Chapter 43: Su Pi Submits to Tang, Mohists Arrive

Of course, Li Er had these matters handled secretly by others.

Thinking that soon all the windows of the multi-story buildings in Chang'an would be made of glass, Li Er couldn't help but keep a sharp eye on things; it wasn't that Li Er feared the great aristocratic families, but simply that he didn't want unnecessary trouble to arise.

If future history books were to comment that Li Er had swindled the families out of their money, it would certainly be an unglamorous matter. Chinese Web Novel

Now, all matters are proceeding in an orderly fashion.

Su Liang was indeed free, living his own leisurely days within the Furong Garden; every day Su Liang was busy until very late before sleeping, only to lazily rise when the sun was high.

The Great Tang of now is not like the future, where one could lie in bed playing games, scrolling through videos, or reading novels; besides the little matters between men and women, there was truly nothing else to pass the time.

Of course, the mahjong invented by Su Liang doesn't count; now the several women had long grown tired of it and could no longer muster the slightest interest.

Recently, under Su Liang's constant development, the several women in the Furong Garden not only had figures that became increasingly alluring, but they had also mastered quite a few interesting little bits of knowledge with each other.

The more knowledge one possesses, the better one cooperates; the driving becomes steadier and more comfortable, naturally leading to later sleep.

Su Liang's constitution, transformed by the system, had long become incredibly formidable; this period could be said to be a time of full-scale firepower.

Now, the bedding must be changed every day; otherwise, sleeping while it is wet is uncomfortable.

In recent days, Princess Changle had also urged Su Liang to take in the several handmaidens brought as dowry; now Su Liang only had four women and one chamber maid, Yu'er, and these few were truly becoming too much to handle.

Su Liang did not agree to this immediately; it wasn't that Su Liang was being pretentious, but such matters are only interesting when both parties are willing; Su Liang was not the type to recklessly stir up trouble just for ***.

Currently, the several women got along very harmoniously, and Su Liang did not wish to disturb this warmth.

In these days, Li Er had also urged Su Liang multiple times to make a real effort so that he could hold a grandson sooner; regarding this, Su Liang was too lazy to bother responding; in Su Liang's view, one must be at least sixteen to conceive, and currently, within the Furong Garden, only Miss Ruyan met this condition.

However, what surprised Su Liang greatly was that, up to now, Li Yuan had not yet moved into the Furong Garden.

Suddenly one day, Su Liang discovered that the system's reputation points were actually skyrocketing; for a moment, Su Liang was so happy he couldn't close his mouth.

Now Su Liang's reputation points had already reached over thirty million, but after Su Liang completely calmed down, he was extremely depressed; although Su Liang had already saved up one-third of a small goal, the problems he now faced left Su Liang feeling utterly helpless.

At this time, the demolition work had been fully handled; currently, it was a time of worrying about infrastructure materials like pipes and electric wires.

Now the common people were all busy building roads; constructing these materials would inevitably delay the schedule, and for a moment Su Liang didn't know whether he should exchange these materials from the system.

It wasn't that Su Liang was reluctant to part with those reputation points; it was just that if he exchanged them from the system, it would inevitably expose Su Liang's secrets; after pondering for a moment, Su Liang also came up with a relatively reasonable plan.

There was no need to take them all out at once; that would work, besides, the materials needed for over a hundred thousand households were not something the current thirty-plus million reputation points could fully exchange for anyway.

However... the over a hundred thousand households in Chang'an that were being demolished meant five or six hundred thousand people; after the multi-story buildings were completed, everyone would generate reputation points, and at that time Su Liang's reputation would surely be even greater.

Not only that, but an even bigger surprise was waiting for Su Liang.

After all the roads were finished, his reputation points would surely continue to rise, since at that time people would benefit every single day.

Looking at his current thirty-plus million reputation points, it seemed it wouldn't be long before he could drive a small car and live a wealthy life.

First year of Zhenguan, April 10th.

Good news from Xue Xue Rengui arrived from the region of Su Pi; now the internal chaos in Su Pi had been completely pacified, and the Tibetan army had completely withdrawn from Su Pi territory; now Su Pi had truly and completely submitted to the Great Tang.

For the Great Tang, this could be said to be a matter of immense good.

In this way, the Great Tang could station troops in Su Pi; not only could they easily attack Tibet to the south, but crossing the Kunlun Mountain Range to the north would also allow them to easily launch a military campaign against Tuyuhun.

However, this matter left Su Liang in a dilemma; the internal troubles of Su Pi were resolved because the "Wise Woman" of the clan, Senbo Yao, had brought in reinforcements from the Great Tang; although the Great Tang had helped them, the people of Su Pi were quite clear that it was all caused by the Great Tang's Prince Chuwangdian.

