[Various] The Deposed Crown Prince's Survival Story

Seeing Ying Zheng's angry expression, Fusu quickly stepped forward to soothe his father.

As Fusu stroked Ying Zheng's hair today, he thought that if the hair he stroked could materialize, he could probably take it back and make a plush rabbit doll for his sixth son.

Xiao Liu is Xiao Wan's child, born last year after the five babies. She is an adorable little girl, fragrant, soft, and cute. She has just learned to speak, and the first thing she does every day when she wakes up is to call "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy," which makes Fu Su's heart ache with cuteness all day long.

It's true that you only know the kindness of your parents when you raise a child, and you only know how difficult it is to be a father when you have a naughty child. So today, I must also be filial to my father.

“Father, don’t be angry. Although Lü Buwei is a bad guy, he gave Su’er an idea.”

As Fusu stroked Ying Zheng's hair, he spoke.

“Continue… Where were we? The feudal lords’ words in the Lüshi Chunqiu? Humph! That shameless old man Lü Buwei! Su’er, do you know? When I was a child, Lü Buwei always used the Lüshi Chunqiu to educate me, telling me to be diligent, frugal, and respectful of etiquette. Back then… I was just like Hu Hai now, constantly being lectured by Lü Buwei like a grandson.” Ying Zheng recalled angrily.

"Huh? I can't tell?" Fusu shook his head, completely unable to imagine what it would be like for Ying Zheng to be scolded like a grandson. It felt like the character's image had completely collapsed.

However, if you accept this premise, you'll find it incredibly cute, and you might even want to travel back to your father's childhood to see his adorable and silly appearance firsthand.

"I wasn't born so wise and powerful," Ying Zheng replied irritably. "I also had my youthful days."

"Oh... I see. No wonder you like the foolish Hu Hai, Father. You must have seen your past self in him... uh... Su'er didn't say anything. Please continue." Fusu covered his mouth, his dark eyes wide open, staring at Ying Zheng without blinking.

"What's there to say? In short, back then, Lü Buwei always used the words from the 'Lüshi Chunqiu' to teach me. At the time, I didn't understand, so I just did whatever he said..."

"Later, when I grew up, I realized that he told me to be frugal and avoid women, but he himself lived a life of extravagance and luxury, and even had an affair with the Empress Dowager... you know."

Fusu nodded, indicating that he knew what was going on.

"So, tell me, what exactly did that guy suggest to you?" Ying Zheng said with a displeased expression.

要是不是个好想法，朕就揍……算了，揍你你也不疼，晚上送一桌素菜给你，送上一个月，让你明白什么叫“父爱如山”。

"If Lü Buwei could compile the 'Lüshi Chunqiu,' why doesn't Father Emperor compile a book like the First Emperor's Spring and Autumn Annals or the Great Canon?" Fusu asked.

"Revising a letter?" Ying Zheng frowned. "What's the use of revising a letter? Tell me."

“There are several advantages to compiling books,” Fusu said, holding up a finger. “First, Father Emperor originally intended to collect all the books in the world, right? If you were to say bluntly that you were going to collect all the books in the world to burn, those book collectors would definitely cry out and shout ‘tyrannical Qin!’”

What Fusu said was also a major concern for Ying Zheng.

In the days before paper, books were extremely precious. To gauge the heritage of a family, one should not look at how much money or land they owned, but rather at how many books they possessed.

Therefore, even if Ying Zheng collected the books under the guise of "correcting errors," he would certainly attract a lot of criticism.

"If we use the method of repairing books, it won't matter. If we encounter someone who is unwilling, we can directly use moral blackmail to gain the moral advantage. We can say things like, 'He is selfish and unwilling to help students all over the world.' Those scholars like to occupy the moral high ground, right? We can do that too."

"Of course, besides the big stick, we also need to give a sweet treat. For example, if someone voluntarily hands over their book, and their book is selected for publication, their name will be engraved on the book's table of contents."

"These people just love to be remembered in history, so they'd be happy to have this way of making a name for themselves."

Ying Zheng stroked his beard and thought for a moment, then said neither "good" nor "bad" to Fusu, "Continue..."

"Secondly..." Fusu held up another finger, "Didn't Li Si say that those scholars are always spreading rumors and slandering Father Emperor? If you ask me, they're just bored and have nothing better to do. They can't pass the imperial examinations, so they're resentful."

"Hmph!" Ying Zheng sneered, "A bunch of useless trash, yet they dare to harbor resentment?"

“They may be a bit useless, but even useless things have value. For example… we can have them participate in compiling books.” Fusu continued to soothe Ying Zheng.

"Revise a letter?" Ying Zheng asked.

“Yes, it’s about writing letters, and we only cover the cost of lodging and meals. The reason is… how can such a pure act as writing letters be tainted by something as mundane as money?” Fusu blinked and said with an innocent look.

