Chapter 31

"Scientist?" Even with Li Er's extensive knowledge and familiarity with the various schools of thought, he had never heard of this 'scientist' school.

"Exactly, the term 'science' means to categorize and explore. Therefore, science is the exploration of categorized knowledge." Li Kuan spoke confidently, lying without a hint of hesitation, deceiving his adoptive father with ease. Seeing the revered emperor of the ages look puzzled under his persuasion, Li Kuan felt a sense of satisfaction, a perverse pleasure growing in his heart.

"Kuan, can you explain in more detail? Although I am not omniscient, I have a broad understanding of the various schools of thought. How have I never heard of this school? Could it have come from the Western barbarians?" Li Er thought for a long time but could not recall any historical records of scientists, so he turned his thoughts to the Western barbarian lands.

"I can assure you, the scientists are truly a native Chinese school!" Li Kuan pledged confidently. He knew that the term 'science' had not yet been coined. It was only during the European Renaissance that it was formally mentioned, making him the first to propose the concept in this world.

'Is this founding a new school? Will I be remembered in history?' Li Kuan thought, but he also knew it was impossible because he had already fabricated the founder and the development history of the scientists. Therefore, he could only be the spokesperson for the 'scientists' in the Tang Dynasty.

"Speaking of scientists, we must start from the Hundred Schools of Thought during the Spring and Autumn period." Li Kuan spoke fluently, having convinced himself through repeated practice. To deceive others, especially a wise and intelligent emperor, one must first deceive oneself. Only by truly believing it oneself can one deceive others.

"At that time, various schools of thought were spreading their ideas, hoping to change the world with their knowledge and cultivation. The Daoists, Confucians, Military Strategists, and Legalists were the largest schools. Each had its own system of thought and representative figures, such as Laozi and Zhuangzi of the Daoists, Confucius and Mencius of the Confucians, and Sunzi of the Military Strategists. They traveled between the various states, spreading their ideas and seeking support from the feudal lords. I believe Father is aware of this, so I won't elaborate." Li Kuan gave a brief overview of the Hundred Schools of Thought.

"Of course, I am aware of these." Li Er had already accepted that his son had received teachings from a hermit, so he was not surprised that he could speak about these matters, even though they were not taught in the palace school.

"At that time, the founder of our school, Wu Zi, began to develop his own ideas, but he did not have the chance to spread them." Li Kuan continued. Wu Zi was a name he had just made up, only confirming the surname Wu.

"However, when the founder wanted to spread his teachings, he discovered some secrets of the universe. His discoveries, however, contradicted the dominant ideas of the Daoists, so he dared not spread them." Li Kuan added.

"Oh? The Daoists advocate non-action and are the most uncontentious school. Although they produced the sage Laozi, they are not a school that cannot tolerate others, are they?" Li Er was puzzled. Moreover, the Li family claimed to be descendants of Laozi, so why would this scientist choose his son as the successor?

"Indeed, the Daoists are uncontentious, but it is precisely because they are uncontentious that no one can contend with them. However, the core idea of Daoism is that Dao gives rise to one, one gives rise to two, two give rise to three, and three give rise to all things. Dao is the root of everything, the foundation of all Daoist systems. The founder's discovery, however, challenged this very foundation of Dao!" Li Kuan's words were shocking, making the usually calm Li Er lose his composure.

Daoism had been prevalent for a thousand years and was deeply rooted in the Tang Dynasty. There was the old Daoist Yuan Shoucheng, the imperial teacher of the Tang Dynasty, and the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master, a major force. Daoist believers were widespread. The founder of Li Kuan's school had discovered that the fundamental idea of Daoism was incorrect, which was hard for Li Er to accept.

"How is this possible? If Daoism is incorrect, how could it have lasted for a thousand years? Are the immortals and deities in the legends all fake?" Li Er was shocked.

Not only Li Er, but the three young princes listening in were also astonished. Just last year, Li Yuan had personally consulted Yuan Shoucheng about the fate of the Tang Dynasty. Could all of this be fake? The three young princes were at a critical stage in forming their worldviews, and this speech had shattered their beliefs.

