"My Beloved Teacher's Wife (Walking with Love)" - Chapter 151: The King's Morning Court

Ling Feng entered the Golden Palace, the place symbolizing the highest power of the Ming Dynasty. Each time he stepped inside, he felt a surge of emotion, as if, in that instant, all power in the world was in his hands. In truth, Ling Feng himself was unaware that he was already the most diligent emperor of the Ming Dynasty!
Amidst cheers and shouts, Ling Feng sat on the golden dragon throne that symbolized power over the world.
"If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn."
Little Li flicked his whisk and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Before you ministers present your reports, I would like to hear about the battle situation at Shanhaiguan and Annam. Minister Deng, please report to me."
Ling Feng immediately began to speak.
"I obey the decree!"
Minister of War Deng Chaowu stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, General Xu of Shanhaiguan has already encircled the Jurchen tribes in Ningyuan. According to General Xu's military report, a complete victory is expected within three days. In addition, Goryeo has also sent troops to the Jurchen tribes and is currently approaching the Jurchen capital. It is only a matter of time before they strike at the Jurchen stronghold..."
After hearing this, Ling Feng said, "Give the order that after Xu Dacheng annihilates the invading Jurchen army, he need not rest or return to the capital, but directly launch a northern expedition to encircle the Jurchens with the Goryeo army. Once the Jurchens are conquered, Goryeo must withdraw its troops and will not be allowed to linger on our Ming territory for even a moment."
"yes."
Deng Chaowu said, "As for Annam, Marshal Zhang has divided his troops into two routes to advance into Annam. The two armies have now met at Baihe River. One is advancing step by step into the heart of Annam, while the other is issuing a proclamation to the people of Annam, denouncing the actions of Hu Jili and his son as 'unrestrained brutality and cruelty to the country.' The proclamation lists twenty major crimes committed by the Hu family, including 'twice murdering the former kings of Annam to seize their country,' 'murdering almost the entire Chen family,' and 'using harsh punishments and cruel laws, brutally killing the innocent, imposing heavy taxes, and endlessly exploiting the people.' At the same time, the proclamation also proclaims to the people of Annam that the army of the Great Ming Dynasty..." The arrival of our forces is intended to 'alleviate the suffering of the people and restore the ancestral rites of the Chen clan,' thereby shaking the hearts of the Annamese people. Currently, many Annamese people are 'disgusted by the harsh rule of the Ho government and have no will to fight,' which will further facilitate the smooth southward advance of our Ming army. Recently, the main force of the Ho army in Annamese retreated to Da Bang City. Our army, recognizing the city's location on the riverbank and its large sandy beach for easy beach assault, divided its forces to attack, successfully repelling the Ho army's elephant cavalry with muskets. Subsequently, our army captured Thang Long, an important city in Annamese, and is currently resting and preparing to advance on the Annamese capital!"
"Excellent!"
Ling Feng listened and said with great pleasure.
At this moment, Prime Minister Lin Zhenliang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, although Marshal Zhang Fu has been advancing with unstoppable momentum, I have received news that Marshal Zhang has allowed his subordinates to plunder extensively in Thang Long, 'abducting women and valuables, accounting for grain reserves, assigning officials to handle affairs, and recruiting refugees. Moreover, he has castrated many young boys and collected copper coins from various places... This is tyranny, and it is completely incompatible with the Ming Dynasty's claim to be a land of propriety!'"
Ling Feng nodded and said, "What the Prime Minister said is true. I hereby issue an imperial decree requiring Zhang Fu to restrain the three armies. Once the army enters Annam, it must not disturb the people, let alone exploit the local population. Annam is originally Chinese territory and should be treated equally."
"I obey the decree!"
Deng Chaowu nodded and said.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
At this moment, all the civil and military officials shouted in unison!
At this moment, Li Zi stepped forward once again and said, "If you have something to report, please do so; otherwise, the court may adjourn."
"Your Majesty, I have something to report."
Li Cheng, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, stepped aside and said respectfully, "According to my statistics, in the past year alone, there have been 358 murders in brothels, pleasure boats, and various other establishments in the capital. The number of deaths is 537. There have been 7,678 fights and brawls. 132 people have committed suicide due to being forced into prostitution."
