PFC Chapter 604 Li You's Mission to the State of Qi
Chapter 604 Li You's Mission to the State of Qi
Ying Wuyou had a complete picture of the reactions from various regions through the intelligence networks of the Black Ice Platform and the Newspaper Division.
She was in the study of the princess's residence, looking at the briefings sent from all over the country, and she understood everything.
"System, based on the current population and literacy rate, simulate how many people will participate in this children's test?" she asked.
System response: [Based on intelligence analysis from various regions, the total number of applicants is estimated to be between 30,000 and 50,000. Of these, approximately 500 to 1,000 are women. The success rate is estimated to be one in ten.]
"Five hundred women..." Ying Wuyou pondered, "Fewer than I expected. It seems the resistance is still quite significant."
[Recommendations: 1. Strengthen publicity and set examples; 2. Put pressure on those who resist; 3. Provide tangible benefits to those who win the award.]
[I know.] Ying Wuyou picked up his pen and wrote a letter to Zhou Chang, "Zhou Caoyuan: I am aware of the reactions from various places. We need to strengthen guidance and have the newspaper department report more stories of women studying diligently. In addition, we can put appropriate pressure on those who resist aristocratic families. The specific measures are up to you and Yao Sizheng to determine."
She sealed the letter and handed it to Cui'er: "Send this to the Ministry of Personnel."
"Yes."
On February 25, Wei Ji’s “Wei Jian: Lessons from Eight Hundred Years of Rise and Fall” was published on the front page of the Da Qin Xin Bao.
Ordinary people weren't very interested in this article, but scholars and intellectuals discussed it extensively.
Xianyang, taverns and teahouses.
"Have you read the newspaper? The Crown Prince of Wei wrote 'The Mirror of Wei,' which exposes the true nature of the Wei Kingdom!"
"Tsk tsk, that's really ruthless. 'Incomplete reforms lead to a counterattack from the old aristocracy,' 'Land annexation causes hardship for the people,' 'Brain drain'... Every sentence hits the nail on the head!"
"Is that wrong? I think every word makes sense. Isn't that how the State of Wei perished?"
"That's true, but he himself is the Crown Prince of Wei! To write it like that... is too heartless."
In the academies where scholars gathered, the debates became even more intense.
Holding the newspaper, Zhang Cang said to his classmate, "Brother Wei's article is truly a bitter medicine. Only someone with great courage can dare to confront the deep-seated problems of the motherland. From this article, we can see that he puts the world first and is not confined to one family or clan."
Some people, however, were indignant: "What do you mean by putting the public good? It's clearly selling out the country for personal gain! Exposing the ills of the old country to the public to please the new ruler is disloyal and unfilial!"
Chen Mingyuan slowly said, "If we conceal our illness and refuse to seek medical treatment, will our country not perish? The fall of Wei was not due to Qin, but to itself. Brother Wei, you have exposed the wound. It may be painful, but it can serve as a warning to future generations. This is true loyalty—loyalty to all people under heaven, not loyalty to one's own family or household."
Everyone fell silent. Those words were too heavy a blow.
The newspapers were quickly distributed to various parts of the Qin Dynasty via the postal relay system.
On February 26, Li You led the delegation on its journey.
The delegation consisted of fifty people, including ten capable clerks from the Ministry of Justice (actually scouts handpicked by Meng Tian, the Minister of Military Affairs), twenty guards, as well as clerks, translators, and attendants. Three official ships sailed eastward down the Wei River, carrying not only gold and letters, but also a batch of exquisite Qin goods as gifts: Shu brocade, Qin paper, porcelain, and lacquerware—all items favored by the nobles of Qi.
Li You stood at the bow of the boat, gazing at the scenery on both banks of the Wei River. It was early spring; willows were newly green, farmers were busy in the fields, and children played on the banks. A scene of peace and tranquility.
Deputy Envoy Wang Ben approached and said, "Director Li, I'm afraid this trip to Linzi will not be smooth."
“I know,” Li You said calmly. “Hou Sheng is cunning and treacherous, the King of Qi is indecisive, and the Qi court is full of factions. But we have our advantages—the strength of Qin, the Qin system, and…” He paused, “the support of the people.”
"Human hearts?"
