Chapter 329: The First Emperor Who “Doesn’t Care About Things”
In the Xinzheng County Magistrate's Office, official documents waiting to be processed in the entire Han area were piled three feet high on the desk.
There was no need to open it to read the content. Just the height alone made Ying Chengjiao's head ache. Guiguzi was gone, and all of this needed to be handled by him personally.
He rolled up his sleeves and picked up the pen to write, feeling a little regretful that he should not have let Guiguzi leave like this.
"Isn't it time to go to work again? Why doesn't that old ghost finish dealing with the documents before leaving?"
Ying Chengjiao had a sad face and started to work while cursing.
If the three-foot-high bamboo slips were on the desk, Ying Chengjiao would not be so uncomfortable. Given the thickness of the bamboo slips, it would take Ying Chengjiao less than three hours to finish processing them all.
Unfortunately, the three-foot-high pile of paper on the table was as thin as a cicada's wing.
Xianyang, the palace of Chang'an Lord.
The First Emperor was fishing leisurely, enjoying the pleasure of seeing the fish willing to take the bait. Now the First Emperor no longer approved memorials to the emperor's memorials.
Minor matters are handled by the Prime Minister's Office.
The Prime Minister's Office would give the results of major events and report them to the Emperor, who would then make the final decision.
The Qin Empire has been running like this for a month without any problems. The First Emperor was worried at first, and he would call Li Si and Wang Wan to the palace every three days to ask about government affairs. Now he has become accustomed to asking about government affairs every seven days, and occasionally checking the memorials handled by the Prime Minister's Office.
The First Emperor, who had always been busy, was very satisfied with his current living conditions. Two concubines in the harem were already pregnant.
Right Prime Minister Wang Wan once said tactfully: Your Majesty, are you being too permissive with Lü Buwei? This is a bit inappropriate, as his power is almost the same as before.
The First Emperor answered directly: No problem, I can give power to him and I can take it back, no need to worry too much.
In the Qin court, the new prime minister Jiang Shang is the only one in power.
"Your Majesty."
Lü Buwei, using the alias Jiang Shang, came to the small courtyard where he had stayed for nearly ten years, holding a scroll of memorials in his hand.
Not only did the First Emperor not dare to express his dissatisfaction with the cuckoo occupying the magpie's nest, but he had to bow his head respectfully and express gratitude.
What is poison to others is honey to me.
Lü Buwei, who had held power since King Zhuangxiang of Qin, did not want to retire. He hoped that the First Emperor would remain a lowly person so that he could put into practice all he had learned throughout his life.
"Why are you here again?"
The First Emperor turned back in dissatisfaction.
Lu Buwei gave a bitter smile and handed over the bamboo slips in his hand.
"Your Majesty, please take a look."
"It's already seven days so soon?"
The First Emperor reluctantly put down his fishing rod and unfolded the bamboo slips. He carefully read the contents of the bamboo slips, which recorded the major events of the Qin Empire that week, the way the Xiangbang Mansion handled them, and the orders that the Xiangbang Mansion was going to issue.
"The whole country should use paper instead of bamboo slips. Is this your order?"
"yes."
The First Emperor fell into deep thought.
Paper is light, fast, and easy to write on, all of which are far superior to bamboo slips. The reason why the First Emperor held down the paper and prevented Ying Chengjiao from publishing it was not because paper had any disadvantages, but because paper was too easy to spread.
In the past, bamboo slips were difficult to preserve, and each slip could not record many words. Now, paper, which is the same size as a bamboo slip, can record five times as many words as a bamboo slip, and is also lighter and easier to carry.
Doing so would greatly increase the opportunities for people all over the world to become literate and wise, which would be detrimental to the management of the Qin Empire.
Most of those who cursed the First Emperor were scholars. They couldn’t even take care of the common people who were hungry and cold, so they didn’t have the leisure to curse the First Emperor.
"The use of paper instead of bamboo, and the following article on the development of movable type printing, are hereby invalidated."
"Your Majesty! Paper has spread throughout the world, and the method of making it is well known to the people. If we don't use it, but the remnants of the six kingdoms do, then Great Qin will fall behind!"
Lu Buwei became anxious.
The Lu's Chamber of Commerce, which traveled all over the country and followed the street vendors, distributed the papers to the world without prior approval.
Nowadays, whether it is Qi on the coast of the East China Sea, Zhao near the Donghu, or Yan in the far north, paper is not rare at all, even if it is not available in the homes of ordinary people.
This situation was something that Ying Chengjiao and Lu Buwei had already discussed. The two of them acted first and reported to the emperor later, hoping to use the fait accompli to get the emperor to agree to distribute the paper.
"Is it because of me that Your Majesty is not promoting the paper?"
Lü Buwei knelt on the ground, feeling somewhat humiliated, and said:
"Your Majesty, please put the people of the world first, and don't be selfish because of me..."
"Don't take yourself too seriously, you're not that important."
