Chapter 46 (Bonus Chapter: 1000 Nutrient Solution)
The bronze beasts of Zhangtai Palace were shrouded in a thin mist in the cold air, and the memorials piled up like a small mountain in front of the First Emperor's desk.
The switch from bamboo slips to paper certainly saved a lot of time in handling state affairs. The First Emperor had not yet experienced the other wonderful uses of paper, but this alone was enough to make him feel much more relaxed.
Lin Fengzhi's current output is not high enough to fully supply the government; it can only be used by the First Emperor for the time being.
The First Emperor summoned Fusu.
Fusu has been extremely busy lately with planting winter wheat. After personally getting involved in farming, he discovered that it is a very profound subject.
As the eldest son, he grew up in the Xianyang Palace, where he was exposed to classical texts, Confucian scholars, political intrigue, and ritual music.
He directly confronted the largest group in the Qin Dynasty—the peasants. Every step of sowing, managing, and harvesting was imbued with sweat. He deeply understood the hardships peasants faced in making a living under the heavy burden of taxes and corvée labor, a feeling that touched his heart far more deeply than the statistics presented in memorials.
The "emphasis on agriculture" ideology once confined to textbooks was transformed into concrete action. Qin established its state on agriculture and warfare; grain was the absolute lifeline supporting its vast imperial machinery. Personally participating in grain production allowed him to acutely experience the extreme importance of agriculture for the survival and strength of the nation, and to deeply understand that "agriculture is the foundation of the state" was no empty phrase.
Under the guidance of agricultural officials, he systematically learned about the solar terms, observing soil moisture, understanding seed selection, and dealing with pests, diseases, droughts, and floods, among other agricultural knowledge.
This forced him to move from theory to practice and cultivate his ability to solve practical problems.
Managing the planting of winter wheat is not a solo endeavor; it involves coordinating manpower, allocating tools, scheduling agricultural activities, and handling various emergencies.
The core of agriculture is not only land and technology, but also people. He understands even more the extreme importance of valuing the people's strength and cherishing their livelihood.
For Fusu, personally managing the planting of winter wheat was a crucial experience of grounding himself in the local culture. It brought him closer to the true face of the empire, transforming him from a lofty candidate for crown prince into a potential ruler who was down-to-earth and understood the hardships of the people.
It bridged the huge gap between court education and real-world needs, endowing him with practical wisdom, pragmatism, and micro-management skills that books and the court could not provide.
He doesn't know whether others are satisfied with his recent achievements, but he himself is quite satisfied with his changes.
His desired benevolent governance was no longer superficial; it had a more precise objective.
As soon as he entered the hall, he was met with a scathing critique.
Fusu was puzzled, but honestly slid down to his knees.
Having spent many years together, he understood his father's temperament. Sometimes, when he didn't go along with his father, it was simply because they held different principles.
The fact that he's throwing away these memorials without any apparent reason means something serious must have gone wrong on his end.
He knelt down as he opened the folded document to read it.
The inscription reads: "The magistrate of a certain county in Guanzhong failed to plant wheat at the appropriate time as instructed by the agricultural officials, and also failed to deepen the sowing depth by three inches, resulting in the wheat failing to germinate in time."
This is true throughout the entire county.
They believed that planting in autumn and harvesting in spring went against the natural order and was considered an ominous crop. However, they dared not openly contradict the imperial court's orders, so they came up with this method of outwardly complying but inwardly resisting.
The agricultural officials sent by Fusu were misled by them, and failed to investigate or report the matter. They believed the county magistrate's words and kept trying to figure out where the problem was.
He found the soil quality from the wheat seeds and the fertilizer ratio from the weather, but he never expected it to be a problem of human nature.
Until today, it was revealed to him by the First Emperor.
This was Fusu's dereliction of duty, Fusu admitted. Before he could even bow his head in apology, he was immediately horrified by the next sentence on the memorial.
The text states that the Confucian scholars he trusted betrayed him.
What does it mean that "a plant that survives the winter will yield a good harvest, just as a virtuous person who upholds his principles will eventually meet a bright future"?
The saying "a gentleman upholds his principles" is surely an implicit metaphor for waiting for a wise ruler. When will that be a wise time? If he promotes the planting of winter wheat, then what about the First Emperor?
What does "the prince implements benevolent governance at the well and the roadside" mean?
