Chapter 56 Desiring to Go to Langya
Lin Fengzhi observed the changing expressions of everyone at the banquet, taking in everything.
She was also constantly thinking that since she hadn't found any clues to returning home at the Lishan Mausoleum, perhaps they were hidden in other possible places.
An idea arose in her mind, and she slowly threw the boulder into the waves again.
She began, “Your Majesty’s intention to establish the imperial examination system to select talent for the Great Qin is truly a boon for scholars throughout the land. This adds another achievement to Your Majesty’s legacy. I have nothing of note to offer, but thanks to Your Majesty’s favor, I have been granted a magnificent residence in the northern part of Xianyang. Recently, I have observed the students at the Xianyang Academy, who are eager for knowledge, yet the limited availability of books presents many inconveniences. I wish to use the residence Your Majesty previously bestowed upon me as a library, housing all the useful books Your Majesty has graciously approved for publication, including classics from various schools of thought, agricultural and industrial texts, mathematical and medical texts, and even legal statutes, for the students to peruse and copy.”
Before the Qin Dynasty, the Zhou royal family and the vassal states did not have a special place to store books. At that time, the place where books were stored was called "the inner chamber of the library" or "the mansion".
The founder of Taoism once served as the "Keeper of the Archives" in the Zhou royal court, which is equivalent to the director of today's National Library and Archives.
Fortunately, during her time at Lishan, she became acquainted with the papermaking and printing craftsmen through improvements in papermaking techniques. Later, out of boredom, she joined the review work for various printing companies, and thus read quite a few books. This is how Lin Fengzhi learned what libraries are called today. Otherwise, she would have simply blurted out the word "library."
Lin Fengzhi rarely spoke at the banquet, but that didn't mean no one paid attention to her words.
As soon as she spoke, the palace attendants around the First Emperor gestured to him.
The First Emperor put down his wine and, after listening, asked seriously, "A library? The Xianyang Academy already has countless books, which can be borrowed by students. Why would the Divine Envoy need to use the residence I bestowed upon him as a library?"
“Your Majesty, the library I wish to build is open to all people in the world. I have heard my clansmen mention the library of the Xianyang Academy, but it is only open to the students of the academy. What I want is to provide a place for those in the world who cannot afford to study but have a desire to learn to read.”
Lin Fengzhi continued, "As for the management of the library, the regulations can be jointly agreed upon by the scholars of the academy, and the Ministry of Revenue can send someone to supervise it. Everything will be in accordance with the Qin law and His Majesty's wishes. I am also willing to donate the gold and silk that His Majesty has bestowed over the years to purchase and copy more classics to enrich the library's collection."
The music and dance within the palace temporarily ceased, the moon rose high in the sky, and the quick-thinking palace servants lit the lamps, making the palace as bright as day.
Everyone waited in silence for the First Emperor's reaction.
Faced with such a forward-thinking proposal that could be described as breaking down the barriers of knowledge monopoly, Ying Zheng's first reaction was bewilderment.
He was a high-ranking emperor, a member of the imperial family. The worst period of his life was when he was a hostage in the State of Zhao during his childhood. But compared to the poor people in this land who lacked food and clothing, his life was not so bad.
Hearing Lin Fengzhi's words, he was puzzled by her concern for the people of the world. Soon, Ying Zheng realized that from their first meeting to their last conversation, her definition of the people of the world was clearly different from his.
In her eyes were all the people of the world, including the common people whom he disregarded.
Lin Fengzhi's words and actions often struck the First Emperor as strange; she seemed more like someone raised with the Confucian ideal of prioritizing benevolence and virtue.
Her ahead-of-her-time actions and the continuous benefits she brought to the Qin Dynasty perfectly balanced this point. While practicing the Five Animal Frolics, Ying Zheng often wondered if immortality was just a dream.
The black bird he saw with his own eyes in Xiangshan did not come for his dream of immortality, but for the so-called people of the world.
The First Emperor lowered his eyes. Lin Fengzhi, who was in charge of supervising the printing of books, often mentioned that knowledge is power. The First Emperor deeply agreed. A library open to all people might spread this power to those he couldn't control, which would be tantamount to planting a hidden danger in his rule.
However, he remained the wise and decisive monarch. He saw both the hidden dangers and the opportunities they presented. Could the low-level officials he needed—those skilled in writing and arithmetic, those proficient in agricultural and industrial techniques, those with expertise in Mohist philosophy, and even Confucian scholars willing to travel to the frontier to provide educational assistance—be selected and cultivated through the imperial examinations and the imperial library?