Ying Zheng did not listen to Lu Buwei's words and said casually:
"The world is still the same without you, Lü Buwei. The Qin is still the Qin without you, Jiang Xiangbang. Don't think too highly of yourself. I know what you and that brat are thinking. Just do what I say."
Lu Buwei was unwilling to accept this.
To have a world without distinction of high and low was Lu Buwei's life-long wish.
The premise of all this is to enlighten the people. Without it, the common people will be enslaved by the nobles forever.
Learning may not necessarily change your destiny.
If you don’t study, you will never be able to change your destiny.
"Your Majesty, this matter..."
"Have you had enough of the Prime Minister's seat?"
The First Emperor said without raising his eyelids, grabbed the fishing rod at hand and threw it in front of Lu Buwei.
"Does Jiang Taigong want to come back and fish?"
The Qin State was the Qin State of the First Emperor, not the Qin State of Lu Buwei.
The First Emperor could allow Lü Buwei to take full power and review memorials, provided that Lü Buwei reviewed the memorials according to the First Emperor's wishes.
If you, Lu Buwei, want to govern the State of Qin according to your book "Lüshi Chunqiu", then you should come back as soon as possible and continue fishing.
Lu Buwei kept silent, stood up quietly, and waited quietly for the First Emperor to finish reading.
He was not attached to power, but he could not leave the position of prime minister for the time being. As a prime minister, second only to the emperor, he could have a say in many things and could occasionally do a few favors for the ruthless Legalists.
He went back to Chang'an Junfu to fish, but he could do nothing. He knew the First Emperor and knew that this powerful emperor would not be a volunteer for the second time.
"The new decree prohibits paper: anyone who makes paper will be killed, anyone who uses paper will be killed, and anyone who passes paper around will be killed."
"only."
"It is spread all over the country, except for the seven counties in the northwest and the Korean land."
"only."
In the next hour, the First Emperor asked about other decrees on the bamboo slips and learned some information about the Qin State from Lü Buwei. After letting Lü Buwei express his own views, he thought calmly and made the final decision.
After finishing his business, the First Emperor threw the bamboo slips that could decide the fate of the world to Lü Buwei, picked up the fishing rod and threw it into the water. He watched the float go up and down, felt the breeze and was content.
"Why don't you leave?"
The First Emperor turned around and said to Lü Buwei, who had not left yet, that he felt that Lü Buwei was an eyesore. The fact that the First Emperor could put aside his personal grudge and let Lü Buwei help him did not mean that he had no memory of the Qinian Palace Incident many years ago.
"Recently, Lord Gan has been hosting banquets frequently, and each time there are no fewer than a hundred people attending."
"You don't need to report this kind of trivial matter to me. If he wants to host a banquet, then he can. If you are willing, you can also host a banquet."
"What I am saying is that Lord Gan's frequent gathering of people from aristocratic families may lead to disaster."
"I say, if you feel that you are overwhelmed, you can also win over the hearts of the people. Gather the Qin ministers who are not from the aristocratic family and confront them with your former genius retainers."
The First Emperor said nonchalantly.
The First Emperor never cared about forming cliques and factions.
The Meng family occupied half of the Qin army, but the First Emperor never cared about it. Wang Jian led 600,000 Qin troops to attack Chu, accounting for 80% of Qin's military strength, but the First Emperor did not suspect him.
The First Emperor even took a laissez-faire attitude towards the military generals who were capable of rebellion and held the guns. The First Emperor paid even less attention to the civil officials who held the pens.
"All of Xunzi's disciples have gone to Xianyang. The best ones have been appointed as officials, while the mediocre ones have been appointed as officials outside. Some positions in the noble families have been replaced by Xunzi's disciples. There are still many Xunzi's disciples in the Chang'an Palace, which makes the Xianyang noble families uneasy. In my opinion, Xunzi's disciples should be dismissed to reassure the noble families."
A group of small families headed by the Baili family were completely eliminated.
Although he still held the title, his resignation was approved, and he lost his official position and was replaced by Xunzi's disciples.
After they regretted submitting their petitions to be reinstated and were rejected by the First Emperor himself, the demise of these small families was only a matter of time.
Water without roots cannot continue to flow, and the only way out for them is to be swallowed up.
These speculators, led by the Baili family who were abandoned by Gan Luo, abandoned Gan Luo's leadership and suffered a miserable end, so miserable that all the big families in Xianyang were still frightened.
There was a constant stream of people at the gate of Chang'an Jun's mansion, all of them were Xunzi's disciples, and the threshold had been kicked in seven times. If these speculators could be replaced today, they could also be replaced tomorrow.
Recently, the people of Xianyang have been in panic. Although Lu Buwei has no bad impression of these aristocratic families, for the sake of the stability of the Qin State, he still has to appease these aristocratic families who occupy 80% of the official positions in Guanzhong.
Xunzi did have many disciples, enough to drive several large families out of the game. But he was still far from being able to completely replace the aristocratic families.
“No need.”
"If all the noble families submit their resignations..."
