Chapter 55. The streets and alleys were bustling, but carriages and horses moved slowly. ...
The streets and alleys were bustling, but the traffic was slow.
"Make way! Freshly ground tofu—" A clear voice, accompanied by the aroma of soybeans, wafted into the carriage.
Lin Fengzhi lifted the curtain inside the carriage and looked out over the bustling streets of Xianyang.
When she first stepped into Xianyang, she was filled with the hope of returning home. Coupled with the warm welcome from Fusu and Feng Quji, she had not actually experienced the lives of the people of Xianyang.
At that time, her carriage followed behind the First Emperor, and she was greeted by the majesty and solemnity of the Qin Dynasty, as well as glimpses of the suffering faces of the common people. Later, as she left Xianyang in her carriage, she saw the grand scene in front of Li Si's gate.
Today marks almost a year since she arrived in Xianyang.
She genuinely felt something called hope in the vibrant atmosphere.
The carriage slowly made its way into the street. A couple was seen working together to push the millstone, and milky white soy milk seeped from the gaps in the millstone, flowing into a wooden bucket along the groove. Behind them were people queuing up to use the millstone.
“Those are millstones that His Majesty ordered the Imperial Household Department to supervise their manufacture throughout the streets and alleys of Xianyang. Those living along the Wei River can also use water-powered millstones. All of this is thanks to the divine messenger.” Seeing her expression soften, Meng Yi explained, “The masters of the Mohist school have made some improvements to the millstone. If the common people want to use the millstone, whether they are grinding wheat or beans, they only need to pay a handful of millet.”
Lin Fengzhi looked at the various noodle shops lining the side.
When superiors have certain preferences, subordinates will inevitably follow suit.
It was no secret that the upper echelons of the Qin Dynasty, especially the First Emperor, enjoyed wheat-based noodles and tofu. Who wouldn't want to follow suit and try the food that even the First Emperor was obsessed with?
Over the past year, the First Emperor maintained a regular schedule and ate in accordance with nature. He also practiced the Five Animal Frolics regularly, so his physical condition must have improved considerably.
His outward changes and visible vitality were interpreted by court officials and the common people, who unanimously believed that the tofu and noodles brought by the divine messenger were favored by the First Emperor because they could prolong his life.
So while enjoying the taste, one can't help but feel an indescribable anticipation.
There were quite a few people in the noodle shop.
Lin Fengzhi smiled knowingly. This year's winter wheat harvest was bountiful, and the people of Daqin had another food option to choose from, which could be described as a delicacy.
Looking around, there are all kinds of wheat-based foods, such as steamed buns, noodles, and dumplings.
Noodles swept through Xianyang from top to bottom, becoming popular in Shaanxi a thousand years ahead of schedule.
It's a pity that chili peppers haven't been introduced yet, so it's a shame that we don't have chili oil noodles.
A student dressed in the attire of the Xianyang Academy bought two steamed buns, which the vendor wrapped in oiled paper and handed to her. The student didn't rush to eat them; instead, she studied the oiled paper with great interest before finally taking a bite of the bun, which was soft and fluffy with the aroma of meat.
After papermaking became more efficient, artisans continued to develop paper-derived products.
Coarse-textured, loosely structured paper is used for wrapping and padding, while tough, smooth paper is used for writing.
Paper manufacturing has greatly broken through the limitations of materials. From hemp to tree bark, from mulberry bark to bamboo, each addition of raw materials is a testament to the booming production of paper.
Initially, the invention of papermaking required Lin Fengzhi to slowly piece together the techniques from his memories. After the invention was successful, the Mohist disciples and craftsmen began to spontaneously work on the replacement of materials.
More and more official papermaking workshops opened. Initially, they could only be supplied to the First Emperor for personal use and were very expensive. Now, even merchants setting up stalls in Xianyang can use oiled paper to wrap their goods.
The sound of horses' hooves clattering.
Lin Fengzhi overheard the student's companion talking to her.
"E'xu, do you have any ideas about the policy proposal Mr. Zhang assigned yesterday?"
