Diqin Designer

Chapter 385 The Cultural Way of Daqin

Feng Quji wondered, "Don't the people of this country have enough to eat and enough clothes to wear?"

Li Nian smiled and said, "This 'simple' doesn't mean that they can't eat enough and wear warm clothes. With the productivity of the Bear Country at that time, eating and wearing clothes were not a big problem. It means that their production and manufacturing capabilities are very strong. They can produce tens of thousands of tanks a year. However, the people of this country only have the same few things to eat and wear every day for a long time. Even to buy a car, they have to wait in line for several years."

"To put it simply, this country has sufficient productivity, but its people lag behind Western countries in terms of material and cultural life!"

Wang Wan said: "That is to say, the production and manufacturing capacity of this country is not weaker than that of Western countries, and is even stronger, but the living standards of the people of this country are worse than those of Western countries. The people of Western countries eat and drink better, wear more gorgeous clothes, and have more exciting entertainment than them."

Li Nian nodded and said, "That's right! After the Western countries discovered this shortcoming of the Bear Country, they used the media to publicize it and let the people of this country see how the Western people live..."

Wang Jian continued, “When the people of this country see that the people of the Western countries live better than them, they will naturally feel dissatisfied. They are the people of a superpower, but their lives are worse than those of other countries. Of course, they will feel unbalanced!”

Feng Jie asked a key question: "How do Western countries spread propaganda?"

Li Nian said: "We promote them in many aspects, such as clothing, food, housing, transportation, movies, music, animation, literature, etc. In terms of clothing, food, housing, transportation, for example, in terms of 'clothing', Western countries make them the trend of the world, that is, the clothes they wear are the most popular styles in the world. If you wear the same as them, you are fashionable, and if you wear something different, you are old-fashioned and backward."

Li Nian thought for a moment and gave an example to explain: "The so-called 'trend' and 'fashion' are like a certain pattern of clothing that appeared in Xianyang, which was sought after by many Xianyang residents. However, people from outside Xianyang did not wear this pattern of clothing, and if they wore clothes of the past style, they would be considered 'old-fashioned' and 'backward'."

After Li Nian's explanation, Qin Shi Huang and others immediately understood that the key point is not what kind of clothes the people in Western countries wear, but how Western countries can define "fashion" and "trend".

They follow fashion trends, so people who are different from them must be defined as "backward" and "old-fashioned". Then they use this to force people who are different from them to change their clothing style and even their living habits, which is obviously a kind of cultural invasion.

"As for food and drink, what can the Chinese eat? Almost every day they eat the same things, while Western countries have come up with many different options and created some well-known food brands that are popular all over the world!"

"There are even people in Western countries who have established their own food evaluation standards to judge the food of other countries. In this way, when they see that the people in Western countries eat more and better food and drink than they do, and that it is popular all over the world, and then look at what they eat, how can they not be envious?"

Li Nian said: "It's hard to blame the people of this country, because 'when the granaries are full, people know etiquette; when they have enough food and clothing, they know honor and disgrace'. After the problem of food and clothing is initially solved, people will not only think about having enough food and clothing, but will also think about how to eat well, eat fine food, wear comfortable and beautiful clothes, and at the same time they will have spiritual pursuits!"

"This country failed to handle it properly, and even ignored it. Of course, it will be seized by the Western countries and severely beaten. If there were no Western countries to compare with them, the situation might be better. I don't know if there is a better place, and I won't yearn for it. But unfortunately, the Western countries exist."

The First Emperor and others understood the meaning of Li Nian's words: this was to tell them not to think about suppressing the people and preventing them from living a good life, unless you can guarantee that no country better than Daqin will appear outside Daqin. Otherwise, once a country better than Daqin appears, the situation of this country may not necessarily occur in Daqin.

Li Nian continued: "Compared to food, clothing, housing and transportation, film music, literature and animation will cause more dangerous cultural influences, especially movies, literary works, animations, which can directly spread ideas. Movies are..."

Li Nian pondered for a moment, and explained in a way that Wang Wan and the others could understand: "It is to use some special things to record daily conversations and behaviors, just like today, when I discussed matters with Your Majesty and the other officials in Zhangtai Palace, the entire process was recorded without any detail. Whether it is everything in this palace or our expressions and behaviors, they will all be recorded and then presented to others."

