"Therefore, when the sage makes a law, he must make it clear and easy to understand, and the name must be correct, so that all ignorant people can understand it."——————[Shang Junshu·Dingfen]
The summer of the 16th year of Jian'an.
Along with the Mobei Protectorate, General Zhang Liao from the left led his troops into Mobei. Under the leadership of the five military commanders, Xianbei was successfully divided into various ministries. Not only did the organization belong to the Han army, but even the civil affairs were taken over by Pei Qian, the governor of Mobei. After mastering some of them, some Xianbei people have recently moved into the interior, imitating the Sinicization policy of the Xiongnu and Qiang people, making households uniform for the people, changing their surnames and customs. After one or two generations, they will gradually forget their origins.
After Xianbei was pacified, Fuyu and other countries in the northeast also gave up their resistance and were willing to become vassals or counties of the Han Dynasty. The countries in the Western Regions also had Xia Houyuan, You Chu and others' kindness and power, without any intention of rebellion, and sent envoys several times. Seeking to marry princesses. The princesses and eldest daughters of the East China Sea and Xiapi countries also married away to foreign countries, becoming an important part of the invasion of Han culture into foreign lands and the extension of the imperial power.
Looking at the whole world, except for Shanyue in the southeast and barbarians in the southwest who have rebellions from time to time, in everyone's eyes, the world is almost peaceful, and there is no room for action.
So it is logical that after this year's harvest in Guanzhong, the emperor announced a general amnesty to the world and formally established the purpose of practicing martial arts and resting with the people. He now plans to recharge his batteries and even let Xia Houyuan and others infiltrate Anxi and Guishang's actions They also stopped and only sent envoys for communication. As for the more distant Da Qin, they were naturally not within the scope of the military deployment.
A month later, after the old and conservative Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice Guo Pu took office, the new Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice Yang Pei and Yin Ji, a doctor of law from Taixue Ming Dynasty, and others submitted the compiled "Code". This "Code" was written by Yang Pei. It took several years for others to compile this masterpiece. It is a refinement of the past "Nine Chapters" and other Han laws, and it is also a comprehensive integration of Confucianism, Legalism and Taoism. It has a rigorous structure and tight provisions. It reiterates "Princes who break the law are as guilty as common people", reduced and deleted a large number of complicated and harsh penalties, strengthened the constraints on powerful people, and added "style", which is an official document stipulating trial, to the legal system of "Lulu Kebi" in the Han Dynasty. Format and specifications.
As soon as the "Code" came out, the emperor who participated in the compilation even said with emotion: "As soon as this law comes out, for thousands of years to come, judges will use it as a criterion, and all kings will do no good."
Yang Pei, who left his signature on the "Code", had tears in his eyes with gratitude. With this law alone, he could leave his name in history, and his influence was as much as that of Shang and Han. And all of this was given by the emperor. Yes, the emperor attached great importance to legal provisions, which gave Yang Pei and other legal officials a place to use. Recalling that when this "Code" was compiled, he and Guo Pu and others had a lot of arguments about the Spring and Autumn Period Prison Judgment. Fortunately, the emperor He advocated that the crime should be punished by law, which barely overcame the dispute.
In the Chengming Hall, Sikong, Zhao Wen, Situ, and Yang Biao were all together, General Chaoqi, Cao Cao, and Xun were all gathered together. Even Pei Mao and Zhongshu, who were unable to participate in the affairs, gathered together. Ling Jia Xu, Zhongshu Supervisor Xun You and others were also present. The reason for such a large formation was that it centered around this Code of Laws, which was destined to have far-reaching influence.
Everyone was well aware of the emperor's thoughts, so even if the emperor uttered such positive praise, no one answered for a while.
After a long while, Cao Cao expressed his support: "The law is the balance of the country. Your Majesty revised nine chapters and updated the code to govern the officials and the people, and to learn from future generations. I think it is a good law. But I thought that after today's Chengming Hall meeting, It can be put into the Imperial Academy and the Imperial Academy, and it can be discussed by doctors and students. Once it has gained public support, it will be simple to put it into practice."
Yang Biao then said: "I second the suggestion, not only the Imperial College and the Imperial Academy, but also the Jiuqing and all the officials should discuss it."
"Did the ministers gather together when Xiao He decided on the Nine Chapters?" The emperor instinctively disagreed with this opinion. If there were too many people involved, many things would be disputed and the situation would be difficult to control. Therefore, the emperor always only
He likes to hold small meetings to decide major matters: "If everything depends on the ministers gathering to discuss, then the princes of Chengming Palace don't need to discuss matters, just leave it to the ministers."
As soon as he said these angry words, everyone fell down.
Pei Mao did not record the ministerial affairs. Apart from those in the Chengming Hall, he was the most valuable Taiwei, so he bit the bullet and said: "Shang Jun once said, 'The law is the life of the people and the foundation of governance.'
His Majesty also once said that the law is the law of the world, and all peoples must abide by it. Now, although the "code" has been completed, it has not been implemented. It is difficult to know whether it will benefit the people. Although Yang Pei and others are legalists, An Zhi
Everything changes? Once this method is implemented, there is no room for error, otherwise it will damage the majesty of the court, so it is better to be cautious and ask for public discussion. "
Xun You and Xun You also had the same view.
Zhao Wen came out to smooth things over and said: "I remember that when we first decided to amend the code, Guo Pu had a dispute with Yang Pei and others, and Taixue also had a debate. Now that the "Code" is completed, we might as well hand it over to the Taixue Law School.
Doctors and students discuss and study, one can check for omissions, find out the shortcomings, delete the complex and simplify; the other can also make the law students familiar with it in advance. After all, they are proficient in the law. Now that the "Code" comes out, the previous law
Most of them have changed. If they do not show proficiency, how will they govern the local area if they are not proficient in the future? In the end, these good laws are beneficial to the people and common people. Once they cause discussion, it is well known that if you hear about it in advance, you will be able to implement it.
A lot less resistance.”
"What you said makes sense." The emperor sighed. Seeing that most people were cautious, he felt that he was a little radical, so he took a step back and looked at Yang Pei and said: "Then send him to Taixue Mingfa.
, let all living beings discuss it. If you have any doubts, delete or revise it, go to Taixue in person to debate and resolve your doubts. If you cannot discern the truth, since you want to come up with a method that can be used for hundreds of generations, there is no rush."
Yang Pei knew that many aristocratic families were against this "Code" because the rules and regulations in it placed many restrictions on the powerful. But the reason why he formulated such a law was because he believed in the emperor's determination, so even if there were setbacks, he would
Strengthen your strengths.
Everyone knows that the emperor's foreign Confucianism and internal law, aiding others with Taoism, adhering to the institutional concept of the Han family's overlord Taoism, and the methods of governing the country are based on this. Now he has enacted laws, obviously hoping that future kings will be with him.
He's in sync.
In fact, many of the ministers supported the emperor. For example, Cao Cao advocated focusing on criminal law. The more liberal Zhao Wen, Xun Yu and others were noncommittal. They just felt that the previous laws had limited restraints on the powerful, and now they suddenly became more strict.
If you ask them to comply with all laws, it may be counterproductive.
Fortunately, the emperor did not take a radical approach, but took it step by step. He was willing to spend thirty or forty years to create a complete law and system for future generations.