A Polite Refusal!

"Even you would so readily believe the world's verdict?"

"Whether it is the Chu Kingdom or the Qi Kingdom."

"Or Zhao, Han, Wei, and Yan."

"They fear our Qin Kingdom."

"That is why they slander the Qin Kingdom as tigers and wolves, using such a derogatory term."

"With your insight, sir, you should be able to see clearly that the Qin citizens wandering among these pavilions and towers are no different from the people of the Six Kingdoms."

"As for the harshness of Qin Law, that is indeed true."

"But Qin Law is a law that strengthens the state and its people."

"It is also a law that protects the state and its people."

"Strict enforcement is always better than the mourning cries of ten thousand households."

"What do you think, sir?"

Faced with Ying Zheng's earnest defense, Ye Qingcang nodded without either agreeing or disagreeing. Nothing in this world was perfect. Where there were benefits, there were drawbacks. To gain something, one inevitably had to give something up. Compared to the people of the Six Kingdoms, who were currently living in dire misery, the people of the Qin Kingdom were not exactly living well either, but at least they did not have to worry about whether their heads might suddenly vanish from their shoulders. Nor did they have to fear being inexplicably treated as criminals and made scapegoats for someone else despite having done nothing. They only needed to work diligently to avoid starvation, and there was also the clear path of military merit. It had helped many commoners rise in status. Even a squad leader commanding ten men held a position far above that of farmers toiling in the fields.

In an era where only nobles could become military officers.

The Qin Kingdom stood alone.

It had indeed