For more than a century, the dynasty remained prosperous and powerful, even after closing its borders and turning inward.
Until one seemingly ordinary afternoon, when fire from foreign cannons shattered the sealed gates of the empire.
The Emperor flew into a fury and immediately ordered the royal army to meet the invaders in battle.
They believed that victory would come easily. The same type of weaponry that had once allowed the dynasty to sweep through foreign lands and secure its dominance would surely prevail again.
Yet reality struck a devastating blow.
While the dynasty's soldiers still had to risk their lives delivering weapons to the very edge of the battlefield just to be within range, the invading foreign powers had already mastered a terrifying invention: the cannon.
These new weapons could hurl fire hundreds, even over a thousand meters across the field—accurately, swiftly, and from safety.
How could one possibly fight such a battle?
Once, the dynasty had crushed foreign nations in a single day. Now, it was the dynasty that crumbled in a day.
When word of the crushing defeat reached the capital, the Emperor was furious beyond measure—yet utterly helpless.
As the invading forces marched ever closer to the city gates, the Emperor hastily gathered his ministers and ordered them to pack away treasures. He intended to flee the capital and strategize anew from afar.
But even that proved a step too slow.
The Emperor was captured. The palace was reduced to rubble.
The once-majestic halls, resplendent and ornate, were looted down to the last tile. Rare treasures, works of art, priceless heirlooms—anything that could be carried—were packed onto ships and hauled overseas.
What could not be moved was torched to ash, the invaders laughing as flames devoured the heart of the empire.
Nations once dismissed as uncivilized, countries whose mere request to trade with the dynasty had been met with scorn and disdain, had, in just over a century, harnessed the power of mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Their industries surged ahead, transforming their lands beyond recognition.
In contrast, the dynasty that had dominated the East for a thousand years was brought low in an instant, left nothing but humiliated and broken.
The dragon had fallen, and wolves closed in from every side.
In order to spare the Emperor public disgrace, the dynasty clung desperately to the last tattered shred of its dignity.
Unequal treaty after unequal treaty was signed.
Not only was the wealth of a thousand years handed over in full, but the dynasty fell into immense debt beyond measure.
"Outrageous! The one who wrote this article is clearly of malicious intent!"
Before he had even finished reading, Liu Daren was already shouting in fury.
"Tian Sheng—no, this dynasty—is one of unimaginable strength and might!
How could those foreign barbarians develop so rapidly in just a century, to the point they could defeat us with such ease?
I had thought that nonsense with Zhen Xiang was behind us. Yet I see now this wretch had been lying in wait to strike again!
I shall head to the palace at once. His Majesty and Her Highness the Crown Princess must be informed! The author of this piece must be dragged into the light!
We cannot allow such a vile creature to remain hidden, penning these absurd, slanderous words to defame the dynasty and stir unrest!"
With that, Liu Daren barked at the driver to turn the carriage around without delay.
Sitting across from him, Du Daren did not object. He merely furrowed his brow and turned another page of the Capital Weekly.
"If we are to speak to His Majesty and the Crown Princess, we must first read the entire article.
Only then can we properly answer their questions."
"You are right, Du Daren."
Liu Daren drew in a deep breath, seized the paper again, and growled through clenched teeth.
"Let us see what further schemes this scoundrel has hidden!"
With a scowl, he flipped to the next page.
[Heroes Rise in Times of Chaos!]
The wealth of the dynasty may be looted, but the talents born of a thousand years of culture cannot so easily be destroyed.
As the dynasty crumbled piece by piece, more and more men and women of insight began to rise.
They studied the bitter lessons carved by defeat, embracing parts of foreign thought and culture—not blindly, but with discernment. They took the essence, discarded the dross, and pressed forward.
Obstacles abounded. Yet they did not cower.
If one fell, countless others stepped up to take their place.
A thousand years of dynastic history had instilled in the people of this land an unparalleled spirit of unity. Though dragged through the mire, the dynasty rose again—this time, transformed.
It did not forget its shame.
That painful chapter was meticulously compiled into a tome, so that future generations might learn from it, and never again allow history to repeat itself.
Zhen Xiang, the one who had first proposed a grand effort to advance mathematics, physics, and chemistry to push toward industrialization, was mourned by generations to come.
He was praised for his far-seeing vision. Alas, he had lived in the wrong era, surrounded by neither wise rulers nor capable ministers. In the end, he had been forced to leave in quiet disgrace.
As for those officials who had vehemently opposed him, who had urged the dynasty to isolate itself from the world…
"Frogs in a well, blind as moles, stubborn to the point of folly. True traitors to the realm.
As later generations would say: with officials such as these, it would be better to scatter rice over a pot of ink and let chickens peck at it. Whatever gibberish they produce might yet yield wiser counsel."
"Outrageous!"
If his earlier anger had stemmed only from the article's content, Liu Daren was now truly livid. His face flushed deep red, the veins on his forehead bulging.
The scorn in those words—it was unmistakable.
Yes, the article appeared to mock long-past officials, imaginary ones even.
But in truth, were they not the very same kind of men who had opposed Zhen Xiang?
Was this not an insult aimed squarely at them?
Liu Daren knew he had not achieved any monumental deeds in his years at court, but he had served with diligence and care.
He had labored if not meritoriously, then at least tirelessly.
How could he bear being labeled a "traitor to the realm"?
And that business about chickens pecking at spilled rice—was this not suggesting he was worse than a brainless beast?
The author of this piece was not only arrogant beyond reason, but utterly contemptuous of authority!
Today, he would bring this matter before His Majesty. The culprit must be arrested and thrown into prison. With luck, executed as a warning to all others!
Thud!
Just as Liu Daren reached the peak of his rage, the carriage speeding toward the palace jolted to a sudden halt.
Unprepared, he slammed headfirst into the wooden wall of the cabin with a muffled bang.
Now thoroughly enraged, Liu Daren threw aside the curtain and bellowed,
"Can you not drive? Why the sudden stop?"
"Forgive me, Master…"
The coachman shrank back, eyes full of distress.
"The road ahead… it's completely blocked…"