Chapter 564

“Besides, I am actually hoping the Great Tang will declare war.

Once they declare war, the Great Qin will have another opportunity to make money.”

However, Bao Zheng’s reminder was not wrong.

How many times in history have foreign envoys been allowed to remain at large because of the fear of war?

Unintentionally trampling on the dignity of the law!

This is shaking the foundations of the nation!

In this life, since Qin Mu governs the nation, he will absolutely not allow such things to happen!

“Bao Zheng, did you ask them why they would do such a childish thing?

Why did they violate traffic rules and insult the people?”

Bao Zheng nodded.

Since the two Great Tang envoys were causing trouble, he naturally had to ask for the reason.

But the reason was somewhat laughable.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, I asked them why they suddenly wanted to cause trouble on the street.

The one called Old Li hesitated repeatedly, kept his mouth shut, and only explained the reason to me in the end.

He was quite curious about the Great Qin’s traffic management.

He said he wanted to know why the Great Qin’s people could obediently follow the regulations.

So he wanted to test it personally to see how the Great Qin punishes those who violate the rules.”

This reason actually made sense.

It’s just that the method used was a bit foolish.

Qin Mu looked up and laughed.

How could Old Li possibly understand?

To make every citizen have a sense of ownership toward the Great Qin,

“He is indeed diligent in state affairs!

It is just a pity that he follows an emperor Wu Li Ke Li Er.

With his talent wasted, no matter how hard he works, how can he change his fate?”

Bao Zheng was slightly stunned.

Is it really that easy to achieve?

The Emperor’s words were quite profound.

“Your Majesty, isn’t it true that hard work can change one’s fate?”

The question Bao Zheng asked was very common.

Usually, when adults teach children, they tell them that as long as they work hard, they can change their fate.

Actually, no!

At least in most cases, it is not.

Unless one can be as strong as Qin Mu, carving out a world for oneself from a desperate situation.

If it were anyone else, they would have died in some unknown corner long ago!

This is a miracle.

If you tell every child that hard work can change their fate, you are lying to them.

“Bao Zheng, when people sit in different positions, they hold corresponding destiny in their hands.

There will be a group of people whose fate is held in your hands.

But your fate is held in my hands.

Old Li is the same; he handed his fate over to the Emperor of the Great Tang.

Only the Emperor of the Great Tang can change his fate.”

This was the first time Bao Zheng had heard such a viewpoint.

Shocking!

This must be a secret of the royal family.

It feels as if everyone in the world has a rope tied around their neck, and that rope is held by someone else—the Emperor holds the rope around everyone’s neck.

This rope is fate.

“Your Majesty, I am fortunate to have met a wise ruler!

If I were Wu Li Ke Old Li and Minister Fang, following Li Er of the Great Tang, my days would surely be miserable!”

Being flattered by a serious guy Wu Li Ke Bao Zheng felt quite good.

Qin Mu thought for a moment and picked up a book from the table.

“Bao Zheng, take this book to Old Li and Minister Fang.

Tell them to read more while they are in prison.”

Pfft...

Bao Zheng couldn’t help but laugh.

Putting these two foreign envoys in prison was already quite absurd.

The Emperor’s concern was Wu Li Ke punching someone in the eye and then giving them a handkerchief to cover the bruise.

It was unclear whether it was comfort or mockery.

Bao Zheng respectfully took the book and looked at the title.

"Starting from Scratch"

Bao Zheng chuckled again.

If this isn’t blatant mockery, what is?

Everyone knows that the Emperor was persecuted by the Great Tang and fled the country alone.

Under extremely difficult circumstances, he started from scratch.

In a short time, he created such a vast Great Qin Empire.

Now, he has written it into a book to mock the Great Tang.

Very good!

And once this book is put on the market, it will surely be snapped up.

Besides the powerful officials of the Great Tang, who doesn’t Wu Li Ke to read about the Emperor’s success?

But when the powerful officials of the Great Tang see it, they will likely be so angry they vomit blood!

The more successful the Emperor is, the more it highlights how failed the Great Tang officials are!

“As you command!

I will ensure they finish reading this book while in prison.

They will have to take an exam afterward; if they fail, they won’t be allowed to leave!”

This... Bao Zheng can be quite ruthless when he wants to be!

Qin Mu waved his hand and sent Bao Zheng away.

Actually, Bao Zheng misunderstood his meaning.

This book detailed the foundation of the Great Qin’s establishment.

It was to pull down the high-and-mighty powerful officials.

And push up the commoners at the bottom.

To achieve equality for all!

With this foundation of equality, the people will have a sense of belonging to the country.

Naturally, they will take the initiative to protect this vast empire.

When the people are diligent, as an emperor, there is no need to do anything else.

One can easily govern a vast empire.

This is the answer Old Li was looking for!

Changancheng.

The Ministry of Justice prison.

