People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

He suddenly turned to Li Wu and smiled, "It's getting dark, let's go inside together."

Li Wu's pretty face flushed slightly.

She didn't know how many nights she had slept with this guy, but hearing Cao Ze's hint outside still made her a little embarrassed.

That bastard has no idea how to 'go easy'.

Inside the study of the Zhangtai Palace in the Xianyang Royal Palace.

Lü Buwei was slowly and methodically explaining to Ying Zheng how to 'rule the country according to law'.

"Your Majesty needs to understand that in order to govern the country according to law, the first thing to do is to rectify names."

"In the 'Xian Shi Lan: Zheng Ming', I said, 'When names are correct, there is order; when names are lost, there is chaos.' I believe Your Majesty understands this clearly."

Ying Zheng sat up straight and said, "Of course."

The Confucian classic *The Analects*, in the chapter "Zilu," states: "If names are not correct, then language will not be in accordance with the truth of things. If language is not in accordance with the truth of things, then affairs cannot be carried out successfully. If affairs cannot be carried out successfully, then rites and music will not flourish. If rites and music do not flourish, then punishments will not be properly administered. If punishments are not properly administered, then the people will not know how to act."

"Rectifying names means letting the common people know why the Qin state needs to legislate, why the Qin state is able to legislate, and why they should abide by the national laws, etc."

"I had discussed all these things with Gongsun Longzi, a master of logic, before he left Qin and went out of Hangu Pass."

"And Zhongfu's theory of righteous army is to vindicate the name of our Great Qin in unifying the seven kingdoms."

Lü Buwei stroked his long beard, a smile on his face.

He was both pleased and somewhat saddened by Ying Zheng's intelligence.

The more outstanding Ying Zheng was, the more likely he was to encounter obstacles in whatever he wanted to do.

"Your Majesty is absolutely right. 'The key to good governance lies in rectifying names.' Only in this way can we achieve the Legalist effect of 'establishing boundaries,' which can have an immediate effect on establishing order, resolving disputes, and so on."

After Lü Buwei finished speaking, he continued, "Now that Your Majesty understands the effectiveness of rectifying names, the next step is to understand what is meant by 'the decree of oneness'."

Ying Zheng laughed and said, "My father mentioned in the chapter 'Great Music' of the Midsummer Annals, 'He who can govern his country with one method will drive away the wicked and attract the wise, thus achieving great transformation.'"

Previously, due to limited time, he only read "Lüshi Chunqiu" superficially.

After several months, under Lü Buwei's persuasion, he had basically mastered the "Lüshi Chunqiu".

Although there is still a lot that is not understood, at least most of the useful knowledge has been recorded.

Lü Buwei nodded and said, "That's right. 'Unity leads to order, while difference leads to chaos,' so we must have the same laws and regulations and be of one mind."

“When Yin Wen and the King of Qi discussed the law, they were actually talking about this very issue. Therefore, in the ‘Xian Shi Lan: Zheng Ming’, I proposed that ‘all chaos arises from inappropriate laws and names.’ When laws and names are inconsistent and crimes and punishments are not commensurate, it is the way to invite disaster.”

His thoughts and ideas were already fully revealed in the "Lüshi Chunqiu".

In other words, there is nothing more accurate than reading this book to truly understand his actions.

Ying Zheng said, "The Book of Lord Shang, in the chapter 'Establishing Divisions,' mentions, 'If one rabbit runs away, a hundred people will chase it. This is not because the rabbit can be divided into a hundred, but because the divisions of roles and responsibilities are not yet established.'"

The "Seven Ministers and Seven Masters" chapter of the Guanzi states, "Laws are for promoting merit and deterring violence; regulations are for defining boundaries and stopping disputes; and orders are for making people aware of their duties."

Therefore, Han Fei proposed in his book "Han Feizi" that "when the law is clear, the virtuous cannot seize the power of the unworthy, the strong cannot oppress the weak, and the many cannot bully the few."

He exclaimed in admiration, "To achieve 'unified governance' through 'rectification of names,' Zhongfu truly deserves to be called the Prime Minister of Qin!"

The principles of rectification of names and unified governance mentioned by Lü Buwei are very simple; he simply advocated that the standards for the formulation and application of laws should be unified.

However, to achieve such a level in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods two thousand years ago, it almost certainly required a powerful court institution to ensure its operation.

It cannot be accomplished by one person or one task.

Lü Buwei humbly replied, "This is not due to my own efforts alone, but rather to the support of my retainers, which has enabled me to govern Qin safely."

Ying Zheng thought of the endless memorials he could read and the countless official documents he had to review.

He couldn't help but sigh, "The retainers are to Zhongfu as Zhongfu is to me. The strength of one person is ultimately limited."

Lu Buwei paused slightly, a surge of joy rising in his heart.

