Volume 1 The Wind Rises Chapter 8: Saying One Word and Meaning One Mind (I)
It was already late at night when I left Luo Mansion.
The two brothers Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Kuangyi rode their horses side by side, making a "clattering" sound on the dark long street.
There was a curfew in Kaifeng Prefecture, but this curfew was of no use to military leaders like Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Kuangyi.
"What do you think about what Luo Youdu said today?"
Zhao Kuangyin said this with a hint of meaning.
Zhao Kuangyi was silent for a moment, then sighed, "This man knows the situation in the world like the back of his hand, and has made thorough analysis of many issues. It is obvious that he has seen through the ambitions in your majesty's heart and has made efforts in advance. He is not an ordinary person. I understand your intentions. Don't worry, I will not take the initiative to cause trouble for him. It is not worth it to create an opponent with extraordinary ability for yourself for a small matter."
"That's the best!" Zhao Kuangyin nodded solemnly.
After walking for a while, Zhao Kuangyi asked, "Brother, what do you think of Luo Youdu's analysis? Do you think it makes sense?"
Zhao Kuangyin pondered for a moment and said, "It's hard to say. This guy is not a simple person. He must have hidden some things and didn't share the important parts with us. But even so, the situation he described is worth our careful study. There is still some time before Your Majesty decides to mobilize the army next year, so there is still time to think deeply."
Guo Rong had great ambitions, and since he ascended the throne, he had the ambition to conquer all corners of the country and unify the world. He dismissed useless soldiers, trained elite troops, and actively prepared for war.
Who to strike the first blow against is the top priority for the Great Zhou to pacify the world.
Guo Rong has not yet brought this matter to light, but has only discussed it privately with a few of them.
The initial targets were set at Hou Shu, Southern Tang, and Northern Han, among which most of the generals thought it would be better to attack Northern Han first.
On the one hand, the political situation in Liao was unstable and unable to provide large-scale support to Northern Han. On the other hand, by conquering Northern Han, they could trade with Dangxiang, thereby obtaining war horses and forming a cavalry. Of course, the most important point was revenge.
A year ago, they won the Battle of Gaoping with great difficulty, besieged the city of Taiyuan, and saw that the Northern Han was on the verge of collapse.
The Liao Kingdom suddenly sent out troops. Due to the lack of food and grass, they suffered a defeat in the battle with the Liao army, lost their general Shi Yanchao, and lost the conquered territory. They withdrew to Kaifeng in disgrace.
This suggestion of taking revenge on the Northern Han Dynasty while the Liao Kingdom was in internal turmoil was supported by most of the generals.
Zhao Kuangyin himself was also inclined to this.
But after Luo Youdu's analysis, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly felt that Northern Han might not be easily conquered.
Luo Youdu's words came to mind: "Northern Han has a vast territory and a sparse population. It is a weak country with strong people. Only by attacking Northern Han first and destroying it can we gain benefits. Once we lose, all our previous efforts will be wasted and we will gain nothing. Southern Tang is different. Jianghuai is rich and has a large population. Even if we are unable to continue the conquest, it is not a loss as long as we can capture a city or a place."
From the perspective of interests, it is indeed more beneficial to strike the Southern Tang with the first blow.
Luo Youdu watched the Zhao brothers leave and turned to walk into the house.
He drank more than two kilograms of hot rice wine and reeked of alcohol.
I asked Lao Hu to boil some hot water, then I got into the hot water bucket and breathed a sigh of relief.
As a southerner, he didn't have the habit of taking baths in his previous life.
I take a shower every day and just do it casually. People often say that I kiss the water.
There were no showers in ancient times, so Luo Youdu followed the local customs and found that soaking in a big bathtub felt really good.
Leaning against the edge of the basin, he recalled every detail of his conversation with the Zhao brothers.
"With Zhao Er's cunningness, as long as I don't run into his gun, he shouldn't cause me trouble easily!"
He revealed some things during the drinking party and also obtained a lot of useful information, which can be considered a mutual benefit.