Now the ministers of Su Pi all wanted to elect Senbo Yao as the next king of Su Pi; the current king of Su Pi, Senbo Jie Fu Dajia Wu, also had this very intention, but Senbo Yao was unwilling to be this queen and wished to follow Xue Xue Rengui back to the Great Tang.

Unfortunately, she was blocked by the ministers, who all wanted Senbo Yao to preside over the overall situation; after all, the ministers of Su Pi valued the relationship between Senbo Yao and Su Liang even more.

Regarding the interesting stories between the two, many people in Su Pi also knew the inside story.

For this matter, Xue Xue Rengui, who had long since completed his mission, had already stayed in Su Pi for several days.

Xue Xue Rengui did not know what Su Liang's meaning was and was not good about rashly bringing Senbo Yao back to the Great Tang; thus, he had already sent someone to deliver a message to Su Liang to inquire about Su Liang's intentions.

Just as Su Liang was secretly worrying, Princess Changle came looking for him.

"Husband, what is troubling you today?" Princess Changle asked with understanding.

Seeing this, Su Liang also spoke out all the matters that were troubling him.

Upon hearing that her own husband was pondering this, Princess Changle immediately smiled and said in a delicate voice: "Husband, if that Yao'er is willing to come to the Great Tang, you should take her in then."

"Now, the rest of us are willing but unable; we cannot delay you, husband."

"Sigh... this is actually a small matter; it's just that Su Pi currently needs someone to preside over the overall situation. If I truly take Yao'er in, there is no more suitable person for Su Pi." Su Liang explained helplessly.

Now the ministers of Su Pi only recognized electing Senbo Yao as the next king of Su Pi; Su Liang also understood the reasoning behind it, since there was that layer of relationship, and after Su Pi submitted to the Tang, everything could be completely at ease.

"Why must husband worry so? Did husband forget that in less than two months, the roads in the Longyou Circuit will be finished? At that time, husband only needs to build a car, and one day's time will be enough to reach Su Pi."

"At that time, husband can simply gift her a car; that would work, and neither side would be delayed."

As the words fell, Su Liang was suddenly enlightened.

Previously, Su Liang had been limited by the system, always fantasizing that once he saved up enough reputation points, he would directly exchange for it from the system Shangcheng, but he had never thought of building it himself.

Ultimately, Su Liang was still too lazy; if Su Liang acted personally, combined with the help of the craftsmen, he could build the small car in at most one month.

As long as one car was built, the subsequent matters would be much easier to handle.

After all, he was not the same as a year ago; now Su Liang possessed the system Shangcheng and the Encyclopedia Search Engine, such god-like existences.

Thinking of this, Su Liang couldn't help but peck Princess Changle's tender little lips several times vigorously, then praised: "Worthy of being my wise helpmate; such a good idea was actually thought of by you, hahaha..."

Being ambushed and teased by Su Liang like this, Princess Changle's face immediately turned red with shame; in her shame and anger, she lightly punched Su Liang's chest several times.

"Husband, it is broad daylight; there are other people in the courtyard."

"Okay, okay, okay... then we will do it later; husband will write a letter right now and have someone deliver it."

After the couple finished chatting about these private matters, Su Liang immediately went back to busying himself with his own affairs.

Just as Su Liang finished his current tasks and prepared to rest, Erhu rushed in hurriedly, panting and saying: "Young Master... Young Master, people from the Mohist School have arrived."

"The Mohist School... the Mohist School..." Su Liang murmured to himself; immediately, a light flashed in his eyes, and he asked with great excitement: "Could it be the Mohist School of mechanical arts?"

"The visitor did indeed say so; should Young Master invite him in?" Erhu asked.

"Hmm? Only one person came?" Su Liang immediately became puzzled.

"Indeed, there was only one person; I will go invite him over right now." After speaking, Erhu immediately ran out of the Furong Garden.

A quarter-hour later, Erhu led someone in; after a careful look, Su Liang felt the man was only a few years older than himself.

"A commoner named Mo Yu, paying respects to His Highness the Prince of Chu." The newcomer bowed with utmost deference.

"Heh... no need for such formalities; there are no such rules within the Furong Garden." Su Liang said cheerfully.

"Your name is Mo Yu?" Su Liang asked.

"Indeed." Mo Yu replied.

"Then how many people remain in your Mo family now?" Su Liang inquired.