Lin Fengzhi suddenly turned around and stared intently at the woman dressed in the attire of the Xianyang Academy.
She had an oval face that conformed to the aesthetic standards of the Qin Dynasty, making her appear dignified and blessed. Her eyes, though not large, were very bright, carrying a calmness and resilience beyond her years.
She tilted her head and swallowed the minced meat, her eyes sparkling: "Yesterday, Mr. Zhang explained the proposed revisions to the 'Field Law,' saying that even the punishment for 'discarding ashes on the road' would be reduced. I think perhaps Mr. Zhang wanted to see what we thought about the recent heated debate in court regarding the reduction of punishments. If we ever get to enter the imperial court, how can we not check on the direction the political situation is heading..."
The shadows of the trees danced on their young faces, like leaping hopes. A startling sharpness gleamed in Lü Zhi's eyes.
As the carriage gradually drove away, Lin Fengzhi could no longer hear their conversation, but the image of Lü Zhi kept appearing before her eyes.
E Xu. Lü Zhi.
What happened to Lü Zhi and Liu Ji? Liu Ji made great contributions in the Baiyue region and was awarded the title of General of a Hundred. Lü Zhi traveled a long way to Xianyang, but instead of becoming a lady of the house, she dressed as a scholar.
Empress Lü and the students of Xianyang Academy—what a wonderful and interesting combination!
Lin Fengzhi was thinking about Liu Ji and her, and Lü Zhi was also thinking about Liu Ji and the important person he mentioned in his letters.
After deciding to participate in the first imperial examination of the Qin Dynasty, Lord Lü poured all of his family's resources into his daughter, Lü Zhi. Lü Zhi did not disappoint her father's expectations, displaying astonishing talent and unwavering perseverance.
She visited all the famous figures in Pei County, eagerly absorbing knowledge from them, ignoring the cold remarks of others. Like grasping at a last straw, she integrated all the knowledge gained from her research into her very being.
Her learning was so advanced that it horrified Lord Lü. Lord Lü, carrying the expensive newspaper that claimed women could take the imperial examinations and become officials, sighed and instructed his wife to upgrade the food for Lü Zhi by several levels.
Since his daughter aspires to be a remarkable and outstanding woman, how could he possibly hold her back?
Realizing that Pei County could no longer allow her to advance any further, Lü Zhi decisively wrote a letter to Liu Ji.
In her letter, she first flattered Liu Ji, saying that his southern expedition had made him famous throughout Xianyang. The whole of Pei County was praising his achievements, saying that he was not only good at fighting, but also good at winning hearts and minds, and that his strategy of pacifying the Baiyue people with sugar was an unparalleled brilliant move.
She then turned the conversation to herself, saying that she had only ever known household chores back home. Now she realized how vast the world was and how boundless knowledge was. Liu Ji was expanding the empire's territory abroad, while she, at home, feared her limited knowledge and that in the future... she might not be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with him and cope with the changing times.
Empress Lü then made her request: She wished to have the opportunity, as a servant or attendant, to accompany a lady of a prominent family to and from the study of the Xianyang Academy.
In her letter, she adopted a humble tone, saying that even if she only helped organize the bamboo slips and clean the dust, she could still learn more characters and understand more principles through exposure. This would ultimately be beneficial to their future official careers and their offspring.
After receiving the letter, Liu Ji remained noncommittal, but he saw his wife's ambition and wisdom in her seemingly gentle and agreeable words.
Empress Lü was not content to be just a stay-at-home wife. He admired that ambition.
Moreover, her words were all reasonable; a more insightful wife would indeed be an asset to him in the power arena of Xianyang. Then, he thought of Lin Fengzhi and Meng Yi.
Lin Fengzhi and Meng Yi were his benefactors in his official career.
Lin Fengzhi endorsed her clanswoman Xiaoshui, enabling her to advance her career in the officialdom. Meng Yi did not forget to recommend Guanyue for credit after the victory in the Baiyue War, which led to Guanyue's promotion several ranks and the establishment of an independent academy within the Xianyang Academy.
