I studied in modern times

Chapter 875 The Empress Dowager's Response

By the time the ministers had rushed to the capital from their homes and offices.

More than ten imperial edicts have been sent down from the palace again.

There is forgiveness for everything.

The first offender might be sentenced to death by hanging or even exile instead of beheading or decapitation.

The punishment for accomplices was changed from exile to Shamen Island/re-exile to exile for three thousand miles/one thousand miles.

At the same time, the verdict was also written quite beautifully.

Or they may quote scriptures and, in the name of saints, explain the importance of lenient punishment and reduced penalties for moral education.

Or cite the precedents of ancient emperors (called "Duanli" in Song Dynasty) - yes, you read that right!
In the medieval Song Dynasty, precedents were highly valued in judicial practice.

Zhao Xu's father, the emperor, even issued an edict during the Yuanfeng era to order the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice to compile a "Yuanfeng Case Law" to guide county officials in trying cases.

In his previous life, Zhao Xu also ordered officials of the Dali Temple to compile a book called "Yuanfu Criminal Cases" to guide judicial practice.

This is mainly because the commodity economy of the Song Dynasty developed rapidly.

However, the criminal system, as a written law, cannot keep up with the various problems brought about by social and economic development.

What should veteran cadres do when they encounter new problems?
Many people are at a loss as to what to do.

In particular, many cases have begun to touch upon the sensitive points of Confucianism.

For example, the parents are still alive, but the brothers are fighting over the inheritance.

Or, in other words, there is a financial dispute between husband and wife.

At this time, most people would not even have the courage to conduct a trial, let alone judge the case.

They are afraid of touching a political minefield and accidentally getting blown up (such as the Dengzhou Ayun case).

Fortunately, the situation in the prefectures and counties of the Song Dynasty is extremely complicated, and all kinds of cases have occurred before.

Therefore, most people, when faced with similar difficult problems, will make the same choice - copying homework!

As long as we can find a famous official and the basis and results of his judgment in similar cases.

Then you can't go wrong if you follow the same pattern.

And because it was a judgment made by a famous official, the theoretical basis, judicial basis, and moral standards were all ready-made, which could avoid political risks to the greatest extent.

After the Ayun case, similar cases all copied the verdict of the Ayun case.

Therefore, the judicial practice of the Song Dynasty was one in which law (written law) and precedent (precedent) complemented each other.

The ministers took the files sent down from the palace and carefully read the contents of the verdict.

Everyone was amazed and extremely surprised.

Then they all turned towards the Baoci Palace and bowed their heads to congratulate.

Even Fu Yaoyu, who is known for being 'not good at flattery' and 'inflexible', is like this.

He was even more excited than everyone else.

There is no way. Fu Yaoyu is an idealist. He has been pursuing the goal of "making the king as good as Yao and Shun" all his life.

Now that his dream has seen the light of day, how can he not be excited?
Under such circumstances, the meeting of the capital convened by Lu Gongzhu naturally unanimously passed all his suggestions for "congratulations".

Including submitting a memorial to express congratulations, offering sacrifices to the Taimiao, sending envoys to the Yongyu Mausoleum and Yonghou Mausoleum, and offering sacrifices to the Ying Temple and the late emperor.

The right prime minister Pu Zongmeng even suggested that this should be used as an opportunity to grant amnesty to the entire country and send envoys to announce it to all countries.

However, this proposal was a bit too flattering and would cost a lot of money, so it was rejected.

Therefore, all the ministers in the capital signed at once, and then Zeng Bu wrote a congratulatory letter and sent it to the palace immediately.

However, their movements were still a little slow.

Because Wen Yanbo's congratulatory message was delivered to the palace before theirs.

Moreover, it was delivered via the express channel—directly to the emperor by Guo Zhongxiao himself.

When the congratulatory message from Dutang was delivered, Wen Yanbo's congratulatory message had already arrived before the emperor.

There is nothing we can do about this.

The ministers of the capital were scattered in their homes and government offices.

It took almost an hour just to gather them together.

Wen Yanbo received the news quickly and responded quickly, so he was naturally faster than them.

However, this made the ministers in the capital feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"Old man!"

