Chapter 332: The Criminal Code Nears Completion

In the center of the hall, Han Xizai showed worry on his face for the first time. Maintaining his composure, he made another bow and calmly explained: "My sovereign intends to foster good relations between our two states. He has long since issued orders that the fourteen prefectures north of the Yangtze are not to send a single soldier north to offend the Han. In the past, when north and south were at odds, border affairs were in turmoil, with friction along the frontiers, causing bandit gangs to spring up in the Huai region, roaming north and south and committing all manner of evil. It seems some bandits from the Huai area committed offenses, and the Han army at Xuzhou mistook them for our Tang army!"

Having spoken, Han Xizai once again assumed an air of collected composure, his eyelids slightly lowered, calmly awaiting Liu Chengyou's reaction. Since the audience began, the Han emperor's attitude had aroused his suspicions—the constant needling in his words was somewhat beyond his expectations.

To be fair, a peace agreement between Liu and Li would benefit both the Han and the Tang, especially the Han. But Liu Chengyou's demeanor seemed far too casual—one truly could not tell he cared much at all.

Liu Chengyou's expression gradually settled into calm, still scanning Han Xizai, but with a hint of listlessness. The report from Xuzhou was, of course, something Liu Chengyou had fabricated on the spot. The truth was exactly as Han Xizai had guessed—what Cheng Deqin had routed was a band of bandits roaming the Xu-Huai region.

At this point, Liu Chengyou had no mind to continue the rather unproductive exchange with Han Xizai. Waving his hand, he asked: "Minister Han, in coming north this time to negotiate peace, have you been given full authority by the Tang sovereign?"

Sensing something from the question, Han Xizai grew cautious and replied: "Your subject received my sovereign's decree, granting me the authority to make decisions on the spot!"

Hearing this answer, Liu Chengyou completely set aside his casual demeanor and spoke plainly with a firm tone: "Minister Han, whether peace is concluded depends on you, not me! Last year, the Meng Shu invaded our Great Han, and both sides mobilized nearly a hundred thousand troops. To sue for peace, the Shu sovereign Meng Chang even offered a hundred thousand hu of grain as surety. The Tang sovereign doesn't think that sending you north with some gifts and a bit of clever argument before me will win peace and erase old grievances, does he? Nothing in this world is that easy!"

"May I ask what Your Majesty seeks?" Han Xizai asked, focusing his mind.

Truly a clever man. Liu Chengyou nodded, and without pretense, replied directly: "If we're to negotiate peace, then let's negotiate properly. I am sending Secretariat Drafter Tao Gu to handle this matter. The specific details will be discussed between Drafter Tao and Minister Han!"

With that, Liu Chengyou resumed his usual brisk style, showing no intention of lingering with Han Xizai, and concluded the audience.

"My two ministers, what do you think of Han Xizai as a man?" Liu Chengyou asked.

For this audience, Liu Chengyou had deliberately arranged for Wang Pu and Wang Qiwu to attend at his side. Facing the Son of Heaven's inquiry, Wang Qiwu answered immediately, with no small measure of admiration in his words: "Magnificent bearing, quick-witted and composed—he truly lives up to his reputation!"

Wang Qiwu gave his assessment frankly. He and Han Xizai shared some similarities—both were refined, cultured men of exceptional talent. Petty men might feel envy, but for Wang Qiwu, there was no small measure of liking, and even more curiosity and mutual appreciation.

Wang Pu stood by, merely present for the occasion. Pondering Liu Chengyou's question for a moment, he said: "Han Xizai certainly has talent, but having crossed south from the north over twenty years ago and served two sovereigns of the Southern Tang, his pride has not been worn away."

"Minister Wang has keen eyes!" Liu Chengyou immediately agreed with Wang Pu's observation, saying: "Just now, though Han Xizai spoke to me with humility and courtesy, his words carried a constant sharp edge. That pride of his truly leaves a bad taste in one's mouth!"

"Your Majesty, though Drafter Tao excels in poetry and prose, if he is to face Han Xizai in discussing these matters, I fear..." Hearing Liu Chengyou's words, Wang Pu couldn't help but offer a gentle reminder.

Liu Chengyou waved his hand, quite calmly: "Let them discuss it for now!"

