People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 556, The Court Officials: Father! Our own father!

"For the future of Qin, I humbly request Your Majesty to implement the comprehensive assessment system and standardize the cultural and historical artifacts of our Great Qin!"

After a long speech, Xu Qing looked up at Ying Zheng with a serious and respectful expression, then bowed and said loudly.

quiet!
After Xu Qing finished speaking, the entire court hall fell into a deathly silence. Compared to the excitement that followed the astonishment of the civil officials, the military officers' eyes changed from worry to complicated expressions.

Now they were certain: Xu Qing wasn't a traitor among the civil officials, but a traitor among their military officers!
However, since Xu Qing is currently holding the matter of the military doctor in his hands, even if they are angry, they can only endure it.

These military officers were immediately in a bad mood.

Ying Zheng looked at Xu Qing, his mouth slightly open, as if he wanted to say something, but he swallowed all the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

He now understood why Xu Qing hadn't told him beforehand how to quell the opposition from the court officials, and why Xu Qing insisted that he not agree to the proposal on the spot. It was all because the civil service assessment method proposed by Xu Qing was not a dispensable idea with insignificant impact, but a reform that would turn the Qin court and even the entire Qin state upside down.

Reform—these two words are easy to say, but actually implementing them can kill people.

Despite Qin's rule based on Legalism and its rise to power through Shang Yang's reforms, the state was actually quite similar to the state of Han in that implementing reforms faced numerous obstacles. This was because reforms inevitably threatened the interests of existing privileged groups, who would inevitably oppose them.

The only difference is that in South Korea, the opposition to the reforms came from nobles and clans, while in Qin, it would be from military merit nobles under the twenty-rank military merit system.

Xu Qing's decision not to let him agree to the grand plan assessment on the spot was also to ensure that he could continue to receive the military's support and extricate him from the impending vortex of reform.

"Sir, do you intend to bear the hatred brought about by the reform alone?"

Ying Zheng looked at Xu Qing, his expression slightly moved, and a surge of emotion welled up in his heart.

Moved as he was, Ying Zheng knew this charade had to continue, otherwise all of Xu Qing's great risks would be in vain. So Ying Zheng looked at Meng Ao and gave him a look, signaling for him to step forward.

Having received Ying Zheng's signal, Meng Ao snapped out of his shock, glanced at Xu Qing with a complex expression, and then, while cupping his hands in greeting, said...
"Your Majesty, this matter is inappropriate. The matter reported by Lord Zhaoming is of great importance, affecting thousands of officials, both military and civilian, in our Qin state. It is not something that Lord Zhaoming can decide with a single word. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider!"

Meng Ao's words brought the stunned crowd back to their senses. The civil officials all looked at Meng Ao with sharp eyes.

Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents, especially since the grand assessment method concerns their future and status. Those who obstruct this matter are doing something far more serious than killing their parents.

What's more, Xu Qing is now their biological father, even though they are not related by blood!

"Your Majesty, the General's words are reasonable. This matter is of great importance and requires careful consideration."

Another middle-aged man dressed in a black and red official robe and holding a tablet stepped forward and said with some anxiety.

Upon hearing this, the civil officials all looked at Ying Zheng, anxiously awaiting his reply.

This matter is absolutely beneficial to them, the civil servants. Their promotion consists of two parts: first, they need someone to recommend them, and second, they need to be ranked according to their merits.

The merits here refer to military achievements, such as capturing thieves and bandits. Obviously, ordinary civil officials did not have this ability, so they could only accumulate merits by merit, and merits were labor.

Labor refers to specific achievements, also known as accomplishments, which are the accumulation of daily affairs by officials at all levels.

If Xu Qing's proposed assessment method is implemented, it means that their hard work can be turned into success. They will no longer need to rely on others' recommendations to make up for their lack of merit, and can rely entirely on their personal abilities to determine their promotion!

Xu Qing didn't expect Ying Zheng's answer, but instead glanced at the second person who stepped forward. He wanted to see who was so foolish as to dare participate in this grand reform assessment.

Although he proposed the reform, Xu Qing understood that reform meant death; either he or his opponents would die.

Having lived in Qin for so many years, Xu Qing could not say he knew all the Qin court officials, but he could at least match them up. However, he did not recognize the middle-aged man in front of him, although the man's face looked somewhat familiar.

"The words of the General and Marquis of Didao are reasonable. Whether the matter raised by Lord Zhaoming is beneficial to our Qin state cannot be decided for the time being and needs to be discussed again."

