Chapter 203: Ying Zheng controls Lü Buwei Ying Zheng's attitude towards Shu...

Ying Zheng's understanding of Shu came from Fu Li and Dai Xuan. He primarily learned about the political system, people's livelihoods, the economy, and the military.

As for the imperial examination system of Shu, he became very interested after hearing Fu Li talk about it once. Later, he asked Dai Xuan and Zheng Cuo in detail, and felt that this was a brilliant move to completely overturn the hereditary aristocracy system in the Central Plains.

Ever since Confucius promoted the idea of ​​"education for all", studying is no longer exclusive to royal families. Many families with extra wealth would send their children to study at various schools.

However, the seven states in the Central Plains still primarily hired children from aristocratic families. It was extremely difficult for talented individuals from humble backgrounds to make a name for themselves.

Among the seven countries, Qin had the most friendly environment, but the talents moving westward from various countries were inevitably targeted by the Qin royal family.

Ying Zheng wanted to introduce the imperial examination system of Shu, but he knew nothing about the power of Shu's basic education, and naturally could not guess what happened to Lu Buwei in Shu.

However, Ying Zheng did not believe a single word of Lu Buwei's words that "there is war in Shu and it is not possible to stay there for long."

How could this merchant, renowned for his "rare goods" (gambling for the rich and famous), not be able to withstand the risks of war? Given Lü Buwei's character, he must have sought wealth and honor amidst the dangers of war.

Ying Zheng speculated that the reason he left Shu was probably because he had offended someone there.

However, Ying Zheng was not prepared to expose him. He still wanted to use Lu Buwei and let Lu Buwei charge in the front while he would observe and control from behind and try out the imperial examination in Qin.

So, Ying Zheng said something very tempting to Lü Buwei: "Since you have seen the paradise of Shu, have you ever thought about turning the Central Plains into that paradise?"

Lu Buwei immediately understood what Ying Zheng meant, and a strong light burst out in his eyes, which was desire and yearning.

He had already anticipated that if the imperial examination system was implemented in his hands, he would surely become famous throughout the ages, which would be much more impressive than gathering hundreds of schools of thought to compile a book.

"Your Majesty, do you intend to change Qin's talent recruitment system?"

"Indeed." Ying Zheng nodded. "The system in the Central Plains has long been rotten, like a pond without a spring. At first glance, it appears clear, but the closer you get, the foul odor will be noticed."

Lü Buwei said, "Your Majesty is right. To innovate requires not only the dedication of our subjects but also the resolve of our ruler to support it to the end."

Since the Warring States Period, all states have had the desire to reform their laws: Chu had Wu Qi, Han had Shen Buhai, and Qin had Shang Yang.

With the exception of Shang Yang of Qin, all of them failed. Wu Qi died at the funeral of King Dao of Chu, and Shen Buhai committed suicide to accompany King Zhao of Han after he died in battle.

Are their talents not as good as Shang Yang's?

Maybe it is not as good as this.

But the more important reason was that King Dao of Chu and Marquis Zhao of Han were wavering on the reform due to various internal and external reasons and could not provide firm support.

What Lü Buwei sought was fame, a name that would be passed down through the ages. He wasn't afraid of self-destruction like Shang Yang, but he was afraid of failing at the last hurdle like Wu Qi and Shen Buhai.

Ying Zheng said, "As the Prime Minister knows, my teacher is from Shu. She has long been dissatisfied with the Central Plains' talent selection methods. Since childhood, I have been influenced by her and have long admired the Shu Kingdom's imperial examination system. I regret that my position was low and my voice was not taken seriously."

Now I am the King of Great Qin, yet my ambition to reform and consolidate the throne is empty, only I worry that no one will respond. Prime Minister, I wish to be Duke Xiao, but do you dare to be Lord Shang?

This sentence struck a chord with Lü Buwei. His hands trembled with excitement. He quickly straightened his clothes, lifted his hem, knelt down, and bowed deeply to Ying Zheng: "In life, I shall be bound by grass; in death, I shall be buried with my head."

"Good!" Ying Zheng laughed heartily, stepped forward, lifted Lü Buwei to his feet, shook his hand firmly, and said, "If the Prime Minister has such ambition, why should we worry about the prosperity of our Qin State?"

He immediately ordered the eunuchs, "Go and invite the Left Prime Minister."

After the eunuchs left, he said to Lü Buwei, "Our Qin has the precedent of Shang Yang's reforms, and we have also seen the failures of Chu and Han. I know that when reforming a law, the ruler and his subjects must have full trust and unity. I will instruct the Left Prime Minister in person and ask her to fully cooperate with him."

When Lu Buwei heard that Ying Zheng had asked someone to invite the left prime minister, his mind became clearer and he realized that there was more than one prime minister in the Qin court.

Was King Zheng of Qin really only thirteen? This level of control over people's hearts was truly astonishing. Even this shrewd businessman was so bewitched by his words that he forgot everything.

Lu Buwei became wary, but his vigilance quickly vanished in the face of Ying Zheng's solemn assurances.

The truth is that Ying Zheng had seen through him and accurately grasped his psychological needs. Every word he said was the right medicine for the disease, and Lu Buwei could not help but be confused.

"The Prime Minister need not worry about the Left Prime Minister's obstruction. He comes from a family of Shu officials and has always scoffed at the hereditary nobility system in the Central Plains. It's hard to say about other matters, but she will definitely help with the reform of the talent recruitment system."

Lu Buwei believed this, but whether Dai Xuan would steal his credit in the process of helping him was another matter.