"Indeed! The founder discovered that everything in the world is subtly connected, and these connections can be explained without resorting to supernatural explanations. For example, the legendary dragons that bring rain—has anyone ever seen a real dragon? Even the emperor has not seen one! Therefore, the founder boldly conjectured that ancient tribes engaged in totem worship. Some tribes worshiped snakes, others eagles, and others large fish, among others. The animals they worshiped were perhaps the most powerful in their surroundings or had the closest relationship with their lives. Thus, they revered these animals as totems." Li Kuan explained the modern theories about dragons. In this era, dragons were a symbol of imperial power, and no one dared to question them. The title 'True Dragon Son of Heaven' was specifically created for the emperor.

But Li Kuan spoke out. Was he not afraid of being accused of disrespecting the emperor? No, Li Kuan had thought it through. If he said something else, it would not have such a significant impact on Li Er. At this critical time when Li Er and Li Jiancheng were vying for the throne, this would make Li Er more empathetic and even accept the idea that dragons do not exist, thus strengthening his resolve.

Sure enough, Li Er's face turned serious, as if he were pondering some significant issues.

Seeing that Li Er was silent, Li Kuan knew the time was not right, so he continued, "When a tribe became powerful, it would expand and conquer other tribes. However, the newly conquered tribes might not be content and might even rebel. Therefore, they would incorporate a distinctive feature of the conquered tribe's totem into their own totem, creating a sense of belonging among the new members. Thus, the totems of various tribes merged and evolved into our ancestors—the Chinese. And all the totems merged into the symbol of the emperor—the dragon!" Li Kuan finished his explanation in one breath.

Li Kuan's words struck a heavy blow to Li Er. Could dragons really have originated this way? But why are there so many legends about dragons? Could they all be false? Although Li Er hoped Li Kuan was right, when the whole world believes something is true, the truth becomes false. He now understood why the founder of the 'scientists' did not spread his ideas. Perhaps such truths are the hardest for people to accept. Moreover, according to this theory, dragons are clearly a composite of various animals, not divine creatures. Daoism, which has always promoted these ideas, is fundamentally wrong, directly challenging Daoism.

"Father, you must have realized that such ideas cannot be spread. Moreover, the founder also discovered that the Daoist deities are fabricated, mere imaginings of the Daoists. Wind is just the movement of air, and rain is the cycle of water. As for lightning, the founder found a way to prove that it is not controlled by the Thunder God and Lightning Goddess! In fact, lightning is not a manifestation of divine power, and there are ways to avoid being struck by lightning. With proper precautions, even a bolt of lightning can be deflected!" Li Kuan continued his persuasion. If he did not thoroughly deceive Li Er today, how could he proceed with his plans?

"Is this really true? Have the ancients been wrong all along?" Li Er still could not believe it. Was his worldview, built over the years, to be shattered by his six-year-old son? Even completely overturned?

"Indeed! Father, the earth we live on is actually a large sphere, which you should know. Zhang Heng proposed the spherical earth theory during the Han Dynasty, which was very different from the previously held belief of a flat earth. Is this not true?" Li Kuan knew about Zhang Heng's spherical earth theory, thanks to a story he learned in elementary school about a child who counted stars and became interested in the seismograph, which he later researched in detail.

"The spherical earth theory, I do know, but it does not prove that deities do not exist!" Li Er was indecisive, a rare moment of hesitation for a seasoned warrior and prince. He always believed that indecision was the greatest sin and the greatest taboo for a general. But this time, he was truly hesitant, even feeling a sense of fear, as if agreeing would unleash a bloodthirsty beast, plunging the entire Tang Dynasty into an abyss.

"Father, the so-called true dragons do not exist; they are merely a composite of various animals, a figment of the imagination! The legends of seeing dragons are just sightings of strange animals that people mistook for dragons!" Li Kuan saw that Li Er's expression was still changing, knowing that he could not break free from the worldview he had formed since childhood. This would not do. If he could not thoroughly deceive Li Er today, how could he implement his plans? This was a crucial step for his future health and the next series of plans. If he did not take this first step now, he might not have another chance for a long time.

"Father, look closely!" Li Kuan extended his hands, clasped them together, and then pulled, producing a bag from his hands.

"This..." Li Er was even more astonished. Could scientists really create things out of thin air? Or was it the legendary ability to contain a mountain in a grain of sand? Whatever it was, it was not a mundane skill but something only a legendary immortal could do.

Li Kuan's trick not only surprised Li Er but also the three young princes hiding in the shadows. They ran out of the cave and gathered around Li Kuan, vying to see what was in the bag. The four young boys fought over it, eager to see what was inside.

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