After dismissing the court, Emperor Qin did not immediately send all the officials away. Instead, he kept Wang Wan, Feng Jie, Li Si, Chunyu Que, and Zhao Gao.
They all understood that the emperor had kept them back for a reason. There was something that couldn't be discussed in front of too many people.
Among them, Zhao Gao was the happiest. He knew well that the fewer people attending a meeting, the more important it was, a principle he certainly understood.
The fact that the emperor had kept him for this small court meeting indicated that he was still highly valued by the king and held in his heart.
The task given by the king this time must be carried out with utmost diligence and care, absolutely no room for mistakes!
Glancing at the few ministers left behind, Ying Zheng spoke directly, "I have kept you here to discuss the matter of establishing the Ministry of Censorship. I am not establishing the Ministry of Censorship merely for the purpose of monitoring public opinion throughout the realm, but rather to address the troubles besetting our great Qin."
Before Wang Wan and Li Si and others could even think about what the great troubles of Qin were, Ying Zheng continued, "Divide the bamboo slips among you!"
Several eunuchs entered the palace with trays of bamboo slips and presented them to the few ministers.
It was clear that the emperor wanted them to examine these bamboo slips.
These bamboo slips must be written by the "person" mentioned by the emperor. What profound and original ideas does this person have?
With curiosity, Wang Wan picked up the first roll of bamboo slips on the tray in front of him and opened it to read. The others did the same.
The content on the bamboo slips was certain statements that Li Nian had told Ying Zheng, but it was not the original version of their conversation with each other. Instead, it had been excerpted, modified, and polished into the version that Wang Wan, Li Si, and others were now seeing.
Soon, Wang Wan and others were engrossed in reading, showing a thoughtful expression. Occasionally, there were some surprises, but it would not be accurate to say that they were stunned by the content of the bamboo slips.
All of them were outstanding figures of their time. Who was better than whom? It was not that they were unintelligent, but rather that they were limited by the constraints of their time in some aspects.
Now, with a hint from the bamboo slips, the few men immediately felt enlightened, as if they had pierced through the fog to see the sunlight. They realized that they could think in such a way?
Once their thinking was opened up, the few men thought of even more, covering a wider range than what was described in the bamboo slips. Even specific methods of execution that were not mentioned in the slips were thought of.
This was precisely the effect that Li Nian had wanted to achieve. He was just a guy who talked a lot and opened up ideas for Emperor Qin and the officials of Qin.
He used the experience from later generations to give Emperor Qin and the officials of Qin an outlook that transcended the limitations of their time, to broaden their perspective, and then he had Emperor Qin and the officials of Qin transform the ideas he provided into ones that suited the current situation of Qin, which could be truly implemented in Qin.
He came from the future, no matter how well he integrated into Qin, he would not be more familiar with this era than Emperor Qin and the officials of Qin.
The bamboo slips recorded the statements made by Li Nian on "patriotism, loyalty to the emperor, adherence to laws", the importance of public opinion, as well as the necessity to eliminate the six state nobility by destroying their foundations for survival.
The palace was quiet. Ying Zheng was not in a hurry, handling state affairs while waiting for Wang Wan and others to finish reading.
Unknown how long it had been, everyone had finished reading. Ying Zheng asked, "What do you think, your ministers?"
After reading the bamboo slips, the few men finally understood why Ying Zheng had suddenly decided to establish the Ministry of Censorship today. The reason lay here.
"The person who wrote the bamboo slips must be the 'that person' mentioned by the emperor, and it's likely that they are the same individual as the one living in the palace."
"Another learned individual, but why hasn't the emperor appointed him to the court?"
"Hmph, he does have some talent. I wonder from which school he comes?"
"This person has a significant influence on the emperor and is deeply favored by him. We cannot conflict with him. If we encounter him, even if we cannot be friends, we should not be enemies."
"This must be the person mentioned by Brother Su Yu, who taught us about the bamboo slips. According to these, he seems to have both great compassion for the people of the world and a strict adherence to legalism in dealing with the nobility of the six countries. To me, this person's understanding of Confucianism is uncertain."
Wang Wan and the others, although each with their own thoughts, admitted that the statements on the bamboo slips were quite reasonable and provided them with many new ideas.
As the Prime Minister, Wang Wan spoke first: "I believe that what is described in the bamboo slips can be implemented in our great Qin."
Zhao Gao followed suit: "The bamboo slips stress the importance of public opinion, which has enlightened me. I will definitely ensure that Your Majesty monitors public opinion throughout the country."
Feng Jie said: "I congratulate the emperor. The person who wrote these bamboo slips is exceptionally talented and can be used by the emperor. This is truly a blessing from heaven to Great Qin!"
It may be true that he has some talent, but to say he is exceptionally talented, that young fellow is merely relying on coming from the future and knowing history.
It is these bamboo slips you see here that I have polished and refined as well.
Li Si said: "If the nobles of the six states are not properly handled, they could indeed become a trouble for our great Qin. I believe that, in addition to executing the laws as stated in the bamboo slips, we must also strictly enforce the laws to prevent anyone from having contact with the nobles of the six states."
Chunyu Yue said: "What is written in the bamboo slips are all crafty and deceitful tactics, not the path of righteousness. This person's character must be dishonest, and his methods may be useful for a time, but not for a lifetime."
He spoke of Li Nian saying that from the inside, the six state nobility should be undermined, causing them to become disunited and suspicious of each other.
Chunyu Yue thought this was a departure from the path of righteousness for gentlemen, a crafty and secretive technique, not the right and proper way.
Ignoring Chunyu Yue's words, Ying Zheng said, "The reason I had you all read these bamboo slips was to make sure you have understood."
"The Ministry of Censorship not only needs to monitor public opinion throughout the country but also spread the good of Qin to make the people understand that Qin's unification of the world is for the greater good of the Han Chinese. The six state nobility's attempts at conspiracy and rebellion are unjust, and they aim to bring about another era of suffering for the people."
"You all will be responsible for this matter!"
Wang Wan and the others had understood Ying Zheng's meaning. The Ministry of Censorship monitoring public opinion was true, but more importantly, it was to address the problem of the six state nobility. They must sever the ties between the six state nobility and the people of the six states, ensuring that the six state nobility could no longer pose a threat.
The few ministers all answered in unison, "Your servant will carry out the orders!"
After Wang Wan and the others left, Ying Zheng was about to continue handling state affairs when a eunuch reported, "Your Majesty, it's time for your meal!"
Ying Zheng hesitated for a moment, then realized. In order to maintain health and longevity, like Li Nian, he now had three meals a day. It was now noon, and he should have his midday meal.
After thinking for a moment, Ying Zheng decided not to have his meal at the Zhangtai Palace. He wanted to try a different place.
After all, the "Health Notes" provided by Li Nian also mentioned that one should not sit for long periods to handle state affairs and should allow the body to relax and rest. Even after a meal, it is important to digest the food.
Why not have a meal at Fu Su's place? I can also talk some things over with that worry-causing son of his, and it's the perfect distance to walk off my meal on the way back to Zhangtai Palace.
"Today, let's not have our meal at Zhangtai Palace. Let's go to Yixing Palace!"
Yixing Palace, isn't that the palace room where Duke Fu Su lived?
The emperor indeed has a preference for Duke Fu Su!
The eunuch was surprised in his heart, but he dared not show it in the slightest.
To survive long in the palace, one must know some things but not display them, be aware of some things but not reveal them.
In the Great Qin palace, there are always some court eunuchs and maids who think they are smart being executed every year!
