The Moon in the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 716 Faith (Part )

Civilization and education are divided into moral thought and cultural belief. The importance of belief is no less than that of civilization and culture. Belief itself is an important and inseparable component of culture.

Today, the world is unified, but it is only superficial. There are countless differences in folk customs and habits. At present, universal values ​​are not roughly unified, so how can we talk about true unification of the world?
The same track for wheels, the same writing system, the same ethics, the same territory, the same weights and measures, and the same currency are not enough.

More importantly, it is the unification of culture, the core of which is to build universal values ​​and cultural beliefs that are unique to the Qin Dynasty. Only in this way can we truly build a strong and unified civilization with concerted efforts, and truly integrate the land of China into a whole.

Ying Zheng has done a lot for civil governance and education, but at present, the number of people he can cover is still small, and these are the backbone of the force.

But it does not mean that the lower class, which makes up the vast majority of the population, is not important. They are the ones who are ruled, and how to stabilize the rule is the most important thing.

And this can only be done through faith.

It is absurd to talk about great principles to the illiterate people at the bottom of society, like playing the lute to a cow. But if you talk about suffering in hell, suffering in reincarnation, happiness in heaven, or becoming a high-ranking official in the next life, then the effect will be significant.

Faith is the most powerful weapon, and Ying Zheng would certainly make good use of it. That is why Ying Zheng developed the underworld system in detail, because it is too important.

Not only that, ancestor worship, benevolent people, and sages were also integrated into the new system.

And there are a lot of private goods added.

Just like why the Four Emperors are the Four Emperors, of course it is because the Four Emperors are the direct bloodlines of Fuxi, Taihao and Nuwa!
There is also the issue of what kind of people entering what kind of reincarnation. Of course, only loyal ministers and filial sons who are loyal to the emperor and have made great contributions can go to heaven and be reincarnated into a rich and noble life. Those who are disloyal and unfilial will all go to hell and suffer great pain and sin.

Don't underestimate the deterrent power of the Eighteen Levels of Hell. People fear power rather than virtue. As long as people believe in this, the construction of the moral system will really be as if with divine help, and it can play a vital role in moral construction and social stability. History has proved this.

Ying Zheng described the eighteen levels of hell as extremely horrible, ensuring that no one wanted to go to hell. In contrast, he also described heaven as infinitely good. For people, there are only two words: pros and cons. The pros and cons are so clear and the gap is so big that people are not afraid of not choosing.

The contents compiled by Ying Zheng formed a complete and rigorous system, from top to bottom, and every link made sense. He also conferred the gods, and the local gods with greater influence were all incorporated into the Five Emperors, and their duties were clearly divided, which was also to make it easier for the people in various places to accept.

No matter what gods or bodhisattvas, the most important thing is to be down-to-earth and pray to gods and Buddhas. Everyone's requests are different. It is extremely important to let them know how to pray and who to pray to.

Ying Zheng also incorporated the logic of ancestor worship into this system and combined it with the six realms of reincarnation.

That is, those who have made great contributions to all living beings will be ennobled as gods by heaven, and will protect all living beings and bring blessings to their descendants.

There is no need to be afraid if you do not have merits, as you will be reincarnated as a human being. However, the blessings and virtues after reincarnation will depend on your descendants. If your descendants accumulate blessings, your ancestors will live a better life.

If the ancestors lived a better life and also accumulated virtue and did good deeds, then the blessings would also benefit their descendants, and it would be a virtuous cycle!

If you accumulate virtue, you will also receive blessings. This will be for your ancestors, yourself, your family, and your descendants.

This rule is also to teach all living beings to be good, because if you are kind to others, perhaps that person is your relative or ancestor from the previous life.

There are also detailed instructions on how to worship ancestors, including time and method.

In addition, there are also official positions in the underworld. Those who have merits can serve as officials in the underworld even if they cannot serve as officials in heaven.

Do more good deeds and accumulate virtue, not only for the sake of our ancestors, but also for a better life in the next life. Even if you are reincarnated as a human, can it be the same whether you are reincarnated as a beggar or as a royal noble?

The system of merit and retribution, combined with the six realms of reincarnation, is so perfect. This perfect system of gods and ghosts is absolutely controllable by people.

Many people are not afraid of many things when they are alive, so will they still be afraid after they die? Will they still be afraid in the next life?

Not to mention in this era, there will still be people who believe it two thousand years from now.

This whole system covering heaven, earth and man can be said to have grasped the needs of everyone. No matter who you are, any need can be met. History has proven that it is extremely easy to promote this system.

The fear of death and nothingness is the instinct of all living things. No one wants to die, and no one wants to turn into a pile of earth after death. Of course, no one wants to suffer a great punishment after death, or to become an animal in the next life.

Now it gives everyone hope to actively accumulate virtue and do good deeds, and gives them hope for the future.

Moreover, this system encourages good deeds and combats evil deeds, so it is positive.

Even for the nobles, this set of rules also has positive significance. If you want to continue to enjoy such wealth and splendor in your next life, you must do more good deeds, and the more the better. If you accumulate enough good deeds, you may become a celestial being, or even be named a god.

However, Ying Zheng did not go so far as to say that donating money to God could completely absolve one of sins. Only by doing more good deeds could sins be offset, and one point of evil must be offset by ten points of good.

