mtl008 Chapter 170 The Way of Benevolence and Filial Piety Has a Cause and an Effect.
Chapter 170 The Way of Benevolence and Filial Piety Has a Cause and an Effect.
The one who stepped forward was Huo Man, a principal officer from the Ministry of Rites.
"Your Highness, three days ago you implemented new policies and posted notices in front of the palace gates, which caused a great uproar among the people and a lot of complaints. I urge Your Highness to reconsider and postpone the implementation."
There was no transition at all; it went straight to the point, showing that the new law really touched the interests of these old fogies.
The Ministry of Rites, a gathering place for old fogies and an empty shell among the Six Ministries, is no wonder it became the first to be sent here to be tested.
Lu Yuxi tapped his knuckles lightly on the armrest of his chair, but didn't rush to speak. It was not his thing to lower himself to confront lowly figures in the imperial court, wasting his energy.
If you're going to make a move, you should wipe them all out in one fell swoop.
"Suspension of the implementation of the law." Lu Yuxi's gaze swept across the entire hall before settling back on Huo Man. "If I remember correctly, you are from the Ministry of Rites. How can someone from the Ministry of Rites interfere with the affairs of the Ministry of Justice?"
"Your Highness," Huo Man stepped forward again, knelt down, and said, "This matter is of great importance, involving etiquette and law, and is also related to the inheritance of various families. I believe that regardless of status, it is permissible to present this to the emperor."
"But I haven't seen any memorials submitted by other ministers. By what right do you, alone, obstruct the new policies?"
“I am not alone. The new policies have harmed many, from the imperial court to the common people, and the harm they cause is immense. I am merely petitioning on behalf of the people; how can I be considered alone?”
“Very well.” Lu Yuxi suddenly stood up and took two steps forward. “‘What I hate is great.’ I wonder which of you in the hall is ‘what I hate’?”
These words were directed at the assembled officials.
Many people do not want the new law to be implemented, all of whom have had their interests affected.
They originally planned to use the same old methods, throw out pawns, stir up trouble in the court, and then reap the benefits, but they did not expect Lu Yuxi to ask them directly and force them to take sides and express their opinions.
"Is nobody here? If nobody is here—"
"Your Highness, I believe the new policies are unacceptable!"
The one who came out was Shen Lin, the father of the Princess Consort of Prince Ping, who had recently succeeded Yue Linghan as Grand Secretary.
Everyone knows who will obstruct and who will support, so it's better to be upfront and let the powerful families, veteran officials, and nobles unite to suppress the matter.
"The new policy's claims of strict laws, prohibition of clan private punishments, and no right for clan members to interfere in the management of their families and property are nothing but fanciful and absurd ideas. Everyone comes from a family and is supported by their family parents. Filial piety is paramount. How can we not be bound by family laws?"
These words directly address the core of the new law, reclaiming all the power of private individuals to determine and punish crimes and returning it to the imperial court.
This was precisely Lin Shiming's doing. The first step in the rule of law is to reclaim law enforcement power and clarify that the subject of criminal conviction can only be the state law enforcement department.
This policy is precisely to pave the way for a future where the law takes precedence over filial piety.
This is precisely why this law affects the interests of many family elders. After all, many families control their members through clan rules and family laws, and then demand that they act in the so-called "interests of the clan."
Their rights often involve marriage, punishment, and the distribution of clan property. Even worse, it's not uncommon for them to execute those who disobey on pretexts. As a region heavily burdened by vigilante justice and moral constraints, it was naturally a prime target for Lin Shiming.
"Oh? It seems that Grand Secretary Shen also does not support the new policy." Lu Yuxi said unhurriedly, "Who else? Come out together, otherwise I will assume that you have no objections."
With Shen Lin from the Pingwang faction taking the lead, a group of people quickly stepped forward after Lu Yuxi finished speaking.
"I second the proposal."
"I also second my opinion."
"I second the proposal."
"..."
In less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, nearly half of the people on the ground had stepped forward.
