Chapter 11 Emperor Lius Thoughts on the Rule of Law
Emperor Liu's style of dealing with those disgraced scholars who made noise in the imperial city was still as strong as ever, direct, brutal, forceful and ruthless. Although he has long been accustomed to Emperor Liu's style after so many years, he still couldn't help but feel it when he saw it again
My mind was shaken.
What Liu Yang was thinking was to calm down the turmoil as safely as possible and eliminate the negative impact of the Denwengu case. However, imprisoning hundreds of scholars at once, given the current situation, is tantamount to adding fuel to the fire, no matter what
No matter what the original intention is, whether it is justified or not, the turbulent public opinion will inevitably continue for a period of time.
In the end, Liu Yang couldn't help but ask Emperor Liu for advice. Such a brutal restriction on the qualifications of hundreds of scholars would have a negative impact on the scholar community in the world. How to solve it?
In response to this, Emperor Liu just said calmly: "Ask those who are in the middle of the imperial examination, ask those who have failed but are content and looking forward to the next year!
If there are really disadvantages in recruiting scholars this time, then the behavior of these people is excusable, and I will naturally not criticize them harshly. However, now that you have found out the matter clearly, then their motives for making noise and causing trouble are questionable.
The mind can be punished, but the actions cannot be forgiven and must be punished!
Although the imperial court treats scholars and scholars well and needs to recruit their talents, it does not allow them to indulge their academic ambitions. How can the imperial court's system and the imperial court's majesty be allowed to be blasphemed?"
Emperor Liu's thinking is also very clear. He is purely result-oriented. No matter whether he is active or passive, since he has waded into this muddy water, there should be a result. Everyone has to pay the price for their choices and actions.
Emperor Liu's purpose was also very clear, that is, the authority and system of the imperial court must be maintained. Imprisoning those disgraced scholars who made trouble was also to warn those who came after him to avoid making mistakes.
"I probably know your concerns, but you are worrying too much!" Finally, Emperor Liu warned Liu Yang again: "Remember, you are the prince, and you represent the heavenly family and the country.
The imperial court has its own system and rules, and your position must be firm. What you should consider is how the imperial court operates, how the officials govern, and how the people live in peace, rather than taking into account the emotions of some scholars.
Although scholars were the talent reserve of the imperial court, and outstanding ones needed to be selected and appointed, before they became officials of the imperial court, they were just commoners, not much different from farmers, handicraftsmen, and merchants.
What's more, many of these scholars have already served as local officials and are considered within the imperial system. Even so, they still dare to gather people to cause trouble and regard the authority of the imperial court as nothing. Such unruly scholars can't be learned no matter what.
Gao, what's the point of coming, let alone a loser..."
Emperor Liu's words tore into pieces the gentleness and kindness towards the scholars that he had built over the past ten years. Under the surface of tenderness, there was nothing but the indifference and ruthlessness of a lonely man.
Although the imperial court needed knowledgeable, talented, and knowledgeable literati to govern, it was obvious that in Emperor Liu's mind, scholars did not have much difference with those who farmed, did business, ran boats, and built roads.
The difference is that everyone is placed under the huge and complex management system of Dahan, playing their own roles and making their own contributions.
Under this premise, Emperor Liu obviously paid more attention to the court's system and laws, and cared more about the majesty of imperial power. This can be supported by countless cases in the past.
Emperor Liu has always hated people who do not follow the rules. He prefers to see that the Han subjects he rules can be peacefully bound within the framework of Han law and order. Anyone who goes over or tries to go beyond the rules should be punished.
Got hit.
This time, those noisy disgraced scholars were unlucky, and they just touched the sensitive point of Emperor Liu's thoughts. In the past, it is not uncommon for scholars and people to gather together to petition, not to mention hundreds of people, even thousands, ten thousand people are not surprising, but
It depends on what it is about and what its purpose is.
Last winter, tens of thousands of people gathered in and outside Tokyo to petition, hoping that Emperor Liu would be granted Zen status. Earlier, scholars and civilians also gathered to petition the imperial court to send troops to pacify the south and rescue the people in the south who were in dire straits.
