Diqin Designer

Chapter 279 Cultivating Pro-Qin Talents
As a qualified supporting actor, Zhao Gao asked again: "But what if they are highly valued after returning?"

Li Nian said: "This question is similar to what those people of higher status sent to Xianyang will do to our Great Qin."

"Although these people have a higher status in Xiongnu or Baiyue than those I just mentioned, it is not easy to make them loyal to the Qin by treating them like Qin citizens, but they also have the desire to be advanced and admire the strong."

Li Nian raised another question: "When they see the major advancements of our Great Qin, and then think about how far behind they are in these aspects, what will they think?"

Zhao Gao didn't get the chance to answer first this time, but Feng Jie got it: "They will be afraid and worried about the Qin State. They will be afraid of the Qin State's strength and worry that the Qin State will attack them. But at the same time, they will also think about how to resolve the threat posed by the Qin State."

"The solution they are most likely to think of is to learn from Daqin and imitate Daqin's measures to change their own country!"

Following Feng Jie's words, everyone else also understood and thought about the problem. The Qin Dynasty is not so easy to learn or imitate. That requires a price to be paid.

Seeing that everyone's eyes were focused on him again, Li Nian said, "As Lord Feng said, after seeing the strength of the Qin Dynasty, they will think a lot: Why is the Qin Dynasty so strong and why are they so weak?"

"Some people may even come to the conclusion that it is their race that is inferior and that the people of Daqin are better than them!"

Some ministers in the hall laughed when they heard this, such as Zhao Gao, who thought that Li Nian was joking. How could anyone think that the nation he was born into was not good enough?
But the First Emperor, Meng Tian and Meng Yi did not laugh. They thought Li Nian was not joking and that this might be something that actually happened in later history, and the object of its happening was the later country passed down from the Qin Dynasty.

It is such a shame that such a thing actually happened in later generations. The Qin Dynasty cannot manage for two thousand years, but while they are still here, they will never let such a thing happen. The people of the Qin Dynasty are the most outstanding nation in the world.

Li Nian glanced at Zhao Gao and continued, "Then, they will think about solutions. With the successful example of the Qin Dynasty right here, they are unlikely to turn a blind eye to it. Instead, they will learn from the Qin Dynasty as Lord Feng said, absorb its experience, and then transform their country."

"This seems to be a good thing for their country. They can learn from Daqin and draw on its excellence, so that their country can become as strong as Daqin."

"But can they do what they want? Will the Chanyu and leaders who are in charge of the Xiongnu and Baiyue allow them to do so?"

It is obvious that this is unlikely. The reforms these people want to carry out will inevitably encounter heavy resistance or even suppression.

In fact, looking around the world, there are very few countries that have accepted "advanced" ideas from outside and then completed reforms internally, and most of them have been ruined.

Especially in regions such as Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, whether referring to the Russian bear or the American hawk, few have a good ending.

Of course, the main reason why most of the bad results are caused by guys like bears, eagles, cows, and chickens messing around.

Everyone now knew that sometimes Li Nian’s questions were not for them to answer, but just to make them feel that they were participating, so no one answered.

"Touman Chanyu and Xiou King probably won't allow them to do this, but these people want to do it, so there is a conflict between the two. If it can't be resolved in time, it may turn into civil strife."

As for why there is a conflict, there is no need for Li Nian to explain. People who are familiar with power struggles also know: if these people want to do things, they need power, which means they need to share power from the Chanyu, leaders and others. Will the Chanyu and others allow it?
Moreover, what these people are going to do may harm the interests of the Chanyu and the leaders. It will not only divide their power, but also damage their profits, which is even more difficult to allow!

However, the more the Chanyu and leaders refused to allow it, the more angry and aggrieved these people would feel: Can't you see how powerful the Qin Dynasty in the south (north) is?

If we don't try to become stronger, we will be swallowed up by the Qin sooner or later! What can we accomplish by staying with a bunch of insects like you? Only by destroying this bunch of insects can the Xiongnu (Baiyue) have hope!

Li Nian continued: "Even if they can maintain restraint and avoid conflicts and civil unrest, Daqin can still 'help' them at the right time. After all, they are all students of Daqin."

