Chapter Twenty-Six: The Scholars Cause a Disturbance

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“We absolutely cannot let word spread that Qin does not honor worthy men or respect the disciples of the Hundred Schools.”

Zhao Zheng spoke indifferently.

“Why?”

The three men exchanged bewildered looks, question marks written plainly in their eyes.

They had already decided to drive these people away, so why insist on making them leave willingly?

How could that possibly work?

Gan Long’s eyes shifted as he cautiously suggested, “If we wish to avoid giving anyone cause for criticism, then why not keep them here in Qin? We could casually grant them some harmless, meaningless official posts and titles, just to satisfy appearances.”

That was indeed a fine solution. It would not infringe upon the aristocratic clans’ interests.

Meng Yun’s mind leaped ahead, and he blurted out, “I think there’s no point keeping all these people around. Why not… find an opportunity to kill them?”

“Have you gone mad? Where is your brain?”

Zhao Zheng and Gan Long simultaneously cast him a look fit for a fool.

Zhao Zheng said irritably, “Kill the disciples of the Hundred Schools? Do not joke about such a thing. Killing them would be the worst possible course. Unless absolutely unavoidable, we must never resort to it.”

“If even one of them escaped, or the slightest rumor got out, then the entire realm would truly have no scholar willing to enter Qin ever again.”

As expected, these military men had no brains.

After a pause, Zhao Zheng turned to Gan Long. “The Senior Grand Master’s suggestion is not bad. But let me ask you this: with so many scholars from the Six States, who will pay their stipends?”

“Will your old aristocratic clans pay?”

Gan Long fell silent at once. With so many scholars, the monthly expense would be no small sum.

Expecting the old aristocratic clans to spend their own money supporting people who might divide their interests among themselves at any moment?

Hah! What a joke.

Seeing that Gan Long had nothing more to say, Zhao Zheng turned to Ying Quliang. “My lord, you do not actually believe that all these people possess extraordinary talent, do you?”

“Do not joke. Although a single decree calling for worthy men has broken the spell that kept scholars throughout the realm from entering Qin…”

“But among those who truly possess ability, who would think highly of Qin? And of those who have come here, setting aside the impostors, how many genuinely wish to remain in Qin?”

“They merely want to make a name for themselves under Qin’s banner, then move on to another state.”

“Move on?”

The three men had never heard the expression.

Zhao Zheng explained, “In simple terms, they want to bask in the prestige of Qin, package themselves up, and then turn around and run to great powers such as Wei or Qi, where they can sell their services in exchange for a promising future.”

Ying Quliang’s brow furrowed. Zhao Zheng had voiced precisely the concern weighing on his mind.

“This matter is easy enough to resolve, but…”

Zhao Zheng was just about to explain how when he was interrupted by a hurried voice.

“My lord! My lord, this is bad!”

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Gongsun Jia, the future tutor of Ying Si, the future King Huiwen of Qin, stumbled into the room. He was gasping for breath, his face as pale as paper.

“What happened? Why are you so alarmed?”

Ying Quliang’s heart sank.

“My lord, my lord! Those scholars from the Six States are demanding to see you. The situation is nearly out of control—their quarters have already descended into chaos!”

Gongsun Jia spoke urgently.

“What?! How dare they?”

Ying Quliang rose and struck the table, making the teacups vibrate.

Qin had entertained them with food even its own people could scarcely bear to eat, yet this rabble of eastern scholars dared to cause trouble?

“My lord, in this old minister’s opinion, someone is likely stirring up trouble behind the scenes.”

Gan Long frowned slightly. He sensed that matters could not be so simple.

A gathering of scholars from the Six States suddenly causing a disturbance for no reason? Who would believe that?

“Indeed. Let us go and see what is happening.”

Zhao Zheng wholeheartedly agreed with Gan Long and made the suggestion.

“Very well…”

Ying Quliang felt a headache coming on. One problem after another—when would it end?

At the residence of the eastern scholars, the students were shouting for Ying Quliang to appear.