Since the First Emperor had watched the video on Li Nian’s phone, it was not difficult for him to understand what a movie was. This was mainly for the explanation to Wang Wan and others.

Several people were quick thinkers and understood it quickly. Wang Wan said, "It means to record our scene today into something and then present it to others?"

Li Nian said: "Yes, but movies are usually made up to show a story. For example, the story of General Wang Ben and General Meng Tian leading troops to defeat the Donghu and Yuezhi can be made into a story, and many details that did not exist originally can be added to it."

"It was like adding unnecessary difficulties and obstacles to this expedition, making people feel that it was difficult for the Qin army to dispatch troops against the Donghu and Yuezhi. Fortunately, General Wang Ben and General Meng Tian were wise and decisive, and they managed to turn the danger into safety in the thrilling crisis and win this great victory!"

Now they completely understood that this movie could be made up according to their own ideas, and if used well, it would be a powerful tool for cultural invasion of other countries.

In this movie, other countries are belittled and then their own countries are elevated. Ideas that are beneficial to their own country and harmful to other countries are fabricated into the movie and then spread to other countries.

Hiss, this method is really powerful...

Feng Jie frowned and said, "Western countries are using this movie to spread stories that are beneficial to them?"

Li Nian nodded: "That's right. Movies made by Western countries will naturally show their own ideas and concepts. For example, in their movies, their own people are often heroes, responsible for saving the world, great, bright, and just, while others are mean, dark, and evil."

"They may not see anything wrong in the short term, but over time, some people will really believe what is shown in the movie and gradually agree with the Western countries' ideas."

"Literary works, animations, etc. have similar influences to movies. When people read novels and essays from Western countries, some people will be influenced by the ideas and thoughts between the lines. For example, if a book says that someone is a bad person and describes his crimes in detail, as if you saw them in person, if this book is widely circulated, will anyone really think that this person is a bad person?"

The First Emperor said: "There is a story in Han Feizi, 'Three people's words make a tiger'. If this rumor spreads widely, someone will definitely believe that this person is a bad person."

Li Nian said: "On the contrary, promoting one's own goodness can also achieve the same effect. Western countries use this to belittle others and praise themselves, allowing many countries to truly regard them as beacons and follow the path they have taken. Little do they know that when Western countries became rich, they did not take this path at all!" The way Western countries got started was not according to what they later promoted, but through colonial plunder.

"If these countries follow the advice of the Western countries, how can they not go astray? Moreover, the Western countries also have evil intentions on the path they are talking about!"

"This country was also influenced by Western countries. It was very strong militarily, but not as culturally developed as Western countries. This weakness was seized upon by Western countries, who concentrated their attacks on it, eventually tearing a wound in this country that was difficult to heal on its own."

Wang Jian asked: "Didn't this country prevent the Western countries from invading its culture?"

Li Nian said: "Of course there will be some action, but whether it can be stopped is another matter. The Western countries have too much advantage over them in culture, especially in the middle and late stages of the competition between the two sides. This country's decline is difficult to stop, while the Western countries are thriving."

"Many people have a nature of pursuing beauty. When they see that Western films are more numerous and interesting than their own, and that Western cultural works are better and more profound than their own, they will naturally yearn for them. Even if the court of this country prevents them, the people of this country will secretly try to get in touch with them. Moreover, there are also people in the court of this country who recognize the West."

"In terms of military strength, this country is on par with Western countries, and even slightly better at certain times. But in terms of culture, this country is at a disadvantage. This is a cultural war, and the advantaged side will win!"

"Your Majesty and you all know the fate of this country. Due to the defeat in the cultural war and other factors, it collapsed and fell apart. The impact of the cultural defeat was far-reaching, and the countries that split from it are still suffering from the legacy."

After hearing how this country was invaded culturally, Qin Shi Huang and others fell silent. The current Qin Dynasty is definitely not like this country, but such a powerful country will also be influenced by the culture of other countries. Qin Dynasty must learn from this and must not forget the importance of culture.

After a moment of silence, the First Emperor asked, "The harm done by the Western countries should have been known to everyone. Why do some countries still believe them in the future?"