A quick glance revealed that the vast majority were members of powerful families, nobles, members of the imperial family, and veteran officials. Those who remained steadfast were the younger generation and those from humble backgrounds. Even more remarkably, some supporters and opponents belonged to the same family.
Lu Yuxi carefully discerned that one of the two was from the main branch of the family, while the other was from a collateral branch of a newly promoted high-ranking official, which vividly demonstrated their respective interests and positions.
However, there is one more crucial point. Many of those kneeling here were those who had secretly supported the Empress Dowager during the incident involving Crown Prince Hua Min.
It was just as expected.
"Your Highness," Shen Lin kowtowed again, "What you ask for is very much. I beg Your Highness to reconsider. Moreover, this matter is of great importance and there are many who oppose it. I fear that Your Highness cannot make a decision on it. I implore Your Highness to report it to His Majesty for a decision."
“Exactly!” Prince Ping stepped forward as well. “The new policies concern the stability of the court and the country. Your Highness is still the heir apparent, so I’m afraid it’s beyond your power. Please ask Your Highness to invite the Emperor to make the decision!”
The kneeling crowd immediately echoed, "We beg Your Majesty to make the decision!"
This is a blatant attempt to force Lu Yuxi to back down.
But how could Lu Yuxi, who was well prepared, be threatened by this group of old ministers?
"My father has decreed that all decisions regarding state affairs shall be made by the Crown Prince. What is there that I cannot decide?"
"Moreover, all land under heaven belongs to the king, and all people within the realm are his subjects. How can the power to decide the life and death of all people be entrusted to him?"
Shen Lin immediately retorted, "What do you mean by 'his hands'? Parental ties and family blood relations are sufficient to determine someone's guilt!"
"Is Grand Secretary Shen dissatisfied with the imperial power and plotting a rebellion?"
"Your Highness, please be careful with your words!" Shen Lin immediately denied. "We are devoted to the country, how could we have such treasonous thoughts? Your Highness cannot condemn us to such a heinous crime simply because we prevented you from making a mistake!"
"Without any basis?"
Lu Yuxi tilted her head back and chuckled softly a few times.
"Very well. Since Grand Secretary Shen has objections, then I will ask you a few questions. Do you dare to answer them?"
Lu Yuxi's confidence suggests that she must have been prepared in advance.
This matter was clearly not as simple as initially thought, and Shen Lin was beginning to panic. However, he glanced at the crowd behind him stepping forward, and with the charge of treason weighing on his head, he knew he had no way out.
He could only grit his teeth and agree, "Your Majesty, I have a clear conscience. Please ask."
“Very good.” Lu Yuxi turned her back to the crowd and asked first, “Grand Secretary Shen, who is the ruler of this world?”
"It is His Majesty who holds the power of life and death, and whose word is law."
"Whose subjects are these subjects?"
"Naturally, they are His Majesty's subjects."
"Is there anyone who can rise above Father Emperor?"
"Of course there's no one there."
"Fine!" Lu Yuxi turned around abruptly and took a few steps forward. "Since no one can be above Father Emperor, how can the crimes of the people be determined by others? How can His Majesty's decrees and national laws be compromised for the sake of clan laws?"
"How does taking back His Majesty's power become harmful to his subjects?"
"But--"
"But what? Does Grand Secretary Shen want to say that the kindness of his clan and parents in raising him is paramount, and he has no choice but to comply?"
Lu Yuxi straightened her cuffs and paced back and forth.
"The way of benevolence and filial piety has a cause and an effect. When the father is kind, the son is filial; when the elder brother is friendly, the younger brother is respectful. If the parents of the clan truly raise their children with loving hearts, why should they fear that the children will not obey?"
Unless you want to gain more without giving anything in return.
"Furthermore, it is said that if anyone truly disobeys, they can be expelled from the family and removed from the family genealogy. Even worse, if they disregard the law, they can be reported to the government, which will then enforce the law impartially and punish them severely. Could it be that Grand Secretary Shen believes that the official laws are not fair and are inadequate?"