Chapter 441: The Reason for Unification

Late May, the morning of the last day.

Chen Yan stood in front of the podium, facing a group of second‑generation students below: "Good morning, everyone. Due to certain special reasons, today will probably be the last class for the next half month."

"So, today we'll talk about something interesting."

Li Yifu didn't ask what the special reasons were, raised his hand and said: "Mr. Chen, shall we still start with history today?"

Since the last time Chen Yan talked about the great battle between the Yellow Emperor and Chi You, he had continued to narrate events following them.

The histories familiar to everyone, when spoken by Chen Yan, always yielded different reasoning and offered distinct perspectives.

What's even rarer is that Chen Yan's history is quite entertaining, like listening to a story; even a child like Sizi listens with great relish.

Therefore, everyone looks forward to the history lesson.

"History…," Chen Yan thought for a moment, then asked, "Do you all want to hear history?"

The crowd nodded in unison, faces full of anticipation.

He replied, "Alright, I hadn't planned to teach history, but since you want me to, I'll do so, and we'll postpone the original lesson until the middle of next month."

Chen Yan cleared his throat, pondered briefly, organized his words, and began slowly:

"Last time I told you, history is a grand scroll, depicting the indelible marks of each era; every age has its shining points and also its unforgettable regrets."

"Today we will discuss the first great unified dynasty in history—Qin!"

As soon as the words fell, everyone's eyes lit up instantly.

Qin!

This is the lesson they have been waiting for.

Although the Great Qin fell in its second generation, no one can deny Qin's historical stature.

In the brief two generations after unification, there is far too much to discuss.

Chen Yan smiled, "Speaking of Qin, one person is inescapable—Qin Shi Huang."

"Shi Huang! Shi Huang! Even His Majesty today refers to him the same way; that should illustrate his stature."

"Everyone here is not ignorant; I trust that, having read countless histories, you won't simply accept folk evaluations of Shi Huang but have your own understanding."

Fang Yizhi couldn't stop nodding, sighing, "Shi Huang, indeed worthy of admiration."

"It's just a pity…"

He didn't finish his sentence, leaving only a sigh.

The others didn't understand what he was sighing about or what he found regrettable.

Honestly, at present, Shi Huang's reputation among the people isn't good at all; that's already a fairly gentle way to put it.

If you step outside and casually ask anyone how Qin Shi Huang is, nine out of ten will answer you with two characters.

Tyrant!

How could that not elicit a sigh?

Chen Yan ignored their thoughts and continued, "Ordinary history you probably remember better than I do, so I won't elaborate."

"What we'll discuss today is actually just two characters!"

He turned and wrote two large characters on the small blackboard.

"Unification?"

Everyone fell into contemplation, not quite grasping Chen Yan's idea.

"Yes, it's unification!"

Chen Yan nodded, then said, "Or rather, why could the Great Qin unify, while the other states at the time could not?"

"Come on, does anyone have an answer to this question?"

"Because the Great Qin is stronger!" Li Tai raised his hand without hesitation, "At that time, the Great Qin was not only stronger, but stronger than the other states by more than one level."

"Among the other six states, the formerly strongest Chu and Zhao still possessed considerable strength, yet could no longer contend with Qin."

"The other four states need not be mentioned; they were simply no match for the Great Qin."

"Right!" Chen Yan first affirmed, "The Great Qin indeed was stronger than the other states by more than one level; that is one important reason it could unify."

"Then, does anyone know why the Great Qin was far stronger than the other six states?"

While everyone was deep in thought, Du Gou said in a deep voice, "My father once told me about this: the Great Qin's strength was not a fleeting power but the result of generations of accumulation, six enlightened monarchs and countless capable ministers and fierce generals working together."

"Therefore, there is also the saying about Qin Shi Huang's …"

"The most crucial factor, without doubt, is the 'Shang Yang Reforms', which destroyed hereditary fiefdoms, established the earliest bureaucratic system, greatly strengthened the ruler's authority, and allowed edicts to be executed efficiently and uniformly."

"Furthermore, the establishment of a household registration system and the collective responsibility law may seem cruel by today's standards, but they tightened local control and, through harsh punishments, created an order that ceased internal strife."

"The meritocratic military rank system needs no further explanation!"

"After the 'Shang Yang Reforms', the Great Qin can be said to have become a nation wholly geared toward war, its purpose being unification."

"Well said!" Chen Yan clapped his hands, "Qin Shi Huang could unify the six states, and the 'Shang Yang Reforms' were indeed of paramount importance."

"But we won't discuss that today, because you already know all that."

"Let's talk about the finer details!"

Finer details?

The people present were puzzled but didn't ask further, and each gradually sat up.

Because they knew Chen Yan was about to get to the crucial point.

"First, the twenty‑grade merit‑based noble rank system—no need for me to go into too much detail; its emergence made every soldier fight for his own destiny, unleashing remarkably astonishing combat power!"

Chen Yan gave a brief mention of the military system, then picked up a piece of chalk and said, "Next, there's also the logistical crushing factor!"

He turned, and from memory sketched a simple diagram of Qin's road network for grain transport.

"One important reason the Great Qin could unify the six states is their standardized roads, which made their grain‑transport speed several times that of the other six states!"

Chen Yan propped his hand on the podium, smiled lightly, and said, "Is the grain‑transport efficiency the others?"

No one spoke; everyone stared at the simple diagram on the blackboard behind him, some frowning, some pondering, some suddenly enlightened.

The grain transport speed is several times that of other countries; this means not only is it fast, but it delivers more.

For example, in the Six States, ten bushels of grain, with consumption by people and horses along the route, losses are nearly total; arriving at the front with three bushels already qualifies as a renowned general.

But in Great Qin, ten bushels can yield seven or eight bushels.

Gao Yang focused and said: "Are you trying to tell us that all of this is based on Great Qin's then... uh... 'standardized' roads?"

She had gradually grown accustomed to the strange terms that Chen Yan uttered, and she was adept at using them.

"This is just one of them." Chen Yan nodded, "No matter which country, the road is definitely the top priority!"

"Let me give another example: why Weinan County can develop so quickly, what reason accounts for a large part?"

"And what is it that, even though it constantly requires spending money, I have been doing all along and never given up?"