, this is the proper judgment. You can't just commit crimes at will because you're preparing to quell a rebellion, can you?"

Liu Bei shook his head and said, "Your Majesty need not plead for me. I have always been clear about merits and demerits, rewarding those who have rendered meritorious service and punishing those who have committed wrongdoing. I myself should also abide by this principle. I would like to ask you, my worthy advisors, to take charge of pacifying the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Qingzhou..."

Now no one could say anything.

Liu Bei then signed the agreement, confirming the verdict: "Now that the crime of embezzling public property has been punished, and since everyone has no objection, then let it be decided that the convict Liu Xuande be immediately sent to Lulong Pass... to receive his punishment! This case is now closed!"

Upon hearing this, the scholars present seemed to awaken from a dream, and almost all of them clamored in unison: "Your Excellency, you must not!" "The case cannot be closed!"

Liu Ping was the one who shouted the loudest...

Yes, who would dare to drive Liu Bei away over something like this?
Liu Bei's self-examination, conducted with fairness and rigor, will surely spread throughout the land.

Even if the gentry of Pingyuan don't spread the word, Jia Xu and Zhao Lin will, and the 100,000 people who followed Liu Bei to Pingyuan will also spread it; this matter cannot be kept secret.

If Liu Bei were really exiled to the frontier, all the scholars present would be doomed, both physically and in terms of reputation!
Everyone would think that the scholars of Pingyuan had driven away an upright and honest official. Regardless of Liu Bei's troops, the 100,000 people who followed Liu Bei to Pingyuan would surely have swallowed up all the scholars in Pingyuan County.

And what's most terrifying is that even in death, they'll leave behind an eternal infamy...

Although they didn't falsely accuse Liu Bei, Liu Bei's act of self-examination established his image as a law-abiding and upright person, and provided a scenario for efficient and spontaneous dissemination...

In this way, everyone would think that the gentry of Pingyuan were falsely accusing innocent people, even forcing the emperor's envoy to exile himself...

From Liu Shuo, the Prince of Pingyuan, down to all the gentry of Pingyuan, most of them would be regarded as disobeying the king's rule and intending to rebel...

Let's consider the current situation in the plains—the feudal lords, the gentry, the rebels… What does this combination mean?
The Wang Fen treason case is right before our eyes, and it involves the same combination... Moreover, Wang Fen himself is still serving time in Pingyuan Prison.

Who dares to make Liu Bei take the blame?
"Oh? You gentlemen are unwilling to close this case? Do you have any other matters to bring against me? If so, please bring them here in this courtroom... My troops all acted on my orders, and all the crimes committed by my troops are my fault, and I will accept them all!"

Liu Bei turned around and bowed to the gentry of Pingyuan.

Hmm? I'll report it all at once...

Can this thing be sued?
The case of accusing Zhang He of encroaching on public housing has already escalated to this point; if we were to bring up something like treason, who knows what kind of situation it would become...

If Liu Bei doesn't budge and actually admits guilt, then all the gentry of Pingyuan will be finished. Who would dare to sue then?
Liu Ping, being clever, understood Liu Bei's implication and immediately bowed respectfully: "I was rash and careless before, and filed a lawsuit. Today, seeing how strict the law is under Your Excellency, this must be due to my mistake in filing the lawsuit. I request that the lawsuit be withdrawn in court! Withdrawn..."

"The plaintiff wants to withdraw the lawsuit? Then... what about the case of the murder of a scholar? And the major case of treason..."

Zhao Lin stood up and asked Liu Ping.

"I hereby withdraw all charges, I hereby withdraw all charges... I apologize for any oversight on my part. I am willing to accept forced labor as punishment for the delay..."

Liu Ping clearly understands the law well. He withdrew the case before it was closed, so it doesn't count as false accusation—of course, Liu Ping wasn't falsely accusing anyone in the first place.

With no one to accuse him, Liu Bei was exonerated, and with Liu Bei exonerated, the scholars of Pingyuan finally had a way to survive...

However, the investigation and interrogation of cases waste the time of officials at all levels and consume the time and manpower of civil servants. Fines and forced labor may be imposed, but usually no real fines are imposed, because in this era, the emphasis is on moral governance. The fewer lawsuits an official has, the better his performance is. Prefectures and counties are usually eager to withdraw lawsuits.

Actually, it's the same in modern times... If it can be mediated, it will be mediated. Withdrawing a lawsuit is always easier than appealing, since it's "a mutually agreed-upon solution."

"Since the plaintiff has withdrawn the lawsuit, this case is now closed... The case is concluded!"

Zhao Lin announced the closing of the case: "The Judicial Office is permanently located here. All cases in this office are tried publicly. From now on, if there are any illegal acts by officials, you may come here to report them..."

……

Through this incident, Liu Bei gained an extremely resounding reputation in Pingyuan.

Although the gentry saw this as a show, those who knew Liu Bei knew that if Liu Ping hadn't withdrawn the lawsuit, Liu Bei would have genuinely exiled himself to Lulong Pass...

Anyway, Lulongsai is our own territory.

The common people, however, didn't have as many thoughts; they only knew that this was the only official in the world who judged himself...

Liu Bei's subordinates didn't have many thoughts; they only knew that Liu Bei was taking the blame for Zhang He.

After all, everyone knows that, putting aside the Zhang family's treasonous plot, Zhang He's seizure of Tao Qiuhong's land and houses was indeed rather hasty.

Zhang He himself didn't express much gratitude to Liu Bei, even though they were old comrades and he knew Liu Bei didn't appreciate that.

However, after Zhang He opened up the Longcou ferry crossing, he immediately separated from the Zhang family of Moxian County, Hejian, and became a separate household.

Shortly thereafter, Jia Xu began to oversee the promulgation of various operational norms and regulations.

For example, there are regulations on what procedures should be followed for certain matters, how to rectify non-compliance with procedures, and what penalties should be imposed if non-compliance cannot be rectified... There are even regulations on special cases where standard procedures can be disregarded and special cases can be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Jia Wenhe was not just a strategist who offered ideas; he was truly capable of formulating specific rules and regulations, making them very detailed.

From governance to public security, from financial power to civil rights, from subordinates to clerks in various departments... all were listed separately in terms of regulations, and were subsequently revised and supplemented by Jian Yong, Zhao Lin and others.

Moreover, Jia Xu also handed over the financial regulations to Zuo Yuan...

However, Jia Xu did not change the military's regulations.

Liu Bei asked Jia Xu why he did not establish military regulations. Jia Xu replied, "Although I know some military strategies, I am not good at managing troops... I would like to ask my lord to decide on matters of military sacrifices."

Liu Bei was convinced; Jia Wenhe was indeed adept at self-preservation and never took on anything risky.

Liu Bei had no choice but to entrust the matter of military law to Zhao Yun.

(End of this chapter)