252: Qin Law

Han Cheng waved his hand, then mounted his warhorse and departed with three hundred cavalrymen and over a hundred strategists. She Jian's Guard Battalion also accompanied them, tasked with escorting the group to General Meng Tian's Encampment before returning.

"Go back," She Jian said with a sigh of relief, watching the group disappear from sight. This troublesome matter was finally dealt with.

The Generals all returned to the main tent with She Jian.

Over the past three days, Lin Yue had been surveying with Han Cheng. Fortunately, they didn't encounter many Xiongnu Cavalry, as they were swiftly dealt with by the White Horse Righteous Cavalry from a distance, preventing any mishaps.

The other people in the Encampment were not idle either, fanning out to encircle and eliminate the Xiongnu Cavalry. It was no exaggeration to say they dug three feet deep, because everyone knew that the Great General and Fusu were coming!

Stepping into the main tent, She Jian immediately spoke, "The Great General's Army will arrive in five days. During this time, I want all of you to search thoroughly, even if you have to dig three feet deep, otherwise, it will be a loss of face for all of us!" She Jian said sternly.

"Understood!" the Generals replied.

"Lin Yue," She Jian said.

"This humble general is here!" Lin Yue responded.

"Your unit is to cross the river and sweep away the Xiongnu!"

"Understood!" Lin Yue rose and responded!

"The rest of the troops, continue patrolling!" She Jian said in a deep voice.

"Understood!" the Generals responded in unison!

"Go," She Jian waved his hand, and the Generals left the tent.

Lin Yue returned directly to his tent and said to Zhao Yun:

"Zi Long, assemble the White Horse Righteous Cavalry and follow me across the river."

"Understood!" Zhao Yun replied, then walked out of the main tent.

While the White Horse Righteous Cavalry were assembling, Lin Yue took the opportunity to read a book Han Cheng had given him—an ordinary, unranked book: "qin law"!

Han Cheng once said that the current Director of the Chariot Office, Zhao Gao, was promoted because he studied Legalist knowledge and was proficient in various qin law. After learning this, he also emulated him, diligently studying qin law. It could be said that these few volumes of qin law were his greatest reliance in rising to his current position over ten years!

So he gave these volumes of qin law to Lin Yue. Lin Yue had been reading them for the past few days, and whenever he encountered something he didn't understand, Han Cheng would personally explain it to him.

These volumes of "qin law" also gave Lin Yue a different understanding of the Qin Dynasty.

He had only heard that qin law was strict, but Lin Yue discovered in the past few days that this was not entirely true.

Many laws in qin law are similar to those of later generations and even modern times.

For example, torture to extract a confession was absolutely forbidden; otherwise, it would be invalid.

For example, in cases of appeals, if you were dissatisfied with a judgment, you could appeal from the County Magistrate to the Commandery Commandant, and even to the Court of Justice. This is strikingly similar to the primary, intermediate, and higher courts of later generations.

For example, qin law stipulated that anyone under six feet tall would have their punishment reduced by one degree. This was the Qin Dynasty's protection law for minors.

For example, the "Jinbulü" stipulated: "When common people use money in the market, good and bad are mixed, do not dare to differentiate." This is similar to the modern rule against refusing to accept dragon coin.

There was also the Qin Dynasty's consumer protection law, the "Jinbulü": The Jinbulü stipulated that when purchasing goods, a "contract voucher" (receipt) must be issued. If a quality problem was found, the merchant must provide a refund or exchange. If the merchant refused, they would be heavily penalized!

Similarly, the "Jinbulü" stipulated: "When there is selling and buying, each bears its price." Simply put, this means clear pricing! In the Qin Dynasty, there was no need to worry about "ice cream assassins" or "cut cake" type products appearing!

But the laws Lin Yue liked most were the following.

"qin law" stipulated that within a hundred paces, if someone needed help (rescue or was being harmed), and you stood by idly, you would face severe punishment!

What, you said you were extorted after acting heroically last time, and the judge said it wasn't your fault, so why did you get involved?

From then on, your heart became as hard as stone, only looking out for yourself?

If that judge had lived in the Qin Dynasty, someone would have taught him how to behave.

Of course, if you lived in the Qin Dynasty, you would have even less to worry about, because the Qin Dynasty had a law of "false accusation leading to counter-punishment." This meant that if someone accused you of a crime, and it was found to be false, the accuser would suffer the same crime and go to prison.

Similarly, if you acted heroically and were extorted, and an elderly person demanded one million in compensation, then congratulations, once it was confirmed that you were innocent, the elderly person would compensate you one million to soothe your injured young heart.

So, those who stage accidents for compensation should be grateful they were born two thousand years later.

There was also a women's protection law: "If a husband is a stray boar, killing him is not a crime."

This meant that if your husband cheated, there was no need to cry or pretend to be strong. As long as you caught him in the act, if you were sisters, you could chop him, because killing him was not a crime!

There was also the concept of legitimate self-defense. The "Law Against Unlawful Entry into Homes" stipulated that if a stranger entered your home and you caught them, you could directly cut them down, and killing them was not a crime.

You wouldn't have to worry about a thief jumping from a building to escape and you having to compensate them for injuries. Nor would you have to worry about someone breaking into your home and you being judged for excessive self-defense after fighting back.

Furthermore, qin law did not allow insulting officials or praising officials. Insulting was forbidden to prevent unwarranted discussion of court affairs; praising was forbidden to prevent officials from becoming keen on grandstanding!

There were many, many more. While "qin law" was indeed somewhat strict, it was also incredibly detailed, regulating every aspect of the entire empire.

And the much-criticized system of collective punishment was not unique to the Qin Dynasty. Before it, the states of Wei and Qi during the Warring States period had it, and afterward, every dynasty throughout history also had it.

For example, the extermination of nine generations of relatives, or even ten generations! There were even various forms of collective punishment implemented in different ways.

After thoroughly studying these, Lin Yue also developed some doubts, specifically regarding Chen Sheng's statement: "You gentlemen encountered rain and all missed the deadline; missing the deadline means execution!"