Li Cheng spoke in a serious tone, while the other officials all looked at him with bewildered expressions. They didn't know what this commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was trying to say; what did this matter have to do with state affairs?
"Minister Li, you have nothing better to do than spout these data. What exactly are you trying to achieve?"
Ling Feng's face darkened, and he feigned anger, saying, "This is the Golden Palace, don't bring up this kind of thing. Be serious."
"It's appalling, Your Majesty."
Li Cheng suddenly knelt down with a sorrowful expression and said, "As the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, I am responsible for the safety of the Emperor and the capital. But how many poor young girls have lost their lives because of the unethical practices of the industry, in order to maintain their chastity?"
The entire audience was stunned. No one expected that Li Cheng, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who was known for his strict enforcement of the law and ruthless killing of corrupt officials and traitors, would one day show compassion for humanity.
"Uh... I also feel sad for those girls, but this is the imperial court. Minister Li, could you please restrain your emotions?"
Ling Feng was taken aback, never expecting that Li Cheng could be so soft-hearted.
"Your Majesty is mistaken."
Li Cheng, his face solemn and indignant, said, “The court is a place where discussions should revolve around the common people. Your Majesty has repeatedly said that even the smallest matter concerning the people is a matter of great importance. Those poor young girls, those people who have died tragically—I am filled with shame and indignation. I am indignant because this industry is so unregulated, leading to so many heinous incidents. I am ashamed because, as a high-ranking official, I have turned a blind eye to this matter. If this continues, I fear it will chill the hearts of the people, Your Majesty.”
"Lord Li, you are mistaken. These places of pleasure are inherently troublesome. If a murder occurs, the prefect or vice-prefect will handle it. What does it have to do with you, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"
The man who came out was a vice minister of the Ministry of Justice. Ling Feng vaguely remembered that his surname was Tong and his given name was Guan. "The duty of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is to protect the safety of the Emperor and to supervise civil and military officials. I really don't know how the affairs of brothels are also under the jurisdiction of the Embroidered Uniform Guard? If that's the case, then the Ministry of Justice is no longer needed. My Great Ming only needs the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
"Lord Tong, criminal matters are not within my jurisdiction, Li Cheng. However, the incident occurred in the capital, which is under the Emperor's nose. I am only worried that these illegal acts will affect the peace of the capital and directly affect the Emperor's safety. Moreover, the Emperor regards the people of the world as his children. In my eyes, the people of the world are like my own brothers and sisters."
Li Cheng said passionately, "What Lord Tong said just now is completely wrong. Punishment lies in prevention, not in punishment. If we can nip crimes in the bud before they even occur, compared to letting them happen and then trying to rectify them, which do you think is better, Lord Tong?"
"Hmph. Since Lord Li is so proficient in criminal law, why not apply to the Emperor for a transfer to the Ministry of Justice?"
Tong Guan said disdainfully.
"Lord Tong, you are mistaken. Officials in the world must first be familiar with criminal law in order to govern the people. Otherwise, if they are ignorant of the law, they will inevitably be punished for no reason. If one is not upright, how can one serve the people?"
Li Cheng spoke eloquently: "Furthermore, an official must have a compassionate heart. I find it very distasteful that Lord Tong treats the lives of ordinary people as worthless."
"this……"
Tong Guan seemed to realize he was in the wrong and retreated in frustration.
Ling Feng watched them bicker, feeling at ease, and then waved his hand, saying, "Minister Li, then according to your opinion, how should we prevent and control these criminal cases?"
"Your Majesty, I believe that the large number of criminal cases is due to the lack of regulation in the entire industry. If the court were to take action and establish an industry standard, ensuring that every establishment of brothels operates in accordance with it, I am confident that the incidence of various criminal cases would be greatly reduced."
Li Cheng spoke methodically, seemingly confident of success.
"Nonsense."
Prime Minister Lin Zhenliang stepped forward, stroking his beard, and said indignantly, "Lord Li, do you mean the court should personally teach those brothels how to operate and how to collect money?"
"Lord Lin? You seem to have misunderstood my intention."
Li Cheng treated Lin Zhenliang with utmost respect; it turned out that Lin Zhenliang was Li Cheng's teacher.
"Don't call yourself a student. I, Lin, have no student like you."
