klisemfg Chapter 602 The Children's Examination Encounters Resistance
Chapter 602 The Children's Examination Encounters Resistance
Li You understood. The king wanted him to put on a show that combined military and civil prowess—demonstrating both military might and appeasement; showcasing both Qin's strength and its benevolence. And his "friendship" with Hou Sheng was the perfect entry point.
Three years ago, Li You, on his father's orders, went to Qi to persuade Hou Sheng to reject Yan's offer of an alliance. On that occasion, he brought lavish gifts and spent three days in conversation with Hou Sheng at a banquet in the prime minister's residence. Hou Sheng accepted the riches and jewels, and also accepted Qin's "friendship"—he persuaded King Jian of Qi to reject Yan's offer of an alliance.
At the banquet, the two men addressed each other as brothers. Hou Sheng praised Li You as a "young prodigy," while Li You called Hou Sheng "deeply understanding of righteousness." But behind that "righteousness" lay the fact that Qi had abandoned its last chance to form an alliance, leaving Yan isolated and helpless, ultimately leading to its demise.
Now, when we meet again, Hou Sheng is old, Li You is mature, and the times have changed drastically.
"Your Majesty, what is the primary objective of this mission to Qi?" Li You asked. "Your Majesty, what is the primary objective of this mission to Qi?"
"After bribing Hou Sheng, we persuaded the King of Qi to surrender." The King of Qin took two brocade boxes from the table. "This contains three thousand taels of gold—not copper coins, but pure gold. This is the letter of surrender from Marquis Guiming, Wei Jia. The gold is the bait, the letter is the hook; the catch is the entire state of Qi."
Li You accepted the box with both hands. The brocade box was heavy, containing three thousand taels of gold, equivalent to thirty thousand strings of copper coins, almost half a year's military expenditure for the Qin state. However, compared to the cost of conquering Qi with an army of one hundred thousand, this was indeed a worthwhile deal.
"Furthermore," the King of Qin lowered his voice, "you must investigate the details of Qi's defenses, especially its coastal defenses. Although our army has built ports in the East China Sea, we know very little about Qi's navy."
“Your Majesty understands. The Qi navy is based in Jimo and has more than a hundred warships and hundreds of smaller warships. However, it has not fought for many years, its training has become lax, and…” Li You paused, “Moreover, many of the Qi navy’s commanders are from noble families, who are fond of pleasure and their combat effectiveness is worrying.”
A look of satisfaction flashed in the King of Qin's eyes: "This intelligence is very important. After you arrive in Qi, you must verify and supplement it. If possible, contact a few key generals and offer them substantial rewards."
"Yes."
"Furthermore," the King of Qin added, "Jiayang has drafted a 'Plan for the Governance of Qi.' Take it with you. If necessary, you can show Hou Sheng a few pages—the parts about the reform of the salt and iron monopoly, the opening of ports, and commercial incentives. Let the people of Qi see that submitting to Qin is not annihilation, but an upgrade."
Li Youzheng nodded solemnly: "Your Majesty understands. We must use both coercion and inducement."
The King of Qin patted him on the shoulder: "If this succeeds, you will be a hero of the unification of Qin. Go, prepare yourself, and depart in three days."
"promise!"
Li You withdrew. As he walked out of the palace gate, he encountered Ying Wuyou, who was hurrying towards him, in the corridor.
The twelve-year-old princess, draped in a snow-white fox fur coat, had a slightly red face from the cold, but her eyes were bright and her steps were firm. Behind her followed two palace maids, carrying thick volumes of documents.
"Li Sizheng, please wait." Ying Wuyou called out to him.
“Princess.” Li You bowed respectfully.
Ying Wuyou took out a scroll of silk from his sleeve: "This is a supplementary explanation to my draft 'Qi Region Governance Plan'. After you arrive in Linzi, you might as well 'accidentally' let the people of Housheng see a few pages of it—the parts about the reform of the salt and iron monopoly, the opening of ports, and commercial incentives."
Li You unfolded the plan and was secretly alarmed. The plan was frighteningly detailed: how to reorganize the salt administration of Qi, how to open ports such as Jimo, how to establish maritime transport, how to grant commercial concessions to the old nobles of Qi... Every point directly targeted the vital interests of the powerful and wealthy in Qi.
"Princess, this is..."