Seeing this, Wang Pu showed a puzzled expression. After brief consideration, he ventured tentatively: "Your Majesty, the puppet Tang is a great state in Jiangnan. With the two sides at odds and north facing south, the Great Han is constantly occupied with affairs on its southern border. Now, at a time when the Great Han is recuperating and restoring its national strength, the Tang sovereign has taken the initiative to send an envoy to negotiate peace and restore diplomatic relations. For the Great Han, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Is it not improper for Your Majesty to treat the puppet Tang's envoy with such disdain?"

Wang Pu's remonstrance carried a note of caution. Liu Chengyou replied: "I understand your meaning. But some things, when obtained too easily, may cause those arrogant fools south of the Yangtze to look down on our Great Han!"

As he spoke, Liu Chengyou's tone turned cold: "I have heard that this time, the puppet Tang's deputy envoy, coming from the north, has shown much contempt for our Great Han's character and the people of the Eastern Capital—arrogant and self-important, insufferably conceited!"

"No wonder..." Wang Pu said, lost in thought.

"Your Majesty, your subject requests permission to assist Drafter Tao in jointly negotiating the peace!" At this moment, Wang Qiwu volunteered.

Liu Chengyou pointed out: "You want to have a go at that Han Xizai, don't you!"

"Your Majesty has keen insight!" Wang Qiwu flattered.

Liu Chengyou naturally had no objection and granted his request.

After Wang Qiwu withdrew, Liu Chengyou picked up another volume—a portion of the newly compiled "Criminal Code" from the Hanlin Academy, thirty chapters of statutes. Thanks to the tireless compilation and exposition by Fan Zhi and over a dozen men from Dali and the Ministry of Justice, it was indeed much easier to read than before. Liu Chengyou could read through it and grasp the general meaning. Compared to the obscure and difficult legal texts of previous dynasties, this plain language was far more suitable for study, dissemination, and application.

Wang Pu had studied astronomy and, after earning the top scholar title, had been compiling books and revising laws in the Hanlin Academy. With sufficient age and exceptional learning, he quickly earned the recognition of the literary elite, especially the respect of Academician-in-Chief Fan Zhi.

This summons was for the purpose of reporting on the compilation of the "Great Han Criminal Code Compendium." Clearly, Fan Zhi had deliberately given Wang Pu an opportunity to present himself before the sovereign.

Though the laws had been amended and supplemented through the Tang and the Three Dynasties since, picking it all up from scratch again—combining current circumstances, deliberating over old laws and ancient precedents, deleting and revising, condensing and explaining, rewriting the format, and organizing the statutes into categories—was truly a meticulous and complex undertaking.

In total, it had taken about a year, and with capable talents like Fan Zhi and Wang Pu involved, it had finally entered its final stage.

As Liu Chengyou reviewed the text, Wang Pu stood by and continued his report: "Your subjects have compiled thirty chapters of statutes, nine chapters of regulations, twenty chapters of procedures, and twenty-five chapters of legal commentaries. The table of contents still awaits final revision. Tracing everything to its source and organizing the statutes, we have corrected over two hundred erroneous characters in both calligraphy and meaning. In accordance with the imperial decree, penalties have been lightened, reforms instituted, and crimes involving collective punishment have been abolished or redetermined..."

"Mm..." From Liu Chengyou's tone alone, one could tell he was in good spirits and quite satisfied.

He looked at Wang Pu with even more kindness in his eyes and said: "Law is the foundation of the realm. Through the chaos of the Three Dynasties' wars, legal texts were lost, leaving the Great Han without proper basis for enforcing the law. I have deep personal experience of these gaps. The old laws were plain in meaning but complex in provisions—even a man of great effort would struggle to read and comprehend them fully, let alone in this age when literary culture is not flourishing. What you and your colleagues have done is to strengthen the very root of governance by law for the realm!"

After this reflection, Liu Chengyou asked: "At the current pace, when can it be promulgated to the realm?"

Wang Pu answered conservatively: "Once the table of contents is compiled and a final review is completed, an imperial decree can be issued before the beginning of summer this year!"

"Completing the law is only the first step. Promulgating it and spreading it so that all those serving as judges and magistrates throughout the realm may study and apply it—that is what truly matters!" Liu Chengyou could not help but remark.

Hearing this, Wang Pu bowed and said: "Your Majesty is wise!"