kingnovel Chapter 901 Silver Fine
Chapter 901 Silver Fine
From another perspective, from the perspective of abandoned children, abandoning them is worse than killing them.
When a person dies, it is like a light going out; once dead, everything ends.
For a murdered baby, memory is short-lived. It disappears when he is still in a hazy period and before he has formed any cognition of this society, and the pain only lasts for a moment.
But what if I can’t die?
Without the protection of relatives, it was difficult to survive. The pain at that time was long, dark and damp.
This wasn't the first time the emperor felt he wasn't doing well enough.
Most of the babies abandoned among the public are baby girls.
Why?
He seemed to understand, but also seemed not to understand.
Maybe it’s not that he doesn’t understand, but that he doesn’t want his people to be like this.
This side is too ugly.
"I will issue an edict of self-criticism," the emperor said. "I have been on the throne for several years and have never taken the law of abandoned infants seriously. I am at fault and I will reflect on myself."
All officials were shocked.
Your Majesty, is this a bit too much?
Abandoning babies happens occasionally, but it is not a natural disaster and has not caused public outrage. Why did it have to go to the extent of issuing an edict of remorse?
The late emperor had been on the throne for many years, and faced several natural disasters and public outcry, but he always held his breath and never issued an edict of self-criticism, because "exposing one's own shortcomings" and "the supremacy of imperial power" could not coexist.
Most emperors felt that issuing a self-criticism edict was shameful.
"Your Majesty, think twice!" Prime Minister Cui stepped out, his face showing disapproval: "It is wrong for the people to abandon their babies, but this is not a disaster or a hardship. Your Majesty is the ruler of the country, so there is really no need to go to such lengths."
In his mind, human hearts are very lowly. The more "close to the people" the emperor is, the less the people will take the court seriously, and the influence of officials among the people will be greatly reduced.
After he finished speaking, the emperor stared at him for a while.
"As the head of all officials, Prime Minister Cui failed to fulfill his duty. He should also issue a letter of impeachment against himself and read it at the morning court tomorrow. If any of you have any objections, please speak up."
This means whoever stands out will be beaten.
Prime Minister Cui's face turned pale and he was furious, but he dared not say anything more.
At this moment, Yu Shizhang stood up.
"I, your Majesty, am willing to submit a letter of impeachment against myself!"
Cui Xiang turned his head with a strange look on his face.
If Yu Shizhang didn't stand up, he would feel ashamed.
But when Yu Shizhang stood up at this time, he felt that Yu Shizhang was stealing the credit from him.
"Why did you write an impeachment letter against me?" the emperor asked.
"Because I am also at fault." Yu Shizhang knelt down and said, "Your Majesty trusted me, but I ignored the people's sentiments and allowed the issue of abandoned babies to continue for a hundred years. It is only now that it is being addressed. I feel guilty towards Your Majesty and those children. Please punish me."
Seeing Yu Shizhang kneeling down, many officials followed suit.
At this point it is no longer a question of the severity of the "abandoned baby" incident, but a statement of stance.
If the king admits his mistake, the minister must follow.
"We, your Majesty, are willing to submit a letter of impeachment together with Prime Minister Cui and Earl Yongning! We have failed in our duty, please punish us!"
After discovering the problem, the emperor began to think about how to solve it.
If he wants to punish, all officials must also be punished.
It was the court’s fault for having an incomplete legal system, but the people who abandoned the babies were also at fault.
He wanted to make the people realize the seriousness of the matter while remedying the situation. Then he would use the law to improve people's livelihood so that they would not have to, dare not, or be reluctant to throw away the things.
"First, we should reform the punishment and grain tax system." The emperor said, "Abandoning a baby is the same crime as killing a baby, and the punishment should be increased. Secondly, families with newborn babies can pay less tax. The Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and the Earl of Yongning should discuss this matter together. Submit a petition for reform within three days."
