"The map of the realm only needs to show others how many prefectures and counties our Great Ming possesses. There's no need to make it overly detailed."
When the subject came to this, Zhu Yuanzhang clearly spoke with far more confidence:
"Even if war breaks out, the army camps have sand tables, maps covering a hundred li in every direction, and scouts serving as eyes and ears. We don't need anything this complicated."
Seeing her husband dig in his heels, Empress Ma decided to humor him.
"Alright, alright. Your Majesty sees clearly. I suppose you wouldn't stoop to secretly copying such a map anyway."
Unexpectedly, Zhu Yuanzhang's expression turned sly.
"You taught me more than once, back then, that we should learn from others' strengths to make up for our own weaknesses."
"I dislike the waste of manpower required to draw a true map of the whole realm from scratch. That doesn't mean I think a precise map is useless."
"If this thing really shows the terrain of China, then of course we should use it. Wouldn't that save us a fortune?"
"Provided, of course, the map is genuine and not some trick meant to toy with people."
Hearing how firmly he said it, Empress Ma grew curious.
"And if what appears on this screen really is a deception? Would Your Majesty punish the screen for deceiving the throne?"
She then saw the Son of Heaven think for a moment and nod seriously.
"Then it shall be exiled to the Imperial Kitchen and sentenced to stove duty."
…
"The fall of Western Liao is shame enough."
Li Shimin shook his head. He had seen many rises and falls of states on the screen, but Western Liao was one of the most memorable.
Yelü Dashi fleeing west with a mere hundred riders could be called a feat unmatched in the age.
Yet scarcely fifty or sixty years later, internal division alone would have been bad enough, but instead they ended up overthrown by an outside tribe pulling the old "Tian clan replacing Qi" maneuver.
And although the Mongol army ultimately finished the job, the root cause was still the loss of popular support. Once hearts turned, rebellion followed naturally.
As for that later saying about how a hero's sons ought to be heroes as well… that made Li Shimin think of the later Tang histories.
Who exactly were his grandsons again?
The names Li Dan and Li Xian surfaced in his mind.
Li Dan could at least be called capable.
Li Xian…
Well. Let's just say proper education for heirs could not wait.
"I'm rather curious how handsome that Emperor Minwen must have been," Empress Empress Zhangsun said with interest.
The remark made the Heavenly Strategist feign offense.
"Am I not handsome?"
The ministers snickered. Empress Zhangsun laughed and shook her head.
"Later generations praise Your Majesty as phoenix-like. Naturally you are most handsome."
"If my lord had been that prince fleeing west, I imagine you could have founded a flourishing realm even in Central Asia."
"Only… I would have been left alone and widowed for life…"
The suppressed laughter instantly burst into open hilarity. Even Wei Zheng shook his head while laughing. Nearby, Chu Suiliang had already picked up a booklet and begun scribbling furiously.
The laughter reminded Li Shimin that many of the senior ministers present were older than him and practically elders. No wonder they found this amusing. Though slightly flushed, he still declared loudly:
"Guanyinbi and I have known each other since childhood. How could I ever abandon her?"
Du Ruhui laughed and called out,
"Your Majesty might as well return to the inner palace with Her Majesty first. You can read today's memorial summary tonight."
After the joking died down and the imperial couple resumed whispering together on the couch, Du Ruhui turned to serious matters.
"So… it's the Jingjiao after all."
Fang Xuanling sighed as well, his expression complicated.
"It really is the Jingjiao."
Seeing the two chief ministers react like this, Wei Zheng grew curious.
"You know of this Jingjiao, my lords?"
They exchanged a glance. Seeing everyone else also looking over, they nodded.
"This year a report came from Hexi," they explained. "It says that a Persian monk from the Western Regions named Aluoben arrived with a copy of the Sacred Scripture. He is currently translating texts in Dunhuang."
"The attached letter from the monk calls himself… a monk of the Great Qin Jing faith, requesting permission to come to Chang'an to spread its teachings."
The Ganlu Hall fell instantly silent. None had expected this development.
Wei Zheng hesitated.
"So that means…"
"That this religion is probably entering China for the first time," Du Ruhui confirmed.
That left the others uneasy.
Qin Qiong murmured,
"The head of this Jing faith sits in Rome, yet its followers can travel ten thousand li to preach here. Truly unheard of…"
It hadn't been long since the emperor had sent Xuanzang westward. Everyone still remembered the purpose of that journey. Was it not to bring back the finest scriptures from India?
And now this Jing faith had done the opposite. Before they even had time to consider sending ships west to glimpse the Mediterranean and record the classics of the Western lands, those people had already shown up at their doorstep.
As for Qin Qiong calling the monk a mere foot soldier, no one objected. Hadn't later generations mentioned something about a First Crusade? If there was a first, there must be a second. That alone suggested this faith was hardly content with simply guiding believers toward virtue.
For a moment, the hall filled with heavy thoughts.
Then Li Shimin suddenly raised his head.
"This Jing faith comes from the West, not from Persia?"
"Then summon him! Summon him at once!"
"Tell that A-Luo fellow to bring me ten Western scientific classics, and I'll agree to discuss letting his faith spread in Tang!"
Empress Zhangsun quietly corrected him,
"My lord, the monk's name… is Aluoben."
Li Shimin seemed to hear only half of it. He nodded.
"What I want is that book of theirs, the Elements!"
Empress Zhangsun covered her forehead. Qin Qiong looked slightly startled. Several civil officials froze, then bowed.
Fang Xuanling immediately replied,
"I will draft the official letter today, stating what we wish to exchange and inviting him to Chang'an."
He had no intention of letting the Roman monk think the Tang court needed something from him and start haggling.
If the matter of classics could be discussed, all would be well.
If not… then it might be necessary to discuss how this Great Qin Jing faith had begun preaching in Dunhuang without the Son of Heaven's permission.
…
"Jing faith, the faith of the Arabs, Buddhism, Daoism, Manichaeism…"
Zhao Kuangyin counted silently and soon felt a headache coming on. And that was only the broad labels. In reality, both Buddhism and Daoism had splintered into numerous branches over the centuries, their followers constantly arguing with each other. The situation was extremely tangled.
Zhao Pu seized the moment to praise,
"The Great Song's current stance toward religion is most appropriate."
Zhao Kuangyin's tightly furrowed brows eased a little.
He disdained the order issued by Xiao Quchulu that persecuted the Jing and Arab faiths.
But if he were to proclaim something like the Mongols' slogan of "freedom of belief," he did not dare.
The most suitable solution…
He recalled the policies of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou suppressing Buddhism, along with memorials from officials listing its harms.
"The most reliable method," he said slowly, "is to educate the people."
"The more people learn to read, and the more chances they gain to enter official service through that learning, the fewer will become obsessed with spirits, gods, Buddhas, and Daoist immortals."
Zhao Pu immediately followed up,
"But to educate the people, granaries must be full, clothing and food secure, and paper prices low. Only then can common folk come to understand the words of the sages."
Zhao Kuangyin nodded, clearly pleased.
Off to the side, Master Kongjiong silently curled his lip.
I haven't even done anything yet and I'm already suffering like this. And elder brother still thinks he himself isn't obsessed with ghosts and spirits?