"It's my turn to make an appearance again!"
Zhao Ping'an smiled gently.
He was aware of the issue ——
In the heart of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, there must have been an answer already.
Why?
A monarch who reveres monarchical despotism and centralization of power would hardly want to forsake the system of county governance.
However, implementing the system of prefectures and counties across the entire Nine States so vigorously was too radical, and it was likely to face opposition from the ministers.
That's why Emperor Qin Shi Huang would seek Zhao Ping'an for an explanation.
After all, Emperor Qin Shi Huang was a typical conservative when it came to implementing monarchical despotism and centralization of power.
He detested the faction that was too conservative and criticized the radicals.
Although the authority of Emperor Qin Shi Huang was vast and unrivaled, the talents in the court only came to serve your great Qin due to your respect for treating people well.
If you make all the decisions on your own, why not dismiss all the officials and just discuss everything with you and Li Si? What do you need me for?
To use this tactic, you need to come up with a reason.
【How, are you wondering which is more suitable, founding states and establishing counties or establishing counties?】
【My view is definitely the county system.】
[After all, the county system was proposed by me.]
[If I have to give a reason...]
[The county system is conducive to strengthening centralization of power, ensuring the direct control of the central government over local areas, reducing the threat of local forces to the central government. Avoiding the situation of feudal lords' secession, better stability.]
[Furthermore, edicts can be rapidly transmitted to local areas, ensuring consistency and enforcement of policies, enhancing organizational capabilities, and also better boosting the national strength.]
[The county system helps standardize measures, currency, and writing styles, laying the foundation for the prosperity of Qin as a whole.]
[...]
[...]
The Qin Shi Huang looked at the talisman in front of him and pondered.
"How could there be so many benefits?"
This was something he hadn't expected.
What he had thought of was simply that after implementing the county system, it would be easier to govern the whole world.
He also thought about these many disadvantages.
For the creator of policies, it is often not necessary to consider all the other potential benefits. It is enough to understand one's own subjective goals and the possible impacts of this measure.
“Indeed, Mr. Zhaode.”
Many years have passed since the chaos of Zhao Chu.
He has not talked to Zhao Zǐ for many years.
Once, he was a confused King Qin, a King Qin alienated by all.
But now, he—
Now, he is the King of Qin under this sky.
He knows Zhao Zǐ is a hermit, uninterested in the affairs of the world.
"I didn't expect that Mr. Zhao Zǐ would also be well-informed about the current situation."
That truly surpassed his expectations.
She looked at the talisman in front of her, and her heart was filled with countless thoughts:
In fact, he had more than just the issue of the county and feudal disputes and wanted to ask Zhao Zǐ about many more things.
["Thank you, Mr. Zhao, for your guidance."]
["Mr. Zhao, it must be known to you that I have already implemented the imperial system."]
["How do you, Mr. Zhao, view this world now?"]
The Qin Shi Huang nervously asked.
Although he is the sovereign of the world, he still gives great importance to the views of people who saved his life as a child and guided him.
Zhao Zǐ not only saved his life in the real world but also helped him overcome difficulties psychologically.
[...]
"What do you think of this world?"
Zhao Ping'an replied without hesitation:
["The system of rites is disrupted, music and dance are gone."]
["The system of rites dating back to the ancient era has already collapsed, and the new order has yet to be established"]
["How about the new order?"]
["Should it be benevolent governance, oppressive governance? Which of the laws of Legalism, Confucianism, or Mohism should be adopted? It is still uncertain for the time being."]
["This is a time of great opportunity."]
[...]
The Qin Shi Huang felt somewhat excited as he looked at Zhao Ping'an's response.
"Right, right, that's the feeling!"
It's that enlightening feeling, which was the profound impression left by the Shaozi Master when he was younger!
He never thought of examining Mr. Zhao Zǐ, and his trust in Mr. Zhao Zǐ was very firm.
However, ten years have passed since the last time he saw Zhao Zǐ.
And from the year when "Shaozi" appeared, nearly forty years have passed.
When Prime Minister Li Si first met Zhao Zǐ, Zhao Zǐ was in his early twenties. With years of continuous warfare, who knows if Zhao Zǐ is even still alive?
Then what was discussed between them fell into whose hands?
The purpose of this question is:
For someone to be asked such a question, even if they haven't thought about it, they might come up with a few answers, but none would be as eloquent or profound as these.
In front of this new ruler of the entire world.
Who knows what his attitude towards the system of rites and music is?
Yet the four words he spoke—“The rites are disrupted, music and dance are gone”—were spoken with such force and conviction.
This is the most accurate summary of the current state of the world that Emperor Qin has ever seen.
The four words made him shiver; rites and music were the ancient rites.
But they were also said with great accuracy:
Could it not be said that during the late Zhou Dynasty, wasn't it just the case of rites collapsing and music and dance disappearing?
How could it not be a state of rites collapsing and music and dance disappearing?
The state of rites collapsing and music and dance disappearing also speaks to the collapse of human relationships.
How could this not be what he wanted to say?
The Qin Shi Huang trusted that person, and that person was Shaozi.
["What do you think, Mr. Zhao, about dealing with this world?"]
The Qin Shi Huang paused for a moment and added:
["Cultivate virtue, how?"]
After all, Mr. Zhao Zǐ doesn't seem to be very fond of Legalism, so this might be something he would find easier to accept.
[...]
"To cultivate virtue?"
Is this script off?
Zhao Ping'an couldn't help but smile wryly. Could a person like Qin Shi Huang say something like 'cultivating virtue'?
Doesn't quite match his historical image, does it?
After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Ping'an shook his head.
["Virtue is of great importance, but it is ultimately the path for gentlemen. All gentlemen in the world should follow this path."]
["However, the Great Qin today, the Nine States today, lack not gentlemen but emperors."]
["The path of kingship is not feasible, but the path of despotism can be."]
["Your Majesty has unified the Six Realms and conquered the World, bringing all under one rule, this is the will of Heaven and the people. This is the destiny that cannot be changed."]
["The feudal lords are about to be annihilated, and this is peaceful, not the governance of kingship, but the deeds of despotism."]
["The path of kingship wins people over with virtue, while despotism prevails with strength."]
["Not the path of despotism has all kinds of harm and none at all. It is simply that each one takes its own path based on the circumstances."]
[...]
"Exactly, exactly, that's how it should be!"
The Qin Shi Huang was somewhat excited. This is what he wanted to hear!
Although he also mentioned the importance of virtue and righteousness for a realm, if a sovereign only emphasizes virtue and righteousness at a time when the feudal lords have not yet been stabilized, the ultimate outcome will not be good.
What the Great Qin needs at this very moment is a ruler who can completely stabilize the realm, not a dignified and upright gentleman!
"It's similar to what I had in mind."
He clenched his fists and felt a surge of excitement in his heart. He asked:
["Mr. Zhao, how should one rule a country, ensure peace and stability, and unify the world?"]
This is the last question, and also the one he most wanted to ask tonight.
"One who is too close to the matter is easily confused."
In the context of this era, Ying Zheng wanted to seek guidance from the person in front of him—
"Divine Mandate!"
To see if he could seek a way to ensure the long-term governance and stability of the realm, and plan for the future of Great Qin.
