Chapter 43: Killing one person can save the world, why not kill?

The next day, a notice was posted in Xianyang city announcing the Confucian scholars’ crimes. Every word was as sharp as a knife and shocking!
When the people heard this, they stopped to watch.

For a moment, there was a crowd of people and discussions were heard one after another.

An old man stroked his beard and sighed: "It seems that although the killing of Confucian scholars seems harsh, it is actually to eliminate pseudo-Confucian scholars, not to target gentlemen! These pseudo-Confucian scholars are hypocritical, slandering the government and spreading rebellious ideas. They are really a great harm to the world!"

A young scholar beside him nodded in agreement: "What you said is absolutely right, old man. These pseudo-Confucian scholars corrupt the academic atmosphere and mislead the people. They should have been eradicated long ago. The court's move now is in line with the people's wishes and will give the world a clean reading environment!"

"Alas... I just pity those Confucian scholars with real talent and knowledge, who may be implicated by this move!"

A middle-aged man dressed as a Confucian scholar beside him shook his head and said, "That's just a woman's opinion! A person with real talent and real learning should be able to distinguish right from wrong and not be burdened by these fake Confucian scholars. Besides, the court's move is to select people with real talent and real learning, not targeting Confucianists!"

When everyone heard this, they all thought it made sense and nodded in agreement.

For a time, there was a lot of discussion in Xianyang City, but everyone agreed that the false Confucianists should be eradicated and expressed their support for the court's move!
The people from various schools of thought were also shocked upon hearing the news. They gathered together to discuss the matter and speculated about who had come up with this vicious plan.

"This strategy is cruel and will completely nail Confucianism to the pillar of shame. It is not what we Taoists do."

"Confucianism claims to be benevolent, righteous and moral, but in fact it is extremely hypocritical. This policy exposes its true colors and makes people happy!"

"Although Confucianism has its own merits, this policy is too radical and may cause unrest in the world..."

Afterwards, the Qin court re-issued the imperial examination system and announced it to the world.

When this order was issued, it was like a bolt from the blue, causing an immediate uproar and shocking the entire government and the academic community!

All the philosophers and scholars were shocked and looked at each other in silence.

They knew very well that this move would break the hereditary monopoly of power by the aristocratic families, so that scholars from all over the world, regardless of their status, would have the opportunity to display their talents and compete in the court!
When the people heard the news, they were all delighted, running around to tell each other, with smiles on their faces.

They knew very well that from now on, children from poor families would have the opportunity to succeed and bring honor to their families, and they would no longer have to be subject to the oppression and constraints of the wealthy families!
As a result, inside and outside the city of Xianyang, whether in the streets or in the alleys, or in the taverns and teahouses, the voices of people's heated discussions could be heard everywhere.

They all praised the First Emperor for his wisdom and foresight, and for paving a smooth path for scholars all over the world! !

While the various schools of thought were astonished, they also began to re-examine this change.

They knew that the implementation of the imperial examination system would usher in a new era.

One scholar said excitedly: "From now on, children from poor families like us will also have the opportunity to stand out and bring honor to our family!"

"That's right! We no longer need to rely on others for support. We can rely on our real talents and knowledge to compete in the court and realize our ambitions!"

Some people also worried: "Although the imperial examination system is good, it may breed utilitarianism and the path of learning may deviate from the original intention."

"Alas... this move may turn the soldiers into slaves of fame and fortune, and they will no longer be as pure as they once were!!"

Someone stroked his beard and pondered, "The imperial examination can select talented people, but we must also prevent its drawbacks. If we only pursue fame and fortune and ignore moral cultivation, isn't that putting the cart before the horse? Therefore, we should put moral behavior first and talent second, which is the best strategy."

"We should use the imperial examination as a ladder to climb to the peak of knowledge, rather than indulge in the abyss of fame and fortune. Only by keeping our original aspirations can we go steady and far on the road of the imperial examination."

However, no matter what the world said, Qin Shihuang had made up his mind.

He wanted to use the imperial examination system to select talented people to assist the Qin Dynasty and create a new era.

And the fate of Confucianism was completely rewritten at this moment! !

……

At the same time, Fusu was suspicious and went straight to Ye Chi's mansion.

Ye Chi was in the elegant room, leisurely enjoying the fragrance of tea alone.

But when we saw the man, he was dressed in a clean blue robe, looking as graceful as a fairy, with an attitude of being detached from the world.

When Fusu came to visit, Ye Chi raised his eyes slightly, and there seemed to be stars hidden in his eyes, deep and peaceful.

He did not show any surprise at the visit of the distinguished guest, but only nodded slightly as a sign of courtesy.

His every move revealed calmness and composure, as if the troubles of this world had nothing to do with him.

Then he motioned Fusu to take a seat, and his behavior revealed an indescribable elegance and refinement.

As the aroma of tea wafted in the air, Ye Chi seemed to have transformed into a misty immortal, becoming one with the heaven and earth and resonating with all things.

Fusu sat opposite him and suddenly felt his soul cleansed, with all the worldly troubles left behind.

Seeing Ye Chi being so indifferent, he couldn't help but get straight to the point and said, "Mr. Ye, I came here this time because I really don't understand something!"

"What exactly do you want to achieve by presenting this golden plan to the emperor?"

"Isn't it too radical to kill the scholars?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Chi put down the teacup in his hand and smiled slightly: "Your Highness's concerns are also reasonable, but what Ye did is actually for the sake of the scholars of the world!!"

