HLnovel Chapter 835 Amnesty for the World
Chapter 835 Amnesty for the World
Since arriving, Consort Yu has hardly spoken, almost making people forget that she is the one who suffered the most.
The Emperor has many sons; some of the older ones are already of age, about to marry and have children, while the younger ones are just learning to walk and are still babbling. But Consort Yu only has one son.
Women in the imperial harem, over time, will wither even the most vibrant flowers, and their most sincere hearts will be worn away.
Consort Yu was in her thirties. The twin sisters who had been presented to the Emperor a few days ago had just come of age. She no longer craved any favor. All her emotional attachments were now to her son.
Now his only son is gone, murdered and killed in the palace.
Consort Xu will inevitably pay the price, but what about Consort Xiao?
Consort Yu wished she could grind Consort Xiao and her entire family to dust.
Once she left this main hall, she had no chance to curse or vent her anger, so she didn't care whether some things could be said or were appropriate. She wanted everyone to know that the Xiao family harbored wolfish ambitions!
When had Duke Xiao ever been insulted like this before?
Consort Ke Yu's words were like putting him on the hot seat.
Before he could even finish his apology, he knelt down, wanting to ask His Majesty for the first time who had come up with the terrible idea of bringing these troublesome women to the court!
If he had known things would turn out this way, he wouldn't have been so unprepared as to let a woman point her finger at him and curse him like that!
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty is wise. I am utterly loyal to Your Majesty and have no selfish motives whatsoever!" Duke Xiao had no time to think of anything else and could only express his loyalty first.
Consort Yu persisted, "Your Majesty, let me ask you this: isn't it enough to exterminate his entire clan for plotting to harm the prince? If we don't do it now, are we waiting for the Xiao family to seize the throne someday?"
What a shrew!
"Your Majesty, I dare not! I am innocent!"
Duke Xiao cursed Consort Yu in his heart, but dared not raise his head. Suddenly, a strange thought arose in his mind: abolishing the law of collective punishment might not be a bad thing.
The Emperor remained silent, and cold sweat dripped down his back. His mind was filled with thoughts of what to do if His Majesty truly intended to use Consort Yu and the Tenth Prince as a pretext to eliminate the Xiao family. He knew better than anyone what kind of person His Majesty was. Over the years, despite wielding immense power, he had constantly worried about being discarded after his usefulness was over, and that serving the Emperor was like walking on thin ice.
"How dare you!" Finally, the Emperor rebuked Consort Yu.
"Consort Yu, I know you are heartbroken because of the Tenth Prince and have spoken recklessly. I have said that I will give the Tenth Prince justice. Whether Consort Xiao is the mastermind or not, I will deal with it fairly after the investigation is completed." The Emperor waved his hand, "Promote the Tenth Prince to the rank of Prince Hui and send Consort Yu back to the palace."
Having said what she wanted to say, Consort Yu readily agreed, "Thank you, Your Majesty. This concubine will take her leave."
Consort Yu left with the eunuch.
The Emperor's gaze fell on Duke Xiao, and after a long while, he finally spoke, "Minister Xiao, rise. As your subject and I are ruler and subject, I naturally trust you."
Duke Xiao was moved to tears, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."
Having resolved the matter, the Emperor looked somewhat weary. He pondered for a moment, then looked at Lu Wei: "Lu Zhuangyuan was personally selected by me. He is exceptionally talented and will be a pillar of the nation in the future. He has done an excellent job on this mission. I am counting on you to do a good job for me. Our Great Zhao has never mistreated divorced women. Since your mother has severed ties with Lu Liulang, you are free to establish your own household."
Lu Wei hurriedly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"
"Get up."
After the emperor finished speaking, he asked the ministers, "What do you all think about the matter of collective punishment?"
Lu Yangyang secretly gave Ying Xun a wink.
