Bab 34: First Laws (Part 1)
"I have thought long and hard about what the right path to change is.
After agonizing over it for hours, I have come up with 2 things I want to implement immediately to start off.
I am going to be giving you both a presentation on my plan. Please speak up at any time with thoughts or concerns. There is no set in stone way to go about making the change that we want, so if you have any ideas of your own, feel free to bring them up. I value both of your opinions.
They both looked concerned for some reason. James was the first one to speak up, "you are really okay with us criticizing your throughly thought out ideas?"
Becca seemed to agree with James on this point, "I believe in you Nick! Whatever your idea is, will be the right way front!"
I had to push back. "I'm not perfect. I don't really know what I'm doing. I am trying my best, but it would be arrogant of me to think that my first plan would be without any issues. I need both of your help.
Please listen to my thought process and let me know if you think there are ways to improve my plans. Also, if you think we should try start with completely different laws, I am open to it."
Becca enthusiastically answered back, "ok Nick. Let's do this together!"
James also accepted my words, "I will make sure that you don't plan anything too drastic since you don't remember the social norms."
The support of my small team meant a lot to me. Only 3 people can't change the world, but we can get the ball rolling. I'm sure after we take this first step forward, many marginalized people will sympathize with our cause and our team will grow.
That's why being very through today will be important to create the bedrock for our movement.
I held up two fingers, "there are two laws that I wanted to implement to start off. After thinking for a long time, I decided that the first things we need to do is to make laws that will stop innocent people from being hurt in the time that we will slowly make the complete changes to society.
My first idea is changing the current law, so now, a woman cannot be killed or put in jail for having a secret lover. I think this is important because men are already allowed to do this, so morally, it makes no sense that a woman should not have the same rights."
Honestly, I was a little reluctant about this one because I didn't want to encourage cheating, but if the current society is ok with men doing it, then women who do the same thing should definitely not be killed for it.
In the future, Becca and I can slowly show our love for each other and convince society not to stay in loveless marriages and only love one person, but something legalizing divorce is not something that can be implemented right away.
Plus, some people in my world were most happy in polygamous relationships, so I can't bash the idea just because it is not for me.
James was very nervous, "my Lord, this is going to cause a lot of outrage. If husbands are not allowed to punish their wives for being with someone else, then they may take matters into their own hands and attack them themselves."
I knew that spousal abuse or even murder was a possibility. This is one of the reasons for my next law.
"I agree James, that is where my second law will come in. The second law will be an assault law. It will say that no one is allowed to assault another person without their approval. If someone is found of assault, they will be put in jail for an appropriate time."
James seemed to understand, "there is an assault law in our Duchy, but it is only applicable to commoners on commoners and nobles on nobles. The current law also does not apply to family members.
I don't know if it is the right decision to change this law. How will people discipline their workers? A noble needs to be able to discipline a servant if they are not doing their job to the correct standards. It's the best way to help them improve."
"Becca, what do you think about James' logic?"
Becca shook her head, "servants that improve due to beatings only improve because of fear. Fear will lead to stress and they will eventually break down.
That is not the way that an employer should treat their employees if they want efficient workers. In my home, we never hit our servants. My father was once a common worker, so he knows first hand the trauma being beaten can bring to people.
The better way to get servants to improve and work hard is to give them positive incentives instead. My father would give bonuses to hard workers and they always worked diligently knowing that even if they made a human mistake, their Lord would not hurt them for it and be understanding.
And if we ever had a problem servant, we would simply fire them and tell them that this line of work was not suited to them."
Becca's father was a pretty down to Earth man…if only he didn't force his daughter to marry a scumbag like the original Nicolas.
When we go visit him, I will have to question him about his decision to do that to his daughter. If he has an acceptable answer, I'll try to help reconcile father and daughter.
James still was not entirely sold. "I understand some of your logic, but this household has used disciple for the servants for generations and it has never been a problem."
This was another reason why I wanted to add this law immediately. Throughout my time here, I noticed that some of the servants walking by would have large purple bruises on their arms.
I was shocked because they didn't even try to hide it. In my world, some people were still abused, but it was so taboo that people would wear long sleeves and markup to cover up any bruises they might have.
It saddened me beating was so common in this world that people didn't even think it needed to be covered up. To them, it was expected to be attacked for any small mistake and to accept the consequences.
I would not stand for it, even if it ruffled the feathers of some nobles. I'm sure many servants every year end up beaten so badly that they die. It is probably seen as them deserving it for not being good enough at their job.
I clenched my fist, "James, even if we decide not to pass this law, I will personally not allow any hitting of our servants for as long as I am alive."
James realized the anger in my voice and accepted that servants not being hit was most likely going to happen with a 2 out of 3 vote from me and Becca regardless of his reluctance.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone