Tang Yi
My Empire of Clones
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Tang Yi (唐一) 3 |
| Alias(es) | Splitter One; Mr. Lin, an identity used while recruiting Jiro 3 27 |
| Species/Race | Splitter created by Tang Shizhe 3 |
| Gender | Initially presented as male; later passages refer to Tang Yi as “she” 3 83 |
| Affiliation | Tang Shizhe; Titan Group; the Federation and later the Republic 3 428 569 |
| Occupation/Role | Tang Shizhe’s primary Splitter and assistant; later a military leader and commander of the Republic Space Force 110 428 569 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 3, “Memory Sharing” 3 |
Background and History
Tang Yi is Tang Shizhe’s first Splitter. Initially indistinguishable from him in appearance, Tang Yi is named and sent to attend classes in his place. When Tang Yi addresses him as “Matriarch,” Tang Shizhe asks to be called “Boss” in public to avoid attracting attention 3 4.
At the first factory base, Tang Yi buys supplies, helps protect Tang Shizhe during splitting, and joins the Splitters’ computer studies. He later investigates people for Tang Shizhe and helps erase the group’s records from outside servers 5 6 7. During Tang Shizhe’s early evolution, Tang Yi administers nutrient solution and responds when the cocoon appears to be draining his energy dangerously fast 16 17.
As Titan Group expands, Tang Yi recruits Jiro to serve as Sman Group’s obedient public CEO, prepares Titan Environmental’s financing documents, and reports on Purification Tree production and funding 27 33 38 44. Tang Yi also repeatedly challenges the cost of Tang Shizhe’s expansion plans 120 129.
Tang Yi later takes a military leadership role. Following Kaqi attacks on Federation leaders, Tang Yi arranges a biological-weapons mission against the Kaqi homeworld. Tang Shizhe subsequently leaves Tang Yi in charge of a battle while he evolves 428 429 445. As commander of the Republic Space Force, Tang Yi leads operations against Church cruisers and directs recruitment and rebuilding efforts in Langanda 569 582 583. When Tang Shizhe begins another prolonged evolution, Tang Yi oversees security at his sealed base 676.
Appearance
Tang Yi initially looks so much like Tang Shizhe that Tang Shizhe believes even his parents could not tell them apart 3.
- During the meeting with Jiro, Tang Yi wears a sharp suit, an Omega De Ville watch, and a diamond-encrusted fountain pen 27.
- Later passages use feminine pronouns for Tang Yi, without explaining a change in appearance 83 450.
Personality
Tang Yi is loyal to Tang Shizhe but willing to raise practical objections, particularly about spending and safety 4 129 435. Tang Yi can also act independently and ruthlessly: the recruitment pitch to Jiro explicitly demands an “obedient puppet,” while the response to the Kaqi attacks includes a plan to deploy lethal pathogens 27 429.
Abilities and Skills
Memory Sharing and Rapid Learning
- As a Splitter, Tang Yi can receive selected memories from Tang Shizhe. Once Splitters mature and act independently, Tang Shizhe must initiate further memory sharing; Tang Yi cannot demand access 16.
- Tang Yi studies computer knowledge through the Splitters’ shared-memory system and later helps collect and memorize combat instruction for Death Soldiers 6 29.
- Tang Yi and Tang Shizhe can communicate through the Mental Network, though they often use phones because network communication consumes energy 7 22.
Hacking and Intelligence
- Helps erase the group’s data from a consulting company’s servers and overwrite the drives to prevent recovery 7.
- Investigates Yan Yanran’s finances and investment history for Tang Shizhe 7.
- Works with other Splitters to insert a false identity into the Citizen Archives Center 27.
- Compiles Zhao Yin’s habits, recordings, and social contacts to support a Brood Mother’s impersonation of her 22.
Command and Administration
- Manages base supplies and reports on production capacity, financing, and available funds 5 38 44.
- Commands military operations, requests reinforcements, and devises a way to screen prospective crews when a fleet expansion creates a personnel shortage 582.
- Receives Tang Shizhe’s order to take charge of a battle during his evolution and later secures the base for another evolution 445 676.
Relationships
- Tang Shizhe — creator and “Boss.” Tang Yi serves as his assistant, advises him on finances and safety, and protects him during evolutions 3 16 129 676.
- Tang Er — fellow Splitter; they share duties caring for Tang Shizhe and later coordinate at command headquarters 16 613.
- Jiro — recruited by Tang Yi as Sman Group’s puppet CEO under a thirty-year employment contract 27.
- Wang Hao — lunar research-base commander whom Tang Yi pressures into supplying lethal pathogens for the Kaqi retaliation mission 429.