"Dynasties have different systems."
"For example, the Zhou Dynasty adopted the enfeoffment system, while Great Qin used a centralized system."
"This is the difference."
Ying Zheng, next door, nodded slightly.
The centralized system was described very accurately and precisely.
All power returning to Xianyang, returning to My hands, that is the centralized system.
Fusu also nodded in agreement.
"Then let me ask you again, was the Shang Dynasty a slave system?"
"Yes!"
"Then was the Zhou Dynasty a slave system?"
Fusu fell silent.
He really wanted to answer no.
But the Zhou Dynasty indeed had slaves.
"Very good!" Zhao Jinghong nodded, "Your silence gave me the answer."
"The Zhou Dynasty was actually a semi-feudal, semi-slave system, not only having slaves but also a system of human sacrifice, correct?"
"Yes!" Fusu nodded.
"If King Wu of Zhou was a benevolent ruler, why did he not abolish the slave system and human sacrifice?"
"Was it that he couldn't? Or that he didn't want to?"
Fusu was silent.
"Heh!" Zhao Jinghong sneered, "I can tell you clearly, he didn't want to!"
"Although abolishing the slave system would shake the interests of many nobles and cause unrest, it was not impossible!"
"He didn't abolish human sacrifice because he still needed to use people's fear to rule the populace!"
"Actually, compared to King Wu of Zhou, I think Di Xin was quite good."
"That's King Zhou of Shang!" Fusu reminded.
Zhao Jinghong shook his head, "King Zhou is a posthumous title, a nail King Wu of Zhou used to nail Di Xin to the pillar of historical shame. He was the Human Emperor, and also Di Xin!"
"The downfall of the Shang Dynasty was nothing more than touching the interests of the upper-class slave owners. He did not revere divine power, preventing imperial power from being a puppet of charlatans, and even by shooting the heavens, he declared that man can conquer nature."
"He heavily employed talented slaves, allowing them to have a place to live, and fought against those slave owners."
"Moreover, Di Xin was skilled in both literary and martial arts, with extraordinary strength, and he expanded his territory. If not for being a ruler who lost his country, he should be remembered by future generations as an example!"
Zhao Jinghong looked at Fusu and said in a deep voice, "You must understand one truth: history is always written by the victors!"
Fusu's eyes widened suddenly.
Ying Zheng, next door, also nodded slightly, muttering, "Indeed, history is written by the victors!"
Zhao Jinghong looked at Fusu and smiled, "That's right, what King Wu of Zhou failed to do, Di Xin was actually promoting and striving for all along!"
"Also, you said Your Father couldn't compare to King Wu of Zhou, and that Your Father is a tyrant, then I must ask you!"
"When King Wu of Zhou destroyed Shang, did he leave a single member of the royal family alive?"
"When Ying Zheng conquered the six states, the victor gained the world and could have massacred the defeated completely, eliminating future troubles forever! Why didn't he? Instead, he let them remain in Xianyang and provided for them?"
"You say King Wu of Zhou was a benevolent ruler, why did he practice human sacrifice?"
"You say Ying Zheng is a tyrant, why did he build imperial tombs using terracotta warriors instead of human sacrifice?"
"You say Ying Zheng is a tyrant, that he destroyed the six states and slaughtered over a million Soldiers and common people."
"But do you know how many years the wars between the states lasted?"
"I can tell you! Over two hundred years!"
"During these two hundred years, how many people died on the battlefield?"
"How many common people died by the sword!"
"Far more than a million!"
"If Great Qin had not unified the world, how much longer would this war have continued?"
"You! Tell me the answer!"
Zhao Jinghong's voice grew louder and louder, finally exploding in Fusu's ears like rolling thunder.
Fusu's face turned pale, and for a moment, he couldn't answer.
Meng Yi, next door, was stunned.
He had never thought about it this way before.
Because, in his heart, Ying Zheng was indeed considered a tyrant.
If he hadn't acted like a tyrant, how could he have unified the world?
