Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 93, Section 92: The Harshness of Qin Law
Qin Shi was utterly exasperated by this sensitive king.

This is probably the value system I've had since childhood—

The emperor governs the people.

All the people in the country were his property, and naturally, he managed his property strictly.

But, Your Majesty, that won't work now!

How detailed are the laws in the Qin state today?

In the midst of the fighting, whether swords were drawn or not, whether needles or clubs were used, whether ears were bitten off or limbs were broken... there were legal provisions to govern every matter, no matter how small.

In fact, in a more stable dynasty, such detailed laws might not have been harmful, and might even have made people feel more at ease.

Because the Qin laws of today are not only detailed in their legal provisions, but also exceptionally detailed in their judgment of cases.

There is a case in the Qin bamboo slips from Shuihudi called “Fengzhenshi: Chuzi”, which is a case in which a pregnant woman miscarried due to a fight.

The gist of the story is that A said she was six months pregnant when she got into a fight with C, resulting in a miscarriage, and then she reported it to the authorities.

However, the fetus was "shaped like clotted blood, and its length varied from finger to elbow, making it impossible to identify as a fetus," so the government conducted an identification.

According to the examination, "the fetus's head, body, arms, fingers, left leg, and even feet and toes are already like those of a human."

That's why a trial was held.

Do people feel safe under such laws in peacetime?
Safety.

If the laws had not been sufficiently comprehensive, Xiao He would not have preserved these documents and archives at the very beginning of the Han Dynasty's conquest, thus ensuring a smooth transition of the political situation.

But the problem is that the laws are now not only detailed, but also strict.

Extremely strict.

For example, even if someone steals mulberry leaves and the stolen goods are worth less than a penny, they will still be punished with "thirty days of corvée labor."
The punishment for "gang thieves" was even more severe. If the stolen goods amounted to "more than one coin," the perpetrators would be "severed on the left foot, branded on the face, and sentenced to hard labor in the city."
In later generations, when everyone can afford to eat, many people would find petty thieves despicable and deserving of severe punishment.

However, in the Qin state, those who could commit theft were basically people who couldn't survive and had no food to eat.

Such severe punishment made the already high-pressure environment even more tense.

Now, the external threats to the Qin state include the Western Regions, the Xiongnu, the Baiyue, and the remnants of the six former states.

Internal threats include the old Qin people who conquered the land but received no benefits, meritorious generals waiting to be enfeoffed as kings and granted fiefdoms, and the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers who wanted to disperse imperial power due to the king's excessive centralization of authority...

There are also ordinary people who die every moment due to forced labor and hunger.

Ji Heng now asks: What human effort was involved in the conquest of the six states?
Qin Shi could only smile wryly: "Your Majesty, in the ten years before the conquest of the six states, did Qin fight any large-scale wars?"

Ji Heng remained silent.

The answer is: no.

The reason is simple.

It took him 10 years to conquer the six states. But even earlier, 10 years ago, it wasn't that his ambitions were unfulfilled, but rather that he was still constrained by the late queen and was working hard to seize power himself.

With internal affairs in turmoil, how can we engage in external conflicts?
Human resources were developed during this period, or even before.

He frowned. Now that there was no more fighting, why couldn't they rest and recuperate?
Qin Shi smiled and said, "Too slow, Your Majesty!"

"Assuming it would take 5 or 10 years to conquer the Baiyue, could the country muster an army of hundreds of thousands with its current population?"

"If so, how many would be left after the war?"

"For example, we suffered no losses during the war, but the Baiyue region is so vast and important. After we conquered it, we Qin people would have to migrate there. So where would the migrant population come from?"

The king before us values ​​his territory and his lasting achievements more than anything else. During the Qin Dynasty, he didn't talk about allowing the people to rest and recuperate, but instead focused on agriculture and warfare.

First assume it's impossible, then assume it's even more impossible.

"By then, Your Majesty will still be in your prime, in the height of your life. We've already fought the Baiyue, so should we fight the Xiongnu? Should we occupy the Xiongnu's lands?"

Historically, all of these were incorporated into the territory of the First Emperor, so it's hard to believe that Ji Heng hadn't considered it. Ji Heng clenched his fist.

Qin Shi guessed correctly.

He gazed at the maps day and night, his thoughts and ambitions all focused on bringing these places beside his bed under his control.

Now, though she has stirred his emotions with just a few words, he also knows her true intentions and still advises him to rest and recuperate.

However, the policy of combining agriculture and warfare was a national policy established during Shang Yang's reforms, and it was also the key to ensuring the strength of the Qin state and its ability to sweep across the six other states.

Even the slightest change will be a major event for the court.

If he hadn't already made Qin Qing his queen, this matter would never have been mentioned! Anything that touches on national policy would warrant immediate execution.

However, it must be said that there is indeed some truth to this statement.

After all, if the conquered territories are left ungoverned and there are no people to govern, how can his decrees be conveyed? How can he achieve his rule?
His fists were clenched tightly in his sleeves, his breathing was deep, and his expression was unreadable.

Seeing this from the side, Zhou Ju couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

But for some reason, amidst the trepidation, there was a strange sense of familiarity.

Sure enough, every time Qin Qing pleased the king, he would immediately follow up with another shocking act.

The greater the effect, the more profound the impact, as far as the degree to which the king is pleased.

However, Qin Shi also knew that this was not something that could be accomplished overnight.

She wasn't naive enough to think she could change national policy with just a few words.

So he slowly sipped the honey water again before saying, "That's why Your Majesty should be more lenient and help increase the population of our Great Qin territory."

"If junior high school boys and girls eat well and grow quickly, wouldn't they be able to quickly have strong sons and daughters when they get married after the age of 17?"

"At that time, the king will select from the army, or there will be many outstanding generals who are awarded titles based on military merit. Perhaps some unparalleled generals can be selected."

"Then we'll have a veteran like General Yan personally instruct him, so he can learn from the veteran's combat experience every day..."

She smiled and said, "When it comes time to fight the Xiongnu, with millions of brave generals volunteering, even Your Majesty won't know who to send!"

As she said this, accompanied by her relaxed yet confident smile, Ji Heng's tense thoughts and surging emotions couldn't help but subside, and they then joined in imagining such a beautiful scene.

If that were truly the case, if I could then train strong men and women into the disciplined and spirited royal army that Qin Qing possessed...

When the time comes, people from all directions will come to pay homage and shout "Your Majesty!"

What an everlasting and magnificent reputation it would be!

He slowly exhaled a long breath.

Seeing this, Qin Shi's tense mind finally relaxed a little.

Trying to sway the mind of those in power is like trying to attract investment for a business.

He has a promising future, knows how to make grand promises, and also speaks with substance.

Only in this way can we secure substantial funding.

This would also earn Ji Heng's tolerance and consideration.

Qin Shi silently repeated to himself: No rush.

She will not be troubled by illness in her life. As long as the king does not kill her, she will have plenty of time to slowly shape herself.

She can afford to wait.

[Please keep voting for me!]

[I'm updating late today because I spent the whole afternoon watching paid video materials, three hours in total, and ended up falling asleep... Don't blame me, I couldn't even recognize all the words in them.]

[The case study is based on Qin Dynasty bamboo slips I cited.]