"Just covering lodging and food expenses... that doesn't seem like my style. The laborers who built the Great Wall were paid." Ying Zheng said, stroking his beard.

Yes, the laborers who built the Great Wall were paid. Those who were provided with meals received six and a half taels of Qin coin per day, while those who were not provided with meals received eight and a half taels of Qin coin per day.

“Tell them that once the book is finished, erect a monument for them and write all their names in the editor’s column. I guarantee they’ll come 'eagerly',” Fusu said dismissively.

Those who built the Great Wall were ordinary laborers, the kind whose families were dirt poor. They didn't care about whether they could go down in history. But those who could afford to go to school were at least small-scale wealthy farmers in the local area, otherwise how could they afford to go to school?

You're talking about Li Si. He used to be an official in the State of Chu. Although he was a minor official, he was definitely better off than a tenant farmer. He was a civil servant with a legitimate job.

Such people may not necessarily come from wealthy families, but apart from a few extreme cases, they are unlikely to be so poor that they have nothing to eat.

Therefore, when such an opportunity to make history presents itself, even if they are not paid, or even have to pay out of their own pockets, they will definitely rush over eagerly.

There was no such example before, but in later generations, many famous civil officials participated in compiling books or history. Especially in the Ming Dynasty, compiling books or history was one of the important qualifications required to become a Grand Secretary.

“Although we don’t have the money, Father can say that after the repairs are completed, those who work hard and diligently can be directly selected for official positions.” Fusu unleashed another powerful weapon.

Even if you don't care about fame, what about being an official? Don't you even want to be an official anymore?

In fact, Fusu did not suffer any loss by unleashing this powerful weapon. After all, those who participated in the compilation of the book and performed well must have special talents in some aspect, so it is not a big deal to reward them.

“Thirdly…” Fusu held up his third finger, “The books of the world have been collected, and those scholars are either busy with the imperial examinations or busy with compiling books… Let me think, compiling such a book would require at least several thousand people, right? Back then, the ‘Lüshi Chunqiu’ was compiled by several thousand people… Li Si should have no reason to play the depression card anymore, right?”

Ying Zheng thought for a moment, stroked his beard, and decisively waved his hand, saying, "You go down first. Zhao Gao, summon Li Si."

Fusu was used to Ying Zheng's behavior of dismantling the bridge before even crossing the river and then summoning his own prime minister, but he still couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Father Emperor is being far too good to Li Si! Who is your son anyway? This is outrageous!

Ying Zheng summoned Li Si, told him about Fusu's idea, and then asked, "What do you think, Minister Li?"

"Your Majesty, the compilation of this book is beneficial to the present and will benefit future generations. It is worth doing." Li Si had also participated in the compilation of the "Lüshi Chunqiu" and naturally knew the benefits of such a project.

"Very well, I intend to entrust the compilation of this book to Minister Li. How about you become the chief editor?" Ying Zheng said.

Now that you're the editor-in-chief, try not to get depressed.

Li Si was overjoyed. Becoming the chief editor meant that, thousands of years from now, as long as the book still existed, people would only think of him as the editor. As for the other deputies and errand boys, they would basically be included in the "etc." in "so-and-so, etc."

Li Si was right to consider the interests of the Qin Dynasty wholeheartedly, but he was also a person with selfish desires, and a particularly strong one at that. He would never let go of such an opportunity to make a name for himself in history.

Most importantly, Li Si could have used this book, which compiled all the great books in the world, to promote his family's excellent Legalist school.

Hmph! This is my territory, I'm in charge!

Although Ying Zheng saw through Li Si's petty schemes, he was also a supporter of Legalism, and Li Si was a minister he valued highly. Therefore, Ying Zheng turned a blind eye and pretended not to see it.

"However, Minister Li has a lot of official business to deal with every day, and now he has also been involved in compiling books. If he were to have health problems due to his busy work, I would really feel sorry for him."

Li Si was more than 20 years older than Ying Zheng, and was over 60 years old this year. According to the saying of that era, his neck was already buried in the yellow earth.

But perhaps because Li Si spent his whole life fighting with others, he is now in excellent physical and mental condition, and is so energetic that he could probably live for another forty years.

"I will find you a deputy editor to assist you. Whenever you need anything, just ask him to help," Ying Zheng said.

Hearing Ying Zheng solemnly refer to him as "Deputy Editor," Li Si roughly understood Ying Zheng's idea: he wanted to give him a nominal title while having his deputy do the actual work.

Thinking about it, that seems to work. The deputy is definitely not as experienced or talented as me, the main player. As long as I can control this deputy, the other party will do whatever I say, which is no different from me doing it myself.

However, we need to find out who this deputy is first, so that we can deal with him effectively.

"Your Majesty, may I ask who the deputy editor is?" Li Si asked.

"Who? Who else could it be?" Ying Zheng replied matter-of-factly, "Of course, it's my Su'er."