Three Kingdoms: I am not Cao Rui

Outside the south gate of Luoyang, at the Imperial Academy.

Wang Shen, the Minister of Justice, arrived at the Imperial Academy and informed Dr. Zheng Chenggong that the announcement of the revised criminal law had been posted on the notice board.

The black robes of the Imperial Secretary were not common in the Imperial Academy and were quite conspicuous. When Wang Shen brought the notice over, several students surrounded him.

"Amend the criminal law and abolish corporal punishment..." A student from the Imperial Academy at the front whispered the announcement, then his eyes lit up and he waved his right hand excitedly to the crowd behind him.

"Fellow students, fellow students! The Ministry of Justice has issued a proclamation: corporal punishment is abolished! Corporal punishment has been abolished!"

"Really?"

"Is that so?"

"Quick, move aside, let me get a closer look!"

"Brother, hurry back and call someone to come and see!"

For a time, a constant commotion arose near the notice board.

A young scholar with a square face and a loud voice asked, bowing, "May I ask, Ph.D. Wang, why did the Ministry of Justice issue this announcement abolishing corporal punishment? Is this related to the recent public discussion in Luoyang?"

Wang Shen looked at the man and laughed, "I wondered who was asking me this; it's Gonglu!"

The young scholar nodded, turned to the side and pointed to the large group of students gathered behind him: "Wang Langzhong, my colleagues at the Imperial Academy have been discussing this matter lately, and we hope that you will not hesitate to offer your guidance."

Wang Shen nodded and replied loudly, "The court has been discussing the matter of corporal punishment for a long time, and it is not only related to the recent discussions. Corporal punishment damages the body, undermines the benevolence of the court, and is also harmful to the health of the people. Therefore, corporal punishment has been changed to three punishments: detention, exile, and forced labor."

"The Ministry of Justice is still drafting the specific changes to the articles. But one thing is certain: from this day forward, corporal punishment will no longer be permitted in the Great Wei!"

"Good!" As soon as Wang Shen finished speaking, a burst of enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted from the surrounding students of the Imperial Academy, and the sound was deafening for a while.

Wang Shen, somewhat unaccustomed to being surrounded by the crowd, quickly bowed to everyone before squeezing his way out. He was the nephew of General Wang Chang, and his visit to the Imperial Academy was for official business, not to seek personal glory.

Wang Shen was unwilling to display his abilities in public, but that didn't mean everyone was so low-key. The young scholar who had just spoken with Wang Shen, referred to as 'Gonglu,' stepped forward and waved to the crowd:

"Fellow students, fellow students, please listen to me!"

This young scholar was clearly popular among his classmates and had some reputation. Those around him echoed his sentiments.

"Alright! Let's hear what Lord Jia has to say."

"Please, Lord Jia, explain this to us!"

The young scholar, with a smile, ascended a stone staircase and gestured for everyone to quiet down, to which they readily complied.

This man was named Jia Chong, courtesy name Gonglu. He was twenty-one years old at the time and was the only son of the late Grand Master of the Palace, Jia Kui.

The reason for this name was that Jia Kui had a son in his middle age and thought that his family was very wealthy, so he chose the name "Chonglu". His son's name was Chong and his courtesy name was Gonglu.

After Jia Kui passed away at the end of the eighth year of the Taihe era, Jia Chong inherited his father's title of Marquis of the Township. In addition, his elder sister Jia Cheng entered the palace as a Consort and gave birth to the fourth prince, Prince Boping, Cao He. Therefore, Jia Chong now had the double halo of being both a Marquis of the Township and a relative of the emperor. He was also flamboyant and talented, and was often called "Marquis Jia". He became a prominent figure in the Imperial Academy this year.

Jia Chong cleared his throat and replied, "Gentlemen, in my opinion, the court's abolition of corporal punishment this time is in accordance with the principles of Mencius."

