Chapter 6: Modern Reforms, The Five-Year Plan

Chapter 6: New-Style Reform, The Five-Year Plan

Yang Zimo had never expected Emperor Qin Shi Huang to bestow such great rewards upon him; originally, all he had wished for was to survive. The voices of opposition from the officials seemed to be a constant reminder to himself.

“Your Majesty, I humbly ask you to retract your decree. I have contributed nothing and am unfamiliar with court affairs. I only wish to do my humble part to benefit the great Qin and repay Your Majesty. However, I have one request to make.”

“Oh? What is it that the Immortal Master seeks?”

Originally furious at the ministers’ objections to the rewards, Ying Zheng now temporarily suppressed his anger. Yang Zimo’s timely interjection gave everyone a graceful way out; otherwise, the civil and military officials might have found themselves in a difficult position.

“I wish to establish an academy.”

“Immortal Master, what sort of academy?”

“Your Majesty, here are some modest proposals I have compiled. Please review them.” Yang Zimo did not immediately introduce the academy but instead handed a thick stack of papers to a nearby attendant.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang carefully examined the first few pages, his eyes narrowing.

“The Three Lords and Nine Ministers remain. The Grand Tutor and General Wang Jian, along with the Palatial Steward Ying Xi, come to Qilin Hall for discussion.”

Soon, the aged General Wang Jian and Ying Xi, Ying Zheng’s uncle and Palatial Steward respectively, arrived at the grand hall.

Setting aside formalities, Qin Shi Huang addressed them, “Grand Tutor, Uncle, please review what is written here. Can it be trusted?”

They quickly scanned the papers, barely taking note of their material before reading.

After finishing, they passed the documents around for others to peruse.

“Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!”

Sounds of sharp inhalations filled the hall. Those in high positions were clearly intelligent, swiftly grasping the core points. Yet no one dared to speak first, and only Ying Zheng, though intrigued, found certain parts unclear and spoke up:

“Immortal Master, here, here, and here—I do not fully understand. Please explain further.”

“Your Majesty, esteemed ministers, please refer to the proposals in your hands. Let us begin with the first: The Two Councils and Eighteen Departments.

The two councils are divided into the Civil Affairs Council and the Military Affairs Council, both directly accountable to Your Majesty.

Civil Affairs Council: Four ministers oversee thirteen departments assisting Your Majesty in managing imperial governance, with final decisions resting with Your Majesty.

Education Department: Oversees cultural education, ideological instruction, and official assessments, selecting talents for Your Majesty. It includes various specialized academies for nurturing imperial talent.

Commerce Department: Manages all commercial activities within Qin, providing continuous wealth for the empire.

Diplomatic Department: Handles foreign relations with other states, tribes, and peoples, as well as imperial rituals and grand ceremonies.

Population and Land Department: Manages the empire's territories, farmlands, mineral resources, and census, giving Your Majesty comprehensive knowledge of Qin.

Finance Department: Responsible for taxation, imperial expenditures, and the payment of salaries to officials and soldiers.

Judiciary Department: Oversees prisons, punishments, case investigations, and judgments.

Imperial Security Department: Charged with capturing thieves, bandits, and criminals within the empire, protecting the populace from harm. It includes security forces; each county must have no fewer than one hundred security guards, each commandery no more than three thousand.

Science and Technology Department: Conducts research on military and civilian technologies to enhance the empire's overall strength.

Engineering Department: Responsible for planning and constructing infrastructure and cities.

Manufacturing Department: Oversees the production and stockpiling of military and civilian goods.

Propaganda Department: Disseminates and enforces imperial edicts and policies.

Supervisory Department: Monitors all departments, establishing supervisory guards and conducting domestic intelligence.

Military Affairs Council: Four ministers oversee six departments managing national defense, external campaigns, and military operations, with final decisions by Your Majesty.

United Front Department: Implements military operations, organizes troop deployments, and reallocates soldiers.

Staff Department: Plans and strategizes military operations, providing recommendations to the United Front Department.

Logistics Department: Supplies food, materials, and military equipment for the army.

Equipment Department: Manages procurement and replacement of military hardware.

Training Department: Oversees daily soldier training.

Political Department: Provides ideological education to soldiers, instilling loyalty to fight for Your Majesty, Qin, and the Chinese nation.

Additionally, there is the Internal Affairs Office, responsible for Your Majesty and the palace's daily life.

The Imperial Treasury handles the finances of Your Majesty and the palace.

The Lieutenant Command leads the Elite Soldiers Battalion, dedicated to Your Majesty's protection. A Guard Unit is responsible for safeguarding Xianyang Palace and the city’s security.”

“Your Majesty, esteemed ministers, if there are any unclear points, I will gladly explain further.” Yang Zimo took a long drink of water.

“Immortal Master, your ideas seem rather unusual. I must discuss this carefully with my ministers,” Ying Zheng replied, still visibly stunned.

“Your Majesty speaks wisely. We too must deliberate thoroughly.”

The seasoned ministers exchanged glances, neither approving nor opposing openly, determined to delay and discuss slowly. Meng Yi, Feng Quji, and Ying Xi exchanged silent looks and remained silent thereafter.

“Immortal Master, please continue.”

“Attendants! Issue an order to the Imperial Kitchen. Tonight, we shall dine with all present in Qilin Hall!”

“Our great Qin needs professional soldiers—warriors dedicated solely to battle, born for war! We shall select Qin’s bravest and most loyal to form an invincible army!”

Qilin Hall was brightly lit, with armored guards standing watch outside. Inside, a figure paced back and forth animatedly, as if recounting an engrossing tale.

This court session lasted a full seven days. During this time, ministers’ families visited repeatedly, as did Qin Shi Huang’s concubines, Li Qiu and Mi Hua. Rumors spread throughout Xianyang City, and ministers not attending the sessions found themselves restless, seeking connections to glean news.

Spies from various factions within Xianyang reported back to their masters—Qin Shi Huang negotiating with his top officials for seven days straight, even the retired General Wang Jian was present in the palace the entire time.

Though advanced in years, the general’s summons underscored the gravity of these discussions. Many anticipated misfortune and cautioned their subordinates to remain cautious, waiting for events to unfold.

After seven days, Yang Zimo concluded his arduous ordeal. Following his lectures on governance structure, conscription systems, the foundations of future military training, and topics like public opinion, trade wars, and cultural infiltration, he also presented a world map detailing power distributions and customs.

Not only did the ministers stir with excitement, but Emperor Qin Shi Huang himself was visibly moved, his eyes gleaming with fervor.

Of course, Yang Zimo could not have memorized all these details. Yet previous technological advancements—papermaking, movable type printing, and salt purification—introduced prematurely into the Qin era had earned him 150 civilization points, allowing him to spend 120 points acquiring this knowledge. He now had 32 points remaining.

Those seven days were not in vain. Through “friendly consultations,” and upon the Emperor’s decree, “Who supports? Who opposes?” the very first “Qin’s Five-Year Plan” was freshly drafted and unveiled.

(End of Chapter)