"The Complete Book of Wisdom" records: In the fourth year of Jingyou of Renzong of the Northern Song Dynasty, Bao Zheng was appointed as the magistrate of Tianchang County. Tianchang County, located in the south of Anhui Province, is like a bright pearl inlaid in the rich land, rich agricultural products allow the people to live a self-sufficient life, of which the cultivation of rice accounts for most of the agricultural activities. However, in that era, ploughing cattle were an important tool in farming, and it was strictly forbidden to slaughter them privately. Anyone who dares to break the law will face severe punishment.
Early one morning, Liu Quan, a farmer, led a sturdy old ox and staggered to the gate of the county government and sounded the drum that represented justice and fairness. He cried and complained, saying that the old scalper, the breadwinner of his family, had his tongue cut out by the gangsters last night. The old scalper who lost his tongue can no longer eat, for Liu Quan, it is tantamount to losing the support of life. He asked Bao County to find justice for him.
When Bao Zheng heard about this, he did not despise it as ordinary people, but deeply felt that this matter was not trivial. He understands the importance of a ploughing cow to farmers, and understands Liu Quan's despair and helplessness at the moment. After some thought, Bao Zheng began to gradually uncover the truth behind this seemingly simple case. He asked Liu Quan if he had any disputes or grievances with his neighbors, whether there were suspicious people around his home, and even asked if anyone followed or witnessed Liu Quan when he filed the complaint. Liu Quan thought for a moment and replied that when he went out, the sky was not completely clear, and he saw his next-door neighbor Bu An standing in front of the door, and he saw Liu Quan holding the old ox and asked him where he wanted to go. Liu Quan told him to go to the county government to complain, and Bu An did not say anything more.
After listening to Liu Quan's answer, Bao Zheng had a plan. He told Liu Quan that there was no need to worry, and that the criminal would soon be captured. But Liu Quan must remain calm when he returns home, secretly slaughtering beef and distributing it to neighbors. If someone gave him silver taels, Liu Quan could use them to buy new cattle. Liu Quan was puzzled by this, and said: "Bao County Order, isn't this a violation of the 'prohibition of killing cattle' clause in the imperial court decree? Isn't it illegal to do so? Bao Zheng replied: "Your Excellency, don't worry, I will vouch for this cow for you." When you finish selling the beef, maybe the criminals will naturally surface. After listening to Bao Zheng's words, Liu Quan led the old scalper and left the county office.
Although Liu Quan did not understand Bao Zheng's decision, he was full of respect for Bao Zheng and decided to follow his husband's advice. He returned to his home, secretly slaughtered the old ox at nightfall, cut the meat into several portions, and gave it to the neighbors. In the early morning of the next day, he once again transported the remaining beef to the market, and the news spread far and wide, and many people heard that Liu Quan's ** beef rushed over, and a ** rich household also bought some to try its taste, and at noon, Liu Quan's sales work was basically over, and he was ready to return home, and it didn't take long for the county yamen to come to the news that someone came to sue Liu Quan for slaughtering cattle privately. Bao Zheng immediately ascended to the court for trial, only to see a tall and thin man kneeling in the lobby**, pointing at Liu Quan and saying loudly: "Bao County Order, this Liu Quan is a big villain!" He even violated the law by killing ploughing cattle and selling meat to others! This is a great sin against the court and the people! You must punish him severely! ”
Bao Zheng glanced at the man, and laughed secretly in his heart, this man was Liu Quan's next-door neighbor Bu An, Bao Zheng had already guessed that he was the one who cut the cow's tongue, he just used a trick to make him take the bait. Bao Zheng pretended not to know and asked Bu An: "How do you know that Liu Quan killed the cultivator?" Buan said: "I saw him slaughtering cattle in the yard last night, and this morning I saw him pulling a cart of beef to the market to sell. As for the evidence, all the people in the bazaar can testify. Bao Zheng asked again: "Why did you report him?" Bu An said: "I am here to uphold the law and justice!" Such wicked people cannot be spared! After hearing these words, Bao Zheng deliberately asked: "You insist that Liu Quan killed the cow, why did he kill the cow?" Did You Know? Bu An was shocked when he heard this, he felt that Bao Zheng seemed to know something, he thought about it, and felt that he still had to persevere to the end and not show his feet.
He said, "I don't know why he killed the cow, maybe it was because he was greedy!" He wants to make more money, regardless of the interests of the country and the people! Bao Zheng sneered when he heard this and said, "You are such a kind person! Since you don't know why Liu Quan killed the cow, do you know why Liu Quan's cow has no tongue? When Bu An heard this, his face changed greatly, and he thought that he had sneaked into the cowshed of Liu Quan's house last night and cut off the old cow's tongue with a knife. He originally wanted to kill Liu Quan's cattle so that Liu Quan could not farm, so as to avenge the feud between Liu Quan and his wife. He didn't expect Liu Quan to kill the cow and sell the meat, and he was also recognized by Bao Zheng.
A beautiful trick to lure the snake out of the hole, and easily and intelligently solve the cattle theft case. Hongchen is disturbed, looking for "The Complete Book of Wisdom" to borrow some wisdom and enjoy a happy life.