But anyone with a discerning eye can see that there are Kaifeng Mansion, Xuanwei Division and other imperial offices and yamen behind the scenes. Under normal circumstances, how can a good citizen who keeps his peace and self-discipline do anything like gatherings of people? Such people either have interests related to them.
Or there is a political intention.
Therefore, when hundreds of fallen scholars gathered in the imperial city, Emperor Liu was already unhappy and characterized it as gathering to make trouble and causing quarrels and nuisance.
As he said, if there is really a problem with Chunwei Jinke, and the examiner is acting for personal gain, then he can be treated with some leniency. However, if this is not the case, then he must be punished.
From Emperor Liu's point of view, even if Li Fang really engaged in malpractice for personal gain, the imperial court would investigate and deal with it. The behavior of the corrupt officials was putting pressure on the imperial court and questioning its authority, which was really intolerable.
In contrast, Xu Shilian had a first-mover advantage. Many times, those who cause trouble are fine, and those who follow the crowd are unlucky. That's it.
Today's Han Empire, this social management system led and perfected by Emperor Liu, is still governed by men in essence, but Emperor Liu obviously believes more in the rule of law. In the past twenty years, he has been committed to improving the laws and systems of the court.
Of course, this does not mean that Emperor Liu has high legal thoughts and consciousness. It is just a matter of position and principle. The butt determines the head. The construction of the entire legal system, in addition to maintaining the stability of the country and the normal operation of the court, its core ideas are also
It lies in the consolidation of imperial power.
In the system of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Liu was the biggest vested interest, so how could he try every means to maintain and strengthen it?
The end of the rule of law in the Han Dynasty was directed at Emperor Liu's human rule, and it was also the Liu family's family and world that were protected.
"Okay, you should go back and think about it by yourself!" Seeing that Liu Yang was deep in thought in front of him, without waiting for it to be digested, Emperor Liu waved his hand and said: "You are still a little tolerant. You can govern the country and the people with kindness and forgiveness.
Although the way is useful, you cannot rely solely on these two words!
If you go too far, that is indulgence and laissez-faire, and the harm caused in the end may be beyond your imagination. You are the prince and the prince. Don't always stand in the shoes of others and worry too much about what others think. The prince is also a king, so don't
Trapped in Chenben’s thinking!”
"Yes!" Emperor Liu's words almost touched Liu Yang's heart, and he bowed respectfully.
However, he could not help but feel bitter in his heart. He knew that there were aspects of him that were still not as good as Emperor Liu wanted. However, the flaws in his character were really hard to change. After all, he did not have the authority of Emperor Liu and could not do it at all.
What's more, he is a prince, only a prince, half king and half minister. How can he truly think and act from the perspective of an emperor? If he does that, it may not be a good thing.
"Okay, it's up to you to finish this matter, I won't interfere!" With a smile on his face again, as if the seriousness just now was an illusion, Emperor Liu explained: "It's getting late, you retreat.
Let’s take a rest!”
"Yes! Resign!"
Looking at Liu Yang's leaving back and feeling his heavy mood, Emperor Liu smiled again, a knowing smile. He really didn't care about the results of this investigation, but the process.
Liu Yang's performance obviously cannot be given full marks, but at least he is qualified. At least he is not disturbed by public opinion or blinded by interests. At least he shows a certain sense of responsibility, is not afraid of rumors and criticism, and maintains an upright approach.
In Emperor Liu's mind, as a prince, Liu Yang was already qualified, but as an emperor, he still had many shortcomings and a lot of room for improvement.
However, there is a premise for this. He must first be an emperor. A prince is only a prince after all. Therefore, although Emperor Liu was occasionally harsh on Liu Yang, he was still understanding and tolerant after all, and was willing to protect him.
The heir who was cultivated with great difficulty.
For Liu Yang, being the prince of such an emperor as Emperor Liu was a bit difficult and the psychological burden was heavy. But similarly, for Emperor Liu, it was rare to have such a prince.