The younger brother of the First Emperor

Chapter 358: The Xun Clan is added to Chang'an Jun's rank, and the old Qin nobles strike back
Mao Heng glanced at Senior Brother Li with a reproachful look in his eyes, and walked away supporting Xunzi.

Li Si instinctively took half a step forward, and the word "Commander" came to his lips.

He took his steps back and pressed his upper and lower lips together into a straight line.

Li Tonggu raised his arms and bowed his head:
"Farewell, Master."

He shouted, as if the louder he shouted, the more proof he was doing the right thing.

He was a mouse born in a toilet, and he envied the big mice living in the granary.

He had been hungry for more than 30 years and he really couldn't wait any longer.

Mao Heng slowed down his pace and looked at his teacher beside him, wanting him to give Brother Li another chance.

Although he had some resentment towards Li Si and was not as respectful and close to him as his senior brother Fu Qiubo, the two were still brothers in the same school after all.

Xunzi sighed lightly, but kept his pace unchanged.

It was not that he did not give Li Si a chance, but that Li Si betrayed his Xunzi's way and chose Wei Yang's way.

Wei Yang was able to gain control of the Shang clan under Duke Xiao of Qin, which was too tempting for Li Si, who came from a humble background.

Mao Heng quickened his pace and followed the master's footsteps. After thinking it over again and again in his mind, he said:

“The teacher insisted on implementing both the kingly way and the hegemonic way, and the laws and etiquette together.

"May I ask, Master, why do you keep criticizing Senior Brother Li today? The scholars here are very brave and show off their martial arts skills, and I am a Confucianist who has mastered the Six Arts.

"The Brother Li that I see in my disciples is not someone who only cares about the law and ignores etiquette."

Xunzi placed his palm on his disciple's shoulder, patted him twice, and said earnestly:

“The kingly way is courtesy.

"It is through moral guidance that people's sense of shame is cultivated and internal restraint is formed, which is the way to establish righteousness and become king.

“Hegemony is the law.

"To impose punishment on those who cannot be educated is to form external coercion, which is to establish hegemony through trust.

“Of the two characters, “king” and “hegemon”, “hegemon” should come before “king”.

“There is no basic order, no foothold, no place for kingly way between life and death.

“This was the case during the reign of Qin Xiaogong.

"Shang Yang made reforms; if it doesn't change, it will perish.

"If the punishment is not severe enough, it will not deter people, and the Qin State will also perish.

"This is also the reason why I praised Qin the last time I came to Qin. Qin has completed its self-redemption, and the first step is perfect.

"But over the years, Qin has gone from a country on the verge of extinction to the world's dominant power.

"Now that we are out of the line between life and death, we should reduce hegemony and increase the kingly way. The Qin State should now vigorously promote the kingly way.

"The way of a sage king is to respect propriety and honor the virtuous.

“Strict laws limit the bottom line of the country, and the upper limit of social atmosphere must be education.

"But the laws of Qin were still the harsh laws written by Shang Yang, and the people were still treated according to the Book of Shang Yang, which was only used in extraordinary times.

"Weak people, exhausted people, poor people... Qin has strayed from the right track and has taken a wrong path.

"Li Si was in charge of the judicial system of Qin State. Instead of reducing the punishment and leading Qin State back to the right path, he made it even worse and wanted to implement the severe punishment thoroughly.

"In troubled times, severe punishments are used. I agree with this statement, but is Qin in troubled times now? Is there any country in the world more stable than Qin?

"In terms of social order, even Qi cannot compare with Qin.

"A Zhangtai Academy cannot change the Qin State, nor can it cover up the fact that the Qin State is tyrannical.

"Without a king, even if Qin conquered the world, it would not last long. In the end, it would just be like flowing water in the east, serving others in vain.

"In fact, no matter who wears this wedding dress, I am happy. As long as we can end these hundreds of years of turmoil and revive our great China, what does it matter whether it is Qin, Chu or Qi?

