usatvline Chapter 322 Angry
Chapter 322 Angry
Think about it, if a bannerman's bondservant could get away with killing a Han Chinese, it's easy to imagine whether other members of the Jurchen clan would receive any fair punishment if they broke the law.
A single example can reveal the whole picture. We will not go into details about the crimes committed by clan members and bannermen below the Jurchen level, as the meaning is basically the same.
It is precisely because the Bannermen have various privileges to rely on that they are arrogant, oppress the good, openly commit crimes, treat human life as worthless, and regard the law as a joke.
Yining is now annoyed and angry.
Yining was annoyed because he had known about the Bannermen's misdeeds for a long time.
He had also made up his mind to solve the problem thoroughly, but because he had too many things to do recently, he neglected it!
What makes me angry is that the Bannermen have become so rampant now.
Treating human life as worthless is not enough to describe their cruelty.
Not to mention that Yining is a Han Chinese at heart, even if he is really a bannerman, based on his personality, he will never tolerate such things to continue.
Yining pondered for a while and thought that it was easy to deal with Hailanjiang, just kill him.
He wanted to use this incident to take away the privileges of the bannermen.
But what can we do to avoid any accidents?
This concerns the welfare of hundreds of thousands of bannermen. If I act too hastily and handle it improperly, these old and young people may stand up and openly oppose me!
Although I am not afraid, my foundation is not stable yet, so it is better to be cautious.
He made up his mind and said to Su Shun,
"Su Shun, you are the head of the clan affairs office, what are you going to do?"
Su Shun knelt and played,
"Your Majesty, I believe that severe punishment is necessary. The privileges of the Bannermen have become a social nuisance, causing public outrage and resentment.
If we don’t impose strict controls, I’m afraid it will lead to even greater disasters in the future!”
Yining nodded, thinking that if he didn't force Su Shun to say something, he wouldn't be able to say it. Then he asked,
"Are you saying you want to cancel the preferential treatment for the descendants of the Eight Banners?"
The emperor asked the question, and Su Shun no longer tried to hide it. He said,
"Your Majesty, what I mean is not only to reduce the preferential treatment policies for bannermen, but also to increase the punishment for bannermen's crimes in the law!"
Yining nodded. In history, Su Shun also advocated lowering the treatment of bannermen and making use of Han officials. Zeng Zhenfan, Hu Linyi and others had all been protected by him!
The fact that these Han officials were given important positions was also directly related to Su Shun.
Su Shun once said, "There are so many bastards among us Bannermen. What do we know?"
So Yining was not surprised to hear these words from his mouth.
Yining waved his hand and said,
"Okay, I've had this idea for a while now. Today I've called everyone here to discuss this matter. Tell us what you mean and see how everyone reacts!"
Su Shun understood that the emperor wanted to use his mouth to make the matter clear.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured that I know what to do!"
Yining ordered,
"Issue an imperial decree, summoning Lin Zexu, Du Shoutian, Zaiyuan, Wenqing, Ruijin, Peng Yunzhang, Wang Jindou, and Zhang Ying to the audience!"
It didn't take long before everyone arrived.
After greeting, Yining said,
"Su Shun just mentioned the case of how Hai Lanjiang, a member of the royal family, beat Tiechui and his father to death and forced Qi's second sister to death.
He has something to say, so I've summoned everyone here to listen!"
Lin Zexu said,
"Your Majesty, I came here these past two days to report this matter to you!"
Yining Road,
"Master Lin, please speak!"
Lin Zexu said,
"Second Sister Qi's case has caused a huge uproar in the capital. The people are talking about it and are extremely angry. If we don't handle it well, I'm afraid we won't be able to explain it to the people!"
Yining Road,
"It's not just the common people. After hearing what I heard, I wish I could kill this beast with my own hands. Let's let Su Shun tell us the details!"
Su Shun explained the whole story of the case and then said,
"I have long been preparing a memorial to describe the shortcomings of the royal family and the Manchus.
It's just that I've been so busy with other things that I haven't had time to appear before you. Today, I'm using the Hailanjiang incident as an opportunity to speak my mind!"
Yining Road,
"Just say it!"
Su Shun tells the story.
"I suppose everyone knows what kind of life most Bannermen lead nowadays?"
Everyone knows this: the wealthy Bannermen lived a life of luxury, reveling every night and spending their days in debauchery.
The bannermen with little money would carry bird cages and hang out in teahouses, taverns, bookstores and theaters every day.
Anyway, there is no bannerman farming or doing business, so why are they so leisurely? Isn’t it because of their bannerman identity?
Su Shun continued,
"Your Majesty, my Lords, why do the Bannermen enjoy such a comfortable life? Is it earned with their own hands?"
Su Shun looked at everyone. Everyone knew the truth about this matter. What was there to say?
Su Shun asked and answered himself, and then said,
"Of course not, have you ever seen that bannerman working in the fields?
I've never seen them doing business to support their families. Isn't it all thanks to the blessings of their ancestors that they can do this?"
Man Hing Road,
"Yes, it was all earned by their ancestors when they entered the pass!"
Su Shundao,
"When Daqing entered the Pass and established its rule in the Central Plains, the Manchu and Han Eight Banners played an indispensable role.
In the early days of the country, it was understandable to give some special favors to the bannermen.
Did our ancestors sacrifice their lives to win this country?!"
Everyone nodded!
Su Shun changed the subject.
"However, it has been said since ancient times that the grace of a gentleman will fade after three generations and will be cut off after five generations. I believe that all of you elders are familiar with this saying, right?"
Lin Zexu said,
"Master Su is right!"
Su Shun said again,
"From Shunzhi, Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang to the present emperor, we have gone through seven dynasties.
More than two hundred years have passed, and the descendants of the Eight Banners are still resting on their ancestor's merits, feeling complacent and unwilling to make progress.
The Bannermen always talk about how their ancestors were, but never mention what they should do now!
If the royal families of every dynasty had done this, wouldn't the streets now be filled with the descendants of this emperor and the relatives of that king?
Since everyone is of noble status, then no one has to work!
But can crops grow in the fields by themselves, or can they turn into food and fly home?
If this continues for a long time, won’t everyone think it’s ridiculous? "
At this point, everyone could guess what Su Shun meant, but they had never thought of, nor dared to, disturb the foundation of the Bannermen, so they all lowered their heads and remained silent.
Su Shun looked around and saw that no one spoke, so he bowed to the ground again.
"Your Majesty, I beg you to revoke the privileges of the Bannermen and review the preferential treatment policy for them!"
After Su Shun finished speaking, the hall fell silent!
after awhile,
Ruijin said,
"Master Su, no matter what the Bannermen are like now, that is the law established by our ancestors.
The laws established by our ancestors were also formulated based on the merits of the bannermen. How can the laws established by our ancestors be changed at will?
If the preferential treatment for bannermen is changed without proper reasons, how should our Ministry of Revenue explain this to everyone?
If this causes chaos among the Bannermen, who will bear the responsibility?"