Chapter 8: Ancestor Cultivation Plan

With over forty thousand yuan earned from selling gold, Wang Xiu's first move was to give up the rental apartment where he had lived for nearly a year.

He had grown tired of its dampness, cramped space, and noise.

He quickly rented a fully furnished two-bedroom, one-living-room unit in an upscale residential complex in the city centre.

Move-in ready with all appliances, a wide view, and most importantly, excellent security and soundproofing.

As he carefully placed the mysterious game console in his spacious, bright new study, a sense of unprecedented satisfaction welled up.

This is how a person ought to live!

After settling in, Wang Xiu did not rush to continue materializing gold.

He knew that those one hundred taels of gold were his startup funds, but certainly not his endpoint.

Draining the pond to catch the fish is something only a fool would do.

That "Family Inheritance Simulator" is his true gold mine.

He must look far ahead, not just fixate on this trivial profit.

What he needs to do is an "Ancestor Cultivation Plan."

To nurture his ancestor Wang Jin, enabling him to stand firm in the Tang court, steadily rise, and accumulate wealth and power.

Only if Wang Jin develops well in the game will the Wang clan's "assets" become richer, and the benefits he, as a descendant, can receive will increase.

This is the path of sustainable development.

Wang Xiu brewed a cup of tea, sat in a comfortable ergonomic chair, and turned on his newly purchased high-spec computer.

He did not jump straight into the game, but instead began researching again.

This time, he researched not the Shenlong Coup, but the court situation from the Shenlong era to the Jinglong years after the coup.

He clearly remembered that, although the Shenlong Coup succeeded in history, its fruits were quickly seized.

Led by Zhang Jianzhi, the five meritorious officials were soon sidelined and framed by Wu Zetian's nephew Wu Sansi and Empress Wei, ultimately all being demoted and dying in exile.

Meanwhile, his ancestor Wang Jin currently holds the post of Xuanjie Colonel, a rank of lower sixth grade.

This position came to him through the connections of Li Duozu and Wang Tongjiao.

In a sense, he has already been labeled as belonging to the "coup meritorious officials" faction.

This is a very dangerous signal.

Once Zhang Jianzhi and his allies fall, Li Duozu and Wang Tongjiao will also be implicated, and he, a lowly Xuanjie Colonel, will likely be the first sacrificial pawn purged.

"No, we must find a way to distance ourselves from Zhang Jianzhi and his group—at least avoid appearing too close."

Wang Xiu wrote the first line of action guidelines in his notebook.

So, who should be the new thigh to cling to?

Wang Xiu's gaze wandered among the historical figures' names on the computer screen.

Wu Sansi? No, this guy is a villain; although he was powerful for a while, he ended badly.

Empress Wei? Even worse, this woman was ambitious, wanting to emulate Wu Zetian, and ultimately met an untimely death.

Wang Xiu's gaze finally settled on two names.

Crown Prince, Li Chongjun.

Prince of Xiang, Li Dan.

Li Chongjun was the crown prince of Emperor Zhongzong Li Xian, but not born of Empress Wei; he had long been suppressed and oppressed by Empress Wei and Princess Anle. Historically, he later launched the Jinglong Coup, aiming to kill Wu Sansi and Empress Wei, but ultimately failed and was slain.

He is a tragic figure, but also an opportunity. If we could give him some "future" correct guidance before his coup, perhaps we could change his fate; should he succeed, Wang Jin would become a chief follower-meritorious official of the crown prince's faction!

But this risk is too great, amounting to another high-stakes gamble.

Another option is Prince Xiang Li Dan.

Li Dan is the younger brother of Emperor Zhongzong Li Xian and the future Emperor Ruizong of Tang. He is modest and tolerant, having once been emperor during Wu Zetian's reign, later abdicating to his mother, and thereafter consistently keeping to himself.

But Wang Xiu knows this is merely a facade.

Li Dan's son is none other than the renowned Li Longji! The future Emperor Xuanzong!

Now, Li Longji should still be a teenager in his early teens, but he has already begun to show promise.

Investing in the father-son pair Li Dan and Li Longji offers, in the long run, the highest return and the safest choice.

Li Longji will in the future launch the Tanglong Coup, thoroughly eradicate the Empress Wei faction, and help his father Li Dan ascend the throne.

If we can now connect with them, Wang Jin's future—and even that of the entire Wang clan—will be secure!

"That's settled! Target, Prince Xiang Li Dan!"

Wang Xiu slammed the table, confirming the strategic direction.

Next comes tactical execution.

As a newly appointed lower-sixth-grade colonel, how can he possibly make contact with a prince of the rank of Prince Xiang Li Dan?

Just show up at his door? They certainly wouldn't see him.

Wang Xiu frowned, desperately pondering how to break the deadlock.

He needs an opportunity, a chance to make a stunning debut before the court or in front of Li Dan.

He must demonstrate his unique value.

And his greatest value lies in the transcendent historical knowledge in his mind.

He began frantically recalling and searching for major events after the Shenlong first year but before the Jinglong years that could be exploited.

Natural disasters? Human calamities? Border conflicts? Economic problems?

Got it!

Wang Xiu's eyes lit up; he had thought of an excellent entry point.

"The Yao Prefecture barbarian rebellion!"

According to historical records, in the second year of Shenlong—that is, next year—Yao Prefecture in what is now Yunnan will experience a sizable barbarian rebellion.

This rebellion, although not a major earth-shaking event in history, was still quite a headache for the court at that time.

The court sent troops to suppress it, spending considerable money and grain, and only after nearly a year of fighting was it quelled.

If…

If he could control Wang Jin, then before the rebellion broke out, he would give the court an early warning and propose an effective solution?

This would not only demonstrate his astonishing "foresight," but also spare the state a war and huge losses of money and grain.

This merit would be enough for him to stand out in the imperial court, even attracting the attention of the emperor and the Prime Minister Prince Li Dan.

This plan is simply perfect!

Wang Xiu trembled all over with excitement.

He immediately began preparations.

He not only needed to clarify the causes, course, and outcome of the Yaozhou rebellion, but also study the Tang Dynasty's military system, logistics supply, and governance policies for the southwest region.

What he was to write was not a simple prophecy, but a well‑founded, tightly reasoned policy analysis report with high feasibility.

He wanted the rulers and subjects of the Tang Dynasty to see what is called a "dimensional strike"!

In Wang Xiu's eyes gleamed the light of wisdom and ambition.

He knew this game was huge, and every step had to be taken with utmost caution.

But if he succeeded, his ancestors and his Wang clan would truly step onto the path to high office.

He took a deep breath and put on that familiar game helmet.

"Ancestors, your grandson has come to send you another cheat!"