Chapter 55: The Law is Greater than the King (Part 2)

  An elderly man with two missing thumbs slammed the book down and said in a bad tone, "What's this nonsense about being able to do something or not? We say you can do it, then you can! Didn't you worry before that you wouldn't be able to handle the position of Governor of Yoshikawa Island? But under our guidance, didn't you still do an excellent job? Among the thirty or so governors of various provinces in the Empire, which one has achievements as outstanding as yours? Even if you enter the imperial court in the future, you will definitely become more and more accomplished. At that time, many times the affairs of our Holy Church will have to rely on your help. You must not forget this point!

  Tang Zichen said with a sincere and fearful tone: "I, Tang Zichen, am willing to devote myself to the Holy Teachings, even if it means sacrificing my life. When the time comes, I will definitely provide more funds for the Holy Teachings, allowing it to develop faster and stronger."

  The old man with scars on his face looked at Yang Shuang and said slowly, "Fourth brother is right. If we can't effectively supervise the use of these funds, all our efforts will be in vain. No matter how much funding there is, it must be put into practice. Once it's misused, it'll have a counterproductive effect. This is the biggest problem with our current system. Is he that resilient piece of meat? He can even withstand your dislocation and soul search techniques? His appearance doesn't show it at all. How about those few high-grade ginsengs?

  Tang Ziyu said with respect: "Among them, there is a most noble and beautiful Goryeo Ginseng that was repeatedly ravaged by him, causing severe physical and mental trauma, and her mind was once in a numb state. I am arranging for someone to treat her."

  The old man with scars on his face looked at Yang Suofeng with great interest, sizing him up from head to toe before tilting his head and saying: "So you're Yang Suofeng? My name is Geng Sangluan, he's called Gang Yanglie, we're both from the Chi Lian Sect. We're being honest with each other, so you don't have to curse us as remnants of the Chi Lian Sect anymore. I heard your skills in ruining women aren't bad either, seven times in one night, you can be called 'Seven Times Gentleman'."

  Yang Shuangfeng's face suddenly turned red, extremely embarrassed.

  An old man with two missing thumbs spoke in a cold, thunderous voice: "Yang Suofeng, I, Jieyang Lie, most detest people who bully good women. You're prepared to die! If you can't answer our questions, I'll cripple your * and make it so you can never harm another woman again!"

  Yang Shuang's forehead involuntarily broke out in a cold sweat, but a thread of hope rose from the bottom of his heart, and he said nervously: "What questions do you want to ask? What are the game rules?"

  Tang Zili said coldly, "Our Red Refining Sect has never indiscriminately killed the innocent, but you are really too detestable. You actually saw through that I am a member of the Red Refining Sect. We have no choice but to kill you to silence you. However, we still follow the rules. According to the Holy Teachings' regulations, you can choose to answer two questions. As long as you can answer one of them correctly, you will be given a chance to live. We are giving you this opportunity now."

  Yang Shuangfen hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself, and said with a thoughtful expression: "I want to confirm, whose answer is the standard? What if I answered correctly, but you said it was wrong? Wouldn't that be unfair to me? You make it clear first. Otherwise, I'll request a fair referee."

  Tang Zili said coldly: "Sorry, whether the answer is right or wrong depends on our judgment, there is no referee."

  Yang Shuangfeng said indignantly: "So, it seems that my life and death are still in your hands?"

  Tang Ziyu said calmly: "Your life and death were always in our hands."

  Yang Shuangfeng couldn't help but curse: "Damn it, you Red Refining Sect are really... You clearly don't want to give me a way out, yet you still pretend like you've already been extremely kind and righteous. Ah, I'm telling you, brothers, can't you just be more genuine? Is it life or death, can't you just give me a clear answer?"

  Tang Zi said coldly: "Sorry, this is the rule..."

  Yang Shuangfen angrily said: "To hell with your rules!"

  Tang Zidun was about to erupt, but the crippled Yangyang, who was missing two thumbs, signaled him not to get angry. He said calmly: "Yang Suofeng, no matter what, you have a glimmer of hope for survival, don't you? Do you want this opportunity or not? If you don't..."

  Yang Shuang said hastily: "Why wouldn't I? I want to live on and wipe all of you out in the future!"

  Gong Yang Lie burst out laughing, causing Yang Su's ears to buzz, but Gong Yang Lie seemed completely unaware. He said calmly: "I've lived for 71 years and no one has ever dared to speak so presumptuously in front of me! Even the Heavenly King speaks to me with courtesy! You're the first, you have some guts. But I'd like to see if you can make an exception and leave this place! Tang Zhi, let's ask him about this."

  Tang Zhi was taken aback for a moment, his eyes gazing blankly at Geng Sang Luan. The latter nodded calmly, and Tang Zhi hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Alright. Yang Su Feng, I'm asking you, do you have any way to restrict the Emperor's willfulness?"

