Xiang Shaolong said: "Our Great Qin does not have any huge aristocratic families, and years of war have also caused a lot of damage to these nobles. After the world has been reshuffled, the power of the nobles is not great, and His Majesty is the most powerful king in history. , they won’t be able to become a phenomenon in the short term, just restrict their development, and now is the best time to restrict them.”
The First Emperor asked: "Just rely on what you said to let the people read and break the monopoly on knowledge?"
Xiang Shaolong said: "Yes. Common people are more likely to appreciate the emperor's favor, and the most important thing in the hearts of these children of aristocratic families must be their family. In troubled times, they will choose to sacrifice the country to preserve their family."
The First Emperor asked: "Wouldn't a person from a commoner background become an official and become a huge force?"
Xiang Shaolong said: "Everyone is selfish and wants to have the greatest power. The more dispersed the power, the harder it is to form a unified opinion. Who is the boss? Grassroots power comes from the king. If he wants to go further, he can We must follow the king closely. This is not absolute, but it is generally true. What we want to protect is the majority. If Your Majesty gives ordinary people the opportunity to study, they will be grateful to Your Majesty and will they rebel? For thousands of years, which king has been like this? Treat the people preferentially, and if someone rebels, they will defend His Majesty to the death for their own interests. These civilians and nobles are natural and mortal enemies. One will ebb and flow, and the rise of civilian elites will naturally inhibit the development of the nobles. "
The First Emperor frowned and said: "Everyone studies, how can there be so many official positions for them? If they study but cannot become officials, won't it arouse their dissatisfaction?"
Xiang Shaolong said: "There is also a distinction between high and low reading levels. Even among the children of aristocratic families who all study, some are elites and some are trash. Through examinations, we select people who are good at reading to be officials. Let common people have the opportunity to be officials and let the world The people see the hope of breaking through class rigidity. If there is a channel, there is hope. If you want to be an official, study hard. If you can't, let your son or grandson continue to study. Studying is better than rebellion. And studying makes people smarter. , no matter what you do, there are benefits, and smart people are better at farming than others. As I mentioned just now, if you want to establish a research institute, you need people who can read and write. To be a doctor, you need to read, calculate accounts, and be able to Reading, all the workers in my factory can read, which facilitates management and improves work efficiency. When I first led the army, the soldiers had to read, so that it would be easier for them to understand strategic intentions and execute tactical orders. In fact, no matter what industry, reading Literate people are more competitive than illiterate people. We specialize every industry, including farmland water conservancy, medicine, metallurgy, construction, justice, etc., and let specialized people study it. For example, the construction of Jianxi was built because of Li Bing, the prefect of Shu County, was proficient in water conservancy and was able to build it. But if the local chief executive didn't understand, wouldn't he have built it? In recent years, the Zhengguo Canal and Ling Canal have relied not on local chief executives, but on professionals. The state can specially train them These professionals, rather than those rotten scholars who talk a lot, have even passed professional assessments and set up professional officials. In short, there are plenty of places to place them. Moreover, after being educated and literate, it is easier to understand national policies and not easily deceived, instigated, and inconsistent with the country. Opposition. Your Majesty originally cares for the people, but if some people with ulterior motives misinterpret the holy will and make the people think that your Majesty is cruel and the law is strict, it will easily lead to unrest."
The amount of information was so large that it was difficult for the First Emperor to digest it all at once, but some things could already be started gradually.
The imperial examination system was vigorously implemented by the First Emperor. Now is the peak of imperial power and the trough of the family. Although education was not yet universal, there were many scholars from poor families like Li Si. Many of them were attached to aristocratic families and served as retainers. Now that he could obtain his own fame and enter the palace, they were all overjoyed, and their hearts immediately flew out of the aristocratic family and towards the emperor.
Xiang Shaolong also suggested that martial arts examinations should be held, emphasizing both civil and military skills.
Although the First Emperor was a bit cruel and unkind in character, he was an extremely confident man. He was one of the rare emperors who did not kill surrendered generals or heroes. Although I cannot say that I have complete trust in the generals, I am not afraid of them making trouble.
The Central Academy of Sciences, referred to as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was established in a low-key manner under the chairmanship of Xiang Shaolong. This is the most important step for Xiang Shaolong to promote scientific research. He carefully compiled all the natural science knowledge he knew and published it internally.
There is no need to waste time and start from scratch. He wants to promote Chinese scientific research based on what he already knows.
Everything is difficult at the beginning. He first sets up the framework, slowly cultivates talents, and accumulates experience. He may not see the day when he takes off, but he must lay a solid foundation and lay a solid foundation. This may be the most important task for him since time travel. He will use all his energy for the rest of his life to do this well, even at his own expense.
Under Xiang Shaolong's suggestion, the country suspended infrastructure construction, fully developed agriculture, exempted and exempted many taxes, and the people were able to recuperate and recuperate.
Xiang Shaolong's main work was at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and he occasionally cared about education popularization and imperial examinations.
The whole country is prosperous and the people are getting richer and richer.
The First Emperor didn't know if he was too disappointed with his longevity. When he knew that his life span was over, he began to turn to luxury in his life.
Construction of Afang Palace began in 212 BC.
