Thief Emperor

Chapter 1097 Clear Stance
As an emperor, Li Yun's abilities were already extremely powerful. Theoretically speaking, he could do almost anything that human beings could do.

Moreover, all it takes is a single sentence or a decree.

But even with such power, one cannot act too rigidly.

In other words, it needs to be legitimate and justified.

The so-called debate between new and old learning has lasted for twenty years. During these twenty years, Li Yun, as the advocate of new learning, did not suppress old learning, that is, the learning of sages.

This is because the knowledge of sages is the wisdom accumulated over many years, and it needs to be inherited.

In Li Yun's view, however, this knowledge should be used for moral education, not as a stepping stone to officialdom.

In another world, after the scientific examinations were formalized, Confucianism gradually evolved into Confucianism as a religion, and was eventually distorted beyond recognition.

Therefore, the direction of the exams guided by Li Yun is practical knowledge, such as the most prominent new subject, agronomy.

These subjects have specific uses and are relatively easy to quantify and grade during exams.

Now, eleven years have passed since the founding of the People's Republic of China, and Li Yun has been advocating practical learning for nearly twenty years. After twenty years, it is time to establish a guiding principle.

In fact, Li Yun had been looking for an opportunity for several years. After all, this matter was too sensitive and required a suitable time and a suitable excuse, but the opportunity had not yet come.

And now, the opportunity has come.

The kidnapping of officials in Jiangnan Province was undoubtedly a golden opportunity.

The reason this opportunity exists is not because Li Yun is some kind of chosen one with exceptional luck, but because the two schools of thought, or rather two different interest groups, will inevitably escalate their conflict as the contradictions deepen.

And this time, the coincidence is that it happened in Nanjing, in Jiangdong.

As Li Yun's stronghold, Jiangnan Road had an incredibly solid base of support among the people.

If these scholars were punished on a large scale elsewhere, they might actually incite the local people to riot, or even rebel.

However, it was impossible for the people of Jiangnan Province to rise up against Emperor Li on a large scale, even if Emperor Li were to become ruthless and kill all the families of the hundreds of people involved.

Upon hearing Li Yun's words, Prime Minister Du understood that His Majesty the Emperor intended to use the case of the kidnapped officials in Jiangnan as a warning to others.

To warn those monkeys who are about to make a move.

After a moment of silence, Prime Minister Du whispered to Li Yun, “Your Majesty, the madmen who kidnapped the court officials deserve their fate, but the other hundreds of troublemakers do not deserve to die.”

Emperor Li glanced at Du Qian and said speechlessly, "Brother Shouyi, do you think I'm about to unleash a massacre in Jiangnan?"

Du Qian didn't speak, he just looked at Li Yun.

Emperor Li said calmly, "Someone must be held accountable for kidnapping the county magistrate, otherwise the laws of the court will be lost, and people in other places may follow suit."

"Anyone involved in the kidnapping of the official shall be severely punished, as shall the rest."

"They were also barred from holding office for five generations."

Hearing Li Yun's words, Du Qian felt reassured. He took a deep breath, bowed his head, and said, "Then I will return to the Secretariat and discuss a result with Prime Minister Yao and Prime Minister Guo."

Li Yun looked at Du Qian and shook his head slightly: "Let them figure it out. Why should Brother Shouyi get involved?"

Du Qian shook his head: "I'm afraid that after they've been reprimanded by His Majesty, they might come up with an overly harsh solution..."

He sighed: "It has been more than ten years since the founding of the country. I dare not say that the world is at peace now, but things are slowly getting better. I do not want to see chaos break out again."

Upon hearing this, Li Yun remained silent for a moment without saying anything.

After a long while, he looked up at Du Qian and asked, "With the world at peace, can everyone have enough to eat?"

Li Yun knew in his heart that the world was slowly getting better.

If he hadn't done anything ahead of his time, the lives of the people would have gradually improved during his reign of Zhangwu, and they would have enjoyed good times for about a hundred years.

And then, it's over.

As the nation's fortunes decline, the lives of ordinary people will take a sharp downturn.

Even during this peak period, which would be described as a "golden age" in later historical records, the true prosperity only extended to the royal family, officials, and nobles. As for ordinary people, at most, only about 70% of them could afford to eat their fill.

It's even far less than that proportion.

Even more critically, even under these circumstances, Li Yun's children and grandchildren still need to live up to expectations, ensuring that no scoundrels or idiots emerge from the first few generations.

