"Provide legal aid to the government?"
Sima Guang looked stunned.
Xu Zhiqian also looked at Zhang Fei for no apparent reason.
Does the government still need legal aid?
Funny, you must be serious.
Zhang Fei nodded and asked, "Does Grand Master Sima know what those people outside are here for?"
Sima Guang glanced at Xu Zhiqian, stroked his beard and said with a smile, "They are here for Attorney Xu."
When those ignorant ladies shouted this, this lawyer really became synonymous with female Erbi, and even Sima Guang called him this.
In fact, in the final analysis, it is the appearance that is to blame. If she were an aunt, everyone would probably call her Erbi. Everyone just saw that Xu Zhiqian was beautiful, well-educated, and came from an official family, so calling her Erbi seemed a bit rough.
The honorific title is lawyer.
Zhang Fei is very depressed about this, I am also very handsome!
Xu Zhiqian said hurriedly: "Uncle Sima, thank you very much. Qian'er knows in her heart that they came here for free."
After speaking, her cheeks flushed.
"Zhi Qian is right. To be precise, they did come here for free." Zhang Fei nodded and asked Sima Guang: "Does Grand Scholar Sima know why Zhi Qian wants to serve Liu for free?" Wu's lawsuit?"
Sima Guang replied casually: "We should hoe the strong and help the weak?"
Zhang Fei said: "It's for justice."
Xu Zhiqian felt embarrassed when she heard Zhang Fei praising herself, and said softly: "No way. Don't talk nonsense."
"For justice?" Sima Guang asked doubtfully: "Isn't it just for justice that we hoe the strong and support the weak?"
Zhang Fei said: "The purpose of hoeing the strong and supporting the weak is for justice, not justice. If Xu Zhiqian uses her status to stop Huang Yongli's actions, this can be regarded as hoeing the strong and supporting the weak, but through litigation in court, this can be regarded as justice. .”
"Yeah, that makes sense!" Sima Guang nodded slightly.
Zhang Fei said: "If Zhi Qian does not help the Liu Wu family, Huang Yongli sues through Erbi and wants to return to the house. I dare to ask the Grand Master of Sima, is this fair?"
"Is it fair?" Sima Guang frowned and remained silent.
Xu Zhiqian also pondered and remained silent.
After a while, Sima Guang shook his head and said: "It's really hard to judge. I think if the government's punishment is fair, then it is just. After all, Huang Yongli got his house back through prosecution, not through illegal means such as coercion and inducement."
As he spoke, he saw Zhang Fei was speechless, so he asked again, "Isn't that right?"
Zhang Fei said: "Master Sima, please don't ignore this. Huang Yongli invited Erbi, but Aunt Liu did not invite Erbi."
Sima Guang sighed: "There is nothing we can do about it. In fact, the imperial court restricted litigation for this reason. If litigation was allowed, the rich could treat people with tea and food, but the poor could not afford it. This is very unfair. It would be more fair if the decision was made by the government."
At this point, he suddenly pointed at Zhang Fei, "If you really want to tell me, it's all because of you who broke the rules."
Although the Song Dynasty allowed litigation, before Zhang Fei, Erbi had never been given legal status. Erbi only assisted the government in trying cases, or to add, whether Erbi could go to court depended entirely on the government's willingness.
Zhang Fei almost single-handedly changed the status quo.
In the past, there was no mention of two Erbi arguing in the hall, and most of them were handing over papers or fighting over papers. Therefore, the status of the tea-eaters was obviously higher than that of the Erbi people.
But now that's changing, and Erbi is starting to come alive.
The Kaifeng Prefecture agreed, and so did the Criminal Court, which made it difficult for the lower courts to refuse Erbi's lawsuit.
Everyone started to get used to it.
And the reason is Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei smiled: "But I don't think I am destroying, I am building. Litigation can make the trial fairer."
Sima Guang snorted: "Then you tell yourself, if one party has the money to pay for Erbi, but the other cannot afford it, is this fair or unfair?"
"unfair!"
Zhang Fei said: "But it is not caused by destruction, but due to incomplete construction. If legal aid is added, it can become more fair."
Sima Guang groaned: "What do you mean by legal aid?"
Zhang Fei said: "It means helping people litigate for free."
Sima Guang smiled and said: "You are willing to help people litigate for free. This is a good thing!"
Zhang Fei said: "But without the support of the government, small shops will be unable to do what they want."
Sima Guang said angrily: "The imperial court has no money now, so what does Wang Jiefu do with his reform? Isn't it just to make money for the country?"
Zhang Fei shook his head and said: "We don't need the court to spend money to support us, we just need to give us institutional support."
Sima Guang was puzzled: "Institutional support?"
Zhang Fei nodded: "I hope the government will include legal aid in the trial process. In other words, if one party cannot afford Erbi, the government will assign Erbi to litigate for them free of charge, and the shop will provide tea and food. People and Erbi, the government does not need to spend a penny."
Xu Zhiqian next to her looked confused, "What's the difference?"
Sima Guang took the lead and said, "Qian'er is right, what's the difference between you and me?"
Since it is free, then someone has to pay, and the government does not need to pay. Isn’t it you who have to pay? Isn’t it unnecessary?
