The people sent to investigate and monitor various places naturally did not return so quickly, but those sent to investigate and monitor the Qin territory had already sent some information back. At this time, Ying Zheng was reading it.
However, the more he read, the heavier Ying Zheng's heart became. It was not because the bamboo slips recorded that the old people of Qin were going to revolt and were very dissatisfied with him and the Qin Dynasty that made his heart heavy.
On the contrary, these bamboo slips were full of praise for him, extolling the wisdom and ability of the Great King who had made the Qin Dynasty so powerful. Although there were occasional complaints, they were mostly praises for him and the Qin Dynasty.
However, Ying Zheng did not feel happy because of the praise on the bamboo slips, but rather felt heavier.
Because the praises were from the old people of Qin in the three regions, who felt that the unification of the world had ended, and endless wars had ended. They believed that their lives would improve under his governance, and they voiced their praise for him.
With each praise, Ying Zheng felt a heavier weight in his heart.
Because each praise represented the most basic wish of a Qin citizen, they did not want to continue fighting and hoped that their lives would improve.
While reading the words recorded on the bamboo slips, Ying Zheng felt as if he saw:
A village in the Qin Dynasty, as the news of the conquest of Qi and the unification of the world reached, a farmer working in the fields suddenly looked up. Among them was a couple of advanced age, looking to the east with tears in their eyes. The war was over, their son should have returned by now, right?
In the village, a young woman heard the news of the victory and joyfully leaned against the door frame. With the war over, was it his turn to return and keep his promise, and marry her as his wife?
A group of children in the village heard the news of the victory and looked towards the village entrance. With the war over, would their fathers, brothers, and uncles be able to return to accompany them?
Corresponding to these, Ying Zheng seemed to see another image as well:
In the firelight at night, a group of Qin troops sat on the ground, still showing the fatigue after the battle, but also hiding their joy.
One Qin soldier asked his comrades: "The war is over now, what are you going to do?"
A Qin soldier replied: "Of course, it is our duty to return home and filial to our parents. Our parents are getting old, as their son, how could we not be by their side?"
Another young Qin soldier "he he" laughed twice, with a hopeful wish in his heart: "Of course, it's to marry a virtuous wife. I will farm while she weaves. If possible, we'll have more children."
Upon hearing this, the other Qin soldiers laughed and made jokes, and the young soldier paid no mind to them, just scratching his head and laughing foolishly, daydreaming about his own beautiful future.
An elderly Qin soldier had a nostalgic and expectant look: "Of course, I will go home to see my son. He was born not long ago, and I left him. I wonder how tall he has grown now! No, he should be this tall!"
The elderly Qin soldier showed his companions how tall his son had grown with his hands.
The Qin soldier sitting beside him laughed and said, "Your son must be growing like a bamboo shoot in the wind! How can a one-year-old child be so tall? You must be missing your son so much that you've gone mad!"
The elderly Qin soldier did not take it to heart, but had a face full of longing and expectation, yearning to be reunited with his wife and son immediately. Holding his son who had learned to walk, he pointed at himself and said, "Son, your father has returned!"
Another Qin soldier said, "With the war over, the Great King is so wise, everyone will definitely be able to live a good life when they go home."
One Qin soldier looked at the dark night sky, uncertainly, "Will there really be good days to come?"
Other Qin soldiers were taken aback for a moment, but then they confirmed, "Yes, it will! It definitely will!"
No matter which image, it represents that people feel that their lives will be better in the future, and they believe in the Great King, and the Qin Dynasty can give them a better life.
These words on the bamboo slips have gathered people's wishes. If they are ignored or even thrown into mud and trampled on, what would happen?
Ying Zheng, who is usually confident and proud, fell silent, and the bamboo slips he was holding became heavy as if they were not just bamboo slips, but arrows that could be fired at the Qin Dynasty.
Perhaps heavier punishment could make everyone afraid, or killing all those who rebel, but these bamboo slips came from the Three Qin regions, not other six states. They are the words spoken by the old Qin people in the Three Qin regions.
His soldiers were the fathers and brothers of these people, and now they are called to turn around and kill their own relatives?
And heavier punishments to scare everyone? Perhaps he could suppress it temporarily while he was alive, but what would be the final outcome? The answer has already been given by Li Nian's narration of history - only the Great King of Han is not afraid, with a mere stipulation of three laws and bamboo rice and pots of wine to feed General Liang's troops.
Punishment can indeed strike fear in people's hearts, but it can also foster resentment. Accumulated dissatisfaction and resentment will eventually lead the old Qin people to become despondent, to have no loyalty to the Qin Dynasty, and no loyalty to the King of Qin.
Either way, they will have no better life. Whoever rules, it's the same thing, right?
Maybe a different king would make their lives better than now, and without the support of the old Qin people, even the status of King Qin may not be secure, let alone being the ruler of the world.
Ying Zheng sighed deeply in his heart, thinking that while Legalism can control the body, it cannot control the mind. Laws have their limitations too; the Qin Dynasty indeed needs to change, or it will perish if it does not.
Why did Ying Zheng not notice the historical version of himself mentioned by Li Nian?
After a moment's thought, Ying Zheng understood that the historical him had not encountered Li Nian. The great achievement of unifying the six countries and ruling the world was accomplished by him, unprecedented in history. How proud and satisfied was he?
In this situation, could he still see these things, and would he be willing to look at them? Even if someone provided him with correct advice, it would not be easy for him to take it in anymore, would it?
The historical him was absolutely confident and proud to the extreme, believing that under his governance, no one dared to resist or defy him, so he naturally did not need to change.
The people of the world are afraid of the Qin laws and afraid of him. They will endure his ideas temporarily and survive according to his wishes. This will deepen his confidence, make him even less able to see the truth of the world, and unable to listen to correct advice. He only knows that all four seas are in submission, and I am the Emperor!
Li Nian said he was one of the main reasons for the fall of the Qin Dynasty, and that is indeed true!
As Ying Zheng was deep in thought, an inner eunuch entered to report, "Your Majesty, something has been sent to the Six Palace!"
What has Li Nian done again?
Ying Zheng controlled his thoughts and asked, "What is it?"
The eunuch said, "It is a new food cooked by Li Nian's son, named 'tofu', made from soybeans. There are also two bamboo slips with it."
Tofu? Made from soybeans?
I remember. A few days ago, when Li Nian was talking about food from later times, he mentioned that some could be made in the Qin Dynasty, and tofu was one of them.
Ying Zheng put down the bamboo slips and said, "Bring it in!"
Two eunuchs walked into the hall, each carrying a tray. One tray was covered with a basket woven from vines, and the other tray held two bamboo slips.
Meng Yi went forward and lifted the cover. Ying Zheng saw a dish of food he did not recognize on the tray, with a dish of sauce beside it.
