kvmb Chapter 24: Let's get Comrade Zhang Fan trending!
Chapter 24: Let's get Comrade Zhang Fan trending!
Li Si's mind went completely blank!
He stared in horror at Zhang Fan's retreating figure outside the window.
This...this is hardly a sorcerer.
This is clearly the work of a skilled strategist!
Do not!
More terrifying than the strategists!
He actually managed to use the Confucian concept of benevolence to refute the Confucian concept of propriety!
Such eloquence, such intellect, is terrifying!
On the ridge of the field.
Zhang Fan did not stop.
He stepped forward, and his momentum surged once more!
"Does Your Highness know that the Guanzi says: 'When the granaries are full, people know etiquette; when they are well-fed and clothed, they know honor and shame!'"
"The common people can't even get enough to eat, how can you talk to them about morality and shame?"
"That's not the way of the king! That's hypocrisy! That's the greatest inhumanity!"
"I kill one person to save millions! I manipulate the court officials for the sake of all living beings!"
"The methods I used may seem domineering, but they are the true path of the king!"
"It is the foundation of benevolence!"
Zhang Fan pointed at Fusu, and his words, spoken with the force of thunder, boomed:
"Your Highness! The true path of a true ruler is not about empty talk or grand pronouncements of virtue!"
"But rather, it is to ensure that everyone in the world has food to eat and clothes to wear, and that the Qin Dynasty becomes prosperous and strong, lasting for ten thousand generations!"
"For the sake of this greatest benevolence, what's wrong with resorting to tyrannical tactics?!"
"This is my path!"
Dead silence.
There was a deathly silence on the ridge between the fields.
Fusu stood there blankly, his mind a complete blank.
He was familiar with Confucian classics from a young age.
At this moment, Zhang Fan's words shattered everything!
He always believed in benevolence!
Before Zhang Fan's description of the benevolent ruler who ensured everyone in the world had enough to eat!
It appears so pale, so ridiculous!
……
On the attic not far away.
Li Si was already drenched in cold sweat, his back soaked through.
He watched Zhang Fan's retreating figure, his heart filled with nothing but endless fear!
This person... not only understands political intrigue and magic, but even Confucian debate!
They can all reach such a pinnacle, subverting the very foundation!
He's simply...flawless!
After a brief moment of shock, Ying Zheng...
The ecstasy in his eyes slowly subsided, transforming into complex emotions.
He unified the six kingdoms, burned books and buried scholars alive, built the Great Wall, and opened the Ling Canal. Wasn't every one of these things for the sake of the Qin Dynasty for all eternity?
But the people of the world!
Even his sons viewed him as a tyrant!
He stood alone at the pinnacle of power, enduring endless infamy, and no one could understand him!
He thought this loneliness would accompany him until his death.
But I never expected this!
Nowadays!
A person from two thousand years in the future actually used this method!
He said what he most wanted to say, but couldn't say!
This moment!
Ying Zheng felt a surge of heat rush to his eyes.
His tiger eyes were slightly red and moist.
Zhang Fan understands me best!
"Okay... well said..."
Ying Zheng's voice carried a barely perceptible sob and tremor.
He slammed his hand on the railing, trying to suppress his voice, but still managing an excited growl.
"This is the kind of Grand Tutor I want! This is the kind of Grand Tutor who can teach my son!"
The heartache that had plagued him for years!
At that moment, I felt completely healed!
……
however.
Fusu, standing on the edge of the field, was deathly pale; his worldview had been utterly shattered!
But he did not give up completely.
He took a deep breath and looked at Zhang Fan.
With a final, unwavering determination in his eyes, he asked:
"Grand Tutor, isn't there a way to have the best of both worlds?"
"It can feed all people without being tyrannical, harming a single person, or violating any rules of etiquette!"
"To govern the world with pure and benevolent rule?"
Zhang Fan looked at Fusu, whose face was both innocent and incredibly persistent, and smiled.
"Your Highness, I do not wish to answer this question!"
"Now, I'll show you for yourself how public opinion from two thousand years in the future will judge this matter!"
Fusu was taken aback!
public opinion?
What is that?
Zhang Fan pulled out a small, palm-sized, thin, smooth, and glowing black box from his pocket.
In the attic.
