The sudden arrival of good news completely derailed the rhythm of the entire morning court session.
Holding the battle report delivered from thousands of li away by a courier, Li Shimin smiled with the confidence of a man who already knew the outcome.
The chief ministers who personally saw the report all let out quiet breaths of relief.
Tang's war against Tuyuhun had only one possible result, victory, but the sooner it ended, the sooner the pressure on the court would ease.
The officials exchanged looks, then rose together to offer congratulations.
Tang court etiquette followed Han customs. Officials were seated on cushions and knelt while seated. Only those submitting memorials were required to stand.
According to ritual, news of this level should have required the emperor to don ceremonial robes and formally receive congratulations in the Hall of Two Instruments.
But since the report was announced here, the civil and military officials could only rise together on the spot and offer congratulations, though not fully in unison.
For Li Shimin, this battle report carried deeper meaning.
According to later history, the pacification of Tuyuhun should have happened in the ninth year of Zhenguan.
And at that time, Tuyuhun had been slippery, fleeing for thousands of li. Tang elite troops had pursued relentlessly, and only after many twists did they finally crush the enemy. Luck had played no small role.
But in this report from Li Jing, the entire campaign was written clearly and concisely:
Troops departed from Liangzhou, split into four routes to strike Qinghai. The Dangxiang were enticed to serve as guides, forming a pincer.
Light cavalry advanced, using thrown thunder bombs to block retreat. The thunderous explosions shook the heavens, causing the barbarians to believe divine forces were at work.
When the enemy gathered at Qinghai to make a last stand, mighty fire cannons, borrowing heaven's power, shattered their courage, calmly capturing Khan Fuyun.
The fire cannons were built based on later-era designs. The name was already established, but to distinguish them, Li Jing named them Mighty Fire Cannons.
The thunder bombs were made by the Five Thunder Bureau using thick ceramic jars filled with gunpowder, sealed with heavy clay, then thrown with nets or ropes while spinning, hence the name.
In this single battle, the power of gunpowder was displayed to the fullest.
Yet Li Shimin knew clearly:
By later standards, Tang's gunpowder was no more than a child waving a wooden sword, laughable in comparison.
If they wished to improve, they would need to study scientific principles and master mathematics. Only then could the principles of gunpowder be fully understood, forging an era never before seen.
Holding the report, Li Shimin was visibly delighted. He paced back and forth before the imperial throne several times, unable to contain his excitement.
Naturally, amnesty edicts and proclamations of imperial grace rose to his lips, ready to be issued, using victory to display imperial authority and benevolence to the fullest.
But just as he raised his hand, Li Shimin sharply sensed eyes locked onto him.
They belonged to Chu Suiliang, who had entered court with him and now stood silently nearby.
This newly appointed Court Recorder stared intently at the Son of Heaven, brush moving nonstop, performing his duties with excessive loyalty.
Though Yan Liben could capture appearances in paintings, daily words and actions were preserved only through these court records.
His goal was to be a ruler remembered for a thousand ages. How could he allow himself to lose composure over a mere Tuyuhun?
After coughing lightly and steadying himself, Li Shimin returned to the throne and, after careful thought, issued a new order:
"Hold a banquet. Celebrate for the Duke of Wei, and celebrate for Tang."
A solemn court session suddenly turning into a victory banquet caught all officials off guard.
But for the fifth-rank officials present, it was a perfect chance to make themselves seen before the emperor. One by one, they raised their cups and lined up.
They cursed Tuyuhun for courting death, praised the Duke of Wei as a pillar of the state, and extolled His Majesty's wisdom and keen eye for talent. That became the main theme of the banquet.
The chief ministers had no need for such displays. They gathered in small groups, speaking quietly among themselves.
Wei Zheng spoke bluntly:
"This victory relies greatly on the creations of the Five Thunder Bureau. Since the Duke of Wei has not yet returned, why not praise the Bureau's achievements and reward its officials?"
In his view, the Five Thunder Bureau deserved the greatest recognition.
Generals like Li Jing, hailed as military gods, were rare in all ages.
If the Bureau's work succeeded, the court could send almost any general, and to the barbarians, he would still be considered a famed commander.
It might even solve the old dilemma where those with great merit are not rewarded and those who overshadow the throne are endangered.
To Wei Zheng, this possibility was deeply tempting.
But Zhangsun Wuji shook his head after a moment's thought:
"His Majesty surely has his reasons. If rewards are announced here, the Five Thunder Bureau will be placed under everyone's gaze."
"The Western Regions are not yet pacified. The Turks still prowl like wolves. To the east, the Wa send envoys with hidden intentions. On the Korean Peninsula, the Three Kingdoms are forming alliances."
"If the Bureau's achievements are loudly proclaimed, it is like displaying precious jade before thieves and inviting robbery."
Zhangsun Wuji argued sharply that not highlighting the Bureau's role was actually a good thing. Otherwise, he could hardly imagine the trouble once barbarians began coveting its secrets.
"That lacks bold vision and diminishes the heroic spirit of Hua Xia."
"Does Lord Zhao mean to expose the secrets of gunpowder and have our Tang soldiers suffer for it?"
"Lord Zhao's words are insinuating!"
The two were quickly getting heated. Du Ruhui and others hurried to separate them, laughing bitterly as they tried to calm things down.
"With only this one report, why is Xuan Cheng in such a hurry?"
"As for the Five Thunder Bureau's rewards, they can be discussed when the Duke of Wei returns and reports his merits."
Thus the two were separated, but the other ministers quietly reflected on their argument.
From Du Ruhui's perspective, both sides made sense.
If the Bureau achieved such merit and was not rewarded, the craftsmen might grow disheartened.
But if its fame was loudly broadcast, foreign powers would surely probe its secrets. One misstep could mean aiding the enemy.
Finding a balanced solution would require careful discussion with His Majesty.
There was no need to rush. As previously said, it would still be some time before Li Jing returned in triumph with the enemy leader bound.
At the end of the victory banquet, Li Shimin announced a day of rest. All matters would be discussed tomorrow.
Wei Zheng had minor objections, but could not go against the collective mood, and reluctantly accepted a day off.
Without summoning the chief ministers, Li Shimin left the hall with his guards, planning to visit the Five Thunder Bureau.
Of course, Chu Suiliang followed, impossible to shake.
Seeing the Court Recorder's calm expression, and recalling how Chu Suiliang had not drunk or joined the banquet but only wrote, Li Shimin suddenly grew curious:
"Dengshan, may I see what you have recorded?"
Chu Suiliang shook his head.
"The Court Record exists to record the ruler's words and actions without avoiding good or evil, so later generations may judge gains and losses. I have never heard of an emperor reading his own records."
Li Shimin snorted, unconcerned, but then suddenly remembered something.
"What I just said earlier, do not record it."
"My duty is to write. When the ruler acts, it must be recorded."
Li Shimin grew irritated.
"If what I just said is seen by later generations, will they not think I am narrow-minded?"
Chu Suiliang looked at him in surprise, then replied calmly:
"Your Majesty's words must also be recorded."
Li Shimin suddenly missed Scholar Zheng, who had retired.