NCCnovel Chapter 5502 Intellectual Property
Chapter 5502 Intellectual Property
Chapter 5502 Intellectual Property
The concept of "legal lineage" is sometimes very important. It can prove that the lineage is passed down in an orderly manner and that all actions are legitimate.
But sometimes it's not that important. The core of "tradition" lies in inheritance, but Emperor Wen of Sui usurped the throne and unified the north and south to establish the Sui Dynasty, while Emperor Taizong killed his brothers and forced his father to abdicate at Xuanwu Gate. The so-called "legal authority" is just that.
Only when the royal family is in decline and the country is on the verge of collapse will people keep bringing up the issue of "legal authority."
However, when the land truly crumbles and the country collapses, who cares about "legal authority" or not?
The emperor should be the one with the strongest army and the most powerful horses; is it not a matter of birthright?!
So Li Chengqian's current concern is—should he really continue to fabricate the lie of "divine right of kings" for the sake of so-called "legal authority," only to have it completely exposed one day?
As dusk fell, Li Chengqian sat alone in the imperial study, slowly sipping tea and watching the last rays of the setting sun fade away outside the window, his heart far from at peace.
To this day, his throne remains as secure as a rock.
Even with the existence of a "legal system," his imperial power was diminished and his orders could not be issued beyond Chang'an.
Without "legal authority," no one could shake his supreme position.
Therefore, he did not care whether Fang Jun sent a fleet to sail far away to prove whether the earth was round or square.
What he cared about were other things in Fang Jun's words.
A prosperous and powerful nation means intensified changes and increased public anxiety.
A government that keeps the people ignorant means an empty treasury and a stagnant pool of water.
Is it true that one cannot have both fish and bear's paw?
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The best way to quell public opinion is to create another wave of public opinion.
Although His Majesty's silence and that of the central government made the massive crackdown on Fang Jun somewhat anticlimactic, many Confucian scholars remained relentless and eager to persuade His Majesty to be wise and for the central government to be discerning and to overthrow all heresies and fallacies...
An unexpected lawsuit has drawn most of the attention from both the government and the public.
The incident began when the Liaodong Protectorate and its more than ten subordinate governorates and "corps" jointly appealed to the Dali Temple, requesting that the actions of Yuezhou Prefect Xu Jingzong, who dispatched "spies" to infiltrate Liaodong and steal books, machinery, and technologies compiled, manufactured, and developed by the Liaodong Protectorate at great expense and with the mobilization of countless resources, constitute "infringement."
Confusion pervaded both inside and outside Chang'an. What kind of crime is "infringement"?
Unheard of!
Aren't books written for people to read?
Is copying books a crime?
Machines are made to be used, so why should it matter who uses them?
However, there is a need to keep the technology confidential, after all, who would want their family's ancestral technology to be learned by others?
But to say that he is guilty is incomprehensible...
However, within a few days, the Dali Temple issued its verdict, finding Yuezhou Prefect Xu Jingzong guilty of "infringement," fining him 500, ordering him to issue a public apology, and prohibiting him from using many books, machinery, and technologies stolen from Liaodong.
The verdict caused an uproar throughout the government and the public.
They actually handed down a verdict?!
Is copying books a crime?
Are there machines that can't be used, or skills that can't be learned?
These are secondary.
The most crucial issue is the dispute over the development of Liaodong and Dongting Lake. The real competition lies between His Majesty and the Crown Prince. Xu Jingzong's development of Dongting Lake represents His Majesty's will, but the Dali Temple directly ruled that Xu Jingzong had "infringed on rights"!
Everyone knows that at the beginning of the Dongting Lake development this spring, Xu Jingzong faced numerous difficulties and was at a loss. It was only because of the books, machinery, technology and even ideas "stolen" from Liaodong that things gradually improved.
The current ban on Xu Jingzong from continuing to use it is tantamount to hitting him on the head, and the development of Dongting Lake may have to be cut short...
Many "imperial faction" members were naturally dissatisfied, believing that Fang Jun was behind it all.
First, he threw out the theory that "the earth is round," causing a nationwide uproar. Now, he's trying to sabotage the development of Dongting Lake. What a treacherous minister!
Many Confucian scholars and even court officials went to the Dali Temple to protest, demanding that the Dali Temple withdraw its judgment and act fairly.
Dai Zhou was unwilling to get involved in such matters, so he stayed home due to illness and avoided meeting anyone, leaving everything to Di Renjie, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.
Despite his young age, Di Renjie was remarkably shrewd and worldly-wise. Instead of resorting to forceful tactics under the guise of judicial authority, he invited the protesters into the Dali Temple and addressed their concerns publicly.
When questioned, he gave the following reason: "Today, more and more facts prove that the invention of special skills and advanced tools is related to the national economy and people's livelihood, and is conducive to enriching the country and strengthening the people. Such achievements that have cost countless efforts and money should be protected in order to encourage the people to be innovative and enterprising."
Some students disagreed: "Once the books are printed, they become public property. Confucius transmitted the teachings but did not create them; the Six Classics were passed down only through the copying and transmission by his disciples. If everyone insists on clinging to their own limited knowledge, how can learning be inherited and how can it be carried forward?"
