Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Upon hearing this, Li Si's lingering playful expression vanished completely, replaced by a deeply moved and solemn look.

He gave Zhou Wenqing a deep look, stood up, and solemnly bowed: "Brother Zicheng, you are noble and kind-hearted, remembering the past and benefiting the villagers. You have enlightened the children and taught them the law... I admire you the most."

Meng Wu, standing to the side, looked at Zhou Wenqing with a newfound respect.

Those who serve in the military value most the qualities of being clear about gratitude and resentment, and protecting their hometown.

but……

Meng Wu frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke frankly.

"Young Master Zhou is grateful and considerate of his neighbors, which I admire greatly. However…"

He paused briefly, as if considering his words, but ultimately chose to speak frankly: "To repay a child by teaching them to read and write... I humbly believe that this method may be inappropriate."

He raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Ying Zheng and Li Si before finally settling on Zhou Wenqing's face. His expression was serious: "It is not that I intend to obstruct your good deeds, young master, but... you should know that once the people are enlightened, their minds will inevitably become more active, and they will probably find it difficult to remain content with farming and focus solely on agriculture and warfare."

"Moreover, your teaching of the local children is a blessing. For them, the sudden exposure to the vastness of the world, coupled with their confinement in the countryside, may only cause them unnecessary distress. In my humble opinion, it would be more practical and prudent to express our gratitude with gold, silver, and grain."

What Meng Wu was referring to was part of the deeply ingrained ruling logic of the Qin state since Shang Yang's reforms—emphasizing practicality and suppressing education, especially curbing the spread of "intellectual knowledge" among the common people that might escape control.

It is believed that the more knowledgeable and thoughtful the people are, the more difficult they are to control and rule.

Zhou Wenqing had anticipated Meng Wu's question, and while listening, he kept an eye on the other two people's reactions.

He first looked at Li Si.

Li Si frowned and pursed his lips into a straight line.

Although he was a Legalist who valued agriculture and warfare, he was born into an ordinary family in Shangcai, Chu State, and had more life experiences. His views on "civilization" were more complex than those of purely military aristocrats.

Sure enough, as Li Si listened, a deep vertical line appeared between his brows, clearly indicating that he was weighing the options in his mind.

Zhou Wenqing saw this and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems that we won't have to put too much effort into persuading the Prime Minister of Qin, which is a great thing.

After all, he wasn't sure if his eloquence was enough to persuade a scholar with firm beliefs and a clear stance, especially someone like Li Si.

To be honest, it's unlikely, unless he goes to the system space and comes back to vent his anger.

At this moment, Li Si's Adam's apple bobbed, and he was about to speak.

Zhou Wenqing took the initiative and spoke first.

"What Guard Meng said is indeed a wise and insightful view on governing the country, and it is also the foundation for Qin's current strength. Wenqing understands."

He first affirmed the other party's position, then softened his tone and said, "However, Wenqing personally believes that this concern might... be better viewed from a longer-term perspective."

"When I teach children to read, it is not to teach them to write poems or talk about abstract principles. The words I teach are primarily about farming seasons, crops, fields, measurements, and arithmetic. This is not to make them 'have other thoughts,' but rather to make them better understand how to cultivate the land, understand why government laws are stipulated in this way, and thus be more able to fulfill their duties and be skilled in farming and warfare..."

As Zhou Wenqing spoke, he subtly observed Ying Zheng's reaction.

Compared to Li Si and others, this person's attitude is the key.

Without his approval, there's no point in discussing anything further.

Ying Zheng lowered his eyelids, his face expressionless, but when he sat down, he leaned back slightly against the chair back.

This subtle shift in posture diminished his sense of "immersion" as a listener, replacing it with a more detached and detached observer's stance—a kind of instinctive vigilance befitting a ruler.

Zhou Wenqing paused for a moment, then understood.

It seems that it will be no easy task to reverse the deep-rooted notion that "enlightening the people" is detrimental to the country.

He wasn't surprised, but fortunately, the purpose of bringing this up today wasn't really about that.

When discussing national policies, it is more meaningful to do so only after both sides have been sincere and open, and have revealed their true identities.

Zhou Wenqing organized his thoughts and chose a more straightforward and practical approach to continue:

"Guard Meng, between a farmer who can read simple agricultural books, keep track of his own harvest, and calculate taxes, and a farmer who is completely illiterate and only knows how to work hard, which one do you think is more likely to become the solid foundation of the Qin Dynasty?"

He cleverly linked "literacy" directly with "better farming and warfare," giving it undeniable practicality.

As for whether these people will read other books or become more active after they learn to read, Zhou Wenqing will not mention that for now.

"This..." Meng Wu opened his mouth and looked at the King of Qin, but received no response. His expression was somewhat conflicted.

