Chengcheng County, the county magistrate's office.
Liang Shixian was frowning and looking at the two men in the hall.
These two men had just been turned to the court by a store owner, who accused them of stealing two steamed buns from the store.
In previous years, Liang Shixian wouldn't even bother to hold court for such a trivial matter as stealing steamed buns, he would just fight with a few boards and throw it out.
But now that the food supply has soared, Dou rice can be sold for real money, and two steamed buns are a huge sum of money. It is no longer appropriate to just make two casualties. I'm afraid it will be regarded as "theft", and theft is almost the same. It can be dealt with according to "beheading".
but.....
Is it really appropriate to behead someone after stealing two steamed buns?
Liang Shixian felt that it was inappropriate, but he didn't know how to judge this case appropriately, so he was confused. "The more difficult it is for the people, the more rampant the thieves will be! Alas!"
The master came over from the side and whispered: "Dong Weng, we can't keep delaying this. Just judge how you want."
Liang Shixian said with a dark face: "This case..."
While the two were struggling, a scribe came in from outside. Liang Shixian didn't recognize him, but a government servant next to him recognized him: "Ah, Mr. Wang from Chengcheng Bookstore."
Mr. Wang clasped his fists at Liang Shixian: "My lord, I am the owner of Chengcheng Bookstore. My surname is Wang." I used to teach in Chengcheng County. Everyone calls me Mr. Wang. I passed by here just now and saw your lord. I'm annoyed, could you please give me a solution? "
Liang Shixian was in a dilemma. If someone came to give advice, it would be great. He quickly said: "Mr. Wang, please speak."
Mr. Wang said: "Killing someone for two steamed buns will harm the peace of the world, but if you don't punish him severely, I'm afraid the owner of the suffering will not accept it..."
What he was talking about was exactly what Liang Shixian was struggling with.
Mr. Wang: "Why not deal with it this way, I will pay a sum of money for these two thieves to repay the suffering owner, and the suffering owner will be calm. And take these two thieves to the bookstore below, and let them be responsible for carrying books and cleaning. To repay those two steamed buns with labor is the punishment of a thief."
Liang Shixian was overjoyed when he mentioned it like this: "This is a wonderful plan, but I just wronged you sir."
Mr. Wang smiled and said: "No grievance, no grievance. I really need some manpower and two steamed buns in that bookstore. I hired two workers to work for me for a few days. I am very happy."
Liang Shixian nodded: "Then I will follow Mr.'s plan."
He solved a headache at once, and he was very happy. He waved his hand to the yamen servant next to him and said: "Take these two people to Mr. Zhu's bookstore and order them to work hard. If they are lazy and neglectful, they will be arrested." Come back and behead them."
Mr. Wang bowed, paid the mistress the price of two steamed buns, and left leisurely.
Liang Shixian raised his head and sighed softly: "The method proposed by Mr. Wang just now is actually the best way to deal with the thieves. However, this method requires sufficient money. Otherwise, how can we support so many thieves."
Generally speaking, criminals in the Ming Dynasty were kept in prison waiting to be executed. If it is a crime that does not require execution, dozens of strokes with the cane and thousands of miles of ban will not be locked up for a long time, because the court does not have the support to support so many criminals.
Liang Shixian actually criticized this point, but he was powerless.
While I was feeling sad about spring and autumn here, Master Shaoxing came forward and whispered: "By the way, seeing Mr. Wang reminds me of something."
Liang Shixian: "What's the matter?"
Master Shaoxing whispered: "In the past few days, Chengcheng Bookstore is selling a strange little book. The price is one copper coin. Anyone who buys the book will get two taels of flour as a gift."
When Liang Shixian heard this, he was stunned. After several seconds, he said: "One copper coin, one book, and two liang karma."
Isn't this giving out porridge to save people?
Master Shaoxing said in a low voice: "Yes, it is no different from giving porridge. Many people in the city have benefited from it and are playing tricks behind their backs. Mr. Wang is a kind boss, but if he continues like this, he will probably lose all his family wealth. The bookstore It may close down within a few days of opening.”
Liang Shixian sighed: "Is this all just to save the people? After you said that, I am actually interested in the books he sells."
Master Shaoxing took out a book from his sleeve.
Liang Shixian was shocked: "You actually have it?"
Master Shaoxing's old face turned red: "I made Dong Weng laugh, and my wife also bought a book..."
Liang Shixian was stunned for a moment, and then he realized that the price of dou rice cannot even be afforded by the income of a master.
How many people in Chengcheng County can afford to buy food? What should I do? well!
Liang Shixian was in a low mood. He took the book from his master and glanced at the cover.
Huh?
The image of Daoxuan Tianzun on the cover attracted his attention.
I seem to have seen this god’s face somewhere before?
Look at the words next to it: "The Legend of Daoxuan Tianzun's Demon Slayer".
Daoxuan Tianzun?
This name is also somewhat impressive to me.
Gotta think about it!
Liang Shixian, who has learned a lot, immediately opened the memory search mode in his mind. The things he had seen in his life, the scenes he had experienced, the books he had read, the gods and Buddhas he had worshiped, all passed through his mind like a revolving lantern, and finally "ding" With a sound, he stopped on a towering castle.
In Lijiabao in Gaojia Village, in the ancestral hall on the first floor of the watchtower, a family god is enshrined. The name of the family god is "Daoxuan Tianzun". The face of the statue is exactly the same as the cover of the picture album in his hand.
Liang Shixian felt confident, and slowly opened the book in his hand. It turned out to be an atlas. He flipped through page by page, reading very quickly, and the story in the book became clear.
The story outside the book is also clear.
Liang Shixian whispered: "I understand."
Master Shaoxing was very surprised: "What did Dong Weng understand?"
Liang Shixian said: "Behind Mr. Wang, the Li family is supporting me. For more than a year, the Li family has been supplying me with food and asking me to give porridge to save the people. However, this only helps me to be honest." The Li family has not gained any benefit from the reputation, and now the Li family has decided to end it personally."
Master Shaoxing: "Hey? Isn't the Li family a big hidden family? What's the use of striving for fame? The more famous you are, the harder it is to hide behind the scenes?"
Liang Shixian said: "So they did not promote the Li family, but moved out the Li family's ancestor and family god, Li Daoxuan, the clan clan member of the Tang Dynasty! While giving porridge to save the people, they took out their own family god and sang it loudly, in case this story happened If you make it well enough and place the family deity in the shrines of all Taoist temples in the world, wouldn’t that be honoring the ancestors?”
Master Shaoxing suddenly realized: "So it turns out that Dong Weng has been thinking carefully and I didn't think of it at all."
Liang Shixian: "This story is a mess and not worth reading. But the Li family is doing good things, so what's the harm in making up a story about gods? Let them make up whatever they want. As long as they can provide food to the people, even if the story is The officials incorporated it into the story, and it was up to them to please.”
/. Lingdian Chinese website]/