"These people studied abroad in Daqin and saw how powerful Daqin was. They are likely to lean towards Daqin. Then Daqin only needs to select the right people from among them to support..."

Some people looked at Li Nian with strange eyes. Isn't this "help" and "support" not very serious?

But this method is actually feasible to a certain extent. Let them bite each other and create internal divisions. If it is handled well, not only can we control them, but we can even annex them.

Wei Liao said: "The Shangshu's idea is quite good, but I have a question. What if these people do not accept the "help" and "support" of the Qin Dynasty and only want to go back and build their own strong country? What should we do?"

"The Shangshu mentioned the word 'advanced' earlier. Liao thinks it is correct. However, what they have learned in the Qin Dynasty is more advanced than their own. If they pass on the advanced skills of the Qin Dynasty, will it pose a threat to the Qin Dynasty?"

Wei Liao's two questions are actually one problem, that is, if these people study in Daqin and really learn something, it will cause the outflow of Daqin's technology and may become a threat to Daqin.

This is not impossible to happen. The most typical example is a certain country that sent envoys to the Tang Dynasty to learn the advanced technology and culture of the Tang Dynasty. Many years later, they eventually became a threat to China.

Li thought: "It is indeed possible, but I don't think there is any need to worry too much: first, there will be strict restrictions on their studies in Xianyang, and not all subjects can be studied."

Wei Liao continued, "I understand what the Shangshu means, but the Baiyue people must want to learn the art of curing malaria. The Qin can indeed stop them from learning, but over time, the Baiyue people will not be able to learn what they want and will definitely be dissatisfied. How can we solve this problem?"

Li Nian said: "We will conduct strict assessments on them and open up some subjects appropriately."

Seeing Wei Liao was about to speak again, Li Nian spoke first: "Li knows that you are planning to open up some subjects, which may lead to technology leakage, so strict screening is required. The most important selection criterion is that those who have ill intentions towards Daqin are not allowed to be selected, no matter how talented they are!"

"Of course, people's hearts are unpredictable and fickle. Their lack of hostility towards Daqin may be a disguise. They may change their attitude immediately after returning home. Therefore, we must conduct the most careful screening of them, and we cannot release Daqin's most advanced technology to them."

"For example, the method of curing malaria can be used to buy time for the Baiyue people in the early stage. When it is really too late, we can open up some technologies that are outdated to the Qin Dynasty to the Baiyue people to stabilize them. We can also split the method of curing malaria and teach them some useful but non-core technologies."

At this point, Li Nian changed the subject: "Even if we do all this, we still cannot completely prevent technology from leaking out. When the Xiongnu and Baiyue people were allowed to send people to Xianyang to study, it meant that some of the technology would be learned by the Xiongnu and Baiyue people."

"Unless the Huns and Baiyue people are forbidden to come and learn, it is impossible that no technology will be kept secret." After thinking about it for a while, everyone realized that this was indeed the case, but after what Li Nian said, they already knew the benefits of doing so, and they did not want to give up this method.

Compared with the disadvantages, the advantages are much greater: it can cultivate a group of pro-Qin people in various countries, which can greatly enhance the influence of Qin in various countries and make it easier for Qin to intervene in the affairs of various countries.

Seeing everyone in deep thought, Li Nian smiled and said, "I haven't finished what I said just now. You are worried about the technology leaking out. You are simply afraid that they will develop the same technology as Daqin in their own country and become powerful. But in fact, there is no need to worry too much. This is also what I want to say about the 'second' and 'third'."

"Secondly, the environment in Daqin is different from their country. The development of technology is systematic. Especially for the more advanced technologies in the future, it is far beyond the ability of one person to complete. Even if they return home after completing their studies, there is not much they can accomplish with just one or a few people."

"In Daqin, Your Majesty is wise and willing to support technological development, so I was able to make paper and doctors found a way to cure malaria. Can the Xiongnu Chanyu and the Baiyue leaders support me in this way?"

The answer to this question is still obvious: it’s good enough if there is no suppression, and even if there is support, no extra effort will be made.

“The development and progress of technology requires a lot of talent. More talent means more people can discover problems and find solutions. Fewer people may not necessarily fail to find solutions, but it usually takes longer.”