"They don't dare."
“…”
Lu Buwei felt that the First Emperor was a little too arrogant.
Once all the noble families submitted their resignations, Lü Buwei had no idea how the First Emperor would be able to break the impasse. Rather than being forced to make concessions at that time, it would be better to appease the noble families now.
"Build a Xianyang Academy next to the Doctoral Office and house all of Guiguzi's and Xunzi's students there."
The sudden words of the First Emperor left Lu Buwei stunned.
He put aside his prejudice and asked to appease the noble families, but the First Emperor built a Xianyang Academy? Isn't this adding fuel to the fire? This is equivalent to telling the noble families that if you don't want to do it, I have plenty of people to do it.
"Your Majesty, this..."
"Go ahead and do it."
"……only."
Lu Buwei left with deep worry.
Although both of them held great power, the feeling of serving the First Emperor was completely different from that of serving King Zhuangxiang of Qin. Lu Buwei missed the days when he served as prime minister to King Zhuangxiang of Qin.
A day later, the order was issued to Xianyang.
Construction of several large mansions in Xianyang City began , which were larger than any other government offices. Xianyang had never had a government institution that could accommodate more than 10,000 people, and Xianyang Academy was the first.
The already worried families became even more worried, and at Gan Luo's order, a banquet was held in the new building again.
This time was just like usual, with beauties everywhere, music and feasting on the table, the most luxurious thing possible, to show the difference between him and those untouchables.
But this time, almost no one played with the beauties, and almost no one ate the wine and meat. No one was in the mood.
The newly-built Xianyang Academy is like a huge mountain weighing on the hearts of all the aristocratic families.
As long as the mountain was not moved away, no one was in the mood to play around. If they continued to play around, they would end up like the Baili family, waiting to die.
"Why are you all so sad?"
Gan Luo sat at the top, looking very well. He had been out of Xianyang Prison for a long time.
The three great families of Meng, Xi and Bai, who could restrain Gan Luo, were wiped out by Ying Chengjiao. The Bao Bai family, who strongly supported Gan Luo, was promoted for their merits, while the Baili family, who betrayed Gan Luo, was about to perish.
After this series of combined punches, Gan Luo's reputation among the aristocratic families reached an extremely high point, much higher than before he was imprisoned in Xianyang Prison.
The Gan family is now undoubtedly the most powerful family in the world. It has surpassed the category of large aristocratic families and is in a class of its own among aristocratic families.
A blessing in disguise.
Gan Luo, who deliberately forgot some unhappy things, has been very proud . The prosperity of the Gan family is Gan Luo's vision.
Gan Luo gave a look.
The beauty next to him was very tactful, and quickly and gracefully poured the wine. The gauze dress on her body had no effect of covering her body, but only increased her attack speed.
Gan Luo smiled and picked up the wine jar, holding it high.
"Gentlemen, drink this cup to the full!"
Most of the heads of the noble families, who all looked unhappy, forced a smile, picked up the wine jars , and drank the wine with Gan Luo.
Gang Chengjun Cai Ze was not at all conspicuous among the group of family heads, and he also drank up the wine in the wine jar.
"Why are you all so sad? Has anything big happened recently?"
Gan Luo asked even though he knew the answer.
"Shangqing, this Xianyang academy is going to cut off the foundation of my family. How can we not be worried?"
"Your Majesty has not been attending to government affairs recently, and all matters have been handed over to Jiang Shang to handle. This matter must be Jiang Shang's doing."
"That's right. Seeing that we are no match for him, Jiang Shang flatters and offers advice to Your Majesty, deceiving him into building a school in Xianyang. Our Great Qin has been a nation built on war since ancient times, so why would we need a school?"
"Whether His Majesty is aware of this matter is still unknown. Shangqing, can you take us to the palace to meet the emperor?"
“…”
Everyone was talking at once, and Gan Luo listened quietly.
The old man Cai Ze also joined the speaking group. He was neither overly excited nor overly calm, but just very proper.
As the sound gradually became louder and lasted longer, Gan Luo's face turned a little ugly.
When Gan Luo heard someone mention the idea of collectively submitting their resignations in protest, he slammed the table and said angrily:
"You guys are not stupid, so is Bento Luo a stupid person?"
He pointed at the group of family heads who had been saying that this was all Jiang Shang's personal doing.
"This is not Xianyang Palace. We are all on the same page. Don't play those tricks. Without your majesty's permission, who dares to build a school in Xianyang? Who can seize your majesty's power? Idiot!"
Then point to those who want to take drastic measures, such as breaking into the palace to fight, or submitting their resignation.
"Don't you think the number of dead is not enough? Doesn't Meng Xibai's death serve as a warning to you? Doesn't the demise of the Baili family scare you? If you want to die, please do so. Don't drag me, Gan Luo, along with you, okay?"
Gan Luo was not tall, but since everyone else was sitting and he was the only one standing, he stood above them all.
"It's my fault, please don't be angry."