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "The difference is huge. One is mandatory, while the other is non-compulsory. I can litigate for them for free, but I have no obligation after all. I can refuse, and legal aid, It is compulsory.
Furthermore, after all, a small shop opens its door to do business, not to do good deeds. Free service will also harm the interests of the small shop. "
Sima Guang still didn't understand and asked: "If Erbi and Cha Shiren were found by the government, it might be different. But you just said that they were sent by your shop. You don't have to send them. Isn’t it the same?"
Zhang Fei explained: "Although I sent this person, it is still legal aid. If you want to come to the shop to hire someone to litigate, you still have to pay. This can make the difference between the two very clear. Secondly, It doesn’t have to be a small store that sends people there, other bookstores can also send people there.”
Sima Guang chuckled: "Who would be willing?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "I believe everyone will be willing."
Sima Guang said: "Why are you so sure?"
Zhang Fei chuckled and said, "Because I will only send some newcomers there to practice. I guarantee that other bookstores will follow suit and send newcomers to practice."
Sima Guang said angrily: "How unreasonable are you to use other people's lawsuits to train your troops?"
Xu Zhiqian also nodded.
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "That's what I mean, but for those who can't afford Erbi, this is better than nothing! Moreover, it may be better than some paid ones."
Sima Guang shook his head and said: "You kid, don't give me the ecstasy soup. You think I don't know your little intentions. If the government introduces court assistance."
First of all, this is a disguised recognition of the legal status of Erbi. During the trial, Erbi must be present.
Secondly, this also lets everyone know that it is not good to do it for free, and you have to pay for it. "
Wow. This old man's mind is spinning so fast. I took such a big detour and still didn't get him in. It was really hard. Zhang Fei muttered to himself, and then said: "What Grand Scholar Sima said is wrong. If free ones are better than paid ones, who would be willing to spend money? If they can't make any money, no one will be an Erbi.
And the reason why I say that free ones may be better than paid ones is because of money. Although the people I sent are new people, if they want to become a fee-paying Erbi, they must accumulate their own reputation and show results. They will definitely try their best to litigate for others. Some Erbis don’t charge much and may not put in as much effort. "
Having said this, he glanced at Xu Zhiqian again, "I originally planned to let Zhiqian help people litigate for free, because she is not short of money and has a warm heart."
He pointed to the door again, "But the facts have been proved
Ming, she alone can't help at all, and she can't let others be like her, trying her best to help others without asking for anything in return.
Everything in the world is for profit. If you want to help more people, you must use money to motivate them. Do you want to be Zhang Daerbi? It's very simple. Let my results speak for themselves, and I can be where I am today. In the beginning, I helped people litigate for free. "
Xu Zhiqian, who didn't agree with it just now, couldn't help but think deeply at this moment.
She used to believe that if you help others, you shouldn't ask for anything in return. Otherwise, it wouldn't be called helping others.
But she is just an example after all.
Not everyone is like her, who has no worries about food and clothing, and her family also supports her.
The key point is that her abilities alone are really limited. It would take several days to file a lawsuit and she would have to bear various risks. How much can this help?
Compared to the grievances in the world, it is such a drop in the bucket!
Zhang Fei's legal aid is entirely driven by interests and has nothing to do with conscience.
But I have to admit that this can indeed help more people.
Sima Guang thought for a while and said, "But this will lead to litigation and increase the burden on the government."
Are you worried about the burden of raising so many officials? This is the funniest thing about your Song Dynasty. Zhang Fei smiled and said, "I think the court will make a lot of money from this deal."
Sima Guang asked in astonishment: "Is the imperial court making a huge profit?"
Once litigation breaks out, the disputes will become complicated, and the government will have to invest more energy. There is no such thing as making money!
Direct judgment based on evidence saves time and effort.
Zhang Fei explained: "On the surface, it seems to be increasing the government's investment, but why don't Grand Scholar Sima think about where all this investment is going?
It is to combat tax evasion, extortion, fraud, corruption and perversion of the law. And these are all invisibly damaging the interests of the country.
As far as the imperial court's Chao'an policy is concerned, if the people can seek justice through prosecution, who will rebel, and the imperial court does not need to use Chao'an to solve the problem.
How many lawsuits can be filed with the cost of Zhao'an?
There is also tax evasion. If a piece of tax evasion land can be uncovered, the imperial court will benefit continuously. Although a lot of manpower and material resources have been invested here, as long as the judiciary is strict, it can reduce the burden on the court in all aspects, which is a huge benefit.
Also, small shops need to train new people, doesn’t the imperial court need them? It is better to let those young officials go to the bottom to gain experience than to let them study in the library. In fact, this does not require too much investment from the court. This is nothing if not making a lot of money. "
Sima Guang nodded slightly and said, "What you said makes sense, but this is not a trivial matter. I have to think about it carefully."
As he said that, he looked at Zhang Fei again, "Actually, what can be done is very limited when there is a dispute. It is you Erbi who will benefit. If you really want to rule the world in a clear and Ming Dynasty, you have to rely on the court's laws."
Zhang Fei nodded repeatedly: "Of course."
Sima Guang said again: "Now I am busy with judicial reform. I want you to join the procuratorate. What do you think?"
Xu Zhiqian looked happy and couldn't help but look at Zhang Fei.