“Win hearts and minds.” Ying Wuyou smiled. “Hou Sheng is greedy for money, so show him a plan to make even more money; the nobles of Qi are power-hungry, so show them how to retain their privileges under the Qin system; the King of Qi is weak, so show him the comfortable life after surrendering. Remember, this trip is not to surrender, but to discuss cooperation—make the people of Qi feel that submitting to Qin is not annihilation, but an upgrade.”
Li You took a deep breath: "Your humble servant will learn from you."
"Furthermore," Ying Wuyou added, "My father wants to become emperor and change the era name to Gengshi. This matter has already caused a great deal of discussion in the court. When you go to Qi, you might as well listen to what the people of Qi think about this."
Li You's eyes narrowed: "Does the princess think...there's still time?"
Ying Wuyou looked eastward, his gaze distant: "Becoming emperor is not as simple as changing a title. The Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of History are drafting regulations, and everything from clothing, ceremonial guards, and reign titles to the titles of officials will be changed. This process will take at least half a year."
She turned her gaze back, her eyes gleaming: "And these six months are the best opportunity for us to pacify the Qi Kingdom—to unify the world before the new emperor ascends the throne, that would be the true gift."
Li You suddenly understood. The princess's scheme was meticulously planned, each step linked to the next, extending months into the future. Such maturity was hardly that of a twelve-year-old girl.
"Your humble servant will certainly not fail in your mission!"
Ying Wuyou nodded: "Be careful on your journey. Hou Sheng is cunning, and the Qi people are xenophobic. Be cautious in everything you do."
"Thank you for your concern, Princess."
Watching Li Youyuan's departing figure, Ying Wuyou turned and walked towards Zhangtai Palace.
At the same time, the imperial edict for the children's examination was issued in Xianyang, and like a stone thrown into a still lake, ripples spread in all directions.
Yingchuan Yangdi was the former capital of the State of Han.
Inside the study of the Li family mansion, Li Huan, the head of the Li family, slammed a copy of the imperial edict onto the table, causing the teacups to rattle: "Thirteen years old is allowed to take the exam? Ying Zheng is trying to destroy the foundation of our six kingdoms!"
He was a former official of the state of Han. The Li family had served as officials in Han for generations. Although the Li family was not implicated after the fall of Han, they always cherished their homeland. Now, Qin was asking members of the Li family to take the Qin examination. How could he accept this?
Sitting at the lower end of the table, his cousin Li He smiled bitterly: "Brother, the state of Han has been destroyed for eight years, and it is now the Yingchuan Commandery of Qin. We...we are ultimately Qin citizens."
"So what?" Li Huan's hair and beard bristled, his eyes wide with anger. "My Li family has served the Han state for generations. How can our descendants take the Qin examination? Moreover, women taking the examination... Absurd! If my Li family's daughters take the examination, what will become of the face of our ancestors!"
“But brother,” Li He lowered his voice, “I’ve heard that those who pass the imperial examinations this time will have their families exempt from taxes for three years and will be awarded a plaque inscribed ‘Good Scholar.’ Although my Li family still owns some land, the Qin officials are levying taxes heavier and heavier every day. If this continues…”
"Do you expect me to bow down for a few bushels of millet?" Li Huan roared. "Li He, do you have no backbone at all!"
Li He lowered his head and remained silent. He knew his elder brother was stubborn, but the reality was staring him in the face—if they didn't conform to the Qin system, the Li family would only face increasing difficulties. Taxes, corvée labor, commercial restrictions… Qin officials had plenty of ways to make life difficult for uncooperative aristocratic families.
At this moment, the study door was gently pushed open. A young girl in plain clothes entered, about fifteen or sixteen years old, with delicate features and dignified manners. It was Li Yuan. She was Li He's daughter. She was intelligent from a young age and loved reading, but in the Li family, girls' reading was only for "cultivating their character" and not for "proper use."
She put down her teacup and said softly, "Uncle, I have something to say."
"explain."
“I heard that the Xianyang Women’s Academy already has more than a hundred students, all of whom are studying Qin law and Qin history. Among them are many noble ladies from former states—the Xiang family of Chu, the Zhao family of Zhao, and the Wei family of Wei…” Li Yuan raised her eyes, her gaze clear, “If these women graduate and enter officialdom in the future, while my Li family still clings to the old idea that ‘women are without talent,’ we may be abandoned by the times.”
Li Huan paused for a moment, then sneered, "You want to take the exam yourself, don't you?"