Legalism!
Among the Hundred Schools of Thought, the greatest opponent of Confucianism was not the School of Mohism, which was as famous as Confucianism.
During the Warring States Period, Legalism was very popular. It emphasized that there was no need to be close or distant, no need to be too noble or lowly. It advocated that there should be no avoidance of ministers when punishing offenders and that there should be no mercy for ordinary people. It could be said that Legalism was the natural enemy of Confucianism.
At that time, Legalism's predecessors, Li Kui, Wu Qi, Shang Yang, and Shen Buhai, had reformed various countries and created one powerful country after another.
It could be said that Legalism was the foundation of a powerful country. It could be said that it was impossible for any emperor not to know about it. However, the scene in front of him made Meton feel a chill from the top of his head to the bottom of his heart.
"Pardon?"
Everyone could not help but be stunned. They looked in surprise at the prisoners on death row under the city wall. They were pardoned just like that.
Many officials of the Ministry of Justice could not help but be stunned. After confirming it again and again, they really believed that His Majesty had pardoned this group of prisoners on death row. They could only remove the shackles of these prisoners.
"His Majesty is benevolent and virtuous. He is truly a famous ruler!"
At this moment, a Confucian scholar in a green robe was extremely excited. He raised his arms and shouted. In his opinion, this was the highest manifestation of benevolence. Even the prisoners on death row were so honest. Wasn't this the highest level of Confucianism's education? What could be more sensational than educating prisoners on death row?
"His Majesty is benevolent and virtuous. He is truly a wise ruler!"
The other Confucian scholars suddenly understood and immediately shouted excitedly. In their opinion, if the ruler believed in the people and the people did not betray the ruler, it would be a good story for all eternity.
"His Majesty is benevolent and virtuous. We will definitely turn over a new leaf in the future and not betray His Majesty's trust. We will pass down His Majesty's name as a virtuous ruler." The prisoners were overjoyed and quickly kowtowed to express their gratitude.
"His Majesty is really a god! He can even reform prisoners like these! "Many ordinary people were also excited. They looked in the direction of the palace in the north with faces of worship.
However, Meton shook his head slightly. He was speechless as he watched the Confucian scholars shout about His Majesty's benevolence. Even the prisoners on death row were so honest. If these prisoners on death row were honest, they would not have done such a bloody thing.
Although these prisoners on death row knew that they were here to die, they still kept their word and came. Although it was commendable, the premise was that they were prisoners on death row. The Tang dynasty had always been cautious in its use of the death penalty. Moreover, the officials were clear and honest. Perhaps none of these 390 people were innocent.
In the eyes of these Confucian scholars, all they could think of was how benevolent His Majesty was and how trustworthy these prisoners were. However, none of them thought of how the rights of the victims should be protected.
On the city wall, the sons of officials were all dumbstruck. As sons of officials, they knew the laws of the Tang dynasty better than ordinary people.
Unless a new emperor ascended the throne or was critically ill, it was extremely rare for a general amnesty to be granted. Moreover, the general amnesty was not granted to everyone.
The ancients once said, "Heinous beyond redemption! For example, there were ten types of crimes that could not be pardoned, such as treason, treason, treason, immorality, disrespect, unfilial piety, discord, injustice, and civil strife.
In addition to these heinous beyond redemption, murder, arson, breaking prisoners, and official crimes were also clearly not included in the list of pardoned crimes. At most, they would only be reduced. The real pardoned criminals were only those who did not pose a great threat to the ruling order.
However, it must be known that there were 390 people in front of them, and all of them were prisoners on death row. Yet, they were all pardoned. Li Shimin's move was extremely inconceivable.
What was even more strange was that not a single official in the entire imperial court stopped him. This decree of pardon was even passed through the three provinces and six ministries in a very short time. This was the most unusual thing.
Meton's mind turned and he suddenly understood. This was a performance, a performance to sing praises for Li Shimin.
Meton had always known that there was a flaw in Li Shimin's heart. This flaw was the incident at the Xuanwu Gate. Whether it was Li Shimin's belief that he had been forced to retaliate against the Xuanwu Gate in order to protect himself or how outstanding his Emperor was, none of this could cover up the fact that Li Shimin had imprisoned his father and killed his brother.
Thus, Li Shimin, who desperately wanted to change his reputation, and the officials of the Bureau of Justice had put on a show of benevolence and virtue. If it had been any other Minister of Justice, this plan might not have worked, but the Minister of Justice was Li Daozong, the most hardcore supporter of the Li Tang clan. Everything was logical.
Meton felt a chill in his heart. This was just a show, a self-directed show, and the price to pay was the dignity of the school of Legalism.
In a flash, quite a few officials understood the reasoning behind this, and their eyes began to twinkle.
"This is the sorrow of the school of Legalism. The Old Man taught law all his life, abided by the law, and spread the teachings of Legalism. Now, how can we face the sages of Legalism? It's better to retire and return home."
Below the city wall, Meton saw the Doctor of Law bow deeply as if his spine had been broken. He took off his Doctor of Law hat and prepared to leave.
"Doctor, you are the pillar of the Imperial College. You have nurtured many officials of the Bureau of Justice for the Tang dynasty. How can you leave so easily?" Li Daozong hurriedly tried to dissuade him. He was the Minister of Justice and naturally knew how influential the Doctor of Law was.
The Doctor of Law smiled bitterly and said, "Since His Majesty has found a way to reform the prisoners on death row, the prisoners on death row can follow this example in the future. The Old Man's old bones are useless."
Li Daozong's face immediately turned red. He naturally knew the specific reason and was immediately ashamed.
If they followed this method in the future, everyone would know that even if they killed someone, as long as they returned on time the next year, they would be pardoned. Wouldn't the world be in chaos?
"You are all unworthy of the word law!" The Doctor of Law turned around and looked at the students he had once taught. He was filled with sorrow and despair.
"Teacher!" The officials of the Bureau of Justice couldn't help but feel ashamed.
Most of them were students who had graduated from the Imperial College. When they heard their teacher say this, they couldn't help but feel ashamed. As the enforcers of the law, they obviously knew that the law's greatest use was to punish evil. Today, they had personally condoned evil.
"The school of Legalism is dead!" The Doctor of Law cried out in sorrow. He staggered as he left, the doctor's hat in his hands drifting to the ground. It was then heavily stepped on. However, not a single Ministry of Justice official left with the law doctor.
"The school of Legalism is dead!" Seeing this, Meton couldn't help but feel sad.
During the pre-Qin period, the school of Legalism was extremely powerful and all-powerful. However, under the influence of Confucianism on the outside and Legalism on the inside, the school of Legalism became a tool for the rulers to fish for fame. It seemed to exist forever, but it had already lost its spirit. It was like a walking corpse, at the mercy of others.
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