Xiao Feng was stunned for a moment, and then he realized that the starting point of Hai Rui's career was indeed here, as an instructor in Nanping County, Fujian Province.
Thinking about what happened to the magistrate's tact two days ago, he was indeed an official man. When he met such a tough subordinate like Hai Rui, he felt quite suffocated.
The magistrate pointed at Qin Xiucai with an excited expression: "Hai Rui, what kind of rules do you think this is? This young couple lives a good life and has a deep love for each other!"
But you insist on forcing others to divorce their wives! If someone refuses to divorce, you still insist on severing the relationship. What kind of rules are you doing? ! ! "
Hai Rui pointed at Qin Xiucai's parents and said: "Filial filial piety comes first! He is a son of man, he cannot be filial to his parents and let his parents show up and kneel in court!
I should have deprived him of his status as a scholar! His parents begged him repeatedly before allowing him a future, but he had to divorce his wife! "
Only then did Xiao Feng understand that Qin Xiucai, as a scholar, had to kneel before the court because his parents were kneeling, so he had to kneel. Scholars have privileges, but their parents do not.
Qin Xiucai raised his head and protested: "Teacher, the student is unknown until his death. The student's wife, Qin Chen, is gentle, virtuous, hardworking and filial. She has never violated the seven-out rule. Why must we force the student to divorce his wife?"
Jiaoyu was the common teacher of the scholars in the same county, so Qin Xiucai was called his teacher. What Qin Xiucai said is reasonable and well-founded. Since a woman has not violated the seven-out rule, a man has no right to divorce his wife at will.
Qin Xiucai's mother yelled: "You little beast, you still dare to protect her! She has been married to my Qin family for three years and has nothing to do. Why is it not a rule of seven?"
Qin Xiucai was scolded by his mother and wanted to defend himself, but when he saw Hai Rui staring at him eagerly, as long as he spoke, it didn't matter whether he was right or wrong.
, Hai Rui would definitely be furious, and could only look at the magistrate with pleading eyes.
The magistrate slapped the table and said: "Ignorant fool! Is this what the Rule of Seven Outcomes stipulates? In the Tang Dynasty, the Rule of Seven Outcomes said that a woman could divorce her wife only after she was forty-nine and had nothing to do!
In our Ming Dynasty, although there were no such detailed regulations, it was impossible to limit it to three years! Hai Rui, you are familiar with etiquette, right? "
Hai Rui nodded slightly. He attached great importance to rules. Although he and the magistrate had opposite opinions at this time, he would never cheat on the rules.
Qin Xiucai's mother was speechless and looked at her husband for help. Qin Xiucai's father coughed and spoke slowly.
"My lords, let me tell you the truth. Although my daughter-in-law made a small mistake, she does not have to get divorced. My lords, please don't hurt the harmony because of my family's affairs. The common people will be guilty of a big sin."
The onlookers nodded one after another, and Xiao Feng also smiled. It seems that the old saying is indeed true, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are the natural enemies, and the father-in-law is always more tolerant.
Qin Xiucai's mother was furious, reached out and grabbed her husband's arm, and looked at her husband with threatening eyes. Qin Xiucai's father had no choice but to speak reluctantly.
"The common people are from the countryside and don't know much about the etiquette and laws. However, I have heard that the Master is a filial son and is familiar with the etiquette. I sincerely ask the Master to make the decision for us!"
Xiao Feng raised his brows slightly. This old man looked wilted, but actually he was very organized when he really got things done, which was much better than his wife who only knew how to shout. At least he knew how to use Hai Rui's principles.
Hai Rui nodded and said proudly: "There are seven things a woman can do: firstly, she disobeys her parents, which is a traitor; secondly, she has no heirs, which means she is a peerless person;
The three kinds of sexual misconduct are also the incest of the clan
The fourth is jealousy, which leads to chaos in the family; the fifth is serious illness, which is why we cannot share the prosperity of the family;
Six talkative words are a sign of separation from relatives; seven thefts are a sign of rebellion. "
This was something that everyone could recite at that time. Even if Deaf Zhang came, he couldn't translate anything messy.
A simple translation: disobedience to parents means that a wife is not filial to her husband's parents. Etiquette and law consider it "against virtue" and is the first of the seven causes.