Ying Zheng and Li Si also held their breath instantly, staring intently at their phones through the window.
Celestial artifact!
This is a celestial artifact!
Zhang Fan's fingers flew across the screen as he opened Douyin (TikTok).
He typed as he spoke, sending out a survey.
[Question: The State of Qin is suffering a severe drought, and the people have lost their entire harvest. There are two officials tasked with providing disaster relief. Who would you choose?]
[A. A benevolent official: He opened the official granaries and distributed grain, but insisted on distributing it according to the established rites, with more grain going to nobles and less to commoners. He also strictly prohibited the common people from fighting over the grain, and in the end, 30% of the population starved to death.]
[B. Overbearing official: Directly seized grain from the private granaries of nobles, distributing it to everyone regardless of social status, and executed several nobles who had taken advantage of the situation to hoard grain. In the end, no one starved to death.]
A problem has arisen!
Not only Fusu on the ridge of the field, but also Ying Zheng and Li Si in the pavilion, their pupils suddenly contracted!
When Fusu heard this question, he was completely stunned!
How...how can we possibly choose?!
A tremendous storm raged within him!
Option A is in accordance with etiquette and law, maintaining the order and hierarchy of the court!
But the result was that 30% of the people starved to death!
This goes against the "benevolence" he learned!
Option B, although it could save everyone!
But they forcibly conscripted nobles and executed them at will!
How is this any different from the cruel officials of the Qin Dynasty and the tyrannical methods they despised most?!
"Grand Tutor...you...you actually posed such a mind-altering question!" Fusu's lips trembled.
Inside the attic.
When Li Si saw this question, his heart skipped a beat, and he gasped in shock!
So cruel!
What a toxic question!
He instantly saw through the essence of it all, and murmured,
"Choose A, and the nation will cease to exist! The people's hearts will be lost, and the foundation of the nation will be shaken! This is a strategy that will lead to the downfall of the country!"
"Choose B. Although it offends all the nobles, it preserves the nation's manpower and stabilizes the kingdom! Although the methods are ruthless, it's the only way to survive!"
Li Si was utterly horrified. This was not a debate about "kingly power versus hegemony" at all; it was a choice between survival and destruction!
Just who is this Zhang Fan?!
Upon hearing this question, Ying Zheng...
Far from having the slightest doubt, his eyes flashed with an incredibly terrifying light!
He laughed!
A slight smile curved at the corners of his lips!
"Haha! Interesting! Very interesting!" Ying Zheng said calmly.
"A? That's an outdated and pedantic view!"
"A foolish act! To put the people to death for the sake of so-called propriety is a path to certain death!"
"Womanly compassion! A useless and ineffective government!"
"Only B!"
"This is what an emperor should do!"
"Kill a few fat rats to save the world!"
Ying Zheng stared intently at his phone, an unprecedented sense of anticipation welling up within him.
"Fusu, Fusu, this is the difference between you and me!"
"I want to see how Zhang Fan's so-called public opinion of future generations will choose!"
"Will they choose your ridiculous path of benevolence, or my path of tyranny!"
……
After issuing the survey, Zhang Fan immediately made a phone call.
Zhu Feng's voice immediately came from the other end of the phone.
"Comrade Zhang Fan, what happened?"
Zhang Fan's words were concise and to the point:
"Reporting to the commander, I've encountered a small situation here. I'm giving a lesson to Prince Fusu of the Qin Dynasty!"
"He asked me which was better, the benevolent path or the domineering path? I posted a video on Douyin!"
"Please get this trending! I want him to see public opinion two thousand years from now!"
Zhu Feng was stunned when he heard this.
To...to teach the crown prince of the Qin Dynasty?
What kind of amazing plot twist is this?
Before he could react, he heard Zhang Fan's voice again: "Please, sir, as soon as possible!"
"Okay! Comrade Zhang Fan, please wait a moment!"
Zhu Feng suddenly stood up, a strange feeling flashing through his mind.
Immediately switch to work mode and shout:
"Attention everyone! Boost Zhang Fan's Douyin (TikTok) views and exposure!"
"Let's get Comrade Zhang Fan trending!"
"Oh, right!"
"Everyone who's free, take out your phones! Go give Comrade Zhang Fan a thumbs up!"