Right in the Yun family’s greenhouse, Li Er sat properly cross-legged under the cucumber trellis. He didn’t use a chair—he’d specially instructed carpets be laid on the ground. Empress Zhangsun knelt beside him with a small table before her. On it was a red clay brazier commonly used by the Yun family. Pale blue flames licked the bottom of a copper kettle. The water was almost boiling, making soft sizzling sounds. Yun Ye knelt facing Li Er, also with a small table before him. Besides a white porcelain teacup, there were only writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

This was an extremely formal audience format.

“Dong Zhongshu respectfully献 the treasure of Confucianism, causing the Three Bonds and Five Constants and hierarchical order to be fixed in an inviolable manner as far back as Emperor Wu of Han’s time. He believed Heaven created all things with purpose. Heaven’s will was for great unity. The Han Dynasty’s emperors were commanded by Heaven to rule. The kings and marquises of feudal states were commanded by the Emperor. Ministers were commanded by the sovereign. In family relations, sons were commanded by fathers, wives commanded by husbands. These layers of ruling relationships were all conducted according to Heaven’s will. Does Your Majesty agree?” After reciting the gist of Dong Zhongshu’s historical thought, Yun Ye asked the Emperor.

“The young and old have order, the noble and humble have distinction. Dong Zhongshu’s words are excellent!” Li Er was the Emperor—such an answer wasn’t beyond Yun Ye’s expectations. He was thoroughly a utilitarian. With one sentence, he closed off any possibility of anyone attacking the fundamental governance principle of imperial authority granted by Heaven. Yun Ye wouldn’t be stupid enough to provoke Li Er’s wrath.

“This minister will tell Your Majesty a story—an absurd story without immortals, without the Five Phases rotation, without the participation of yin and yang qi. After telling it, I’ll explain in detail to you what I’ve learned.”

Empress Zhangsun poured tea for both Li Er and Yun Ye without speaking, then sat back down.

Yun Ye simply told Li Er what he knew of human evolutionary history. Of course, he wouldn’t say humans evolved from monkeys—he only spoke of humanity opening their wisdom after mastering fire, then the invention of various tools. Each invention brought tremendous forward momentum to human society—from bows and arrows to fishing nets to traps, from hunting to farming, from wearing leaves to wearing clothes, from living in caves to nest-dwellers to wooden houses to walled settlements.

From humanity’s embryonic form to the establishment of society, then to the legends of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors—it all couldn’t escape the improvement of tools and invention of new things. Each improvement was humanity’s gospel.

Li Er remained silent. He’d never heard such an explanation of humanity’s trajectory. At first hearing it seemed somewhat absurd, but thinking carefully, it made great sense. The more he thought, the more troubled he became. This completely exceeded his scope of understanding.

“Just tell me the reasoning behind these matters.” Li Er was annoyed and also angry because he simply couldn’t understand. His brain had been confused into a tangled mess by Yun Ye, long since losing normal thinking ability. Yun Ye was also annoyed, secretly muttering—if I hadn’t let something slip, would I need to explain tool history to an ancient person?

“This minister just wants to ask Your Majesty: when innovation clearly brings tremendous benefits to our Great Tang, why did I only receive fifteen strings reward for献 the seed drill?”

Li Er’s mouth fell open: “You sat motionless on the swing for two days with your heart set on those fifteen strings?”

“Your Majesty, never mind fifteen strings—even fifteen thousand strings wouldn’t concern me. This minister just wants to ask: since seed drills, thirsty crows, and waterwheels are so important, why does the court treat them so shabbily? From when a person first has the idea to improve these farming tools to completing the modifications—how much effort it takes, Your Majesty surely knows. Why are their achievements ignored?”

“What I献 to Your Majesty today is the study of engineering. It encompasses astronomy, physics, geometry, biology, mathematics, navigation—you could say it includes everything. It will play a crucial role in warfare, people’s livelihood, and national strength. Why do court officials consider it a joke? Smelting iron, casting, construction—aren’t these important? Potatoes, horseshoes—are these useless to the court?”

