lcionline Chapter 171 If you're so good, then you do it!
Chapter 171 If you're so good, then you do it!
Lu Yuxi's question immediately shut Shen Lin up.
He could neither say that Lu Yuxi was wrong, nor did he dare to question the impartiality of the government. Otherwise, he would truly be denying the emperor's authority, which would be considered treason.
"Grand Secretary Shen," Lu Yuxi called Shen Lin's name again, "why aren't you answering?"
Shen Lin remained silent.
But someone else picked up where Lu Yuxi left off.
"Your Highness. This old minister will answer your question." The one who came out was Wei Mo, a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet who was nearly seventy years old. He was also the oldest, most senior, and most prestigious among all the Grand Secretaries.
Wei Mo comes from a prestigious family and has served two dynasties. He does not participate in factional struggles and has many students. Even Emperor Longyun has to give him some face.
However, in the case of Crown Prince Hua Min, Wei Mo chose to stand idly by and even showed signs of siding with the Empress Dowager. It was only later, when he saw that Emperor Longyun was determined to confront those who talked about "filial piety," that he reluctantly remained neutral, fearing that he would be beheaded by the mad emperor.
To be honest, Emperor Longyun had been tolerating him for a long time. If it weren't for the fact that he was a veteran of two reigns, didn't participate in factional struggles, and was indeed somewhat pragmatic, Emperor Longyun would have already included him in Prince Ping's faction.
However, as someone who has been thoroughly targeted by the new laws, his emergence now represents the conservative faction, which happens to be the largest force within it.
"As the saying goes, a country has its laws, and a family has its rules. Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. Your Highness's statement that the law is supreme is certainly reasonable, but the law cannot resolve all clan and family affairs. Moreover, if there are no rules within a clan or family, how can one raise future generations and pass on family traditions?"
"If a state is ruled by a family, and the family has no rules or regulations, how can the state not be in chaos?"
As the saying goes, experience is the best teacher. Although Wei Mo has been aware that he has displeased Emperor Longyun in recent years and has not spoken out often, when he does make a move, he still gets straight to the heart of the matter.
But today, Lu Yuxi didn't come to persuade him.
"Oh? What does Grand Secretary Wei think we should do then?"
The eyes of Prince Ping, Shen Lin, and the others all turned to Wei Mo.
Wei Mo remained silent for a long time before suddenly looking up and meeting Lu Yuxi's gaze.
Standing on the steps, Lu Yuxi remained calm, a smile playing on her lips, revealing nothing of her thoughts.
The court remained quiet for a long time.
Until Wei Mo suddenly closed his eyes and lowered his head, pondering for a moment. When he opened his eyes again, he had made up his mind.
"In my opinion, the new policies are feasible, but they cannot be implemented overnight. It is sufficient to reclaim the power of death penalty and protect private property."
"What if there is a conflict between national law and family law?"
"Naturally, we must prioritize the law of the land," Wei Mo replied. "I believe my colleagues can accept that as well."
The conservative faction immediately erupted in uproar.
Lu Yuxi nodded as expected, "As expected of a high-ranking official of two dynasties, he has a keen eye. What Grand Secretary Wei said is indeed reasonable. It is not unreasonable to make slight modifications to the new law."
"This this…"
"How could Elder Wei back down?"
"If Elder Wei withdraws, what will we do?"
"..."
For a time, the court was in an uproar, and the conservative faction was in a state of panic and confusion.
Prince Ping and Shen Lin were even more shocked. They never expected that after so long of discussions and negotiations, it would be Grand Secretary Wei, the most influential person, who would be the first to back down. They knew that the new laws would severely damage Wei Mo's interests.
But Wei Mo clearly had no intention of speaking again. Amid the commotion, he suddenly bowed deeply, then struggled to his feet and slowly retreated to his original position.
Lu Yuxi felt at ease and became even more calm and composed.
"So, does anyone else have a question?"
"minister…"
One person gritted his teeth and stepped forward, wanting to struggle again, but he met Lin Shiming's ambiguous gaze. Upon closer inspection, he realized that Lin Shihe had been silently standing behind his younger brother, his gaze deep and unfathomable.
He chickened out and backed down again.
I don't want to die yet.
"How can you be so spineless?" The one who retreated was berated by his colleagues. "How could you back down?"
"You're not afraid of death? Go, see if the Tingyun Army is willing to leave you a whole corpse." The one who had retreated had no shame left. "Stop trying to instigate me here, being generous with other people's money. If you're so capable, you go and do it!"
All eyes were on the colleague who had been swearing. He was momentarily overcome with emotion and raised his foot to step forward, but he met the gazes of the two Lin brothers. His face immediately turned red, and he awkwardly put his foot down again.
"Tch. Aren't you a useless piece of trash too? You don't dare to step forward, yet you have the nerve to talk back to me."
"..."
"We're all useless, why hurt each other?"
"..."
The crowd quieted down again.
They do have many problems. They don't want to lose control over their clansmen, and they don't want to be too demanding of their descendants with "etiquette and filial piety." But with one "bandit leader" defeated and the other regressing, how could these minor figures dare to confront the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion, which holds military power?
This battle between the old and the new was destined to end with a significant concession from the conservatives.
The two who had wanted to step forward silently retreated to their original positions, and a few breaths later, the others who had stepped forward also retreated one after another.
This struggle ended completely with the unexpected outcome of one faction leader "defecting to the enemy."
"Very well, in that case, Your Highness."
Summoned, Lin Shiming stepped forward with enthusiasm and joy, exchanging pleasant glances with his husband.
"Yes, yes, yes."
"You will lead the Ministry of Justice, listen to Grand Secretary Wei's advice, revise the new laws, and submit them to the Cabinet for approval in ten days, and then announce them to the world. In July of this year, the old laws will be abolished and the new laws will be officially implemented."
"As ordered."
*
Inside the Xuanzheng Hall.
Lu Yuxi was reviewing today's court assembly with Emperor Longyun.
The concubines who had come to serve the king as ordered by Lin Shiming were clearly much more well-trained today, perfectly fulfilling their role as caregivers, remaining respectful throughout and not daring to utter a single word. Upon seeing Lu Yuxi and the others approach, they also politely curtsied and then quietly withdrew from the hall.
Lu Yuxi picked up the hot tea in front of her and took a sip.
"Looks like today went very smoothly?"
"Yes, it's all within Father's expectations. With Wei Mo backing down, the law can be promulgated with slight modifications. The revised content is exactly what we expected, without any reduction. If we act quickly, we can catch up with the Empress Dowager and Prince Ping as the first to sacrifice themselves."
"That's great."
"But there is one thing I don't understand: why is Grand Secretary Wei willing to back down?"
*
Yes, King Ping is asking the same question again.
Unlike last time, this time he completely lost his temper, throwing things while asking questions.
"why?"
"Why would Wei Mo side with the Crown Prince? Isn't the new law specifically targeting people like him?"