A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 124 Gathering Virtue
Yi Zong fled back to the imperial court.

Regarding the matter of the theft in Guandong, the Emperor's attitude became increasingly clear, and that was precisely the area that the officials, generals, marquises, and members of the imperial family of both the central and foreign dynasties dared not touch.

A silent sigh swept through the entire Xuan Shi Hall.

Prime Minister Gongsun Hong recalled his conversation with the Emperor when the Emperor was in power, during which the Emperor entrusted him with three matters.

A group of people who wholeheartedly support reform, a group of people who are not afraid of powerful figures and only follow the law, and the empire's money and provisions.

Now that all three things have been accomplished, the emergence of the Kanto thief affair is a ready-made trigger.

Gongsun Hong knew that the time to fight to the death had come.

The elderly prime minister slowly rose, supported by an embroidered stool. His imposing presence swept across the land as he solemnly declared, "Apart from the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, please come to the Xuan Room Hall and listen quietly."

Since the birth of politics, all dynasties have adhered to the principle of holding large meetings for minor matters, small meetings for major matters, and no meetings for key turning points.

The empire's major policies have changed.

According to custom, the decision was made only by the emperor, the general, and himself. The censor-in-chief and other high-ranking officials, generals, marquises, and members of the imperial clan were not qualified to participate, or even to listen in.

The Emperor was a benevolent ruler, which is why he granted the ministers the right to participate and other court officials the right to listen in, so that everyone could understand the specific details of the changes in the empire's major policies and the attitudes of the Emperor and his ministers, thus saving everyone the trouble of dealing with the emperor.

However, this also puts greater pressure on Gongsun Hong and Wei Qing. The new policies must be flawless, otherwise they will be taken advantage of and cause significant losses to the empire, in which case they will have to bear the responsibility.

Why do officials always like to be vague? It's a way to protect themselves. The more vague they are, the more room they leave for themselves. If something goes wrong, they can easily shift the blame.

Once it's brought to court for discussion, there's no room for negotiation.

Gongsun Hong was never an indecisive person. Since he could not leave himself any room for maneuver, he did not intend to leave any room for anyone else either.

Liu Ju nodded.

Jiang Bo immediately shouted, "All officials, leave the palace!"

The two ranks of officials, from the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers down, retreated in order to the outside of the Xuan Shi Hall.

They stood silently, listening to the golden and jade-like sounds emanating from the main hall.

“Several months ago, I had a conversation with the Lord in the Northern Army about the matter of national rejuvenation. The Lord said: ‘The people are the foundation.’”

Gongsun Hong's voice reached everyone's ears clearly and accurately. The two groups of court officials raised their heads in unison, revealing one surprised and doubtful face after another.

Does this "people" refer to them, or to the common people?

The ruler said without hesitation: "The way of a ruler is to first protect the people. If one sacrifices the people to benefit oneself, it is like cutting off one's own flesh to feed one's belly; the belly will be full, but the body will die."

Countless eyes dimmed.

They are ordinary people.

The emperor could actually say that the empire must prioritize the well-being of its people, even going so far as to compare the cruelty he inflicted on the people to cutting off flesh from one's own leg to fill one's stomach—the stomach is full, but the person dies.

Is this saying that the people are the foundation of a nation?
What about them?

"Therefore, the Emperor said: 'Today, the Han people have merit but no reward, have land but no cultivation, have famine but no relief, and have no harvest.' The people are resentful. How can the country become strong?"

A sigh.

As he choked back tears, a sob echoed throughout the hall.

"Therefore, the ruler said to me: 'Governing a country is no different from recuperating from an illness. When a patient feels better, he must be protected even more, for if he is offended, he will surely die. The same is true for governing a country. When the world is at peace, one must be even more cautious. If one becomes arrogant and complacent, one will surely suffer ruin...'"

The ministers, generals, marquises, and members of the imperial clan felt a lump in their throats.

The old prime minister's words were not hard to understand: the Han Dynasty was built from the ruins of war. Although there were the reigns of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing, the empire was still in disarray due to the policy of inaction.