But, after Zhao Jinghong said this, how did it feel like Ying Zheng was actually so good!
Meng Yi couldn't help but look at Ying Zheng and saw that Ying Zheng's shoulders were trembling slightly.
He was startled and quickly whispered, "Your Majesty..."
Ying Zheng raised his hand to stop Meng Yi, gently wiped his cheek with his right hand, and said in a deep voice, "I never thought that the only person in the world who understands Me is imprisoned in the Heavenly Dungeon. How ironic!"
Meng Yi was silent for a moment.
Because he knew that Zhao Jinghong's words had definitely struck a chord with Ying Zheng.
"Fusu, I have another question for you." Zhao Jinghong's voice resounded again from next door.
"Please speak, Teacher!" Fusu became even more respectful.
Zhao Jinghong asked, "The nobles of the six states, when they want to return to their homelands, are considering their own interests."
"Those former officials of the six states, those Confucians, who advise you to have Ying Zheng send the nobles of the six states back to their homelands, are also considering their interests."
"Because, after all, they are people of vanquished states, and it is inevitable that they would want to return to their homelands and restore their states."
"But! You are a person of Qin! You are the Eldest Prince of Great Qin, and you should consider the interests of Great Qin. I don't understand, you have always advocated the enfeoffment system, and always wanted Ying Zheng to send the nobles of the six states back to their former territories, whose interests are you considering?"
"What mindset are you operating under to do this?"
"Are you trying to gain whose approval?"
"Or do you want your teachers, your advisors, your guest ministers, to praise you with a phrase: 'The Prince is truly benevolent, possessing the benevolence of a sage, with the style of the former Zhou?'"
Fusu's face changed dramatically.
Ying Zheng, next door, snorted coldly upon hearing this, a trace of anger flashing in his eyes.
Yes!
Different positions lead to different perspectives on issues.
Ultimately, everyone is considering their own interests.
Ying Zheng wanted to unify the six states, not only for the sake of the people under heaven but also for Great Qin, to establish a powerful dynasty.
So, Fusu, as the Eldest Prince of Great Qin, whose interests was he considering?
Why was he doing this?
What was his starting point?
Was it really just to gain praise from others?
If so, it was truly utterly foolish!
Cold sweat broke out on Meng Yi's forehead.
He knew that Zhao Jinghong's words alone were enough to condemn Fusu to eternal damnation!
Zhao Jinghong stared at Fusu, awaiting his reply.
Fusu's face was pale, and he tried to speak several times, but stopped short.
After a long while, Fusu's lips trembled slightly, "Fusu... Fusu does not know."
"If you don't know, then think carefully! What is your identity, what do you need to do! Soldiers on the front lines still know to fight for their country; I hope you can also understand who you are fighting for and what you are striving for! If the nobles of the six states were allowed to return to their homelands, they would inevitably rise in rebellion, and the empire Your Father painstakingly built would instantly fall into chaos, and at that time, even more people would die!" Zhao Jinghong said calmly.
Fusu stood up and bowed deeply to Zhao Jinghong, "Thank you, Teacher, for your instruction!"
Ying Zheng, next door, waited for a long time and, seeing no more movement from the adjacent cell, slowly stood up.
Meng Yi followed closely behind him.
When they reached the prison door, Ying Zheng stopped, looked in the direction of the adjacent cell, struggled for a moment, but still resisted the urge to go to the adjacent cell to seek advice from Zhao Jinghong, and turned to leave.
Leaving the Heavenly Dungeon.
Meng Yi and Ying Zheng shared the imperial carriage.
He looked at the silent Ying Zheng, unsure what to say for a moment.
As they were about to enter Zhangtai Palace, Meng Yi slowly began, "Your Majesty, I believe what Zhao Jinghong said is absolutely correct! The world considers Your Majesty a tyrant, which is extremely one-sided! Upon deeper thought, Your Majesty, you are the most enlightened and benevolent ruler in history!"
Ying Zheng chuckled, looked at Meng Yi, "Do you think I care about these things?"