Chapter 202: Discussion On “Law” 2

Gongsun Wushang stood tall with great righteousness;

Li Xian was stunned and speechless.

Gongsun Wushang’s face was solemn;

Li Xian’s face turned ashen.

Li Xian’s mind was consumed with a single thought—compared to the Legalist school, the poison scholars are really too simplistic! Listen to them, in one sentence, how many times the word “kill” is mentioned. If the world were governed by Legalism, the ruler would truly become an isolated person. Eventually, the whole world would be killed off.

No, if the world were truly governed this way, sooner or later, the officials would force the people to rebel, and the ruler would end up dying by the sword.

Fortunately, before Li Xian could speak, Gongsun Wushang suddenly sighed. “These were the core ideas of the past Legalists. But recently, after hearing Master Li’s theory of wealth through industry and commerce, I’ve had some reflections. The past Legalist thoughts were actually too extreme; although they seemed good, for all these years, the ideals of Legalism have never been realized. This, of course, indicates there are problems.

However, even though I have some vague thoughts now, they are still immature. I wonder if I may trouble Master Li to personally explain the theory of wealth through industry and commerce?”

Unexpectedly, at this moment, Li Xian spoke words that shocked Gongsun Wushang. “Actually, industry and commerce cannot make a country prosper, nor can they strengthen a country. Industry and commerce can only lead to chaos in a country!”

Gongsun Wushang stood there in stunned silence. “Master… Master Li, weren’t you always advocating for the idea of industry and commerce strengthening and enriching the country? Why now are you saying that industry and commerce lead to chaos?”

Li Xian smiled faintly and snorted, “Just to scare you, my friend. Actually, the saying ‘industry and commerce can prosper the country’ is incomplete. If industry and commerce want to strengthen a country, there is one prerequisite—that is… the development of science and technology!

Science and technology are the primary productive forces; only when science and technology rise can there be industry; and when industry rises, there will be commerce. Only then does the foundation for industry and commerce strengthening the country exist.

And if we don’t talk about science and technology, and only focus on industry and commerce, in the end, it will only lead to chaos in the country.”

“Science and technology? What is that?”

Li Xian’s secrecy plan was well done; the outside world didn’t even know the term “science and technology.”

Li Xian smiled and said nothing.

Gongsun Wushang, of course, was no fool. After a brief silence, he finally sighed and began to vow.

Li Xian then laughed heartily. “Come, I’ll take you to Qingyun Valley. I’ll show you the inside of the Brilliant Star Group, and you’ll understand what science and technology are. To put it simply, science and technology is about fundamentally understanding the world, changing the world, and creating the future.”

Then, Li Xian took Gongsun Wushang through various departments within the Brilliant Star Group over the course of three days. Gongsun Wushang spent almost every day in a state of amazement.

Artificial heavenly fire, spiritual stone charging, standardized magical artifact production lines, computers being programmed and perfected, oil refining, chemicals and explosives, military weapons, the smelting and refining of various metals, and entirely new mathematics, unfamiliar physics…

Three days later, Gongsun Wushang’s gaze toward Li Xian had completely changed. “Young Master, you’ve been promoting the idea of industry and commerce prospering the country everywhere, yet the outside world doesn’t even know the term ‘science and technology.’ Isn’t this a bit…”

Li Xian felt a wave of disdain in his heart. When you spoke of strategy earlier, you were so righteous. Of course, I still have to explain. “Gongsun Wushang, tell me, if I were to reveal all these things, would the world be grateful and support me, or would they rise up and attack Anyang?”

Gongsun Wushang was momentarily stunned, then answered honestly, “Just the technology of refining fine gold and secret silver with heavenly fire alone would be enough to drive the world mad.”

Li Xian nodded, “Yes, as the saying goes, when poor, one should focus on self-cultivation; when successful, one should help the world. Right now, I don’t have the ability to help the world, so I can only focus on self-cultivation. When I have the ability in the future, these technologies will eventually be made public.”

Gongsun Wushang silently nodded, then cautiously took a step back, not daring to walk in front of Li Xian or walk beside him.

At this point, Li Xian had truly won over Gongsun Wushang.

Once back in the inner hall, all of Anyang’s senior officials were present. Looking around, Xu Ren, Li Yuanming, Yan Ze’an, Yan Zhengqing, Fang Shijing, Beichen Yuqing, Ling Zhifeng, along with many generals and senior members of the Brilliant Star Group, numbering over a hundred, gathered together. These were the pillars of Anyang today.

Li Xian scanned the room, then pulled Gongsun Wushang forward, “Everyone, from today onwards, Anyang has another pillar, responsible for legal matters.

But don’t worry, Anyang will not adopt the extreme laws like those of the Liu Kingdom.

The future legal situation in Anyang will be as follows:

First, no royal law.”

Once Li Xian finished this sentence, the people around him visibly sighed in relief. Over the past three days, they had clearly gained a good understanding of the “Legalist laws,” and they were naturally worried about such cruel laws. So, hearing that Li Xian would “not establish royal laws,” they all relaxed.

Li Xian smiled slightly, “Second, we will establish a ‘Constitution,’ which is the foundation of governing the country. The core of the Constitution is that all people are equal. Of course, this equality comes with certain conditions. That is, those in the Golden Core stage are equal; however, those in the Golden Core stage are naturally lower compared to those in the Nascent Soul stage.

The Constitution will clearly define the responsibilities and obligations of citizens at various levels, as well as the obligations and responsibilities of the state.

Third, we will establish civil law. The Constitution governs the country, and civil law governs the people. Civil law must be reasonable, appropriately considering morals, social ethics, and so on.

Fourth, we will establish criminal law, responsible for sentencing.

Fifth, we will establish commercial law, tax law, etc. Industry and commerce must be regulated by law, and they must also be protected by law, so that all merchants know what they should and shouldn’t do.

Sixth, based on social morality, we will establish the “Code of Conduct for the Common People.” This will be a code of conduct, not a compulsory law, but merely a reference. However, for those whose behavior falls below the standards of civil or criminal law but is clearly morally wrong, clear punishment provisions will be made.

For example, those who frequently curse others and refuse to be corrected may not constitute a crime, but they should still be educated.

Seventh, an important point, we will establish patent law. This is something that cannot be taken lightly. Patent law is the cradle of technological development and must be strictly enforced.

Eighth, we will add a special supplementary regulation, the property law. Legal property is sacred and inviolable.

Ninth, we will establish military law, especially in terms of protecting disabled soldiers. There can be no negligence.

Tenth, we will introduce traffic law, something that didn’t exist before. However, with the development of vehicles, traffic law is now inevitable.

Eleventh, we will establish diplomatic law.

Twelfth, we will establish laws for foreign trade.

Thirteenth, we will establish economic law. This law can be postponed for now, as it is not yet needed.

Fourteenth, we will establish agricultural law. Agriculture is the foundation of the nation.

Fifteenth, we will establish environmental law, water conservancy law, mining protection law, etc.

Sixteenth, we will specifically revise the code of conduct for officials, using criminal law as a standard. For officials, Anyang will adopt ******** methods.

For now, that is all. Does anyone have anything to add? If not, I would like to ask Gongsun Wushang to take the position of Minister of Justice and take full responsibility for legal matters.”

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