Xue Shao said, "Most scholars who farm and study come from collateral branches of these powerful clans. They till the fields while reading books. If the crime of one man brings punishment upon so many innocent people, would that not chill their hearts? If this happens often enough, I fear the scholars of the realm will say that His Majesty governs with harsh punishments and severe laws."
Xue Shao's proposal was to execute only the ringleader, confiscate all his family property for the state, investigate the rest, and release those unrelated to the case. Mercy could also be shown to his family.
"They may either be exiled, or barred from taking the imperial examinations and entering office for three generations," Xue Shao said. "Losing their property and being forbidden from the examinations for three generations would be an enormous blow to their descendants. I believe this would deter people more effectively than simply exterminating three clans. Moreover, by punishing only the principal offender, we could not only dispel the resentment among the people but also win their support."
Pan Yun asked, "Have you mentioned it to His Majesty?"
"I submitted a memorial, but the Grand Secretariat rejected it. Elder Yu said that at a time like this, harsh laws should be used for punishment, to make an example of them. You know that His Majesty has always valued Elder Yu highly."
Xue Shao understood that Yu Qian wished to use harsh laws to curb corruption, but he did not agree with him.
"Corruption cannot be governed by severity alone. Severity and leniency must complement each other."
Pan Yun said, "Strike at what they value most?"
Cruel officials might be twisted, but corrupt officials generally shared one trait: they wanted their children and grandchildren to carry on their glory and remain