What Li Nian said actually refers to the research and learning environment. The research and learning environment of Daqin is definitely much better than that of the Xiongnu and Baiyue. The speed at which new technologies are generated between the two sides will certainly not be at the same level.

After the learned Huns or Baiyue people returned, they faced an environment with no foundation at all. If they could catch up with the Qin Dynasty, it must be that there was something wrong with the Qin Dynasty itself.

Li Nian said: "These people want to use their talents and show what they have learned. There is no other country in the world except Daqin, so after they finish their studies, they may be more willing to stay in Daqin and be used by Daqin."

"Just like Shang Jun and Zhang Yi in the past, and Li Fuling and Wei Liao today... Isn't it because the Qin Empire is more suitable for you to display your knowledge?"

When Wei Liao and Li Si heard Li Nian use them as examples, they found it difficult to refute because what Li Nian said was true.

"Third, compared to their states, the territory and population of Daqin, especially the population, is many times larger than theirs. This means that Daqin can produce more talents than them and develop faster than them. And Daqin is already ahead and stronger than them!"

"It's like sailing in the water. All countries are heading in the same direction, but the Qin ship is bigger, faster, and ahead of them. If they are caught up by other countries in this situation..."

That was because Daqin was useless. Daqin had its own problems. It failed to convert this huge advantage into victory. All we can say is "It's what I deserve!"

When Qin Shi Huang heard this, he remembered what Li Nian had said to him when he said that Confucianism was not suitable for governing a country. It was not possible to rely on the weakness of other countries. If one wanted to stand tall among the nations of the world, one had to be strong enough oneself. Otherwise, one would decay sooner or later.

Wei Liao bowed to Li Nian and said, "Thank you, Minister, for clearing up my doubts!"

At this point, everyone also understood how Li Nian wanted Qin to control the other countries: first, through currency; second, by cultivating pro-Qin talents.

But after listening to Li Nian's talk, it seems that these two methods are really feasible, and there is a certain chance of controlling the various countries for a long time to benefit the Qin Dynasty.

However, there were loopholes, or in other words, some details were not yet perfected. Feng Quji asked, "When the Shangshu talked about the currency law, he had a question and answer with Deputy Commander Li, saying that currency is not wealth. Feng still does not understand it."

"The Qin coins are made of copper, and copper can be used to make weapons and tools. Even if it cannot be used directly for food, clothing, shelter and transportation, it still has a certain use. Why is it not wealth?"

After hearing Feng Quji's question, Li Nian smiled and said, "Copper can indeed be used as a kind of wealth storage, but coins are not wealth."

"Deputy Commander Feng has confused the two, thinking that copper is money and money is copper, so copper is useful and can be stored as a useful thing, which is equivalent to money, which is wealth."

Hearing "copper is money, and money is copper", Feng Quji understood, but he still bowed to Li Nian: "Please enlighten me, Shangshu!"

Li Nian said: "This is actually mixing up the material properties of copper as a metal with the role of money. Copper is not the coin itself, but the carrier or form of expression of the coin."

This may sound confusing, but everyone in the hall will soon understand it after thinking about it for a while, not to mention that Li Nian is still explaining it to them.

"It is said that in ancient times, people used beautiful shells and special stones as coins. Now, gold, silver, copper and other metals are used to cast coins. The change from shells and stones to gold, silver and copper is actually a change in the carrier of coins."

"But we usually assume that the carrier of money is money and mix them together, but in fact the two are different and their functions are also very different."

"For example, copper can be used to make weapons and utensils. This is the function and value of copper as a metal."

"These effects make copper an excellent monetary medium, but they are not the effects of the coin itself."

"Copper's role as a metal allows it to be hoarded as a commodity, but money is still not wealth."

“In short, copper can be considered a commodity, but money cannot, and copper can be considered a commodity because it is a metal and has actual value, which has nothing to do with its being a medium of money.”

"Even if copper is no longer minted into coins, it still has value. This is not because it is a currency carrier, but because it is a metal in nature."

A certain bullfighting country made this mistake, thinking that silver was currency itself, and that currency was equivalent to wealth, so the silver they found in America was an incomparable fortune. In the future, the entire country could live a good life without farming or production, but only need to buy things everywhere.

However, reality gave them a hard slap in the face.

(End of this chapter)