“Yes.” Li You turned to look at Wang Ben. “You have been on the frontier for many years. Have you ever seen the lives of the people of Qi?”
Wang Ben shook his head: "Never."
“I have seen it,” Li You said. “I went to see it three years ago when I was on a mission to Qi. Qi was a wealthy country, but the rich were the nobles and the poor were the common people. Salt was expensive, ironware was of poor quality, and taxes were heavy. The common people looked malnourished, while the nobles were extravagant. Such a country was outwardly glamorous but inwardly rotten.”
Wang Ben pondered for a moment: "So, Li Sizheng believes that the people of Qi actually hope to return to Qin?"
“At least the people hope for it,” Li You said. “Whoever can make their lives better, they will support. Qin has reduced taxes, promoted new agricultural tools, and built water conservancy projects… These benefits are visible to the people. But Qi only knows how to exploit.”
By March, Wei Ji's articles had spread throughout the Qin Dynasty. Every word was precious, piercing the most sensitive nerves of the former people of the six states.
Yingchuan, the temporary residence of the Li family.
Li He slammed the newspaper down on the table: "That Wei Ji! How could he... how could he do this! No matter what mistakes Wei has made, it is still our homeland! As the crown prince, he actually aired our family's dirty laundry in public, making us a laughingstock to the world!"
Li Yuan finished reading quietly and said softly, "Father, I think... Young Master Wei is right."
"What?" Li He's eyes widened.
“What he said is true.” Li Yuan looked up. “Why did the Wei Kingdom perish? Wasn’t it because of these accumulated problems? Nobles controlled the government, the people suffered, and talents flowed out… When my uncle was alive, didn’t he often sigh about these things? It’s just that no one dared to say it out loud.”
She paused for a moment: "Now that Young Master Wei has spoken the truth, it is painful, but at least it makes the people of Wei understand that the fall of the country was not fate, but man-made disaster. Only by knowing shame can the people of Wei stand up in the new dynasty, instead of living in 'what if' forever."
Li He was stunned. Looking into his daughter's clear eyes, he suddenly realized that he might really be getting old.
Zhao Clan Ancestral Hall in Handan.
Zhao Yan passed the newspaper to several clan elders. After reading it, their faces turned ashen.
"This Wei Ji is truly... truly shameless!" an old man exclaimed angrily. "How can he face the ancestors of Wei after he has died, slandering his homeland like this!"
Zhao Tuo replied, "Grandfather, I believe that what Young Master Wei said is worth pondering."
"You're also speaking up for him?"
"I'm not speaking for him, but for the sake of Zhao," Zhao Tuo said calmly. "Doesn't Zhao have these problems as well as Wei? Corruption among the nobility, neglect of military preparedness, brain drain... How much better are we than Wei? If we don't reflect on our actions, how will the people of Zhao stand on their own in the future?"
The ancestral hall was silent. These words struck a nerve with everyone.
Zhao Yan sighed, "Yes... the mirror of Wei reflects ourselves."
Daliang was a tavern where people from Wei gathered.
Several former officials of the Wei Kingdom were drinking alone, with newspapers spread out on the table.
“Crown Prince… How could the Crown Prince write it like this?” One person choked up, “No matter how bad Wei is, it’s still our country…”
Another man took a big gulp of wine: "But is he wrong? How strong was the State of Wei when Li Kui implemented his reforms? And what happened afterward? Nobles fought for power, land was annexed, and all the capable people fled... We petty officials can't even get anything done!"
"That can't be...it can't be written like that! What will the world think of the Wei people?"
"What do you think?" an aged voice rang out. Everyone turned around and saw an old man with white hair, who had once been a minor official in the State of Wei.
The old man sat down and slowly said, "The State of Wei has fallen, but the people of Wei remain. Your article, Prince, is to tell the world that the State of Wei perished due to its own accumulated problems, not because of Qin. If the people of Wei want to establish themselves in the new dynasty, they must acknowledge these problems and change them. This is a painful but necessary act of cutting off one's own arm to save the country."
He looked out the window and saw Qin officials directing the repair of irrigation canals on the streets of Daliang, with people lining up to receive their wages.
"Look at it now, at least the people have work and food to eat. Could the State of Wei have done that?"
No one answered.