At this moment, Su Liang couldn't help but turn his thoughts toward the Mo family; with the Great Tang currently undertaking massive construction projects, talent was needed everywhere. For Su Liang, high-caliber talents like those of the Mo family were naturally welcome in abundance.

"Reporting to His Highness the Prince of Chu, this branch of mine is descended from Mo Di, the founder of the Mo family. Now, only I remain. As for how many people currently make up the Mo family as Your Highness asked, I truly do not know." Mo Yu answered.

As the words fell, Su Liang couldn't help but feel surprised; today's visitor was actually a direct descendant of Mozi.

Mozi, whose given name was Mo Di, has unknown dates of birth and death; he is said to have been from the State of Lu and lived for a long time in the State of Song. He was a famous thinker, educator, scientist, military strategist, and social activist during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. He established his own school, founded the Moist school of thought, and proposed the ideological tenets of "universal love," "condemnation of offensive war," "exaltation of the worthy," "identification with the superior," "frugality in expenditures," "frugality in funerals," "condemnation of music," "condemnation of fatalism," "reverence for Heaven," and "service to ghosts."

Mozi was highly skilled in craftsmanship; his techniques in this area could be described as refined beyond refinement! He could be called learned and talented; his contribution to the history of China's development lies not only in Moist thought but also encompasses Mozi's scientific and technological advancements, all of which were changing history.

According to the descriptions of mechanical arts in the *Mozi*, the weapons invented by the Mo family included the repeating crossbow cart, the rotating shooting machine, and so on. "Mozi made a wooden kite; it took three years to complete, yet it failed in a single day." In legend, he could instantly shave bamboo and lift stone blocks weighing three hundred jin, which also demonstrated Mozi's intelligence. The Mo family's contributions to military affairs were also extremely significant. Although in reality the Moist mechanical arts were not as suspenseful as in games and movies, even after two thousand years, they still left people in awe. So much so that many of our current tools and weapons are improved versions based on Moist weaponry.

The *Mozi: Gongsun* also proves that Mozi was not only proficient in military affairs and possessed a mind of courage and action, but was also a great master skilled in using and manufacturing instruments. Mozi's scientific and technological practice was also for the ideological concept of "Righteousness," based on humanism, aiming for the "unity of Dao and technique." It seems Mozi was not only the founder of the Moist school; his other titles were indeed terrifying, and his wisdom was truly frightening!

As Mo Yu's words fell, Su Liang couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.

Immediately, he looked at Mo Yu and asked, "In that case, what can you do?"

"Except for the long-lost Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse and the wooden kite, I can make all other Moist mechanical arts." Mo Yu looked at Su Liang and said with utter sincerity.

"So you came out of seclusion only after seeing the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse I made appear in the world?" Su Liang asked directly, getting straight to the point.

"I will not hide it from Your Highness the Prince of Chu; indeed so. I had been living in seclusion in Qishan until a few days ago when I learned the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse had appeared in the world, so..."

"Enough, no need for superfluous words; speak instead of why you came today." Su Liang asked.

"Reporting to His Highness the Prince of Chu, to restore the glory of the Mo family, I beg Your Highness to grant me an opportunity." Mo Yu pleaded.

"That is not impossible; however, you must first produce the Mo family's training puppets." Su Liang said calmly.

Su Liang was no fool; he could not simply believe anyone who claimed to be of the Mo family; they must produce corresponding proof. The training puppets Su Liang mentioned were one of the five lost ultimate techniques of later Moist mechanical arts; this was also the method to test Mo Yu.

Su Liang had not expected that three of the great ultimate techniques still existed outside, they had simply not been circulated; otherwise, Su Liang would have known long ago.

Now that Su Liang already possessed the mortar, this great weapon of destruction, he did not need offensive and defensive sharp weapons like the repeating crossbow cart or the rotating shooting machine.

The only things he valued were the Mo family's wooden kite and the training puppets; once Mo Yu produced the training puppets, Su Liang would naturally believe his identity.

Then he could safely hand over the design blueprints for the wooden kite to him.

Subsequently, at Mo Yu's request, Su Liang provided him with the corresponding tools and materials.

Afterward, Mo Yu busied himself; at this moment, Su Liang was already certain beyond doubt. From the materials he had just asked Mo Yu for, Su Liang had already known the answer.

He merely wanted to see Mo Yu's craftsmanship.

By evening, Mo Yu had finished making the training puppets; after Su Liang tried them out, he could only exclaim in wonder.

Although Su Liang knew the situation regarding the training puppets, he had never been willing to produce them himself.

Now, seeing the training puppets crafted by Mo Yu, he couldn't help but marvel at the wisdom of the ancients.