Zhao Pei'an was stunned.
His eyes drooped down.
Asking this question is equivalent to asking Zhao Pei'an,
What should the future state of Qin be like?
From the moment he received this game, he had never formally considered this question—
He has always treated it as a game.
But not until now, when Qin Shi Huang respectfully asks him, does he realize:
He is an influencer and a participant in history, not just a reader of history.
He is reading historical materials this time without the distinction between firsthand and secondhand sources, and the sources should record himself.
Historically, Qin was a law-based empire, which ultimately fell after two generations.
But is the idea of a law-based empire wrong?
Of course not!
As a student who, in the previous year's national college entrance examination, was only one point away from the provincial champion in the history subject, he has his own answer to this question:
Absolutely not wrong!
A law-based empire is definitely not wrong!
In theory, a law-based empire is not wrong, and in fact, a law-based empire continues to be implemented even until later times.
The mistake lies only in the method, not in the concept itself.
The laws of Qin are too harsh.
The "Jiu-Zhang Law" of the Han Dynasty was established on the basis of "Qin Law". But why was the "Jiu-Zhang Law" praised?
The Confucianists advocate for the old, indirect way; advocate for non-contention in the Taoist school; advocate for a mix of military, medical, and agricultural knowledge; and reject the use of yin-yang in state power.
For this feudal society, the legalist ideas are indeed the most suitable.
【Do you not have an answer in your heart, Your Majesty?】
Zhao Pei'an looked at the phone screen, and soon Qin Shi Huang replied to him:
【I want to ask Mr. Zhao to come and speak.】
Zhao Pei'an said helplessly:
【Govern the country by law, base morality on it, and take laws as the standard, thereby securing the nation and establishing the empire.】
【What is law?】
【Han Feizi once said, 'If the people abide by the law, they are strong; if they do not, they are weak.'】
【Your Majesty, think about it, King Jing of the State of Jing united twenty-six states and expanded his territory by three thousand miles; King Jing established the state, but the State of Jing fell.]
【The role of the laws and regulations is highlighted here.]
…
Qin Shi Huang stared at the characters on the talismans, pounded the table fiercely, and his eyes were filled with excitement:
That's it, exactly like that!
This is exactly what he wanted to say!
The Confucian and Mohist schools, as the two major prominent academies of the Warring States period, had a profoundly deep influence on the talents of that era.
Although Qin Dynasty intended to support the legalist school, it still attracted a large number of talents from the Confucian and Mohist schools.
They are more or less skeptical about legalism.
He continued to ask:
【Mr. Zhao, what do you think should be formalized laws, or should we follow the old customs and practices of the Zhou Dynasty, which are not formalized laws?】
In this era, formalized laws were still a method used by only a few feudal states.
Qin Dynasty has always been governed by formalized laws, but since the empire is now unified, a new judgment is needed.
"If the laws are not known, their power cannot be estimated." This is still the standard of countless schools of thought in the hearts of numerous scholars.
…
But to Zhao Pei'an, coming from two thousand years in the future, this seems very abstract:
Can there be unwritten codes of law?
Zhao Pei'an replied without hesitation:
【We must use written laws.】
【Our Great Qin is Your Majesty's Great Qin, and only when the laws are written can they show Your Majesty's majesty.】
…
"By the way, that's it, that's exactly what I mean!"
Qin Shi Huang looked at the reply in the talismans and was very satisfied:
This is the way he imagined to govern the country!
Wait, there's more?
He looked at the talismans in his hand, and it seemed that Mr. Zhao on the other side had not finished speaking:
【Although the law must be followed, it is important to note that Your Majesty still needs to learn how to love the people.】
【By no means should Your Majesty treat the people of the empire as servants, as others say.】
【Respect the people, love the people, nurture the people, protect the people, and live with the people.]
【Neither must be exclusive nor independent.]
【The people are the foundation of the country. As water can carry a boat, so it can also capsize it.]
【When governing the country, Your Majesty should prioritize the people's hearts. If the people are at peace, the country will be prosperous; if their hearts are agitated, the country will be in danger.】
【The art of legalism lies in control, while that of Confucianism lies in nurturing.】
【Control is for the stability of the state, while nurturing is for consolidating the foundation. Both cannot be neglected.】
Qin Shi Huang looked at the characters in the talismans and furrowed his brow, but his mind was turbulent.
He has never cared much about the "beneficent governance" aspect, or even considered it.
He had indeed considered benevolent governance after listening to Mr. Zhao's words before.
However, he has always felt that the current Qin Dynasty is not suitable for benevolent governance.
【Mr. Zhao, Confucianism is soft and weak, how can it govern the country?】
【The methods of legalism are strict and strong, which is the way to stabilize the country and secure its safety.】
Zhao Pei'an smiled slightly and continued to reply:
【Your Majesty, you are mistaken. While the methods of legalism are indeed strict and strong, without the support of the people's hearts, even if the laws are strict, the people will not follow them, what is the use?】
【The methods of Confucianism are not only soft but also lie in educating the hearts of the people, making them respect themselves, love themselves, and follow laws and regulations by themselves.】
【Legalism governs the country through law, Confucianism governs the hearts of the people through moral values, and the two complement each other to achieve lasting prosperity.】
Qin Shi Huang fell silent. He chewed over Mr. Zhao's words carefully, and gradually, a glimmer of understanding dawned on him:
This is Mr. Zhao enlightening him!
This is Mr. Zhao telling him that for the long-term prosperity of Qin, benevolent governance is essential!
【I understand Mr. Zhao's words.】
【The methods of legalism indeed have their uses, but without the support of the people, even laws are difficult to enforce.】
【I will deeply consider how to combine legalism and Confucianism, governing the country through law and cultivating the hearts of the people through moral values.】
Zhao Pei'an, seeing that Qin Shi Huang was moved, continued writing:
【Your Majesty is wise. Legalism and Confucianism are not only not contradictory, but they can complement each other even more effectively.】
【The strictness of Legalism can establish order, and the benevolence of Confucianism can calm the hearts of the people.】
【If Your Majesty can adopt the strengths of both schools, it will certainly stabilize the Qin Dynasty and ensure its longevity for generations to come.】
Zhao Pei'an wrote here, closed the chat board, and left the last sentence:
【I hope Your Majesty can deeply consider this.】
He knew that he had planted the seeds of benevolent governance in the mind of Qin Shi Huang.
The key point is not to make Qin Shi Huang implement benevolent governance immediately, but because there are too many people like Zhao Gao around Qin Shi Huang who like to stir up trouble——
One must correct it at the appropriate time.
The subsequent events should no longer require his guidance.
This is Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of all time!
Talking to this person about these big ideas is like joking.
……
Looking at the message in front of him, Qin Shi Huang straightened his slightly disheveled clothing and took a deep breath.
Today's words from Mr. Zhao were like gems, touching him deeply.
He had a deeper understanding of governance.
He sat up straight and summoned the officer responsible for records.
His mind is filled with countless thoughts, a blueprint for the future of Qin.
"Unification is only the first step of mine."
"My goal is to establish an everlasting unified dynasty that will last for thousands of generations!"
Oh, I seem to have forgotten to ask about Mr. Zhao's age.
Qin Shi Huang was quite curious:
How does Mr. Zhao not age?
Listening to his tone, it seems that Mr. Zhao really hasn't changed at all.
"Could it be that fate can grant immortality?"
He had an immediate guess.