The Qin soldiers could only use their bodies to hold them back.

“The Lord of Qin has arrived!”

As the announcement rang out, the disorderly eastern scholars abruptly fell silent.

Ying Quliang immediately stepped forward alone, clasped his hands, and called out, “All of you have traveled a great distance and are honored guests of Qin. Qin has treated you generously, so why have you chosen to show our state such disrespect?”

“Were we not told that anyone who came would be given an official post? We have all come, so where are our offices?”

One of the scholars pointed at Ying Quliang and shouted.

Hah… these were supposed to be scholars of the Six States?

Zhao Zheng sneered inwardly. They lacked even the most basic courtesy—indeed, they were inferior to an ordinary rustic peasant.

“May I ask which state you are from?”

Ying Quliang’s expression remained unchanged, but he was already displeased.

When Master Guiguzi entered Qin, he had not put on such airs. Even after later defeating Wei three times, he had remained as modest as ever.

And these scholars from the Six States? They had shown no ability whatsoever, yet they dared to demand official posts the moment they arrived.

“I am from Han. I am a disciple of the Master’s school. My name is Han Bang.”

The man announced himself loudly.

“Gentlemen, if you truly possess learning and ability, Qin will certainly place high offices and generous rewards before you with both hands.”

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Ying Quliang silently committed the man’s name to memory before raising his voice.

“So this is how Qin treats people? We scholars have braved every hardship and danger to come here, yet you are unwilling to grant even one of us an official post?”

Another scholar spoke up.

“That’s right! Is this Qin’s way of seeking worthy men?”

“What happened to ‘rule Qin together and share its lands’? Bah!”

The eastern scholars erupted into another uproar.

Faced with wave after wave of accusations and a scene that was nearly beyond control, an unnamed fury rose within Ying Quliang.

Qin had exhausted the strength of the entire state in its treatment of the talented, only to be met with such aggressive demands?

Yet anger could not solve the predicament before him.

Ying Quliang drew a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the violence roiling in his chest.

He knew that if he resorted to thunderous measures, Qin would certainly earn the reputation of mistreating scholars, completely blocking its path to attracting worthy men.

He took a step forward, his gaze sweeping across the clamorous crowd.

“‘Rule Qin together and share its lands’—these eight words are my promise, Ying Quliang’s promise. More than that, they are Qin’s pledge to the scholars of the realm.”

“Yet the foundation of a strong state lies in genuine talent and practical achievement, not in sitting around discussing lofty principles.”

“If Qin were to grant high office and noble rank today merely because all of you have gathered here, without distinguishing wisdom from folly or ability from mediocrity…”

“That would not only be the greatest betrayal of the countless soldiers who have shed blood for Qin and the innumerable common people who suffer hunger and cold; it would also be a profound disrespect to the learning and abilities you yourselves possess.”

Tsk. As expected of Ying Quliang.

Zhao Zheng had originally intended to clean up Ying Quliang’s mess, but after hearing these words, he knew there was no need.

Ying Quliang’s speech had not only blocked the eastern scholars’ unreasonable demand for office, but had also demonstrated that Qin valued the knowledge they had acquired.

Many of the scholars who prided themselves on their lofty character felt their faces burn upon hearing this.

Ying Quliang continued, “I know that all of you are outstanding men of the age, filled with ambition and eager to fulfill your aspirations.”

“But let me ask you this: where in the realm has any man of great talent entered public service without first undergoing trials?”

“Even the disciples of Guiguzi, Pang Juan and Sun Bin, had to endure trials before ultimately achieving great deeds and making their names resound throughout the states.”

“You are all disciples of the Hundred Schools. Do you fear a mere test? Or do you possess not the slightest confidence in your own learning?”

When Ying Quliang finished speaking, the entire courtyard fell so silent that a pin could have been heard dropping.

The few scholars who had led the disturbance—Han Bang above all—were now rendered speechless.

“Our schools of thought differ from one another. May I ask, my lord, how do you intend to test us?”