Yu Shizhang and three other men stepped out to receive orders, and Prime Minister Cui's face darkened again.
He was included in the impeachment document, but he was not included in the reform of the law.
The emperor's heart is a little too biased.
Just as the officials were about to open their mouths to flatter the emperor, they heard the emperor say, "In addition, I will fine myself 10,000 taels of silver. After the court session, Earl Yongning will go and discuss with Mr. Shen how to make sure those homeless children have a place to go."
Yu Shizhang's eyes lit up slightly.
Your Majesty really said so.
When Shen Zheng handed him the memorial, he said that His Majesty would probably mention ways to remedy the situation and asked him to follow up.
"This old minister is willing to pay a fine of two thousand taels of silver." Yu Shizhang said, "Maybe Lord Shen has an idea of a remedy. I will discuss it with Lord Shen after I leave the court, and then submit a memorial to the emperor."
"Okay." The emperor finally felt relieved.
All the officials looked at each other for a moment, their hearts bleeding, but they still had to keep up the conversation.
"I am willing to pay a fine of two thousand taels of silver!"
"I am willing to pay a fine of one thousand taels of silver!"
"I am willing to pay a fine of three thousand taels of silver!"
"I wish..."
"I am willing to help the court manage this fine!"
There is no need to guess who said this.
Yue Zhenchuan whispered: "No matter how much you manage, you can't get into your Ministry of Revenue's pocket."
Ji Benchang: “You don’t understand.”
He is not greedy, he just enjoys the pleasure of managing money.
But he was rejected by the emperor: "No need, the fine can be handed over to Shen Qing for disposal."
Ji Benchang: Fallen out of favor.
......
After retiring from court, Ji Benchang came to Bashang to look for Shen Zheng.
Shen Zheng was testing the axle with Bao Cheng. He waited for a moment. While waiting, he kept thinking about how to remedy the situation. But as he was thinking, he suddenly remembered the records in history books and couldn't help feeling a little worried.
When Shen Zheng came over after finishing her work, she offered him a cup of tea but was reluctant to drink it, with a conflicted look on her face.
"What happened to you? Did you have an argument with someone this morning?"
Shen Zheng suddenly spoke, scaring him so much that a few drops of tea spilled from his hand.
After wiping off the tea, Yu Shizhang pondered and said, "It is indeed as you said. Your Majesty will increase the punishment for abandoning the baby, and he has also taken out 10,000 taels of silver from his private treasury to make up for it. By the way, Your Majesty will also issue an edict of guilt."
"Isn't this a good thing?" Shen Zheng sat down next to him and asked, "Why are you frowning?"
Yu Shizhang looked at her and sighed, "His Majesty asked you to be in charge of the fines. You understand what this means, right?"
Originally he thought that the emperor just wanted Shen Zheng to help him think of a solution, but unexpectedly the other party rejected Ji Benchang in the end and gave the fine to Shen Zheng.
It is obvious that he wants Shen Zheng to take over the job.
Shen Zheng tilted her buttocks and said, "Let me come forward to remedy the situation on behalf of the court and build up my reputation among the people?"
This is a good thing for her, but how can she handle it right now?
Before the previous task is completed, the next one comes.
Tongan County...
Can I go back?
Why do I feel like...the emperor has changed his mind?
Shen Zheng was deep in thought. Yu Shizhang said, "The reason why I am frowning is that, first, I think you have a lot of things to do. This will make you tired and not good for your health. Second,..."
He looked at Shen Zheng and asked, "There was a similar existence in history books. It was established to help the people, but was eventually destroyed by the people. Do you remember?"
Shen Zheng thought for a moment.
"You mean...Jiminfang?"
"That's right." Yu Shizhang nodded and asked, "Then do you still remember why Jiminfang was unable to continue?"
Shen Zheng understood his concerns.
In the eyes of many people, their own interests are more important than the interests of their country and family, and it was the people's hearts that led to the collapse of Jiminfang.