Chapter Seven: The Emperor's Intentions
Fusu spoke with sharp words and clear meaning.
He continued, “Moreover, the people's welfare must be improved—not saying they should eat lavishly or live in warmth, but at the very least, they should eat their fill and not suffer from the cold!”
“If you have people working for you but give nothing in return, constantly squeezing them dry, sooner or later, they will rebel against you!”
“Impossible!” Li Si suddenly shouted, “Your Majesty, absolutely impossible!”
Meng Yi also wanted to speak, but his head was buzzing, completely stunned by Fusu’s treasonous words.
Wang Jian, who had intended to stay out of these matters, was equally shocked, nearly popping his eyes out in disbelief.
He kept glancing at Fusu—what had come over him? Had he gone mad?
At this moment, Qin Shi Huang could no longer tolerate it and flew into a rage, bellowing, “How dare you!”
“Fusu, all I have seen before was your weakness, blindly trusting the cowardly and incompetent words of Confucian scholars, harming both others and yourself!”
“And now, you dare hope that I would adopt your disastrous policies that would ruin the state!”
“Guards, imprison Fusu immediately! He will be formally tried on another day!”
Hearing this, the palace guards at the door promptly entered.
“Father!” Fusu shouted.
“Our great Qin will perish within five years. Rather than listening to villains, it is better to heed my words and take a gamble!”
“What’s the worst that could happen?”
“Father!”
“Take a chance, and a bicycle can turn into a motorcycle!”
“Silence!” Qin Shi Huang swept his sleeve and pointed at Fusu, roaring, “You unfilial son, traitor to the throne!”
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger!”
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger!”
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger!” Meng Yi, Wang Jian, and Li Si all knelt down, pleading.
Once Fusu was subdued, Qin Shi Huang turned his gaze to the three ministers, finally resting it on Zhao Gao, who was timidly lingering at the doorway, and scolded, “What are you doing outside? Hurry up and come in!”
Zhao Gao shivered all over and quickly scurried into the hall.
He was truly afraid.
Fusu was like a mad dog, biting whoever he encountered.
Zhao Gao deeply regretted his actions.
He feared that in Qin Shi Huang’s fury, he too might be eliminated.
---
Qin Shi Huang took a deep breath and quickly returned to his desk, sitting down. “Ministers, how much of what Fusu said do you believe to be true, and how much false?”
The four men present trembled all over, each inwardly lamenting.
It was a death sentence question!
Seeing their hesitation, Qin Shi Huang’s expression remained calm but commanding. “Li Si, you speak first.”
Li Si shuddered, hesitated, then said, “Your Majesty, the Legalist school emphasizes ruling by law and must be strictly enforced according to the principles of ‘law as teaching’ and ‘officials as teachers.’”
“Furthermore, I propose that all historical records of other states besides Qin be burned. Anyone, except for official scholars, found possessing or discussing the teachings of other schools must be punished.”
“Only practical texts—medicine, divination, agriculture, and the like—unrelated to politics, may be preserved.”
“This is the only way to ensure long-lasting stability and allow our great Qin to stand unshakably.”
Qin Shi Huang nodded. He had seen this proposal last year.
Though he had qualms, upon reflection, there was no real flaw. So he had set it aside.
Now that Li Si raised it again at this moment, it was time to decide.
“What do you think, Minister Meng?”
Meng Yi paused, then replied, “Your Majesty, since the reforms of Shang Yang, our great Qin has grown stronger day by day, leading to the current prosperous unification of the realm.”
“Therefore, I fully agree with the Chancellor’s words.”
“But...”
Qin Shi Huang’s fierce eyes narrowed. “But what?”
Meng Yi gritted his teeth and said, “However, with the world unified and the Hundred Schools of Thought flourishing, this new era demands new reforms for our Qin to advance further and better.”
“Though I find Prince Fusu’s words radical, after careful thought, they are not without merit.”
“If...”
“Popular will is the true measure of a nation’s lasting peace. Have we perhaps taken the wrong path?”
Upon hearing this, Li Si looked at Meng Yi in shock. “Meng Yi, do not speak nonsense!”
Meng Yi lowered his head in silence.
Zhao Gao then spoke, “The laws of our ancestors must not be changed. The reason our Qin could unify the Six States was because countless lives were poured to carve a bloody path.”
“Your Majesty, do not be swayed by the prince’s reckless words and bring ruin to the nation and its people!”
Qin Shi Huang furrowed his brow again. He understood the gravity of the matter, which was why he summoned them for discussion.
Finally, his gaze fell upon Wang Jian. Wang Jian stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, as a general, I have a hundred strategies for marching and battle, for siege and conquest.”
“But when it comes to governing a state and securing peace, I am but a fool.”
“I believe the Chancellor’s words are reasonable, and though Prince Fusu’s are radical, they are not entirely impossible…”
Qin Shi Huang snorted coldly—this old fox sure knew how to talk!
Silence once again fell over the hall.
After a long pause, Qin Shi Huang waved his hand. “Meng Yi, stay. The others may withdraw.”
Li Si immediately bowed respectfully.
Wang Jian followed suit.
Zhao Gao, upon leaving, thoughtfully closed the door behind him.
Qin Shi Huang looked at Meng Yi and ordered, “Two matters.”
“First, strengthen the palace guards to prevent any chance of rebellion.”
“Second, investigate Zhao Gao, Li Si, and Huhai!”
Meng Yi’s eyes trembled slightly but he nodded. “Your Majesty, rest assured, I will see to both matters.”
“All right, you may leave now.”
After Meng Yi left, Captain Zhaoke of the royal guards entered and knelt on one knee. “Your Majesty, the investigation is complete.”
“Oh?”
Zhaoke reported truthfully, “Recently, Zhao Gao has had no contact with Prince Huhai, who has been diligent in his studies and respectful every day.”
“As for Consort Li, she was once unintentionally seen by Prince Fusu upon entering the palace…”
Qin Shi Huang frowned deeply, gazing at the darkening sky outside.
There was truly no trace to be found…
“Zhaoke, do you know that sometimes, when all signs point in one direction, the truth often lies in the opposite?”
Zhaoke was taken aback and lowered his head.
After a moment of thought, Qin Shi Huang ordered, “Investigate Chen Sheng and Wu Guang as Prince Fusu said.”
“Also, send protection for Prince Fusu, and summon Xu Fu to the palace!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
After Zhaoke left, Qin Shi Huang sat on the dragon throne, his face revealing no emotion.
Only an intense calmness filled his eyes as he weighed all the pros and cons.
…
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