Chaotic Qin

Ying Zheng has always been an iron-blooded emperor.

Unlike Qin Zichu, he never wastes time caring about the thoughts of ordinary people.

Since they are their own slaves and commanders for themselves, the people should obey their own words and not refute their own orders.

Yingzheng's outrageous idea of ​​a purely high-ranking person is very popular among ministers.

After all, as an emperor, Yingzheng is still in a state of choosing the good and being stubborn. He is good at accepting suggestions from his subjects that are beneficial to the country.

However, Ying Zheng's murderous actions still cast a shadow over the hearts of the officials in charge.

Since ancient times, the idea of ​​"Punishment is not a doctor" is still deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Except for the power of the court, there are too few officials who were executed!

Yingzheng's actions were like a signal, clearly telling the Manchu officials that they were no different from the poor and lowly people who planed food in the land all day long.

"Your Majesty, is the treatment of officials too harsh?" Early in the morning, Zhang Li hurried to Xianyang Palace to ask for an audience, regardless of his old health.

Although he was speaking to Ying Zheng, his eyes for help fell on Qin Zichu.

Qin Zichu shook his head with a smile, but did not respond to Zhangli's words.

Zhangli felt very regretful, but when he saw that Yingzheng did not stop him from speaking, he still persuaded him: "Your Majesty, officials are the cornerstone of our Great Qin. Without their loyalty and support, there will be no decrees issued by Your Majesty." Who can carry it out? Your Majesty has no brothers and sisters to support him, and he is not close to the sons and daughters of other princes. At this time, as long as there are local officials who continue to be kind to you, the matter of "Tian Shi Dai Qi" is likely to happen in my Daqin. Repeated within the country."

The historical fact of "Tian clan replacing Qi" was repeatedly emphasized by Confucian scholars in Yingzheng's ears in his previous life, which made him disgusted.

But at this time, Zhang Li, who grew up with him, raised this story as an example, but the connotation has undergone a huge change.

Zhang Li mentioned this matter not because of other people's request to close the country, but purely out of consideration for the country's political stability, and Ying Zheng never resented the worries caused by it.

He said gently, "President Xiangguo, please sit down."

After Zhang Li took his seat and looked at him, Ying Zheng explained in detail: "This matter is not just to kill officials for the sake of standing. This is the first time that my Daqin has tried to carry out scientific research and select talents in the fairest way. , the people in all counties are eagerly awaiting the results of the scientific examination. It can be said that the degree of punishment today determines the degree of punishment in the future."

Zhangli couldn't help sighing when he heard the words, and said a little dejectedly: "The old minister understands your majesty's meaning. The world has been settled, no matter how amazing the effect of Legalism on improving the country's strength, when it comes to ruling the people's hearts, the Legalism However, it cannot be compared with Confucianism. In the future, the number of Confucian scholars who will enter the court will definitely increase. Your Majesty wants to show both kindness and power, but sooner or later, it will be hindered by the "Fa Xianwang" that Confucian scholars talk about all day long and the "Great Qin Dynasty" that His Majesty personally set. "Law" can no longer punish those who have committed crimes too harshly. Therefore, His Majesty punished them severely in this first scientific examination, making "severely punishing fraud in the examination room" a common practice in Daqin."

Ying Zheng smiled in satisfaction, and praised, "That's exactly what I mean. It's great that Xiangguo can understand my painstaking efforts."

Unexpectedly, Zhang Li shook his head again, and said: "Your Majesty wants to punish the officials, and I don't want to interfere. They accept bribes, and they should die if they affect the justice of my Daqin's materials. But I implore Your Majesty to treat the students who participated in the scientific examination. Let’s be lenient. The punishment for building a mausoleum for life is too severe for them.”

"Oh? What does Xiangguo mean...?" Ying Zheng looked at Zhang Li, waiting for his answer.

Zhang Li showed a scheming smile, and stroked the beard under his chin.

He said in a gentle tone: "For five years, they will be sent to build the Lishan Imperial Tomb or the Great Wall. There will always be a place for them. Give the name and the crimes committed. Naturally, I would not dare to employ such a person who took chances and took risks. And students who have such moral problems should of course be classified as heinous crimes and amnesty There is no need to release them when the world is under heaven. In this way, students who have never committed a crime will of course not know how serious the punishment is, and they will be grateful to His Majesty for protecting their interests. It can not only preserve His Majesty's reputation, but also punish those who dare to challenge the imperial examination. Candidates who follow the rules can kill two birds with one stone."

After Zhang Li finished speaking, he looked expectantly at Ying Zheng.

Ying Zheng thought for a while, smiled, and said loudly: "Okay, it's just as Xiangguo said, and we will discuss it in detail during the court."

When it comes to observing words and demeanor, trying to figure out Yingzheng's thoughts, no one can surpass Li Si except Zhang Li, Gan Luo and others who have known him for many years.

Not long after Zhang Li left, Li Si was already kneeling outside the main hall of Xianyang Palace.

Ying Zheng frowned slightly, and said with a smile, "Oh? Li Si is also here to see you? Let him in."

