Starting with ten elixirs of immortality, I led the First Emperor to rebel against the Qin Dynasty.

"Wang Jian, Meng Tian, ​​what about you?"

Ying Zheng's gaze fell on Wang Jian and Meng Tian. The attitude of the civil officials was already very clear: to seek stability and continue the old policies.

Now, let's see what the military commanders think.

Wang Jian pondered for a moment, then stood up.

"Your Majesty, I am a rough man and do not understand those complicated and intricate matters."

"In my opinion, there are two kinds of people in this world. One kind is useful to the Great Qin, and the other kind is not."

"Those people from the Hundred Schools of Thought, if their skills can make our swords sharper and our armor stronger, and enable our soldiers to shed less blood and kill more enemies on the battlefield, then they are useful people and should be used!"

"But if all they do is talk, incite people, and cause trouble for the court, then they are useless trash, even a menace! To deal with a menace, there's only one word: kill!"

Wang Jian's words were simple and direct, full of military pragmatism.

There aren't many grand theories involved; it's all about the actual results.

Feng Quji and Zheng Guo frowned upon hearing this; the Marquis of Tongwu's words were far too hasty. What did he mean by "useful" or "useless," and how were the standards defined?

The various schools of thought are complex and profound, and cannot be summarized by the four words "sharp knife and strong armor". What if they are used improperly and bring trouble upon oneself?

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng's lips curled up slightly.

Although the old general spoke bluntly, his words, though rough, were not without merit.

This idea coincides with Huan'er's saying, "Those who obey me will prosper, those who oppose me will perish."

Their gaze then turned to Meng Tian.

Meng Tian and Li Si exchanged a glance, and both saw understanding in each other's eyes.

As someone who personally heard Zhao Huan's "talent plan," I naturally understand His Majesty's true intentions.

Meng Tian stood up, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that what Marquis Tongwu said, though direct, also revealed the crux of the matter."

"The doctrines of the various schools of thought may contradict the policies of the state, but their skills are an indispensable asset to our Great Qin."

"Just as Huan... just as that extraordinary man who presented the curved plow said, the farmers are good at farming, the Mohists and the Gongshu School are good at craftsmanship, and the doctors are good at saving lives. If we can recruit all these people and let them perform their duties and specialize in their strengths, it will benefit our Great Qin for generations to come."

Meng Tian's words were more specific and more tactful than Wang Jian's.

Instead of directly negating the various schools of thought, it emphasized their technological value.

These words eased the frowns of Feng Quji and Zheng Guo somewhat.

If we only utilize their technology, rather than adopting their ideas, then the risk is indeed much smaller.

Wang Jian's son Wang Ben, grandson Wang Li, and Meng Tian's younger brother Meng Yi all nodded in agreement.

They were both military generals, and their way of thinking was similar to Wang Jian's.

As long as we can win battles and make Qin stronger, we can use any method from anyone.

Who cares about the brand? If it's useful, it's a good thing.

Seeing that the time was right, Li Si slowly stepped forward.

He first agreed with Feng Quji and Zheng Guo's caution.

"The concerns raised by Prime Minister Feng and Minister Zheng are those of a seasoned and experienced statesman. We must indeed be wary of the thoughts of the various schools of thought."

These words made Feng Quji and Zheng Guo's expressions soften considerably, realizing that Li Si was still on their side.

But Li Si changed the subject.

"However, Your Majesty possesses great talent and ambition, and your prestige extends throughout the four seas. Our Great Qin's iron army is invincible. Even if a mere scholar from a hundred schools of thought harbors disloyalty, how could they possibly overturn the heavens?"

"In my opinion, it is better to guide than to suppress. Rather than strictly guarding against them and letting them secretly cause trouble, it would be better to bring them all under the control of the court."

"Establish a 'Hundred Schools Academy' to 'invite' all the extraordinary people and talents in the world. Give them the most generous treatment and the best materials so they can concentrate on their research. But at the same time, also restrain them with the strictest laws."

