We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Chapter 1047 Visiting Lingyan Pavilion (Part 1)

Wang Sanchun seemed to have noticed the emperor's doubts.

He raised his head, and a hint of pity appeared on his pockmarked face.

“Your Majesty, you didn’t see it with your own eyes…” Wang Sanchun’s voice was a little hoarse. “When the epidemic in Qiongzhou was at its worst, the number of people dying in the city every day was too many to count. Cartloads of people were being carried out… There was simply not enough medicine. Several doctors collapsed from exhaustion. The city was in a state of panic.”

"Even so, when the imperial court's relief arrived, the people in the city all came out to help."

"There were many young masters from prominent families among those who brewed medicine, distributed porridge, maintained order, and cared for patients."

Wang Sanchun paused for a moment, then continued, "There was a young man from the Zheng family, only fifteen or sixteen years old. He had a fever, but he still followed our people around distributing medicine. In the end, he didn't make it."

"There was also a stewardess from the Lin family, who led a group of maids and servants, working day and night to boil water and cloths to wipe the patients down and lower their fever. In the end, she also contracted the virus herself."

"I know they are traitors. When we attacked the city, I wanted to kill all these parasites and their families. But looking at them... I feel that they are not all black-hearted and rotten people."

"In any family, there are good people and bad people, people who know the inside story and people who are kept in the dark..."

"Just like in our army, there are good soldiers and cowards; we can't generalize."

After Wang Sanchun finished speaking, he looked at Li Che with some trepidation.

The room fell silent, with all the officials glancing nervously at the emperor.

Those who have reached this position will not be easily swayed by a few words from Wang Sanchun.

Moreover, they were well aware that His Majesty was preparing to deal with the powerful families, and Wang Sanchun's words had likely offended His Majesty.

Despite his ugly appearance and fierce demeanor, Wang Sanchun was actually very popular among his colleagues in Fengtian. Everyone knew he was loyal and righteous.

Seeing His Majesty's displeased expression, all the senior officials wanted to speak up for him.

Huo Duanxiao sighed, rose, cupped his hands, and was about to speak, "Your Majesty..."

But Li Che reached out to stop him, so he had no choice but to sit back down.

Li Che looked into Wang Sanchun's eyes, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

Wang Sanchun's words were simple, even somewhat chaotic, but they touched upon a deep question he had been pondering.

When thoroughly purging this vast and corrupt class of aristocratic families, how do we distinguish between the wicked and the innocent?

Indiscriminate implication of relatives and friends may eliminate the power of powerful families to the greatest extent, but it will also inevitably cause a lot of injustice and create new hatred.

Recently, Li Che has been reading the books left behind by Wang Yuanshan.

Wang Yuanshan once said that the key to the rule of law lies in "procedural justice" and "accountability for one's own crimes," and he criticized the feudal ideology of collective punishment prevalent in this world.

For major cases such as treason, rigorous procedures for investigation, interrogation, and conviction should be established, and the scope of individual culpability and family liability should be clearly defined.

For example, the mastermind and the ringleader are unforgivable; those who knowingly participated or provided funding should be severely punished according to the law; but those who were unaware, or those for whom there is evidence that they opposed or prevented the evil deeds, may be given leniency and dealt with differently.

This is not an act of self-righteousness, but rather a basic respect for the law.

For Daqing to move towards democracy in the future, the fairness of the law must outweigh its punitive nature.

Li Che's silence did not last long; after a moment of contemplation, he sighed.

"That's enough." He waved his hand, shifting his gaze from Wang Sanchun's face. "This matter involves many aspects and cannot be resolved in a few words. Let's put it aside for now and discuss it later."

He then looked at Wang Sichun, the Minister of Justice: "Minister Wang, properly imprison those criminals who are being escorted back to the capital. Do not deliberately humiliate them. Provide them with food and lodging in accordance with the law."

Wang Sichun came out to promise.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the people at the table varied.

Those familiar with Li Che's temperament know that if he is determined, he would never say such a thing.

So it seems that Wang Sanchun's blunt and impulsive words actually made His Majesty waver.

Many former officials secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although they also hated those rebellious families, they had fought for many years and seen too much life and death, and they did not want to see a tragedy that would implicate too many people.

However, some officials from powerful families harbored deep resentment.

Your Majesty is indeed biased. Wang Sanchun, a mere brute, spoke rebellious and arrogant words at such a solemn victory celebration banquet, yet Your Majesty simply dismissed it with a single sentence.

We were almost beaten to death the other day for merely offering reasonable advice.

This favoritism is so unfair!

They completely forgot that Wang Sanchun was speaking up for them.

It is evident that the lives and deaths of relatively innocent women and children from aristocratic families were less important to these self-serving officials than their own reputation.

Li Che stood high above, taking in the subtle expressions on everyone's faces.

He sneered inwardly, but did not continue the topic.

He then turned to Yang Zhongsi, Wang Sanchun, and the others, his voice lowering slightly: "You are far away in Qiongzhou, so news may be delayed. There is something you may not yet know."

When Yang Zhongsi and the others heard the emperor's somber tone, they immediately sensed something was wrong.

Wang Sanchun, being the most impatient of them all, couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, what has happened?"

The sorrow in Li Che's eyes was clearly visible: "Master Qian passed away from illness half a month ago. I personally escorted his coffin to the funeral, and he has now been laid to rest."

The crowd erupted in an uproar:

"what?!"

"Old Qian...is gone?!"

"How...how could this be...?"

"It was perfectly fine when I left!"

The former subordinates of Fengguo rose from humble beginnings. There was only a division of responsibilities between civil and military officials, but no estrangement or antagonism between them.

As one of the earliest civil officials to follow Li Che, Qian Bin was in charge of logistics and provisions for many years and had the most dealings with generals such as Wang Sanchun.

War is all about money and supplies. Wang Sanchun and his men spent a lot of time and effort persuading Qian Bin to give them more weapons and provisions.

Qian Bin, with a stern face, meticulously calculated and bargained with them, yet he always managed to procure enough supplies at crucial moments.

Years of tacit cooperation have long since transformed into a deep friendship.

Wang Hu, in particular, had worked with Qian Bin for a considerable period of time when he was stationed in Goryeo. The two were very close and had a deep friendship.

Upon hearing this devastating news, Wang Hu, a man as strong as an iron tower, trembled all over, his tiger-like eyes instantly turned red, and large tears rolled down his cheeks.

The other generals also had red eyes and sore noses.

Yang Zhongsi also looked grave, and solemnly bowed to Li Che: "Your Majesty, please accept my condolences. Minister Qian has made great contributions and his sudden passing is a great loss to our nation!"

"We, your humble servants, were far away in Qiongzhou and were unable to see him one last time..."

Li Che's eyes also glistened with tears: "Master Qian passed away peacefully, which can be considered a natural death, but I still find it hard to let him go."

He looked at Wang Sanchun and the others and said gently, "If you are willing, you can come with me to pay homage to Master Qian after the banquet."

Everyone readily agreed.