My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

Xianyang Palace, Zhangtai Hall.

Ying Zheng leaned back on the large, cold throne, his smile hard to break.

"These things from later generations are really useful."

Ying Zheng squinted, his smile growing even brighter.

"Something worth a few hundred coins can be sold for ten thousand taels of silver. Is this the difference...?"

Just then, a guard in front of the palace announced the news.

"Your Majesty, the eldest son, Fusu, requests an audience."

Ying Zheng's smile faded slightly, and he placed the bamboo slips on the table.

"Announce."

Soon, Fusu entered the hall steadily and performed the proper rites.

Ying Zheng pointed directly to the financial report.

"Perfect timing. Take a look. Chen Mo's methods for making money are truly impressive."

Fusu respectfully stepped forward to look at it, but then raised his head.

"Father, although the things of later generations may be very profitable, they are ultimately external resources."

"Your Majesty believes that the foundation of a powerful Qin lies in its internal strength, in the people and laws that can create these wondrous things and even better ones."

"Oh?"

Ying Zheng straightened his body slightly and scrutinized his son.

"What are you trying to say?"

Fusu did not speak, but looked around.

Ying Zheng understood his meaning and waved his hand.

All the eunuchs and guards around him withdrew.

Only the father and son remained in the entire hall.

"Alright, can you tell me now?"

Ying Zheng turned his gaze to Fusu.

Fusu bowed his head and gave a salute first.

"Your Majesty, I am here today not to discuss past matters, but to present my thoughts on new policies for your consideration."

"New policy?"

Ying Zheng was slightly taken aback, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's as it fell on Fusu's face.

But Fusu remained calm and unaffected.

"speak."

After a while, Ying Zheng withdrew his gaze, leaned back slightly, and said with interest.

Fusu stepped forward and began to speak fluently.

"Father Emperor unified the six kingdoms, standardized the written language, standardized the axle width of carts, established prefectures and counties, and abolished the feudal system. This is an achievement that will last for ten thousand generations, and it also lays the foundation for ten thousand generations."

"However, I believe that for our foundation to be secure forever, we must not only rely on the strictness of the law and the advantage of our military might, but also on using all the resources of the world to benefit all people."

Ying Zheng raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.

"Go on."

Fusu bowed slightly.

"In the past, our Qin Dynasty was able to unify the world because of the military merit system, which made the soldiers brave and the common people hopeful."

"Now that the world is unified, can we expand the source of this power? For example, the water conservancy of Guanzhong, the salt and iron of Bashu, the fishing and salt of Qilu, and the copper and tin of Jingchu..."

"The resources and manpower of all regions are the strength of the Great Qin. However, the taxes and levies of each region are different. Could the governance be slightly different? Could the collection of taxes be adjusted according to the amount of output and the ease of transportation, so that the people are not burdened by the labor, and the country has sufficient resources?"

Ying Zheng's fingers tapped unconsciously on the table.

Fusu's words were something he had been thinking about all along.

It seems that Fusu really learned something from Chen Zhanggu!

At least they no longer constantly talk about being a ruler or father, or about benevolence and righteousness!

A hint of appreciation flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes, and he immediately asked.

"Adjusting and balancing taxes is no easy task. Where will the data come from? How will the standards be determined? When officials implement it, new problems will arise. What should be done then?"

Fusu had made preparations in advance.

"We can emulate the Emperor's decision to have the common people register their own land, but not just the amount of land."

"We can send capable censors and competent officials to various prefectures to not only listen to the reports from the prefects, but also to go deep into the administrative offices, workshops, markets, and even the countryside to conduct on-site investigations of the products, manpower, and circulation of goods, and then compile them into simple catalogs and records."

"The data is not entirely accurate, but it is sufficient to serve as a reference for adjustment when compared with the actual situation in various places."

This is what Chen Mo had taught him before: "Without investigation, there is no right to speak."

"As for the abuses of officials..."

Fusu paused, thought for a moment, and then continued.

"Any new policy will inevitably face resistance."

"However, one or two counties that are rich in resources but have obviously disproportionate taxes, or those that are located in strategic locations but whose people are impoverished, can be selected for pilot programs first."

"The benefits are visible, and the drawbacks are controllable. If it succeeds, it can be promoted widely; if new drawbacks arise, adjustments and corrections can be made within the pilot counties. It is better than widespread unrest."

"Besides that... there's one more thing that needs to be changed..."

Fusu paused, then raised his head and looked directly at Ying Zheng.

"The military merit system! It might have worked for the Qin Dynasty in the past, but it's not suitable for the current Qin Dynasty!"

"So how do you plan to change it?"

Ying Zheng immediately pressed for an answer.

Fusu continued to speak fluently.

"In the past, there were many states that fought each other. Military merit was a powerful tool to inspire soldiers and unite the nation's strength."

"Now that the world is unified, although there are Xiongnu in the north and Baiyue in the south, large-scale wars are less frequent. If we still only judge based on military merit, firstly, the path for soldiers to advance will become narrower, and secondly, among the millions of common people in the country, there are also people with extraordinary talents and abilities in agriculture, industry, commerce, and administration. How can their contributions be recognized?"

He stepped forward, speaking a little faster.

"With the unification of the world and the gradual cessation of large-scale wars, the source of military merit will inevitably dry up."

"And those without military merit—the laborers who built canals and fortresses, the skilled craftsmen who improved agricultural tools, the clerks who were well-versed in the law, and even the merchants who were good at trading—their strength is also the strength of the nation, and their hearts also need to be appeased."

"For example, if farmers in Guanzhong can improve their farming tools and increase grain production, thus saving the people of a prefecture from famine, their achievement is no less than capturing a general and seizing a flag on the battlefield."

"If the craftsmen of Sichuan and Chongqing could forge even more powerful tools and stronger fortifications, their benefits would be no less than those of charging into battle."

"If merchants from Shandong and Shandong can facilitate trade routes and replenish the national treasury, their effect will be no less than that of transporting grain and fodder."

"Your subject believes that a merit system should be established for the Qin Dynasty, with military merit as the core, and incorporating merit from the five paths of agriculture, industry, commerce, officialdom, and education."

"Anyone who benefits the country, the people, and the nation can be recorded for merit, and will be granted titles, land, and money according to their merits."

"Did someone tell you this? Or did you come up with it yourself?"

"Brother Chen taught me the method, and these words are what I came up with based on the current situation of the Qin Dynasty."

Ying Zheng stared at Fusu, his scrutiny gradually replaced by a complex surprise.

He knew that Fusu had changed, but he hadn't expected the changes to be so drastic!

These words, while grand in scope, are grounded in concrete details, completely surpassing the past Prince Fusu who only knew how to quote classics and pursued an idealized "benevolent governance."

Not bad.

Do not!

It's pretty good!