"My lord's words are bad!" Li Kuan argued, "Who says that murderers and arsonists can't keep their promises? Maybe he kills people and makes things worse. The older child."
"In the beginning, human nature is good! The reason why they would commit murder, arson, and rob others' property is because of their evil nature! In their eyes, the world is not credible, even the laws of the Tang Dynasty are not credible. They believe that there are people in this world who are worthy of their trust, and there are things worthy of their trust, so that they can recognize the justice of the Tang law from the bottom of their hearts."
"Strong words!" The minister scorned Li Kuan's remarks.
"Have you ever seen that a gangster who kills and sets fire is indeed a filial son, and has seen that a person who is usually timid and afraid of life can be a villain?" Li Kuan replied face to face, and the minister said with disdain: "What pity do such sinners have? Even if he is a filial son, he cannot cover up his crime of murder and arson."
"That's true!" Li Kuan affirmed the other party's opinion, "violating the law is naturally sentenced in accordance with the law, and they must be responsible for what they have done. Since the death penalty has been sentenced, it will be executed soon, and I am relieved that only concerns have always existed. In order not to let it go. They know the tragedy that they have done, and they can only make them repent before they die."
"People are about to die and their words are good. How can they embody extra-legal grace without giving them a chance to repent, and how can the people know about the Tang law? Only let them go home and let them say that it is more rewarding than any punishment. effective."
Li Shimin heard this, angrily retorted with a smile: "So, did you consider it for Datang?"
"Yes, nor is it!" Li Kuan was not afraid in the slightest, and talked freely, saying: "In the eleventh year of Zhenguan, the Datang Law has been known to the world, but cases occur every day. The local counties have punished them in accordance with the law, and there are still repeated teachings. People, even more and more rampant."
"Similar cases like this happen, have you all thought about why?" Li Kuan glanced around and no one answered, "This is because the Law of Tang Dynasty has not been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. They naturally don't know the law, they don't understand the law, how to follow it? Law-abiding?"
"Discipline is always a discipline that does not form an expressly prescribed order, and there is no clear order to restrict it. If there are people who scorn discipline and cannot rely on it, how should the punishment be imposed? Only in accordance with the discipline, the more serious is the disobedience, and the more serious is the people's disobedience. Dissatisfied. If there are laws and regulations, there are laws to follow, so we will naturally act in accordance with the law. Who can complain, who dares to complain?"
Suddenly, everyone was silent, and Li Kuan’s words were rough and not rough. As he said, Datang has a vast territory and cases of varying degrees occur every day. Some cases are closed in court, and some take time to investigate the truth. Take the case.
According to the current laws and regulations, if there are complaints and other matters, they must be filed up one level at a time, and the offenders are not allowed to leapfrog and report offenders, regardless of right or wrong. If the local officials fail to ascertain the truth for a month, even the officials will be punished, which will invisibly result in the rapid closure of many cases and an increase in the rate of unjust, false and wrongful cases.
Master Cui Ren has a deep understanding, Li Shimin also feels, and other ministers also know a little bit. Even though Li Kuan was right, he still couldn't conceal his serious crime of privately placing prisoners on death row. Li Shimin said with a calm face, "What does this have to do with your private placement of prisoners?"
"Naturally matter!" Li Kuan replied loudly, "These eighteen people are executed prisoners hand-picked by the emperor, and the crimes committed by these eighteen people are sentenced to hanging by the emperor. However, these eighteen people There are relatives and friends, as well as old and young people and small relatives."
"If these 18 people go home and have a look before they die, they can not only teach the relatives around them to abide by the law, but also educate the next generation to make them take the road completely opposite to them. At the same time, it can also reflect the mind and mind of the Emperor of Tang Dynasty. Be generous and benevolent. In the future, there will be talents from their descendants who can serve Datang. They will do their best to protect my Datang and contribute to my Datang dynasty."
Li Kuan's flattery made Li Shimin very happy, and said, "If they don't look back, or commit crimes, what if they don't repent?"
"The minister believes that they are good men who keep their promises, and they will never do this!" Li Kuan promised with a vow, "I can't turn back once I took a wrong path. Would they make mistakes again and again? If they don't have relatives, nothing will happen. They may be so concerned, but they have relatives behind them, not to mention setting an example for their children, at least to set an example to warn them not to go their own way."
Advising doctor Chu Suiliang doubted: "How can your Highness guarantee that they won't?"
"Is Li Yun alone as a guarantor?" Li Kuan looked at Chu Suiliang with a smile, and said solemnly: "If they don't return at three quarters on October 11th, I, Li Yun, will pay for my life. I am willing to go to the execution ground to be tortured!
"No!" Wei Zheng, Ma Zhou and others were shocked, and they all spoke out to persuade them: "His Royal Highness has committed a risk, it is really wrong!"
Li Kuan smiled and said, "I, Li Yun, are no more than an ordinary person without the identity of the King of Chu! The prince broke the law and committed the same crime with the people. This matter was Li Yun's first fault. I will be released whenever they come back. If they don’t come back, it’s my fault. They should be sentenced by Tang law. I think it’s fair!"
"The emperor, don't do it!"
Even though Wei Zheng, who is known for his uprightness, was moved with compassion, the main reason was that he had some personal relationships with Li Kuan, and in his opinion, this matter could not be the same at all. If they really didn’t come back or were too late, wouldn’t it? Didn't Li Kuan take his fate
Crown Prince Li Chengqian knelt down and asked the emperor for forgiveness. At this time, he could not sit idly by. On the contrary, Wei Wang Li Tai, Wu Wang Li Ke and others stood idly by. Changsun Wuji, Hou Junji, Tang Lin and others were also taciturn. At this time, they did not know what to do. said.
Wu Gonggong was anxious in his heart, and this was the end of the incident. He quietly glanced at Li Shimin, who was frowning and expressionless, and he shook his heart. He stared at Li Shimin and said word by word: "I Yes!"
"Father!"
"emperor!"
Li Chengqian, Wei Zheng, Ma Zhou and others were taken aback. What Wu Gonggong wanted to say was abruptly held back by him. If everyone was watching to plead for Li Kuan, it would inevitably lead to more criticism. Wu Gonggong had to shut up. It's full of sorrow.
"The prince breaks the law and commits the same crime to the people!" Li Shimin said solemnly, "If there are any more pleadings, they will all be guilty of the same sin!"
Everyone shut their mouths, and the whole court fell into an unprecedented silence. Only Li Shimin's voice slowly spread to everyone's ears: "Come here, take the King of Chu to the prison of Dali Temple, no one can visit. Ruo Shi If he did not return on the 11th, he was taken to the execution ground and sentenced to hanging!"
Li Shimin personally made an decree that Li Kuan’s imprisonment has become a fact on the top of the board. As for whether he will be sentenced to hanging, it is really uncertain. Judging from the current situation, Li Shimin was completely angry, and everyone did not dare to say anything, so as not to get angry. (End of this chapter)