"As a teacher, I am afraid that if Qin wins the world and loses it, the world will be divided into eight hundred states and then fight each other again. In a few hundred years, no one will be able to wear the wedding dress made by Qin..."

The wind blows around the treetops, and the leaves of the paulownia trees rustle.

"Commander." Mao Heng looked up: "Let's go home, back to Lanling."

They had been in Qin for a month, but the King of Qin did not summon them, nor did he arrange for Qin officials to contact them.

If Chang'an Jun Ying Chengjiao had not come to see him today, Mao Heng would really think that Qin had forgotten its teacher.

It turns out that it was not the Qin State that forgot its teacher.

It was the Qin State that wanted the commander to change his ways and to assist the Qin State in its hegemony. Mao Heng thought so in his heart and felt sorry for the commander.

"You." Xunzi laughed and looked into the distance: "You should go and study your Poetry."

From the moment he resigned as the magistrate of Lanling County and left Chu, he never thought of going back.

When he met Ying Zi, talked with Ying Zi and knew God's will, he decided that his burial place would be in Xianyang, the world's number one city without a city.

His disciple Li Si chose King Zheng of Qin as his own shelter.

He chose two.

King Zheng of Qin and Lord Chang'an.

Hegemon and King.

Man and heaven.

Shortly thereafter, Ying Chengjiao purchased four adjacent mansions on the third ring road of Xianyang City.

Xunzi led a group of disciples who had arrived in Xianyang and moved in. Disciples of Xunzi passed through Hangu Pass almost every day.

Ying Chengjiao, with his authority almost equal to that of the King of Qin, sent many documents from the Qin State to him. These documents included but were not limited to cases in the Tingwei Mansion, government affairs of the Neishi Mansion, and the revenue and expenditure of the Neishi Mansion...

Xunzi and his disciples learned about Qin's politics without leaving their homes, and their understanding of Qin's government affairs became increasingly advanced.

These four large mansions were later connected into one and were called Xunmen.

The first year of the reign of Qin Shi Huangdi, July, 13th day.

As of this day, the old Qin nobles, who had once firmly occupied eight out of ten high-level officials in Xianyang, only had a fifty percent share left.

The old Qin nobles, who had been forbearing and retreating, felt that they were being forced into a desperate situation. They regarded themselves as old Qin people and, led by Wang Kuan, launched an official uprising.

In charge of Su Neishi Mansion, the main hall.

Shi Cang, the internal historian of grain administration, and Wang Kuan sat across a table from each other, drinking tea.

Shikura, who is nearly 50 years old, is calm and not in a hurry at all.

In recent years, officials in the Qin court have changed frequently, one after another, and even the prime minister has been replaced, and the left and right prime ministers have been replaced.

Only Shi Cang was as stable as a rock in his position as the Minister of Grain. He had been the Minister of Grain since the reign of King Zhaoxiang of Qin, and had been in the position until the reign of King Zheng of Qin, having served for four generations of Qin kings.

He finally understood.

As long as he doesn't look for trouble, trouble won't look for him.

Shicang didn't care when Wang Kuan, a prominent figure among the old Qin nobles, came to visit.

The Tashi family was also an outsider in the eyes of the old Qin nobles, and they did not get along with the self-proclaimed noble old Qin nobles. The affairs in the officialdom did not affect the Tashi warehouse anyway, it was all the people below making trouble.

Therefore, Shicang pretended not to understand Wang Kuan's overt and covert enticement and promises.

He would neither offend the old Qin nobles nor step into muddy water.

"Sir." Wang Kuan covered the mouth of the teacup with his palm and raised his other palm: "No need to add more water. Kuan said the last sentence and left."

Shi Cang, who was about to pour water for Wang Kuan, did not try to stop him, but raised his hand in a gesture of invitation.

Walk, walk, walk quickly.