Zhou Wenqing quickly spoke before he could react, not giving him a chance to think it over carefully.

Once he's figured it out, we can talk about it in more depth.

"Of course, Guardian Meng," Zhou Wenqing said with a smile. "What I am doing now is only to repay a debt of gratitude, and it is limited to this small village with only a dozen or so children. If you were to talk about what impact it would have on the country, that would be an exaggeration. It's hard to say whether they can even learn it."

Zhou Wenqing sighed dramatically, "Guard Meng, you have no idea, this child is probably very naughty and difficult to teach!"

He pointed to his desk, sighed heavily, his shoulders slumped, and his face was full of helplessness.

"Look! There's a whole pile of things scattered on my desk, all prepared for the children's early literacy lessons. I haven't finished writing them yet, and I'm so anxious I'm about to tear my hair out!"

These words seemed to trigger the capture of the keyword "Zhou Wenqing's desk".

It was like a hook, instantly drawing the attention of everyone present.

Li Si's eyes lit up, and he involuntarily leaned forward slightly, his face showing keen interest and a hint of mockery.

"Oh~ I don't believe it. With your talent, Brother Zicheng, there's something that could make you so troubled. I'd like to see it for myself, Brother Zicheng, let me take a look!"

Although Ying Zheng did not speak, he unconsciously straightened up a bit, his deep gaze falling on the slightly messy pile of "bamboo pieces".

Zhou Wenqing waved his hand with a bitter face: "Sigh, it's just a dictionary, but the compilation hasn't gone smoothly. Just thinking about it is annoying. Brother Gu'an, you can read it yourself!"

"Then, Brother Zicheng, we won't stand on ceremony!"

"Please, please go ahead."

Li Si was the first to step forward, his gaze quickly sweeping over the neat and rhythmic words.

After reading only a few lines, his eyes grew brighter and brighter. He traced the strokes in the air with his finger as he read, faster and faster, his eyes shining brightly.

"Brother Zicheng, what excellent writing you have! This dictionary not only has neat rhymes, but it is also full of childlike innocence and fun, teaching through entertainment and enlightening the mind. How solid is the foundation!"

Before the bamboo strips were even strung together, Ying Zheng had already bent down, picked up a few strips to examine them closely, and nodded slightly as he read: "This text is excellent. It is not merely for enlightenment, but also reveals a far-reaching strategy for regulating and educating people. Zicheng's efforts are profound."

The table wasn't big, and with two people squeezed in, Meng Wu could only crane his neck to see.

Hearing King Qin and Li Si repeatedly praising him, he suddenly remembered that his son Meng Tian was also of marriageable age, and wouldn't his grandson also need to begin his education in the future?

He scratched his head somewhat sheepishly. "Young master, this is well written! Um... could I also copy a copy?"

Zhou Wenqing smiled and agreed, "Of course, I'll put together a list for Guard Meng later."

Seeing the three people's reactions, Zhou Wenqing knew that the time was right. He showed a troubled look on his face, shook his head, and sighed as he spoke.

"It's easy to write the principles on bamboo slips, but it's not easy to get those children to listen and remember them. These teenagers are at their most unruly and have strong opinions. They are difficult to manage and even more difficult to teach. It's really a challenge."

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng's gaze, which had been fixed on the bamboo slip, unconsciously began to wander.

Although young, Fusu was already showing signs of independence, and his speech contained some impractical ideas, causing some unease. Huhai, still innocent and naive, showed no signs of maturity, but he was also becoming increasingly arrogant...

Zhou Wenqing sat on a low stool, his gaze sweeping over Ying Zheng. He paused, leaned forward slightly, and spoke in a soft but clear voice.

"Since I took on this job, I have to teach them well, at least guide them onto the right path, teach them to recognize some characters and understand some principles. If I don't teach them well or use the wrong methods, wouldn't that be a waste of their time? This is no easy task, and I can't afford to be careless in the slightest. It's a very difficult situation."

Upon hearing this, Meng Wu's thick eyebrows immediately furrowed. He waved his hand and said, "What's so difficult about that? In my opinion, Young Master Zhou, you're just too soft-hearted. It's not easy for a country child to have the opportunity to learn to read. If he's still being naughty and causing trouble, then just drag him over and give him a good scolding. I guarantee he'll be obedient."

Meng Wu's words were perfectly reasonable—he himself had gone through that process, and his son naturally had too.

"That's absolutely unacceptable!" Zhou Wenqing blurted out almost without thinking.

"Guard Meng, corporal punishment may frighten them temporarily and make them outwardly obedient, but it cannot eliminate their mischievous nature, much less teach them true principles. In fact, it might even make them resentful and more averse to learning, which would be completely contrary to my original intention."