Chapter 315: No mercy for the sword
Seizing people's land by force may not seem to be a big deal in the eyes of many people. Why is Zhang Yan so nervous?
Why did he go directly to the palace to ask the Queen Mother for help after the incident at Liuhou Mansion, instead of relying on his privilege to commit crimes?
Because this matter is really unusual.
If it were during the reign of Liu Bang, this would not be a big deal. The dignitaries who committed these crimes would at most be fined and sent to reflect on their mistakes.
But it was different during the time of Lu Zhi. Luo Chen explained to Lu Zhi that the people that the law should truly protect were those who could pay taxes to the court.
Small landlords and self-employed farmers were the cornerstones of the Han Dynasty, so their importance was elevated to an extremely high level by Lu Zhi.
Although these people’s political privileges cannot be compared with those of the powerful, they are protected by the law.
In particular, the imperial court resolutely cracked down on the bullying of small landlords and self-cultivating farmers by the nobles.
Now that Luo Xin is still alive, Liuhou Mansion is committing crimes against the wind. This is why Zhang Yan is shocked.
Zhang Yan was a little nervous. She didn't know where this matter would end up, nor did she know what the future of Liuhou Mansion would be.
When Luo Xin heard Zhang Yan's straightforward admission, he actually felt a little annoyed, because the matter of Liu Hou Mansion certainly could not be let go so easily, and he had to make an example of her.
It would be ridiculous if the system was corrupted just a few decades after the founding of the country and no one was punished.
However, we still need to be careful about the way and method of handling the matter, which should reflect benevolence while creating deterrence.
Luo Xin pondered for a moment and said, "Queen Dowager, let me tell you a story that happened in the Song State hundreds of years ago."
Zhang Yan was shocked when she heard this, knowing that Luo Xin was trying to give her some advice, and that the things that could not be said explicitly would be revealed in this.
"Hundreds of years ago, there was a man from Song. He was a very successful businessman. He had accumulated a large amount of wealth through business for many years. When he was about to die, he said to his two sons: 'I am about to die. I have two inheritances. The first is the wealth I have accumulated in my lifetime, and the second is my business experience. I will leave them to you two respectively. You two can discuss which one you want and then tell me.'
The eldest son chose experience.
The younger son chose wealth and wanted to become a businessman who surpassed his father. However, after just three years, the younger son squandered all the wealth his father left him in business and became impoverished.
So he sighed: "I have a lot of wealth but I don't have the ability to control it. The wealth will flow away like a river in front of me. If I had been frugal every day and relied on my father's wealth, I probably wouldn't have fallen into the current situation and even brought trouble to my father's reputation."
Zhang Yan understood what the Prime Minister was saying. The Liuhou Mansion was so glorious, but the head of the family was too stupid. Instead of interfering in politics, he just guarded the family business and lived a life of idleness.
Isn’t this what the Lu family did, and they still enjoyed wealth and glory?
This is a thankless task and it also affects Your Majesty's reputation.
Zhang Yan felt a little relieved. The Prime Minister's words meant that there would be a warning to the Zhang family, but it would not be too harsh. That way, she would not have to go against the Prime Minister to protect her family.
Thinking of this, Zhang Yan said directly: "It's all up to the Prime Minister. I will return to Weiyang Palace."
Luo Xin looked at Zhang Yan who was leaving slowly, a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes. Sitting in his position, even the most powerful person would inevitably have to compromise. Sometimes political goals could not be achieved simply by having power in hand.
This emotion flashed by, and Luo Xin became firm again. He already had an idea of how to deal with Liuhou Mansion.
Moreover, he wanted to take advantage of this incident to do something. After all, the impact of this incident was quite large.
There are too many Chehou who are paying attention to this matter of Liuhou Mansion. In fact, it is not only Liuhou Mansion that has done these things over the years.
However, most of the powerful and wealthy did these things in Shandong or in their own fiefdoms.
The most outrageous thing about Liuhou Mansion this time was that it did this thing in Guanzhong. It was really because of its great power that it became arrogant.
Soon they found out that an imperial decree was issued from the forbidden area.
"According to the will of Emperor Renzong Xiaohui, acting on behalf of the emperor, and the order of the regent prime minister:
Zhang Buyi, Marquis of Liu, disregarded the state law, seized the land of common people, and violated the laws of the Han Dynasty. If he is not punished, it will not be enough to uphold the state law, demonstrate the emperor's power, or show his grace.
Zhang Buzhi was stripped of his title of Marquis Liu, and all his official positions were taken away from him, and he was demoted to a commoner.
The five thousand households of the state of Liuhou were revoked, and Zhang Buyi's son was given the title of Liuhou instead. Zhang Buyi and Liuhou immediately returned to the state of Liuhou in Shandong, and were not allowed to enter Guanzhong or leave the state without special permission.
Another fine of 300,000 yuan was imposed on the Marquis's mansion and the money was put into the government treasury.
If there is a repeat offense, there will be severe punishment, and everyone will be informed of this."
The punishment of this decree was severe, but the fine was a minor matter. After several conferment of titles, the State of Liuhou became a large country with tens of thousands of households, and the taxes collected from it every year were very high.
But directly depriving the fiefdom of its population would be a serious matter. Although the decree said there were 5,000 households, that was calculated based on the land. In reality, there might be nearly 10,000 households living there. Without this source of taxation, the Liuhou Mansion would be extremely painful.
