People in the Three Kingdoms: Starting from Preaching

Chapter 304 Interesting
The atmosphere was extremely solemn. The king's father felt uncomfortable all over under Cai Wenji's aggressive words. He wanted to refute something, but the other party's words were too sharp, and the prepared words were even more clever, leaving him with no way to refute.

Does it mean that my authority is greater than heaven and earth, or that my will is stronger than that of a saint?
Xuan Xia has been calling for equal basic rights for all for many years, but the people may not really understand these things.

The vague slogans were far less real than the fields before their eyes. They were more concerned about whether their grain taxes could be reduced and whether the harvest from the fields could be greater.

They felt that Xuan Xia was good, and the direct source of this feeling was because Xuan Xia distributed land and abolished miscellaneous taxes, not because of just a few slogans he shouted.

But now, whether it is the king's father or the people outside, they all suddenly realized that the slogans are not just slogans, but they will really affect themselves and even directly change their lifestyles.

Equality is equality between men and women, and between parents and children.

It is no longer right to conceal the truth about one's relatives. All actions of the people must be based on right and wrong, rather than on emotional relationships.
Of course, Cai Wenji cannot decide these things. The one who can really decide everything is Lu Ping sitting above, or the man behind Lu Ping.

The crowd's eyes unconsciously focused on Lu Ping, and then they saw Lu Ping slowly raise his hand and slam the gavel down heavily.

It is time for the dust to settle, and the difference between emotion, reason and law should be determined.

"The facts of this case are clear. I have ruled that Wang's father did imprison and coerce Wang Zhen. All of these have violated the personal rights of his daughter, Wang Zhen, and violated the relevant laws of Xuanxia."

As soon as the words fell, the court fell into extreme silence, and then there was an uproar, and the people all had expressions of disbelief.

Once this result is announced, the social tradition that has been formed over a long period of time will be shattered, and all parents in Xuanxia may have to re-evaluate their relationship with their children.

Of course, the law is only the bottom line. Ninety-nine percent of the people will continue to live their lives the same way, and this case will not bring about any direct changes to them. However, the order at the grassroots level of society has been rewritten. When official power extends to specific families, everything has changed.

If the government can sentence the king’s father to force his daughter to marry today, tomorrow the government can control every aspect.

In the future, if someone in the clan commits adultery, the clan can no longer arrest that person and drown him in a pond at will.

In the future, if there is any evil done within the clan, the clan cannot arbitrarily resort to private punishment.

Everything is legal only if it is judged as a crime by the government. The imperial decrees are above all traditions. Even matters within the people's families are subject to the control of the law.

This was something that was difficult for many people to accept. All of a sudden, they shouted loudly, all of them expressing their dissatisfaction.

If they just accept it, what happened to Wang Zhen may happen to every common people's family in the future. They don't want their children to be out of control. If they can't even decide their children's marriage, what kind of parents are they!
Faced with surging public opinion, Lu Ping remained unmoved.

Although Xuanxia is people-oriented, this does not mean blindly submitting and accommodating.

Xuan Xia is realizing the innovation on the practical level through iron and blood.

Innovation at the ideological level is much more complicated.

The pace of progress cannot be stopped. Even if the people cannot understand it, it can only be implemented by authoritarianism.

"According to Xuanxia law, your father has committed the crime of illegal imprisonment. However, considering that it has not caused any serious consequences, he shall be sentenced to one year of hard labor!"

Lu Ping struck the gavel again and made a specific judgment.

Of course, he also took into account the particularity of this case. After all, this was Wang Zhen's father, and it was not easy to punish him harshly, so he only sentenced him according to the lowest standard.

But this was still a bolt from the blue for the king's father. He collapsed on the ground with a pale face. He never thought that he could be convicted of a crime just for forcing his daughter to get married.
He could only shout out in dissatisfaction that he was innocent, but he only said a few words when Lu Ping's cold eyes swept over him and he immediately fell silent.

If he continued to shout, he might be charged with contempt of court and be beaten with a stick.

Seeing that Wang's father had given up, Lu Ping looked at Wang Zhen, coughed, and reminded him, "Although your father has already been sentenced, if you, as the plaintiff, are willing to give up the pursuit, you can still get him to reduce a considerable portion of the sentence."

As soon as these words were spoken, Wang's father, who had just been looking dejected, suddenly became energetic.