The key is to dispel Zhao Kuangyi's bad intentions so as to avoid stabbing him in the back.
"I didn't expect that Chai Rong hasn't set a strategic goal yet. Does that mean Wang Pu hasn't submitted a proposal for a border pacification plan yet?"
"This is an opportunity!"
Guo Rong dedicated his life to the Guo family temple and never thought of changing his surname back to Chai. It was the Zhao brothers who forced Guo to change his surname for their own political purposes, so later generations mostly called him Chai Rong, but in this era he was undoubtedly called Guo Rong.
Luo Youdu was used to calling Chai Rong in later generations. When he was thinking alone at this time, he instinctively replaced Guo Rong with Chai Rong.
On the second day, Luo Youdu got up early and dressed. Compared with reporting to Kaifeng Prefecture a few days ago, he looked more formal today.
Yesterday he officially received the appointment letter from the Ministry of Personnel. From today on, he is no longer a minor clerk but an official of the eighth rank.
Although officials and clerks are often linked together, their meanings are completely different.
Officials are formal members of an organization, while clerks are non-staff members who are not recorded in the Ministry of Personnel's archives and can be dismissed or laid off at any time. The gap between the two is immeasurable.
Riding on a donkey, Luo Youdu arrived at Kaifeng Prefecture.
As soon as he entered Kaifeng Prefecture, the legal officer Lu Bin came to greet him warmly. Once this matter was settled, his illness was also cured.
The two exchanged pleasantries.
Luo Youdu was originally his subordinate, but they were several levels apart. Now he has become his direct descendant.
While leading the way, Lu Bin told him about the work tasks that Fa Cao was responsible for.
"The work of a lawyer is simple. My job is to judge cases, and you are responsible for making reasonable sentencing recommendations based on the laws of our Great Zhou when convicting a crime."
A little cold sweat broke out on Luo Youdu's forehead. It was indeed simple. He just had to memorize all the laws of the Great Zhou.
When he arrived at the office, Lu Bin enthusiastically introduced his colleagues to him, and then called him to his office for tea.
Luo Youdu was a little skeptical, with a flattered expression on his face.
Lu Bin casually asked, "What does Luo Congshi think of criminal law?"
Luo Youdu said calmly: "I haven't understood it in depth yet, but I don't know what Shangguan is referring to?"
Lu Bin said: "Your Majesty is virtuous and wise, and is determined to reform. He ordered us to discuss whether the criminal law should be lenient or strict, so as to set the standard for future sentencing."
"So that's how it is!" Luo Youdu said with a look of enlightenment, "I haven't read the laws of the Great Zhou yet, so I dare not speak carelessly. I would like to listen to your advice."
Lü Bin smiled and said, "I personally think that criminal law should not be too harsh. Emperor Gaozu of Han abolished the Qin law and won popularity, unifying the country. Emperor Taizong of Tang implemented benevolent policies and brought order to the country, and released death row prisoners, and all the prisoners were released. This shows that the laws of a country should not be too strict."
Luo Youdu clasped his hands together and praised loudly, "What Shangguan said makes a lot of sense. Mencius said, 'Give the people a benevolent government, reduce punishments, lighten taxes, deepen ploughing and ease weeding, and allow the strong to have their days off to cultivate filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty and trustworthiness, serve their fathers and brothers at home, and serve their superiors outside.' It can be seen that if we want the world to be governed well, we should base it on benevolence, and the same should apply to criminal law!"
Lu Bin was overjoyed. Yesterday, Cui Yan, the chief of Kaifeng Prefecture, had specifically instructed him to make good use of Luo Youdu. He already knew that this lucky man in front of him had caught the emperor's eye. In addition to being envious, he also had the idea of using him to enhance his own prestige.
The Great Zhou reform was imminent, and many aspects of the dynasty needed to be rebuilt, including the criminal law.
He advocated the use of benevolence as the highest priority and resisted harsh laws, while his opponent, Zhang Yue, the governor of Kaifeng Prefecture, advocated the use of severe punishments in times of chaos, and the two argued fiercely.
