Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 440 The Thousand Autumns Festival

"It's a bit too much."

"There's no need for that."

"You guys~"

With a beaming smile, Lin Dao waved as he entered the makeshift meeting room.

The soldiers bowed to Lin Dao in unison and shouted, "May Your Majesty live ten thousand years! May you live a long and prosperous life!"

Today is Lin Dao's Thousand Autumns Festival, which later became known as the Longevity Festival, the emperor's birthday. During the Tang Dynasty, it was called the Thousand Autumns Festival.

Lin Dao himself didn't care much about it.

Because his birthday in each timeline is based on the date he arrived in that timeline.

The real birthday is only celebrated in the modern world.

Of course, this also means that he celebrates his birthday every now and then.

He himself may not care, but those who make a living under his command cannot.

Zhou Ehuang, who was in charge of serving his daily needs, took the lead in making arrangements, and the generals responded enthusiastically. Each camp cheered and made preparations in earnest.

That's how we ended up having this banquet in Luntai on the way to Kucha.

After Lin Dao took his seat, everyone else followed suit.

Beverages, drinks, fruits, and meals are served on-site.

Today's main course is a camel feast that Lin Dao had mentioned before but never had time to prepare.

It's the one where a sheep is stuffed inside a camel's belly.

Without a doubt, the last egg was placed on Lin Dao's table.

Only after Lin Dao picked up his chopsticks did everyone begin to eat and drink.

At times like these, eating and drinking are secondary; giving gifts to the emperor is the most important thing.

As is well known, emperors disliked wealth and beauty, and were solely focused on the well-being of the people.

And he wasn't just talking; he actually did it.

Sending gifts to such an emperor was truly a headache.

The generals had no choice but to gather together to discuss the matter.

In the end, it was Pan Mei who came up with the idea.

"His Majesty said he wanted to find a Uyghur girl named 'My Beloved Beauty'."

"I did look for some before, but I wasn't satisfied with any of them."

"Later, His Majesty also said that even if you have a beloved beauty, she must also have a face as beautiful as a flower."

"Since Your Majesty is so interested in these two Uyghur girls with such names, we should certainly do our best to fulfill your request."

The generals were excited and all nodded.

They believed that His Majesty was not a lecherous man, and that there must be a reason for seeking out girls with these two names.

I dare not ask what the specific reason was.

But getting things done is the most important thing.

This conveniently solves the troublesome matter of gift-giving.

Large numbers of cavalrymen launched attacks in all directions, searching for people everywhere.

Faced with overwhelming military power, there is practically no one who cannot be found.

In the cities and towns of the Uyghur tribes in various places, any girl with these two names was sought out.

Not everyone will be brought back; only the most outstanding will be brought back to the main camp.

At this moment, at the edge of the venue, musicians 'found' from various places began to play music under the close watch of the armored soldiers.

Accompanied by local music, a group of Uyghur girls dressed in distinctive costumes danced their way into the arena.

As Lin Dao was eating camel hump, which resembled jelly, he heard Zhou Ehuang's voice.

"Your Majesty, these are all gifts that the generals specially sought out."

Their names are either those of beloved beauties or those of women with flower-like faces.

There was no doubt that Zhou Ehuang's words were tinged with bitterness.

She followed him all the way, thousands of miles away.

Before and after serving, during the day she is a maid, at night she is a servant.
Moreover, she also had to take care of the playful and mischievous young lady, who was the historical Empress Xiao Zhou.

How arduous!
It's only natural to be a little temperamental and jealous.

After all, she's not an emotionless NPC.

Lin Dao smiled, looking at her. "What did you prepare for me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ehuang blushed.

Indeed, they were prepared, and meticulously prepared at that.

The problem is that this gift can only be shown when the two of you are together.

The venue was bustling with food, drinks, singing, and dancing, and the campsites were equally lively.

Today, whether they are soldiers or bachelors, Han Chinese or Dangxiang people from Hengshan, or their families who have traveled thousands of miles to join the army.

Everyone received an extra meal and drinks.

The extra meals were no longer canned food, but boxed meals that Lin Dao ordered from a catering company.

Simply put, it's group meal delivery.

However, Lin Dao's order this time was too large, so it was distributed to several catering companies in Haicheng to complete.

Don't underestimate these boxed meals; they come in different grades.

With enough money, even a boxed meal can be made very well.

Lin Dao ordered standard four-dish-and-one-soup boxed meals.

The staple food was white rice, which was also the refined rice of that era, and many people had never even eaten refined rice in their entire lives.

The four dishes were braised chicken leg, ants climbing a tree (a dish of minced pork and vermicelli), beef stew with potatoes, and cabbage with chili oil.

As for the soup served, it was West Lake Beef Soup.

Indeed, West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce is infamous for being unpalatable.

West Lake Beef Soup, however, is the exact opposite.

Lin Dao never orders egg drop soup because eggs are always skimped on unless they are sold individually.

This one isn't cheap.

In addition, everyone was given half a dozen six-can packs of beer.

For this era, it can be described as extremely abundant.

"Brother Dashan~" Chen Xiaoqi, holding a chicken leg in his hand, took a deep sniff of the aroma of the chicken leg. "It seems like everyone has a chicken leg."