Ying Zheng was moved by this grand vision.
The biggest difference between Lin Fengzhi and the remonstrating officials lies here.
For example, people like Li Si who wanted to advise the First Emperor needed a silver tongue, capable of persuading him with both emotion and reason. Lin Fengzhi, however, did not need this, because in the First Emperor's mind, her authority had been proven time and again by the positive feedback she received.
The First Emperor himself would find the benefits in the words Lin Fengzhi had suggested.
The First Emperor leaned forward slightly, glanced at the secretly excited Confucian scholars, narrowed his eyes, and slowly said, "This method is feasible. However, the books in the imperial archives must be examined one by one by the Imperial Censor, and those who enter the archives must be strictly identified. But there is no need for the divine messenger to donate his own money. If the divine messenger wants all the students in the world to have books to read, am I unwilling to add a few coins?"
The term "传" is similar to a modern ID card.
Lin Fengzhi thought about it and realized that it was similar to the entry process of a modern public library.
The First Emperor then said, "This matter shall be handled jointly by Chancellor Li Si, together with the Minister of Ceremonies, the Minister of the Imperial Treasury, and the Minister of Education. We must ensure that all scholars in the land feel the grace of the divine messenger and know how much I seek talent."
Li Si, Su He (the Junior Minister of the Imperial Household), and Meng Yi (the current Vice Minister of the Imperial Academy) stepped forward to receive the order.
With the First Emperor's word, the matter was settled. A chorus of praise rang out once more in the hall, this time primarily for the First Emperor's enlightenment and the divine messenger's selflessness.
Just as Lin Fengzhi was about to say something more, she suddenly heard a loud voice.
The old scholar seemed to have found another opportunity to demonstrate the presence and correct stance of Confucianism. He stood up again in excitement, his white beard trembling, and his voice was even louder than before.
The old scholar rose shakily, tears welling in his eyes: "This...this proposal...this proposal perfectly aligns with the ancient principle of 'The Great Learning, which states that the way of learning lies in manifesting one's bright virtue and in loving the people.' Poetry, books, rites, and music are the way of the former kings. If they can be widely disseminated throughout the world to educate all people, then the world will submit to benevolence! Your Majesty is wise and virtuous, and divinely appointed. Your Majesty accepts loyal advice, practices benevolent governance, opens the floodgates of civilization, and establishes a foundation for an everlasting dynasty! It will surely win the hearts of the people and ensure the continuation of culture! Your Majesty's magnanimity is as vast as the ocean..."
Before he finished speaking, Shusun Tong's brow twitched, and he secretly thought to himself that something was wrong.
Another torrent of praise followed, piling up words like "benevolent governance," "virtuous conduct," and "meritorious deeds for all time."
Just now, he and that old Confucian scholar were saying that the First Emperor's achievements surpassed those of the previous sage kings. The First Emperor was also a human being, and of course he also liked to hear people praise him.
The old scholar had never worked under the First Emperor and had never understood the First Emperor's expression.
Shusun Tong understood the essence of flattery; he didn't pursue it relentlessly. He was very sophisticated in his flattery, focusing on subtle, pervasive influence and precisely addressing people's sore spots.
Shusun Tong pressed down on his disciple and shook his head at him.
In a sense, the old Confucian scholar is the other extreme of Chunyu Yue.
Ying Zheng frowned.
What benevolent governance, virtuous conduct...
These words sounded particularly jarring to Ying Zheng at that moment.
Benevolent governance? Were those Confucian scholars on Mount Tai secretly mocking his lack of virtue? His merits will last for millennia? Did they think his previous Fengshan ceremony was unworthy and unfit to report to Heaven? Every time the old Confucian scholar praised him, it was as if he was repeatedly tearing open the scar in his heart that he did not want to show to others.
His expression grew increasingly calm, but beneath that calm lay a volcano about to erupt. The air in the hall seemed to freeze; some high-ranking officials near the throne felt the invisible pressure and even held their breath.
Li Si inwardly cursed the old Confucian scholar for being so pedantic and bringing up the most inappropriate topics. He keenly sensed that the First Emperor's dislike for Confucian scholars had probably reached its peak due to the incident at Mount Tai and this untimely flattery tonight.
