The Moon in the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 43 My Stupid Brother

"What's more, the excessive killing has made the people of other countries extremely repulsive to the Qin Dynasty. On the battlefield, even if they are not fighting for victory and rewards, but just for survival, they will fight hard and fight to the death."

"This is not good for Daqin's conquests. This is also why Daqin is no longer as invincible on the battlefield as before in recent years."

"There is a saying in military tactics that one should be left without a defender in order to avoid a fight where the enemy is trapped. But now, the military is forcing people to fight to the death."

"I have discussed this with Mr. Lu many times, and there really needs to be some changes."

"Being too tough will only lead to a lose-lose situation. Appropriate gentleness and a combination of hard and soft tactics are the best options."

Ying Zheng nodded in agreement: "Indeed. War is only a means, not an end, and killing is even less of an end."

"The goal is to unify the world, to conquer and rule, but endless killing cannot lead to stable rule."

"Similarly, if we continue to kill like this, we will create a blood feud with the six nations, and the hatred will grow deeper and deeper, and our enemies will only increase in number."

"Originally, the resistance was fierce from the nobles of the various countries. It didn't matter who the people were. But now, the people of the six countries have also become enemies. Even if we seize the land, I'm sure there will be endless vicious incidents. With people rebelling one after another, how can we rule in such a chaotic situation?"

Zhong Cang nodded and said, "That's right. The prince and I have already reported these matters to the king. Now that Daqin is recuperating, there are many communications in the court. Some changes are indeed needed."

"But after all, the world has never been unified. It is still a time of great strife. We can only prepare in advance. We can kill fewer people, but we must kill none."

"What needs to be changed now is that the purpose of killing people can no longer be used."

"We are now discussing that in addition to gains, capturing prisoners will also be considered a military achievement."

Ying Zheng suggested: "Not only that, in the future, when collective punishment is imposed, the punishment of the implicated persons should be appropriately reduced, and some overly harsh laws should be amended and appropriately relaxed."

"Now that the world is not settled, the Qin people still have a chance to gain merit and honor. But if the world is unified, they will still be punished. Where can the people of the world go to gain merit and honor to atone for their crimes?"

"If you don't give people a way to survive, then no one in this world will be able to survive."

“The ruler is like a boat and the people are like water. The people can carry the boat, but they can also capsize it.”

Zhong Cang clapped his hands and praised: "Young Master, what you said is very true. Your words are truly a famous saying of truth."

"I will report this to Your Majesty tomorrow."

Ying Zheng smiled modestly: "Teacher, you are too kind, but the revision of the law cannot be rushed. We need to combine it with reality, slowly try and make mistakes, and slowly correct it."

"We must not make any big moves now. How can we tie our hands when the enemy is still there? When the world is unified and the people are at peace, we can revise the overly harsh laws and this will also calm the people."

"But the tendency of fighting in the future must be changed. Killing should no longer be the first priority."

Zhong Cang nodded in agreement.

He stared at Ying Zheng in amazement and said, "My Lord, perhaps I will be able to see the unification of the world in my lifetime."

Ying Zheng looked at Zhong Cang and smiled slowly, "Yes, teacher, I will."

Zhong Cang smiled and nodded.

Next, Ying Zheng followed Zhong Cang to learn the specific laws of the Qin State.

Ying Zheng couldn't help but sigh.

Shang Jun is truly a rare talent!

Its laws are well-formulated, meticulous and extremely detailed, and are not much different from those of later generations.

Moreover, when Qin Law was formulated, it was tailor-made for the Qin people.

Based on the actual situation of the Qin State and combined with human nature, it is linked together layer by layer and there is no loophole at all.

Over the past hundred years, Qin law has indeed undergone many additions and changes. It has not remained unchanged, but has been repaired based on actual conditions.

Think about it, how can there be a law that will never change? Society is always changing, and some laws will definitely change. The Qin kings and people of all dynasties are not fools.

But its basic logic has not changed. The entire set of interlocking foundations built by Shang Yang has never been changed.

When Ying Zheng and Zhong Cang were studying the laws and discussing them together.

Someone outside the palace wanted to see him. It was a disciple sent by Ran Hong. Ying Zheng said to Zhong Cang, "Teacher, please sit down for a while. I will go and arrange a teacher for Cheng Jiao."

"Please go, sir."

When this Confucian disciple met Ying Zheng, he was extremely respectful: "I am a Confucian disciple, Zigui, and I pay my respects to you, sir."

Ying Zheng looked at this man and saw that he was about twenty years old, handsome, and dignified. He looked like a very upright person.

I thought to myself: 'Ran Hong really put in a lot of effort.'

Ying Zheng bowed and returned the greeting: "Sir, I will be your tutor for the time being. Please take good care of me."

Zigui replied respectfully: "It is my duty to know what is within my responsibility and I will try my best to do it."

For Zigui, this was an invaluable opportunity given by his master. If he had not been taught by his master, he would not have been able to get this opportunity no matter how talented he was. He must seize it.

Ying Zheng introduced Zigui to Cheng Jiao and asked Cheng Jiao to study hard.

Let them teach in the palace nearby.

In less than two quarters of an hour, Ying Zheng and Zhong Cang heard a noise coming from a palace nearby.

Ying Zheng asked Zhong Cang to sit for a while and went to the side to check alone.

I saw Cheng Jiao making a noise there, and Zigui was trying to dissuade him helplessly.

"I want my mother. I want my mother. I don't want to study anymore. It's so annoying."

"Young Master, learning is naturally a bit boring at the beginning, but as long as you persist, you will find pleasure in learning deeply."

But what’s the use of this kind of dissuasion?

After all, Cheng Jiao was of noble status and Zigui had no experience, so how could they dare to dissuade him harshly?

Seeing Ying Zheng coming over, Zigui bowed and said with a wry smile: "Greetings, sir. This is my first time to learn. This..."

Ying Zheng waved his hand to interrupt him: "I understand."

When Cheng Jiao met Ying Zheng, he saw that he had no expression on his face. This was the first time he saw Ying Zheng with this expression. He looked intimidating without even getting angry.

She didn't dare to make a big noise anymore, but she still whispered, "Brother, I don't want to study, I want my mother."

Ying Zheng walked up to Cheng Jiao and asked expressionlessly, "Brother, do you know why people need to study?"

Cheng Jiao nodded: "My mother told me that only by studying can one become successful."

Ying Zheng nodded: "That's right, only by learning can people become talented. As the saying goes, jade cannot be made into a useful tool without being polished, and people cannot become talented without learning."

He asked, “Do you understand this?”

Cheng Jiao nodded: "I understand."

Ying Zheng slapped him hard in the face.

"No, you don't understand."

"If you really understand, you should study hard now instead of making a fuss here."

The slap stunned Cheng Jiao instantly.

By the time Ying Zheng finished saying this, he realized that tears were already welling up in his eyes and he was about to cry.

Ying Zheng still stared at him expressionlessly, his expression still cold.

Being stared at by Ying Zheng like that, Cheng Jiao couldn't help but feel scared.

I still couldn't help crying out loud, but I didn't dare to cry too loudly.

(End of this chapter)