Chapter 383: The Historian Wrote the Truth Without Changing a Word
Grand Historian, an official of Qin.
Responsible for compiling history books and astronomy and calendar.
The position of Taishiling was established in the Xia Dynasty. Afterwards, whether it was King Cheng Tang who destroyed the Xia Dynasty and established the Shang Dynasty, or King Wu who destroyed the Shang Dynasty and established the Zhou Dynasty, the position of Taishiling remained unchanged and continued to this day.
By the Qin Dynasty, the post of Grand Historian had been established when the Qin Dynasty was still a vassal state.
The salary of the Grand Historian was not high, only six hundred stones, and he was a subordinate of Fengchang among the Nine Ministers.
However, this official position has special powers that are envied by all high-ranking officials, not to mention his superior Feng Chang, even the two prime ministers above him, and the Xiangbang above the two prime ministers, are extremely envious.
The Grand Historian could go to all areas of the Qin State, including the Queen's bedroom and the ancestral temples.
When asking anyone or anything, the person being asked must tell the truth and cannot lie, even the king is no exception.
History must be recorded truthfully, and the king's power must not be violated.
After receiving the order, the eunuch did not rush out of the palace, but went deep into the Zhangtai Palace, and Ying Chengjiao frowned.
This means that the Grand Historian had arrived at the Xianyang Palace before he arrived and heard his conversation with the First Emperor, which was not what Ying Chengjiao wanted.
If he had known that the Grand Historian was here, he would not have come today.
As expected.
Not long after, the eunuch led out the Grand Historian, who was wearing a long black robe, holding a bamboo slip in one hand and a brush with wet ink in the other.
The Grand Historian's name was Taishida. Although he was a civil servant, he was born with a strong and sturdy physique, a full beard on his face, and his eyes, when opened wide, were like two copper bells, almost like cow eyes.
This is the gene in their family. The Taishi family, who have never been to the battlefield, all have the appearance of warriors, and their faces will be covered with beards if they don't grow any for a few days.
King Zhaoxiang of Qin once made a conclusion about the Taishi clan: military men do civil work.
"It's really not easy for Da to meet Chang'an Jun."
Taishida said meaningfully.
The other official positions in the Qin Dynasty had changes throughout history, but the position of Grand Historian was hereditary. The family in charge of the Grand Historian took the surname of "Taishi", and all the Grand Historians came from the Taishi family.
In ancient times, surnames were separated, with surnames representing the source and clan names representing the branch.
The surname is immutable, but the clan name is changeable.
Some people took their surnames from the fiefdoms they were granted, such as Shang Yang, who was granted the Shang land.
There are also people who use their official titles as their surnames, and Taishida is one of them.
"Your Majesty."
Taishida paid his respects to the First Emperor.
The First Emperor hummed and glanced at the teapot.
The nearest eunuch immediately stepped forward and made tea for the Emperor. A palace maid stepped forward from behind, holding some fruits and snacks that had come from nowhere, and placed them gently and elegantly in front of the Emperor.
Ying Chengjiao's mouth twitched as he watched his unscrupulous brother eating the snacks he had developed, slurping his tea, and looking like he was sitting on a stool, cracking melon seeds and watching a show. He wanted to overturn the table.
"Taishi Ling is at your own discretion."
The First Emperor threw a jujube into his mouth, his cheeks slightly puffed up, and he spoke while chewing.
"only."
Taishida responded and sat upright on the ground.
He pushed away the fruits and snacks on the table in front of him, cleared an area, and placed the bamboo slips on it.
Open the bamboo slips and hold the brush.
"How many families have been killed by Chang'an Jun this winter?"
Taishida asked sincerely.
“…”
Looking at the new bamboo slips on the table, Ying Chengjiao's desire to overturn the table grew stronger.
"Your Majesty, it's always like this." Taishida sighed helplessly and said, "Chang'an Jun either avoids me or doesn't answer me. Your Majesty, please ask Chang'an Jun to cooperate with me in compiling history."
"That makes sense."
The First Emperor agreed with this and expressed his approval. Then he looked at his brother, whose face was livid, and said with a smile:
"You must answer all the questions asked by the Grand Historian truthfully, even I am no exception. After you cooperate with the Grand Historian to record the history, you can go back."
Ying Chengjiao looked at the gate of Zhangtai Palace, and found that Zhang Han, the doctor, was nowhere to be found. But whenever he wanted to go out, Zhang Han would always be standing in front of the door.
Although the First Emperor acted very casual, and in fact he should have been casual, Ying Chengjiao knew that if he did not cooperate with the history recording today, he would not be able to escape.
Recording history is a huge matter.
Because China has a history recorded in writing, we know where it was born, the ancient sages, the mistakes and experiences, and the inheritance of the surname.
"Five."
Ying Chengjiao said in a deep voice.
Taishida did not record anything. He turned his head, and his naturally ferocious face was expressionless.
"Who are you kidding? You think you're stupid."
“…”
Ying Chengjiao tried his best to control his facial expression and make it more sincere.
"That's the truth."