Hearing this, Fusu frowned, and the confusion in his eyes became more intense, as if he was in a fog, not knowing why. He pondered for a moment, and then asked doubtfully: "Mr. Ye, what exactly do you mean by 'considering the scholars of the world'? Fusu is ignorant and it is difficult for me to understand the deep meaning of it!"

His voice was full of confusion and puzzlement, as if he found Ye Chi's unfathomable nature difficult to grasp.

Fusu was full of doubts and urgently needed Ye Chi to clear up his confusion and enlighten him.

Ye Chi smiled slightly, and did not answer directly, but asked him back:
"Your Highness, if two people are tied up on the left and right sides, and ten breaths later, a tiger will rush out from each side, and their lives are hanging by a thread. You only have ten breaths to save one person. Who will you save?!"

Fusu was stunned. He didn't expect Ye Chi to ask such a question.

He pondered for a while, his expression showing hesitation, and then he slowly said, "May I ask, Mr. Ye, is there any difference between these two people? For example, is one of them a despicable person, a treacherous and evil person?"

The implication of his words is that he wants to make choices based on the good or evil of one's character.

Upon hearing his words, Ye Chi shook his head slightly, his eyes as deep as the sea, as if he was seeing through Fusu's inner confusion.

He did not answer directly, but asked in return: "Your Highness, do you think that the good and evil of people can be clearly seen at a glance?"

Fusu was stunned by the question, and then fell into deeper thought.

He knew that what Ye Chi said was true. The good and evil in people's hearts are often complicated and difficult to see at a glance.

Fusu sighed inwardly, feeling that the matter was becoming increasingly difficult and it was hard to make a decision!
However, Ye Chi had already started counting slowly: "One, two, three..."

Fusu's heart was burning with anxiety and he was hesitant. Ten breaths of time passed by like a flash.

His eyes were wandering, his hands were clenched into fists, and cold sweat was dripping down his face. It was obvious that he was extremely anxious.

Ye Chi watched the situation quietly, his face as calm as water, without any ripples.

When ten breaths were almost up, he slowly opened his mouth, his voice like a loud bell, striking deep into Fusu's heart:
"Your Highness, because of your hesitation, you failed to make a decision in time, and those two people have already been buried in the tiger's mouth!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Fusu felt like he was struck by lightning and his body shook violently.

He widened his eyes and looked at Ye Chi in disbelief, his heart filled with regret and self-blame.

Then, his face became extremely ugly, and he didn't understand what he meant: "What do you mean, Mr. Ye? I didn't make a choice, how could I harm them both?"

Ye Chi explained: "You could have saved one person, but because of hesitation, you killed two people. Now, killing one person can save the world! Why not kill?!"

Fusu seemed to have suddenly realized something, but he was even more confused: "Mr. Ye is saying... that by killing a bunch of Confucian hypocrites, we can save all the scholars in the world?!"

Ye Chi looked solemn and his eyes were deep. He said affirmatively: "That's right!"

"There are many talented people in Confucianism, but there are also many evil people and hypocrites mixed in. They use the name of Confucianism to do shameful things, which is a great harm to the scholars in the world!!!"

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Although the act of killing scholars may seem radical, it is actually to eradicate such evil tendencies and restore a clean reading environment to the world."

"Such hypocrites, who are sweet-mouthed but treacherous, deceive the world and steal reputation. If they are not punished, they will cause endless harm!!!"

At this moment, Fusu was silent for a long time after hearing Ye Chi's words. His heart was surging like a river bursting its banks and he could hardly control himself.

His thoughts come in a rush, like clouds rolling and unrolling, unpredictable!

After a long while, Fusu took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and sighed: "Mr. Ye's insightful opinion is really a revelation to me. Fusu is suddenly enlightened!"

As soon as he finished speaking, it was as if a ray of light broke through the clouds, illuminating my heart, and all my doubts vanished!!

Although Fusu still had some concerns, he no longer pursued them further!

He knew very well that everything Ye Chi said and did was for the sake of the Qin Empire and the people of the world. His noble character was awe inspiring! !

As the eldest son of the Qin Dynasty, Fusu should shoulder heavy responsibilities.

He knew very well that every citizen had a share of responsibility for the rise and fall of a country, not to mention that he was a descendant of the royal family, so he should stand up and work hard for the long-term foundation of the Qin Dynasty!
At this point, Fusu felt relieved, as if the clouds had cleared and the sun was shining, and everything suddenly became clear!
However, Ye Chi's next words were like a bolt from the blue, causing Fusu's heart to ache again! !

"Now, Your Highness should be concerned about not the fate of Confucianism, but the future of the Qin Dynasty!" Ye Chi said.

When these words were spoken, Fusu was suddenly shocked and didn't understand what they meant.

He widened his eyes and stared at Ye Chi, as if trying to find some clues from his face.

Ye Chi, however, looked calm and continued to ask him, "The army that is conquering Baiyue should have arrived at the battlefield by now."

"What do you think, Master?"

Fusu heard this, pondered for a moment, nodded and said: "It is just as you said, the war of Baiyue has already started, and my father has ordered General Tu Sui to lead the army to fight. Act according to your plan!"

Ye Chi shook his head slightly and sighed: "Although Tu Sui is brave and invincible, his way of using troops may not be able to cope with the complex and ever-changing situation in the land of Baiyue. Your Highness, this battle is related to the future of Daqin, so you must be careful!"

Fusu was shocked when he heard this and asked hurriedly, "Why do you say that, sir? Is it possible that the decision made by my father and you is wrong?!"

(End of this chapter)