Chapter 849 A Dream of Youth 381
Xie Ning thought for a while and then replied, "...If a person who commits theft and murder surrenders himself, he can be exempted from the punishment for the crime of theft and only be prosecuted for intentional homicide. Theft and murder is more serious than murder. Since theft and murder can be exempted from punishment for surrendering himself, then murder should also be exempted from punishment for surrendering himself."
"This argument is absurd. Theft and assault are two different crimes, while murder is a single crime. Does that mean that if someone thinks of killing someone, even if they don't actually do it, they should be convicted of murder?"
"Just now, Lord Liu said that those who plot to kill others shall be sentenced to three years of penal servitude; those who have already injured others shall be hanged; and those who have already killed others shall be beheaded. Among these, there are three levels of punishment: 'plotting but not killing,' 'injuring others,' and 'killing others.'"
If A has a grudge against B, and A breaks into B's house with a knife, but is subdued before he can commit the crime, this would be considered the crime of 'attempting to kill but not actually killing'...
The Hanlin scholar remained calm, pausing only briefly before retorting, "If murder can absolve one of the underlying crimes, then suppose there are two individuals, A and B..."
......
Xie Ning supported Qin Fengnian's verdict and reduced the sentence by two degrees, while the Hanlin Academician supported the Ministry of Justice's verdict, believing that sparing Hongxiu from execution was already a lenient act. If the sentence were reduced further, it would set an example for the people, discourage them from doing good, and encourage them to commit murder.
Xie Ning retorted, saying that setting an exception for the guilty is not to encourage people to do evil, but only to prevent criminals from knowing that they cannot escape death, thus fueling their hatred and making them determined to kill.
Yan Xi listened with great interest, but the debate remained fruitless, and the Imperial Censor requested that officials be selected again for a final decision.
Yan Xi glanced at the ministers below, then called on two senior officials and a younger one to discuss the matter. The final decision was naturally made by Xie Ning, who was Qin Fengnian, but the imperial edict could not be issued.
“They are really stubborn.” Yan Xi slumped on the couch without any regard for appearances.
The mountains are undisturbed, the green forests are at ease, and the cicadas' chirping echoes into the evening clouds.
Xie Ning put down the "keyword" in his hand and reassured Yan Xi, "The results will be available soon."
"Did they make things difficult for you?" Xie Ning's actions were practically putting him on the opposite side of them. Although Xie Ning also had people under his command, they were far fewer than those people.
"No."
Yan Xi was somewhat surprised, "Why?"
"No matter how fierce the argument was in court, it was only because both sides had their own understanding and insistence. Besides, I went to see them again after court..."
After all, they're not enemies; we're both subjects. A few conciliatory words are all I need. Besides, I understand their insistence. In this way, even if neither side can convince the other, they won't end up as complete enemies.
At this point, Xie Ning glanced at the Book of Documents on the bookshelf. It was placed in the most easily accessible position, indicating that it was frequently consulted.
"Your Majesty should do the same. Whether it is me or the other ministers, they are all your subjects. There needs to be a distance between the ruler and his subjects, but as subjects, we need to understand each other even more. Only in this way can they trust you more and love and support you more."
Yan Xi nodded in understanding, her gaze falling on the green bamboo rustling in the wind outside the window. She spoke casually, "A'Ning, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't know how to face this situation. Without power, even an emperor is just a puppet."
"Your Majesty, you will have the power you deserve." Just the power you deserve.
Xie Ning wasn't foolish enough to leave the imperial power completely unchecked; it was just that the imperial power was currently weak, so it needed to decentralize power elsewhere and then check and balance the power of the prime minister.
Yan Xi, seemingly oblivious to Xie Ning's implied meaning, smiled and said, "The Xie residence is indeed too small. When you returned before, I thought of bestowing upon you a house. Now that house has been renovated, it is right next to the Xie residence. Whether you live alone or combine it with the Xie residence, it is up to you."
"Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty."
The smile on Yan Xi's face only faded after Xie Ning left.
Sure enough, people change. Xie Ning may not have changed, but she has. She wants more and more power in her hands, and her desires are growing ever larger.
"Your Majesty." Aunt Qian, who had gone to see Xie Ning off, returned with a thin bamboo twig in her hand, the leaves of which were still covered with raindrops.
"It was Lord Xie who picked these bamboos and gave them to you, along with a line of poetry from an earlier poet: 'In Zuoyi, we have bamboo that grows into several rafters along the slope.'"
Yan Xi reached out and took the green bamboo. "I know."
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