Chapter 990: No Name in History

Facing the Zhao Wang's inquiry, Wei Yuan said, "Looking through history, what the commoners seek is actually just to survive; if they can eat their fill and dress warmly, they feel it is a rare and prosperous age. Some monarchs, even if they just didn't let the commoners under their rule starve to death in droves, and could eat chaff and thin gruel, dared to call it a prosperous age.

To the commoners, only when they truly cannot survive will they rise up. Therefore, providing relief to the most impoverished people is eliminating the source of chaos. This is the first point."

The Zhao Wang was also well-versed in history and said, "I agree with this point. But at present, the Zhao Kingdom has been stable for twenty years, and before I met you, kid, the territory had not suffered from the scourge of war. Under a peaceful reign, among these poor people, there are many who are idle, lazy, and rogue-like; should they also be provided relief?"

Wei Yuan said, "You just said a phrase, 'poor mountains and evil waters produce unruly people,' which is exactly the reason why they should be provided relief. First, there are poor mountains and evil waters, where people have difficulty surviving and have to be calculating about every penny, which is why there are so-called unruly people."

The Zhao Wang said, "Being born between poor mountains and evil waters is also a kind of karmic retribution. Their fate is such; they should be left to fend for themselves. From the Buddhist perspective, the cause of the previous life is the fruit of the present life. These people might have had too much evil in their previous lives, which is why they are being punished in this life."

Wei Yuan said, "Reincarnation naturally exists, and poor mountains and evil waters are also part of heaven and earth. Some mortals are born into the families of princes and nobles, while others are born in dangerous mountains and poor lands; it is indeed their own fate, and they cannot blame others.

But I am a commoner and can think this way; you, as a King of Men, cannot think this way. Either turn the poor mountains and evil waters into clear waters and fertile fields, or migrate the people within to prosperous and livable places; this is the responsibility of a King of Men. Once these are achieved, if there are still people who are lazy and live in difficulty, then it is their own business and they are bringing it upon themselves."

The Zhao Wang pondered for a long time before saying, "What you said is indeed reasonable, but wanting to change poor mountains and evil waters into livable places is no less than changing heaven and earth; how difficult it is!"

"Precisely because this is something the local commoners cannot do by their own strength, it is the responsibility of the King of Men. These places cannot be taught to fish; they can only be given fish."

The Zhao Wang said, "Even if it is just providing a helping hand to the most impoverished people—oh, that 'welfare' you mentioned—few people have done it since ancient times, and emperors of great nations have never done it. So why should I do this?"

Wei Yuan said, "Precisely because this matter is unprecedented, you can be called an Emperor for the Ages!"

The Zhao Wang's breathing suddenly became heavier, and after a moment, he calmed down and smiled bitterly, "This is overstepping. Only Tang can be called Emperor."

"A King for the Ages?"

"That doesn't sound as good."

The Zhao Wang stood up and paced back and forth in the study, constantly pondering, and after a moment said, "Regarding this welfare you mentioned, there is one more thing I don't understand. Just now I calculated slightly; if the scope is expanded even a little, the annual revenue of the national treasury will immediately be insufficient. No matter how taxes are increased, the accounts won't balance."

Wei Yuan said, "Why expand the scope? The welfare at this time only requires two things: first, eliminate the poorest people. Second, let all people be literate. This won't cost much money, but it will gain a lot of popular support. As long as the Zhao Kingdom plants more cotton, mulberry, and spirit wood, there will be enough tax silver to pay for it."

"Opening wisdom to the people, I'm afraid that's not a good thing, right?"

Wei Yuan said, "You don't intend to act perversely, so why be afraid? Whether the people's wisdom is opened or not, justice is in the hearts of the people."

The Zhao Wang sighed and said, "I am not worried about myself, but what if my descendants are dim-witted and arrogant? What if they want to indulge in pleasure and want to occasionally be above the law?"

"As long as the people's wisdom is not opened, the masses are a scattered sand. By then, before I die, I can randomly divide a few ethnic groups and let them kill each other, and my descendants can sit securely on the throne. For example, let the people south of the Ridge and north of the Ridge fight each other, let the east and west of the River compete, or even divide them by skin color and customs. For instance, those who eat pork can be irreconcilable with those who eat beef."

"This..." Wei Yuan was speechless.

The Zhao Wang said, "I want to be an Emperor for the Ages, but I want even more for the country to remain unchanged for ten thousand generations; for the next ten thousand generations, the monarchs on this land will all be surnamed Li! I am not a sage; I also have selfish motives."

Wei Yuan sighed, "Then let's each take a step back; first announce the welfare. Your prestige can go up another level; among the past kings of the Great Zhao, the only one who can surpass you is the High Ancestor. Adding 'Ancestor' to your title in the future is not excessive; hmm, Zhao Wen Ancestor, how about that?"

The Zhao Wang glared at Wei Yuan, immediately called someone in, drafted the decree in front of Wei Yuan, and issued it.

After this matter was handled, the Zhao Wang asked, "Use your brain and help me find a way to make my Li-surnamed country remain unchanged for ten thousand generations." ===== CHAPTER 991 =====