  Yang Xuanfen was stunned, but inadvertently saw that the faces of Geng Sangluan and Gang Yanglie had changed dramatically. The two men's eyes were deeply piercing towards Tang Zhi. As for Tang Zhi himself, his face was also pale, like a piece of dead ash, he deeply lowered his head, not daring to look at the two old men. Regarding the strange expressions of the three people, Yang Xuanfen thought for a long time and couldn't figure out what was going on, just like a child who accidentally revealed some secret and was afraid of being punished by adults.

  Gong Yang Lie and Geng Sang Kuang exchanged a glance, their voices heavy as they repeated Tang Zhi's question once more.

  Yang Shuang's heart was tense, but on the surface he was talking and laughing as usual, saying disdainfully: "Joke, what's worth studying about this question? It can be summed up in eight words: The law is greater than the king, the king is under the law."

  Gong Yang Lie and Geng Sang Dun's faces changed drastically, and they were all stunned. Tang Zhi's expression revealed a hint of disdain, but it was immediately replaced by shock. The three people's faces openly showed an unbelievable and horrified expression, which was a mixture of surprise and fear. For a moment, the study room was silent, with only increasingly heavy breathing.

  Yang Shuangfeng was very relaxed, he had already understood that his life was in sight. In this era, the problems that have been troubling scholars with advanced knowledge, such as the balance of power and law, are slowly advancing in the dark. And it is clear that the two old men in front of him are also thinking hard about this problem. His casual words had already deeply shocked them. Of course, all of this has to thank a documentary called "The Rise of Great Powers", where the British Magna Carta mentioned these eight characters that saved his life.

  As expected, Geng Sang Rou's face turned solemn and he said in a deep voice: "I'd like to hear more about it."

  Yang Shuangfeng took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and organized his thoughts before speaking slowly and deliberately: "When I say 'king', I am referring to all emperors, kings, or the highest leaders in any form; as for 'law', it is an abbreviation of the word 'legislation', but in a narrow sense, it should be said that it is the most basic law, which we may also call the constitution. The constitution is the foundation of a country and its political system, it is the most fundamental law, and it is the principle that everyone must follow. Any other law cannot conflict with the constitution, otherwise it is invalid. This 'everyone' includes kings as well. In simple terms, even kings must be bound by the law. Whatever the law stipulates should be done, the king must do; whatever the law stipulates cannot be done, the king absolutely cannot do. Otherwise, it would be considered a violation of the law, and we have the right to stop his behavior that exceeds the law, and even impeach him according to the constitution."

  His face flushed with excitement, he pointed at Yang Suifen and stuttered: "Remove... his position?"

  Yang Shuang said without hesitation: "Of course! If he is not a qualified leader, we have the right to replace him according to law! Whether it's in a gentle way or a bloody way!"

  Geng Sang's face was agitated and solemn, his voice extremely dry, almost forcing out each word: "The king you mentioned, does that include the highest emperor?"

  Yang Shuang's ironclad response was: "The king I mentioned, of course, also includes the supreme emperor."

  Geng Sanglan took a deep breath and slowly stood up from his chair, while Jie Yanglie also stood up. They exchanged a glance, seemingly sensing the joy in each other's hearts. With great gratitude, they said to Yang Suofeng: "Please sit!"

  Yang Shuangfeng sat down without ceremony.

  Geng Sanglan was deeply savoring Yang Shuang's words, with a dazzling light flashing continuously in his eyes. Gang Yanglie made a gesture, asking Yang Shuang to continue speaking.

  "Of course, since ancient times, the emperor's propaganda has been that his power is divinely ordained and unrestricted, so he can do as he pleases. However, with the progress of the times, the emperor's power must be subject to legal constraints in order to ensure the country develops in a stable and healthy state. He must act according to the law. If he violates the law, we have the right to impeach him and let someone else take his place. This is what 'the law is greater than the king' means. As for 'the king being under the law', it's simple: the monarch's position should be below the law. The law is supreme. When the king's intentions conflict with legal provisions, the legal provisions must take precedence. And the people's ideas should also be based on the law, rather than the emperor's personal will, this is the most fundamental difference."

  Tang Zī suddenly asked in a daze: "Would the supreme and almighty emperor be willing to have his power restricted?"

  Geng Sanglan and Gou Yanglie both looked at Yang Shuangfeng with concern, quietly waiting for his response.

  "He would certainly not want to, no emperor wants to give up the supreme power in his hands. But when this idea gradually takes root in people's minds, even if he is unwilling, he has to follow this rule. Laws are originally meant to enforce human behavior, and no one is naturally willing to obey laws. However, laws also have punitive provisions that punish those who do not obey the law. This provision applies equally to kings, and bluntly speaking, if an emperor does not comply with the legal provisions, he must bear the punitive consequences stipulated by the law, such as his throne being abolished, which is only natural."

  Geng Sangzi suddenly said deeply: "The emperor has the army in his hands, and he has all kinds of violent organs of the state. What kind of way can you force him to obey the law?"