Governing a country at this time is like caring for a critically ill patient; it requires patience and meticulousness, and one cannot be too hasty.

The most urgent task is to remove the shackles that weigh on the people, eliminate oppressive policies, reduce taxes, allow the people to rest, and let the sick recover their strength.

Having experienced the reigns of Emperors Wen and Jing, the Han Dynasty was like a patient showing signs of recovery. At this time, it was even more important to focus on consolidating the foundation and nourishing the vital energy, rather than being complacent with small gains, boasting, or even becoming arrogant, ambitious, and wasteful of resources and manpower. The old prime minister did not say a word about His Majesty, but the officials of the two dynasties seemed to have seen His Majesty's "household registration certificate".

“I said to the Supreme Ruler: ‘The safety and well-being of the world today depend on the Supreme Ruler.’”

The ministers were silent.

The affairs of the world are in the hands of the Emperor. The old Prime Minister is not even trying to cover things up anymore. He has forgotten His Majesty.

The ruler, however, said: "Therefore, one should be cautious every day, even in times of rest. However, the eyes, ears, and arms of the ruler are entrusted to you. Since you are all of one body, you should work together with one heart. If there is any unease, speak frankly and without concealment. If the ruler and his ministers distrust each other and cannot be completely open and honest, it will be a great harm to the country."

Does this mean that restoring people's livelihoods is their responsibility?
The officials, marquises, generals, and members of the imperial family of both the Chinese and foreign dynasties seemed to have misheard. How could the emperor of the Liu family say that the affairs of the world depend on his loyal ministers?
To govern a country, one must have the unity of mind between the ruler and his ministers, and the harmony between the court and the people, as if they were all of one mind and heart, sharing joys and sorrows. Does the ruler truly believe that they can govern the country well?

At this moment, everyone felt a heavy weight in their hearts, a mixture of emotion, shame, and profound complex.

"Did he really say that?" Liu Ju, sitting on the throne, asked himself.

It seems so, yet it seems not. "Putting the people first," "No reward for merit, no cultivation of land, no relief for barrenness, and no harvest in a year" were his sayings. The other words spoken by the emperor and his ministers seem to be the old prime minister's own interpretations.

The core meaning is very simple: when the ruler and his ministers are of one mind and work diligently to govern the country, the most fundamental way to achieve great order in the world is to put the people first, because only when the people are prosperous can the country be strong.

Looking at the civil and military officials who always fought for the people's interests, Liu Ju felt heavy-hearted as they were being pressured by Gongsun Hong's righteous words, their backs gradually bending.

"Your Majesty, gentlemen."

Through the palace gate, I saw Gongsun Hong standing to the side, saying, "I have heard that to make a tree grow tall, one must strengthen its roots; to make a river flow far, one must dredge its source."

Those who wish for the peace of their nation must cultivate virtue and righteousness.

To expect a long flow from a shallow source, to expect a tall tree from weak roots, to desire national peace from a lack of virtue—even I, in my ignorance, know this is impossible, let alone the wise and discerning.

The ruler, bearing the weight of divine authority and residing in the vastness of the realm, will ascend to the highest heavens and forever enjoy boundless peace.

The ministers, failing to be mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace, neglecting extravagance and practicing frugality, lacking virtue and unable to control their desires, are like cutting the roots to make the tree flourish, or blocking the source to make the river flow long.

Everyone's eyes widened in surprise.

Governing a country is like planting a tree; only with deep roots can the leaves flourish.

The roots of the empire lie in the people and in their hearts. The old prime minister advised the emperor to "govern the country with virtue," and then warned his ministers not to always focus on their own small plot of land, only seeing wealth and not everything else. The emperor should accumulate virtue, that is, "accumulate virtue and righteousness," and the ministers should let their rationality exceed their desires, that is, "cultivate virtue and let emotions overcome desires."

In short, ministers should have a broad vision and accumulate virtue for the ruler and bring peace to the people.

Isn't this right?
(End of this chapter)