However, for him, the most important thing was to get this big thing done. If he hesitated from the beginning, it would be better not to do it, lest he waste a lot of resources and achieve nothing, and lose all the prestige he had accumulated.

Dai Xuan was already attending to government affairs, and soon followed the eunuch to Zhangtai Palace. After exchanging greetings, she asked what the king had summoned her for.

Ying Zheng smiled and said, "There is a major event concerning the fate of the Qin State. The two Prime Ministers must work together."

Then he winked at Lu Buwei, who understood and told him that he had traveled to Shu and had long admired Shu's imperial examination system. He also said that he would lead by example and promote the imperial examination system in Qin.

"Are you serious?" Dai Xuan was very surprised, but also a little bit unbelievable.

Lü Buwei said sternly, "How dare I lie in front of the king?"

Dai Xuan has a very high level of control over her emotions. Even if she is suddenly surprised, she will quickly calm down and regain her usual calmness and rationality.

"The Right Prime Minister has five or six children. Aside from his eldest son and second daughter, the others are still young and hold no official positions. By promoting the imperial examination system, isn't he worried that these young princes will be mediocre and unable to enter the officialdom in the future?"

This issue is sharp, but also realistic.

Their Shu Kingdom's imperial examination system had been in place for nearly a thousand years, and everyone was accustomed to it. Families like theirs, who were wealthy, would hire private tutors from a very young age, giving them a head start over children from ordinary families.

But it's just an early start.

This is because talent is not inherited from parents to children. Even children from wealthy families often fail to pass the imperial examinations.

Dai Xuan felt that the reason why Lu Buwei said without any psychological burden that he wanted to implement the imperial examination was that he had never experienced the cruelty of the imperial examination.

She didn't want to do anything in vain, so from the very beginning, she pointed out sharply what Lu Buwei would definitely care about.

——Can you not care about your own life and death, and not care about your children’s future?

Lu Buwei thought to himself: This is too sharp and too disrespectful!

But he also understood Dai Xuan's concerns, and he knew that if he couldn't dispel the other party's concerns, Dai Xuan would not sincerely help him.

He took a deep breath and asked, "The Left Prime Minister grew up in Shu, so he naturally knows more about the imperial examination system than Buwei. Buwei dares to ask: Have the Left Prime Minister and Zheng Shangqing ever participated in the imperial examination?"

Dai Xuan didn't know why he asked these questions, but she nodded and told him the truth: "Zheng Shangqing and I have both been studying since childhood, so of course we want to take the imperial examination. However, neither of us is a dragon among men, so before entering Qin, we only wanted to pass the imperial examination."

If they had not come to the Central Plains, they would definitely continue to take the exam, and there is a high probability that they would pass the exam and become Jinshi before the age of 30.

But because of a message that Wukong helped to pass on, their fate changed. It is hard to talk about those unknown possibilities.

Even so, Lü Buwei's eyelids twitched. "You passed the imperial examination at such a young age, and you still say you're not a dragon among men. Then what am I? A worm among men?"

He complained a lot in his heart, but remained calm on the surface and said sincerely: "People like Zuo Xiang and Zheng Shangqing had a bumpy road to the imperial examination. How can Bu Wei dare to dream that all his children can pass the exam?

"Your Majesty has the ambition to conquer the world. The future of Qin requires truly talented individuals. The Central Plains imperial examinations have just begun, and they are certainly not as difficult as those in Shu. If you still can't pass this exam, go home and learn farming and business!"

As a businessman, Lu Buwei knew better than anyone that in this world, you often have to give up something in order to gain something.

His eldest son and daughter have both been promoted to official positions. As long as they don't act recklessly, I believe the king will give them a future in recognition of their dedication to the Qin State.

As for the remaining three, and the two pregnant by the concubines, it all depends on their own abilities.

Dai Xuan smiled and bowed solemnly to Lü Buwei: "Since you have such courage, I will risk my life to accompany you!"

Lü Buwei responded with a gesture of gratitude: "It's all for the sake of the Qin Dynasty."

Ying Zheng smiled and stepped forward, holding one hand in each, then folded the two hands together, saying with satisfaction: "In the past, Lian Po and Lin Xiangru of Zhao State had a harmonious relationship between generals and ministers. Now, our Great Qin State also has a harmonious relationship between the left and right prime ministers. The harmony between the general and the prime minister cannot save Zhao State, but the harmony between the two prime ministers will surely push our Great Qin State to the top again!"

Lu Buwei and Dai Xuan looked at each other and knew that the other party, like themselves, was inspired by the words of the young King of Qin with endless heroic spirit.

The king and his two ministers discussed some details. Lu Buwei said that after he returned, he would gather his followers and draft a memorial, which he would present at the court meeting early the next morning.

Dai Xuan said, "Then I will also contact officials I know and support the Right Prime Minister tomorrow."

Ying Zheng said sincerely, "Thank you both for your hard work."

After sending the two away, Ying Zheng pondered for a moment, picked up a brush and wrote something, and asked someone to invite Fu Li and Nezha over.

About a quarter of an hour later, Fuli arrived alone. Ying Zheng didn't see Nezha and looked behind her curiously: "Teacher, isn't Teacher Yin with you today?"

Fu Li said, "Didn't he ask you for a lieutenant rank a few days ago? He's been leaving early and coming back late these past two days, hanging around in the barracks."

Ying Zheng didn't take it seriously and handed Fu Li what he had just written. "Teacher, this is my opinion on promoting the imperial examination system in the Central Plains."