Chapter 66 The Warring States Tycoon 66

In response to this mixed use of characters, Ying Zheng issued his first decree during his personal rule: all memorials to the throne must henceforth be written in simplified characters.

It didn't really matter which language he used, since he could understand both, and even if he used both, it wouldn't take much time.

Out of curiosity, and also to test whether his subordinates were truly working for him or merely paying lip service, he still issued the order.

As for those who haven't mastered all the simplified characters... So many years have passed since simplified characters were introduced, if they still can't learn them, that's a matter of ability. It's good that they've been replaced, making room for them.

With Qingjiu School established, he could indeed say, "If you don't want to do it, there are plenty of people who do. Besides, even before the school existed, there were plenty of people who wanted to be officials, they just couldn't read."

Qin expressed support for this, saying that seal script can be used as an art form to cultivate personal sentiment, but simplified characters are more convenient for daily life.

Taishu Jiulian has already produced all the basic supporting equipment. If we just leave it there unused, wouldn't that be a waste of time?

****

After the order was issued, no one in the country or any individual was worried about any areas that could not be monitored, since simply saying "Qin" was enough to check the situation in various parts of the country.

This is also why government orders are effectively implemented and few people are misled, because they know that there might really be someone watching them from time to time.

The King of Qin wouldn't ask "Qin" to inspect the whole country every day, but they were afraid that if they didn't do a good job, they would definitely lose their positions.

They had already learned simplified characters, because the common people were given the opportunity to learn simplified characters, and they couldn't afford to learn seal script.

Even if their literacy rate is low, they can still understand a few simple words, including their own names.

So, when issuing a notice from above, it's not a question of whether to just post a note or have someone explain it to each village countless times. For their own convenience, they also need to learn simplified characters.

The characters that ordinary people are accustomed to using actually force the upper class to learn and use those characters; otherwise, who would read what you write?

Those who are stubborn are seen as too rigid by those who are used to flexibility; sometimes it is necessary to be pragmatic.

Under such circumstances, Ying Zheng was not worried that too many people would refuse to carry out this decree.

What he and 'Qin' were more concerned about at this moment was actually the matter of Cheng Jiao leading troops into battle.

According to Zhu Qing'ai's memory, Cheng Jiao should have led the army into battle a year before Ying Zheng assumed power. However, considering their ages, even if we disregard the Warring States period, someone under eighteen in modern times would still be a minor. It would be absurd to let a minor, who was not named Huo Qubing, lead the army.

She felt there was some conspiracy involved. Things had changed a lot, and Cheng Jiao had not led troops into battle before Ying Zheng assumed power.

He was recommended a year after Ying Zheng had assumed personal rule. Zhu Qing'ai calculated that Cheng Jiao was only 19 years old at this time. Although he was still two years away from the coming-of-age ceremony, he could barely be considered an adult.

However, Ying Zheng and Zhu Qing'ai were quite worried, because Zhu Qing'ai felt that Cheng Jiao's eyes did not look like those of a member of the royal family, but rather like those of a college student from later generations with clear yet foolish eyes.

However, it cannot be said that Ying Zheng ruined him; it was due to his personality.

Ying Zheng did not directly agree to the proposal to let Cheng Jiao lead the troops into battle in court. Instead, he summoned Cheng Jiao to the Empress Dowager's palace after the court session.

He wanted to know what Han Ji was thinking.

When the two brothers entered, Qin was playing a Warring States version of Ludo with Zhao Ji and Han Ji. Zhao Ji's two male favorites were serving them.

The chessboard is a direct virtual representation of the Qin state, more like a painting condensed from the landscape of the Qin kingdom than a printed product.

Just as 'Qin' finished his last move: 'I won!'

Zhao Ji and Han Ji clapped and cheered, as they usually had nothing to do in the palace and often spent their time playing with 'Qin'.

Ever since it was able to appear in public, 'Qin' seemed to want to experience all kinds of social activities, and was always in a state of curiosity about human activities.

Despite having lived for hundreds of years, they still occasionally claim to be a young nation and insist on this claim.

When Ying Zheng and Ying Chengjiao arrived and greeted him, the two men straightened their posture and sat up slightly.

Zhao Ji first ordered the servants behind her to leave, then asked, "Is there something wrong?"

Qin glanced at Cheng Jiao, who had come with him, and casually guessed, "Is it because someone in the court suggested that Prince Cheng Jiao go on a campaign?"

Zhao Ji frowned slightly: "Qiao'er is nineteen this year, twenty by the traditional Chinese age reckoning, and won't be able to come of age until next year at the earliest. Why the rush... Who suggested this?"

The attendants added two more seats at the table. Ying Zheng and his brother squeezed together to sit on one side. Opposite them sat 'Qin', with Zhao Ji on their left and Han Ji on their right. They were surrounded by their elders.

After the attendants withdrew, Cheng Jiao said impatiently, "Empress Dowager, I really want to go myself. I've said before that I want to fight for Mother on all fronts. Isn't this the perfect opportunity?"

This statement caused a moment of silence among everyone and the nation present, until 'Qin' finally spoke: "You really want to go?"

Cheng Jiao nodded: "I can't just stay in the country and do nothing, be a useless person, can I? Even going abroad as a hostage is a contribution."

"No."

"No."

The group unanimously agreed that sending hostages out at this time was absolutely out of the question. The combined area of ​​the remaining six states was smaller than that of Qin, so why should they send hostages out?

