At the beginning of the thirty-sixth year of the First Emperor's reign, Feng Chang and Liu He observed the sky for several days and nights, and found that the planet Yinghuo was retrograde when it passed through the heart. It stayed in the heart for four days before continuing to move eastward and out of the heart. This was a symbol of a great disaster. "Yinghuo guards the heart."
Liu He was shocked and reported the matter to the First Emperor.
The First Emperor asked: "What is Yinghuo Shouxin?"
Liu He said tremblingly: "Among the twenty-eight stars, the Heart is the most important. There are three stars in the Heart, which represent the emperor and the prince respectively. If the Yinghuo star stays in the Heart, it will be the Yinghuo guarding the heart."
"Then what is this warning?"
Liu He was so frightened that he said, "I... dare not say anything."
"Say, I forgive you!"
"Yinghuo Shouxin, at the least... the emperor loses his throne, at worst... the emperor dies."
The First Emperor was shocked and angry, "What? It's so audacious, how can it be unreasonable!"
Liu He fell to the ground and kept bowing his head, saying: "I deserve to die, please forgive me...I deserve to die, please forgive me..."
Although the First Emperor was furious, he calmed down after a while and said: "It is your duty to observe the sky, and you are not guilty."
Liu He then climbed up tremblingly and stepped aside.
From the perspective of Confucianism, Yinghuo Shouxin showed that the emperor had some failings. Therefore, a doctor came forward and said: "I heard that Yinghuo Shouxin also appeared during the reign of Duke Jinggong of Song Dynasty. Song Jinggong could not bear to blame it on the prime minister, the people and the youth. Instead, we should reflect on ourselves, cultivate holy virtues, guard our hearts against confusion, and understand ourselves!"
The First Emperor had never been interested in Confucianism and did not adopt it, and ordered no one to talk about it. Although all the officials did not dare to talk about it because of fear, the First Emperor could not pretend that nothing had happened. He was extremely upset and took Gai Nie and others out of the palace for a walk. It took a long time to calm down a little.
It is said that Zhang Liang has been living incognito in Dongjun since the failed assassination attempt at Bolangsha.
One day, Zhang Liang was walking leisurely at the end of the Yishui Bridge and met an old man wearing a coarse short robe. The old man was sitting at the end of the bridge. He took off his shoes and put them aside. When he saw Zhang Liang approaching him, he deliberately threw his shoes to the bridge. Under the bridge, he then sent Zhang Liang arrogantly: "Boy, go down and pick up my shoes!"
Zhang Liang heard someone calling him and turned around to find an old man sitting here. Although he felt that the old man was very rude, he felt that the old man was old after all, so he suppressed his dissatisfaction and fetched it for him against his will.
At this time, the old man crossed his feet again and said: "Since you have picked it up, help me put it on!"
Zhang Liang was furious. As a young master, he was always served by others. When had he ever served others? He was about to leave, but then he thought about it. Over the years, he had experienced family destruction, assassination of the emperor, and exile. What does this matter in front of me mean?
So Zhang Liang knelt down and carefully helped the old man put on his shoes.
Instead of thanking him, the old man turned his back and walked away with a long smile.
Zhang Liang stared blankly for a long time, only to see the old man walk a few steps and then return to the bridge. He praised Zhang Liang: "You are a teachable boy! I will meet you again at the bridge in the early morning in five days!"
Zhang Liang was stunned, but he already felt that this old man was not an ordinary old man from the countryside, so he hurriedly said: "This junior will definitely come!"
Five days later, when the rooster crows, Zhang Liang hurried to the bridge. However, the old man was already there. The old man said angrily: "I made an appointment with the old man, but he came later than the old man! Come back in five days!" After that, he left on his own.
Five days later, before dawn, Zhang Liang got up and went. When they came to the bridge, it happened that the old man had also arrived. The old man said angrily: "You kid didn't come and wait for me in advance? This is disrespectful to the old man. Come back in five days!" After that, he left again.
Five days later, Zhang Liang went to the bridge to wait at midnight. Just before dawn, the old man rushed here and saw that Zhang Liang had been waiting for a long time. He nodded and said, "This is how you respect the elderly." After that, the old man took out a book from his arms and said: " After reading this book, you will be the teacher of the king. Ten years later, the world will be in chaos, and you can use this book to build a country. Thirteen years later, the yellow stone at the foot of Gucheng Mountain in Jibei will be me." After that, he walked away.
Zhang Liang was so surprised that he knelt down and worshiped the old man, saying, "Zhang Liang thanks Duke Huang Shi for the book!"
At dawn, Zhang Liang took a look at the book and found it was "Tai Gong's Art of War". From then on, Zhang Liang studied military books day and night, mastering astronomy and geography.
