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

Chapter 208 Wang Yun
They offered money to redeem themselves from death, and the scholars vomited blood.

The blood mist slowly spread out, lingering in the void for a long time.

Dr. Er Kuan, a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, Dr. Chu Da, and others could not accept this result.

A once-powerful family, with thousands of members, young and old, was slaughtered by a hundred families. One person took the blame and escaped death by paying money.

How should we accept this?

Who can accept it?

The ministers and officials who participated in government and political affairs, as well as the high-ranking officials, nobles, and members of the imperial family from both the Chinese and foreign dynasties, came to their senses.

In principle, the laws of the Han Dynasty apply equally to everyone, but some people are the very embodiment of principle.

The Book of Documents, Shun Dian: "Gold was used to redeem punishments."

Before the Han Dynasty, those who redeemed their sins used copper; it was only during the Han Dynasty that gold was used instead.

Therefore, the practice of redemption has a long history in China.

As for the Han Dynasty's system of redeeming crimes with money, Emperor Xiaohui stipulated that "if a person commits a crime, he or she can buy a noble title of 30 ranks or higher to avoid the death penalty." His Majesty now stipulates that criminals sentenced to death can pay 500,000 coins to reduce their punishment by one degree.

Five hundred thousand coins, also written as fifty gold.

Whether it's 500,000 coins or 50 gold pieces, it's just a drop in the ocean compared to the creations of the Mohists.

Knowledge is money; at this moment, it has become a reality.

The bound Grand Master and Mo Zimo, standing beside the old Prime Minister, finally realized what kind of wealth the ancient sages had left them.
The old emperor knew about the power struggles within the court, but he could not accept this law that "the rich live while the poor die alone." He sighed deeply, "Your Majesty, this humble subject cannot bear it."

Despite the blood trickling from their mouths, Er Kuan, Chu Da, and the others felt a renewed sense of hope. It was said that Confucianism was outdated and antiquated, but at times, the Mohist disciples were even more pedantic.

Between fairness and justice and the law of self-interest, I would rather die than choose the former.

"The existence of special laws has its own particularities. During the reign of Emperor Xiaohui and the current emperor, frequent wars emptied the national treasury. The financial problems of the court were directly related to the life and death of the Han Dynasty. This is the reason why the redemption of punishment was so popular in both dynasties."

Now Liu Ju is qualified and capable of pointing out the mistakes of the emperors of the Han Dynasty, except for Emperor Taizu Gao, and can openly state the true reasons for the existence of special laws such as redemption and castration.

The land of China experienced the chaos at the end of the Qin Dynasty, the Chu-Han Contention, Emperor Gaozu's war against the Xiongnu, the pacification of the vassal kings, and the enfeoffment of the entire country. By the time of Emperor Hui, the Han Dynasty was like a dilapidated war chariot, on the verge of collapse at any moment.

In order to strengthen the war chariots, the court had to raise a large amount of funds in a short period of time, and appropriately compromise the fairness of the law, which was acceptable to both Emperor Xiaohui and Empress Lü.

Similarly, His Majesty's frequent foreign wars have led to an empty treasury and an urgent need to address the financial problems. His Majesty has followed suit by sacrificing the fairness of the law, which, in exchange for a large amount of funds, has indeed allowed some useful talents in the court to survive.

The military generals, in particular, benefited greatly. Even some of Liu Ju's ministers in the Qilin Pavilion had to pay money to redeem themselves from death because of the unreasonable aspects of the military merit system.

As for certain generals who enjoyed countless accolades both within and outside the court, yet were not granted the title of Marquis or even whose whereabouts were unknown, Liu Ju will not name them. They provided tremendous assistance in solving the court's financial problems.

Liu Ju looked at the old Grand Master and slowly said, "Grand Master, some people are more meaningful to live than to die, whether for themselves or for the country. Redeeming death with money does not mean you are innocent. You and many of your predecessors may never be able to show your faces in public again until your death. Many of your contributions to the Han Dynasty will remain unknown before your death and for a long time afterward. You will live in seclusion, hiding your identity, and your merits will not be known to the world. For the sake of the Han Dynasty and the people, can you endure such punishment?"

Your words have touched my heart.

The princes and ministers gradually became excited. They didn't know why, but the emperor spoke of punishments and hardships, yet it sounded so glorious. In the emperor's words, the cause of the Han Dynasty was so fascinating.

"It can be overcome!"

With tears welling in his eyes, the old leader said in a firm voice, "I am willing to go to the most dangerous places, I am willing to go to the most arduous places, I am willing to spend my life atoning for my sins to the Han Dynasty, to the Emperor, and to all the people!"

"Zhang Tang".

"The minister is here."

“Throw the senior officials and those who violate the great law into the imperial prison, and pay money to redeem them from being visited by others before their death, so that they may be imprisoned in another place forever after their death.”

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhang Tang bowed and accepted the order. He went down the city wall with the bound old leader and, based on the old leader's confession, arrested dozens of Mohist elders and imprisoned them in the imperial prison where the embroidered-robed officials were directly imprisoned.

Originally, the clever and insightful Mo Zimo was also on the list of those to be imprisoned. Zhang Tang hesitated for a while, but ultimately decided to let his "junior brother" go.

While there's nothing wrong with focusing on creation, the political arena offers a much wider scope for action.

As Er Kuan, Chu Da, and other Confucian officials watched this scene, their throats bobbed, and blood spilled from the corners of their mouths, staining their once proud long beards.

Is this about catching criminals, or about selecting talent for other uses?
Moreover, these Mohist disciples had always lived among thousands of mountains, and were used to a savage lifestyle. They were just changing locations to continue creating things. Could this really be considered a punishment?
One should not have expectations of the ruler; the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

They just couldn't understand why the ruler treated the Confucian and Mohist schools so differently.
One harbors endless hatred, while the other loves unconditionally. In what way are the Mohist disciples, who are as simple as old farmers, superior to these well-dressed and gentlemanly scholars?
"Old Prime Minister," Liu Ju said, looking at Gongsun Hong.

Gongsun Hong immediately bowed and stood at attention, saying, "Your subject is here."

"These predecessors of the Mohist school should be arranged by the Prime Minister's office—no, by you, the old Prime Minister—to ensure that those punished by the law contribute all their wisdom and strength to the future of the Han Dynasty and the happiness of all people," Liu Ju solemnly said.

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Gongsun Hong accepted the order.

The Lüshi Chunqiu states: "By inquiring about the sound of the strings, one can discern the refined meaning."

Everyone understood that the "Creation Academy," composed of Mohist disciples, was under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty. In other words, this Creation Academy was not restricted by any court office and was only responsible to the Emperor and the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty. It was directly under the Prime Minister and even the ministers who participated in government affairs could not interfere.

All problems in the Creation Institute other than creation were solved by the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, and the people in the Creation Institute only needed to focus on creation.

With special laws in place before, and now special government offices, the Han Dynasty is becoming increasingly unique.

Er Kuan, Chu Da, and others finally understood that the demise of the Sage Family had transformed the Mohist school from a civilian armed force into an agency directly under the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, much like being granted amnesty. This had brought about progress in the creation of the Han Dynasty, but the benefits it generated had nothing to do with Confucianism.

This is too bullying.

Liu ordered all the Mohist weapons to be put into the imperial treasury, with only the civilian-use parts to be displayed to the public, and the rest to be used for military purposes or hidden away.

Descend from the city tower.

Then Zhang Tang returned and, having been granted permission, approached the emperor. "Your Majesty," he said, "news has come from Ganquan Palace and Nanyang that Prince Liu Hong of Qi has died, and Lady Li has given birth to a son."

(End of this chapter)