If the prince practices benevolent governance, then is the emperor a tyrant?
In the eyes of the First Emperor, what difference was there between this and treason?
He repeatedly emphasized that he was acting on His Majesty's orders, and that he carried the imperial insignia bestowed by His Majesty during his inspections. He downplayed his own role in the whole affair, revered his father's decision, and indicated that he was merely an executor.
What are the Confucianists trying to do? Seeing that the father-son relationship has improved, are they eager to make him break ties?
Fusu prostrated himself on the ground and said in a deep voice, "Your subject begs for forgiveness."
After the First Emperor's efficiency in reviewing memorials improved, he also had time to play with the parrot that Meng Yi had given him during his breaks.
The parrot was well-fed and its feathers were glossy and shiny. Now it really couldn't fly and kept fawning, "Your Majesty's grace, Your Majesty's grace."
The First Emperor curled his long, slender fingers and brushed them across the parrot's glossy feathers, then slightly raised his eyelashes: "What is your crime?"
His voice wasn't loud, but it made everyone in the hall hold their breath.
The Zhangtai Palace was heated by an underfloor heating system, but Fusu's hands and feet felt cold.
At this moment, his head was pressed against the palace bricks. He slowly raised his head and looked at the First Emperor on the throne. He said, "I have failed. I was in charge of agricultural administration, but the officials harmed the crops. Although I did not do it personally, the blame lies with me. I request that my fief be reduced by three hundred households and my carriages and ceremonial regalia be taken away to appease the people of the world."
"Your Majesty is guilty. My guilt lies in being blinded and deaf, in being virtuous and prone to flattery, and in misleading the common people. Confucian scholars, using my name, advocate 'upholding integrity and understanding the times,' which is a misinterpretation of the opportune moment. Your Majesty has swept across the land and restored order to the four seasons; now is a glorious and enlightened time, what need is there for waiting? The Confucian scholars' claim that I 'implement benevolent governance in the fields and villages' is utter nonsense. The winter wheat in Guanzhong sprouted because Your Majesty and the divine messengers bestowed new methods and farming tools upon us; who does not know this?"
"I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."
Fusu bowed deeply once again.
The First Emperor's spies had already informed him that during Fusu's inspection tour, he consistently emphasized phrases like "Your Majesty is always concerned about the people's food" and "The Emperor bestows grace upon us." Ying Zheng was also confident that as long as he was alive, no one in the world would dare to rebel.
The First Emperor was actually satisfied with Fusu's behavior and conduct over the past few months.
He promoted the planting of winter wheat using a gradual, pilot-based approach, employing both rewards and punishments, which aligned with the Qin Dynasty's tradition of "inquiring into names and holding people accountable for their actual deeds." It seems that even though he leaned more towards Confucianism, he unconsciously applied Legalist governance techniques to a competent degree.
In addition, he harmonized the relationship between local officials and the common people, and was adept at using new methods to promote the planting of winter wheat.
For example, the use of paper was just right.
However, he was too benevolent and bordered on cowardly.
He was too kind-hearted and could not handle matters with both the iron fist of Legalism and strategic ambition.
They are so kind and benevolent, unlike the old winners.
The First Emperor was somewhat disappointed: "I asked you to tell me how to deal with that county magistrate and the Confucian scholar."
All of Fusu's words were self-punishment. Even in the matter of planting wheat seeds that he had previously proposed, there was no punishment for failure.
If a county magistrate misses the farming season, causing the hopes of the people of the county to be dashed, shouldn't he be punished? If a Confucian scholar dares to spread such words that threaten the foundation of the state among the three elders of Guanzhong, shouldn't he also be punished?
"This decree is not ignorant of the law, but it has ruined the winter wheat harvest by planting too much and too thickly. His intentions are despicable. The people under his rule could have had a winter wheat harvest next spring and summer to alleviate the suffering of the lean season, but now it has been destroyed. I believe that, according to the laws of the Great Qin, he should be fined and dismissed from his post."
The First Emperor lightly tapped the table with his fingers, his face slowly turning gloomy.
"As for the Confucianists, I believe..." Fusu closed his eyes, clearly tormented by the words he was about to say. Finally, he gritted his teeth: "I believe that with the empire newly established and the people in remote areas not yet under our control, and with Confucian scholars all reciting and emulating the teachings of Confucius, if we were to use harsh punishments against them, I fear the empire would become unstable."
