"My Majesty, the humble servant does indeed have something to report."
Li Si covered his arms with his hands and said with a smile:
"I have a method that can make the great Qin Empire great once more."
"Today, the six remaining states from heaven feel that our Qin laws are demonic and not to be learned."
"Isn't this exactly our chance?"
"We should start changing their perception of our Qin laws from now on."
The scorching sun in the sky illuminated the imperial audience, with the great Qin dominating the nine states.
Qin Shi Huang furrowed his brow and asked Li Si: "What does this mean, Minister Li?"
"I do not understand."
He gently tapped the dragon chair.
Li Si laughed.
The methods he was using now were all taught to him by Master Zhaozi.
At that time, he thought that Master Zhaozi's words were impractical, and that Master Zhaozi's ideas were of no use.
But looking at it now...
"Ah, so that is the true depth of Master Zhaozi's teachings."
He never could have predicted back then that this line of thought would actually come into effect fifty years later today!
This means that Master Zhaozi was able to see fifty years into the future!
He remembers Master Zhaozi telling him, "When all farmers of the world rise up, try to divide the world's land equally, and that way we can prevent a rebellion."
"This is the idea of equal land distribution for the whole empire."
"The Qin Empire is at such a time, and if it could achieve this step of equal land distribution for the whole empire, the world would be at peace."
Although due to insufficient productivity, the equal land distribution system will soon retreat, it can at least help stabilize the current situation of the Qin Empire.
At the very least, it can ensure that as long as there are able-bodied farmers in every household, there will be no hungry people in the world.
Although it cannot make everyone rich, it can at least ensure the livelihood of all the people.
If the people can be ensured to have enough to eat and live, why would they revolt?
When there are no destitute scholars in the land, and everyone can afford to eat and wear warm clothes, that would be a great blessing.
Li Si raised his eyes and looked at Qin Shi Huang, smiling and saying:
"I have a plan that can secure our great Qin."
"Abolish the land and titles of the six nations, and distribute them to the people. In governing the six nations, select officials based on filial piety and integrity from among the local villagers, rather than using the laws of our Qin."
Hissing...
This statement caused a wave of doubts to rise in the imperial audience.
The ministers exchanged looks among themselves, some frowning, some shaking their heads, and some with angry expressions.
This is really too radical.
This is equivalent to putting the citizens of the world on the same starting line, and is effectively the complete abandonment of Zhou's etiquette system.
An elderly minister with white hair stepped forward quickly, bowing and saying:
"Your Majesty, while Li Si's plan makes sense, will it not shake the foundation of our great Qin?"
Another minister immediately took up the conversation:
"Discontinuing the land grants and titles of the six nations may provoke local unrest. Moreover, these landholdings were granted by the late emperor. Does this not mean negating the late emperor's governance?"
An young minister was also unwilling to back down:
"Using the virtuous and upright among local villagers for governance instead of relying on the laws of our Qin. Will this lead to the deterioration of legal order? Over time, this may result in unrest among the people."
The voices of the ministers were a cacophony, their words rising to the ceiling of the palace.
Qin Shi Huang's brows were knitted tightly, his eyes blazing.
He looked at Li Si with deep eyes: "Minister Li, what is your explanation for this?"
"I must say, I do not find this new policy of the Qin Empire to be very good."
Li Si smiled and asked Qin Shi Huang:
"Your Majesty, may I dare to ask Your Majesty where it is not good?"
"To make it easier for me to explain one by one."
In the imperial audience, Li Si didn't need to be so reserved.
Qin Shi Huang is of advanced age and has gradually come to recognize that Li Si has no ambition for power; he is merely an idealistic scholar.
However, it is now Li Si's turn to emphasize etiquette.
Qin Shi Huang furrowed his brow and said:
"Our great Qin is a country known for its strict laws. How can we use such a thing?"
"Moreover, treating the people of the six nations in the same way as the Qin people, isn't that to cold our original citizens?"
"Your Majesty, I think not."
Li Si smiled and shook his head, saying:
"Let me respond one by one."
"Your Majesty, why do you think this new law is contrary to the original principles of our great Qin Empire?"
"I believe this is wrong."
"Master Zhaozi once told me a saying."
"The fundamental principle, the strength, and the foundation of a country should lie in its people."
Li Si raised his fist high.
This statement made Qin Shi Huang stunned in his dragon chair.
He recalled the first time he met Master Zhaozi, when he didn't even want to seek eternal life yet.
And Master Zhaozi, free and easy, natural, taught him various ideas through symbols and charms, helping him to establish the great Qin Empire.
Actually, Qin Shi Huang could also accept the idea of equal land distribution.
After all, no matter how the land is divided, taxes must still be paid.
"I can allow the farmers to distribute the land, but I do not allow them to not pay taxes."
Qin Shi Huang has already set his own bottom line.
The people are the people, but in the end, the great Qin belongs to Emperor Ying Zheng!
In the eyes of the people of the Qin Empire, there can only be one sun, that is, Ying Zheng.
Li Si put down the document in his hands and looked at Qin Shi Huang and said:
"If this strategy is successful, land will be granted to all the people, there will be no hunger and cold, then this world, will truly be in its golden age."
"This is the method that Li desires to propose."
"When all the people of the world are well-fed and warm, what other problems can there be?"
Qin Shi Huang chuckled lightly: "Indeed, the emperor has been delirious. This matter should have been done as such."
"But, then let there be land redistribution."
"However, taxes will still be collected at half rate."
Half tax, that's already Qin Shi Huang showing grace.
During the unification of the six states, Qin Shi Huang's tax rate was even as high as ten taxes out of seven, meaning that seven-tenths of the harvest had to be paid in taxes.
Li Si remained silent.
"Tax half, tax half. Even if it's only tax half, it should be enough for the farmers to eat and wear warm clothes..."
"No hunger and cold" — those four words have been something that many ancestors, sages, and kings have not been able to achieve.
Since it is right in front of Li Si, Li Si would not hesitate.
A scholar, a scholar who admires Xunzi, how could he not want the world to be without hunger and cold?
Even though the tax rate is still heavy, that can be left to future generations to deal with.
What he needs to do is to pave the way.
Li Si raised his fist and said happily:
"This matter will be a historic achievement that will last for a thousand years."
"With the guidance of the emperor's teacher, I have never forgotten. With the aspirations of the emperor's teacher, I will build a thousand-year legacy!"
Qin Shi Huang gazed at the aging silhouette against the scorching sun, a touch of emotion welling up within him:
Yes, it all seemed like it was ages ago when he first met Li Si, just like this.
These years, he regretted suspecting Li Si, which was the last thing he ever did in his life.
Back then, Li Si was a young man with a strong sense of idealism.
Li Si was very talented.
At that time, Qin Shi Huang was very lonely, with only Li Si to keep him company.
At that time, his father had just ascended the throne. Li Si and Lu Buwei were both assisting their father, the king. Lu Buwei sought high office and wealth, but Li Si said, "I just want to educate the prince."
Perhaps it was the influence of that idealistic Master Zhaozi.
And that mysterious Master Zhaozi, who is truly not greedy for half a point and not interested in fame and fortune.
He simply wanted to make this era better.
Thinking of this, Qin Shi Huang's eyes shone, and he tightened his hand, loudly saying: "The achievement of a thousand years will be realized in my Qin Empire!"
"With the aspirations of the emperor's teacher, I will build a thousand-year legacy!"
In the imperial court, the voices were uniform:
"With the aspirations of the emperor's teacher, we will build a thousand-year legacy!"
