mtl008 Chapter 102 To do something unprecedented, one must have the ambition of someone who has never done
Chapter 102 To do something unprecedented, one must have the ambition of someone who has never done
After listening to Emperor Longyun explain his plan, Lin Shiming finally understood the problem that had been troubling him for five months since the day he returned to the capital.
His brother did indeed send him in for the sake of national affairs. As for repaying debts, while it was indeed one of the reasons, it was more of a pretext used by the Lin family and the royal family to conceal the major events they were planning, or a pretext used to fool Lin Shiming alone.
Although Lin Shiming never believed it either.
He had never believed it, so naturally he wouldn't care about such things. However, "Father, I just cleaned up almost all of the Empress Dowager's influence and people outside. Wouldn't that have disrupted your plans?"
Empress Dowager Qin, a member of the imperial clan, was no longer in control. Her head maids and chief eunuchs were all flogged to death and replaced with new people. Even the concubines in the harem were still kneeling outside and would not listen to Empress Dowager Qin. After this purge, at least two-thirds of the connections and influence that Empress Dowager Qin had painstakingly cultivated over decades were gone.
This doesn't even take into account that Emperor Longyun had already been aware of and monitoring the court officials who supported the Empress Dowager. If you really think about it, Empress Dowager Qin is probably just an empty title now.
Will Prince Ping still join forces with the Empress Dowager as planned? Lin Shiming's eyes darted around, then he silently hid behind Lu Yuxi.
This isn't my fault! You told me to handle it myself!
"Why are you dodging me? Do you think I'm going to eat you?" Emperor Longyun glared at him, annoyed. "Do you think I'm the kind of person who can't adapt?"
Lin Shiming chuckled awkwardly, then circled around from behind Lu Yuxi and sat down close to her.
"I originally planned to proceed step by step, but this old woman has humiliated Zitong in this way. I cannot tolerate this!" Emperor Longyun clenched his fist. "There is absolutely no way that Zitong will suffer injustice without being able to seek justice because of this plan."
"I have many concerns for the sake of the people, but I am not the kind of person who can suffer losses or swallow grievances!"
The powerful voice invigorated the other three people present.
Lu Yuxi leaned forward, "Then what are Father Emperor's plans?"
Emperor Longyun picked up the teacup but did not drink; instead, he slowly twirled it in his hand.
"Originally, I planned to have them join forces, then use the succession struggle to slowly purge and control the court. Once that old woman and Prince Ping caused trouble, I would take the opportunity to propose abolishing 'ruling the country with filial piety.' After that, I would convict the old woman. Although this would be slower, it would be more secure and more natural."
Emperor Longyun made this plan after much deliberation.
He did not intend to abandon filial piety, but rather hoped to use the law to draw clear boundaries for "filial piety," redefine what constitutes "filial piety" and what constitutes "unfilial piety," and reclaim the right of parents to easily convict unfilial children with a single sentence, so that parents could no longer use this to manipulate their offspring.
He still acknowledges and accepts filial piety, but will no longer allow it to supersede the law. Everything must first conform to the law before discussing filial piety.
However, changing the policies of governance that have been in place for thousands of years is not something that can be done simply. It can be said that almost everyone in the world who has children has benefited from "filial piety" to some extent.
This crime of filial impiety is extremely serious and has a huge impact, yet conviction is incredibly easy—it only takes a word from the parents. This is far too frivolous.
Filial piety was always the top priority. Any disobedience was considered unfilial, which would lead to a bad reputation, disqualification from office, and being despised by others. Such cases were not uncommon. Once, when Emperor Longyun was in disguise, there was a couple who bullied their younger son for the sake of their elder son. They forced the younger son to sell his daughter into slavery to pay off the elder son's gambling debts, otherwise he would be considered unfilial.
There are many parents like this, but some are less extreme, while others are unwilling to even pretend.
Abolishing this national policy would cut off the interests of those parents who use despicable methods and treat their children as their private property, and would inevitably encounter strong resistance.
