Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 106, Section 105: The System of Selecting Officials
Ji Heng had heard about many things happening in the Southern Palace of Xianyang Palace while he was in Zhangtai Palace.

At this moment, he pondered and said, "That Black Eyes, does he really have a photographic memory?"

Zhou Ju bowed slightly: "Indeed."

Ji Heng frowned: "When I attacked Chu in the past, the Grand Secretary of Chu, Nan Liaozi, also had this ability. I heard that he had read ten thousand volumes of books, and he was truly a talented person."

Unfortunately, it was all blind loyalty.

If they would rather serve the incompetent and cowardly King of Chu than be used by him, then they have no choice but to be killed.

Now, the Qin state also has such talent, but it has failed to entrust him with important responsibilities...

He frowned, pondering the current system for selecting officials—

The system of recommendation, appointment of sons, recruitment, and guest ministers.

These four methods are already far more abundant than those of the Zhou Dynasty in the past, so why are there still talented people left out?

Qin Qing was able to discover several talented individuals from just a small ironworks outside Xianyang.

The probability of losing such a talented individual is indeed too high.

Ji Heng couldn't help but pinch his forehead again.

Zhou Ju assumed he was just exhausted and quickly ordered someone to gently massage his forehead and shoulders. He carefully observed Zhou Ju's expression, wondering how to report back on the matter.

Ji Heng did not refuse.

The attendant's strong hands massaged the acupoints on his head, while Zhou Ju watched carefully from the side, fearing that someone might do something to harm the king.

However, at this moment, Ji Heng felt a surge of excitement and passion in his heart, just like when he was advocating for the county system.

The Great Zhou Dynasty enfeoffed various lords to jointly govern the world, barely managing to rule for 800 years.

But during these 800 years, the local lords became independent, and the central government's control became increasingly weak. What was the point of such a 800-year rule?

Since the feudal system is useless, then it should not be used! He will not allow any part of the Great Qin to escape his control.

Therefore, after unifying the country, he resolutely implemented the prefecture-county system. Even now, the calls for enfeoffment have not subsided, Ji Heng remains determined to go his own way.

He knew that this move would anger the powerful families and generals who should have benefited from the unification of the country.

Even those in his own palace wouldn't support him.

but--

Throughout history, no monarch has ever laid such a foundation for unification as he has.

Since we have achieved unprecedented success, why not do some unprecedented policies?

Now, although he is trying to select talents using four systems and wants to eliminate the previous political structure of hereditary officials as much as possible, judging from the people he has found in the ironworks, there are still many omissions in these four systems of selecting officials.

If this continues, the Qin court will likely be occupied by powerful clans once again.

Upon realizing this, Ji Heng's heart pounded wildly.

At this moment, he felt both deep anxiety and concern for the future of the Qin Dynasty, as well as a vibrant and ambitious spirit.

Just like the conquest of Chu back then.

He conquered the six kingdoms, standardized the written language and the gauge of carts, and proclaimed himself emperor!

He did everything without hesitation—what he had done, what he hadn't done, and what he was going to do.

So what's so surprising about changing the system for selecting officials now? Powerful families, generals, and officials—

Those who refuse to submit shall be executed.

He had practiced martial arts for many years, riding horses and wielding bows, his muscles were very taut. Even with the attendant's large fingers and hands doing their best, they could only ease his tension slightly.

Then, as his fingers lightly touched her shoulder and back, in a moment of focus, they drifted slightly towards her neck. Ji Heng instantly gripped the short sword hidden in his sleeve and sat up straight.
"Go back."

The servant then noticed, quickly knelt down, and silently kowtowed before crawling away on his knees, his body drenched in cold sweat. Zhou Ju sighed inwardly.

With such vigilance, the king has avoided countless assassination attempts, but how will he get along with the ladies in the palace?

……

Ji Heng was unaware that Zhou Ju had already considered these matters, and at this moment he only pondered for a moment:
"For Qin Qing to attach such importance to this, what the other party has depicted must be of utmost importance. Send someone to keep an eye on him, and kill him immediately if he behaves strangely."

He paused, then recalled Qin Shi's caution and excitement, and frowned as he said:
"Given such a criminal record, Qin Qing need not be treated with such formality. But since she has promised to protect his life, I cannot allow her to break her promise..."

"Enough! If you sense anything amiss, personally escort the person before me."

He was so fond of Qin Qing, and he hoped that the treasures she offered would truly bring him joy.

After Zhou Ju agreed, he reported back on the day's events:

"Your Majesty, the alchemist Mao Sheng recommended by Lord Cao Dan the other day is indeed extraordinary. He seems to know that the pills he concocts are poisonous. Despite the soldiers' repeated urging, they still managed to obtain only one golden pill today."

"I have ordered someone to watch him take it."

"After taking it, Mao Sheng was full of energy and vitality. He practiced a Taoist health-preserving exercise and then personally chopped up the firewood in the alchemy furnace... Only in this way did he release the full medicinal power."

At first glance, the Golden Elixir seems to make people energetic and vigorous, and it really does seem like a good thing.

But Zhou Ju was with Ji Heng, witnessing the insane state of the prisoner on death row as he frantically drank a pound of cinnabar and lead white powder.

Today, this one pill has already made a person act recklessly and irrationally. If one were to consume a hundred or a thousand pills in the future, what would one's mortal body be able to withstand such a catharsis?

They would likely die on the spot, just like the two prisoners on death row in the palace back then!

He shuddered silently.

Ji Heng sneered, "How dare you offer me a pill that hasn't even completely removed the poison!"

He said coldly, "Since the Taoist priest Mao Sheng is sincere, let him continue to work diligently and continue to offer one pill every seven days and consume it himself."

He thought about it and realized that such an arrogant and ignorant fool, who dared to spout nonsense in the main hall and claim that General Yan was a culpable criminal who had committed too many killings and had been punished, could be presented to him with such respect!

It is evident that the practice of sorcerers, which bewitches and misleads people, is particularly despicable.

Since that's the case, Ji Heng also sneered:
"Zhou Ju, issue an edict to the whole country, praising the achievements of the alchemist Mao Sheng and the great respect I have for him."

With such an example of someone who suddenly became rich despite having mediocre skills, all the scholars in the world who want to rise to prominence should come and join us.

Zhou Ju bowed and agreed.

He then said, "The timing of this sorcerer's recommendation was ingenious. If it weren't for Minister Qin's reminder, I'm afraid I would have been deceived as well."

"Now that the other party has also taken the elixir and is in the Forbidden City, Your Majesty, why don't you ask Qin Qing if he is willing to meet him?"

He secretly thought: Qin Qing's ingenious ideas are endless, but she often needs to see something to trigger them.

Now that this alchemist is a living person, if the other party saw him, could he also come up with a real elixir formula?
Coincidentally, Ji Heng thought the same thing.

He still desired immortality, but after various setbacks, he knew that this was impossible.

The more you know, the more torment you feel.

If Qin Qing truly possesses this miraculous elixir for prolonging life, after verifying its safety, why shouldn't I give it a try?

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel invigorated:

"In that case, summon Qin Qing to see me!"

Here I am! I've been updating for thirteen days straight, I'm so tired, I really want to take a vacation...

I'll pick an auspicious day.

[Regarding the Qin and Han emperors' desire for immortality, it's not entirely their fault; there are reasons for it, which I will explain in detail over the next couple of days.]