"Even if we caught every chicken along the way, we still wouldn't have caught 100,000, right?"

"One hundred thousand?" Huang Dashan, his mouth greasy from eating, scoffed, "The barbarians don't raise chickens; they can't even find ten thousand."

"Where did these chicken legs come from?"

Chen Xiaoqi was puzzled, "So many chicken legs, did they just appear out of thin air?"

"You don't know?" Huang Dashan asked in confusion. "Don't you know that His Majesty the Holy Emperor is the reincarnation of the Purple Star Emperor, possessing abilities that transcend heaven and earth? All our food and supplies along the way have been provided by His Majesty through his supreme divine powers~~~"

As they were talking, Chen Xiaoqi grabbed his hand.

Huang Dashan nearly dropped the chicken leg in his hand. Just as he was about to curse, his gaze followed Chen Xiaoqi's hand and fell on the naturalized Xiang people not far away.

These people have taken off their old fur coats and put on military training camouflage uniforms.

The once eccentric hairstyle was shaved clean, waiting for new hair to grow back.

These people were seen bowing towards the direction of the main camp.

They prayed very earnestly and with great devotion.

Both elbows, both knees, and the top of the head touched the ground.

They also need to turn their palms over and bow in respect.

He kept shouting, "May the Emperor's grace last a thousand years!"

The single men, who had been busy eating, suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

Compared to these naturalized Tanguts, those of us who enjoyed the benefits brought by the Holy Emperor were busy eating and drinking!

This is really...
Could it be that they think it's only natural to demand things from the emperor without paying?
Before the Emperor arrived, we were just ordinary people who could be dragged away to be cooked in the streets!
Lin Dao gave them so much, so much.

Over time, the feeling of gratitude gradually fades.

On the contrary, the Hengshan Dangxiang people, who had been suffering all along, were moved to tears and sincerely and devoutly expressed their gratitude.

The Great Emperor changed their fate, giving them the opportunity to live a truly good life, one that belongs to all people!
In the past, in the tribes of Hengshan, unless you could fight your way to becoming a famous warrior, you were just a slave to the chieftains.

The more devout these Tanguts were, the more ashamed the Han people nearby felt.

Many people are reflecting on this.

Today is the Holy Emperor's birthday celebration! Instead of celebrating for the Holy Emperor, all you do is eat!
She's definitely been spoiled.

Sobs broke out, and many people even shed tears of regret.

Fortunately, it's not too late.

Once they came to their senses, everyone put down the delicious food they were holding.

They bowed respectfully towards the main camp.

May the Holy Emperor live a thousand years! May he live ten thousand years!

It was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating endless ripples.

More and more soldiers, their families, and civilians saluted and shouted in the direction of the camp.

They have all genuinely enjoyed the benefits brought by the forest trails.

Therefore, this feeling comes from the bottom of my heart.

This is the main camp meeting place.

The melodious sounds of string and wind instruments gradually subsided, and the dancing girls also stopped their twirling steps.

Everyone looked around in confusion.

The cheers, as surging as ocean waves, continued to roll in like a tide.

On this vast, empty land, it was as awe-inspiring as a thunderclap.

In the main camp meeting place, everyone echoed the sentiment.

The cheers soared into the sky.

Lin Dao put down his chopsticks and slowly stood up.

He stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky.

Bright sunlight pierced through the clouds, scattering dappled golden rays across the earth.

The sunlight falling on the forest path was exceptionally warm and bright.

He could feel the warmth that comes from having faith in him.

I have to say, this feeling is really comfortable.

"My efforts have not been in vain."

"It has gained the recognition of so many people."

"I will continue on this path with even greater determination!"

In the Western Regions, it was already late in the Xu hour, close to nine o'clock at night.

But the sun on the horizon still stubbornly hung in the sky.

This situation becomes more pronounced the further west you go.

Fortunately, Lin Dao can travel through different times and spaces, so the impact on him is not that great.

Back in the main tent that evening, Zhou Ehuang, her oval face brimming with excitement, finally shyly presented her gift.

The heartfelt cheers from everyone today deeply moved her.

To be able to serve this highly respected emperor and accept his...
It's truly a blessing for me.

That's why I've finally mustered the courage to do things that I was too shy to do before.

She put on the clothes and shoes that Lin Dao had given her.

If a time traveler were to arrive at the rear tent, they would surely recognize it at a glance.

Zhou Ehuang was wearing a JK mini skirt, white stockings, and Valentino red-soled high heels.

Having seen so many ancient women in their long palace dresses, Lin Dao occasionally likes to change things up.

At this moment, Zhou Ehuang was truly very shy.

This outfit was far too daring for her.

She made up her mind and only put it on after coaxing her younger sister to sleep.

As for why she always brought girls with her, it was naturally because she was well aware of the dangers within the White House.

If the girl were left alone in the palace, she would probably have met with misfortune by the time she returned.

Lin Dao, who had drunk quite a bit of alcohol, sat beside the bed, looking with satisfaction at the uneasy Zhou Ehuang.

He raised his hand, his voice slightly hoarse.

"Come here~"

(End of this chapter)