"The results of his research will belong to Great Qin. He and his family are all under our control. In this way, we can both utilize his talent and eliminate any potential threat. What does Your Majesty think?"

Li Si's words sent chills down the spines of Feng Quji and Zheng Guo.

This is hardly an "invitation"! This is clearly taking their entire family hostage and forcing them to risk their lives for the Qin Dynasty!

This method is even more chilling than Wang Jian's use of the word "kill".

But it must be admitted that this is indeed a solution that solves the problem once and for all.

Wang Jian, Meng Yi, and others had their eyes shining.

That's right, that's how it should be!

If you don't appreciate our kindness, then don't blame us for being impolite.

If you're willing to serve the Qin Dynasty, you'll be rewarded with wealth and honor. If you don't want to serve, then your whole family will be wiped out.

This is the proper way to deal with those unruly individuals.

Ying Zheng looked at Li Si with a satisfied expression in his eyes.

As expected of Li Si, he grasped the essence of Huan'er's ideas so quickly and even improved them, making them more practical.

"Take the law as your teaching and officials as your teachers" plus the tactic of "prosperity for those who obey and ruin for those who resist."

"What Prime Minister Li said is very much in line with my thoughts."

Ying Zheng made the final decision with a single hammer blow, surveying the crowd with a majestic voice.

"This matter is settled. Great Qin desires not only the unification of the world, but also the gathering of talents from all over, the integration of the strengths of all schools of thought, and the establishment of a foundation for an everlasting dynasty!"

"By imperial decree, another 'Academy of Crafts' shall be built outside Xianyang City, modeled after the Academy of Natural History."

"With the Prime Minister's Office taking the lead, and the Court of Justice, the Imperial Treasury, and the Minister of Agriculture cooperating, immediately set about bringing back to me all the talented individuals from the various schools of thought scattered among the people!"

"Tell them that serving the Qin Dynasty will bring them wealth, honor, and a place in history! If they remain stubborn and resist..."

A cold glint flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes.

"Exterminate their entire clan!"

"Your Majesty, we obey!"

Li Si, Wang Jian, Meng Tian, ​​and others bowed in unison, their voices filled with excitement.

It's as if we can already see a super empire, gathering all the wisdom and technology in the world, rising up.

Feng Quji and Zheng Guo exchanged a helpless glance.

Knowing that His Majesty's mind was made up, all these old ministers could do was follow in His Majesty's footsteps.

However, this method was indeed rather cruel.

But then I thought, what does a little cruelty matter for the sake of the eternal foundation of the Qin Dynasty?

This world rightfully belongs to Your Majesty.

The talents of the world should naturally be put to use by Your Majesty.

Having figured this out, the last trace of doubt in their hearts vanished, and they bowed to accept the order.

"Your Majesty, we obey!"

Ying Zheng nodded in satisfaction and sat down again.

"Li Si and Feng Quji, you two will be in charge of this matter. Present the specific procedures to me as soon as possible."

"Your Majesty, we obey!" the two prime ministers replied in unison.

Ying Zheng's gaze then fell upon the State of Zheng.

"Although this matter is settled, it cannot be accomplished overnight. The various schools of thought are a mixed bag, so we must distinguish between primary and secondary matters and proceed step by step."

"In my opinion, the most urgent tasks are those of farmers and doctors."

"Farmers are well-versed in the timing and location of farming, which can help our Great Qin promote potatoes and improve farming tools, thus laying the foundation for the nation. Physicians are skilled in medicine, which can reduce casualties among our Great Qin's elite soldiers and protect the health of the people, thus ensuring the well-being of the people."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Starting with these two companies will minimize resistance and make it easier to see results.

"The affairs of physicians can be led by Xia Wuqie, the Imperial Physician, who will seek out renowned doctors from among the common people to enrich the Imperial Medical Bureau and merge it into the Hundred Crafts Academy."

"As for the farmers..." Ying Zheng looked at Zheng Guo and instructed, "Zheng Guo, as the Minister of Agriculture, you deal with land and grain year-round, so you must have some connections with the farmers. How about you take charge of this matter?"