Ying Zheng frowned slightly, his face showing hesitation. He looked at Meng Ao and then at Xu Qing before speaking.

Marquis of Didao? Li Xin's father?
Xu Qing was taken aback. No wonder he said the person looked familiar; it turned out to be a family member.

Li Xin's father, Li Yao, was the governor of Nanjun in the Qin state and a famous general. He repeatedly defeated the Chu army that intended to invade the border and suppressed the rebellion of the old Chu people in Nanjun. He was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Didao for his military achievements and served as the governor of Nanjun.

If it were someone on their side, Li Yao wouldn't be opposing him; rather, she would have seen through his scheme and come to help.

Seeing that Ying Zheng was hesitant, the anxious civil officials wanted to speak up for Xu Qing, but because of what they had done before, they could only worry in their hearts.

"Damn it, why did they have to oppose Zhaoming Jun becoming prime minister? Qin needs a prime minister who is considerate, caring, responsible, and decisive!"

The civil officials had no way to express their grievances, but they no longer opposed Xu Qing's appointment as prime minister.

As for Ying Zheng's attitude, as long as there is no explicit opposition, it means that there is still room for discussion. Reform cannot be accomplished overnight and will definitely go through many twists and turns.

If the grand assessment method is to be implemented, then the first priority is for Xu Qing to become the prime minister. Only if Xu Qing becomes the prime minister will he have enough power to promote this matter.

"We must make Zhaoming the prime minister! Anyone who dares to oppose Zhaoming is our enemy!"

The civil officials looked at Xu Qing with unusually warm eyes, as if they were about to stretch into threads.

From this moment on, they are Xu Qing's most loyal henchmen. Whatever Xu Qing tells them to do, they will do!
Subconsciously, the civil officials turned slightly towards Xu Qing, surrounding him like guards in the center.

Xiong Qi glanced at Xu Qing, then at the gazes of many of Chu's foreign relatives who were looking at Xu Qing. His heart was filled with complex emotions, a mixture of helplessness, anger, and worry.

Xu Qing's move effectively pinned down all the civil and local officials in Qin. The moment the assessment method was proposed, the position of Prime Minister of Qin could only belong to Xu Qing. Even if Lü Buwei were to return to power, he would not be able to compete with him.

Xu Qing now represents all the Qin officials who lack military talent and achievements.

Lord Jingyang also fell silent at this moment, looking helplessly at the members of the royal family around him who had already switched sides to Xu Qing, and closed his eyes.

"Well, having Xu Qing as the Chancellor is better than having anyone else; at least he loves Qin and the King," Lord Jingyang comforted himself.

"Lord Zhaoming, you have truly broadened my horizons. Following someone like you seems perfectly reasonable." Yao Jia looked at Xu Qing, a slight smile creeping onto his lips. He hadn't expected Xu Qing to use this method to forcibly tie his interests to those of all the civil officials. However, it was obvious that Xu Qing had succeeded.

He didn't know about the others, but most of the literati would regard Xu Qing as the new leader after Lü Buwei.

It was a blatant conspiracy, a masterful manipulation of human nature and self-interest. Yao Jia felt nothing but boundless admiration for Xu Qing.

"I will carefully consider what Lord Zhaoming has said. Does Lord Zhaoming have anything else to say?" Ying Zheng looked at Xu Qing and said in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing snapped out of his reverie and calmly cupped his hands in greeting.

"Besides the method of assessment, I have something else to say."

Upon seeing this, the officials all turned to Xu Qing, their eyes gleaming with anticipation, as if hoping that Xu Qing could once again secure more benefits for them.

The military officers' expressions remained complex, and their gazes towards Xu Qing were no longer as friendly as before.

"Is there anything else you wish to say, Lord Zhaoming?" Ying Zheng asked.

"As I just mentioned, our Great Qin has many drawbacks, one of which is the lack of promotion for talented civil officials. As for the second point, I recently took on the responsibility of managing the Imperial Workshop and discovered that the weapon forging method used in our Qin state is bronze casting. Although this method is mature, it has many shortcomings and drawbacks compared to the iron smelting methods that the six states east of the mountains are good at."

"Therefore, the second thing I want to say is to offer something to Your Majesty and to our Great Qin."

Xu Qing took out a box from his bosom, slowly opened it in front of everyone, and took out a piece of plain silk.

