People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 486, Building a Cultural Heritage for the Qin State

Ying Zheng handed the list to Xu Qing not because he was worried about these people, but simply to let him know the progress of the "Pride and Prejudice" plan, so that Xu Qing could better deal with possible situations in the future.

"In addition, I have settled the scholars from various states who came to Qin in the southeast palace of Zhangtai Palace. The old master Gongyang Di of Gongyang Confucianism and most of the scholars have stayed."

"I believe that with the leadership of Elder Gongyang and others, we will surely be able to reverse the reputation of Qin among scholars. Moreover, Nanyang, such a wealthy place, is lacking in officials after it is returned to Qin. This is a good opportunity to attract scholars to Qin."

As Ying Zheng spoke, his eyes gleamed with excitement, and he appeared extremely pleased and expectant.

After hearing Ying Zheng's plan, Xu Qing felt there was no problem. Since Gongyang Di and the others had been settled, his previous ideas could be put into practice.

"Your Majesty's idea is indeed good, but I think it is not enough. We might as well build an academy in Xianyang, just like the Jixia Academy in the State of Qi, to attract scholars from all schools of thought to reside there."

"As a result, a large number of scholars entered Qin, which once again sparked the contention of a hundred schools of thought, and they not only pooled their wisdom and ideas to consult with the king."

"At the same time, scholars from all schools of thought gathered in our Great Qin to recruit disciples and spread their knowledge. These disciples, in turn, took on their own disciples. Only in this way can we reverse the decline of culture and virtue in our Great Qin."

"Scholars entering Qin can only treat the symptoms, but the real solution is to plant the seeds of knowledge in Qin through the hands of scholars, so that they can take root and sprout. Education is the foundation of governing a country."

Xu Qing looked at Ying Zheng and slowly explained his idea.

Establishing an academy was something Xu Qing had always wanted to do, not only to solve the problem of insufficient officials in the Qin state, but also to protect the knowledge left by the sages of the Hundred Schools of Thought of this era, so that future generations could have the opportunity to inherit this knowledge.

To let future generations understand just how brilliant the civilization of this era truly was.

Upon hearing Xu Qing's idea, Ying Zheng was clearly surprised. He thought his method of treating Gongyang Ru and other scholars well and promising them fame and fortune in order to change the image of Qin in the minds of scholars was good enough.

But he never expected that his vision was too narrow. Xu Qing had a much longer-term perspective and wanted to create a new cultural lineage for the Qin state.

A lineage of learning comparable to the Xihe School of Wei and the Jixia Academy of Qi.

"Sir, your idea is appealing, but it will be difficult to attract scholars from all schools of thought to Qin and have them join the academy."

After his initial surprise, Ying Zheng hesitated and said with concern.

"The matter of the academy is not urgent. I plan to establish this academy, which will accommodate the doctrines of all schools of thought, within five years. At that time, all the great talents of the various schools of thought will be allowed to enter the academy to spread their doctrines, write books and biographies, and all who come will be welcomed."

"As for how to complete this first step, I naturally have a way. I will explain it to Your Majesty in detail when I am ready."

Xu Qing remained calm and spoke in a measured tone.

"Since you have confidence, I will naturally support you."

After thinking for a moment, Ying Zheng nodded and said.

The matter of the academy concerns the fate of the Qin state, and even if it is difficult to accomplish, they must do it.

Because even a partial success would be enough to bring blessings to the entire Qin state and enhance its national fortune.

Moreover, there was no rush regarding the academy; they would have ample time to plan for it in the future. So, Ying Zheng changed the subject and continued the conversation.

"Now that you're back, sir, we can begin training military doctors. During this time, several old generals, including Meng Ao and Biao Gong, have been petitioning me every day, hoping that I can invite you back from Taiyi Mountain to begin training military doctors."

Ying Zheng felt a headache and helplessness when he thought of the scene where Meng Ao and Biao Gong led people to block his way at Zhangtai Palace. "Of course, I will go to the place where the physicians and others are later, and classes can officially begin tomorrow."

Xu Qing certainly wouldn't forget his primary duties. Besides being the Grand Master of Ceremonies and the Palace Attendant, he was also the Imperial Physician of the Qin State.

"Currently, all the renowned physicians of the medical school, as well as the disciples they have recruited and the veteran doctors from the army, are in the southeast palace, which has been renamed the Doctor's Palace. I will have someone show you the way later."

"Afterwards, I will order that you be allowed free access to Zhangtai Palace, so that you can go to the Doctor's Palace."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will take this matter seriously."

After finalizing another matter, Ying Zheng seemed to have thought of something, his expression became somewhat complicated, and he wanted to speak several times, but then swallowed his words.

Seeing Ying Zheng's expression, Xu Qing couldn't help but feel puzzled and asked...

"Your Majesty, is something troubling you?"

Seeing that Xu Qing was asking questions, Ying Zheng didn't intend to hide anything, and after a light sigh, he said...
"I do have something on my mind. You must have met the Crown Prince of Yan, who came to my Qin state as a hostage, at Mount Taiyi, didn't you?"

“He was a good friend of mine in Handan. I don’t know why, after he returned to Yan, he began to actively advocate that Yan abandon its diplomatic relations with Qin and unite with other states to resist Qin.”

“Back then, Zhang Zi devised the strategy of alliances for my Qin state, and Fan Sui proposed the strategy of befriending distant states while attacking nearby ones. This allowed my Qin state to break the unity of the six states and prevent them from uniting to resist. Among them, the Yan state was a key link.”

"Therefore, I sent Ji Dan to Qin as a hostage. He has been in Qin for many days now. During this time, many ministers have suggested that I find an opportunity to get rid of Ji Dan and thus resolve this problem."

“But Ji Dan was the crown prince of Yan and a hostage sent to Qin. I also received his help back then.”

"Between public and private interests, I am unsure whether or not I should eliminate him to resolve this hidden danger."

Ying Zheng's face was full of conflict. He knew that Ji Dan was a hidden danger, but Ji Dan had helped him a lot in Handan back then. Otherwise, his life would have been even more difficult. Out of gratitude, he was unwilling to kill her.

But as the King of Qin, it was his mission to eliminate all of Qin's enemies.

Caught between public and private matters, Ying Zheng hesitated greatly, unsure of how to deal with Ji Dan.

After listening to Ying Zheng's thoughts, Xu Qing also fell into deep thought. He was definitely in favor of killing Ji Dan, this scourge.

In the original story, Ji Dan was truly ruthless in his rebellion against Qin, and his opponent was also quite cunning and shrewd. He couldn't sleep until he eliminated such a hidden danger.

However, we cannot kill him now. After all, Ji Dan is a hostage sent to Qin. Killing him would put Qin in an unjust position and would also disrupt Qin's strategy of befriending distant states while attacking nearby ones.

After much deliberation, Xu Qing decided to hold back for now and find an opportunity to kill Ji Dan. He then looked at Ying Zheng and said...
"I understand Your Majesty's concerns. After all, the Crown Prince of Yan is a hostage. If we kill him, Yan will surely break off relations with Qin to save face. Therefore, I think we should observe him further and see what his talents and ambitions are like."

"Shall we observe it?"

After pondering for a moment, Ying Zheng nodded and said...
"Alright, then I'll trouble you, sir. I don't trust the others."

"promise."

A smile flashed in Xu Qing's eyes. He would definitely keep a close eye on Ji Dan and see just how capable this Crown Prince of Yan really was.

(End of this chapter)