As someone with close ties to these two individuals, Liu Ji expressed his intention to emulate them.
So, with indescribable feelings, Liu Ji secured an opportunity for Lü Zhi to study at the Xianyang Academy. As for what happens next, that depends on how far she can go.
At this moment, Empress Lü looked thoughtfully at the carriage heading towards Xianyang Palace.
The carriage bears the clan emblem representing the Meng family.
-
The summer heat in Xianyang was somewhat muggy, but the ice basins placed in the four corners of the palace provided a welcome respite. Palace maids, holding round fans, wafted cool air into the hall.
The ice in the ice basin came from the Mo family's ice-making technique using saltpeter. This saltpeter-based ice-making technique was a byproduct of Sheng Kuan and others' continuous improvements to gunpowder.
The enormous bronze crane-shaped lamps emitted bright flames, illuminating the hall in a golden splendor. The air was filled with the enticing aroma of wine and roasted meat, while the chime bells and stone chimes played magnificent and elegant music.
When Lin Fengzhi arrived, the banquet had already been laid out, and they were just waiting for her and the First Emperor to take their seats.
She followed behind the First Emperor, silently observing the people in the hall.
Almost everyone at the table was someone they knew.
Li Si, Feng Quji, Wang Ben, Fusu, the Minister of Agriculture...
Below the Chief Administrator of Grain was Feng Yin and a handsome young man with exceptionally fair skin.
Lin Fengzhi took a second look; this person must be the Mr. Zhang Cang that Qi had mentioned.
Below Wang Ben were the great contributors to this campaign against the Baiyue: Zhang Han, Liu Ji, and Chi Su.
Sheng Kuan, Xu Chu, and others either made contributions to modifying tools and refining gunpowder or to proposing crop rotation by planting winter wheat. In short, almost all of the people who came to Xianyang with Lin Fengzhi became officials in the Qin Dynasty.
Despite it being summer, the First Emperor's clothing remained neatly layered and meticulously arranged.
He wore a dark robe made of light black silk, the fabric shimmering with a deep and noble luster as he moved in the light. The collar, cuffs, and hem were intricately embroidered with patterns of black birds and mountains in gold thread, and the wide sleeves hung down naturally, both concealing his figure and enhancing his unpredictable and imposing aura.
He wore a towering crown, its frame made of fine black lacquered bamboo and covered with dark silk, ensuring it remained crisp and cool even in summer. The crown's tassel was tied under his chin, further emphasizing the coldness and majesty of his face.
As the First Emperor and Lin Fengzhi stepped into the hall.
The ministers all rose to pay their respects.
The officials knelt down in unison, like waves of wheat swaying in the wind. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, the fabric of their robes rustling softly, their jade pendants jingling gently, and no one made a sound.
The First Emperor glanced at the scholars and luminaries from various schools of thought who had traveled from afar to attend the banquet at the end of the banquet, and couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
It is now August, and it is likely that after the newspapers were published, the scholars of the various schools of thought, upon learning that the First Emperor had established the Xianyang Academy and seemed intent on recreating the glory of the Jixia Academy, and upon seeing the writings of the Agricultural School and the Mohist School in the newspapers, could no longer sit still and gathered in Xianyang in a very short time.
No matter how much the various schools of thought looked down on the Qin Dynasty, they still had to sit under its rule now.
Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism, Yin-Yang School, Agricultural School...
Everyone, regardless of who they are, must shine brightly in his Great Qin. Their value, then, is determined by him.
The First Emperor stepped onto the steps, looked at the bowed heads of the crowd, and said, "My beloved ministers, let us celebrate together."
The First Emperor was in an exceptionally good mood today. A rare hint of a relaxed smile graced his usually dignified face, and he raised his cup more frequently than usual.
Lin Fengzhi ate silently, served by the same palace maid who had served her the first time.
Last time, he explained the origin of the jade five-branched lamp to her. This time, while he was serving her food attentively, he also showed more respect and admiration.