But it does not mean that donating money is useless. Whether you donate money to charity, donate money to the government, or donate money to temples to worship statues of gods, you can also increase blessings and merits. Donating money mainly depends on the intention, and is based on proportion, not absolute amount. Just donating money without doing good deeds, the blessings you gain cannot completely offset the sins.

We should still do more good deeds. The greatest good is to be loyal to the emperor and serve the country! For the emperor, for justice, and for the people.

Another reason why Ying Zheng did all this was to prepare for the deification.

Ying Zheng wanted to deify all the ancient sages, and they would all be placed under the Five Emperors, with each being given a specific divine position.

This is to prevent future generations from coming up with some kind of "holy religion" to limit the imperial power. Similarly, deifying can also win people's hearts.

What Ying Zheng always likes most when doing things is perfection. It is not just about creating a system, rules are more important!

How to worship the gods? What are the specifications? The levels, standards, rituals, actions, places, times and other rituals are all complete, and the final right of interpretation is completely in control.

This Shinto system is simple and inclusive, responds to various human needs, and has universal doctrines. Coupled with the court's efficient organization and flexible adaptability, there is no fear of failure in its promotion.

This is a thorough transformation and upgrade of culture, covering culture, beliefs, and all levels of society!

Now, we just wait for the New Year’s Day sacrifice to heaven.

Waiting for the old actors to cooperate!
In the first year of Qin Shihuang's reign, a new era began with sacrifices to heaven and earth.

The largest sacrifice to heaven and earth in history began.

This is a new era, a new world, the first emperor of Qin, Emperor Ying Zheng, offers sacrifices to the heavens.

It was far more grand than the last sacrifice to heaven.

Civil and military officials, many dignitaries, including princes over fifteen years old, many common people, and wise and ordinary people in the surrounding areas of the capital all accompanied him.

The waves are surging on the banks of the Wei River, flames are blazing in the Nine Cauldrons, Ying Zheng wears the imperial seal on his waist and holds a sword in his hand to control the world.

After a series of solemn and dignified sacrificial ceremonies, Ying Zheng stood high on the altar under the watchful eyes of the crowd and uttered the emperor's first words of sacrifice to heaven:

"God above, I, the first emperor of Qin, hereby declare to God: I have received the mandate from Heaven, I have inherited the throne and rule the world."

"In the past, Xuanyuan chased away Chiyou, Yao and Shun comforted the people, Dayu controlled the river, King Wen expounded the Book of Changes, and King Wu ruled the world."

"Since the decline of the Zhou Dynasty, the princes have been fighting, wars have spread across the land, and people have suffered. I have inherited the foundation of generations, and with the protection of heaven, I have ruled the world with benevolence and morality, and governed the world with virtue and righteousness. Now, I have united Han, pacified Zhao, destroyed Yan, defeated Wei, annexed Qi, integrated Chu, subdued Hu, and pacified the Yi. Finally, the world will be unified again and the world will be peaceful. This is not to show off the power of weapons, but to inherit the benevolence of heaven and earth and to bring peace to the world for all generations."

"Now, the land of Qin is united, the wheels are of the same gauge, the writing system is the same, the customs are the same, the currency is the same, the laws are the same, the weights and measures are the same, the customs are the same, and the Chinese atmosphere is renewed."

"I am the descendant of Emperor Xuanyuan, inherit the spirit of Emperor Zhuanxu, care for the people of the Nine Regions, and carry on the legacy of the Three Sovereigns. All I wish for in this life is for the world to be peaceful and for all the people to live and work in peace and contentment."

"The heavens are majestic, the earth is majestic, the sun and the moon are bright. If I do not work hard and love my people, the heavens and the earth can see my laziness. The mountains and rivers are majestic, the rivers are surging. If I do not respect virtue and honor the virtuous, the gods and ghosts will condemn me!"

"Since I am the ruler of the world, I shall always protect the well-being of the country and the people. May the heavens look upon me and grant great blessings to the Qin Empire, a long and prosperous prosperity, and a peaceful and peaceful life. May the border troubles cease forever, the granaries be full, the people be happy, and education be widespread."

"I will work diligently and unremittingly, taking the law as the guideline to rectify the administration of officials; taking benevolence as the discipline to educate the people; taking virtue as the way to promote benefits and eliminate evils."

"The Heaven above is my witness, and the vast land is my witness. I swear here in the name of the First Emperor of Qin that while I am alive, I will defend the land, expand the borders, and pacify the four barbarians, thus establishing the foundation for the eternal peace of the Qin Dynasty. When I die, I will turn into a dragon spirit to protect the Chinese nation forever!"

After Ying Zheng finished speaking, he threw the large jade sceptre used for offering sacrifices to heaven into the Wei River.

In an instant, the river was filled with huge waves, and the surging water vapor quickly spread and covered both banks.

Weiyuan Lord Ying Li soared into the sky and appeared before the world once again.

This time, there was no more panic on everyone's face. Instead, they were filled with honor and joy.

What is even more amazing is that this time the black dragon not only bowed three times to Ying Zheng on the altar with extremely pious movements, but also flew towards the officials under the altar.

After circling in the air for a circle, he slowly landed in front of Nian Duan who was standing at the edge of the first row, and bowed to him respectfully three times. Seeing this, everyone was surprised.

(End of this chapter)