Mythical Three Kingdoms

When Mann Chong arrived, he brought his own Code of Law. For some reason, when the messenger found him, he suddenly had a feeling that the time had finally come to promulgate his life’s work. This surge of emotion made him pick up the Code of Law without giving it a second thought.

Seeing Mann Chong, who appeared like a grim-faced judge, show up at the doorway made Jia Xu and others feel a chill in their hearts, almost a physiological instinct.

Although Jia Xu and the others hadn’t really acted out of line, seeing Mann Chong blocking the door with the sunlight casting his shadow into the room, dimming the Political Office, gave them an uneasy feeling.

”Boning, you’re here,” Jia Xu said with a forced smile.

Even Jia Xu wasn’t quite used to dealing with someone like Mann Chong, who could make people feel uneasy just by his presence—so cold, as if he had just crawled out of a coffin. Standing next to you, you could feel a chill emanating from him. Moreover, without Liu Ye, Mann Chong had become completely icy.

”I’m here,” Mann Chong replied, raising his hand and attempting a smile that seemed to tighten his face spasmodically before it settled back into stillness. This made Lub Su and the other two feel their hearts skip a beat.

All three of them managed an awkward smile and gestured for him to enter, internally cursing. What they say about appearances reflecting the heart seemed true; this man could very well have ”heartless” written across his face.

After confirming that Mann Chong had successfully completed the entire Code of Law, Jia Xu and Li Youu felt completely relieved. The rest was up to their performance, for this time they were going to tie all the internal aristocratic families to the war chariot.

At the very least, there could never again be a situation where the forces under their rule were not united with Liu Bei. This was a goal that had to be achieved: internal unity and a complete end to the infighting, to better wage war externally.

”Has our Lord already reviewed it?” Li Youu casually flipped through it, sensing between the lines of more than a hundred statutes that some differed from the others, revealing a human touch amidst Mann Chong’s stern and unyielding legal code.

”He has reviewed it,” replied Mann Chong, his face expressionless and his voice nearly monotone.

In fact, although Mann Chong showed no emotion, the memory of Liu Bei spending a month thoroughly reviewing his legal code without finding any major faults filled him with a tinge of pride. This was the fruit of his labor, his heartfelt effort since the early days of establishing Mount Tai when Chen Xi assigned him the task.

”Let’s restrict the aristocratic families according to Boning’s framework,” said Lub Su, showing a hint of surprise on his face after reading through the general principles. Mann Chong’s legal code was much more impressive than he had expected. ”However, Boning, please provide me with a copy of the statutes related to the aristocratic families; I also need to study them further.”

”No problem,” Mann Chong answered authoritatively.

”All privileges should be exchanged for responsibility and duty; who thought of this?” Li Youu was particularly interested in this statement, as with this assurance, all privileges have a basis for existence.

”A certain ancient text describes it, and I have used that as a foundation for legislation,” Mann Chong said, his thoughts seemingly adrift.

”That’s good, but what do we do now?” Li Youu asked, tilting his head.

”What we need now is to first establish the foundation. As for implementation, that can occur naturally once our Lord is eligible to grant twentieth-tier nobility. What we need to do next is refine the privileges for each level. Enacting the twenty levels of nobility shouldn’t be a problem, but we must avoid a repeat of the situation that occurred four hundred years ago,” Mann Chong said, almost uttering words that could be considered rebellious.

Considering the state of the Han Dynasty, any member of the Liu Imperial Clan had inheritance rights; it’s unfortunate that Liu Xie has no sons. As for the future succession to the throne, if it is to remain within the Han family, there might be a general election amongst the Imperial Clan. Given the current state of the world, it would hardly make a difference who is chosen—the descendants of Liu Bei have far too great an advantage.

”Let’s discuss this matter. This time, let’s clearly define the privileges for each of the twenty tiers. If they exist, they exist; if not, they do not. We should also clearly outline all social welfare benefits,” Li Youu said solemnly. ”And once written into law, they must be absolutely unshakeable. We need to define the maximum number of individuals each privilege tier can accommodate, and we absolutely must not forget this!”

”We have to approach this with caution. Many of the old soldiers in Guanzhong during the Late Qin did not rebel largely because their hierarchical privileges had been destroyed,” Lub Su nodded and said, ”Inscribe the twenty-tier privilege system into the main outline of the Code of Law.”

”We also need to measure the responsibilities and obligations each rank should carry. The higher the rank, the greater the obligations and privileges. Just how to quantify this will be troublesome,” Jia Xu sighed, realizing that measuring social responsibility and privileges was also a difficult task.

”That approximately is the buffer time Zichuan has left us. After all, we currently do not have the power to grant twenty-level titles,” Li Youu mused. ”We still have plenty of time to acquire these powers and determine the division of responsibilities and obligations.”

”He’s always one step ahead of us. When it comes to strategic frameworks, he’s always the best,” Lub Su sighed. ”The issue of privileges for the twentieth-level nobility isn’t too difficult, considering we already have plans for it. There’s no need to rush; we have plenty of time, at least until the unrest in the north is settled—there’s no need to focus too much on this for now.”

”It won’t be much longer. I reckon that the war with Yuan Benchu this year is almost a certainty; there’s no alternative,” Li Youu sighed. ”The struggle between the aristocratic families of the Late Han and the people from Humble Families—after this rebellion, the vacant official positions can be directly filled with students from the academy.”

”My thoughts exactly. They step directly into office, and we should increase the number of officials from Humble Families to fifty percent,” Lub Su nodded in agreement.

The monopolization of Official Positions by the aristocratic families and Local Tyrants during the Late Han was a matter of concern for all those in power. Even though Mount Tai had been weakening the power of the aristocratic families, in essence, seventy percent of the officials throughout the empire were still from these families. A portion of these seventy percent were descendants of the families, and the remainder were trained by them. Those truly from Humble Families did not even make up thirty percent.

”Continue to uphold the system where military achievements can ennoble, no restrictions for the first fifteen ranks. For ranks fifteen to eighteen, military achievements are required, and for the nineteenth and twentieth levels, the Marquis within the Pass and Marquis can only be obtained on the battlefield,” Jia Xu continued.

”Those who are not Duke or Marquis cannot become Ministers,” Li Youu sighed. ”Let’s maintain this rule as well. As for ranks nineteen and twenty, let’s make a change. For pure Civil Officials entering nobility, they should be assigned a province to govern. After three years, if sixty percent of the populace agrees, then it shall be reviewed by the Nineteenth and Twentieth Rank nobility holders, and if eighty percent agree, then the title can be directly conferred,” he said.

”Agreed,” Lub Su nodded. While he had little respect for Civil Officials who couldn’t fight, it was only fair to give them a glimmer of hope. As for direct conferment with eighty percent approval, Lub Su thought to himself that even he could not achieve this standard. If someone could reach this level, there was nothing left to say. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian ) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)