"If a feather cannot be lifted, it is because no effort is required; if a cartload of firewood cannot be seen, it is because no light is needed; if the people cannot be protected, it is because no kindness is shown. Therefore, a king who fails to become king does not do so because he is incapable, but because he does not act accordingly. Respect the elderly in your own family, and extend that respect to the elderly in other families; care for the young in your own family, and extend that care to the young in other families. Then the world can be governed with ease."

"Our bodies and hair are given to us by our parents. Abolishing corporal punishment is something the court can do. Abolishing corporal punishment is the act of a sage king. His kindness is enough to subdue beasts and his merit extends to the common people. From this day forward, the great Wei's benevolence will extend to the whole world, even more than before."

At this point, Jia Chong cupped his hands in the direction of the North Palace and said loudly, "I and my fellow students are fortunate to be born under a wise ruler in this prosperous era. From this day forward, we shall serve the Holy Dynasty and make contributions!"

After Jia Chong finished speaking, some people in the crowd began to applaud:
"Lord Jia speaks very well! A holy dynasty, a wise ruler, a prosperous age—we should all serve the holy dynasty!"

"Lord Jia's talent is indeed evident!"

"Lord Jia's explanation is indeed very insightful!"

Amidst the harmonious atmosphere, someone suddenly let out a snort that sounded particularly jarring.

Jia Chong's face instantly turned much uglier. He looked up and saw Yu Chun, the younger brother of Yu Jun, the Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate.

Yu Chun sneered and said, "It is indeed a holy dynasty, a holy ruler, and a prosperous age, but it is not like the many theories that Lord Jia speaks of. In my opinion, abolishing corporal punishment is nothing more than 'extending one's own feelings to others'!"

“There are countless nobles and relatives in Luoyang. If they are punished, they can have their sentences reduced by invoking the Eight Deliberations, so there is no need to worry about corporal punishment. But what about outside Luoyang? How many nobles and relatives throughout the country have not had their sentences reduced? The court only does not want the people to suffer too much, and has no other considerations!” Jia Chong’s face turned ugly for a moment, but he did not argue with Yu Chun. He cupped his hands to the crowd and said, “Yu Chun and I have different paths and cannot work together. In short, there are many things to discuss in Luoyang. If you are willing to listen to my opinion, please come with me to the west. This place will be left to Yu Chun!”

After saying this, Jia Chong turned and left. Half of the crowd followed him, while the majority of the rest left because they were too lazy to join in the fun, leaving only a few people behind.

Sixteen-year-old Du Yu glanced around and whispered, "Brother Yu went a bit too far just now. What Lord Jia said was not wrong. Why did you have to criticize him in public?"

Unexpectedly, Yu Chun did not appreciate the gesture. Instead, he glanced at Du Yu and sneered, "Yuan Kai, why didn't you say a word when the Imperial Academy was discussing corporal punishment a few days ago? Was it because your father is the governor of Wu County and Jiang Gong is your father's superior, and you were afraid of causing trouble for your father?"

"You!" Du Yu frowned and stamped his foot. "Fine, Brother Yu, I won't talk to you anymore. You'd better take care of yourself!"

After saying that, Du Yu also walked westward with Jia Chong's crowd, where the discussions grew louder and louder.

……

When Cao Rui was returning south from Huai County, he received a letter from Jiang Ji, apology, forwarded by Yang Fu, the Director of the Imperial Secretariat, from the Northern Palace.

Cao Rui read the entire memorial without expression. In his letter of apology, Jiang Ji described himself as deeply guilty, having failed His Majesty's expectations and dragged down the dynasty's benevolence. He requested the court to remove him from his post and return home to reflect on his actions.

“Your Majesty,” Pei Qian observed the emperor’s expression and spoke cautiously, “Jiang Zitong’s plea for forgiveness at this time must have been made after he knew of the decree given to the Ministry of Justice.”

"I know, otherwise why would he have pleaded guilty so quickly?" Cao Rui put down the memorial and said calmly, "Have someone send this memorial back to the Secretariat and keep it there without issuing it!"