"I was unaware of the Confucianists' actions, yet I have benefited from them. They also contributed to the promotion of winter wheat cultivation. If all those involved are to be punished, I... I fear that would be inappropriate. I implore Your Majesty to allow them to atone for their crimes through meritorious service!"
Too many Confucian scholars were involved. From Chunyu Yue to his disciples, everyone was involved. Fusu didn't know how to absolve them of their crimes.
The First Emperor stood up, placed the parrot in its cage, and walked over to Fusu.
The hem of the dark robe lingered an inch from Fusu's fingertips.
"Fusu, the Confucianists are right about one thing. I take Legalism as the foundation, but that doesn't mean I've abandoned all other schools of thought. Why did the Three Elders align themselves with Confucianism so quickly? Because they did indeed use Confucian methods to govern at the grassroots level. Legalism is the foundation, but all other schools are for application. Why are you so fixated on Confucianism?"
"I haven't even made you the crown prince yet, and the Confucian scholars dare to advocate for you. If I were to actually make you the crown prince, wouldn't I be doomed?"
Upon hearing these words, all the palace servants in the room shuddered involuntarily and immediately knelt down in unison.
Fusu was also shocked by the First Emperor's words. He half-raised himself and opened his mouth to explain: "Father, Father, I did not think that way."
The First Emperor interrupted him: "At your age, I quelled Lao Ai's rebellion, removed Lü Buwei from his position as prime minister, and eliminated the powerful figures from the six states within the Qin Dynasty. I now hold the reins of power in Qin, and I have promoted General Wang and Prime Minister Li, among others, in preparation for the conquest of the six states."
"And you, and you!"
The First Emperor was not being arrogant or boastful. He was simply stating a fact: when Fusu was young, he had indeed already wielded great power and was full of ambition.
Fusu was immediately filled with shame, his face flushed with embarrassment.
The First Emperor immediately recalled his conversation with Lin Fengzhi in the land of the Keluo people. Not everyone possessed his talent and ambition, not even his children.
The gaze that the First Emperor had unconsciously cast upon Fusu, a gaze ostensibly directed at genius, finally softened. He sighed abruptly, his tone surprisingly instructive: "Fusu, rites and laws are meant to serve the governance of the world, not to bind you. You are capable of setting rules, so why are you being confined by them?"
"Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, and Mohism—whoever benefits the world should be employed. Do you really think I respect Legalism because of my own personal preferences and desires?"
Fusu was taken aback.
The First Emperor rarely explained anything to his ministers or children.
For him, it was because he didn't understand what he was saying?
If you don't understand, then go die!
Before Fusu could react to the First Emperor's occasional display of tenderness and his analysis of the various schools of thought, the First Emperor coldly addressed the palace attendants: "The county magistrate who failed to supervise the people's sowing according to the agricultural officials' guidance will be fined two jia (a unit of land measurement). Concealing such a matter will result in a double penalty: dismissal from office, punishment of forced labor in the city, and reprimand of his family. Furthermore, the person who recommended him for office will be improperly selected and fined two jia."
"As for Confucianism..." The First Emperor's dark eyes swept over his kneeling, stunned son: "Detain him first and imprison him in jail."
The First Emperor originally intended to send Fusu to the Northern Commandery to supervise the army and gain experience, but then changed his mind: "Fusu, you have misjudged people. Considering your merit in planting winter wheat, I will punish you by confining you to your quarters for one month. After you are released, you will continue to follow up on the wheat planting matters."
Fusu was filled with mixed emotions. After kowtowing, he stood up and walked into the vast snow.
"Prepare the carriage." The First Emperor gazed at Fusu's departing figure and said expressionlessly, "Go to Mount Li."
He desperately needs a mental massage.
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Author's Note: * In the 35th year of Qin Shi Huang's reign (212 BC), the alchemists Hou Sheng and Lu Sheng, after failing to obtain the elixir of immortality, slandered Qin Shi Huang and fled, incurring the emperor's wrath. He ordered the arrest of alchemists in Xianyang, and after mutual denunciations, more than 460 people (mostly Confucian scholars or alchemists) were buried alive. Fusu submitted a memorial advising against this: "The empire has just been pacified, and the people in distant lands have not yet been gathered. All the scholars recite the teachings of Confucius, but now Your Majesty severely punishes them with the law. I fear that the empire will be in turmoil."
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