Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield Chapter 775 Chapter 316: Helpless Remnants! Cultural Unification! National Power Boost! Treasure Box Reward! (Part 2)
Previously on Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield...
"Let's talk about our current situations."
Zhang Liang let out a sigh while gazing at the group and posed the question.
"Qin has reshaped the world into Nine Provinces and Thirty-Six Counties, strengthening its grip even more."
"As for copper and iron, just as Qin announced before, they've ramped up the restrictions."
"Blacksmiths in every city have to register with the Qin authorities, and every buy of iron tools by civilians gets logged. Plus, trading copper and iron is impossible now; Qin treats them as restricted goods, fully nationalized. No one can sell them privately, and blacksmiths need official permission to acquire copper and iron." A man from Wei sighed deeply.
"That's not all."
"Qin doesn't just control copper and iron—they dispatch teams to gather it from old battlefields and ship everything to Xianyang."
"Each shipment gets protected by the Qin Army, so we have zero shot at snatching it." A Zhao state man declared.
"Qin keeps coming after us harder, our copper and iron stocks are running low with no way to restock. Crafting armor and weapons has become almost unattainable." A Yan state individual remarked.
"Zifang."
"All these brothers face the identical plight; conditions in our lands mirror each other."
"Qin's dominance over copper and iron is at its height, probably to stop us from building up armies."
"What's your view on our next move?" Xiang Liang inquired of Zhang Liang.
"In this bind, trading copper and such with the barbarians might be our sole path." Zhang Liang pondered briefly then replied.
"Baiyue is our only trade option; the Northern Frontier's too heavily patrolled by Qin troops for any smuggling."
"Qin's rule over the realm has grown fiercer; rich merchants who once backed us now stay hidden." Xiang Liang noted.
"Baiyue is where we must begin." Zhang Liang agreed with a nod, his expression steeped in sorrow.
"Zhao Feng has put out fresh decrees once more."
"You all know about them, right?" Someone from Qi interjected at that point.
A Qi state man voiced.
"Setting up academic palaces everywhere to teach the common folk."
"That cursed Zhao Feng."
"Does he believe building academic palaces is simple?"
"Should he push ahead, Qin will inevitably crumble under the weight." A Han state figure sneered.
It was obvious.
Zhao Feng's plan to build academic palaces nationwide filled them with outrage.
As elite nobles from different states, they had always kept literacy exclusive to their class. Yet Zhao Feng now opens academic palaces to instruct the masses.
Having long seen reading and writing as an elite right, their fury was inevitable.
What's more.
Writing carries legacy.
Knowing how to read means grasping that legacy.
Zhao Feng blocks their path forward entirely.
"Qin tightens its hold on its domains."
"The four national policies seek to blend Shenzhou's culture into one, severing the legacies and traditions of our states."
"Those academic palaces will no doubt instill loyalty to Qin in our former peoples."
"Alas."
Sorrow overwhelmed Zhang Liang's heart.
At present.
Helplessness gripped him utterly.
He could merely observe Zhao Feng rolling out measures to solidify Qin's worldwide dominance, powerless to intervene.
Exposure would bring detection and siege by Qin forces.
Reduced to rats skulking in shadows.
Chaos in Qin could offer hope, yet Zhao Feng's rule showed Zhang Liang no sign of disorder.
"If my Han had a leader like that, maybe we'd thrive too."
"Four national policies for cultural unity! Academic palaces to awaken the masses!"
"That's truly my heart's desire."
"But we remain foes in the end."
Zhang Liang sighed deep within.
Vengeance for his father's death, grudge for his family's destruction.
This sealed Zhang Liang's fate away from Qin forever.
And barred him from ever yielding to Zhao Feng.
"Everyone."
"For now, we must bide our time in hiding." Zhang Liang stated deliberately.
"How much longer do we hide?"
"Why not charge the Qin offices and cause chaos?" Xiang Yu roared in anger.
His temperament had endured this far too long.
"Qin yearns for our assault to eradicate us once and for all." Zhang Liang shot Xiang Yu a look and replied icily.
"If we keep lying low, will we ever seize a chance for revival and vengeance?"
"Zhao Feng is utterly ruthless—he's driving us straight to our graves," Xiang Yu spat in fury.
"Yuer, hold your tongue."
Xiang Liang shot him a fierce glare.
Meeting his uncle's stern gaze, Xiang Yu had no choice but to bow his head.
...
Time raced forward!
In the wink of an eye.
Half a year had swiftly elapsed.
As all State Governors settled into their roles, Prefectural Governors were chosen through their processes and assumed office; upon heading back to State Governments, Zhao Feng presented them with Tian Xuan Mirrors, empowering reports from thousands of miles distant via the Tian Xuan Mirror.
Zhao Feng employs the Tian Xuan Mirror to build the Great Qin Empire's vast communication web.
It shapes the framework of official ranks as well.
Emperor Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng, armed with the Tianxuan Sub-Mirror, commands power rivaled only by Zhao Feng, bearer of the master mirror.
Through the emperor's command privileges, orders flow straight to State Governors across the Nine Provinces, Prefectural Governors in the counties, Shangjiangjun of the Five Camps, Main Generals in every camp, and State Generals throughout the Nine Provinces.
Power truly consolidates into one supreme figure.
From Xianyang's throne, he clutches the realm in iron grip.
Beneath him.
Chancellor Lv Buwei reaches out directly to the two Prime Ministers serving him, plus the Nine Ministers.
The Grand Commandant links seamlessly with his five Shangjiangjun and the horde of Main Generals.
These chained authorities erect a strict pyramid of tiers.
The loftier the rank, the vaster the powers bestowed by the Tian Xuan Mirror.