Chapter 1266: Argument (4)

Considering Mu Yangling’s family was a favorite of the imperial censors, sometimes, she really hated this group of imperial censors. However, it was undeniable that although they were nitpicking sometimes, they were very good at moderating the social climate.

Even if Qi Haoran wanted to spend more money to buy a precious dagger, he would have to secretly do it for fear that the imperial censors would criticize him for being extravagant, let alone other noble officials.

The nobles of Great Qi were much more honest than those of Great Zhou. At the very least, Mu Yangling had never heard of any noble who dared to kidnap people on the streets or seize other people’s shops.

Officials in the imperial court were also stricter with their descendants, fearing that their official positions would be implicated because of their descendants’ misdeeds.

But that’s still far from enough. What use is it if it’s just based on hearsay reports?

Mu Yangling hoped that the imperial censors would have more supervisory and investigative powers. That way, they would be able to focus more on their work, not whether the Mu family was extravagant enough to buy another precious dagger or a rare horse.

Mu Yangling said, “Removing the restrictions on civilians suing officials won’t change much on its own. As many of you have pointed out, the public has limited access to government affairs—sometimes they’re being exploited and don’t even realize it. That’s why local oversight offices should also be established. Censors should be appointed as local officials, just like county magistrates and prefects, and subject to performance reviews every three years. In addition to supervising officials’ conduct, they must also take up wrongful conviction cases reported from below. For instance, when a county magistrate sentences someone to death, the verdict has to be reviewed by the Ministry of Justice before it can be carried out. But if the accused files an appeal, the law states that the case should be reviewed by the prefect. However, in most places, once the prefect receives the Ministry’s paperwork, they simply return the case to the original magistrate for retrial, rarely taking the time to handle it themselves.”

Mu Yangling didn’t know about this before. It was only when Little Bear mentioned it that she knew that there was something fishy going on in the local regions.

He and Little Treasure had encountered a case during their recent travels. Dissatisfied with the outcome, the criminal appealed, and the case was sent back to be re-examined by the county magistrate. Fortunately, the county magistrate in charge was considered a good official. Although he was annoyed, he still seriously investigated again.

But how many county magistrates in the world could be so magnanimous?

Mu Yangling suggested establishing an inspection system because she wanted the imperial censors of the local regions to supervise the re-investigation of cases by the regional officials. Furthermore, they could also examine the evidence and make basic judgments.

Mu Yangling said, “The Imperial Censorate can be renamed the Supervisory Ministry, on par with the Ministry of Justice. It’ll also be a division of the judiciary. All problems such as corruption and bribery of officials will be jointly handled by the Supervisory Ministry and the Court of Judicial Review, and not just hearsay.”

Once Mu Yangling proposed this idea, the Imperial Secretary and the imperial censors all looked at her with bright eyes, feeling that her visit wasn’t entirely a bad thing.

Qi Xiuyuan glanced at them and asked with a smile, “What else? Tell me everything.”

Smiling, Mu Yangling said, “I have plenty to say. Since Your Majesty asked me to speak, I’ll continue. Changing the official system is not something that can be done in a day. Previously, all I mentioned were just suggestions. Whether it will work or not, the specific implementation will still have to be discussed between Your Majesty and the ministers. However, previously, my proposals were targeted at officials. Now, let’s talk about what if it’s not a corrupt official messing around but a tyrannical and incompetent ruler?”

Qi Xiuyuan was stunned. He didn’t understand why the fire had suddenly spread to him.

This time, the ministers didn’t dare to speak even more. How could they casually discuss this topic? Queen Consort Rong was protected by King Rong, and the Emperor probably wouldn’t settle scores with them later. However, their lives were still in the Emperor’s hands. They might be talking happily in the hall now, but afterwards they might even lose their lives.

Mu Yangling seemed to know their concerns and did not ask for their opinions at all. She only asked Little Treasure and Little Bear with a smile, “What do you think we should do to prevent it?”

Little Bear opened his mouth to speak, but was held back by Little Treasure, who was sitting beside him, and instantly shut his mouth.

Little Treasure looked up at his Royal Father and said seriously, “Royal Father, I’ve also considered the problem of unfilial descendants. Besides, people change. Who knows if my descendants’ temperament will change drastically after they suddenly take over the throne?”

Qi Xiuyuan glanced at the ministers. He didn’t understand why such a question had to be discussed in front of outsiders. Shouldn’t their family be talking about this behind closed doors?

Sighing, Little Treasure said, “If we don’t make some preparations in advance, there will only be two outcomes. The first is that the people will suffer because of a tyrannical and incompetent ruler, and they’ll have to endure until he dies. The second is that some ministers will collude with the imperial family to replace the Emperor. No matter which one it is, the Qi family will suffer a huge blow.”

Qi Xiuyuan looked at the two children, then at Mu Yangling. In the end, the corners of his mouth twitched as he asked, “What do you think we should do then?”

“Royal Father, if such a monarch really appears among the descendants of the Qi family, then I think it’s better for the imperial family and the ministers in the court to discuss a change of Emperor. As for the Emperor who has been replaced, how about sending him to a temple to become a monk?”

Qi Xiuyuan glanced at the ministers who had their heads lowered before turning to ask Mu Yangling, “Do you think so too?”

Mu Yangling nodded repeatedly and looked at him expectantly with the two children, hoping that he would agree with their opinion.

Qi Xiuyuan got up and walked down the steps. He stroked Little Treasure and Little Bear’s heads and said, “You two are still too young. From tomorrow onwards, other than attending court every day, you will take two hours to attend classes in the Royal School.”

There was a hint of disappointment in Mu Yangling’s eyes. As expected, everyone didn’t think much of her ideas and merely treated the proposal as the opinion of an ignorant woman and naive children.

Qi Xiuyuan looked at Mu Yangling again and said, “Ah Ling, you’ve raised the children very well. Although they’re always a little more innocent than other children, this is also because they’re pure-hearted. In the future, you should wait for Haoran to come back and tell him about your ideas before proposing them in the Imperial Court. As for the reform of the official system…” Qi Xiuyuan paused and asked, “Did you imagine this?”

Mu Yangling shook her head repeatedly. This being the crystallization of so many people’s wisdom, she didn’t dare to take credit. So she replied softly, “I wasn’t the one who came up with it…”

A strange glint flashed across Qi Xiuyuan’s eyes as he asked, “Then who mentioned it to you?”

“…” Mu Yangling hesitated and said, “I think someone kept nagging at me in my dream…”

The officials: “…”

However, Qi Xiuyuan looked at Rong Xuan again and couldn’t help but think of what Yuan Hui had said about Mu Yangling being a blessed and spiritual person.

Qi Xiuyuan reached out and patted her shoulder. With a smile, he said, “Child, alright, don’t worry about this matter. Take Little Bear back and let this matter rest. The ministers in the court won’t pick on him regarding this matter anymore. You can rest assured.”

With that, Qi Xiuyuan glanced at the officials warningly.

Knowing the officials were at a disadvantage at this moment, Qi Xiuyuan made this request confidently.

At this moment, the ministers did not say anything. Firstly, they feared Qi Haoran; secondly, because Mu Yangling was a woman, they could not fire at her and go against her using their abilities. If they did not admit defeat now, the scolding would just continue.

However, although they admitted defeat on the surface, they were not convinced in their hearts. To their minds, they only admitted defeat because they were gentlemen who did not fight with women.