“Yes, Your Majesty understands,” Pei Qian replied.

When the emperor goes on tour, his whereabouts cannot be concealed.

Jiang Ji was residing at his residence in Luoyang and had someone keep watch to see if the Emperor's carriage was returning to Luoyang. As expected, he received news of the Emperor's carriage returning to the palace, and nothing else happened for the next half day.

The next day, the emperor still did not summon his ministers.

Another day passed, and it was the same.

It wasn't until four days after returning to Luoyang that Jiang Ji was summoned by the emperor. He then dressed and entered the palace with Yu Jun, the Gentleman Attendant-in-Ordinary who had come to summon him.

Luoyang has changed a lot, but the North Palace where the emperor resides remains the same as before, without any additions or subtractions. However, the furnishings in the palace have become a little old over time.

"Your subject Jiang Ji pays his respects to Your Majesty!" Jiang Ji bowed respectfully in the study.

Cao Rui pointed to the side and said, "Jiang Qing is here? Please have a seat."

"Thank you for the seat, Your Majesty." Jiang Ji accepted cautiously, only daring to sit a little forward, leaning slightly forward, looking very careful.

Cao Rui noticed Jiang Ji's expression and said, "Why is Minister Jiang so reserved? If you want to sit, then sit properly. You are a high-ranking official who is in charge of inspecting a region for me, so why are you so restrained?"

Jiang Ji smiled awkwardly: "Your Majesty's power is growing stronger every day. I have not been to the Northern Palace for a long time, so I am filled with trepidation."

"Fearful and trembling?" Cao Rui laughed. "That word doesn't seem quite right to describe Minister Jiang. The Minister of the Imperial Household, Ji Liang, told me that you first moved almost the entire treasury of Wu, and then two days later you moved in a lot more money, which is estimated to be worth over a hundred million. Is that much? Minister Jiang, won't you tell me who gave you all this?"

Sweat streamed down Jiang Ji's forehead. Upon hearing this, he immediately rose and knelt down, his voice trembling as he said, "Your Majesty, how dare I accept bribes? These funds were sent to me by powerful families from Danyang, Wujun, and Kuaiji to put their minds at ease. I dare not accept them, so I have kept them all for now, waiting to hand them over to Your Majesty upon my return to Luoyang."

Cao Rui chuckled lightly: "I think I understand. The people of Wu are using money to buy your safety and official positions, and now that you're in Luoyang, are you going to use the same money to buy my safety?"

"Is that right?"

Jiang Ji was speechless and could only kowtow several times before falling silent.

Wang Xiong and Cui Lin, who were on duty in the study, exchanged a glance but dared not speak. Cao Rui sat on the throne, quietly watching Jiang Ji's figure without saying a word.

In the eerily quiet atmosphere, Cao Rui finally spoke: "Jiang Qing, what are you afraid of?"

Jiang Ji, with his head bowed, said, “I am but a prefect, serving in a remote post. My virtue is shallow, and I should not have received Your Majesty’s title of duke. When I was granted the title, I was blinded by greed and forgot to even submit a memorial to decline. I am truly guilty. I beg Your Majesty to punish me, strip me of my dukedom, remove me from my official post, and allow me to return to my hometown to reflect on my actions!”

"Sigh." Cao Rui sighed deeply, stood up, and walked slowly to Jiang Ji. His steps were heavy and slow, like a hammer striking Jiang Ji's heart.

Cao Rui stood in front of Jiang Ji and said softly, "Minister Jiang, I have bestowed upon you the title of Duke, and upon all of you meritorious officials the titles of King and Duke. This is far beyond the scope of ordinary titles and rewards. It is not merely a common commendation, but rather to ensure that you and I can work together harmoniously, sharing weal and woe!"

"Do you really think it's easy for Great Wei and I to cultivate someone worthy of being a duke? For some money and a few Yue people, would I strip you of all your honor? What does money mean to me?"

"Stand up!" (End of Chapter)