Even Lu Gongzhu swore, which was rare.

But unfortunately, no one could do anything about Wen Yanbo.

He is the Grand Tutor, and is in charge of important military and national affairs!

Enjoy a special status above the prime minister!
……

"Your Majesty, I humbly wish that you will accept the mandate of the emperor and carry on the great legacy of the saints..."

"When he ascended the throne at a young age, he showed his saintly character and noble character; when he ascended the throne at a young age, he showed his wisdom and insight..."

In the Qingshou Palace, the sound of Liang Congzheng reciting Wen Yanbo's congratulatory message echoed in the silent hall.

The Empress Dowager half closed her eyes and listened to the words of the congratulatory message.

"Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have lectured once a day to study the mysteries of the Six Classics. You have also been seated in front of the throne and have mastered the key issues of the past dynasties. Whenever you read a memorial, you make decisions quickly. You have made decisions on military and national issues and won victories thousands of miles away. This has never been seen in the past dynasties and has never happened before!"

"Now, Your Majesty has succeeded to the throne, and the Merciful Saint is in power. It is the time of reform and opening up. The four seas are grateful for your grace and all look up to your rule. The people of the Five Mountains share the same customs and are grateful for your grace..."

"Enough!" The Empress Dowager opened her eyes and interrupted Liang Congzheng's recitation.

Her face looked not very good.

Because, in Wen Yanbo's congratulatory letter, for the first time, he omitted the title "Liang Gong Ci Sheng" and simplified it to "Ci Sheng".

Did he do it on purpose?
Or unintentional?

The Empress Dowager didn't know, but the ducks knew first when the river water warmed in spring.

After the Zhang Dunli case, she had clearly felt the subtle changes inside and outside the court, and in the palace.

The Baoci Palace gradually gained more authority, while her Qingshou Palace became increasingly silent.

Especially last time, when Empress Dowager Xiang sent people to express condolences to Prince Yang's deposed concubine Feng, and she found out, she questioned her face to face, and the first conflict broke out between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law since Emperor Xiang ascended the throne in the eighth year of Yuanfeng.

The last time Empress Dowager Xiang was so resolute in front of her was when the late emperor was seriously ill and bedridden.

It was after that conflict that the Empress Dowager could clearly sense that the wind direction inside and outside the palace had changed slightly.

Although these changes were not obvious, they frightened her.

First of all, Baoci Palace issued an order for Liu Weijian and Li Xian to take on the duties of handling the affairs of the Imperial City Department and the Imperial Pharmacy respectively.

Soon after, news came from Qinxian’s residence in Xianyifang.

A new team of remnant troops entered Qinxian's house.

Moreover, this team of remaining troops was transferred from the First General of Yulong - all of them were soldiers who were injured and disabled in the war of southern expedition to Jiaozhi.

Now, such a thing has happened again. The Grand Master submitted a memorial to congratulate them, but the text of the memorial did not mention the title of "Two Palaces of Mercy".

Only 'Ci Sheng' is left.

What does he mean?
The Empress Dowager had to think and consider.

She stroked the cat slave in her arms, and gradually applied force to her hands. The originally well-behaved cat slave suddenly felt something was wrong and started meowing.

"Your Majesty..." The palace lady Wang behind her gently reminded, "Your Majesty, please take care of yourself..."

"I know..." The Empress Dowager nodded.

At this time, she should keep calm.

You must not show any sign of being unusual, and you must even be happier than last year's Kuncheng Festival.

She must show her magnanimity and show her breadth of mind.

To calm the hearts of people both at home and abroad and to meet the expectations of the government and the people.

Only in this way can we be decent.

Otherwise, others will not give her respect.

Whether in the palace or outside the palace! |
For example, at the end of the Jiayou period, Ren Miao was forced to appoint Ying Miao as the crown prince under the coaxing and forcing of ministers from both the court and the public.

But he soon regretted it!

He even shouted in front of the Liao envoy that the Queen was harming him and Zhang Maoze was plotting a rebellion.

is that useful?
It's of no use at all!
The ministers quickly entered the palace to stabilize the situation, and then announced to the court outside - the emperor had a sudden attack of wind, and was in a coma, so what he said was all delirium, crazy talk! Now he is sober and feels regretful, everyone should go away!

