Li Qi was left speechless by the revelations about Tang Dynasty.
But this wasn't the end of it.
The conversation continued, revealing even more shocking details that completely overturned Li Qi's understanding of this world.
Rationalism had developed nurous inventions. Besides the "Mirror Flower Water Moon," there were grand "Heavenly Palaces," artificial satellites nad Tian Gong hanging in the sky. They could regulate weather and directly launch attacks, instantly killing anyone below seventh rank (Rank 7).
Artificial satellites? Space-based weapons?
Li Qi was utterly bewildered.
There were also ground flow vehicles built on ley lines, which ordinary people could ride, covering three thousand miles a day. However, their construction required significant investnt, needing to connect with ley lines and be guarded by a deity spirit every thousand miles to prevent potential disruptions or earthquakes.
Due to these constraints, only one lane extended from Tang Dynasty to Song Kingdom's capital.
Furthermore, Tang Dynasty detested any unauthorized worship or wild deities, imdiately destroying temples practicing human sacrifices and eliminating mountain spirits and monsters. Only those who were benevolent and did not demand human sacrifices could survive.
After destruction, they would appoint new gods—so local good deities, so fallen heroes from Tang's wars, and so respected ghosts who died naturally.
Only after being officially appointed by the Tang court with official docunts and seals could they beco "true gods." These gods served under the emperor, diligently protecting the land and ensuring prosperity, while also obeying local authorities. Only then could they receive offerings.
All the aforentioned deities were appointed by Tang Dynasty, responsible for overseeing their designated areas along the ground flow vehicle routes, never leaving their posts.
Any unauthorized or wild deities not recognized as "true gods" either fled or were destroyed and turned into resources.
After a period of cleanup, though there was so initial turmoil, the system eventually stabilized.
Next ca the slaughter of shamans.
Without rcy, all practitioners of witchcraft who had achieved ranks were arrested and imprisoned.
According to Tang Dynasty, shamans and witchcraft were the root cause of unauthorized worship and wild deities. Any involvent in witchcraft inevitably led to national calamity, so they either had to repent sincerely or face death.
Following this, laws were enforced rigorously.
All actions were rooted in laws, ensuring no private punishnts.
Tang Dynasty's laws were extrely detailed, providing comprehensive protection for the populace but imposing harsh penalties for violations.
However, Jing Yan ntioned that although the laws were humane, punishnts were severe. People from Great Deer Kingdom might find it difficult to adapt; initially, many in Song Kingdom struggled too, inadvertently breaking laws.
After six months of strict law enforcent and legal education campaigns, nearly ten percent of Song Kingdom's population, around one hundred million people, faced imprisonnt and punishnt. The remaining populace naturally beca cautious, avoiding further violations.
In summary, life in Song Kingdom over the past two to three years had undergone earth-shaking changes.
For Song Kingdom, Tang Dynasty was an entirely new world, far beyond comparison.
Hearing this description, Li Qi felt cold sweat trickling down his back.
Damn.
How could anyone fight against such power?
Could Wu Deity Mountain withstand it?
It sounded precarious.
Had he hitched onto the wrong side? Was it still possible to switch allegiances now?
Fortunately, the conversation continued, shifting from describing Song Kingdom's changes to events in Snake Tail County.
Suddenly, Li Qi asked Jing Yan, "By the way, I noticed that Shopkeeper Jing is kind and fair in business dealings. Why did he offend the county magistrate and flee Snake Tail County in a hurry? He doesn't seem like soone who would provoke trouble."
Jing Yan sighed, "Shopkeeper Jing is indeed kind, but I can't stand certain dirty deeds. The issue with the county magistrate was caused by ."
"What happened?" Li Qi asked curiously.
"It's nothing special. The son of the county magistrate wanted to forcibly take a girl as his concubine. I intervened and beat him up. That's all," Jing Yan explained.
"That sort of thing... should definitely be stopped, but you just left afterward? Wouldn't that leave the girl exposed to the magistrate's wrath without any real help?" Li Qi raised an eyebrow, his expression curious.
"Just beating him up and leaving? What about the girl?"
"I considered this and decided to castrate him. Then, we packed up the girl and her widowed mother and took them with us. This way, he couldn't harm others or find the girl again," Jing Yan said.
Li Qi wiped away his cold sweat.
Wow, sister, you really don't follow rules, do you? No wonder Shopkeeper Jing had to escape overnight. Doing sothing so blatant, aren't you asking for more trouble?
However, looking at it now, the Jing family didn't seem to think she had done anything wrong. There was no sign of anyone distancing themselves from Jing Yan.
On the contrary, although they avoided her and cheered for Li Qi during the duel, no one seed to hold genuine malice toward her.
From Li Qi's perspective, the Jing family had excellent values, always treating others kindly. While personalities varied, from fierce like Jing Yan to gentle like Shopkeeper Jing, they were united, reasonable, yet strong-willed, capable of making decisive decisions when needed.
Just like how after Jing Yan stood up for soone, Shopkeeper Jing arranged everything imdiately and escaped the city that night via back roads to avoid interception.
Such a family could truly expand its business abroad...
"That kind of escape isn't necessarily wrong. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave and not disturb your sword practice," Li Qi looked at the darkening sky, realizing it was ti to return.
"Alright," Jing Yan responded promptly, dismissing him.
As Li Qi walked back, he pondered whether he should also consider fleeing.
"I was recruited on the street... Although we fled overnight, soone might have seen with the caravan... If it really was the county magistrate, would I be targeted?" he thought.
If the other party was petty, returning to Snake Tail County might lead to trouble.
But Old Horse was still there.
Sigh, it's quite a dilemma.
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