This image of Yinghuo Shouxin was also seen by Zhang Liang. He knew that this celestial phenomenon meant that there would be great turmoil within the royal family. Once the throne was turbulent, the world would be in chaos, and the restoration of Korea would be possible.
Although Zhang Liang was far away from the world, he was very concerned about the affairs in the palace. He heard that Fusu had just been expelled from Xianyang recently. This was probably a prelude to what the royal family said. Moreover, he knew that the First Emperor would definitely pay attention to the celestial phenomena of Yinghuo Shouxin, and Zhang Liang tried his best to add fuel to the fire.
That night, Zhang Liang was watching the sky at night. Suddenly a meteor fell from the sky and landed in the woods a few miles away from him. At first, he was stunned by the fire caused by the meteorite and didn't think much about it. That night, as soon as he fell asleep, he dreamed that an immortal who looked exactly like Huang Shigong was beating him with a whisk. Zhang Liang woke up and thought, why did the immortal hit him in his dream? Suddenly he had an idea and a plan came to his mind.
The next day, when the people saw the fallen meteorite with the inscription "The First Emperor Died and the Earth Divided" engraved on it, they immediately made an uproar.
The news was quickly conveyed to the county governor, who did not dare to hide it and quickly reported the matter to the First Emperor.
After reading the memorial, the First Emperor was very angry. The previous time when Ying deluded Shouxin, he was so angry that he had nowhere to vent his anger. Now that something like this happened again, it was obvious that someone was causing trouble!
So the First Emperor sent his censor to interrogate everyone within twenty miles of the place where the meteor landed.
By this time, Zhang Liang had already fled, and the local people were afraid of being punished, so no one recognized him. The censor's interrogation lasted for more than a month without any results.
The First Emperor summoned Prime Minister Feng Quji and asked, "How does the Prime Minister view this matter?"
Feng Quji has always enjoyed high prestige in the Qin Dynasty. The two previous prime ministers, Wei Zhuang and Wang Wan, both held him in high esteem. At that time, everyone in the court knew that Wang Wan was leaning toward Confucianism and Wei Zhuang was leaning toward Legalism. The two had always been at odds with each other in the court. The ministers in the court were either leaning toward Wang Wan or Wei Zhuang. Only the censor Feng Quji never As for everyone, the opinions he put forward were very pertinent and reasonable, and the First Emperor often praised him. Therefore, after Wei complained about his old age, the First Emperor worshiped Feng Quji as his right prime minister.
At this time, Feng Quji was shocked when he heard that the First Emperor asked about this matter. This matter was related to the majesty of the First Emperor. It was of great importance. If he was not careful, he might offend the First Emperor. Feng Quji witnessed that over the years, under the auspices of Prime Minister Li Si, the laws of the Qin State became increasingly strict, and many innocent people died. Not only the old nobles of the six countries, but also the ordinary people in the world were very angry with the Qin State, so he euphemistically The audience said: "I think this matter will be difficult to find out no matter how long it takes."
The First Emperor asked: "Why did the Prime Minister say this?"
"Our Daqin laws are strict, and the people are often offended. Over the past few years, tens of thousands of people have been punished. These people and their families will be resentful."
"I, the Qin Dynasty, must carry out the order to make the people fearful, so that they will not dare to harbor evil intentions and commit treachery. Why can't a case of rebellion be found out now?" The First Emperor was still puzzled.
"Your Majesty, do you remember the last time you investigated the case of leaking the emperor's remarks? This matter has the same origin. If the person doing it admits it, it will definitely be a death penalty. If he doesn't admit it, he may still survive."
"Then why wasn't there anyone who reported it?"
"Qin Law requires evidence to be reported when reporting. Firstly, evidence is not easy to find. Reporting without evidence will be punished. Secondly, if you know about the rebellion but do not report it, you are guilty of the same crime as the rebels. How dare they come out? What about reporting?"
The First Emperor was silent for a long time and said: "Perhaps the laws of the Qin Dynasty are too strict. But if there are laws that are not implemented, the majesty of the laws will not be reflected, and the country cannot be governed by this."
So the First Emperor still ordered that all the people nearby be arrested and executed, and the stones were burned with fire.
After learning that thousands of people were killed as a result, Feng Quji shook his head helplessly and lamented: "The Qin Dynasty may not last long!"
Unconsciously, a year later, the First Emperor began to feel dizzy and his teeth became loose. As a precaution, the First Emperor ordered more people to be recruited to build the Lishan Mausoleum. There were as many as 72 migrant workers busy on the construction site day and night. Ten thousand. The First Emperor, who rarely visited the Lishan Mausoleum, came here more and more frequently to check it out.