On the black lacquered table, the most eye-catching item was the "Tailao Stuffed Tofu" that trembled in the beef brisket soup, brimming with broth.
It's basically just stewing tofu and beef brisket together. I wonder how the First Emperor's imperial chefs prepared it. In any case, the tofu soaks up the meat juices, making it tender and smooth, while the beef melts in your mouth.
Seeing that her gaze lingered for a long time, the palace maid whispered in her ear, "His Majesty has been enjoying this dish lately, probably because of the divine messenger."
Lin Fengzhi: ?
"The divine messenger may not know, but military reports have come from the northern frontier. General Meng Tian led his army north to attack the Xiongnu and achieved another great victory. The main force of the Xiongnu has fled far to the northern desert and dares not go south to graze their horses. The northern frontier is temporarily at peace."
Lin Fengzhi thought to herself, what does this have to do with her? And what does it have to do with Qin Shi Huang's fondness for beef brisket and tofu?
"The reason why General Meng Tian won a great victory over the Xiongnu was because the God made you advance the use of horseshoes, stirrups and saddles. Our Qin soldiers' horsemanship is even better than that of the Xiongnu. The gunpowder made by the God and the Mohist scholars was not only used on the Baiyue battlefield, but also on the northern frontier."
The territory of the Qin Dynasty expanded to an unprecedented extent.
However, there is no need to worry about whether there will be enough food. This is because the winter wheat, which is crucial to the foundation of the country and the people's livelihood, has been successfully trialed in Guanzhong using new methods, which indicates that the grain supply is expected to be even more abundant next year.
The palace servant originally came from a poor family and had experienced days of not having enough to eat or wear. He was sincerely grateful to the Great Qin for having such a divine messenger who could make the lives of ordinary people better.
With this in mind, the First Emperor's attitude toward the divine messenger became even more enthusiastic.
Ying Zheng strictly followed Lin Fengzhi's advice, maintaining a regular schedule and diet. The erysipelas gradually dissipated from his body, and he increasingly felt light and strong. He even felt himself getting younger and his mind becoming more agile.
The more he trusted Lin Fengzhi, the more he followed her advice, and the more timely he carried it out, the more positive the feedback he received.
Now, almost everything we do—eating, clothing, housing, and transportation—is inseparable from Lin Fengzhi.
Therefore, the palace servants said that the First Emperor's fondness for eating stuffed tofu with glutinous rice was also due to Lin Fengzhi.
Lin Fengzhi raised her eyebrows and ate a piece of chilled melon.
The atmosphere at the banquet gradually became lively.
The seats of the Farmer's School and the Mohist School were quite close together, and the two groups chatted happily.
Since the First Emperor implemented policies to encourage farming, build water conservancy projects, and standardize the manufacture of machinery, the agriculturalists' methods of intensive farming and the Mohists' expertise in machinery manufacturing both found their place and naturally became close.
Moreover, both families were able to gain important positions in the Qin Dynasty through Lin Fengzhi's connections, which would only make them closer to each other.
During the meeting, they continued to discuss how to improve farm tools and the status of their school's academic works printed at the paper mill last month.
Sheng Kuan said with no small amount of pride, "The Great Shaman has been looking into it for us these past few days, and our Mo family will be able to publish the book soon."
Xu Chu remained silent, fanning himself with the still-scented "Complete Canon of Agricultural Administration".
The other disciples from the farming family followed suit.
Xiangli Liang rolled his eyes and angrily downed a cup of wine. He then turned to Shengkuan and urged, "Hurry up and get it done. I don't want to keep watching them show off."
The farmer remained silent, pretending to read the "Complete Collection of Agricultural Administration" while making clicking noises.
They seemed to be having a very pleasant and intimate conversation.
Compared to the self-entertainment of the Agriculturalists and Mohists, the Confucianists' seats appeared to be particularly "active".
Several renowned scholars repeatedly toasted the emperor, showering him with praise.
