Chapter 89 A Scholar Can Be Killed
The small courtyard of Madam Feng's house was crowded with officials and nobles, looking just like the ripe sorghum, all drooping and listless. But they were all useless; if the courtyard had been full of ripe sorghum, she wouldn't have had to go out to find food.
Guan Zhiwei pointed at them and laughed loudly: "The Yuan family is laughing at you, saying, 'Those who sit and discuss the Way are called kings and nobles; those who put it into practice are called scholars and officials.' These fools actually have a few words of truth."
Chen Wen cupped his hands and said, "Grand Tutor, a scholar can be killed, but not humiliated. To humiliate a minister is to humiliate the country."
Upon hearing this, the other officials immediately echoed his sentiments.
The saying "A scholar can be killed but not humiliated" was originally said to the monarch, admonishing the monarch to respect scholars.
Although they don't acknowledge it, they have already elevated Guan Zhiwei to the status of a sovereign.
Guan Zhiwei stood up, stepped over the threshold, and lingered at the door with her hands behind her back on the steps.
Now she's taller than them.
"I also want to say to you the saying, 'A scholar can be killed but not humiliated.' If you don't want to be dishonored, then you should uphold your dignity. Since you claim to represent the dignity of the nation, being humiliated is a disgrace to the nation. I have insulted you, so go ahead and drown yourself or hang yourself!"
"Our bodies, hair, and skin are given to us by our parents, and we dare not damage them; this is the beginning of filial piety. My children and grandchildren are unfilial!" An elderly minister, surnamed Sui, stared intently at Guan Zhiwei.
Guan Zhiwei didn't even lift his eyelids, and without looking at who he was, he said, "But if one is willing to sacrifice one's life for integrity, isn't that noble? It upholds the ethics between ruler and subject and conforms to the great principle of life and death. This is the highest realm I can imagine."
Gao Huan inwardly marveled that someone could make persuading someone to die sound so noble.
Guan Zhiwei thought she had completely forgotten what she had learned, but during the debate, the knowledge kept popping into her head.
"Even if you are too cowardly to fight to the death, the next best option is to retreat to the mountains and never serve in a court that insults scholars. For example, Bo Yi and Shu Qi refused to eat Zhou grain."
She hypocritically said, "If you can do that, then I will treat you with the 'water and sword' treatment. I respect scholars with integrity."
When ministers in the Han Dynasty pleaded guilty, a basin filled with water and a sword were placed on it, symbolizing fair enforcement of the law and allowing them to commit suicide. This was a courtesy shown by the monarch to his ministers.
Silence reigned.
That scoundrel Gao Yang, when he's enraged, only knows how to draw his knife and threaten people. Unlike her, whose tongue is like a Longquan sword, killing without drawing blood.
These well-read scholars might not necessarily win a debate with her.
"Very well! Grand Tutor, you are a smooth talker! I want to see how the world will view you after you force the ministers to their deaths!" The old minister surnamed Sui was already very old, had a strong temper, and had lived long enough.
He drew his sword, held it to his neck, and said in grief and indignation, "Today I am being driven to my death by the Grand Tutor's words!" With that, he slit his throat, and blood gushed out as if it were free.
Everyone's expression changed drastically; they felt a deep sense of kinship and sorrow for each other.
"Grand Tutor! To insult someone to the point of being unable to bear it will only result in being insulted in return!"
"Grand Tutor, your words are inaccurate and your actions are careless, which has led to the suicide of a court official. Have you not yet realized your mistakes?"
"This matter must be recorded in history books!"
They obtained weapons and all pointed them at Guan Zhiwei, pushing the atmosphere of anger to a climax.
If even one person were to sacrifice their life, Guan Zhiwei could be nailed to the pillar of shame.
Zhi Junyuan panicked; it was his fault, he hadn't stopped him.
The other party was resolute and swift, and he failed to seize it, which put the Grand Tutor in a passive position.
"Clap clap clap".
Guan Zhiwei clapped her hands, her face full of admiration: "What a self-respecting and self-loving person. I know I was wrong. He can't have died in vain. I have to admit my mistake."
Gao Huan was puzzled. The situation was difficult to handle, but would she really bow down and admit her mistakes to these people?
She drew her killing dagger and loosened her hair.
Gao Huan understood and immediately stepped forward to stop him, kneeling on the ground to plead, "Grand Tutor, you mustn't! Our bodies and hair are given to us by our parents, and we dare not damage them; this is the beginning of filial piety."
These were Chen Wen's exact words, which he used. Chen Wen watched the two of them singing in unison with great frustration.
Guan Zhiwei said sadly, "That's why I have to cut off my hair in place of my head to apologize to the scholars I respect."
She cut off a lock of hair and threw it down.
The scholar-officials consistently emphasized that officials should be exempt from corporal punishment and humiliation, and that the punishment of shaving the head was an extremely serious political humiliation.
Now that I've humiliated myself, are you all satisfied?
"..."
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. How did she manage to handle things so effortlessly?
But this is indeed in accordance with propriety. Our bodies and hair are given to us by our parents, and cutting off our hair is a form of punishment and humiliation.
Guan Zhiwei said, "As long as you all have self-respect, I will abide by the rules. I still have a lot of hair, and I will apologize to each and every one of the patriots who have died."
A life for a lock of hair? You think that's a bargain? You might as well commit suicide. I have tons of hair.
Seeing his benefactor die so lightly, the Chief Justice was furious and jumped up, shouting, "Grand Tutor, please stop beating around the bush! Today we are discussing the murder of her husband by Lady Feng! Murderers must pay with their lives; this is a principle recognized throughout history. Are you going to violate the laws of nature?!"
"Of course I won't, because I'm brave and resourceful, unlike you guys."
Guan Zhiwei chuckled, glanced at him a few times, and suddenly revealed a malicious smile: "Minister of Justice, I have already requested His Majesty's decree to transfer you to the position of military clerk. Next, I will be attacking the Yuan clan, so you must take good notes."
The Chief Justice's expression changed drastically.
This move was a decisive blow, directly transferring the man to his command. On the battlefield, swords have no eyes; isn't it normal for a clerk to die? Who can say anything about it?
He was a scholar, yet he wanted to die like a warrior, riddled with arrows.
Most importantly, he wanted fame and he wanted to repay a debt of gratitude, but Guan Zhiwei wouldn't let him achieve either. Others died a worthy death, while he made a pointless sacrifice.
"No! I want to resign..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhi Junyuan covered his mouth and nose and dragged him away.
This time he was quick. The young general was very satisfied with himself.
Guan Zhiwei ignored the little incident and continued to look around at everyone.
No one dared to meet her gaze, fearing they would be transferred to the front lines. Sacrifice is permissible, but it should be a worthwhile sacrifice.
Where is the Court of Justice?
"Your subject is here," one of them replied, bowing respectfully.
Guan Zhiwei said slowly, "You give me a reason why Madam Feng could kill her husband but be exempt from punishment."
The Minister of Justice hesitated before asking, "Does the Grand Tutor intend to amend the laws of the land?"
Guan Zhiwei said happily, "Yes, that's exactly what I meant."
Since the law does not allow for the pardon of Madam Feng, then let's amend the law.
As for how to forgive, and how to formulate that law, they might have a headache, but what does that have to do with Guan Zhiwei? "You who eat the emperor's salary are supposed to share his burdens; now you must share my burdens."
Since you say that doctors are exempt from punishment, then Lady Feng should not be punished either.
Because of me.
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