The second is childless: that is, he cannot give birth to a son, and the reason is "unparalleled". Needless to say, there are three types of unfilial piety, the greatest of which is not having offspring. But as the magistrate said, you can't just conclude that the family can't have children just two or three years after marrying into the family. Are you an old Chinese medicine doctor?
Three kinds of sexual misconduct: The wife is having an affair with Mr. Wang next door, and the reason is "incest". This perspective is quite strange. It is actually believed that the origin or generation of the children will be unclear, and the family bloodline will be confused! Instead, I felt dismissive of my husband’s feelings about being a cuckold!
Four jealousies: The wife is said to be very jealous, and the reason is to "disrupt the family". It is believed that the wife's jealousy will cause family disharmony. The funny thing is that this crime is usually used when the husband wants to take a concubine and the wife is unhappy.
Five serious diseases: The wife is suffering from a serious disease. The reason is that "we cannot share sacrifices", which means we cannot participate in sacrifices together. In fact, the real reason is usually that the wife is not able to work anymore, and it is shameless to say it in the name of the ancestors.
Talkative: The wife likes to gossip and gossip, which affects family harmony. The reason is "divorce". According to this standard, 90% of the female Bagua sect heirs today are unqualified.
Seven Thefts: The wife steals things. The reason is "anti-meaning" and does not conform to the rules that should be followed.
This is the most puzzling rule. Why would you steal a yarn in your own home? Stealing someone?
Hai Rui said word by word: "Among the seven rules, even if you don't have any heirs, you won't be able to run away if you disobey your parents. I will sentence you to divorce your wife based on this. What's wrong with that?" OK?"
Qin Xiucai resisted and said: "The students are not convinced by the teacher's words! The student's wife is gentle and virtuous, and she is very respectful to her parents-in-law. Everyone in the neighborhood knows that, how can she force herself to say that she disobeys her parents?"
Hai Rui said coldly: "People's hearts are made of flesh, how can there be a daughter-in-law who is always obedient and yet be rejected? Father and son are not in jail, how can there be parents who are not?"
You read poetry and books in vain, and disobey your parents for the sake of a woman. If this woman is truly filial, she should take the initiative to ask for divorce to preserve the filial piety of her husband and the reputation of her parents-in-law.
This is impossible to do at all, not only is it not smooth, but it also seems to be alienating! If you violate two of the seven rules, I will sentence you to divorce your wife. What's wrong with that? "
The magistrate glanced guiltily at the back hall. In the back hall, a woman with a bracelet extended her index finger and pointed at the magistrate forcefully, as if she had given the magistrate endless courage.
"Hai Rui! You are using strong words! You are a filial piety and divorced your wife for no reason just to please my mother. Do you still want everyone in the world to be like you?"
Hai Rui sneered and said, "Sir, why do you protect the Qin Chen family? Isn't it because you are henpecked? Your wife and your father have a bad relationship. You are afraid that this case will start and affect your wife!"
The two officials were quarreling in the hall and refused to give in to each other; the young couple looked at each other with tears in their eyes and wept silently; the old couple exchanged glances with ambiguous attitudes.
On the contrary, everyone ignored Qin Xiucai's father-in-law and Qin Chen's father.
He knelt on the ground on the far side, bowing his head and saying nothing.
Xiao Feng took advantage of the lively fight in the hall and no one was paying attention to the old man. He squeezed to the side and asked in a low voice: "Do you want your daughter to be divorced and go home?"
The old man looked up and saw Xiao Feng wearing a green robe and a white robe, a Confucian crown on his head, and a scholar's attire. He did not dare to neglect and answered in a low voice with a grimace.
"My wife has been dead for many years. The villain and my son are both farmers and do not know the etiquette. Since the master has said so, there is nothing we can do.
If the in-laws are not willing to tolerate each other, the teacher will make the decision, and you can just go home and take care of your little one. I just feel sorry for my daughter, she and her uncle have always been on good terms, alas..."
Xiao Feng whispered: "How about I act as your lawyer and help you reason?"
The old man hesitated and said: "I don't have much money, how about a few hundred dollars? I know a lawyer needs at least one tael of silver..."
Xiao Feng smiled and said loudly to the two officials who were arguing in the hall: "I am the lawyer hired by Old Man Chen. Can I speak to you?"
The magistrate was arguing with Hai Rui and his face was red. Hearing this, he looked up and recognized Xiao Feng at a glance. He was so frightened that he almost fell off the back of the case and reflexively opened his mouth: "Big..."
