The fall of the Six States and the unification of the empire under Qin did not mark the end but rather the beginning of a new era. The wars were far from over; in fact, they became even more perilous. Previously, Qin's enemies were visible and external, but now, the adversaries lurked within the empire itself.
When Ying Zheng declared himself the First Emperor, it caused little uproar. However, his decision to abolish the feudal system and implement the county system stirred immense undercurrents in Xianyang. As a result, Daniel Davis, Mo Ya, and others had to return to the capital urgently.
Although Qin had adopted the county system after Shang Yang's reforms, the aristocrats and noble families never fully accepted it. Previously, they had no choice but to acquiesce. However, with Qin's expanded territory after unification, these groups saw an opportunity to push for the reinstatement of feudalism.
Under the previous system, noble titles were honorary, with no accompanying land grants. Now, the aristocracy demanded land along with their titles. Among the dissenters were members of Ying Zheng's royal family, who had the most to gain from a return to feudalism. They envisioned themselves as the first lords, akin to the vassals of the Zhou dynasty, where most were descendants of the royal Ji clan.
Ying Zheng himself had over a dozen sons, not to mention numerous cousins. These individuals, despite their noble status, held little actual power due to the constraints imposed by Shang Yang's reforms. With only one heir able to inherit Ying Zheng's position under the county system, the remaining princes—especially those born to noble mothers—naturally grew discontent. Even if some had no personal ambitions, the factions supporting them did.
Adding to the turmoil, the aristocrats of the Six States secretly fanned the flames. Xianyang became a cauldron of chaos, and Daniel Davis recalled Mo Ya specifically to deal with the situation.
The influx of people from the Six States further tested the city's security. Ying Zheng wasted no time after Qi's surrender, initiating the forced migration of the nobility to Xianyang. These aristocrats, though resentful, had no choice but to obey. Ying Zheng gave them two options: comply or face death. While implementation would take years, the nobles currently arriving in Xianyang were the vanguard of this migration.
This was only the beginning. Ying Zheng also planned to embark on his historic imperial tours. History often criticizes these tours as wasteful extravagances, yet Ying Zheng had strategic purposes behind them, unlike later emperors who toured merely for indulgence.
"Finally, the Confucians reveal themselves. The Dong family of the Seven Confucian Sects," Daniel remarked.
The first to object to the county system were the great Confucian scholars in Xianyang. They cited historical texts to argue that feudalism was the key to peace, allowing the emperor to rule passively while vassals governed the land. However, before their memorials could even reach Ying Zheng, Li Si had already dismissed them.
Having studied under the Confucians, Li Si understood their weaknesses well. He retorted with pointed questions: "Didn't the Zhou dynasty last a thousand years? When did it lose its grip beyond the capital? What brought forth the Warring States and the Spring and Autumn era?"
Li Si's sharp rhetoric drove the scholars away. As a Legalist, he found Confucian ideals of benevolence laughable. This wasn't an era where "half a book of Confucian classics could govern the world."
Nevertheless, Li Si couldn't stop the Confucians entirely. Their latent influence was enormous, even drawing Fusu, Ying Zheng's eldest son, into their orbit. Fusu's position had already been weakened by Lord Changping's betrayal, and some used this vulnerability to manipulate him further.
"It's unfortunate for the Dong family that Qin has changed so much. They're destined for disappointment," Daniel remarked.
The Confucians had underestimated Qin's intellectual advancements. With paper now widespread and academies established, Qin had cultivated a new generation of talent capable of challenging the Confucians.
Historically, the Hundred Schools of Thought thrived during the Spring and Autumn period, representing an era of intellectual liberation. However, Confucian dominance later stifled this freedom for nearly two millennia. The Confucians, confident in their scholarship, were unprepared for Qin's approach: using data and charts to deconstruct their arguments.
One example left the leading Confucian scholar so enraged that he vomited blood and fainted. The data concerned the prevalence of human sacrifices, a practice abolished in Qin but still common in the Six States, often supported by Confucians.
The recent surrender of Qi further exposed Confucian hypocrisy. Despite their doctrine of hierarchical loyalty, Qi capitulated without resistance, even after centuries of Confucian patronage. A detailed report outlined the enormous resources Qi had poured into supporting the Confucians, juxtaposed with their lack of loyalty during the kingdom's crisis.
These revelations dismantled the Confucians' sacred aura, leaving their reputation in shambles.
"Congratulations. It seems this method of using data for arguments will become mainstream," Han Fei remarked, raising a cup to Daniel in a distant winehouse. Even he was shocked by the opulent lifestyle of the Confucian aristocracy.
The exposure of these practices marked the beginning of a broader effort to undermine the Hundred Schools. With the Mohists and Farmers weakened, it was now the Confucians' turn. While they wouldn't rebel outright, their influence could be eroded by targeting their reputation. For instance, the monopolization of bamboo scrolls was framed as a deliberate act to hoard knowledge and inflate prices, contrasting starkly with Qin's affordable paper.
"Sometimes, you just have to expose greed," Daniel mused with a cold smile before changing the topic. "Have Wei Zhuang and the others entered Xianyang yet?"
"They might have. You know I've given up on such matters," Han Fei replied. Confined by his identity, Han Fei spent his days idly drinking at Daniel's club.
Elsewhere, preparations for Ying Zheng's coronation continued. Even Chu Nan Gong, the greatest scholar of Chu, had arrived in Xianyang.
"Nan Gong, I hear you possess the Yellow Stone Scroll, a relic said to change dynasties. Is this true?" Ying Zheng asked, his piercing gaze unsettling the scholar.
"Your Majesty, I am unworthy of such a treasure," Nan Gong stammered.
"Curious. I've also heard of a prophecy: 'Though Chu has three households, it will still bring down Qin.' Does that sound familiar?" Ying Zheng pressed, leaving the hall in stunned silence.
"No, Your Majesty."
"And the Xiang clan? Have you heard of their association with the phrase 'Wind, Fire, Forest, Mountain'—four individuals said to overthrow my empire?" Ying Zheng continued.
No one dared to respond. Even the Moon God and Gai Nie remained silent.
"Perhaps I'll learn the answer myself soon enough," Ying Zheng declared, leaving the hall.
As Ying Zheng departed, Nan Gong sought out Donghuang Taiyi at the Yin-Yang Clan headquarters, his voice trembling. "What is happening? Why has the emperor suddenly changed?"
"It's the heavens shifting. Accept it," Donghuang Taiyi replied calmly.
Meanwhile, Yan Dan infiltrated Xianyang, determined to exploit the coronation as an opportunity to strike at Ying Zheng. The anti-Qin forces were gathering for one last gamble.
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