Ying Xun understood and stepped forward respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty, I am honored by Your Majesty's trust in me and have gained some experience in handling criminal cases. Since the founding of our Great Zhao Dynasty, the laws have been constantly being improved. After several revisions, there are very few crimes that truly warrant the confiscation of property and extermination of the entire clan. The saying goes, 'One person's misfortune can bring misfortune to the whole family.' Some crimes are more for deterrence, but they inevitably harm the innocent. Just like Scholar Lu, who has never enjoyed any favors from the Lu family, yet has been implicated by them. If it weren't for Your Majesty's benevolence and strictness, he would probably have suffered an undeserved disaster."
"In my opinion, abolishing the law of collective punishment is not something that can be done overnight. However, it would be better to pray for the Tenth Prince's well-being and grant a general amnesty to pardon the relatives and clansmen who have been convicted of serious crimes in the past twenty years. We should redefine the crimes and time limits for collective punishment, and show appropriate leniency to women and children, so as to demonstrate Your Majesty's benevolence and the strictness and integrity of the laws of our Great Zhao, without losing benevolence and righteousness!"
Abolishing the system of collective punishment is impossible, but granting a general amnesty is a meritorious act during the emperor's reign. The Tenth Prince died an unnatural death, so granting a general amnesty to pray for his recovery is a justifiable reason.
Duke Xiao, who had just been berated by Consort Yu for deserving the execution of his entire family, was now eager to use the Tenth Prince's name to demonstrate his loyalty. Thus, he was the first to stand up and support the emperor, saying, "I believe that what Minister Ying said is reasonable. I support praying for the Tenth Prince and granting a general amnesty! His Majesty's benevolence is a blessing to the people of Dazhao. Long live the Emperor!"
Some of the ministers who argued the loudest just now immediately agreed after seeing Duke Xiao stand up!
Part of the reason was that Minister Shen took the lead, after all, the Tenth Prince was Minister Shen's grandson, and granting a general amnesty in order to pray for the Tenth Prince was an immense blessing!
Another group believed that improving the law was indeed a feasible move, and thus also stood up to support it.
For a time, the ministers were almost unanimously in agreement that this move was feasible.
When the Emperor saw this, he thought it was a good thing. The death of the Tenth Prince was ultimately for the sake of the position he held. His sons had grown up and were becoming increasingly impatient. Since that was the case, he insisted on elevating the Tenth Prince and granting a general amnesty to let them all see who was in charge!
Stop thinking about his throne all day long!
If he wants to give it to someone, he will naturally give it; if he doesn't want to, even if he gives it, he can still take it back!
"By imperial decree, I grieve the untimely death of my tenth son, Zongming, and hereby bestow upon him the title of Prince Hui, and grant a general amnesty!" The Emperor's face was filled with sorrow, as if he were mourning the death of his tenth son, and he sighed deeply.
All the civil and military officials bowed in unison, shouting, "Our Emperor is wise and benevolent! Long live Prince Hui! Long live the Emperor!"
After the officials finished paying their respects, the Emperor instructed Ying Xun, "The matter of perfecting the laws shall be entrusted to Minister Ying and Scholar Lu. From this day forward, Scholar Lu Wei shall be appointed as Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, assisting Minister Ying in revising the laws."
"The minister accepts the order!"
"Thank you Lord for your grace!"
Ying Xun and Lu Wei hurriedly stepped forward to receive the imperial decree.
After finishing his business, the Emperor didn't forget to give Lu Yangyang a little nudge, "You're quite bold, but you must not act rashly in the capital in the future!"
"Your Majesty, I will remember this forever and thank you for your great kindness!" Having achieved her goal, Lu Yangyang naturally didn't hesitate to pretend to be obedient.
Abolishing the system of collective punishment is not something that can be done overnight, but a general amnesty, pardoning the relatives and family members of officials who have committed serious crimes for twenty years, and allowing family members to be related, would allow them to travel to the capital.
...
In an old house in Fengqiao Town outside Beijing.
It just rained.
Water dripped from the eaves outside the window, and Zong Que placed a white chess piece onto the board.