The servant got the order and hurried to ask Li Si to see him.

Qin Zichu said very strangely: "Although I know that Li Si is very capable, I didn't expect him to be so politically sensitive."

Ying Zheng smiled triumphantly, leaned close to Qin Zichu's ear and sprayed hot air on his ear, and said in a low voice, "I didn't see the wrong person, did I? Li Si is a person who can be reused."

Li Si knelt outside the hall and begged to see him, feeling very anxious.

Although he had already taken the position of Fengchang among the nine officials, how could Li Si's sensitivity not detect the ambiguity between the emperor and his majesty from the clues coming from the palace?

Li Si was surprised and delighted by this discovery. What surprised him was that the emperor, who seemed as clean as a bright moon, had such an ulterior relationship with His Majesty. The emperor must regard him as a confidant.

This time, Li Si hoped to confirm his guess by persuading the majesty who was furious because of the fraud case of Liaodong County students to come down.

If he succeeds, Li Si will of course be a capable minister who speaks out and dares to advise; if he fails, he will let go of further delusion, keep his stable position in peace of mind, and enjoy the glory and wealth for the rest of his life.

"Please, Your Majesty has summoned you." The servant quietly appeared at the door, whispering Ying Zheng's words.

Li Si hurriedly put away his scattered thoughts, straightened his robes and followed the servants into the main hall.

As soon as he entered the door, he lowered his eyes and knelt down, not daring to take another look at the imperial steps, and directly said loudly: "Li Si knocks on His Majesty, on the Emperor."

When Ying Zheng saw Li Si like this, he met Qin Zichu with a look of "Look, he guessed it", and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Get up." Ying Zheng responded in a low voice, and then left Li Si hanging in the main hall, as if he just came to the palace on a whim to take a look, rather than report something.

Li Si wiped the sweat from his forehead, and couldn't help but look up at Ying Zheng secretly.

Unfortunately, Ying Zheng just turned his gaze away, and Li Si froze in place with his deep eyes that could not see any emotion, and his whole body was cold.

He trembled uncontrollably, and then, he gritted his teeth suddenly, and said as if he was going all out: "Please think twice about dealing with the people involved in the fraud case."

"Oh? What's Fengchang thinking?"

When Ying Zheng said these words calmly, Li Si immediately heard the deep meaning, and said in his heart: Is there anyone else who came to see him earlier than me?

So, what did the audience say?

Various thoughts rushed into Li Si's mind, but he decided not to care about other people's opinions, and first made his own point of view clear.

Li Si kowtowed again: "My lord, please listen to the minister. Although the minister involved in the fraud case is terribly guilty, he has obtained a lot of benefits for the local students in this matter, even if the officials involved in the case and All the students have been arrested, and the parents, relatives and friends of that group of students will still say that the officials of Liaodong County are for the welfare of the local people, and they will not say that their actions are despicable and shameless."

He didn't have the courage to take another look at Ying Zheng's eyes, which could not tell whether he was angry or calm, so he simply bowed his head and said everything in his heart without raising his head: "Your Majesty can deal with this group of misbehaving officials, but you must not just Punish them because of the imperial examination fraud incident, otherwise, how will His Majesty win the loyalty of the local people. Such officials must have other acts that violate the laws of our Great Qin. Please find another reason to deal with it, so as not to lose the hearts of the people. "

Ying Zheng was about to be laughed out of anger, but he found that he understood the meaning of Li Si's words strangely.

If a person swallows the profits obtained through corruption and perverting the law, then he will definitely be criticized by everyone; but if this person shares the money obtained through corruption and perverting the law with others, then in addition to gaining a good reputation, he will also gather a group of similar people. The loyalty of those who benefit.

The officials involved in the Liaodong County case this time, except for the county sheriff who was indeed able to guarantee loyalty but was implicated, the rest of the county magistrate, county lieutenant, county magistrate, and others were all praised by local students.

Later, because too many people were involved in the case, few local students were clean.

However, Yingzheng's arrest operation was well known in Liaodong County, and many local people were involved in trouble because of the law of sitting.

In this way, instead of regarding the officials and students in the fraud case as the chief culprits, the people who suffered together complained to Qin Guo, who ordered the severe punishment.

How ridiculous!

But no matter how ridiculous it is, this is an unavoidable reality.

If it weren't for the military and political power of the Liaodong County Guards, relying entirely on the strength of the Qin Army to control the situation, Liaodong County would never be so peaceful at this time.

Ying Zheng had already learned about these things, so he was naturally very annoyed.

He glanced at Li Si who was still kneeling at the bottom of the steps, and said coldly, "Li Si, how do you think we should deal with it?"

Li Siben wanted to say something, but the coldness in Ying Zheng's eyes froze his whole body.

Ying Zheng sneered, and said bluntly, "If I, Da Qin, want to deal with officials, there is no need to look for another name!"

After speaking, Ying Zheng showed a confident smile, pointed at Li Si and said, "Don't be deceitful in the future, go back and think about it carefully, and discuss this matter carefully in a few days."