At that moment, the entire Zhangtai Palace was silent, with only the sound of the bamboo slips being flipped.
The bamboo slips brought by Zhang Han contained his specific ideas and execution plan for the pilot project, which caused Ying Zheng to nod intermittently. He was indeed worthy of being a figure who almost turned back the tide towards the end of the Western Qin Dynasty, with real substance to his work.
After a while, Zhang Han also finished reading the bamboo slips. Ying Zheng's voice came in time: "You've finished?"
Zhang Han said seriously, "I have finished reading them!"
Ying Zheng said, "I originally thought that you should spend more time preparing to leave Xianyang, but as things have changed, the originally scheduled plan also needs to be changed."
Speaking of this, Ying Zheng suddenly remembered Li Nian's words, "All things in the world are changing," does his change at this moment also belong to the changes of things?
"You should have also realized that although the Great Qin has unified the world, it is not stable. As an old inhabitant of Qin, you should be able to understand this more. I must address these issues, and they are serious enough that they cannot be postponed."
Ying Zheng looked at Zhang Han and said, "The methods to solve these problems have been roughly determined earlier, as you saw 'lenient punishment, light taxes.' However, if this method were to be implemented, it would definitely affect the plan I have set for you. That is why I have summoned you today!"
"I will not abandon the original plan, but this plan must be changed. Letting you read what the ministers have just said is also to let you learn from it, to know how to make changes. Do you have the confidence to do it well?"
In the original plan, the Qin Code remained unchanged temporarily, with Zhang Han secretly executing the reform pilot plan to verify if there were any problems with the Qin Code, whether the modified Qin Code was better, and to indirectly verify if Li Nian's words were true.
But the bamboo slips brought back by the old Qin people made Ying Zheng realize that he could not make changes. Even if he did not make major changes, he had to make some small changes. At least, he had to create a sense of hope for life for the old Qin people, so that they would not lose the foundation of Great Qin.
And with this change, his previously formulated reform pilot plan would inevitably be affected, which is why he thought of Zhang Han first and wanted to summon him to the palace.
At such a time, how can one back down?
Zhang Han said, "I have the confidence. If it doesn't work, please take my head!"
After all, it was Li Nian who said in the history that there was a minister who almost turned back the tide for the Great Qin. Ying Zheng had a favorable impression of Zhang Han: "There's no need to be so drastic. I can't give you too much time, at most three years, but at least one year. I hope you will achieve some results."
"Your Majesty seems to be more tolerant with me this time, unlike when I last appeared before you, which was so strict. What's going on?"
Zhang Han solemnly promised, "I will fulfill my mission!"
Ying Zheng said, "Since that's the case, leave Xianyang as soon as possible and go to implement it. If there are any changes, I will send someone to inform you. If there's nothing else, go back and prepare!"
Zhang Han said, "I will carry out your orders!" After bowing to Ying Zheng, he turned and left the palace.
After leaving the palace, Zhang Han's heart was not much happier. He wanted to make a great achievement and try to leave a name in history like Shang Jun, but now even if his plan was successful, much of his merit would be cut down.
Ying Zheng watched Zhang Han leave and his gaze lingered for a long time. He felt that in these past days, everything around him had changed so much—the world had changed, governing the state had changed, the ministers had changed...
No, the world has not changed, the ministers have not changed either. It is just that Li Nian's little trickster made some changes, and he is the ringleader.
But I'm not sure whether these changes are good or bad for Great Qin, or good or bad for him?
Ying Zheng was also confused in his heart at this moment.
This is also the main reason why he did not directly abolish the reform pilot plan. He does not know whether these changes are good or bad, so he needs Zhang Han to use the reform pilot plan as a test.
The second day, another five-day period had passed. This time, Ying Zheng called for Li Nian again at noon!
After Li Nian took his seat, Ying Zheng said, "As I mentioned to you last time, I want to know how the emperors of future dynasties succeed to the throne and how the official system of the dynasties is organized. You should understand my meaning!"
"However..."
Ying Zheng changed the topic: "Before you tell me these, I want to know one thing. Do you think it's the most suitable time for me to be called 'Emperor'?"
Boss, under the heavens, you are the greatest. You can call yourself Emperor whenever you want. If not, you can ask those who observe the night sky; they are sure to pick a lucky day for you. What do you need to ask me for?"
But obviously, the boss's meaning is not a specific day when he can be called Emperor. After some thinking, Li Nian replied, "It's not too early or too late for the king to be called Emperor."
"Many people are waiting for the king to declare himself emperor and view that day as a good omen. If it's too late, it will wear out people's patience and eventually affect the king's reputation. As the saying goes, 'If the king does not progress, how can they?'"
Ying Zheng heard this and couldn't help but laugh. After thinking carefully, he realized that many of those who advised him to declare himself emperor were hoping to obtain rewards after his accession.
"It's not too early because the king's coronation day is a good omen, accompanied by auspicious events, and should be able to celebrate with the whole world. The auspicious events I mentioned are not rare treasures or strange beasts, but rather happy events that make ordinary people feel that this day is auspicious."
"Perhaps it could be declared that on that day, the whole population would rest and celebrate the king's coronation. Perhaps on that day, the method of making tofu could be announced to the world, or perhaps announce the revision of certain cruel penalties in the Qin Code..."
"But it takes a certain amount of time to prepare and plan all of these things, so it cannot be too early!"
"Unfortunately, there are no broadcasts or networks, so when the king proclaims himself emperor on that day, it would be best for him to address the people of the whole world and personally announce these happy events."
"But even without the internet, it can be managed. All that needs to be done is to send people to various parts of the kingdom before the coronation, and have them agreed to read to the people in their areas at the same time on the day of the king's coronation."
Ying Zheng's eyes brightened at these words. This approach indeed could achieve several goals. It would not only let the people of the whole world remember the day of the king's coronation, but also gain him immense reputation.
See, how kind the king is! He remembers us on the day of his coronation, allowing us to rest for a day and specially modifying laws, transmitting food making methods. The king's great kindness and virtue are too much to repay in a lifetime, it's never enough!"
Ying Zheng thought in his heart, but spoke out loud, "I have asked my questions. You may now tell me how future emperors succeed to the throne."
Li Nian said, "The succession of future emperors to the throne and assuming the position of the emperor, although different in each era, can be roughly divided into three steps: firstly, performing sacrifices to the heavens, ancestral temples; secondly, accepting official tributes; and thirdly, announcing to the whole world that one is the new emperor of the world."
"The steps for the succession of future emperors to the throne that I have written on bamboo slips for the king, there are many small dynasties like feudal states in addition to Han, Tang, Ming and Qing in later dynasties. It's difficult for me to write about every dynasty at this time..."
"Write about the main dynasties. What do you mean by saying that there are small dynasties similar to feudal states?" He was quite interested in this question.
Li Nian said, "Since the king unified the world, Han's idea of 'One China' has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people in this land. Whenever there is division in the country, emperors always strive for unity."
Although the Qin dynasty created the first great unification in the history of the Chinese nation, without the deepening and stabilization by the Han dynasty, it could not be ruled out that it would return to a divided mode similar to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.
Xie Yuxiang indeed wanted to implement the system of feudal lords, but if it were not for the death of the first emperor of the Han dynasty, even though the vast land of China would eventually be unified, it might still take several decades of chaos.