"A strong nation must first have a strong military. The reason why Shang Yang's reforms were able to win the hearts of the people was not only because he won the hearts of the people by placing a wooden pole at the South Gate, but also because he trained a new army, recovered Hexi, swept away the decline of Qin, and regained the dignity of Qin."

"Gentlemen, in this age of great contention, nations frequently wage war against each other. The strong prevail, the weak perish! Military force is the key to determining the right to speak. Face and dignity are earned through strength. A nation's honor and disgrace depend not on individuals, but on its national power and military!"

"Truth lies only within the range of a crossbow bolt, and dignity lies only on the edge of a sword!"

Xu Qing held up the silk scroll in one hand, nodded to Ying Zheng, and then, with sharp eyes like a drawn sword, scanned the assembled officials and spoke.

Upon hearing this, the military officers were taken aback, and their gazes towards Xu Qing became even more complex. However, compared to the previous complexities, which were mostly cold and angry, their expressions now held a hint of warmth.

Xu Qing's words were too sharp and harsh; they were very much in line with the temperament of these military generals.

Moreover, Xu Qing's words conveyed the same message: Xu Qing is still the same Xu Qing, a complete hawk!

"Truth lies only within the range of a crossbow bolt, and dignity lies only on the edge of a sword! Brilliant! Brilliant!" Meng Ao exclaimed excitedly.

The civil officials were also stirred by Xu Qing's impassioned words. They felt their blood rushing, their faces flushed, and they longed to go to the battlefield and fight.

"What Lord Zhaoming said is truly wise and insightful. If it weren't for the soldiers of our Great Qin expanding our territory and protecting our homeland, how could our Qin state have achieved what it has today! I just wonder how Lord Zhaoming plans to strengthen our army!"

Ying Zheng's expression also became excited, his hands gripping the armrests tightly, his tone revealing an undisguised fighting spirit.

Meng Ao and his ministers also looked at Xu Qing and what he had taken out with curiosity.

"Qin's powerful crossbows instilled fear in the six states, and its bronze forging technology had reached its peak. The method of building a strong army that I am about to describe is the method of smelting. The Qin state has developed bronze forging technology to its zenith, and even has a complete set of forging techniques, but it is too costly in terms of manpower and resources."

"What I present is a method for smelting iron into steel, and the ironware produced is more advanced than that of the six states of Shandong!"

Xu Qing didn't keep them in suspense any longer and spoke calmly.

Xu Qing would find the position of Chancellor troublesome even to look at. Since he was going to take it, he naturally had to hold onto it firmly, even if it was only temporary.

He needs not only the support of civil officials, but also the support of military generals!

If you're not going to do something, then don't even glance at it; if you're going to do something, do it to the best of your ability! This is one of Xu Qing's life mottoes.

The moment the words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent once more.

Ying Zheng, Meng Ao, and the others narrowed their eyes, their expressions turning incredulous as they looked at the silk cloth Xu Qing had taken out.

Some were shocked, some couldn't believe it, and some were skeptical.

No one questioned it, because Xu Qing had already taken out the smelting method and held it in his hand. It was covered with dense writing, and no one thought that Xu Qing would joke about such a thing, especially since it was extremely easy to verify.

However, many people still find it somewhat absurd.

How is it possible that their iron-smelting techniques are even more advanced than those of the six states of Shandong?

Take the State of Yan as an example. As one of the seven states, it was only slightly stronger than the State of Han. Why did it have such strong military power despite its remote location? It was because of its iron-making technology.

The weapons forged by the Yan state were extremely sharp and inexpensive. Ironware was undoubtedly cheaper than bronze, but the forging process was far too complicated.

Therefore, the Qin state has always focused on bronze. After nearly a century of development, the Qin state had already perfected bronze-making techniques, minimizing costs.

As for ironware, although it was also made, it was only a small quantity and could not completely replace bronze.

One factor is the manufacturing process; ironware was more expensive than bronze.

A complete replacement would be far too costly and not worth the effort.

But Xu Qing actually brought out a complete set of iron smelting techniques, which was really too exaggerated.

"Does Your Majesty and your colleagues not believe me? I humbly request Your Majesty to summon the Grand Master Gongshu Qiu and the Grand Master Xiangli Guan from the Imperial Workshop. The two of them will prove that what I say is true!"

Xu Qing glanced at the ministers who suspected him, but showed no panic and spoke calmly.

Xu Qing understood better than anyone present what a complete and mature iron smelting process meant, so how could he not make any preparations for something so important?
(End of this chapter)