"It seems many scholars from the Hundred Schools of Thought have gathered. Well, it makes sense. From now on, the Warring States era will be no more—only the Qin Empire remains." In the past, talented individuals from these schools could freely move to other states if dissatisfied. Now that there are no other states to join, this option no longer exists. In such a situation, their only choice is to turn to the Qin Empire.
After all, the newly established Qin Empire urgently needs talent. Under these circumstances, the scholars conveniently "forgot" all their previous grievances, such as calling Qin a nation of tigers and wolves or criticizing its lack of propriety. All these complaints seem to have been left behind.
"Representatives of Confucianism like Fu Nian and Zhang Liang, and even Gongsun Linglong from the School of Names, have come together. That's quite intriguing. I remember Fu Nian once praised her as 'extraordinary.' I must say, those four words are well-suited."
Confucianism, for all its issues, isn't without merit. Otherwise, it wouldn't have such a substantial influence. While some branches of the school might be questionable in their actions, the Xiaoshengxianzhuang branch is much more commendable. Xunzi's philosophy, which emphasizes human nature's inherent evil, starkly contrasts with the Confucian belief in inherent goodness.
If the other branches of Confucianism still manage to cooperate despite their differences, Xunzi's branch stands entirely apart. The foundational philosophies are diametrically opposed, making collaboration impossible. Even if Confucius himself were alive, Xunzi would remain his ideological adversary.
While the other branches derive their principles from the doctrine of inherent goodness, Fu Nian's presence in Xianyang wasn't entirely his choice—it came from an official invitation by the empire. Despite his reluctance, he had no choice but to accept.
However, poor Fu Nian had no idea that before his arrival, the reputation of Confucianism had already suffered, particularly regarding accusations of extravagance and wastefulness. Now it would be interesting to see how Fu Nian addresses these criticisms.
Daniel's impression of Fu Nian was favorable. Fu Nian truly embodied Confucian moral virtues, unlike some hypocrites. Yet, as the head of Xiaoshengxianzhuang, even a good impression couldn't change his affiliation.
"Chu Nangong sure is clever, isn't he, Fusu?"
Daniel had long been interested in obtaining the Huangshi Heavenly Book from Chu Nangong. However, finding him had proven elusive. Now, Chu Nangong openly sought refuge and temporarily stayed at Fusu's residence, making it inconvenient for Daniel to act. After all, Chu Nangong had a significant reputation as the foremost sage of Chu.
In this era, reputation carried immense weight. Those with high standing could often move freely between factions without much trouble. Especially now, with the Qin Empire freshly unified, Daniel wasn't in a rush. He simply felt pity for Fusu. Already implicated by Lord Changping's disgrace, Fusu now associated himself with Chu figures.
Of course, Fusu had no ulterior motives. Given Chu Nangong's renown, encouragement from the Confucians in his residence, and his upbringing in Confucian teachings, inviting Chu Nangong seemed entirely natural.
Fusu was undoubtedly a good man. But as Ying Zheng's eldest son, being a good man was far from enough to qualify him for leadership. Besides, with Ying Zheng likely to live for over a thousand years, Fusu's chance of inheriting the throne was nonexistent.
After all, who has ever heard of a crown prince waiting for over a thousand years?
---
"This place is far more prosperous than I imagined."
Upon arriving in Xianyang, both Fu Nian and Zhang Liang were astounded. The city's bustling vibrancy exceeded all their expectations. These were not men unfamiliar with grandeur. Fu Nian, as the head of Xiaoshengxianzhuang, had traveled extensively across various states.
Zhang Liang, even more so, had roots in Xinzheng, itself a thriving hub. The city of Sanghai in Qi was also a bustling center, renowned during the Warring States era not only as the home of Xiaoshengxianzhuang but also as a major commercial hub. Sanghai's unique geographic conditions and Qi's specialties made it a magnet for successful merchants.
Yet compared to Xianyang, places like Xinzheng, Sanghai, or Daliang fell woefully short. Though Daniel wasn't an extraordinary commercial mind, his modern ideas were groundbreaking for this era. With Ying Zheng's support, even a simple notion could birth an entirely new industry.
The most noticeable changes in Xianyang centered around basic necessities: food, clothing, housing, and transportation. These were issues closest to the hearts of the common people. As the saying goes, "Only when the belly is full can one think beyond survival." Ensuring the populace's basic needs was fundamental.
Modern agricultural techniques ensured the Qin people no longer suffered from food shortages. Cheap textiles allowed even the poorest to afford new clothes. While Daniel provided the ideas and resources, the empire implemented them.
Today, the largest supplier of fine clothing in Xianyang was Zinu. Her focus wasn't the mass market but the luxury segment. Similarly, Daniel's enterprises in Xianyang also targeted the high-end market.
Housing and transportation had also seen significant advancements. Cement roads made travel smoother, and rubber tires vastly improved the comfort of carriages. However, rubber tires were still a genuine luxury item due to limited production. Those who could afford them would never settle for the old, bumpy carriages.
"Extra! Extra! Fresh off the press—the Qin Daily!" Fu Nian and Zhang Liang were soon drawn to a newsboy hawking copies of the Qin Daily. After the unification of the six states, the long-prepared Qin Daily had officially launched.
Selling newspapers became a job for orphans. In modern times, this might be criticized as child labor. But in this era, it was considered a charitable act.
Curious, Fu Nian and Zhang Liang bought two copies of the Qin Daily. Unsurprisingly, the front page featured an elaborate article by Li Si, extolling Ying Zheng's virtues and achievements as surpassing those of the legendary Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.
With Qin's unification, Li Si's status had soared. From a humble background, he had risen to become second only to the emperor himself. His accomplishments now surpassed those of Han Fei, erasing any lingering jealousy he might have harbored.
Among the prominent figures of this era, Li Si stood out as a true commoner. Even someone like Gai Nie had the noble status of a descendant of Wei's aristocracy.
"Perhaps peace has truly arrived," Fu Nian mused softly, glancing at Zhang Liang as he finished reading the Qin Daily.
The newspaper's praise for Ying Zheng wasn't empty flattery but supported by statistics. It outlined the death tolls of centuries of warfare among the Seven Warring States and highlighted Qin's policies and advancements in agriculture and industry. Ying Zheng's unparalleled authority in this era made these reforms possible. What others would struggle to achieve, he implemented with ease.
"You must have matters to attend to. Go ahead; I'll visit the library," Fu Nian said, shaking his head as he noticed Zhang Liang's thoughtful gaze lingering on the newspaper.
For Fu Nian, Xianyang's renowned library was a must-visit destination. The exclusive knowledge once housed in Xiaoshengxianzhuang was no longer unique. The advent of paper books, coupled with Qin's strict price controls, made it impossible for aristocratic families to monopolize knowledge any longer.
---
After parting ways with Fu Nian, Zhang Liang made his way to the western district of Xianyang, home to the city's largest entertainment complex, the Sun and Moon Pavilion.
The Pavilion offered various attractions, including musical performances, fine dining, and auctions. However, it was not a brothel. Despite the era's acceptance of such establishments, Daniel maintained a firm principle against running one.
Within the Pavilion, in an exclusive room on the top floor, Zhang Liang found Han Fei enjoying wine while admiring the courtyard below, accompanied by a woman playing the zither behind a screen.
"Ah, Zifang, it's been a long time," Han Fei greeted him warmly, though a faint sigh betrayed his emotions. They had once established the group known as Liusha, aiming to create a new order for the world. Now, so much had changed.
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