Emperor Longyun was able to implement his plans step by step and silently because he had the Lin family as a strong and loyal supporter, coupled with his own scheming and planning.
He originally planned to wait until the Empress Dowager and the Prince of Ping made serious mistakes in their struggle for the throne, and then use the Empress Dowager's repeated interference in politics and disregard for the law as evidence to prove that the "rule of the country with filial piety" was too flawed. This would silence the officials and the people, and also reduce the pressure on the implementation of the new policies.
But now, "Since the Empress Dowager has already lost much of her value, let's go all the way and abolish the national policy first, then force her to offer herself up to cooperate with Prince Ping." Emperor Longyun quickened the pace of turning the teacup.
The person most affected by this incident is Empress Dowager Qin, whose only weapon is "filial piety." Therefore, she will definitely try her best to get close to Prince Ping, so Emperor Longyun doesn't need to worry about her anymore.
“I was worried about the ‘laws not being retroactive’ principle. If the old woman made a mistake first, it would be difficult to convict her if I then legislated. Now it’s better. Let’s just legislate first and then wait for her to make a mistake. This is more reasonable and smoother than before.”
The difficulty in abolishing the old policy is much greater than the previous one.
Everyone present was fully aware of this, but none of them were afraid.
"To do something unprecedented, one must have the ambition to do something unprecedented." Lin Shiming said with a bright smile. "Risk and reward go hand in hand, so let's give it a try."
Hesitating and indecisiveness are not Lin Shiming's style.
Lu Yuxi nodded in agreement, "Your subject will certainly stand with Father Emperor through thick and thin."
"Good child!" Emperor Longyun breathed a sigh of relief. "The three of us, father and sons, shall change this thousand-year-old tradition and bring some new life to the world!"
Bai Qiongzhu quietly watched the three spirited individuals, a smile playing on her lips, but a hint of tears glistening in her eyes.
*
After finishing their business, Bai Qiongzhu was exhausted and was helped to sleep by Lianqiu.
Emperor Longyun, Lin Shiming, and Lu Yuxi were expelled from Fengyi Palace. Bai Qiongzhu told them to go about their own business and not to stand around her.
So, the three who had just been full of fighting spirit stared at each other for a long time before finally slinking out of Fengyi Palace in disgrace.
Today is the fifteenth, and the moon is bright and the stars are few. Whether it's the moonlight or the candlelight, the courtyard is much brighter than usual. One can easily see the delicate concubines who are almost kneeling at the palace gate.
Oh wow, we were having such a good chat that we forgot about them.
Lin Shiming moved closer to Lu Yuxi, "They've all fallen ill from kneeling, and Mother is also unwell. Does that mean Father has no choice but to forbid them from...?"
The remaining word was swallowed back under Emperor Longyun's fierce gaze.
"Ha, Your Majesty and I have other matters to attend to, so we'll take our leave now. Please make yourself at home, Father!"
Before he could finish speaking, Lin Shiming grabbed Lu Yuxi and ran away in a flash, not even giving Emperor Longyun a chance to speak, afraid of being angered by this old man who had been "eating vegetarian food" for so long.
The Phoenix Palace remained silent for a long time.
Li An steeled himself and stepped forward, "Your Majesty, these concubines..."
The Crown Princess has run away! You need to give me some advice!
Emperor Longyun, his anger simmering, spat out a few words through gritted teeth, "Tell them all to go back and transcribe scriptures to pray for the Empress's well-being!"
Li An was about to go over, but was stopped by Emperor Longyun. "Send someone to the Eastern Palace to deliver an imperial edict. Say that before the court examination, I want to check the Crown Princess's progress in studying the law. If she dares to slack off... Hmph!"
You dare to joke with me? I'll make sure you experience the majesty of an emperor!
Li An wiped the sweat from his forehead. This mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, who were always arguing every few days! They were going to drive this old servant to his death!