One day, the First Emperor came to the tomb again to inspect. The group first spent an hour walking around the perimeter of the mausoleum, and then entered the underground palace under the leadership of Prime Minister Li Si and Shaofu Zhang Han. The passage into the underground palace is twelve feet high and eight feet wide. Both sides are reinforced with water-proof green plaster. The roads inside extend in all directions, like a maze. This is all designed to prevent tomb robbers. Zhang Han said as he walked: "The roads in the underground palace are designed according to the Bagua. If there is no one who knows the way to lead, if you go out of any fork in the road, you will hit the trap and you will definitely die."
The First Emperor kept praising Zhang Han for his hard work, and the group walked for more than half an hour before reaching the center of the underground palace.
The underground palace is one hundred and twenty feet long from east to west and sixty feet wide from north to south. The entire interior is laid out according to the Xianyang Imperial Palace. Various craftsmen are busy everywhere in the underground palace. Some are carving on the side walls, some are painting on the ceiling, and some are constructing Jiuzhou rivers with mud on the ground.
The First Emperor was very satisfied with what he saw and asked: "Is this the center of the underground palace?"
Prime Minister Li Si said: "Yes, this is already twelve feet above the ground and has reached the ground!" Li Si has been responsible for the design of the Lishan Mausoleum since the First Emperor came to power.
Shaofu Zhang Han added: "We have encountered spring water three times during the construction process. The walls were tamped with soil and smeared with green plaster to prevent water logging. The thinnest part of the wall was six feet thick. When it was completed, bows and arrows were used to shoot the wall. , if the arrowhead can be inserted into the wall, it will be pushed to be rebuilt until the arrowhead cannot be inserted." Zhang Han has been supervising the construction of the tomb, so he knows more details.
The First Emperor nodded and said, "Thank you for your hard work, my dear friends!" Then he pointed to the construction site where Kyushu was being built and said, "I want to use mercury to make rivers, lakes and seas. The Prime Minister can send people to the land of Bashu to buy it."
After reading it, the First Emperor said to Li Si: "After the construction of the mausoleum is completed, all design drawings must be destroyed!"
Li Si obeyed.
Ever since the last time the First Emperor had a private conversation with Wang Wan, he had doubts about Qin's strategy of governing the country. Was Da Qin really too harsh? After thinking about it, there is no answer, and I often fall into a trance.
A voice often said in his ear: "You have enacted harsh laws, which not only persecute the old nobles who migrated to the six countries, but also the people of the world are often blamed. Who in the world will support you?"
At this time, another voice will often retort: "The old nobles of the six countries are the old enemies of our Great Qin. Without punishment, our Great Qin will not be able to live in peace. If the people are not afraid of the law, the world will not be well governed!"
The first voice said again: "In that case, why do you still burn all the books in the world and kill the Confucian scholars and magicians who are dissatisfied with you? You don't have the magnanimity of an emperor!"
"They forced me to do this. They all took the salary from the court, but they slandered the court!"
"But this crime does not lead to death! What crime did Mi Hong and Fusu have? But you forced Mi Hong to death and belittled Fusu!"
The second voice finally fell silent. The First Emperor was unable to face his harsh life. Not only did he impose strict requirements on the people of the world with "orders and prohibitions", he also imposed strict requirements on himself and the people around him. He asked himself that he was worthy of his ancestors and his country, but he was sorry for the innocent souls who died under harsh punishments.
In the autumn of this year, the First Emperor summoned Feng Quji, the right prime minister, and asked: "What does the prime minister think of my Da Qin decree?"
Feng Quji hesitated for a while and said: "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and I dare not make any rash comments."
"There are only you and me, the monarch and my minister, here. Prime Minister, there is no need to worry too much. Even if you know everything you want to say, please tell me everything you want! I forgive your guilt."
Feng Quji was sure that the First Emperor really wanted to seek his opinion this time, and said: "Our Great Qin Law has been passed down since Shang Yang's Reform and has been continuously improved by several generations of Qin kings. It can be called a powerful tool for governing the world! However, it is too strict and complete. It makes it difficult for the people to live in peace, and they are easily offended, and as time goes by, they will surely develop resentment!"
"How can it be difficult to live with yourself?"
"The more complete a law is, the more difficult it is to compromise during its implementation. However, the actual situation is very different and cannot be generalized. In the previous period, Mengtian's deputy general Liu He was executed for delaying the delivery of grain. At that time, the courtiers blamed it on grain. The road is rugged and difficult to travel. In fact, Liu He died not because of the difficulty of traveling on the road, but because of the strict laws. The law only stipulates that "if you miss the deadline, you must be killed", but it is difficult to consider whether there will be heavy rain on the road or whether the road will be blocked. .”
"The Prime Minister's words are to be relaxed?"
"Yes! If the water is clear, there will be no fish. If the water is clear, there will be no fish. If the water is clear, there will be no disciples. Only loose laws will not cause resentment from the people of the world."
The First Emperor had experienced so many accidents recently, and he no longer insisted on harsh punishments. He was silent for a long time and said: "What does the Prime Minister think of the eldest son Fusu?"