Old Li didn’t understand before why prisoners in jail liked to shout and scream.

He thought it was completely useless, as no one would let them out anyway.

Shouting and yelling was undignified.

Now he understood.

Because Old Li himself couldn’t help but start roaring.

“Let me out!

I have to pass an exam to get out of prison?

I am a national envoy of the Great Tang; by custom, the Great Qin has no authority to judge me!”

No one paid him any attention.

Old Li sighed.

He knew that shouting was useless.

But he was anxious and really didn’t want to sit in this small, dark room.

Besides shouting, what else could he do?

By comparison, Fang Fang Xuanling appeared calmer.

“Old Li, stop shouting; it’s already embarrassing enough.

This is the price we pay for provoking the Great Qin’s laws.”

Mentioning this, Old Li couldn’t help but blush.

Fang Fang Xuanling had warned him beforehand.

But he felt that violating traffic rules wasn’t a big deal, and the Great Qin couldn’t possibly punish him for it.

Who knew... the less said, the more tears.

“Fang Xuanling, the country is still there, yet we are sitting in jail; can you believe it?

No matter how you think about it, it’s absurd!”

Fang Fang Xuanling sighed deeply.

It was indeed absurd.

But this was exactly what made the Great Qin different.

Only the Great Qin truly achieved that the Son of Heaven is punished the same as a commoner for breaking the law!

“Old Li, it’s useless to think about this now.

Sit down first; we will wait for the officials from the Ministry of Rites to visit and ask them to help plead for us, hoping to get out a few days early.”

Speaking of which, it was only a fifteen-day sentence, which wasn’t very long.

The problem was that they were envoys of the Great Tang and held important positions.

Such a delay would hinder national affairs!

Alas, there was nothing they could do.

Just as they were talking, Bao Zheng walked in with a book.

A group of jailers surrounded him as they arrived at the cell door of Old Li and Fang Fang Xuanling.

Bao Zheng handed the book through the bars.

“The Emperor’s oral decree: stay in prison with peace of mind.

During your imprisonment, read this book more, and then prepare for an exam.

Only after serving the full fifteen days and passing the exam can you be released!”

Old Li jumped up as soon as he heard this.

“What? Serve the full fifteen days?

And take an exam?

What prison in the world requires passing an exam to be released?

Are you kidding me?”

Bao Zheng had a cold, hard face.

“This is a special procedure arranged for you.

You must read the book the Emperor gave you carefully!

Better hurry up; I will set the exam questions myself, and they might be very difficult!”

Old Li was completely bewildered.

Qin Mu knew they were in prison, and instead of pardoning them, he sent a book for them to read.

Isn’t this just playing with people!

Fang Fang Xuanling took the book and glanced at the title.

"Starting from Scratch"!

He nudged Old Li with his elbow.

“Old Li, this book was written by the Emperor of the Great Qin; it should contain all his thoughts.

Let’s take this time to read it carefully; we might learn more about him.”

The core idea of the Great Qin’s laws, putting the people first, came from Qin Mu.

It can be said that the entire social management framework of the Great Qin today was built by Qin Mu.

To understand the Great Qin’s system, one must first understand Qin Mu’s thoughts.

This book might truly be a treasure.

Old Li suddenly realized.

Didn’t they deliberately violate traffic rules on the street earlier just to understand how the Great Qin educates its people?

Old Li believed this was the core secret of the Great Qin’s rapid rise.

Now that Qin Mu had so generously sent a book.

How could they not read it?

It’s just that this prison thing...

“Lord Bao, could you please do me a favor and plead with the Emperor?

After all, we are envoys of a nation, and sitting in this prison will delay many important matters.”

Bao Zheng was expressionless, looking completely impartial.

“I have already reported to the Emperor, and the Emperor instructed you to stay in prison with peace of mind!”

...%*...(*...%)

Old Li wanted to curse, but he didn’t dare.

If Bao Zheng got angry and locked him up for a few more months.

By the time he got out, it would be hard to say if the Great Tang would still exist.

Since pleading failed, he had to settle for the next best thing.

“Lord Bao, if we study well and want to apply for an early exam to get out, is that allowed?”

Bao Zheng thought about it; this might be a way to motivate them to study hard.

“Yes!

If you need anything, just tell the jailer.

From now on, study with peace of mind; no one is allowed to visit!”

Finally, there was hope for early release.

Old Li was very excited.

When life encounters many setbacks, one’s demands become lower and lower.

At first, being sentenced to prison made them feel very resentful.

Now, having a chance for early release made them feel excited and moved.

Life...

“Thank you, Lord Bao!

When we get out, we will invite you to drink flower wine at Pingkang Fang!”

Bao Zheng glared at them, said nothing, and left.

Old Li and Fang Fang Xuanling immediately held the book Qin Mu sent and began reading it hungrily.

“Why is it a novel?”

— Author's Notes —

.......seeking flowers...0