The reason is simple: the First Emperor has recently hinted that he intends to consider abolishing some of the cruel corporal punishments inherited from the old era (such as tattooing the face and nose amputation) and the overly harsh collective punishment system when revising the Qin laws.
Upon hearing the news, Shusun Tong sighed with regret: "Dr. Chunyu, you died too soon."
This is undoubtedly a huge encouragement and signal for Confucianism, which has always advocated "rule by virtue" and "benevolent governance".
An elderly scholar with white hair rose shakily, raised his wine cup high, and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty's achievements surpass those of the Three Sovereigns and your virtue exceeds that of the Five Emperors! In the past, Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang could only enable the people to live in peace and prosperity. However, Your Majesty drove out the barbarians in the north, pacified the Baiyue in the south, and standardized writing, cart axles, and ethical conduct. These are achievements unprecedented in ten thousand generations! Now, you also care about the lives of the people and want to abolish harsh laws. Your benevolence is comparable to that of the sage kings of the past."
This blatant flattery gave some people goosebumps.
Shusun Tong's body trembled, and he looked over in astonishment. Did they, the Confucian school, have someone more adept at flattery than him?
However, benevolence? Is that something one can say to the First Emperor? This old Confucian scholar is really praising something with his eyes closed.
Shusun Tong immediately rose, raised his wine cup, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit, and his voice was like a song: "Your Majesty's achievements have long surpassed those of the ancient sage kings Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang. The previous sage kings only governed a hundred or a thousand miles of land, but Your Majesty has unified the entire world. Now you wish to abolish harsh laws, this is an unprecedented act of sainthood! This is an act that can bring peace and tranquility to the world, I congratulate Your Majesty! I congratulate Great Qin!"
These words drew attention from many people in the hall, especially from the area where the Legalist officials were located.
However, they remained calm and cautious in their demeanor, unlike the peasant and Mohist schools who were relaxed due to practical matters, or the Confucian schools who were unrestrained.
The subtle changes in the First Emperor's attitude towards the various schools of thought, as well as his consideration of abolishing corporal punishment, made them feel uneasy.
However, they knew that Qin was founded on law and its foundation remained unshaken. Therefore, they dared not show any favoritism or dissatisfaction at the banquet. They simply adhered to the rules and etiquette and waited to see what would happen.
More importantly, Li Si had privately hinted to them that anyone who dared to disrupt the First Emperor's grand plan was opposing him, His Majesty, and the Qin Dynasty.
Amidst their unease, many Legalist officials were also delighted by the impending abolition of corporal punishment and collective punishment.
They drank in silence, observing the First Emperor's reaction.
Li Si lowered his eyes, concealing the emotions within them.
The Confucian school, despite the death of Chunyu Yue, still split into several factions. It's merely a shift from subtle resistance to obsequious appeasement.
As the Confucian scholars praised him, the First Emperor maintained his smile, but his eyes held a deep, calm composure. The Confucian scholars' comparison of him to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, Yao and Shun, was a highly alluring form of cultural identification for him.
Looking back more than a year ago, when he performed the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, wasn't he also trying to prove that he was not only the supreme ruler of the world, but also the true Son of Heaven, whose achievements were comparable to, or even surpassed, those of the previous sage kings?
However, upon thinking of the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, the First Emperor's originally passionate heart suddenly cooled down.
He was a very vengeful person; those who had bullied him in the state of Zhao when he was young were all murdered by him. When the state of Zhao was destroyed, he even made a special trip from Xianyang to Handan.
He had not forgotten the mockery he received from the Confucian scholars of Shandong at the foot of Mount Tai.
The First Emperor narrowed his eyes, not responding directly to the analogy, but simply nodded slightly, gesturing for the old scholar and Shusun Tong to sit down.
Because of the First Emperor's preference, the elements of the Black Bird were unconsciously incorporated into the songs and dances, and the dance music "Black Bird," which had been compiled for the divine messengers, was sung again in Xianyang Palace.
Lin Fengzhi looked at the lead dancer wearing a golden mask, her thoughts racing.
