Chapter 294

Legalists!

Among the hundred schools of thought, the biggest rival of Confucianism was not the Mohist school which was as famous as Confucianism at that time, but the founder of the harsh criminal law.

During the Warring States period, Legalists became popular, emphasizing "no intimacy, no distinction between high and low, and a break in the law". Advocate that the punishment should not avoid the minister and reward the good without leaving every man. It can be said that Confucianism, which is not a doctor, is a natural opposition.

At that time, the legalist sages Li Xuan, Wu Qi, Shang Yang and Shen Buhai... Successively reformed the laws in various countries and created one powerful country after another.

It can be said that legalism is the foundation of a powerful country. It can be said that no emperor can not know it, but the scene in front of him cooled Merton from the top to the bottom of his heart.

"Pardon?"

The people were stunned and looked at the dead prisoners under the wall in surprise, so they were pardoned.

Many officials of the Ministry of punishment were also stunned. After repeated confirmation, they really believed that his majesty had really pardoned these dead prisoners and had to lift their chains for these dead prisoners.

"Your Majesty's benevolence is indeed a famous King through the ages!"

At the moment, a Confucian student in a green shirt was excited and shouted. In his opinion, this is the highest embodiment of benevolent government. The king is kind, and even the death row prisoners are so honest. Isn't this the highest level of Confucian education? What's more sensational than educating the death row prisoners.

"Your Majesty's benevolence is indeed a wise king through the ages!"

The rest of the Confucian scholars suddenly shouted excitedly. In their opinion, if you believe in the people and the people do not live up to you, it will become a good story through the ages in the future.

"Your Majesty's benevolence, we will certainly reform in the future, live up to your Majesty's trust, and pass on your Majesty's name of benevolence and justice." a group of prisoners were overjoyed and quickly kowtowed to thank you. Everyone was surprised.

"Your Majesty is really a God and man! Even such prisoners can be influenced!" many ordinary people are also excited and look at the direction of the Imperial Palace in the north with a look of worship.

However, Merton shook his head slightly and looked at the Confucian scholars silently, shouting that his Majesty's benevolent government was so moving that even the death row prisoners were so honest. If these death row prisoners are honest people, how can they do things with bleeding debts.

Although these dead prisoners knew that they would come to die, they still kept their promise. It is commendable, but the premise is that they are prisoners of death. The Tang Dynasty has always used the death penalty carefully, and the administration of officials is clear. I'm afraid none of these 390 people is wronged.

In the eyes of these Confucian scholars, it is all about the benevolence of his majesty and the trustworthiness of these prisoners, but no one thinks about how to protect the rights and interests of those victims.

On the city wall, all the officials' children can't help being numb. As officials' children, they know more about the laws of the Tang Dynasty than ordinary people.

Unless the new emperor ascends the throne or is critically ill, the moment of amnesty is very rare, but amnesty is not pardoned by everyone in the world.

The ancients once said, "ten evils are unforgivable! For example, ten crimes such as rebellion, conspiracy, treason, evil rebellion, immorality, disrespect, unfilial, disharmony, injustice and civil strife are not pardoned.

In addition to these heinous crimes, murder, arson, prison robbery and official crimes are also clearly stipulated not to be pardoned. At most, they are only exempted from crimes. The real pardons are only criminals who do little harm to the ruling order.

But you know, there are 390 people in front of you, and all of them are prisoners on death row. Li Shimin's move is extremely incredible.

What is more strange is that no official in the whole court stopped it, and even the will of pardon passed through three provinces and six ministries in a very short time. This is the most abnormal thing.

As soon as Merton turned his mind, he suddenly realized that this was a performance, a performance of praising Li Shimin.

Merton has always known that there is a flaw in Li Shimin's heart. This flaw is the change of Xuanwu Gate. Whether Li Shimin thinks that he is forced to fight back to protect himself, or how excellent his emperor is, he can't cover up the fact that Li Shimin imprisoned his father and killed his brothers and brothers.

So Li Shimin and officials of the Ministry of punishment, who were eager to change their reputation, directed a good play of benevolence, virtue and Mingjun. If it was other Ministry of punishment Shangshu, it might not work, but at this time, the Ministry of punishment Shangshu was Li daozong, the most staunch supporter of the Li Tang family, and everything was in order.

Merton felt sad. It was just a play, a play directed and performed by himself, and the price paid was the dignity of Legalists.

For a moment, many officials' children figured out the truth and couldn't help blinking their eyes.

"This is the sorrow of Legalists. I have taught law all my life, abided by the law and spread legalist theories. Now, how to face the legalist sages, it's better to return home from now on."

Under the city wall, Merton saw the doctor of law bow his back deeply, like a broken spine. He took off his hat and was ready to hang his hat.

"The doctor is the pillar of the Imperial College. How many officials of the Ministry of punishment cultivated for the Tang Dynasty can leave so rashly." Li daozong quickly dissuaded. He is the Minister of justice of the Ministry of punishment. Naturally, he knows how much influence the doctor of law has.

The doctor of law smiled miserably and said, "since your majesty has found a way to reform death row prisoners, future death row prisoners can follow this example. I have no use with an old bone."

Li Dao zongdun's face turned red. He naturally knew the reason and was immediately ashamed.

If you follow this Law in the future, everyone knows that even if you kill someone, you can be pardoned as long as you come back on time the next year. Isn't it a mess that day.

"You are ashamed of the law!" the doctor of law turned and saw the children he had taught, and he was very sad.

"Teacher!" all the officials of the Ministry of punishment couldn't help looking ashamed.

Most of them graduated from the Imperial College. Seeing their mentor say so, they can't help looking ashamed. As the executors of the law, they certainly know that the greatest role of the law is to punish evil, but today they personally connive at evil.

"The legalist is dead!" cried the doctor of law! Staggering away, the doctor's hat fell in his hand and was heavily trampled under his feet. However, no criminal official followed the doctor of law.

"The Legalists are dead!" Merton felt sad when he saw this.

In the pre-Qin period, Legalists were so powerful and powerful. However, under the external Confucianism and internal law, Legalists became a tool for rulers to fish for fame and reputation. It seemed to exist forever and had lost its spirit. It was like a walking corpse and was manipulated by others.

The sad cry of the doctor of law was just the last cry of Legalists, which was soon drowned in the cheers of Confucianism. It can't even lift a trace of wind and waves.