As for what exactly is going on in Ren Temple?

No one cares, whether in government or in public.

Who told him that he couldn’t support his son!

Who told him that he had suffered several strokes and could die at any time!
Who told him not to see the situation clearly and not to distinguish between the big and small kings? !
He is going to die soon.

Everyone has pledged allegiance to the new monarch.

The foundation of his rule has been completely shaken.

It was precisely because of this that Yingmiao dared to raise the Pu Debate after he ascended the throne, and quickly gained the support of a large number of court officials.

The Empress Dowager knew very well that the situation she was facing now was very similar to that of Ren Miao back then!

Although she is the mother of the current official.

But the official has a stepmother, and the mother and son have a very good relationship.

And she, the mother, is already old.

Just like the Ren Temple in the past, it is already the afterglow of sunset.

Baoci Palace was only in her early forties, and most importantly, the emperor was still very young.

Under such circumstances, if the court officials had to choose between the two, even a fool would know to choose the more promising Baoci Palace.

Not to mention the attitude of the government.

Therefore, if she could not distinguish between the great and small princes, she would not be able to stir up any waves in the palace at this time.

The court officials would immediately announce to the public as they did back then - the Empress Dowager was in a coma and all she said was delirium.

Once that happens, she will be completely out.

From now on, he will be under house arrest in the Qingshou Palace, and it will probably be difficult for him to even meet the ladies of the Gao family.

"Gong Shang Wang..." The Empress Dowager turned her head and looked at Wang: "Now that things have come to this, what do you think I should do?"

Wang lowered her head, thought for a moment, and said, "Your Highness, please forgive me for being so bold as to say something I shouldn't have said..."

"Ok?"

"I heard that the late emperor once taught you: A harmonious family brings prosperity..."

“This is a true and wise saying!”

"Even ordinary people value family harmony and a harmonious family..."

"Not to mention the Heavenly Family?!"

"The royal family should set an example for the subjects of the world..." Wang didn't dare to say anything more after saying this.

She knew that if the Empress Dowager could listen, she would naturally understand what she meant.

If they don't listen, there's no point in saying it out loud.

The Queen's temper has always been like this.

She can't change her mind on her own, no matter how much others persuade her!
At that time, Cixi Guangxian wanted to marry a concubine to bring good luck to Yingmiao.

What did the Empress Dowager say?

"Inform your Majesty, the bride is married to a member of the Thirteenth Regiment, not to an official..."

With just one sentence, Ci Sheng Guangxian was speechless and never mentioned the matter of taking a concubine for Ying Ming again.

Therefore, until Yingmiao's death, there was only one queen in the harem.

The Empress Dowager lowered her head.

Of course she understood what Wang meant.

Since the conflict between her and Baoci Palace was because of Feng Shi, then now, during the Kuncheng Festival, she should show peace and also to gain the trust of Baoci Palace.

Then we should take Feng out of Yaohua Palace and bring her into the palace to comfort her and reward her.

but……

The Grand Empress Dowager closed her eyes and recalled how, after the fire in the palace, Feng had cried and refused to die, but instead ran to Cixi Guangxian to file a complaint, and finally brought the case to the late Emperor, not giving her, the aunt, any face at all.

She couldn't help but clench her fists and cursed in her heart: "Poisonous woman!"

"You should just live like a Buddhist monk with green lamps and spend the rest of your life!"

but……

At present, it seems that this is the only way for her to ease the relationship with Baoci Palace.

"Your Majesty, please consider the Second King's future..." Wang looked at the expression of the Empress Dowager and quietly added the last straw that broke the camel's back.

When the Empress Dowager heard this, she heaved a sigh of relief and chanted the Buddha's name: "Amitabha!"

"That's it!"

"Send someone to Yaohua Palace to ask Feng to come out and get ready and tidy up... before attending my Holy Festival Palace Banquet!"

"but……"

"Tell her..."

"You give yourself dignity!"

"Don't embarrass me at the palace banquet!"

(End of this chapter)