Xiao Feng glared at him and shook his head slightly. The magistrate was indeed a slippery guy. It was difficult for him to react quickly and change his words immediately.
"How dare you, we two officials are arguing, why are you interrupting?"
Hai Rui glanced sideways at the magistrate and thought to himself, "Why are you guilty? Since ancient times, you have always been right and have not been afraid to argue!" At that moment, he said seriously: "Since you are a litigant, tell me what your reasoning is!"
Xiao Feng raised his hand and said, "Master, according to what you said, if the wife is disobedient, she is the first of the seven divorces. So if the seven divorces are violated, whose right is it to divorce the wife?"
Hai Rui said calmly
: "The husband is the guide for his wife, and it is his right to divorce his wife. But if the husband refuses, his parents can accuse him of disobedience and unfilial piety!"
Xiao Feng smiled and said, "Have you read it, sir?"
The audience was in an uproar. This was so insulting. If you ask him if he has read a royal edict, it is equivalent to asking the director of the county education bureau in modern society: Have you ever learned what one plus one equals?
Hai Rui was also furious in his heart, but he didn't want to waste time with Xiao Feng on such a trivial matter. He gave him a cold look: "Of course I have read it."
"Then do you agree with what Li said? People say that the Three Character Sutra is in line with etiquette, but I don't know what you think of it."
Hai Rui was the imperial edict, not only in charge of scholars, but also the enlightenment of children and the management of private schools were within the scope of his work. When Xiao Feng asked this question, he naturally had to answer.
"Although the text is simple, it captures the essence of etiquette. It is the best article for our generation of scholars to enlighten them at a young age!"
Xiao Feng said with a smile: "My lord just said that all parents in the world have bad parents. Then may I ask, what does 'it is the father's fault if you don't educate a child' mean?"
The magistrate's eyes lit up. No wonder people say that Mr. Xiao's tongue is like a sharp blade and his mouth is like a steel knife. He has never won a debate with Hai Rui. Heaven and earth, Mr. Xiao, please help me say this!
Hai Rui was stunned for a moment, then said: "This is a word of encouragement to parents. What's more, even if parents are at fault, others will blame them, but there is no room for their children to object! Otherwise, it is unfilial!"
Xiao Feng nodded: "You admit that your parents are also at fault, but the children have no right to blame, that's good. Your Excellency just said that Qin Xiucai has the right to divorce his wife, but his parents do not.
If Qin Xiucai dies
If he refuses to divorce his wife, his parents can accuse him of disobedience. I want to ask, Qin Xiucai, do you want to divorce your wife? "
Seeing that he had help, Qin Xiucai was refreshed and shook his head repeatedly: "The student and his wife are deeply in love and do not want to divorce his wife!"
Xiao Feng looked at Qin Xiucai's parents again: "Your son refuses to divorce his wife, are you going to sue him for disobedience?"
Qin Xiucai's father hesitated. You know, in this era, disobedience is not a good reputation. Although it is not as severe as in the Song Dynasty, where beheading is required, it is certain that you will be punished and your reputation will be revoked.
But Qin Xiucai's mother was very tough: "If the little beast refuses, I will accuse him of disobedience!"
Xiao Feng smiled: "Excuse me, how many sons do you have?"
Qin Xiucai's mother looked Xiao Feng up and down: "How about just this one?"
Xiao Feng said with a smile: "Your son has been convicted of disobedience, lost his fame, and lost his reputation. It is estimated that it will be difficult for him to get a wife again."
Qin Xiucai's mother was a shrew: "That's my own business! You don't have to worry about it!"
Xiao Feng nodded and turned to Hai Rui: "Sir, if Qin Xiucai is accused of disobedience, it will be extremely difficult for him to marry again, not to mention that Qin Xiucai may not be willing to marry again.
In this case, the Qin family will have no heirs. There are three so-called unfilial piety, the worst is not having heirs. Qin Xiucai refused to divorce his wife, and his unfilial piety was only towards his parents.
The parents of the Qin family forced their son to divorce his wife because of a mere personal grudge, and accused him of being disobedient, which resulted in the death of the Qin family. Their unfilial piety was towards the ancestors of the Qin family.
May I ask, sir, which of these two unfilial acts is more serious? "
This...no one has ever talked about this like this before! Hai Rui frowned and tried to interpret this question based on his professionalism.
.