It seems that all the effort he had put in had paid off, making Ying Zheng realize the limitations of being an individual.

"Your Majesty, it is night, and this old minister shall take his leave."

Lü Buwei knew when to stop, understanding the principle that too much of a good thing can be bad; Ying Zheng's development plan needed to proceed gradually.

Ying Zheng wanted to have a late-night talk with Lü Buwei by candlelight, but seeing Lü Buwei's resolute expression, he could only say, "Never mind. Mr. Gai Nie, please escort Uncle Zhong out of the palace."

Gai Nie, who had been standing like a log beside Ying Zheng, stirred upon hearing this.

"Your Excellency, please."

Taking the opportunity, Lü Buwei carefully examined and scrutinized Gai Nie.

Ying Zheng still cared about his newly recruited confidant; the title of being a direct disciple of Guiguzi was something he should pay attention to.

"I wonder how Elder Gongsun is doing?"

Gai Nie replied matter-of-factly, "Teacher is in good health."

Lü Buwei smiled faintly and said, "He was also a legend of his time. When I was young, I greatly admired him."

Gai Nie seemed not to understand Lü Buwei's implied meaning. After seeing Lü Buwei out of the palace gate, he returned to Zhangtai Palace.

As a close attendant of the King of Qin, he bore a heavy responsibility.

It is located within Qingping Residence in Handan.

As the husband of his two daughters, Cao Ze felt a heavy responsibility.

He put in a lot of effort to make both Jingni and Liwu happy.

……

Chapter 175

Such a depressing daily routine~

Time flies, and February has arrived in the blink of an eye.

Cao Ze sighed deeply as he walked toward the Zhao King's Palace.

Ever since Zhao Yan's health deteriorated to the point of despair and he pinned his hopes on the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations, he was tasked with secretly investigating clues related to the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations.

Therefore, when he goes to the Zhao King's Palace now, besides living his daily life with the Queen, he goes to the royal archives to read various books about the Azure Dragon's Seven Mansions.

Life was incredibly simple, unpretentious, and monotonous.

As usual, Cao Ze arrived at Chunqing Palace with ease.

Zhao Qian sat obediently at his desk and copied the text.

Cao Ze glanced at Zhao Qian, who seemed honest.

It was clear that the kid was just putting on an act, afraid that his mother would continue to whip him.

However, to his surprise, under his cramming and "tiger mom" education, Zhao Qian actually made some progress.

At least I won't provoke him so easily anymore.

He has already thoroughly studied the Three Character Classic and the Thousand Character Classic.

Zhao Qian respectfully said, "Teacher."

Cao Ze knelt to one side, examining Zhao Qian's copy of the "Thousand Character Classic".

The Empress, dressed in a phoenix robe and holding a cup of candied fruit, walked over with a smile.

Seeing that Qian'er observed proper etiquette, the Empress was greatly pleased.

It was worth it for her to be 'exploited' by Cao Ze so many times.

"Sir, would you like some fruit?"

Cao Ze didn't even blink, and said, "Wait a moment."

"Ok sir."

Afterwards, she sat comfortably and naturally next to Cao Ze.

She had been beaten up by Cao Ze countless times and had long since gotten used to obeying him.

Zhao Qian looked at his mother and Cao Ze interacting casually and looked puzzled again.

He's not blind.

Even if you don't notice it once or twice, you'll naturally realize something's wrong over time.

His mother seemed to respect Cao Ze a little too much.

Anyone who didn't know better would think Cao Ze was the master and his mother was a servant.

Zhao Qian could not suppress his doubts.

After several months of 'tutelage' from Cao Ze, he had learned what it meant to remain calm and not to act rashly.

While Cao Ze was checking his copied homework, he used an excuse he often had to go out to relieve himself.

Neither the Empress Dowager nor Cao Ze suspected anything, as they were well aware that Zhao Qian would not return for at least the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Once Zhao Qian was outside the palace, the Empress smiled charmingly and, as usual, snuggled directly into Cao Ze's arms.

Cao Ze casually tossed the bamboo slips copied by Zhao Qian onto the desk.

Giving Zhao Qian a lecture was just a side job; silencing the Empress was the main task.

Zhao Qian left the main hall and lingered for a while.

He was very familiar with Chunqing Palace.

Thinking back, it seems that every time I returned, a palace maid would hurriedly enter the hall.

That palace maid seems to be his mother's confidante.

He thought for a moment, glanced around, avoided the palace maids, and quietly walked to the other side of the main hall.

He knew there was a secret door that led into the palace.

He discovered it a few years ago while playing hide-and-seek with the palace maids.

The downside is that it's very dark here, even in broad daylight.

Feeling a chill run down his spine, Zhao Qian walked through the dark and cold passageway, eventually finding the exit by relying on his memory.