Chapter 773: Chapter 773: Outcome
Around these two points, there had been argument in the Imperial Court for two days, and even the officials who originally didn’t participate were gradually drawn into the dispute by both sides. Each argued for the reasonableness of their own stance.
Yu Ang firmly stood with Yang Ye, the Prime Minister on the right stood with Yang Wang; they were also unyieldingly arguing with each other.
The Prime Minister on the right did not know about Yu Ang’s allegiance to the Yang family and continued to play into the dispute with enthusiasm.
Emperor Yong’an sat on the Dragon Throne, with the retired Emperor sitting next to him. The two casually sipped tea while observing the commotion below, which resembled a bustling vegetable market.
Nearing noon, and seeing that there would be no decision again today, Yang Wang stood up and said loudly, “Grandpa Emperor, a sovereign should act decisively, you have said that the ‘Daqi Laws’ are sacred and inviolable. In the case of Zhuang Lühe and the Sun family, we should judge according to the ‘Daqi Laws’.”
People had refrained from speaking openly about this in the past two days, only subtly emphasizing this point.
But after arguing for two days, Yang Wang lost patience. Such a simple matter, why should it be dragged out over three days?
Once having established the status of the ‘Daqi Laws’, now going against it would be like slapping oneself in the face.
This would be a loss of the royal dignity in the presence of all the civil and military officials!
The aristocratic families weren’t completely loyal to the Yang family to begin with, now they backed out of their word. Was this not deliberately giving others cause to look down on them!
Yang Wenxiao listened to this, raised his eyelid, glanced at Yang Wang and spoke, “If the sovereign, I am no longer the Emperor.”
It is quite normal for those who come later not to abide by the teachings of their predecessors.
At this, Yang Wang was choked with surprise.
He immediately turned to Emperor Yong’an.
Emperor Yong’an was carefully examining the teacup in his hand. Sensing his gaze, he quietly sipped his tea and then leisurely said, “Well, my dear officials have been discussing for several days, and it’s time to reach a conclusion.”
“Wang has already expressed his opinion. Now, let Master Gu speak for the rest.”
Gu, the college president, used to be a royal tutor. Due to his old age, he couldn’t stand for long, so he was currently sitting in a chair drinking tea.
Hearing Emperor Yong’an’s voice, he quickly put down his teacup and stood up.
“In response to Your Majesty, I believe there is no mistake in the Duke of Duan’s words; a sovereign should indeed act decisively.”
At these words, everyone turned to look at him, awaiting his conclusion.
Gu, the college president, stroked his beard and continued, “However, when I was young, I heard a teaching from the retired emperor that I will remember for the rest of my life, it is: ‘The people are like water, and the ruler is like a boat. The water can carry the boat or overturn it.’
“This sentence means that the people are precious and the ruler is light. It has also been said by saints that the people are precious, the nation comes next, and the ruler comes last.”
“Since both the retired emperor and the saints believe that the people are more precious and the ruler should follow the people, the ‘Daqi Laws’ should also follow the rule of the ruler. According to this ranking, the ‘Daqi Laws’ are inferior to the public.”
“So I believe that, under such circumstances, changing the ‘Daqi Laws’ for the people not only does not undermine the royal dignity, but also demonstrates the royal benevolence of putting the people first.”
“If a ruler wholeheartedly considers the people, then where the people’s hearts are is where the ruler is, and Daqi can potentially last for thousands of generations.”
When the Headmaster Gu concluded, both Yang Wenxiao and Emperor Yong’an showed satisfied expressions on their faces.
Emperor Yong’an nodded, “Master Gu is right, in my heart, the people come first, and the essence of the ‘Daqi Laws’ is to protect the people. When my father was formulating the ‘Daqi Laws’, there were not enough people, so the ‘Daqi Laws’ are not perfect.”
“A few days ago, I had already asked the Duke of Wei to revise the ‘Daqi Laws’. This is a matter that all civil and military officials in the court are aware of.”
“So, this case cannot be judged according to the ‘Daqi Laws’.” Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn noveⅼfire.net