Chapter 28: The Old Qin People Are Tired Too—Hurry Up and Destroy It

During the reign of the First Emperor, his formidable prestige was enough to hold the four corners of the world in awe, masking the hidden dangers created by Legalism. However, once Huhai ascended to the throne, lacking the First Emperor’s authority and capability, he acted recklessly and intensified the pressure. It would have been a miracle if the world had not descended into chaos.

Li Nian continued his analysis: "Legalist governance relies on harsh and cruel punishments to instill fear in the populace, which facilitates control. When facing grave external threats, this approach is viable; it can rapidly consolidate national strength and bring prosperity. The old Qin people accepted Legalist rule for the following reasons:"

"First, although Legalism used severe laws, it did indeed bring social stability. The people of Qin felt the tangible benefits, such as a reduction in murder and theft, meaning they no longer had to worry constantly about their own safety. Second, there was the existence of the military meritocracy system."

Does this actually relate to the military meritocracy?

This was a point Qin Shi Huang had not anticipated. He braced himself, listening intently to Li Nian’s explanation.

"Human beings are creatures of desire. Once basic survival needs are met, higher-order needs naturally emerge."

Li Nian did not immediately explain the relationship between Legalism, the Qin people, and the military meritocracy. Instead, he introduced a new concept to Qin Shi Huang. Fearing the King might not grasp it, he elaborated: "Your Majesty can think of it this way: once a person is well-fed and warmly clothed, they naturally desire better food, sweeter drink, a beautiful wife, and a more spacious home."

Qin Shi Huang nodded, signifying his understanding. Li Nian continued: "The people of Qin were no different. Once they were fed and clothed, they naturally sought a better life. At that time, while Legalist laws were harsh, the military meritocracy provided them with a ladder for advancement, giving them the opportunity to achieve that better life."

"With the hope of climbing upward, the old Qin people naturally accepted Legalist governance and were willing to maintain the social order it constructed. Furthermore, although Legalism was harsh, as long as one followed the rules, life was generally uneventful; in fact, society under Legalist rule was quite stable. To the old Qin people of that time, the benefits of Legalism outweighed the drawbacks."

Qin Shi Huang understood the point Li Nian was making. The military meritocracy was a crucial reason why the Great Qin could maintain Legalist governance; it gave the people hope and made them endure the severity of the laws.

Without waiting for Li Nian to continue, Qin Shi Huang took the initiative: "Now that the six kingdoms have been annexed and there is no more war in the world, it has become difficult to gain merit on the battlefield. The military meritocracy has become a mere name to the people of Qin. Seeing no benefit, they naturally grow dissatisfied with the harsh laws."

"The people of Qin were not without grievances regarding the laws before, but back then, there were benefits, so they could endure it. Now that those benefits are gone, problems arise everywhere!"

"This is human nature!" Li Nian remarked.

Qin Shi Huang looked at him and continued: "The Great Qin has changed, and the people of Qin have changed. If we continue to govern the Great Qin with the Legalist methods of the past, it will surely become a disaster."

Li Nian nodded: "Precisely so! In fact, I believe there are two more points: the reason the people of Qin were willing to fight for the state was the hope that, after swallowing the six kingdoms and unifying the world, they could lead better lives—not continue living the same lives they had before the unification. If, after unifying the world, they still lived as they did before..."

"Before the unification, they lived like that. After the unification, they still live like that. Wasn't the unification of the world all in vain?"

Qin Shi Huang pondered this. It was indeed a sound argument. If life after unification remained the same as before, the people of Qin would inevitably lose heart and no longer serve the Great Qin with such fervor. After all, if the outcome made no difference to them, why bother?

"Secondly, everything has a limit. Even an iron string will eventually snap, and people are the same. The Great Qin has been governed by Legalism for over a hundred years; the people have accumulated too much resentment. If Your Majesty continues to rule with the Legalist ideology of the past, that resentment will only grow, and sooner or later, it will erupt."

"The fall of the Qin Dynasty by the second generation is due to this. The people of Qin have turned their hearts away from the Great Qin; they no longer wish to fight for it. That is why, when the Han Emperor Gaozu entered the pass, they surrendered voluntarily."

Qin Shi Huang and Meng Yi were left stunned. They were so shocked because, in their minds, even if the Great Qin were to fall, the old Qin people would be heartbroken and fight to the death for the empire, only meeting their end because the enemy was too strong.

But what they were hearing now was that the old Qin people had no desire to resist and had surrendered willingly, as if they were eager for the Great Qin to collapse!

Qin Shi Huang could not describe his current state of mind. In a mere dozen years, had his Great Qin fallen into such disrepute that even the old Qin people despised it?

For the first time, he truly felt why later generations would say the Qin was doomed. He realized the severity of the problems facing the Great Qin—it was far from the simple belief he held that "as long as I am alive, the Qin shall not perish."

*Was this the same feeling my ancestor, Duke Xiao, had? Change brings life; stagnation brings death! Duke Xiao had Shang Yang, and I have Li Nian. I will do even better than Duke Xiao!*

After discussing the impact of Legalism on the Qin people, Li Nian touched upon the impact on the people of the six kingdoms: "The people of the former six kingdoms are different from the Qin people; they are not so complex."

"The Qin people had accepted Legalist governance for over a century and could endure it, but the people of the six kingdoms had never been governed this way; naturally, they would experience all sorts of discomfort and resentment. Of course, harsh punishments could suppress this discontent for a time, but it would accumulate, gradually turning into hatred and enmity."

"During the annexation of the six kingdoms, the Great Qin’s conquests and slaughter had already created deep-seated enmity with the people. Now, using Legalist severity to coerce them only fuels that hatred. This resentment is like weeds growing on a wasteland; come autumn, one spark is all it takes to set the prairie ablaze."

"People always yearn for freedom. The harsh laws of Legalism can intimidate people for a moment, but they cannot intimidate them for generations. This is the nature of the human heart. When they can no longer endure, they will rise up and shatter the cage built by Legalism."

Qin Shi Huang had also realized that Legalism was not suitable for governing the people of the six kingdoms, but he wanted to know: if not Legalism, then what?

"According to you," Qin Shi Huang asked, "none of the hundred schools of thought will work. Then, how do you suggest we govern the Great Qin?"

Li Nian knew his own limitations. He might be able to debate politics online, but actually governing a state—let alone one as vast as the Qin—was beyond him. The grand strategy had to be determined by the First Emperor himself. Li Nian could only offer suggestions based on the history of later generations and point out flaws in the First Emperor's policies, just as he had explained why Confucianism and Legalism were unsuitable for the Great Qin.

Therefore, before answering, Li Nian treaded carefully.

"Your Majesty, in the future, I am but a commoner, not a statesman. If you wish for me to use the future as a mirror to offer suggestions, identify errors, or provide corrections, I can do that. But if you truly expect me to produce a concrete strategy for governing the Great Qin, I cannot! I possess only humble, personal opinions. If Your Majesty wishes to hear them, I shall speak."