Taishida had no intention of writing anything, and advised with a stern face:
"If Da doesn't believe me, please tell me the truth, Chang'an Jun. What we said today must be recorded in history books for future generations to see. It doesn't matter if Chang'an Jun deceives Da, but it's a big deal if he deceives millions of people in the future."
Ying Chengjiao was helpless.
"Why do you write this? Isn't the history you wrote too detailed? If you really don't know what to write, just write down the names of my nephews and nieces. Otherwise, future generations will only know Fusu, Gao, Jianglu, and Huhai, and they will have to think of them themselves when making TV dramas or writing novels."
Taishida immediately turned around, pointed at Ying Chengjiao, and said to the First Emperor, who was smiling particularly happily:
"Your Majesty, look, Lord Chang'an is still not cooperating."
“Ahem~”
The First Emperor coughed twice, stretched out one hand and pressed twice, signaling the Grand Historian to calm down and that he would take care of everything.
"I know, I know. Remember this. Enter all the houses of the people in Xianyang."
Before the Grand Historian could respond, Ying Chengjiao interrupted him with an unfriendly tone.
"Your Majesty, this is history, it is to be read by millions of people in the future, and it cannot be fabricated."
[Xianyang is so big, go in, do you think I'm the Flash? ]
The Grand Historian made a gesture as if he was about to pick up the pen and write something.
Ying Chengjiao stepped forward to grab the pen, and then grabbed the bamboo slips.
"I will write my own things myself, so I won't bother you."
He wrote very quickly and finished the narration in minutes.
[Chang'an Jun followed the order of the First Emperor to deliver honeycomb coal to the people in the city. After passing five houses, he became tired of this and returned home without paying any attention.]
Taishida did not try to snatch back the bamboo slips and the brush. He just sat on the ground and watched Ying Chengjiao write with an expressionless look.
After finishing writing, Ying Chengjiao was about to return the item, but when he saw the historian's reaction, he became puzzled.
"You are the only one who can record in the history books. Now that I have written it down, why don't you try to grab it?"
The historian looked up.
"Changan Jun, please write if you want to. It won't count anyway. There aren't many other things in my house, but I have enough bamboo slips. After you've vented, please answer my questions truthfully."
Ying Chengjiao chuckled.
"You should be more diplomatic in your conduct and do things according to what I write, otherwise I will dismiss you from office. When the time comes, your family will have no livelihood, and history will still be written according to what I say."
"I don't believe it. The Taishi clan is only for recording history. I don't believe you can dismiss me. Besides, the appointment and dismissal of officials is the power of Your Majesty. Although Chang'an Jun is a noble, he does not have this power."
"If you don't believe me, ask His Majesty."
The Grand Historian looked at Ying Chengjiao carefully, then turned around and asked the First Emperor.
"Your Majesty, is what Chang'an Jun said true?"
The First Emperor did not hesitate and looked serious.
"real."
Taishida's face showed surprise, followed by ecstasy.
Ying Chengjiao: “…”
[Are you sick? You're going to lose your job, why are you so happy? ]
Taishida was very familiar with the Zhangtai Palace. To be precise, there was no palace in the entire Xianyang Palace that Taishida was not familiar with.
Taishida had been to all the places, from the most magnificent Afang Palace to the cold palaces where concubines not favored by the First Emperor were kept.
After apologizing to the First Emperor, Taishida took matters into his own hands, and was able to find writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone in the Zhangtai Palace with ease.
He spread the bamboo slips on the ground, stuck his butt out, and started writing without caring whether his posture was elegant or not.
“Hahahahahahaha!”
The First Emperor suddenly laughed out loud, and his expression showed that he was extremely happy, which scared Ying Chengjiao.
【You are sick too! 】
Cursing in his heart, Ying Chengjiao walked behind Taishida and bent down to see what Taishida was writing.
[In the first year of the Emperor's reign, Chang'an Jun had the power to appoint and dismiss court officials, and had assumed the power of the Emperor.]
“…”
Ying Chengjiao grabbed Taishida by the collar and said viciously:
"What nonsense are you talking about! Change it for me!"
With the ecstatic look still on his face, Taishida said excitedly:
"This is what Naida saw with his own eyes! The historian recorded it truthfully without changing a single word!"
“…”
The First Emperor, who had been laughing non-stop since a while ago and couldn't even eat fruits and snacks, finally stopped laughing in the face of his brother's murderous look.
He coughed twice.
"The greatest fear of the Grand Historians of all dynasties was that there would be no major events in the country during their time in office, and that they would have nothing to record. They were afraid that the history they recorded would be deemed as meaningless by later generations and would be deleted and modified, and that their names would not be left behind for posterity.
"What I like most is the usurpation of the throne, the murder of the king by the minister, and the auspicious signs from heaven. What you just said is exactly unusual. Don't waste your time on it. The Grand Historian will not change it."
Ying Chengjiao rolled his eyes and let go of his hand to help Taishi Ling straighten his collar which was tangled by him.
"I remember that you were appointed as the Grand Historian in the year when Your Majesty ascended the throne. Qin conquered the six kingdoms and unified the world. Afterwards, the disputes over the division of fiefdoms and counties were resolved. The writing system, the wheel gauge, and the customs were standardized. Highways were built to reach all parts of the world. There were so many important events, and you have so much to remember. Future generations will never forget you as the Grand Historian, and will never forget that you were called Taishi Da. Don't remember my joke, I was just making it up."
