【Overall, Qin Shi Huang’s harsh policies were not solely due to the empire’s recent unification and lack of recuperation but also stemmed from the ideological imprint ingrained in the Qin Dynasty’s DNA.】
【Since the rise of the Qin state, it had adhered to the Legalist principle that “without strict laws, authority cannot be established.” All policies of Great Qin extended from this foundation. For him, this was an inevitable choice and an inescapable destiny.】
【Yet, problems soon followed.】
【In the past, when the Qin state was still small, constant warfare allowed internal conflicts to be redirected outward. Even with severe laws to assert authority, the foundation remained unshaken. Now, with the empire unified, conflicts had no outlet and could only accumulate within the court and among the people.】
【Moreover, no matter how sharp the blade, it could never silence all dissenting voices.】
【If Qin Er Shi had not been the Zhaosheng Emperor, I, as the streamer, can guarantee that no matter who sat on that throne, Great Qin would inevitably meet its downfall.】
Shi Jin spoke with unwavering certainty, completely disregarding the panicked expressions of the people below in Great Qin.
As her words faded, Ying Qingyue’s anxious heart settled slightly.
She knew all too well the inevitable course of history: Fusu’s suicide and the fall of the Qin Dynasty after only two generations.
In these chaotic times, the only variable was herself.
Thus, the “Zhaosheng Emperor” mentioned by the sky screen could only be her.
This confidence came inexplicably, yet it was unshakable.
It was as if the title “Zhaosheng” was always meant to be tied to her posthumous name.
Having schemed for years and advanced step by step, how could she willingly surrender the empire she had worked so hard to obtain?
But…
Her gaze drifted toward the direction of Zhangtai Palace, and Ying Qingyue’s heart tightened once more. Her father, the 48-year-old Shi Huang, had only one year left before his destined death in the established timeline.
Only one year remained…
A sliver of unease crept into her heart, and she couldn’t help but pray: the sooner this sky screen concluded its revelations, the better.
If all else failed…
She could always take Shi Huang hostage to command the officials.
Having come this far, she might as well see it through to the end.
【Later, the collective punishment system was completely abolished by the Zhaosheng Emperor, finally allowing the people of Great Qin to breathe under the oppressive rule.】
【But this alone was far from enough.】
【No wonder they say like father, like son. The first thing the Zhaosheng Emperor did upon ascending the throne was to order the capture of the remaining nobles from the six conquered states.】
【Those caught were killed.】
【Those who resisted were killed.】
【Even those who submitted could not escape death.】
Ying Zheng’s pupils constricted, a huge question mark forming in his mind.
Li Si and the other officials exchanged bewildered glances, the entire court stunned into silence by this subversive information: “?”
This… this was the Fusu they knew, the one steeped in Confucian ideals?
Everyone instinctively stole sidelong glances at Fusu standing nearby, while Ying Zheng’s expression shifted dramatically.
From initial surprise to shock, then to disbelief, and finally tinged with something eerie.
It was too bizarre.
How could his eldest son, who had always advocated Confucian benevolence, wield such ruthless methods in the future? Even more merciless than he, the father, had ever been.
Fusu himself stood bewildered, wondering if the Zhaosheng Emperor the sky screen spoke of was truly him.
【Of course, strength must come from within.】 The sky screen’s voice rang out again, pulling everyone’s thoughts back,
【Killing all the nobles of the six states did not mean the people would genuinely submit, nor did it ensure the court’s stability.】
【There were too many factors at play, but these would be addressed in future discussions about the Zhaosheng Emperor.】
[To sum it up in one sentence: those with capability are called tyrants, while those without are called foolish rulers.]
[Let’s get back on track and continue talking about her father—The First Emperor, Ying Zheng.]
Ying Zheng maintained the emperor’s composure on the surface, but his fingertips had subtly tightened.
Why talk about him? Hurry up and continue with the Zhaosheng Emperor!
Compared to his own achievements and faults over the years, Ying Zheng was more eager to learn what other hidden methods the Zhaosheng Emperor—who had enabled Great Qin to avoid collapse—still possessed.
It would be best if he, as the father, could learn from this tutorial right now.
The whispered discussions among the ministers below never ceased. Someone quietly tugged at Li Si’s sleeve and asked in a hushed tone, “Minister Li, do you truly believe the Zhaosheng Emperor is the Eldest Prince?”
“The earlier mentions of hunting down remnants of the six states and abolishing collective punishment—how do they resemble actions the Eldest Prince would take?”
Li Si frowned deeply, his gaze sweeping over the somewhat dazed Fusu before quickly glancing at the Emperor in front of him. In the end, he merely shook his head and said gravely, “The words of the sky screen may not be without basis. For now, it’s best to listen to what the sky screen has to say before drawing conclusions.”
Fusu himself had yet to recover from the earlier shock. He stood with his hands hanging limply, the ruthless words spoken by the sky screen echoing repeatedly in his mind, his fingertips unconsciously clutching the hem of his court robe.
He lifted his eyes to the sky screen, then quickly lowered them again, his Adam’s apple bobbing twice.
The “benevolence” and “propriety” he had revered since childhood seemed utterly incompatible with the Zhaosheng Emperor depicted by the sky screen. Could it be that some future event would completely alter his disposition?
Ying Zheng finally raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the varied expressions of the ministers before settling on Fusu, complex emotions churning in his eyes.
There was doubt, inquiry, and a trace of anticipation even he hadn’t noticed.
If the sky screen’s words held truth, could this soft-hearted eldest son truly shoulder the future of Great Qin?
Just then, the voice of the sky screen once again resounded throughout Great Qin:
[In 220 BCE, after unifying the six states, Qin Shi Huang immediately began implementing a series of far-reaching reforms.]
[Politically, he abolished the long-standing feudal system and vigorously promoted the commandery-county system, appointing officials to administer various regions, thoroughly eliminating the hidden dangers of local nobles and princes amassing military power and rebelling, thereby ensuring the stability and unity of the nation.]
[In the court, he implemented the Three Lords and Nine Ministers system, clearly delineating the responsibilities of officials, enabling ministers to collaborate while mutually supervising one another, effectively preventing the risk of individuals monopolizing power.]
At this point, Shi Jin chuckled with schadenfreude: [It’s evident that Lü Buwei’s influence on our First Emperor was quite profound.]
Ying Zheng: “…”
Li Si and others looked anywhere but at the Emperor, pretending not to hear the teasing remark.
In this world, perhaps only this descendant from the future could so openly mock the Emperor without facing execution or family extermination.
Of course, some didn’t laugh so openly.
“His Majesty is like someone bitten by a snake, fearful of ropes for years to come ^_^~”
Beside her, Qinghe hurriedly wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, grateful that the Princess was in her own palace, surrounded only by trusted attendants, with no fear of the remark leaking.
Among all the princes and princesses, only the Princess was so “filial” as to mercilessly mock the Emperor like this.
[Culturally, he implemented the standardization of writing, successfully unifying the script across the realm. This eliminated communication barriers caused by regional variations in characters and greatly facilitated cultural dissemination and preservation.]
[In transportation, he enforced uniform axle widths, mandating a standard gauge of six chi for all carriage wheels nationwide. This significantly improved the efficiency of travel and transport.]
[Simultaneously, as an infrastructure visionary, The First Emperor understood the principle that “to prosper, one must first build roads.” Thus, he mobilized skilled artisans and engineers to construct the Qin Imperial Highways and Qin Straight Roads.]