Li Yan continued: "This is just what the saying goes, 'The high ground of public opinion, if we don't occupy it, the enemy will.'" If the Qin Dynasty does not actively guide the people correctly, it will give those with malicious intentions an opportunity. The harm caused by this will not be less than directly staging a rebellion."
"Throughout history, many kings have feared the prophecies in the texts and beliefs, and one major reason for this fear is that the court has not correctly guided the people. Instead of guiding them in a constructive way, they simply brutally prohibit the spread of rumors. However, human nature sometimes works against them. The more something is prohibited, the more curious people become about it and the more likely they are to spread rumors."
Thinking about some modern internet situations, Li Nian added, "Once a situation reaches a certain point, even if the court wants to actively refute the rumors, it is too late; the rumors have already taken root in people's hearts."
"As it stands today, the territory is only unified. The people of the original six countries may have biases towards Qin and the Great King. These biases lead to suspicion and jealousy, so they need to be guided to understand Qin. Only then can they become Qin's people, rather than being subdued by the Great King."
To put it in modern terms, we need to make them develop 'identity' recognition, identifying themselves as one of the people of Qin and no longer seeing themselves as one of the six nations. This way, even if there are schemes and incitements by the nobles of the six nations, they will not succeed.”
Win Zheng said, "How then should we guide them to believe that they are subjects of the Great Qin?"
Li Nian said, "Give them the benefits and explain it to them with reason. Let the officials in charge of various regions explain the advantages of being under the rule of Qin. Even though they may have come from different countries, they are all sons and daughters of the Chinese nation! To truly achieve this, we need to see that the officials' explanations are put into practice."
Seeing the Great King of Qin nodded, Li Nian added, "As for enlightening the minds of the people, it is indeed easier to govern a people who are ignorant, but it is also easier to deceive them. As for the prophecies and auguries mentioned in the texts and beliefs, people believe in them because they are not wise enough to discern whether the prophecies are true or false. If someone with malicious intent stirs up trouble, it could lead to disastrous consequences."
"Great King, would you like to know how the first 'rebellion and turmoil' in the Great Qin came about?"
The "first rebellion and turmoil in the Great Qin" referred to should be the rebellion and turmoil during the fall of the Qin Dynasty.
"First" means that there could be a second, third, and so on?
This remark suggests that this rebellion is somehow related to the lack of enlightenment among the people.
Win Zheng thought to himself, piqued by curiosity, "Tell me more!"
Li Nian told the Great King of Qin about the Chen Sheng and Wu Guang Rebellion recorded in the "Records of the Grand Historian".
When Li Nian mentioned that Chen Sheng and Wu Guang rebelled because they were delayed by rain and feared being executed, Win Zheng raised an eyebrow, thinking that his Qin laws were not so unreasonable.
However, this made him even more aware of the fact that laws should not be too harsh or cruel, as it would truly push people to rebel.
Upon hearing "The people of the world have suffered under Qin for a long time," and that Hu Hai was not popular, and that these rebels even wanted to use the banner of Prince Fusu to rise in rebellion, Win Zheng felt a bit relieved. Even though Fusu was already dead, there were still people who remembered his good deeds. It was just that this son of his was a bit foolish.
As for Xiang Yan, a trace of cold light flashed in Win Zheng's eyes. The Xiang family was a noble family of Chu, and he was well aware of it. It seems that the downfall of the Qin Dynasty in just two generations and the relationship with six nobility cannot be separated.
I was still too kind to them!
Upon hearing Li Nian say that Chen Sheng and Wu Guang hid books in a fish belly, lit a bonfire at night, and dressed as foxes to howl in the ancestral hall as preparations for their rebellion, Win Zheng understood the purpose of Li Nian's narration of the story.
The lack of enlightenment among the people would cause them to view the books hidden in a fish belly and the howling of foxes as supernatural, thereby enhancing Chen Sheng's popularity among the garrison soldiers and laying the groundwork for his later rebellion.
Li Nian said, "This is the impact of unenlightened people, which makes it easier to govern but sometimes becomes a vulnerability that can be exploited by others. Conversely, if people are enlightened and know that the books hidden in a fish belly and the foxes spitting out human speech are the result of human activity, would they still be willing to join Chen Sheng in rebellion?"
Win Zheng pondered for a moment and asked, "After enlightening them, they would indeed no longer be deceived by the story of books in a fish belly or foxes speaking humanly, but if there is indeed a law in the Qin Dynasty that stipulates execution for those who miss their deadlines, wouldn't that make them even more likely to plot rebellion with Chen Sheng?"
So, after enlightening the people, those garrison soldiers would become more intelligent and aware of the Qin laws. However, if there is a law in the Qin Dynasty that explicitly states "without exception, those who miss their deadlines will be executed," wouldn't that make them even more determined to rebel against it?
That is to say, after enlightening the people, it would further solidify the garrison soldiers' determination to rebel with Chen Sheng.
Regarding this issue, Li Nian simply replied, "Great King, this is not a matter of whether the people are enlightened or not. The problem lies with the Qin laws; it is the Qin laws that should be changed!"
It seems to make sense...
Li Nian continued, "What the Great King is concerned about is that after enlightening the people, they will not be easy to govern. This is exactly why the subject spoke of the need for official active guidance of the people. Only with correct guidance will the people not go astray."
At this moment, Win Zheng asked a question, "You come from a time after the enlightenment of the people?"
Li Nian said, "Yes, but the time I come from is different from the Qin Dynasty. These two cannot be compared."
The biggest difference is that there is no supreme emperor who can easily control the lives and deaths of others. Everyone is equal under the law, and no one is more or less noble.
Win Zheng clearly also thought about the absence of emperors in the future, and he was silent for a moment before asking, "If I were to enlighten the people, what would I need to do? And how should I properly guide them?"
Li Nian said, "Your Majesty, it depends on 'education!' Educators teach and educate, guiding the people towards the right path through the dissemination of knowledge. Most people are born without inherent good or evil, so they can be educated and guided."
"If more patriotic and loyal thoughts are recorded in the scriptures, those who practice these scriptures will naturally become patriotic and loyal in the future. If more discussions about obeying laws and regulations are included in the teachings, those who learn from them will naturally understand the importance of following laws and regulations."
Li Nian gave an example using Su Xu and Chun Yu Yue.
"The scholars like Su Xu and Chun Yu Yue, who have studied Confucian classics, are precisely influenced by the teachings of Confucius and Mencius from these classics. This is why they have come up with such ideas today, believing that restoring the Zhou Rites is the best way to govern the world."
Win Zheng said, "I understand now. You mean to create classics suitable for our Great Qin, to have people study them, be influenced by them, and develop a sense of patriotism, loyalty to the ruler, and respect for laws and regulations!"
Actually, it would be best if there was no "loyalty to the ruler." However, during this era of the Qin Dynasty, Li Nian dared not say such words.
Doing anything must align with the times. Being a step ahead is genius, but being three steps ahead is already considered a demonic figure.
Li Nian has not lived long enough and does not want to be made into human slices, so he would not actively propagate anarchy in front of Emperor Qin Shi Huang unless the emperor himself is curious.
Win Zheng looked at Li Nian, his eyes shining with curiosity, "This is an interesting path. Have there ever been any countries that have created classic texts for the people to learn and have them follow?"
However, this method seems to be feasible. It is probably the way used by future countries, so it is not afraid that once the people are enlightened, the country will be in chaos.
Ah, Win Zheng realized a point he had never thought of before. This person loves the Chinese nation so much; could this be attributed to the educational achievements of later times?
Thinking of this, Win Zheng's face suddenly broke into a mysterious smile.
