Xianyang, 2023.
This is the capital of the Qin Dynasty, which has remained unchanged for over two thousand years. Today, it is the central hub integrating politics, military affairs, and economy.
The former Qin Palace still stands, bearing witness to history.
Qi An took a deep breath and felt that the air was very fresh, cleaner than any of the modern mini-worlds she had visited before.
It's May now, around 5 pm, the sun hasn't set yet, and the weather is neither too hot nor too cold, making it very comfortable.
Qi An looked up and saw an endless expanse of fairytale-like blue sky and white clouds, without a trace of gloom.
Without those towering skyscrapers, people's view will not be blocked, and the sky will no longer be divided into small squares.
At a glance, the buildings are diverse in style and arranged in a pleasing manner, no longer all cut from the same mold.
The streets are wide and clean, and people of different skin colors come and go.
The majority of the population is of Asian descent, but there are also Black and White people mixed in.
Regardless of their skin color, weight, or appearance, their faces radiated happiness and confidence.
No one is so bored as to criticize someone else's figure, appearance, or clothing.
All they'll say is, "You look beautiful today!"
Qi An walked down the street, listening to the conversations of the people around him.
First, there were two girls.
"Hey Jimei, you know what? I've almost finished writing a program, and I was just thinking of working overtime to get it done."
I had only been working for less than ten minutes when my company's CEO personally came over, shut down my computer, and asked if I had any complaints about the company. He told me to speak up, and he would fix anything that wasn't right.
"Haha, that's normal. A few years ago, a number of companies exploited their employees, always making them work overtime without paying them. At first, no one cared, but other companies followed suit, and many people resigned at that time."
Within days, the government found out and shut them all down. The owners were arrested for breaking the law. Those who were negligent were also investigated and dismissed. Of course, your boss was scared.
"Brother Zheng asked those bosses, 'You're asking people to do three months' worth of work in one month. Do you think you'll survive until next month?'"
"Haha, our boss now urges us to leave as soon as it's time, and he only dares to leave after everyone else has left. Zheng Ge is awesome."
"It's the weekend tomorrow, wanna go have some fun?"
"Okay, I just got paid, so I have to go have some fun."
"Let's discuss whether to go to the Korean region or the American region."
"Either is fine, since it's all domestic travel anyway."
"Hehe, what are you saying? You should find me someone from abroad."
"Haha... Our Brother Zheng will be the first to disagree."
Next up is a young couple.
Girl: "Let's register for classes in a few days, and once we pass the exam, we can start trying to conceive."
Boy: "Okay, let's study hard and try to pass on the first try. I don't know anything, and I wouldn't know how to raise a child if I gave birth to one."
The girl laughed and scolded him: "You want to have a baby even if you can't pass the exam? You're dreaming."
Qi An was surprised. Did this mean that having a child required passing an exam before one was allowed to give birth?
Upon further reflection, she understood.
That's a good idea!
In the distance, as soon as the school gates opened, the children skipped out with ease, leaving their schoolbags behind.
There are elementary school students, junior high school students, and high school students.
All your studies are done at school. Once you leave school, you can play, rest, or learn something according to your own interests.
It's my own interest, not my parents' or society's.
Each city has specialized interest schools, run by the state, covering a wide range of arts and crafts.
The teachers are hired by the state and the classes are offered to children free of charge.
Some retired elderly people, unable to sit still, or young people with special skills, volunteer to teach children.
You can learn piano, you can learn suona, or even learn basket weaving or embroidery.
The children can learn whatever they want, entirely based on their interests. If they don't want to learn anymore, they can just say so.
As for tutoring and pushing children to excel, that doesn't exist. Nobody does that, and the country doesn't allow it.
Students all go home by themselves, no one picks them up, even elementary school students.
There will be no tragedies like abduction or disappearance.
The household registration system is so strict that even if someone has an extra dog, it can't be hidden, and there's no such thing as a remote area that can't be managed.
Moreover, human trafficking is a serious crime, punishable by being torn apart by five horses, with family members implicated, and both buyers and sellers being held accountable.
If you harm someone else's family, your own family shouldn't live either.
A reward of one million yuan is offered to anyone who reports human trafficking, hence the nickname "the walking million."
Ata stared intently at the ice cream cone in a child's hand, his mouth practically watering.
Qi An bought two, gave one to Ata, and kept one for himself.
I took a lick, and it was indeed delicious; I could taste that it was made with the finest ingredients.
People in this country don't worry about food safety because anyone who dares to tamper with food gets caught, and in serious cases, they're forced to eat peanuts directly.
A few years ago, a company adulterated its infant formula with inferior ingredients, which enraged Ying Zheng, who then executed all those involved.
The school cafeteria is a key focus of attention; the principal, teachers, and cooks must eat with the children, and the principal is responsible for any problems that arise.
Qi An found a park nearby and sat down.
The park was bustling with activity in the evening. Elderly people were exercising, some practicing Tai Chi, others dancing, and elderly couples taking a walk, supporting each other.
The young couple brought their child out to play. The child ran around happily, while the couple sat on the side chatting and occasionally kissing.
Qi An sat on a bench eating an ice cream cone, listening to the laughter and chatter around him, and slowly pieced together the environment of the world that Ying Zheng had created.
This is an incredibly free country, but its laws are exceptionally harsh.
You could say that as long as you don't break the law or harm others, you are free to do whatever you want.
The most respected professions in the country are scientists, farmers, teachers, doctors, and soldiers.
Yes, farming is a respected profession.
As the largest group in terms of population, they were the foundation of the nation, supporting everyone, so Ying Zheng gave them the utmost respect.
To experience the hardships of farming and determine the most reasonable price for crops, Ying Zheng personally spent several years working as a farmer.
Later, he introduced a series of favorable policies for farmers.
Even if a farmer only knows how to farm, he can easily support his family and walk with his head held high wherever he goes.
No more leaving their hometowns to work, and children will no longer become left-behind children.
More than a hundred years ago, the Qin Dynasty had already achieved free medical care and free education for all citizens.
Ying Zheng said that the money in the national treasury originally came from the people, and should be taken from the people and used for the people.
Adding to the taxes paid annually by the vassal states that submitted to Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng declared that he had more than enough to use, absolutely more than enough.
In this era, human rights are the most supreme right. No one will infringe upon your human rights. If they do, please speak out.
Every voice will be taken seriously; you can even go directly to the Qin Palace to submit your application, and no one will dare to stop you.
Whether or not you get married is your right, but if you are married, domestic violence and infidelity are not considered family disputes, but crimes that will land you in jail.
Those who go to jail will be sent to the Great Wall to lay tiles, the smallest kind.
Even if you are married, it is your right not to have children, but if you do have children, the state will be responsible for raising and educating them.
Because children are the hope of the nation, the nation will take full responsibility.
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