Feng Quji was shocked. Since the last time the First Emperor reprimanded the ministers who recommended the princes, no one dared to mention this matter again. Now that the old matter was brought up again, Feng Quji felt nervous. He didn't want to answer, but firstly, the First Emperor was getting older and he really needed to consider establishing a prince; secondly, he usually admired the eldest son Fusu very much, and now he wanted to take this opportunity to excuse him.
So he replied: "The eldest son is kind and will be supported by the world!"
The First Emperor sighed and said, "Leave this matter to the Second Emperor!"
In October, the First Emperor ordered to set off on a tour of the East, accompanied by Prime Minister Li Si, the Commander of the Central Chemistry Office Zhao Gao, and the First Emperor's youngest son Hu Hai. Right Prime Minister Feng Quji stayed behind.
When Hu Hai heard that he was going on a trip with his father, he was so excited that he insisted on abandoning his carriage and riding on horseback in order to observe the scenery outside. The First Emperor had no choice but to agree to his request.
The car drove all the way to the east. During this trip, the First Emperor ordered people to worship various gods along the way, hoping that the gods would bless and protect the Qin Dynasty.
The First Emperor walked to Yunmeng and looked toward Jiuyi Mountain to offer sacrifices to Yu Shun. Float down the river, visit Ji Ke, and cross the river. Pass through Danyang and arrive at Qiantang. In the land of Qiantang, things are abundant and the people are prosperous. The people welcome him on the streets and are very happy in their hearts.
Seeing this, Hu Hai became very playful and said to Zhao Gao: "I didn't expect that there are so many fun things in the world. It was really rare and strange in the palace before. I thought there were not many fun things in the world!"
Zhao Gao secretly laughed and said: "From now on, the young master must often follow your majesty on patrols, so that you can have fun!"
"Of course!"
Soon after, the group crossed the Yangtze River and came to Kuaiji. What was before me was a different scene. Although the land was fertile and wild for thousands of miles, it was mostly deserted and uncultivated. The roads were also sparsely populated and extremely desolate.
The First Emperor felt strange and asked: "This place is only across the river from Qiantang, why is it so depressed?"
Prime Minister Li Si replied: "In the 28th year, Xiang Chao, the son of Xiang Yan, once led troops here to fight against our great Qin Dynasty. Later, Meng Tian led his army to annihilate it and punished nine of his tribes. The local people were implicated and countless people were killed. . Later, the people here were heavily taxed, and many people fled!"
The First Emperor thought to himself that it seemed that the punishment of the nobles of the Six Kingdoms was indeed too severe. Ten years later, the country still could not recover its strength. It was sad and lamentable! So the First Emperor ordered to exempt the people of Kuaiji from paying taxes for ten years so that they could be restored as soon as possible.
The group climbed Mount Kuaiji to offer sacrifices to Dayu and then to the South China Sea. The First Emperor ordered a stone tablet to be erected and inscribed with inscriptions praising the merits of the Qin Dynasty. The inscription says:
The emperor Xiu Lie is a man of peace, virtue and slenderness. Thirty-seven years, I personally patrolled the world and looked into the distance.
Then he went to Kuaiji to announce the customs of the province and Zhai Village in Qianshou. The ministers recited their merits, followed the original deeds, and followed the leader's brilliant achievements.
When Qin Sheng came to the country, he began to determine the names of punishments, which showed the old rules. At the beginning, the law was established, and the duties were reviewed to establish permanence.
The six kings were especially greedy, ruthless and fierce, leading the people to strengthen themselves. He acts violently and recklessly, and is arrogant despite his strength.
The yin communicates with the messengers, and the things are coordinated and the actions are made in a new way. There are deceptions inside, and external invasions on the border, causing disaster.
The righteousness and power will be punished, the violent rebellion will be extinguished, and the rebels will be destroyed. Holy virtue is vast and dense, and it is boundless in the world.
The emperor is in harmony with the universe, and listens to everything. He knows everything from far to near. Manage things, test facts, and record their names.
The noble and the humble are both connected, good and bad are not revealed before the public, and there are hidden secrets in the extravagance. Decorating the province to declare righteousness, marrying with a son is twice as unchaste as death.
Separate the inside and outside, prohibit sexual immorality, and ensure the sincerity of men and women. My husband sent me a pig, so I killed him without any guilt, because my husband was a man of justice.
The wife ran away from marriage, and the son lost his mother, so he became incorruptible. The great governance of the customs of zhuozu, the world inherited the trend, and Meng was menopausal.
Everyone obeys the rules, is harmonious and diligent, and everyone obeys the orders. The head of Guizhou is repairing the palace, people are enjoying themselves, and peace is guaranteed.
Later, he respected the Dharma, always governed without limit, and never tipped his boat. I would like to engrave this stone as a tribute to my sincerity.
