Chapter 1171: Announcement
Magistrate Huang added, "Every year, there are always conflicts between clans over water and land. Initially, it starts as an individual conflict, but later on, it becomes a family conflict and eventually develops into a clan conflict. Families are meant to protect their clansmen, and the clansmen strengthened the clan, so the two complement each other. It’s just that as the clans grow in power, they constantly toe the borders of the law. When dealing with them, we can neither be too lenient nor too harsh."
Little Treasure asked, "Is there no favorable solution?"
"After the Sui and Tang dynasties, the power of the aristocratic families has been greatly weakened. After the Five Kingdoms Rebellion, Emperor Shizong ruled the world and tried his best to suppress the aristocratic families which led to the power of the clans weakening. I’m guessing this is the limit." Magistrate Huang said, "I really can’t think of any reliable way for the Imperial Court to further weaken the power of the clans."
County Lieutenant Qin nodded as well. "The aristocratic families are nothing to be afraid of now. Considering our Emperor is benevolent, we can’t just use troops to weaken the power of the aristocratic families like Emperor Shizong, right?"
Little Treasure said solemnly, "If the aristocratic family hasn’t committed any crimes, His Majesty naturally won’t do such an unjust thing."
Magistrate Huang and County Lieutenant Qin sighed as well.
Little Bear looked from one to the other and said in confusion, "If the clan is powerful, can’t we just make them less powerful?"
Little Treasure rolled his eyes at his brother. "Aren’t we thinking about how to weaken the power of the clans now?"
"Isn’t that simple? We can just emphasize individual rights and forbid them from sacrificing so much for their clan, right?" Little Bear said nonchalantly. "Isn’t the reason why the clan is so powerful because they keep squeezing people dry and making them sacrifice for the clan at the expense of oneself? If we can convince people to think more for themselves, how powerful can the clans be without individuals disregarding their personal benefits?"
The other three people at the table were stunned as they stared at Little Bear in shock.