At this time, the Qin Dynasty did not need to build the Great Wall. In addition to building the imperial mausoleum, the main project was the Qin Straight Road. Under Xiang Shaolong's attention, it was carried out in an orderly manner. There was no problem of abuse of people's power, and the country has always been stable.
Suddenly he began to build palaces purely for pleasure, and investment in imperial mausoleums also increased. This was a change in the mentality of the First Emperor.
The First Emperor was a very diligent emperor. He worked day and night for the country, and the country developed particularly well. He began to want to repay his limited life, and this change was reasonable.
Xiang Shaolong knew that the First Emperor was not a foolish king. Since he had made such a decision, he must have thought very clearly, so he did not speak to persuade him.
Xiang Shaolong didn't say anything, but someone did. It was the eldest prince Fusu.
As the eldest son of Qin Shihuang, Fusu was destined to be extraordinary from birth, with both civil and military skills, a benevolent heart, caring for the people, and the courage to speak out.
Mr. Fusu felt that it was not advisable to build large-scale construction and enslave the people simply for his own enjoyment. This was completely different from the meaning of building a straight road, and was not the behavior of a benevolent king.
Of course, the First Emperor knew that this was not the act of a benevolent king, but he had devoted so much effort to the country, and in exchange for the country being unprecedentedly powerful, couldn't he reward himself? The world belongs to him, why not build a palace? The eldest son of the emperor is openly accusing him and making him lose face.
The First Emperor was furious and sent Fusu to Mengtian's army in the bitter cold of Mobei as a supervisor, and was not allowed to return to Xianyang easily.
The First Emperor was angry and ordered Fusu to be sent to power, which shocked both the government and the public.
Prince Fusu has always been considered the direct heir to the throne. Unexpectedly, the next emperor will offend his father at this time and be demoted to suffer outside the Great Wall. Will there be changes in the succession of the throne?
When Fusu left Xianyang, only Xiang Shaolong came to see him off.
In fact, Xiang Shaolong has never been in contact with Fusu. Both of them were of extremely high status, and if they were too close in the past, they would be afraid of being taboo by the First Emperor. This was the first time Xiang Shaolong took the initiative to meet Fusu.
Outside Xianyang City, in a long pavilion by the road, Xiang Shaolong brought only one entourage, warmed a pot of sake, and quietly waited for Master Fu Su.
Fusu kept his carriage simple and left Xianyang alone. He was also surprised to see Xiang Shaolong on the left side of the road.
He and Xiang Shaolong have never interacted with each other. This time, he offended his father and the ministers were afraid to avoid him, but Xiang Shaolong actually dared to come out to see him off.
Xiang Shaolong looked at Mr. Fusu. He was handsome and a little downcast, far less heroic than before.
As the emperor's master, Xiang Shaolong was also awarded the title of Prince Jin. Fusu did not dare to neglect him and hurriedly stepped forward to salute and said, "I have met His Highness, Prince Jin."
Xiang Shaolong said: "There is no need to be too polite. You and I rarely communicate. You are leaving this time to go beyond the Great Wall. I will prepare a small amount of wine to see you off."
Fusu said: "Thank you, King Jin. I have angered my father, and only King Jin dares to come and see me off. Alas! The construction of Afang Palace requires too much labor for the people. The world of Da Qin has just been settled, and the people's hearts are not yet stable, so it is really inappropriate." Excessive use of people's power. I just want my father to be considerate of the people, and it is also for the sake of my country. I leave this time, and I don't know when I can come back."
Xiang Shaolong said: "There is no better son than a father. Your Majesty is not a foolish king. I believe that Your Majesty can understand your intentions."
Fusu said: "Then my father still relegated me to the outside of the Great Wall?"
Xiang Shaolong said: "It is indeed difficult outside the Great Wall, but it cannot be said to be derogatory. General Meng Tian is our number one fierce general in Great Qin. His place is very important, but not everyone can go. Your Majesty rushed to the garrison when he was nine years old. On the front line of the city, the tough environment has created a tough character. As the eldest son of the emperor, you have had smooth sailing and have not experienced any hardships, which may not be a good thing. Looking at your decadent look now, I feel that your majesty is doing this for you. good."
Fusu's eyes lit up and he asked: "What does the father mean..."
Xiang Shaolong smiled and said: "We don't have to speculate on His Majesty's intentions. Whether this trip is good or bad for you depends on you. I will say this. I wish you a safe journey!"
Fusu energetically accepted the wine offered by Xiang Shaolong, drank it down in one gulp, and said cheerfully: "Thank you so much, King Jin for your bravery. Fusu will never let down your father's painstaking efforts. I will pay tribute to King Jin again when I have the opportunity. Farewell!" "
Looking at Mr. Fusu's strutting figure as he left, Xiang Shaolong sighed secretly, this is a regrettable eldest son of the emperor.
"The people on the road are like jade, and the young master is unparalleled in the world." Fusu is valuable for his kindness, but he died of kindness in the end.
Xiang Shaolong sent Fusu off, so naturally he could not escape the eyes and ears of the First Emperor. The First Emperor naturally knew that they had never interacted with each other, so he was surprised that Xiang Shaolong would dare to see him off at this time.
The First Emperor summoned Xiang Shaolong and asked: "No one went to see Fusu off, only you did. As far as I know, you have no friendship. Do you want to express to me that you also support Fusu?"
