Chapter 403: Chapter 397: Big Shock_1
"By imperial decree, Qin Huilong conspired with clans, trafficked official ranks, plotted to manipulate the Imperial Examinations, and accepted large amounts of money. He disregarded the court system, undermined national stability, and as such is sentenced to death. His family members within five degrees of kinship are reduced to commoners. Respect this edict!" Wang Fu read out loudly, his sharp voice echoing within the imperial hall, lingering long after.
Death penalty!
All the ministers present were shocked!
Qin Huilong was the younger brother of the former emperor Qin Ying and the current emperor’s own uncle; yet, he was now sentenced to death. Not only that, but his relatives within five degrees of kinship were to become commoners. The punishment was incredibly severe.
"His Majesty is wise and brilliant!" the civil and military officials respectfully bowed. Of course, they had no objections.
Even a prince is subject to the law, just like a commoner! Qin Wudao’s adherence to the law was beneficial to both the country and its people, a true reflection of a wise ruler’s virtue.
Wang Fu set down the imperial edict and, taking another from a nearby eunuch, slowly unrolled it. A golden dragon seemed to fly out, radiating majestic and profound authority.
"By imperial decree, the Qin Family, as members of the royalty, are to fulfill their duty to serve the country. Effective immediately, titles will be granted to the Qin royal family, who will govern and protect their assigned regions!
"There will be seven levels of titles for the Qin Family: the first level being Prince, the second Commandery Prince, the third County Prince, the fourth Duke, the fifth Commandery Duke, the sixth County Duke, and the seventh Baron!
"All Qin Family members granted a title shall govern their assigned regions and receive stipends according to their rank. Their descendants will inherit these titles, each generation dropping one level in rank until no titles remain, at which point they become commoners. Even then, the Qin Family guarantees their basic livelihood!
"Qin Family members with exceptional talents who make significant contributions to the nation may have their titles elevated..."
The imperial edict was lengthy; Wang Fu took a full hour to read it. Its main content concerned the future arrangements for the royal family members.
However, Qin Wudao was not entirely ruthless toward his own clan members. Those Qin Family members reduced to commoners were not removed from the family register; instead, their basic livelihood was guaranteed. Of course, this basic livelihood didn’t mean reaping without sowing; it involved arranging work or enlistment in the military.
The Qin Dynasty didn’t support idlers! Becoming a member of the royal family and enjoying the benefits of power also meant shouldering obligations.
Upon hearing the contents of the imperial edict, the officials from the Qin Family frowned deeply. Under this new system, many royal family members would become commoners.
"Your Majesty, I object..." a royal official stepped forward, preparing to protest.
Perhaps in his view, it was only natural for the Qin Family, as royalty, to be supported by the state. Hadn’t it always been so in previous dynasties?
"Objections are invalid!" Qin Wudao forcefully interrupted before the official could finish, his eyes still closed. He stated calmly, "As long as royal family members are willing to work hard and contribute to the country, I will not be stingy with rewards! The Qin Dynasty belongs to everyone under Heaven, not just the royal family. As a member of the imperial clan, your starting point is higher than that of ordinary people. If you cannot achieve merits and contribute, then you might as well become an ordinary citizen!"
His indifferent voice, exuding imperial majesty, seemed to state an irrefutable truth. The royal official was left speechless. He wasn’t persuaded, but he had sensed Qin Wudao’s unwavering determination. If he continued to protest, he would most likely meet a grim fate.
"Continue reading!" Qin Wudao ordered again.
Wang Fu took out another imperial edict, swallowing hard. The content of this one was even more explosive.
"By imperial decree, the Xiong Clan, Xun Clan, Yuwen Clan, Zuo Clan, Ran Clan, and thirty-two other clans conspired with Qin Huilong to manipulate officialdom, placing their members in court and local government positions. They formed cliques for personal gain, undermined the national system, raised private armies, and dominated their respective regions. Their Clan Leaders and elders are sentenced to death, and their family assets are to be confiscated...
"Furthermore, over 29,000 other clans have engaged in illegal activities. Depending on the severity of their crimes, they will face penalties ranging from fines to the complete confiscation of their family assets. Their Clan Leaders and elders are sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment, from three to three hundred years..."
Wang Fu read loudly, his voice trembling slightly. Although he resided deep within the palace, he had some awareness of the national situation. If these edicts were implemented, ninety percent of the clans in the Qin Dynasty would be punished. In severe cases, families would be broken and lives lost; in minor cases, they would only be fined!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG...
After Wang Fu finished reading the imperial edict, dozens of officials in the court collapsed to the ground, fainting dead away. Even those who did not faint stared blankly, their eyes devoid of spirit. All of them were members of various clans.
Soldiers stationed outside the hall marched in formation and arrested all the clan officials present who had violated the court’s laws.
When the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat also suffer! A handful of innocent clan officials shivered with fear, silently praying to avoid this calamity.
"By imperial decree, the Ji Clan of the Taiyuan Domain, the Hong Clan of the Luochen Domain, the Tai Clan of the Tianhu Domain, and three hundred forty-nine other such clans—three hundred fifty-two in total—have abided by the laws of the Qin Dynasty. Each member of their families will be rewarded with one thousand Spirit Stones as a token of appreciation!"
Wang Fu took out a new imperial edict and read it aloud, allowing the innocent officials in the court to breathe a collective sigh of relief. The solemn atmosphere in the hall eased somewhat.
However, as Wang Fu produced the final edict, the briefly eased atmosphere in the hall grew heavy once more, sending shockwaves through the hearts of all the court ministers.
"By imperial decree, to resolve the chaos caused by the clans, effective today, the clan system of the Qin Dynasty is abolished! The imperial examination system will be upheld!
"All clans throughout the land with more than fifty members shall, under the coordinated arrangements of the court, divide their households and relocate to other areas. Those who disobey this order will be taxed per head..."
After Wang Fu finished reading the edict, the court was utterly silent.
Change was imminent!
"Court dismissed!" Qin Wudao stood, clasped his hands behind his back, and turned to leave the imperial hall, leaving the bewildered ministers behind.
Could the clan system, which had existed for countless years, truly disappear from the Saint’s Court of the Qin Dynasty?
"My Lords, return to your duties! Relocating all the clans in the land is a massive undertaking!" Zhuge Liang and other ministers privy to the plan departed the imperial hall with firm, resolute strides.
There are no secrets in the imperial court. Without any official announcement, the contents of the imperial edicts read by Wang Fu spread like wildfire throughout the more than one hundred domains of the Qin Dynasty, causing a tremendous uproar among all levels of society.
Upon learning the news, the common people praised Qin Wudao’s impartiality and his fair enforcement of the law. As for the decree compelling clans to divide and relocate, it had no impact on them; their own families rarely exceeded fifty members. Even some smaller, newly established clans were unaffected, as their numbers were too few to meet the requirement.
But most of the established clans were plunged into deep anxiety. Once forced to divide, their strength would be drastically weakened, possibly even leading to their extinction.
"What ruthless methods!" lamented the Clan Leader of a medium-sized clan.
Why are clans so powerful? Isn’t it because they band together, using clan law in place of national law, possessing a formidable cohesion that allows them to face all sorts of difficulties? Once divided, each branch will establish its own household, and the clan will essentially dissolve!