Di Renjie smiled and said gently, "You said it yourself, that was Confucius... Throughout history, how many people in heaven and on earth have been saints? We should learn from Confucius's conduct and virtue, but we cannot treat everyone as Confucius."
“Isn’t the purpose of writing books and establishing theories to pass them on to future generations? If we take precautions everywhere and everyone keeps their skills secret, I’m afraid that many skills will be lost in a few years.”
Di Renjie's round face showed no sign of anger; he remained gentle and refined, patiently explaining, "But writers also need clothes and food. If they only have the lofty ideal of passing on their knowledge to future generations, how will they cope with the hardships of life? After all, not every learned person is a high-ranking official or a scion of a noble family. Only by providing substantial rewards for those who write books and invent skills can more and more people dedicate themselves to this cause. You are all Confucian scholars; have you forgotten the story of 'Zigong redeeming people'?"
This left everyone speechless. Who could withstand someone bringing up Confucius as an example?
However, some officials were dissatisfied: "Even so, it is inappropriate to convict the governor of Yuezhou at this time and order him to stop using those machines and technologies. How can such a trivial matter be compared with the development of Dongting Lake?"
"Such biased behavior is unfair!"
"The Court of Judicial Review should provide an explanation!"
Di Renjie sat in the main seat, dusted off his sleeves, took a sip of tea, and said calmly, "The development of Dongting Lake is crucial to the foundation of the nation, but the protection of knowledge is also a matter of lasting benefit. Moreover, since Liaodong can invest heavily and gather craftsmen to compile books, manufacture machinery, and invent techniques, why can't Dongting Lake do the same? In my opinion, the two can go hand in hand without conflict."
In short, there is no reason to withdraw or revoke a judgment already issued by the Dali Temple.
Of course, he did not make a definitive statement: "If you still have any complaints, you can appeal to the Censorate or impeach His Majesty directly. If the Council of State Affairs can send a letter with reasonable grounds, the Court of Judicial Review may consider revoking the judgment."
Everyone left in a huff.
This is indeed a seemingly apt statement, but in reality, it leads to a dead end.
First, the Censorate should refute the Court of Judicial Review. As one of the three judicial departments, representing the highest judicial power of the Tang Dynasty, how could it easily attack each other?
Furthermore, even if His Majesty accepts the impeachment, he has no authority to take action; the matter must be referred to the Council of State for discussion.
Finally, the letter from the State Council demanding that the Court of Judicial Review withdraw its rebellion was tantamount to expressing dissatisfaction with the Court of Judicial Review, and the officials of the Court of Judicial Review, including the Minister, Vice Minister, and Assistant Minister, would likely have to resign en masse.
With all three conditions combined, there is absolutely no way it can pass.
Although the court officials remained dissatisfied, the Dali Temple's verdict was not revoked and was sent by fast horse to Yuezhou for supervision and execution.
It is said that after hearing about this, His Majesty said to the ministers in the Imperial Study, "Di Renjie is mature and prudent, and has the talent of a prime minister."
This was Emperor Taizong's assessment of Fang Junzhi back then...
Although Di Renjie has already gained fame, it is extremely difficult for him to reach the level of prime minister. However, with such a comment from His Majesty, who can know whether this young Dali Temple official will become the next rising star in the political arena?
In contrast to the dissatisfaction of the Confucian scholars from noble families with the Dali Temple, the other Confucian scholars from poor families, especially the craftsmen with skills and traditions, were overjoyed and spread the news.
In the past, some ancestral skills or techniques that one had figured out on one's own were kept secret for fear that others would learn them. The saying "If the apprentice learns it, the master will starve" was not just a saying. People would rather take it to their grave than teach it to others easily.
But now there's no problem. As long as we can compile a book that includes the skills, then anyone who wants to buy it or learn it will have to pay.
Although the imperial court did not enact any laws on the protection of knowledge, since the Dali Temple had set such a precedent, similar cases throughout the country would be tried and judged in accordance with this precedent.
If hundreds or thousands of people learn my skills, the money from selling books alone would be more than I could spend in several lifetimes...
In the back hall of the Dali Temple, Dai Zhou, who was "recuperating from illness," was dressed in ordinary clothes and wearing a turban. He sat in front of the tea table like a wealthy old man, with a gentle demeanor that completely betrayed his authority as the head of the highest judicial department in the country.
He looked at Di Renjie with a smile, his face full of affection, and exclaimed, "This time, not only was the case judged well, but the handling of the aftermath was also very skillful. We are all getting old, and in time, the Dali Temple will surely be handed over to you."
The busy clerks were somewhat shocked. Although they all knew that Di Renjie's future was bound to be bright, it was still unbelievable that he could receive such a promise-like comment from Dai Zhou.
After all, given Dai Zhou's seniority, power, and prestige in the Dali Temple, this single sentence was tantamount to designating a successor—a privilege even his own nephew had not received…
Di Renjie was filled with trepidation and humbly replied, "This humble servant is unworthy of such virtue and ability. I am merely fortunate to have received the care of my elders; otherwise, this ordeal would certainly have been difficult to overcome."
Do you really think those people who barged into the Dali Temple are easy to deal with?
If it weren't for powerful figures like Fang Jun and Dai Zhou secretly protecting him, he would probably have been dragged out of the Dali Temple and severely beaten, losing face and ruining his future...
(End of this chapter)