Chapter 1374 - 1300: Fundamental Laws (Part 2)
Uncle Cheng is of servant status, and Zhao Hu, someone from a distant branch of the family, can demand that he be buried with the dead. Ming Yu is an aide, and Gou Xi could have had him killed with just a word.
Didn’t Yan Heng just get killed for some random reason?
Zhao Hanzhang helped the two up, returned to the main topic, and asked, "Regarding the fundamental laws I assigned to you, how many articles have you discussed?"
"We have agreed on eighteen articles."
For example, "All lands under heaven belong to the state; the people have the right to use them but not to trade them" passed easily because there was precedent.
During Wei Jin, the policy of land equalization was implemented. Regardless of whether it could be effectively enforced, it was recorded as such in the law, so passing it was not difficult.
In reality, the fundamental laws Zhao Hanzhang assigned for discussion had been secretly debated by Ji Yuan and the others. Most of them would likely end up as mere documents, with little possibility of implementation.
Nevertheless, they still debated earnestly.
Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Which article are you discussing now?"
Fan Ying replied, "The article on equality among all living beings, and gender equality."
Zhao Hanzhang asked them, "What problems does this article have?"
Fan Ying replied, "There’s no problem with the latter half, but Minister Zhao and the others disagree with equality among all living beings."
Zhao Ming: ... There are so many people opposing it, why single out his name? And it’s not that he disagrees with the point; rather, "This article is detrimental to the nation, to the Imperial Family, and even more difficult to implement."
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "Uncle Ming, this notion of equality among all living beings was clearly proposed by you and Fifth Uncle to me. Why deny it now?"
Zhao Ming: "I don’t deny it. Your Majesty shouldn’t misinterpret me. There must be hierarchy for governance to be effective. You can simply record the latter half, equality between genders. Why insist on including equality among all living beings? Aren’t you afraid that one day a revolution like that of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang might occur?"
"If figures like Chen Sheng and Wu Guang appear, it could be due to someone harboring ambitions and inciting rebellion, or because the emperor governs without compassion, leaving the populace in distress," Zhao Hanzhang said. "If it’s the former, rebels won’t last long; they’re not to be feared. If it’s the latter, then the emperor and the populace are naturally of more concern. An emperor, if deposed, is of no consequence."
Zhao Cheng: "...But they are Your Majesty’s descendants."
Zhao Hanzhang: "After many generations, emotions fade. Beyond blood relations, feelings are sustained through mutual respect and exchange. If he is filial and respects the virtues of his ancestors, he naturally won’t become a tyrant. If he becomes a tyrant, it shows he disrespects his ancestors and doesn’t agree with their virtues. Such lack of filial piety, why bother keeping him?"
Among the eight present, six were stunned, while Chen Si Niang nodded in admiration and agreement, and Fan Ying’s eyes sparkled, fixating on Zhao Hanzhang.
Like an invisible follower around Zhao Hanzhang, the official historian Wang Hao suddenly had his eyes light up before furiously writing.
Regretting his emotionless documentation, Wang Hao felt it was a pity. What to do? He wanted to write unofficial history but couldn’t — at least not under his name, nor could he let anyone know he wrote it. Hence, he had to switch to his left hand. Otherwise, if it became known that he wrote unofficial history, his records might be questioned for authenticity.
Woe is him! Fortunately, it’s not a big issue; he could already write ambidextrously. But how to deal with the unofficial history once completed?
With these words, Zhao Cheng instantly understood her intent. Compared to the longevity of a dynasty, she prioritized the people.
Having initially intended to privately advise her, he abandoned the notion.
With Zhao Hanzhang present, they retrieved the yet undecided fundamental laws. Zhao Hanzhang proposed only twenty-five articles, to which they had added some, making a total of thirty-eight now.
Ji Yuan asked, "There’s no issue with salt and iron under state control, but regarding other minerals your Majesty mentioned, should we provide more details?"
This discussion continued until sunset. Lai Qing approached cautiously to remind, "Your Majesty, it’s already late."
Zhao Hanzhang realized she had long missed the time to leave court and laughed, "Let’s end it here today. You can continue refining it afterward, as the hour is late, and perhaps you have other engagements."
Zhao Hanzhang turned to Zhao Ming, "Today, Fifth Uncle is dining in the palace. Uncle Ming and Uncle Cheng, please stay to dine together."
Zhao Cheng looked at Zhao Ming, who bowed in agreement, followed by Zhao Cheng.
As they headed towards the inner palace, Zhao Hanzhang asked Zhao Ming, "Uncle Ming, you seemed to have something to say to me earlier."