Li Nian said: "Because the Western countries are advanced and powerful, even if they have poor credibility, because they are so powerful, some countries are willing to trust them. If they don't trust them, they will impose sanctions on other countries or even send troops. Cultural invasion also needs to be supported by sufficient strength!"

"In the future, the Great Qin will not only develop in military and economy, but also cannot ignore the cultural aspect. In my opinion, the Great Qin should lead other countries in many aspects without any weaknesses."

Li Nian didn't need to make this summary. Qin Shi Huang and others had the same idea after listening to Li Nian's talk about the importance of culture.

If the Qin Dynasty was just a closed-door regional country, it would not need to focus on the development of culture. In fact, the development of culture would be disadvantageous to the monarch and his ministers who wanted to maintain the stability of the Qin Dynasty.

Because the development of culture requires increased support and investment in education, and education will enlighten the people, the positions of princes and nobles may not be so stable.

But if Daqin wants to step into the world, it must develop its culture, build up its cultural advantages over other countries, and create a cultural moat for Daqin.

This is also one of the important reasons why Li Nian wants to encourage the Qin Dynasty to move towards the world. Otherwise, how can he find reasons to make the First Emperor more supportive of investment in education?
The First Emperor was a feudal monarch, the first monarch in Chinese history to be called "Emperor", and a very intelligent person. If he couldn't get any benefits to please him, would he be willing to create instability in his dynasty?

Fortunately, the First Emperor attached greater importance to achievements, and Li Nian's image of the Qin Empire, the King of Kings, and the role model for future emperors attracted him, otherwise it would have been impossible to convince the First Emperor.

This is not a lie, but using huge benefits to attract the First Emperor to develop the Qin Dynasty!
Li Nian added: "The benefit of cultural development is that it can allow Daqin to maintain its cultural advancement over other countries and use it to influence them, just like what the Western countries did in later generations. Daqin also wants other countries to be proud of speaking Daqin language, learning Daqin characters, and using Daqin products."

The First Emperor knew that this was probably the obsession of this kid Li Nian. The Western countries in later generations had a huge influence on the entire world, and the descendants of the Chinese in later generations would most likely learn the languages ​​of the Western countries.

However, such a thing would not happen in his Great Qin, and if anyone had to learn something, it would be the language and writing of the Great Qin that the other countries would learn!

"We need to make them accept the culture and customs of Daqin, and share the same ideas with Daqin, so that they will be proud to come to Daqin and become its citizens. In this way, Daqin can also obtain many talents from other countries, and the loss of talents from other countries to Daqin can further weaken other countries!"

"Cultural development can also bring rich economic benefits to Daqin. Although Daqin cannot make movies now, it is not difficult to produce comics and novels. If they are distributed to various countries, Daqin can earn a lot of money."

Qin Shi Huang and others were quite excited to hear this. Although some things that required advanced technology from later generations could not be made, comics and novels did not need this technology. They could become a cultural trend in the Qin Dynasty, which could be used to influence other countries and earn money from them. This was killing two birds with one stone!
Li Nian changed the subject and said, "If culture wants to develop, there must be more people who can read and write, because people who can read and write are more likely to create cultural works. For example, is it easier for a person who can read and write to write a book, or for someone who cannot read and write?"

Wang Wan and others looked at Li Nian. This should be the main point he wanted to make. He wanted Daqin to support people's reading and literacy more.

But they did not object. They could see the disadvantages that would come with people learning to read and write, but they also understood that this could be prevented temporarily, but not forever. Moreover, the future development experience brought to them by this person had told them that if a country wants to be strong, it must develop education!

If it were in the past, they would not know that this person came from the future and did not know how big the world is. They might have refuted this person's audacity and said that his words were misleading and shaking the foundation of the country, and he should be sentenced to death!
But now, Daqin has embarked on a different path, and they have also opened their eyes to the vast world outside Daqin. If they try to stop him again, it would be irresponsible to Daqin, to China, and to future generations.

The Qin Dynasty is stagnant, but the countries outside the Qin Dynasty will not stagnate. What if they take advantage of the Qin Dynasty's stagnation to surpass it and then invade it? Who will be guilty?

Wang Wan and the others pondered in their hearts while listening to Li Nian's firm words: "If Daqin wants more people to be literate, it must increase its investment in education!"

(End of this chapter)