At that moment, a certain word that escaped from the old scholar's mouth, or the underlying logic of "meritorious deeds must be reported to Heaven and Earth" outlined in his words, struck Lin Fengzhi's chaotic thoughts like a bolt of lightning.
"...Your Majesty's merits should be inscribed on stone to be proclaimed throughout heaven and earth..."
The old scholar continued speaking eloquently.
Inscribed on stone! East Sea! Langya!
A sudden jolt went through Lin Fengzhi's mind.
Yes, in history, the First Emperor made several eastern tours, and in addition to Mount Tai, he also visited Langya.
There, he erected the famous Langya Inscription, praising the virtues of Qin and expressing his pride. More importantly, the black bird in his dream entwined around him in Langya.
Langya faces the East China Sea, a vast and unknown ocean.
In her time, legends abounded about Qin Shi Huang sending alchemists to sea in search of immortality, and the story of Xu Fu's eastward voyage was widely known.
In the minds of the ancients, the ocean was inherently a symbol of mystery and a gateway to the unknown. The appearance of the black bird in the First Emperor's dream in Langya coincided with her arrival in this era. So, does Langya also hold a secret related to her return home?
A clear goal instantly formed in Lin Fengzhi's mind: she had to go to Langya.
Just as Ying Zheng was filled with resentment due to the memories, his cold gaze sweeping over the group of trembling Confucian scholars, seemingly on the verge of exploding at any moment, Shusun Tong, who had been observing the situation quietly and appeared to be sweating profusely, suddenly stood up.
Shusun Tong was a Confucian scholar from Lu, but he was known for his resourcefulness and ability to read people's expressions. He knew that if the First Emperor were to vent his anger over the humiliation at Mount Tai, the entire Confucian school would have no place in the Qin court.
He could use the First Emperor to sever the disobedient branches of Confucianism, but he couldn't allow the First Emperor's wrath to spread to the entire Confucian school. He had to divert the emperor's attention and offer a new target that would appeal to the First Emperor's mind and cover up the old humiliations.
He pretended to wipe the sweat from his brow, as if he had no choice but to clean up the mess left by his fellow disciples. He strode into the hall, bowed deeply, and his voice was no longer the stale, old-fashioned eulogy of a Confucian scholar, but rather carried a highly infectious and alluring fervor.
"Your Majesty, I have heard that a sage king should observe the signs of heaven and earth, examine the people of the four directions, and proclaim his virtue and power throughout the world! Today, our Great Qin, thanks to Your Majesty's divine might and the assistance of your divine messengers, enjoys peace and prosperity, full granaries, strong and powerful armies, and its prestige extends throughout the land, with all submitting to its rule. This is precisely the opportune moment to emulate the ancient sage kings, to tour the east, ascend famous mountains, and inscribe your achievements on stone, thus demonstrating Your Majesty's immortal merits to the world!"
The First Emperor's expression was cold and stern: "Eastern tour?"
He was deeply moved. He was not a man of the easygoing nature. Throughout history, he had made several tours of inspection. It can be said that after the establishment of the Qin Dynasty, he spent half of his life on the road.
Given the transportation conditions and comfort of travel in ancient times, he might not have died so young if he hadn't consumed too many metal-rich elixirs given to him by alchemists later in life.
Shusun Tong continued, his voice becoming even more enticing: "Furthermore, the eastern lands of Qi and Lu are the cradle of civilization. If Your Majesty were to tour there again, it would soothe the hearts of the scholars and demonstrate Your Majesty's sacred intention to value literature and education. Moreover..."
Shusun Tong subtly shifted his tone, his gaze quickly sweeping over Lin Fengzhi before returning to Ying Zheng: "I have heard that Langya is located by the sea, where mirages often appear, ethereal and unpredictable, sometimes appearing as celestial mountains, sometimes as divine realms. Your Majesty is a true dragon emperor, and divine messengers have also descended to the mortal world. Perhaps you could go to Langya to observe the sea, explore its wonders, and seek the mysteries of heaven, so that Your Majesty may enjoy good health, longevity, and the eternal stability of our Great Qin dynasty."
Ying Zheng's gaze was indeed drawn to it. The frost in his eyes melted slightly, replaced by deep contemplation and a gradually igniting interest.
He looked at Lin Fengzhi, as if seeking some kind of confirmation from her.
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Author's Note: Comments will still receive a red envelope! [dog head with rose in hand][dog head with rose in hand]
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