The only solution would be for other countries to send hostages to them. Thinking of this, Ying Zheng couldn't help but recall Prince Dan of Yan, who had previously tried to escape but failed.

Years ago, Prince Dan of Yan was dissatisfied with his treatment in Qin. He was restricted in various ways in Xianyang City and could not go here or there. So he bribed the guards of the hostage residence to try to escape from Xianyang City and eventually escaped back to Yan.

However, the plan was discovered by 'Qin' halfway through. 'Qin' does not pay much attention to individual behavior, but he does care about organisms like protons.

At present, anyone who is still considered a foreigner and wants to enter those important places will attract her attention, let alone Prince Dan of Yan, who is an obvious target.

Prince Yan wasn't at the top of her watchlist, but he was at the bottom.

Therefore, as soon as Prince Dan of Yan made any move, Qin directly ordered the surrounding guards to take him down. Prince Dan of Yan was moved to a more heavily guarded residence, and the guard who accepted bribes was also dealt with.

When they were apprehended and brought before Ying Zheng, he ordered them to be searched. However, after the search, nothing unusual was found, nor were any Qin state secrets actually concealed.

The emperor and the king were relieved by this, which showed that the domestic secrecy work was quite good. The reason they thought of this now was because Ying Zheng suspected that it might be the Crown Prince of Yan's doing again.

Back then, it was said that they were under strict guard, but in reality, they only had people follow Prince Dan of Yan at all times, without restricting his freedom to enter and leave the mansion.

This was the basic treatment that all countries gave to hostages. Ying Zheng still wanted his reputation and did not want the reputation of mistreating hostages to spread.

Ying Zheng frowned, wondering how the matter of Prince Dan of Yan was related to the matter of Cheng Jiao.

He didn't want his brother to get into trouble, but he also couldn't really keep him stuck in Xianyang City doing nothing. So he thought for a moment and asked, "Do you really want to go? Then the war with Zhao will be yours."

Of course, Cheng Jiao wouldn't go alone; someone would be sent to assist him. Professional matters should be handled by professionals.

Cheng Jiao had some understanding of the books he read and the things he learned, but he couldn't be sure if his younger brother was as naive as Zhao Kuo, who was all talk and no action. So he decided to send someone to follow him.

Cheng Jiao nodded: "Brother, I am willing to share your burdens and solve your problems!"

Ying Zheng: ...It's best if you don't cause trouble...

The two brothers made their decision happily. Seeing this, Han Ji smiled and said, "My Chengjiao has grown up. If we go to war, he can't throw a tantrum like he did when he was little. If there's anything you don't understand, ask others. Don't make decisions on a whim."

"only!"

The atmosphere inside was cheerful and harmonious. Taking advantage of the large number of people, "Qin" conjured up a chessboard of the seven kingdoms and invited everyone to play a game of "Warring States Monopoly".

"We finally have some free time, let's play a game that Taishu Jiu made for us when we were bored the other day."

In reality, this game is a modified version of Monopoly, only the background has been changed to the Warring States period. There's no need for Taishu Jiu to make it; Zhu Qing'ai can do it herself. She may not be good at inventing games, but copying them is no problem.

It's rare to see so many people, why not give it a try?

She took the 'Qin' chess piece herself, then mixed the remaining chess pieces from the other countries together and had Ying Zheng and the others draw some.

Ying Zheng casually drew the card and got 'Wei'. Next was Zhao Ji, who got 'Han'. Han Ji got 'Qi', and Cheng Jiao got 'Chu'.

Although we're still missing the 'Zhao' character and no one is using it, it doesn't matter. With four people, this game is fun.

“According to the order of the draw, I’ll go first.” ’Qin’ smiled and rolled the dice, revealing a single dot.

Truly, I'm going first.

'Qin': ...

Cheng Jiao comforted her, saying, "Mother must have just had bad luck. She'll definitely roll a six next time."

Ying Zheng looked at the problem from a different angle: "Yongcheng is the closest city on this road. Occupying it will make it a resource point. Mother is quite lucky."

"Well, occupying this city isn't bad. You'll have to pay me a toll when you pass by."

The Qin dynasty started from Xianyang and occupied the nearby Yongcheng.

This chessboard is definitely not based on the current land area of ​​each country, but rather a balanced version where all countries have the same resources, the only difference being their geographical location.

Travel to various countries, seize resources, and the first to collect all nine tripods needed to unify the world will be the winner.

It doesn't matter if you can't collect enough; whoever gets the most after the nine tripods are divided up wins.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Ying Zheng rolled a six. 'Qin' was puzzled and extremely suspicious: "So, has all my luck gone to Zheng'er?"

Zhao Ji rolled two, Han Ji rolled four, and Cheng Jiao's score was the average of the two, exactly three.

"Looks like I'm having a bad day." Zhao Ji held the dice in her hand. She had played this game with 'Qin' a few times before, and this was the worst she had ever had.

Another round passed, and 'Qin' was satisfied. She wasn't the one at the bottom. She said it was impossible to get a 1 every round. Luck is conserved. For example, Ying Zheng rolled a 1 in the second round.

"So luck isn't everything; ultimately, it comes down to ability."

Cheng Jiao felt that 'Qin' was pointing out something to him, and listened attentively with an expression of having learned something.

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Author's note: Qin: To cover up the fact that I had bad luck.

Cheng Jiao: I've learned a lot!

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The dice were rolled to assign the pieces, it's all fate (?). The numbers rolled were heartbreaking for the author; the fact that everyone got a 1 in the third round is almost embarrassing to write down (?).

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