Lin Zhenliang rolled his eyes and said arrogantly, "For the imperial court to interfere in matters of love and romance is simply a disgrace to the nation!"
Li Cheng's expression remained unchanged as he continued, "Lord Lin, you are my teacher for a day, and for a lifetime. Whether you admit it or not, in my heart, Lord Lin will always be my mentor."
"snort."
Lin Zhenliang gave a slight hum, but turned his head away, not refuting him directly this time.
"However, personal relationships are personal relationships. Now we are in the imperial court, and I have to ask you, Lord Lin, have you ever heard the saying, 'Without rules, there can be no order'?"
Li Cheng straightened up and looked at Lin Zhenliang.
"Nonsense, that's a phrase I often repeated to you all in class back then."
Lin Zhenliang rolled his eyes and glared at Li Cheng with dissatisfaction.
“That is very true. These words are truly invaluable advice, and I, as a student, will keep them in mind and never forget them.”
Li Cheng showed a delighted expression, then said seriously, "However, Lord Lin seems to have overturned the principles he has upheld throughout his life."
"Li Cheng, what do you mean by that?"
Lin Zhenliang glared at Li Cheng and called him by his name.
"The scene of Professor Lin in the past is still vivid in the minds of the students."
Li Cheng seemed lost in memories, completely absorbed. Suddenly, his expression darkened, and he said, "However, today, when I tried to follow Lord Lin's teachings, I was met with utter nonsense. Why is that?"
"To discuss prostitutes in the imperial court—what is this if not utter nonsense?"
Lin Zhenliang was so angry that his beard trembled. If he were given a time machine that allowed him to go back in time, he would definitely refuse to take Li Cheng as a student even if it meant death.
"That's right, the sex industry is indeed the most despicable of all industries. It is a breeding ground for filth and all kinds of crimes. However, it is precisely because of this that students advocate starting with the rectification of this industry, drawing up a complete set of rules for it, so that the entire industry can develop in a healthy direction."
Li Cheng said calmly, "If our court continues to turn a blind eye, I'm afraid this industry will become even more chaotic and unbearable, and many more poor women will lose their lives for it. Lord Lin, in your heart, those poor women are not something you should be discussing, are they?"
“Minister Li seems to have a point. I have always regarded the people of the world as my own children.”
Ling Feng knew that further argument between the two would be fruitless, and he had to step in and give a direct answer. He reasoned that many ministers already agreed with Li Cheng's statement. So he said, "Minister Li, since you've mentioned industry standards three times, could you please share your ideas with everyone? That way, we can have a better understanding. This pointless arguing won't lead to anything."
"Your humble servant obeys the decree."
Li Cheng cleared his throat and said, "According to my research, most murders occur in small-scale brothels and clandestine establishments. After reviewing some large, well-organized brothels, I have summarized the following industry standards: First, the court should establish a new department. Any existing brothels must be certified by this department before being issued a license to operate legally. This also has the benefit of ensuring that the court's tax revenue is collected more effectively."
"Secondly, the court should order the new department to crack down on and shut down any brothels that operate without approval. This would be of great benefit in preventing potential cases."
"Third, any fights, brawls, murders, or establishments that coerce women into prostitution will be severely punished."
"Fourth, every girl must register with the new department and undergo a paid medical examination by a specialist. Anyone with any sexually transmitted disease will be prohibited from working in the industry until cured. Furthermore, girls in the industry must undergo a physical examination periodically and receive a health certificate from the new department. Girls without a health certificate will face punishment or be barred from this profession. Only by ensuring health can we provide a peaceful and stable environment for society!"
"Fifth, re-implement the tax regulations for this industry, with a tax of 20% of its operating revenue. I have done the math, and in the past, the tax revenue collected from entertainment venues across the country was about three million taels a year. However, if we follow my tax method, the most conservative estimate is that the tax revenue could reach nearly fifteen million taels."
"Fifteen million taels of silver?"
Almost everyone's eyes lit up; this was a huge sum! The country's annual tax revenue was only fifty million taels. Wouldn't this significantly increase the budget allocated to each department?
Even though it wasn't money from their own pockets, the ministers were still invigorated when they heard the figure! It was truly astounding!

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"My Beloved Teacher's Wife (Walking with Love)" - Chapter 151: The King's Morning Court

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