“We yearn for the best military equipment, the highest-yielding grain, the finest silk. Why is the court, as master of the nation, indifferent? Why did my previous memorial hoping to find more talented people in engineering receive评语 saying ‘doesn’t know what he’s talking about’? Confucianism can indeed arm our minds—but who will arm our hands?”

“This minister sat motionless for two days because I couldn’t understand: such an obvious principle—would no one among the full court of civil and military officials think of it? Since emerging into the world, this minister has forged deep bonds with our Great Tang, and the Great Tang has reciprocated with the deepest affection. This minister, ignorant of his place, has repeatedly been disrespectful to Your Majesty, yet you always laughed it off. Even contradicting the Grand Emperor, I was only confined for three days. Your Majesty knelt in the dust pleading for me. The Crown Prince treats me like a brother and friend. How can I repay such deep kindness?”

“This minister had packed his luggage preparing not to set foot in Chang’an for three years, planning to record all the learning my honored teacher transmitted and teach several disciples, spending my days carefree on Jade Mountain. Unexpectedly, sitting alone on the swing recalling every moment in Chang’an, thinking of Your Majesty, Your Majesty, and the Crown Prince’s great kindness, this minister was deeply ashamed. As a subject, seeing defects yet pretending not to see them, enjoying myself alone—this truly violates the virtue of a minister. Thinking bitterly for a good strategy, I discovered only by promoting the study of engineering could I untangle this knot. Let our Great Tang forever remain at the world’s peak in military equipment, city construction, and all crafts. Your Majesty has the breadth to embrace all rivers. Please forgive this minister’s discourtesy.” Finishing, he prostrated himself.

The greenhouse was eerily quiet. Li Er didn’t speak. Empress Zhangsun didn’t speak. Yun Ye prostrate on the carpet nearly fell asleep.

“Tell me the truth—are you truly alone in the world, not a chess piece thrown out by some academic sect?”

In the end, Li Er still didn’t trust Yun Ye, this person who’d disappeared for fifteen years. Yun Ye’s earlier probing about Dong Zhongshu aroused his suspicion.

“This minister’s master is one of a kind. This minister is one of a kind. No one in this world can command my master. Though this minor minister lacks my master’s talents, I’ve learned his character perfectly.”

“The Confucian school is my master’s object of contempt. The Mohist school is my master’s object of ridicule. Daoists? Strategists? Military strategists? My master probably understands a bit of all of them.” Yun Ye didn’t understand why Li Er always wanted to link him with those vanished sects.

“Hearing your words, you master and disciple seem to know some secrets of these sects. Why?” In this damned era, much learning was transmitted orally, emphasizing that teachings shouldn’t pass six ears. Yun Ye indeed knew too much.

“Damned Hundred Schools Lecture Forum, you’ve killed me.” Yun Ye smiled bitterly inside. In later generations, all sorts of strange ideological currents and doctrines flooded television like a deluge. Who knew what exactly he’d learned? He absolutely couldn’t admit it even if beaten to death!

“Your Majesty, the master teaches what the disciple learns. How would this minister know? Anyway, my master said: black dog, yellow dog—whichever can chase away wolves is a good dog. So I learned a bit of everything.”

“Xiao Ye, this palace knows you plan to pass down your master’s learning. This is the responsibility of a disciple. This palace plans to find you some students. Is that acceptable?” Empress Zhangsun spoke. This was probably Li Er’s idea too—in the end, he didn’t personally come forward to support the new learning.

Yun Ye sighed deeply. Today’s effort was wasted. I finally got serious once, didn’t achieve my goal, and didn’t even get a promise!

The powerful Confucian school, only in its early stages, already displayed an overbearing arrogance that regarded nothing else. When Zhu Xi appeared, it would begin eating people. Women of modern Chinese history, I’m sorry—you’ll have to continue binding your feet. I can’t save you.

“I thought you’d献 me a grown woman. I didn’t expect she’d still be a child. Never mind, I have plenty of time. I can wait. Just peacefully record your master’s learning on your estate. For each volume completed, send it to Chang’an. I want to review it. I’ll give you the chance to convince me.” Li Er said with a smile.

Yun Ye jumped up with a start: “Really?”

“Of course!”

“The sovereign’s word is without jest?”

Yun Ye got kicked.