Chapter 11 Chapter VIII The Qin Dynasty’s Policies for Governing the World

Qin Shihuang wiped out the six kingdoms in 221 BC. From then on to 189 AD, Dong Zhuo was abolished and established, and the eastern states and counties raised troops to challenge Zhuo. The country was disrupted and divided. It lasted for four hundred years and was called China's prosperous age.What was the situation in China's history during this period? "Heroes make the times" is just an exaggerated statement.In fact, the reason why a hero becomes a hero is precisely because he can follow the current situation and proceed. The saying "time makes heroes" is true, because he can determine the direction of heroes.But within this period, what are the requirements of the current situation?According to what we have seen, it can be divided into two aspects: internal and external: internally, when countries compete, they cannot focus on internal governance; even if they are noticed, it is only a partial problem, and it cannot be generalized. Cope with, not plan for perpetuity.After unification, it will be different.Once the obstacles are removed, those who aspire to bring about peace can realize their ideals.Externally, people at that time saw China as a large part of the world.In places that have not entered the territory, the stronger tribes should have a countermeasure for considering it as a problem for China; the weaker ones, although not a problem, are still a pity for the peace of the world. Inside, it also has its due responsibilities.So on that day, what we need is: 1. Establish a scale of long-term stability and long-term governance internally.2. To the outside world, include all the places within our capabilities within the territory of China, and establish a line of defense for those that cannot.

What Qin Shihuang did was following this trend. In ancient times, the greatest force hindering the peace of the world was naturally the disputes among the nations.Therefore, after Qin annexed the six kingdoms, it was determined not to practice feudalism, "Father and brother own the world, but children are ordinary people."The establishment of the county was originally a point of military control, as mentioned in Chapter 39.The Six Kingdoms are newly destroyed, and the survivors have not been convinced, so it is naturally necessary to set up strongholds in various places.Therefore, when Qin destroyed the six countries, most of them established counties based on their lands.After the destruction of the six kingdoms, it will be more adjusted according to the situation of the whole country, and the world will be divided into thirty-six counties.The county guard at that time was the king of a big country that was not hereditary, so it was necessary to guard against his monopoly.So each county sent a censor to supervise him (at that time, each county had a lieutenant, but its power was far below the county guard, so it was not taken seriously).

If the people cannot resist, the first step is naturally to disarm them.Fortunately, at that time, the number of weapons made of metal was limited, just like today's firearms, and they could probably be collected.So the soldiers of the world were collected, gathered in Xianyang, and cast them as Jinren and Zhong (Xianyang, the capital of Qin Dynasty, now Xianyang County, Shaanxi). The most fundamental thing is to unify the minds of the people.It turns out that in ancient society, there were no internal contradictions, and the opinions of those below were often consistent with those above.Later generations have class divisions, and there are more internal contradictions. What is good for one aspect is not good for another.Naturally, the opinions of the people cannot be unified.The best way to deal with it is to align its interests; the second is to seek coordination among all parties so that they all have the opportunity to express their opinions. This is the principle of today's socialism and democratic politics.But people at the time didn't know this.They don't know the conflicts of interests in various aspects, so they have different opinions and mistakenly believe that many aspects have different opinions, so that people have their own hearts, and the policy of the superior who represents the public welfare of the whole country cannot be carried out smoothly.In this way, it is necessary to unify the minds of the people of the whole country.Therefore, in the two chapters of "Guanzi·Fajin" and "Han Feizi·Wenbian", there have been proposals for burning books.Qin Shihuang and Li Si implemented it.Burn all "poems, books, and hundreds of sayings" related to social and political issues, leaving only books on medicine, divination, and tree planting related to the role of technology.For social and political issues, the only ones allowed to learn are contemporary laws and regulations; those who have the right to teach are the officials at that time.If they think that Shihuang and Li Si's actions are not in line with the trend of the times, they can't explain it to themselves. If they think that they are contrary to the past, they are really wronged.What they want to reply is the ancient "politics and religion are one, and officials and teachers are not separated".This was the case in ancient times, and Zhang Xuecheng in the Qing Dynasty played it very thoroughly (the act of burying Confucianism was initiated because someone slandered the First Emperor, and it was not intended to destroy Confucian scholars, and it cannot be compared with the burning of books).

The above is Qin Shihuang's domestic policy.As for the outside world, the north is from the south of Yinshan Mountain, and the south is from the south of Wuling to the sea. Qin Shihuang believed that it should be included in the territory.So Mengtian was sent to drive the Xiongnu to the north, and took the land of Henan (now Hetao), and connected the Great Wall in the north of Qin, Zhao, and Yan during the Warring States Period. "Hanshu Geographical Records"), west to Minxian County, Gansu Province, established a new line of defense.In the south, the three counties of Guilin, Nanhai, and Xiang were established based on the land of Guangdong, Guangxi, and Vietnam (roughly Guilin is the land of Guangxi, Nanhai is the land of Guangdong, and Xiang County is the land of Vietnam), taking the land of Fujian today. Land, Minzhong County was established.Although the land opened up by Zhuangyu of the state of Chu has not been formally included in the territory, part of it has communicated with the Qin Dynasty, and Qin set up officials in the land.

Qin Shihuang has always said that he was a tyrant, and his benefits were wiped out. In fact, this was wronged.Judging from the above, his politics really has a great ideal.This is not something he can do alone. It is probably the policy set by the Legalists, and he implemented it accordingly.This only needs to be seen that he used Li Si as prime minister, obeyed his advice, burned poems and books, and abolished feudalism, all of which came from Li Si.Politics cannot rely solely on ideals, but must take into account the actual situation, that is, regardless of whether the actual situation can be done or not, it must also take into account the means of doing it.Although Qin Shihuang's policy was good, it seemed to be too aggressive.To build the Great Wall in the north and conquer the two Vietnams in the south, in addition to the conquests at that time, troops had to be sent to defend;He also followed the old habits before the Warring States Period, abusing the people in order to honor himself.Building the Afang Palace and erecting a tomb in Lishan (Lishan, in today’s Lintong County, Shaanxi Province) are all extravagant;Although unification is inevitable, people's views are always backward. At that time, people may not think it is reasonable, or even think it is abnormal.Besides, there is no need to reason. When the six kingdoms are destroyed, there will always be a group of people who have lost their status. Opportunity is about to take advantage of it.