"You are a very cunning litigant! His parents accused him of being disobedient because Qin Xiucai refused to divorce his wife. Therefore, regardless of whether he is a widower or unfilial, Qin Xiucai should bear all the charges against his parents!"
Xiao Feng nodded and smiled: "However, his parents knew that what they did would lead to such consequences, but they insisted on going their own way. Are they filial to their ancestors?
They could have prevented this from happening, but they had no tolerance for others. They just criticized and pushed, and the result was that their ancestors were cut off from the incense.
Qin Xiucai, as a child, cannot object to this matter, but sir, you are a stranger. Just now you said that others can criticize, should you blame me? "
Hai Rui knew that this was an endless loop, and if he and Xiao Feng kept going around it like this, they might not even be able to get around it until Jiajing Shengxian, so he decided to cut the mess quickly.
"Advocate, please don't forget that as an edict, I can make judgments and punishments on behalf of the imperial court. I will neither sentence Qin Xiucai for disobedience, nor strip him of his fame. I will only sentence the two of them to separate!" "
Xiao Feng looked at Hai Rui and said calmly: "Your Excellency, you are familiar with the etiquette and law. You should know that the government's penalty for leaving is one of the crimes of beating, scolding, killing, wounding, and raping relatives within the fifth service. May I ask Mr. Qin Chen Which one did you commit?"
Hai Rui was speechless for a moment and was thinking to himself when Qin Xiucai's mother shouted: "She has scolded me and beaten me. My husband can testify!"
Old man Qin glanced at his wife in surprise, and was forced to look into her eyes, so he nodded helplessly.
Hai Rui's expression relaxed and he looked at Xiao Feng, meaning, what else do you have to say?
Xiao Feng's tone became even calmer: "Sir, don't you need evidence for this matter?"
Hai Rui shook his head and said: "Father and son are not in jail. Parents say their children's faults, but they still have to let them go."
What evidence do parents give? What's more, if there is no trace of the beating or scolding, how can we provide evidence? "
Xiao Feng was furious and thought to himself that you are trying to act like a hooligan! I had heard in the past that although Hai Rui was an upright official, he was a foolish and filial man. He divorced his wife for no reason and even hanged himself in his concubine. When I saw him today, it turned out to be true.
Xiao Feng smiled faintly: "Sir, whether it's the Seven Rules of Exit or the Judgment of Righteousness, I remember that you can't get past the Three Rules of Not Leaving, right?"
Hai Rui was stunned: "But the Qin Chen family does not comply with the rule of not leaving!"
The three no-go clauses correspond to the seven no-go clauses, and are one of the few clauses to protect women in ancient times.
Not leaving: The wife stayed for three years during the mourning period for her deceased parents-in-law: this means that the deceased parents have recognized the daughter-in-law, and it would be unfilial for the husband to divorce his wife again.
But at this time, the two old guys were very active, so they naturally did not meet this requirement.
The second is not to go: when you married your wife, your family was poor, but now you are rich: this means that your daughter-in-law is also the original shareholder of your wealth accumulation. Why do you say that you will deprive your equity of equity?
But looking at the clothes of Qin Xiucai's family, they are just a middle-class family. They were not very poor before coming here, so they should not meet this criterion.
Three not to leave: The wife, parents and family are scattered, and she may be homeless after being divorced: If a woman is homeless after being divorced, it will cause disaster. Any dynasty hopes for social stability.
However, Qin and Chen's father and brother are still alive and there is no problem of homelessness, so this clause is not met.
Hai Rui didn't know the purpose of Xiao Feng's suggestion of "not going" at this time, because it was obvious that Qin Chen did not meet these three requirements. He thought that Xiao Feng was at his wits' end and started to make trouble unreasonably.
Xiao Feng walked up to Old Man Chen, bent down and looked at him affectionately
Looking at old man Chen, old man Chen looked confused and didn't know what the lawyer was going to do.
Want money? Is the lawsuit over now? It seems that he is destined to lose, so how much money should he give him, considering his level...
Old man Chen felt that his elbow was grabbed, and a strong force made him unable to control his arm, and he swung it involuntarily.
There was a "pop" sound, and a slap mark appeared on Xiao Feng's fair face. He covered his face and staggered back two steps.
Old Man Chen was shocked. Although he was not satisfied with the litigant, he really didn't want to slap him. What was going on!
Xiao Feng slowly stood up straight, pointed at Old Man Chen and said, "You dare to beat the imperial official, you are so brave!"
