The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

Everyone followed the First Emperor back to the Jiuyuan City Palace.

After inspecting the Shahu Pass, the First Emperor was in high spirits and delighted, so he readily agreed to Meng Tian's request to prepare a banquet.

That night, Meng Yi carefully arranged a banquet in the main hall of the palace, and everyone entered one after another.

The First Emperor walked to the main seat with a dignified manner and steady steps and sat down.

All the ministers bowed and shouted in unison, "Long live your majesty, long live the Great Qin."

The First Emperor nodded slightly and said amiably, "Please take your seats, my lords."

After three rounds of drinking, Fu Sheng stood up, saluted, and said respectfully, "I heard that the general fought a great battle with the Xiongnu a few years ago and captured over 100,000 prisoners. I think they should be released and a letter should be written to restore the friendship between our two countries."

The First Emperor snorted coldly but said nothing.

Li Si immediately stood up and saluted, saying righteously, "Your Majesty, I have a Great Qin Great Wall Guard of 300,000 men and powerful horses. How dare the Xiongnu bully me?"

Chunyu Yue stood up and saluted, saying with deep fear, "Your Majesty, the Qin army and the Xiongnu are engaged in a war, often involving hundreds of thousands of troops. This has consumed a tremendous amount of manpower, both in terms of food and fodder supply and in terms of casualties. I beg Your Majesty to call for a truce and allow time for recuperation."

Four or five Confucian doctors, including Shusun Tong, stepped forward to ask the First Emperor for permission.

The First Emperor's expression froze instantly, and anger burned in his chest, as if it was about to erupt.

Marquis Tongwu Wang Ben stood up and saluted, then spoke passionately, "Your Majesty, I believe the talk of a truce is nonsense. The Qin Dynasty unified the six kingdoms thanks to your majesty's strategic planning and the bloody battles fought by the Qin people."

Fusu stood up and said slowly, "Father, I believe that our Great Qin has unified the six kingdoms. After years of fighting, we should rest and recuperate now. Besides..."

With a "bang", the wine jar in the First Emperor's hand fell to the ground like a meteor.

Everyone was terrified and knelt on the ground, saying in unison, "Your Majesty, please calm down."

Seeing the First Emperor's fury, Meng Yi gritted his teeth and shouted, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I have something to say."

When the First Emperor saw that it was Meng Yi, his expression eased slightly and he said, "Speak."

Meng Yi said, "In order for the Great Qin to truly recuperate, we must defeat the Xiongnu."

Upon hearing this, the First Emperor immediately became alert and motioned him to continue.

Meng Yi continued, "May I ask Lord Chunyu Yue, which is more important, the people of the Great Qin or the Xiongnu captives?"

Chunyu Yue was already dissatisfied with Meng Yi, and angrily said, "Of course, the people of the Great Qin are more important."

Meng Yi smiled and said, "Lord Chunyu Yue truly loves his people like his own children. If so, why not let 100,000 Xiongnu captives replace our people in building the Great Wall, the Great Highway, and other major projects? They only need two meals a day. This way, our people will have more manpower to farm, and our treasury will become increasingly enriched."

After Meng Yi finished speaking, everyone in the palace started talking.

The First Emperor also had a smile on his face at this moment.

Chunyu Yue said again, "General Meng Yi, construction projects are the internal affairs of our Great Qin. How can we let a foreign race take over?"

Meng Yi said, "It seems that in the hearts of Chunyu Yue, the people of Daqin are still not as important as the Xiongnu captives."

Upon hearing this, Chunyu Yue quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please understand. I have absolutely no such intention."

The First Emperor motioned Meng Yi to continue.

Meng Yi said, "Your Majesty, I have always believed that those who are not of our race must have different hearts. If such alien races invade our Great Qin, they will be punished even if they are far away."

The First Emperor's eyes suddenly became sharp, and he silently said in his heart, "Whoever offends the Great Qin will be punished, even if he is far away."

When Meng Tian saw his brother's performance in the palace, he couldn't help but smile with relief.

Li Si thought to himself, "It seems this junior nephew really has some military acumen." He quickly said, "Your Majesty, General Meng Yi is absolutely right. Anyone who offends the Great Qin will be punished, no matter how far away they are!"

The First Emperor stood up and said, "My dear ministers, please remember this: anyone who offends the Great Qin will be punished, no matter how far away they are! In the future, I will use 100,000 Xiongnu captives to replace the people of the Great Qin to build projects across the country, allowing the laborers to return home and work on the land."

Everyone said in unison: "Your Majesty is wise and wise, and may the Great Qin live forever!"

However, Fusu said, "Father, if General Meng Yi is right, once all the 100,000 Xiongnu prisoners are gone, won't we be tempted to resume hostilities? With years of fighting, how can we rest and recuperate? Moreover, if this continues, won't it be the result of the strong bullying the weak?"

The excitement in the First Emperor's heart was like being poured with a bucket of cold water by Fusu. So the First Emperor looked at Meng Yi.

Meng Yi noticed the Emperor's gaze and immediately bowed, saying, "My lord, you should understand that the dignity of a nation lies only on the edge of the sword, and truth only within the range of the bow and arrow."

Not to mention that Fusu was very surprised at this time, even the First Emperor, Li Si, Meng Tian, ​​Wang Ben and others all looked thoughtful.

Fusu said calmly, "General Meng Yi, what's the matter?"