Black bird, black bird, what chose her? What led her to the Great Qin? What is her mission? Will she ever be able to return to her beloved homeland?
Before she traveled through time, she never imagined that she would miss everything so much. Only now does she realize how precious everything she once had was.
Her relatives and friends are still in modern times, and probably no one would have imagined that she would travel to a dynasty a thousand years ago just by going out once.
While the lives of those in positions of power may indeed be more comfortable than those of their time, they are far less fulfilling than the happiness an ordinary person in modern society can experience.
Lin Fengzhi looked around at the group of people who were either famous in history books or unknown, who were drinking and making merry right in front of her, with smiles on their lips.
Lin Fengzhi thought that if she could, she would still like to go home.
No matter how much she admired the First Emperor, it didn't mean she was willing to give up everything for his cause until her death.
After the singing and dancing had stopped and the wine had been drunk several times, the First Emperor slowly put down his wine cup and looked around the room.
The noisy hall fell silent instantly, and everyone knew that the First Emperor had something important to announce.
"Today, I am overjoyed." The First Emperor's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable majesty, echoing in the hall. "If Great Qin wishes to establish a foundation for ten thousand generations, it needs a continuous stream of talented individuals. After discussing with the Divine Envoy and all of you, I deeply feel that the old methods of selecting officials are no longer suitable. I have decided to implement the imperial examination system to select the virtuous and capable from all over the world through examination, regardless of their background, based solely on their abilities."
These words elicited a subtle murmur and discussion from the audience. The imperial examination system was a completely new concept.
What will become of them under the new system?
The First Emperor paused briefly before continuing, "As for the content of the imperial examinations..." He drew out his words, making everyone's hearts leap into their throats.
"I will not forget the contributions of Legalism to the rise of my Great Qin and the unification of the six states, nor will Great Qin forget them. Therefore, the civil service examination should be based on Legalist doctrines, accounting for 50%. The Han Feizi, the Book of Lord Shang, and the current Qin laws should be the core of the examination. Only by understanding the laws and knowing rewards and punishments can they assist me in governing this glorious empire."
Upon hearing this, the Legalist ministers were invigorated, their faces beaming with undisguised joy, yet they remained composed.
The other schools of thought, however, had different expressions. The Agriculturalists and Mohists were relatively calm, as they placed more emphasis on practical matters.
Some of the Confucian scholars turned pale instantly, and the old Confucian scholar who had been fawning earlier froze on his face, looking quite embarrassed.
Among the Confucian scholars, Shusun Tong seemed to have grasped something, and narrowed his eyes.
As expected, the First Emperor's next words left them with a glimmer of hope, or rather, a difficult problem.
"As for your various schools of thought..." The First Emperor's gaze swept over the seats of Confucianism, Taoism, Yin-Yang School, etc.: "They are not useless. If there are any policies that can be applied to the world, enrich the country and strengthen the army, and can satisfy me, they can be included in the imperial examination, or a special subject can be set up for selection."
He specifically mentioned the Mohists and the Agriculturalists: "Both the Mohists and the Agriculturalists are eligible to take the imperial examinations."
The First Emperor's meaning couldn't be clearer: Legalism was the core and foundation, the ticket to entry. You other schools of thought want a piece of the pie? Fine, then offer something truly valuable that the First Emperor would appreciate and use.
The contributions of the Nong and Mo families this year are tangible and visible. Do the rest of you want that? Sure, then show us your value.
The banquet continued, and the sounds of string and wind instruments rose again, but the atmosphere was different now.
The praises have diminished, replaced by much deeper reflection and deliberation. All the philosophers of the time understood that the First Emperor not only shaped his empire with swords and laws, but now also sought to firmly grasp the direction of thought and talent through the imperial examination system.
The Qin state, once looked down upon by renowned scholars and sages, is now gradually being forced into submission through paper and academies. If they no longer participate in the imperial examinations, given the First Emperor's ruthless and aggressive nature, the future of the dynasty will be in jeopardy.
A new competition quietly began amidst the clinking of glasses and lively conversation. The future of the Qin Dynasty will unfold within this established framework and limited openness, venturing into the unknown.