Wang Kuan pointed to the top of his head and said seriously: "If the sky falls, I wonder if the Zhisu Neishi Mansion can withstand it."

"The sky won't fall." Shikura's expression changed slightly and he put down the teapot.

"Have you ever heard of Tian's succession to Qi and the three families dividing Jin?"

"If these two things happened in Qin, only the Tian, ​​Zhao, Wei, and Han clans would die."

"Kuan believes it. But if you don't move, you will die. If you move, you may live. What will you choose, Sir?" Wang Kuan stood up, expressionless: "Sir, goodbye."

Wang Kuan walked slowly and steadily.

Meng and Xi, the new and old heads of the family were all beheaded outside the palace by King Zheng of Qin. Wang Kuan, who made the right choice and did not die for his remonstrance, became the head of the old Qin nobles.

The old Qin nobles now had no way to survive.

Those Chu barbarians went too far, they all deserve to die.

"Master Wang, please stay." Shi Cang picked up the teapot and poured tea into the cup that Wang Kuan had just used: "Drink it now."

If the old Qin nobles really rebelled collectively, even if the rebellion could be pacified, the Qin state would have to go through great turmoil.

This is something Shikura absolutely does not want to see.

And to be fair, Shikura did feel that both sides were going too far.

"Call Wang Wan." After Shi Cang instructed the clerk, he said to Wang Kuan who had sat down opposite him again, "Sir Wang, let's handle official business."

Wang Kuan picked up the teacup and took a sip:
"Kuan understands. My son is here, Kuan will not bring any trouble to Brother Shi."

Soon, Wang Wan arrived with the account book.

After paying homage to his father and Shi Cang, Wang Wan, who was second only to the Minister of Grain in the Imperial Secretariat, gave a list of names to the clerk and asked him to call the people there according to the list.

In less than a moment, all the people on the list had arrived.

"The account given by the Shaofu is not right." Wang Wan's voice was like autumn rain falling on a bronze tripod, cold and crisp.

The six accountants standing in the hall straightened their backs immediately. When Lord Wang spoke in this tone, someone was going to be in big trouble.

Wang Wan turned the bamboo slips towards everyone and lightly rubbed a certain ink mark with his fingertips:
"The iron tax of Henei County last month should be 3,400 strings of cash, but it is written as 3,700 strings of cash here."

He raised his eyes and looked at the new chancellor, Li Yu, who was installed by the left chancellor Xiong Qi three months ago:
"Master Li, where did the extra three hundred strings of cash go?"

Sweat broke out on Li Yu's forehead.

This official from the Chu clan wore a brand new official uniform, but the jade belt around his waist was tied crookedly. In Wang Kuan's eyes, he was just a barbarian from Chu who was wearing a human form.

"I will go back and check it out right away." Lord Li said while trying to hold on.

“No need for that.” Wang Kuan pulled out a yellowed account book from the depths of the desk: “This is the original record of the iron tax in the 22nd year of King Zhaoxiang.”

Slowly unroll the scroll:

"Interestingly, Hanoi County produced 30% more iron than it does today, but the tax was only 2,900 strings of cash."

Wang Kuan sneered at the right time. This was the reason why he came here and why he was sure that Shicang would help him.

Doesn't the current king like to do things impartially? Okay, then everyone should do things impartially. There is no need to frame others, these Chu barbarians are not clean at all!

"I heard that Lord Li has just purchased a villa at the foot of Mount Li?" Wang Kuan's eyes were burning. "What can three hundred strings of cash do? It's just enough to build a lotus pond, right?"

Li Yu's face turned pale instantly. He didn't understand how Wang Kuan found out about this small amount of money and even knew about the lotus pond he built at home.

Shikura looked unhappy.

Although Li Yu is Xiong Qi's nephew, he is from the Chu clan.

But after entering the Ministry of Internal Affairs, even though he was a member of the Shicang, I didn't expect that he couldn't even speak. How terrible!
"Someone come!" Shi Cang knocked hard on the table, his face stern: "Take him away! Ask Li Tingwei to come and interrogate him!"

