Chapter 539

"It would be ideal if we didn’t have to do it ourselves, but instead have him attempt to assassinate the Emperor and then be killed in the process." Hiss!

The three great clans were all surprised by Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji’s planning.

This strategy must have been thought out long ago, right?

Changancheng.

Xin Xin Qiji has returned.

Dressed in battle armor, he walked into the great hall with a powerful aura.

"Your Majesty, I have escorted the Wang clan back to Chang’an; please, Your Majesty, decide their fate!"

The court officials buzzed, and the hall exploded.

Before this, no one knew that the Emperor had actually sent people to capture the entire Wang clan of the Great Tang.

This was too exhilarating!

Scholars across the world held deep resentment toward the four great clans.

These clans had long monopolized the channels for advancement through study, not giving scholars from humble backgrounds a single chance.

Previously, when the Great Qin slaughtered a branch of the Cui clan, it had made the people of the world clap and cheer.

This time, they had captured the entire Wang clan.

It was so satisfying!

Qin Mu raised his hand slightly.

The great hall immediately fell silent, and the officials stood solemnly, waiting for the Emperor’s instructions.

"Bao Zheng."

"I am here!"

"Hand over the entire Wang clan to the Ministry of Justice and prepare for a public execution! Before the execution, announce it to the world and inform all the people!"

"I obey the decree!"

With two sentences, the fate of the Wang clan was arranged.

The court officials were shocked once again.

No one had expected that such great effort was spent to capture the entire Wang clan just for a public execution! However, the two methods of disposal were indeed different.

If they had killed all the Wang family members on the Haixin Sandbar,

it would have been equivalent to agreeing to the Great Tang’s request and doing a favor for them.

Moreover, the Haixin Sandbar was Great Tang territory, so for the Great Qin to do so would have been somewhat unjustifiable.

But now.

The Wang family members were handed over to the Ministry of Justice, and then publicly executed in Changancheng by the Ministry of Justice.

This became a grand event that gladdened the hearts of the people!

Bao Zheng received the decree but did not retreat, asking.

"Your Majesty, is it appropriate to define the Wang clan’s crimes as destroying the dragon vein and intending to rebel?"

Bao Zheng dared not make this decision on his own.

If the Ministry of Justice was to kill people, there must be a crime worthy of death!

Destroying the dragon vein was originally a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations!

However, Qin Mu shook his head.

"Do not use this charge.

The Wang family destroyed the Great Tang’s dragon vein and rebelled against the Great Tang; it has little to do with the Great Qin."

Now Bao Zheng was confused.

Most of the crimes committed by the Wang family were done within the territory of the Great Tang.

Since the Great Qin occupied the Central Plains, the Wang family had also followed the Great Tang and moved to the south of the Yangtze River.

Finding crimes for the Wang family within the territory of the Great Qin was truly difficult.

"Your Majesty, I am dull-witted.

Then what kind of crime should be set for the Wang clan?"

When saying this, Bao Zheng felt somewhat guilty.

It sounded as if they were fabricating charges specifically to kill this family.

The Wang family members were certainly hateful, but doing this did not conform to the spirit of the Qin Law.

Qin Mu had thought about how to deal with the Wang family from the very beginning.

It was not just to vent the people’s anger.

The Son of Heaven needed to endow the Qin Law with majesty.

"The greatest crime committed by the Wang clan is joining forces with other clans to block the advancement channels for scholars from humble backgrounds!"

"They wanted their clans to forever remain above the people!"

"This crime is called 'anti-social crime'!"

Anti-social crime?

Bao Zheng was stunned.

Not just Bao Zheng, no one present had ever heard of this crime.

Everyone felt it was very novel.

What new crime had the Emperor created this time?

It sounded Wu Li Ke it had the meaning of acting on behalf of Heaven.

Qin Mu, however, was very serious, his hands resting on the dragon desk.

"A well-functioning society must allow for upward and downward mobility between classes."

"There must be a large number of humble scholars gaining advancement, and some nobles with distorted values falling into the dust."

"Anyone who blocks this trend has committed an anti-social crime!"

In the great hall, Qin Mu announced the definition of anti-social crime with resounding force.

This made many people break out in a cold sweat.

It also made many more people suddenly realize the truth.

Everyone knew about the rise and fall of dynasties, but they had never been able to figure out what the main trend hidden behind it was.

With Qin Mu’s explanation, many capable officials immediately understood.

It was this anti-social crime!

The more the channels for humble scholars to advance were restricted, the more energy this society would accumulate, and sooner or later, it would collapse entirely.

In this way, the Wang clan was indeed guilty of heinous crimes!

Moreover, the decline of the Great Tang was caused by the joint efforts of these powerful clans.

The Emperor’s ability to see through the crux of this world at a glance showed wisdom that was unfathomable!

"His Majesty’s words have enlightened us!"

"His Majesty’s discerning eyes see the subtle; he is truly the greatest enlightened monarch in history!"

"His Majesty’s announcement of the anti-social crime today will surely ensure the Great Qin’s unification for ten thousand years!"

"His Majesty’s depth of thought is beyond the reach of even the sages of old!"

Bao Zheng was also full of admiration for Qin Mu’s statement.

In the past, people had not realized that this was a crime that caused great harm to society.

Until today, when the Emperor announced this charge.

Those who considered themselves capable officials and wise men finally understood how much harm such practices caused to society.

In terms of sentencing, it seemed it could be equated to rebellion!

Exterminating the nine generations was not unjust at all!

"Hearing His Majesty’s words, I feel as if I have been enlightened, and I have understood many principles in an instant!"

"I will go and prepare the notice to announce this latest crime to the world!"

"This law will surely be supported by the people of the world!"

Bao Zheng was even somewhat excited.

Having served as Minister of Justice for so long, he had perfected many laws for the Great Qin by referencing ancient statutes.

But Wu Li Ke the anti-social crime, such an innovative law was something even he had seen for the first time.