The old scholar was still immersed in the emotions of what had just happened. His hand, holding the wine cup, trembled slightly, and the amber liquid swayed restlessly in the glass. He could feel the gazes of his fellow disciples around him, some astonished, some disappointed, and even more so, silently questioning: Hadn't our praise just now become a huge joke?
His heart was in turmoil, and he kept muttering to himself, "Legalism is the master... Legalism is the master... Then where does my Confucian doctrine of 'benevolent governance,' 'rule by virtue,' and 'self-discipline and restoration of propriety' stand? Is the gesture of abolishing corporal punishment just to shut us up at this moment?"
A tremendous sense of humiliation and loss gripped him. But he knew he must not show the slightest dissatisfaction at this moment.
He tried his best to control his facial muscles, slowly sat down, and lowered his eyes, as if he were devoutly comprehending the holy will, but in reality, his nails were digging deeply into his palms.
The young Confucian disciples, however, were far less shrewd and calculating.
They looked at each other, their eyes filled with confusion and resentment.
Someone murmured, "How could this be? Since His Majesty is practicing benevolent governance, why doesn't he test our Confucian classics? Rites, music, and military expeditions originate from the Son of Heaven. Shouldn't the civil service examinations for selecting officials test our knowledge of the Book of Poetry, the Book of Documents, the Book of Rites, and the Book of Changes?"
But they dared not speak loudly, and could only exchange anxious glances at each other during the meal, as if they could see the official career path of their own school of thought.
However, the Confucian scholars of Shusun Tong's faction were completely different from them. Shusun Tong even felt a sense of joy.
The Confucian school had thoroughly offended the First Emperor, so it was truly remarkable that they could still have an equal opportunity to compete under him.
Shusun Tong even thought the old Confucian scholar was too naive. How long did the Legalists serve the Qin Dynasty? How long did the Confucians serve the Qin Dynasty? Can't they distinguish which is more important?
To receive the same treatment as Legalists, one must pay the same or even greater price.
What do you mean by "abolishing corporal punishment" as a gesture of goodwill? It's more like they need to curry favor with the First Emperor. Times have changed; this is an era of great contention.
Shusun Tong had studied Confucian classics for many years, and he was confident that Confucianism could withstand the test of the First Emperor. Wasn't Confucian knowledge precisely what the Qin Dynasty needed for governance?
Given a chance, he will surely spread the fame of Confucian sages to every inch of this land.
In stark contrast to the decline of Confucianism, there was a deliberately suppressed excitement on the Legalist side.
Several key ministers, such as Li Si, showed no obvious joy on their faces; instead, they appeared even more solemn.
He slowly stroked his beard, his sharp gaze sweeping across the entire room, especially the reactions of the Confucian scholars.
However, the joy of victory was soon replaced by a deeper sense of vigilance.
Li Si knew that the higher one's position, the bigger the target.
Although the First Emperor respected Legalism, he required that the "law" originate from the emperor and absolutely forbade Legalist scholars from forming private cliques or, like the Confucianists, from making unwarranted comments on state affairs.
He must act more justly and selflessly.
So he stood up first, bowed deeply to the First Emperor, and said in a steady and powerful voice: “Your Majesty is wise. Only by selecting officials according to law can we select capable and competent people who are well-versed in laws and regulations and understand affairs, so that the government can be clean and the laws can be effectively implemented. We will do our best to compile the outline of the examination laws for Your Majesty, and we will never dare to be biased or show any favoritism.”
This statement is both an endorsement and a clear distinction—the Legalists are tools in the emperor's hands, not a force that forms its own system.
Seeing Li Si's demeanor, the other Legalist officials also suppressed any hint of pride they might have shown and sat up straight.
In conclusion, the First Emperor's announcement regarding the imperial examination system was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a thousand waves among the various schools of thought.
-----------------------
Author's note: Happy Holidays everyone! [Kiss][Kiss][Kiss] There will still be red envelopes for commenters.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