What’s even more terrifying is that the prime minister actually drove Liu Hou’s lineage out of Chang’an and sent them back to their fiefdom.
For these powerful people, leaving Chang'an, the core of power, would mean a complete loss of power. They are not those princes whose kingdoms span counties and are powerful enough to even shake Chang'an. If a marquis returns to his own kingdom, he cannot even be considered a local emperor, but at most a top-level tyrant.
Especially for Che Hou, who was unemployed at home, if he offended someone in Chang'an, he would even be inferior to the county magistrate.
If Zhang had the empress dowager around, she might not have ended up in this situation, but her life would definitely not have been easy.
If the prime minister gives a hint, those Confucian disciples who are full of justice will go to Liu County to serve as officials, and they will definitely cause trouble for Liuhou Mansion.
The effect of killing a chicken to scare the monkey was very good. On the second day after the imperial edict was issued, Luo Yi's mansion was crowded with people, and many people came to test the waters.
Luo Yi, the good old man, just laughed and said, "Although Yi and the Prime Minister are brothers, the Prime Minister is the regent, he is wise and far-sighted, and his thoughts are not something Yi can understand."
Luo Yi's attitude cast a shadow on many people's hearts in this weird atmosphere.
The top dignitaries in Chang'an City all received an invitation to a banquet from the imperial palace, issued in the name of the Queen Mother.
But everyone knew that this must be the work of the Regent Prime Minister, otherwise why would the Queen Mother summon all the families together?
Are you rebelling against the Prime Minister?
That's really ridiculous!
Weiyang Palace.
Since it was the Queen Mother who invited all the ministers, it naturally could not happen in Changle Palace. Everyone was whispering, guessing Luo Xin's purpose.
Since all the families have been invited, it shouldn't be a direct liquidation.
When Luo Xin appeared with Queen Mother Zhang Yan and Emperor Liu Heng, many people in the hall lowered their heads slightly.
No one could forget the way everyone from Liuhou Mansion left Chang'an that day. That was the empress dowager's mother's family and the most important foreign relative in the current dynasty. Yet they were so fragile in the face of the prime minister that they were ordered to get out of Chang'an without even daring to resist.
What does it mean to have power over the world? Just look at the current regent and prime minister and you will understand. How can people not be shocked and afraid?
Many people think that Zhang Yan must hate Luo Xin now because of the events at Liuhou Mansion, but to think so is really underestimating Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan thought that this was a good thing for the Zhang family of Liuhou, as it at least avoided the disaster of being killed.
Moreover, the imperial edict stated that no one was allowed to return to Chang'an without a special order. The empress dowager's order was a special order. As long as Zhang Yan was willing and if she missed her family, a decree would allow everyone in Liuhou Mansion to return to Chang'an for a reunion.
Zhang Yan sat in the main seat, while Luo Xin sat in the second seat. Zhang Yan smiled and said, "My dear ministers, since the death of Emperor Xiaohui, the Emperor and I have not seen you again. It is a blessing for the country to be together today, so we should drink to celebrate!"
"Ten thousand years, Queen Mother!"
All the ministers toasted in unison. Zhang Yan also selected a few people to sing and dance for the emperor in the hall to show her closeness. After the whole process was over, everyone finally turned their eyes to the silent Luo Xin.
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly changed.
Luo Xin raised the wine glass in his hand and said loudly: "My fellow lords, please drink!"
The ministers were confused, but they all raised their glasses and said loudly: "Congratulations to the Prime Minister! Long live the Han Dynasty!"
After drinking, Luo Xin sighed and said, "Today, you are able to sit here and have a feast with the Queen Mother and His Majesty because of your merits in establishing the Han Dynasty and following the Emperor Gao and Empress Gao in conquering the world.
The Emperor Gao and Empress Gao have granted you land to live on, so that your descendants can all be rich and prosperous.
Even if the river becomes as thin as a belt, even if Mount Tai turns into sand, this promise will never change forever.
Isn’t that enough?
Those in the palace were all the most powerful people in the Han Dynasty, owning countless fields and countless subjects. With so much, they had no intention of repaying the emperor's kindness, but were eager to seize the land of the common people.
A wealthy person with a huge fortune is trying to snatch a few cents from a beggar's bowl. Is this what you should do?
Trampling on the laws of the Han Dynasty, violating the orders of Empress Gao, going against my will, and betraying the Emperor's expectations, what a sin this is.
I will go to the palace with a sword and kill any treacherous villains I see.
All the nobles must know that they must take Liu Hou Zhang Buyi as a warning. If you violate the law, I will not forgive you with my sword."
Luo Xin glared at his ministers with a chill in his eyes, as if he was ready to stab someone to death with the sharp blade in his hand at any time.
The few families who had something to hide felt even more limp, as if they could feel the murderous intent in Luo Xin's eyes.
Liu Heng was not afraid. He looked at the scene with some curiosity and felt that his uncle was really majestic.
————
Liu Hou did not doubt the law and redeemed him. He was ordered to be stripped of his status as a commoner and not allowed to enter Chang'an.
The Queen Mother was still feasting when the ministers congratulated Xin. Xin said, "We established the great cause of the Han Dynasty, drank from the golden cup, followed the law and enforced it, and showed no mercy. You all know this."
All the officials bowed their heads and responded in a timid voice. - "Records of the Grand Historian: The Biography of the Marquis of Dong'e"
(End of this chapter)
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