After hesitating for a while, he immediately started to cry: "My daughter, Dad was wrong. Dad knows it was wrong. Dad shouldn't have forced you. If you want to study in the future, Dad will support you to study, and will never force you to marry anyone. Please forgive Dad."

Cai Wenji glanced at Wang Zhen and quietly took a step back. Wang Zhen could decide the matter on his own.

Wang Zhen listened to his father's pleading voice and finally sighed: "I am willing to give up the pursuit."

Hearing this, Lu Ping's expression relaxed a little.

Doing this is the best way for Wang Zhen herself. After all, they are father and daughter, and they cannot really treat each other as enemies.

Although the case was concluded, the test for Wang Zhen had just begun.

How people in the future would view her as a person who had reported her husband's marriage was a big problem. One could imagine how Wang Zhen would feel after returning home from her family and fellow villagers. It would definitely be a bad feeling. Although giving up the pursuit now could not restore much of her relationship, it could at least restore some.

After Wang Zhen’s attitude, Wang’s father’s sentence was changed from one year to three months, and the case was truly over.

However, this result is not easy to accept for most people outside.

Lu Ping slammed the table, announcing the end of the trial. The crowd began to talk, and Wang Zhen walked towards his father with a complicated expression, wanting to help him up.

The king's father's expression changed, but he finally accepted it with a dark face and a muffled voice, but anyone could see the anger hidden in his heart.

Cai Wenji watched all this from afar and could only sigh in her heart.

Although the matter was settled, for Wang Zhen, the torture had just begun. She could not imagine how Wang Zhen would get along at home and in the village in the future.

"You are very good!"

A faint laughing voice was heard, and the courtroom, which had been a little noisy just now, became quiet in an instant. Everyone looked towards the voice, and the person who spoke was the young man.

They saw the man walking towards Wang Zhen with a smile on his face.

"I have always hoped that the men and women of Xuanxia would be able to boldly pursue themselves. You are the first one who dares to stand in front of others. This is very courageous. I admire you very much."

When this sentence spread in the silent court, everyone was stunned.

This kind of evaluation almost made them crazy with jealousy.

Who could be admired by the prime minister who is respected by everyone? It turns out to be this unfilial woman in front of me!
The people's cognition suffered a severe impact!
During the entire trial process, the Prime Minister did not express any opinions, but after the trial, he expressed his attitude without reservation. He really supported his daughter!

Xu Chen smiled at Wang Zhen and said, "I heard that you want to continue your studies?"

Wang Zhen's mind went blank. She was so excited that she could hardly breathe.

She was already flattered that this tall and majestic man was able to come and watch in person, and now he was praising her face to face. For a moment, she felt so happy that she almost fainted.

Suddenly, she felt that everything was worth it. With such words, she could bear any difficulties, no matter how big they were.

It was not until Xu Chen asked in confusion, "Hmm?" that she woke up from her dream and answered in a panic, "Yes, Prime Minister."

"If your family doesn't support you in further studies, you can only rely on your own efforts."

At this point, Xu Chen glanced at Wang's father meaningfully, then turned around and said, "I can give you a suggestion. There are many official and private workshops in the county now. If you can endure hardships, you can study while working. I will write you a letter of introduction later, which may help you find a suitable job."

This made the people even more jealous. They thought that the Prime Minister was still too modest. With your letter of introduction, who would dare not give him face?
How could this little girl deserve such kindness from the Prime Minister?

Wang Zhen's face turned red and her steps became unsteady.

Even the king's father, who was standing by, couldn't believe what he saw. His own daughter actually received such favor from the prime minister!

At this moment, the king's father even had some bold ideas. Could it be that the prime minister had some feelings for his own daughter?

But soon, Xu Chen's next words dispelled his thoughts.

"Study hard, and if you meet someone good in the future, I will personally be your witness."

After saying this, Xu Chen smiled at Wang Zhen, looked at Cai Wenji and nodded to her, then walked out of the county government office under the protection of Tian Shitou.

After Xu Chen left, Cai Wenji breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at Xu Chen's back and couldn't help but smile.

Cai Wenji couldn't help but sigh in her heart, "he" is really a man with a delicate mind.

After doing this, Wang Zhen no longer had to worry about this matter, and even her family and the village treated her like a treasure.

Although it was just a small matter of a few words, what was commendable was that he was willing to bow down for a tiny woman.

What an interesting man.
Cai Wenji thought so in her heart.

(End of this chapter)