Chapter Five: The Ancestral Decree of the Tang Emperor!

Indeed, not even the Confucian scholars like Kong Yingda, nor the wealthy aristocratic families who often opposed Li Shimin, had the slightest intention of uttering a single word in defense of Japan. Everyone had descendants to consider, and given Japan’s inherent cruelty, heaven only knew if their own families would even exist two thousand years into the future. Such a vicious nation—if not eradicated now, why leave it to plague their descendants?

"Your Majesty, if we are to annihilate Japan, my Lu family is willing to donate one hundred thousand shi of grain!" The head of the Lu family, Lu Shou, took the initiative to pledge his family's wealth.

Following his lead, the other five surnames and seven great families joined in with full support, showing none of their usual penny-pinching habits.

"The Cui family of Qinghe is likewise willing to donate one hundred thousand shi of grain!"

"My Li clan..."

"My Zheng clan..."

"My Cheng Yaojin..."

"My Li Jing..."

The entire imperial court was in an uproar, with everyone shouting to contribute their family fortunes to the eradication of Japan. At this moment, the cohesion of the Tang Dynasty had reached its peak.

Li Shimin rose in high spirits: "Good! With such loyal subjects to assist me, the mere speck of a nation that is Japan can be wiped out at will!"

The discussion that followed focused on the logistics of the campaign. Leaning against a pillar, Hao Yun yawned; he truly had no interest in the destruction of Japan. With the Tang Dynasty’s scientific and institutional standards already crushing the rest of the world in this era, destroying a tiny island nation wouldn't even require ten thousand troops! He had proposed the strategy, but he was no general destined to lead an army into battle.

Though he wished to remain uninvolved, the ministers’ gazes kept drifting toward him. After all, his identity as a descendant from the future was truly staggering. If not for the presence of the Tang Emperor and a lingering sense of uncertainty regarding his true capabilities, Hao Yun would likely have been surrounded by them long ago.

"Hao Yun, what do you think?" Just as Hao Yun was growing impatient and considering where to pitch a tent for a nap, the Emperor suddenly addressed him.

"Uh... as long as you all think it’s appropriate, there’s no need to ask me. I don’t understand warfare. In the modern world, I’m just an ordinary citizen." Hao Yun waved his hands, signaling that he really didn't know anything about military campaigns—strategy, tactics, and the like were best left to others.

"I see you are tired. Attendant Wang, take Hao Yun to rest. Hmm... arrange for him to stay in the inner palace."

"As you command, Your Majesty! Master Hao, please follow me."

Hao Yun yawned and waved to the ministers in the hall: "See you later, everyone!"

...

Once Hao Yun had departed, the hall, which had been buzzing with fervent discussion, fell instantly silent.

"Your Majesty, is his identity truly that of a descendant from over two thousand years in the future?" Fang Xuanling asked impatiently the moment Hao Yun was out of earshot. The others looked on with equal urgency; clearly, their earlier display of righteous indignation had been a performance.

"It is true," Emperor Taizong said with a solemn expression. "Daoist Yuan Tiangang has confirmed it. Furthermore, he recited the unfinished 'Rules for Women' written by the Empress, as well as the future destiny of the Tang Dynasty."

"Then..." Fang Xuanling did not finish his sentence, but his expression made his meaning clear: Why not simply place him under control? Why summon all the ministers and even the scions of the great families? Japan or no Japan, while it might be a threat to the future, to the current Tang, it wasn't even a minor irritation! A force of ten or twenty thousand troops could easily wipe that tiny nation off the map. To the Tang, what mattered more was dealing with the aristocratic families and strengthening the state!

The heads of the Zhang, Li, and Cui clans cast fierce glares at Fang Xuanling. If Li Shimin were to truly use the knowledge from the future against them, the five surnames and seven great families might indeed be easily dismantled. After all, the gap of two thousand years was simply too vast.

"Xuanling, you must understand that some people cannot be coerced. Have you forgotten the 'hand-chicken' [phone] he used earlier? And can you say for certain that he doesn't carry the weapons seen in the images on his person?"

Fang Xuanling fell silent instantly. The scenes of the war of aggression against China were terrifying; the roaring artillery and apocalyptic destruction were beyond the power of any army the Tang could muster.

"Furthermore, when he told me of my faults, I could see that if I did not follow his lead, he would likely leave..." Li Shimin appeared slightly embarrassed; as a man who considered himself one of the greatest emperors in history, being scolded so severely had been a humbling experience.

"Then how should we treat him?" The head of the Cui clan of Qinghe stepped forward to pose the critical question. They could not fight him, and they dared not imprison him. This descendant was difficult to manage, especially since they dared not let him fall entirely under the Emperor’s sole control.

"We shall treat him as an honored guest. We can satisfy his demands, provided he brings change to the Tang!" Li Shimin laid out the strategy he had already formulated. "You aristocratic families should not think of monopolizing this. From his occasional remarks about the future, I can tell that the future is a society where all are equal, and there is not even an emperor. He holds the harshness of the families toward the common people in extreme contempt. If you want to gain more, keep your arrogance in check! At the very least, you must maintain the appearance of being diligent and benevolent toward the people!"

Li Shimin warned the families, who smiled sheepishly, not daring to object. Internally, Li Shimin chuckled. Some changes were the inevitable trend of history—once set in motion, they were unstoppable. Once the reforms Hao Yun brought began, the aristocratic families would never again dominate the court as they did now. As for the royal family—well, wasn't there the concept of a constitutional monarchy?

"Now, I proclaim two ancestral decrees for the Tang that shall never be changed! First: Throughout the Tang Dynasty, we shall not offer marriage alliances, pay indemnities, cede territory, or pay tribute. The Son of Heaven shall guard the borders, and the monarch shall die for the state! Second: No descendant of the Flame and Yellow Emperors shall, for any reason, spread any technology or learning of the Flame and Yellow people outside of our territory! Every descendant of the Flame and Yellow Emperors shall make the destruction of Japan their lifelong ambition!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" the crowd responded in unison.

...

Escorted to the inner palace, Hao Yun closed his eyes and silently communicated with his system.

"System, how much of my five-star mission is complete?"

"The host has completed 80%. Only when the Tang Emperor strictly enforces the technological blockade and ensures all subjects understand the dangers of leaking knowledge can the mission be considered formally complete. Special reminder: This world is a world of spiritual energy; the host must not pass on any high-tech data, but must allow the world to develop freely!"

"What about the Four Great Inventions—papermaking, the compass, printing, and gunpowder? And things like soap, perfume, and glass..."

"High-tech is defined as anything prior to the Qing Dynasty! Technologies popular in the Song, Yuan, and Ming eras are permissible!"

"Tch, so much explanation just to say I can't kick-start the energy age. Besides, with the Tang's current tech tree, starting the Steam Age is impossible anyway! That requires high-grade steel!"

It seemed the system wasn't entirely rigid. At least it hadn't blocked every path. Hmm... technology before the Steam Age? He would have to think carefully about that.