Taishida shook his head.
"Your Majesty has admitted that this was what he saw with his own eyes. The historian told the truth without changing a word."
The Grand Historian is only afraid of remembering too little, he will never complain about remembering too much.
The more you remember, the more likely you are to become famous throughout the ages.
"You don't want to be shamed, right?"
Ying Chengjiao's face immediately turned black, and the collar he had just fixed was messed up again by him.
"If you can do the job of Grand Historian, then do it. If you can't, find someone else. It's hard to find a three-legged frog, but there are plenty of people who can write. Hurry and delete it for Nai Gong!"
Taishida spoke each word with emphasis.
"Not one word, change."
Ying Chengjiao let go, looked at the First Emperor who was watching the show, and said seriously:
"I don't want to be recorded in history books. Can you please change the Grand Historian? I'm serious."
The things he invented and the policies he proposed were all based on the shoulders of his predecessors, not his own ideas.
This achievement, tracing back to its source, is not his.
He is happy to propose changing the status quo, making the world a better place and making his life more comfortable.
He didn't like being praised for taking credit for other people's achievements.
He is a porter and a copyist, not a creator.
All novels and poems written by Ying Chengjiao use the original author's name.
Even if no one in the world knows the original author except him, he still stubbornly writes it down.
Repeat it over and over again with the "insiders".
“That wasn’t written by me.
"It was written by Lu Xun, Du Fu, Li Bai, Jin Yong, Gu Long, Lu You, Wu Chengen..."
The First Emperor put away his smile and said seriously:
"Can.
“However, the history of Qin has always been recorded by the Taishi family. If the Taishi family is not allowed to do so and someone from another family is replaced, the world will not accept it.
"They only believe in the history recorded by the historian and will not trust other clans."
Ying Chengjiao looked at Taishida and said calmly:
"Then find someone who knows what's best for you from Taishi's family."
He made it clear to Taishida that he was not bluffing, he really wanted to replace someone.
Taishida's expression became more determined.
"Chang'an Jun really has the imperial power!"
“…”
Ying Chengjiao asked the eunuchs to go to Taishi's house to summon people.
With the approval of the First Emperor, who was watching all this with a smile, all the candidates for the Zhangtai Palace were ordered by Ying Chengjiao.
"Your Highness, I, the Grand Historian, pay my respects to your Majesty."
Tai Shi Jie is the second younger brother of Tai Shi Da. He is as burly as his elder brother, and his full beard makes his appearance indistinguishable from his elder brother.
Ying Chengjiao pointed at Taishi Da and said to Taishi Jie:
"Your brother disobeyed orders and has been dismissed from his position as Grand Historian."
He threw the bamboo slips that Tai Shijie had just written on to him.
"From today on, you are the new Grand Historian. My article will only cover the defeat of the Tunliu army. Do you understand?"
Tai Shijie looked towards the First Emperor.
The First Emperor nodded and endorsed his brother.
"Everything is subject to what Cheng Jiao said."
Tai Shijie was ecstatic and ran to his brother who also had a beard.
"Hurry and remember this! Chang'an Jun has the imperial power to appoint and dismiss officials!"
Taishida looked up at Ying Chengjiao and said loudly:
“I’ve already made note of it.
"In the first year of the Emperor's reign, Chang'an Jun had the power to appoint and dismiss court officials, and had assumed the power of the Emperor.
"Not a single word has been changed!"
Ying Chengjiao: “…”
The First Emperor concealed his smile by eating fruits.
[You are still trying to tamper with history books. What wishful thinking.]
With a sullen face, Ying Chengjiao walked quickly to the front of Zhangtai Palace and pulled out the sword that suddenly appeared from Zhang Han's waist.
"Let him be."
Zhang Han, the palace officials, eunuchs, and maids, who suddenly became nervous, did not make any unnecessary movements under the orders of the First Emperor.
Inside and outside the palace, everyone does their own thing.
Ying Chengjiao, holding his sword at an angle and looking murderous, walked up to the two brothers Taishida and Taishijie.
He threw the Qin sword away, and it spun in the air.
He grabbed the hilt of Qin Jian with his backhand in mid-air and suddenly pressed it on Taishida's neck. The blade cut through his collar and pressed on his flesh.
"I want to live, I want to die."
Taishida didn't dare to move, sweat on his forehead, and said honestly:
"I want to have a baby."
Ying Chengjiao pressed down Qin Jian, and Taishida felt a sudden pain in his neck.
Tai Shijie, who didn't dare to make a sound for fear of endangering his brother's life, had lost his joy.
His face turned pale when he saw that there was blood on the sword. This sword had already shed blood.
Ying Chengjiao said without any emotion:
"Change means life, don't change means death."
Taishida instinctively leaned back to avoid Qin Jian, shrinking and trembling.
This man looked like a fierce general, but was actually a civil servant. His voice was filled with fear, and he was not strong but fat.
"The historian wrote truthfully without changing a single word."