When Li Yu was dragged away, he still couldn't speak.

Wang Wan's gaze fell on the second person:

"Lord Mi, there are 125 stones of grain missing from the Jingshui River. Do you know where it is?"

Lord Mi, who was chosen, sat down on the ground, unable to speak.

On that day, thirteen people in the Ministry of Grain and Internal Affairs were investigated.

Tao Zhu Restaurant, a room facing the street.

Xiong Qi smashed three lacquer cups in a row.

"Wang Kuan, that old dog!" He pulled open his collar, which was soaked with cold sweat. "What's Li Yu's matter? What's Mi He's matter? When has the Wang family's farm in Longxi not evaded taxes?"

"We've made too big a move." Xiong Wen held down his brother's shaking hand. "Among the 26 people we've placed in the past three months, 18 are our in-laws and old friends, all with the surname Mi. Wang Kuan has something on us."

Suddenly, the sound of children playing was heard outside the window.

The two brothers pushed open the carved wooden window and saw a few little kids with pigtails running through the alley holding lanterns, singing a newly made-up nursery rhyme:
"The people of Chu are crowned, the people of Qin are cold, the prime minister's seal is exchanged for an empty granary.

"If we want to get through the three winters with plenty of food and clothing, the Wei River must flow east again."

Xiong Qi slammed the window shut.

These nursery rhymes were clearly directed at officials like them who were born in Chu.

The most frightening thing is that even children in the streets began to sing it, which shows that the old Qin nobles' propaganda offensive has penetrated into the people.

"The grand court meeting will be held in three days." Xiong Wen clenched his hands tightly, "Wang Kuan will definitely take the opportunity to cause trouble, we must prepare early..."

"Sir!" The steward of the mansion rushed in in a panic, "Something has happened to the Prime Minister..."

Xiong Qi's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

The prime minister mentioned by the steward was called Xiong Jue, his cousin who was deeply trusted by him and served as the prime minister's prime minister in the prime minister's office.

Xiong Jue was arranged by him to receive the people from Shandong today.

The steward handed over a blood-stained silk handkerchief:
"Someone sent this to me, saying that the chancellor wrote some inappropriate remarks after drinking, and was...caught by the nobles of the old Qin..."

Xiong Qi unfolded the silk handkerchief. On it was a familiar handwriting. It was written by his cousin Xiong Jue:
【Qi salt can bring ten times the profit when it enters Qin.】

The worst thing is that there is the private seal of the Prime Minister’s Office on the back.

"Prepare the carriage!" Xiong Qi grabbed his official hat and said, "I want to see the king tonight!"

The steward knelt on the ground:

“The outside has been surrounded by guards.

“The leader of the team is Lord Nei Shi, Lord Nei Shi said.

"Please ask the two prime ministers... to cooperate in investigating the salt and iron accounts..."

Xiong Qi and his brother looked at each other and saw anger, panic... and a hint of guilt in each other's eyes.

The guards were under the control of the Nei Shi and Tai Wei officials.

The arrival of the guards was beyond the expectations of the two prime ministers.

But after finding out, it makes sense.

What should be paid back must always be paid back.

Meng Yi’s death was a help to Meng Tian.

The night is getting darker.

In the Wang family mansion, Wang Kuan was standing in the courtyard, looking at the moon half covered by dark clouds.

An elder came here and reported in a low voice:
"According to the instructions of the master, the copy has been sent, and the original is still in our custody."

"Okay." Wang Kuan showed his first real smile in half a month. "I can't wait three days. I will submit a report tomorrow. I want to see how Xiong Qi explains why Xiong Jue helped the salt merchants of Qi to destroy the salt and iron monopoly of Qin."

A gust of wind blew, and the shadow of the old locust tree in the yard danced on the ground.

(End of this chapter)