Meng Yi said solemnly, "Your Majesty, Prince, and all the lords, consider that since Duke Xiao, our Great Qin has rallied the spirit of six generations, reigned supreme, and governed the world. We swallowed the two Zhou dynasties and vanquished the vassal states, rising to supreme power and controlling the world. Now, in the south, we have seized the lands of the Hundred Yue and established them as Guilin and Xiangjun. The rulers of the Hundred Yue bowed their heads and tied their necks. In the north, we sent General Meng Tian to build the Great Wall and defend the frontier, repelling the Xiongnu for over 700 miles. The Hu people dared not come south to graze their horses. What a feat this is! National strength is dignity, and the sword is reason!"

Chunyu Yue quickly said, "General Meng Yi, these words are just warmongering."

Meng Yi laughed and said, "Master Chunyu Yue, are you really a Confucian disciple?"

Chunyu Yue was furious and said, "General Meng Yi, I was appointed a doctor by His Majesty. Are you questioning His Majesty and doubting me?"

Meng Yi hurriedly bowed and said with deep trepidation, "Your Majesty, I have absolutely no such intention!"

The First Emperor was deeply impressed by Meng Yi's remarks about "carrying on the remaining strength of six generations", and then waved his hand, signaling him to continue.

Meng Yi's face was solemn. He spoke in a deep voice, "Lord Chunyu Yue, do you know what Mencius said: 'Born in sorrow, die in peace.' Our Great Qin has only just unified the six kingdoms for a few decades. The world is still not stable, and the people's hearts are in turmoil. Moreover, foreign tribes such as the Xiongnu, Donghu, and Yuezhi frequently invade. Do you think now is the time to let your horses rest in the mountains and put your weapons into storage?"

For a moment, Chunyu Yue and other Confucian scholars were speechless, while Fusu looked thoughtful.

The First Emperor was delighted and said, "Historian, have you taken note of what Meng Yi just said?"

The historian replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have recorded it all."

The First Emperor nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile, "Very good. After returning to the palace, compile these remarks into a book. In addition to placing it in front of my desk, all other officials and doctors in the government offices should also place a copy."

The historian replied, "Yes."

Fusu bowed and said, "Father, I was narrow-minded before and have failed to live up to your grace. Please punish me."

The corners of the Emperor's mouth rose slightly, and he said, "Forget it, I'm glad you can wake up."

Then, the First Emperor said in a deep voice: "Order: Meng Yi is promoted to lieutenant, responsible for the security of Xianyang."

Meng Yi secretly groaned inwardly, "I just want to develop quietly in the north. I really don't want to be involved in the disputes in the court." He bowed hurriedly and said, "I obey your command."

Afterward, the banquet ended. Fusu approached Meng Yi, bowed, and said, "General Meng Yi's words were like a wake-up call, awakening me to my true colors."

Meng Yi quickly returned the greeting, saying, "My Lord, you are too kind. I am merely a soldier, and I do not understand the principles of great principles. I only know how to defend my country and protect the Great Qin."

Suddenly, a voice came from the side: "What a great way to defend our country and protect our Great Qin", Li Si couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh.

Meng Yi bowed and said, "Greetings, Prime Minister."

Li Si quickly supported Meng Yi's arm and said with emotion, "General Meng Yi's first sentence: 'Whoever offends the Great Qin will be punished, no matter how far away.' And his second sentence: 'The dignity of a nation lies only on the edge of the sword, and truth only within the range of the bow and arrow.' It was truly a stroke of genius, and it enlightened me. I'm back in Beijing to take up my post this time, and your elder brother is not here. If you have any questions, please come and visit me."

Then Li Si and Fusu left one after another.

Meng Yi walked over to Meng Tian, ​​but before he could speak, Wang Ben approached with a smile on his face. Meng Tian and Wang Ben exchanged greetings.

Wang Ben was the first to speak, "Guan Nei Hou, this young General Meng is truly remarkable. He is bold and courageous, worthy of being a member of the Meng family."

Meng Tian smiled modestly and said, "You are too kind, Lord Tongwu. My brother is still young and a little impulsive. I will need your care in Xianyang in the future."

Wang Ben looked at Meng Yi with admiration in his eyes and said with a smile, "Okay, okay."

Meng Yi quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Lord Tongwu."

Wang Ben smiled and waved his hand, then turned and left.

Chunyu Yue and other Confucian scholars glared at Meng Yi fiercely, and left indignantly like a swarm of disturbed bees.

Meng Yi watched their receding figures and shook his head helplessly. He knew that his words would inevitably stir up a thousand waves like a boulder thrown into a lake, causing some people to be dissatisfied, but he had no regrets.

Meng Tian gently patted Meng Yi on the shoulder and said earnestly, "My dear brother, you have really stirred up a huge stir this time."

Meng Yi smiled slightly and said, "Brother, I just expressed my thoughts truthfully."

Meng Tian sighed and said, "Ah, you always speak so bluntly. However, you are indeed correct this time. Our Great Qin needs a tough attitude to deal with foreign enemies. But in the court, we must also be as cautious as walking on thin ice, and pay attention to our words and methods to avoid making too many enemies."

Meng Yi nodded to show that he understood.

At this time, a guard came to report that His Majesty the First Emperor wanted to invite Meng Tian and Meng Yi.

Then Meng Tian and Meng Yi straightened their clothes and, like tall pine trees, followed the guards to the First Emperor's bedroom.