Chapter 25: A Calculated Approach Wins Hearts

Fusu stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Father, Scholar Chun is correct."

Qin Shi Huang's gaze darkened. Li Si and his colleagues were slightly surprised, yet inwardly, they were overjoyed. Chunyu Yue looked at his student, his eyes filled with satisfaction. *Fusu truly understands me!*

Then, Fusu added, "And Chancellor Li is also correct!"

Chunyu Yue was stunned. *This tactic... where have I seen it before?* He couldn't quite recall. Li Si’s eyes narrowed slightly. Was he praising him? No, there was something fishy here. Hearing this, Qin Shi Huang’s expression softened slightly. Was Fusu attempting to play the role of a mediator?

"Su’er, if they are both right, then am I wrong?"

"Reporting to Father, you are not wrong either!"

"Heh!" Zhou Qingchen sneered, looking at Fusu. "Your Highness Fusu says everyone is right, so what are we arguing about here?"

Fusu turned to Zhou Qingchen and bowed with extreme respect. Zhou Qingchen was taken aback, completely at a loss. *What is he doing?*

Ignoring the other's confusion, Fusu turned to all the officials present and bowed. "Father, everyone’s intentions are good! Elder Chun’s point is that during the Warring States period, constant warfare left the people displaced and suffering. Now that our Great Qin has unified the world, what the people seek is merely a stable life. Thus, Elder Chun is considering the long-term stability of Great Qin; his expression may have been too radical, but his intentions were pure!"

Qin Shi Huang frowned. It seemed like a valid point.

Fusu continued, "Father, your grand talent and bold vision led Great Qin to unify the world single-handedly—this is an unparalleled achievement! The world hails you as the Emperor of the Ages; you ended the old era and created a brand new one. Therefore, your desire to build the Great Wall to defend against the Xiongnu and prevent the people from suffering the horrors of pillage and slaughter is a magnificent feat that will benefit generations to come!"

Qin Shi Huang looked surprised. He did not mask his expression; he truly felt his inner thoughts being touched. He never expected Fusu to strike such a chord in his heart.

Fusu went on, "‘Militarism’ can also be called ‘a strong army and sturdy horses.’ If Great Qin did not have a strong army, how could we have destroyed the six kingdoms, and how could we defend against foreign tribes? A nation that only focuses on economy, livelihood, and commerce while neglecting military strength is nothing but a fat sheep in the eyes of others! Anyone hungry can come and take a bite!"

"...until they bite you to death, or leave you covered in wounds. Can there be any talk of the people living and working in peace, or a prosperous nation and strong people then? No!"

At this point, Fusu licked his lips and glanced at Zhao Gao. "Get me a pot of water!"

Zhao Gao trembled in fear. After grasping Fusu’s words, he instinctively looked toward Qin Shi Huang. Qin Shi Huang stared deeply at Fusu. *Damn it, this is the first time in an imperial audience that someone has asked for water.* However, Qin Shi Huang was listening intently and nodded. "Go get it!"

Zhao Gao hurriedly sent someone to fetch a pot of tea. Fusu took it, gulped down two mouthfuls, and continued.

"As for the obsession with spirits and gods, that is also understandable. I, too, hope that Father finds the elixir of immortality so that our Great Qin may last for ten thousand generations, eternal and imperishable! Because I understand that as long as Father is here, the foundation of Great Qin will not fall into chaos! Father, after this, I shall personally seek the way to longevity for you. As for the elixirs refined by those sorcerers, they are merely poison; you must never take them!"

Qin Shi Huang’s eyes grew moist. The Fusu before him began to blur. In the next second, he suppressed his emotions, forcing them back. *My son understands me!*

Qin Shi Huang was overjoyed.

Fusu continued, "Father’s desire for immortality is not for himself, but for the common people of this world! Because I believe—and Father believes—that only under your leadership can Great Qin go further and the people live better lives!"

At these words, Li Si stepped back. He was... afraid! Every word Fusu spoke today was heart-piercing. Li Si saw a giant standing before him, ready to swallow him whole. No, not just him—to swallow the entire court whole! No, not just the court—to swallow the entire world!

Fusu took another drink of tea and looked at Li Si. "The Chancellor has rendered great service. First, you implemented the commandery-county system to stabilize the interior of Great Qin, reformed the old slave system, and assisted Father in governing the world. Everything you say and think is for the sake of Great Qin. Using harsh laws in chaotic times is a wise move! But in times of peace, laws should be lenient. I hope the Chancellor will create new brilliance and find a path of legal reform more suitable for our Great Qin!"

Fusu then bowed deeply to Qin Shi Huang. "Father, they are all your ministers, and they are all thinking for Great Qin! You should not be angry, but happy!"

"I daringly request that you do not target the Confucian scholars, nor be overly indulgent toward them. Give them a chance—a chance to serve Great Qin."

Once these words were spoken, Qin Shi Huang’s heart trembled; his astonishment was written all over his face. The court fell into an abrupt silence.

Suddenly, Qin Shi Huang stood up and laughed. "Li Si!"

"Your humble servant is here!"

"Chunyu Yue!"

"This old servant is here!"

"Starting from today, the commandery-county system shall be upgraded. You two shall cooperate to research a provincial system, taking the best and discarding the dross, and implement it across our Great Qin as soon as possible!"

"Understood!"

Qin Shi Huang then looked at Censor-in-Chief Feng Jie. "From today, the Lishan Mausoleum project shall have its progress slowed, and all aspects shall be simplified! The Epang Palace project is temporarily shelved! All laborers and workers are to be reasonably arranged with improved treatment; they shall take turns working on the Great Wall, and ensure that the construction of the Qin Straight Road remains unaffected!"

The entire court was shocked! Qin Shi Huang had actually adopted the advice to reduce forced labor.

As everyone stood in disbelief, Qin Shi Huang’s voice sounded again: "Feng Jie, implement this strictly starting today. If anyone is found guilty of corruption or abusing laborers, once confirmed with solid evidence, execute them on the spot!"

"Understood!" Feng Jie’s hands trembled, his heart filled with shock.

After saying this, Qin Shi Huang let out a long breath, as if he had exhaled all the foul air that had been pent up in his heart for days. His entire being felt refreshed. For some reason, ever since Fusu told him he would pass away within three years, Qin Shi Huang had suddenly opened his mind to many things. The Epang Palace project, which he had cared about so much, no longer interested him. Of course, he made this decision to test whether Fusu was right. If he was right, what would it matter if he gave the world to Fusu? If he was wrong, he could still set things right while he was still here!

"Ding!"

"Congratulations to the host for successfully preventing the historical event of 'Burning Books and Burying Scholars.' The special reward, a spatial warehouse, has been delivered."