That's why Li Yun decided to get involved and do these things now.

To be honest, even though Li Yun knew very well that he was on the right path, he wasn't sure if he could make it work.

But once a move is made, there's no going back.

Since you've already started, go all out and do it, even if you're overthrown by the old forces in the future and have to return to the original trajectory of this era.

At least his trip wasn't in vain. Minister Du was speechless.

He cupped his hands in greeting to Li Yun and bowed his head, saying, "Your Majesty, I am going to the Secretariat."

Li Yun hummed in agreement, waved at him, and said with a smile, "Brother Shouyi, if one day you feel that I've done something wrong or doesn't meet your expectations, just tell me."

"I don't mind these things."

Emperor Li said sternly, "I have never regarded you as any kind of subject."

Du Qian silently lowered his head and replied, "There are many things that I do not yet know are right or wrong. I will be able to make a clear judgment after four years, depending on how Jiangdong Road develops."

Li Yun nodded and smiled: "Then let's wait four years."

…………

After Du Qian returned to the Secretariat, Yao Zhong and Guo You were already discussing how to draft the judgment. When they saw Du Qian return, they quickly went up to him and pulled him to the table.

Minister Du looked at the two men and asked, "How do you intend to render a judgment?"

Guo You hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Those involved in the kidnapping of officials, the ringleaders, shall be prosecuted for treason."

“Accomplices shall all be executed.”

"Those who stormed the Nanjing Examination Hall will all be exiled to Liaodong Circuit to serve on the front lines."

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Du glanced at Yao Zhong, who remained calm and said, "If Prime Minister Du has His Majesty's will, please clarify."

After a moment of silence, Prime Minister Du sighed and said, "Alright, alright, I'll just give you my opinion, and you can decide for yourselves."

“The main culprit in the kidnapping case can be considered to be guilty of treason, but there is no need to implicate others; he will only be executed in the autumn and his family property will be confiscated.”

“The accomplice was exiled to Liaodong Circuit.”

"Those who stormed the examination hall were punished with eighty to twenty strokes of the cane, depending on the severity of the offense. All such punishments were recorded and kept by the Ministry of Rites. Their descendants would be barred from taking the imperial examinations and entering officialdom for the next five generations."

When Du Qian said it himself, both prime ministers were overjoyed and bowed in unison.

"I obey your orders."

These four words completely absolved them of any responsibility.

Du Qian was already used to the intricacies of officialdom. Hearing this, he simply smiled and said nothing more. He looked at the two ministers and said, "Gentlemen, now that we are at a time of transition between the old and new administrations, the Secretariat must stand with His Majesty. Do you understand?"

The two men straightened up and bowed their heads again, saying, "Your Excellency understands."

Du Xiangong said quietly, "If anyone has a different opinion, they can write to His Majesty. His Majesty just said that."

"Whatever the suggestion, as long as it comes from the public good."

"Then no punishment will be imposed."

Yao Zhong and Guo You had already understood the meaning behind Du Qian's words. Du Qian was asking them to take a clear stance from now on.

As long as the three of them stand firmly on the emperor's side, the entire central government will have no other will.

As for the other two prime ministers, Tao Wenyuan was already a lame prime minister.

Xu Ang was a loyal subject of the emperor, and could be considered a lone minister, so there was no need to consider him.

Yao Zhong looked at Du Qian and suddenly said, "Prime Minister Du, if the Secretariat wants to take a clear stance, why not use the judgment we two previously drafted?"

Minister Du shook his head slightly: "There's no need to be too harsh."

He sighed: "With just a few strokes of my pen, countless lives are lost. We should show mercy when we can."

If the two judges' verdicts are followed, the main culprit in the kidnapping case will most likely have to have his entire family wiped out. These prominent families in Jiangnan have complex and intertwined kinship relationships, and with their large families, numerous descendants, and the potential for extermination of their entire family, hundreds or even thousands of people could be implicated.

With seven or eight ringleaders, in the end, it could be a case that results in the deaths of thousands of people.

Du Qian still couldn't bear to do it.

He said slowly, "This matter is settled. From now on, the Secretariat must follow His Majesty's wishes in everything and carry out the new policies in Jiangdong well."

As he spoke, he looked up at the door, took a deep breath, and slowly said, "After three years, when the trial implementation of the new policies in Jiangdong Province ends..."

"Then we'll see the outcome."

The two gentlemen bowed their heads deeply.

"Subordinate to obey!"

(End of this chapter)