Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 485 Rest
"I, the Emperor, wish to appoint the Immortal Master as my Imperial Preceptor."

For the first time ever, a look of respect appeared on the emperor's face.

He bowed to Lin Dao with a sincere expression.

"We humbly request that the immortal master not refuse and assist our Great Qin!"

Throughout his life, the First Emperor truly showed almost no respect to anyone.

Perhaps he had respected his father, the king.

In front of the prime minister, it seems that his respect was mostly feigned.

As for the love-struck Zhao Ji, let's not even mention her.
But at this moment, he truly, from the bottom of his heart, respected Lin Dao.

The ability to summon wind and rain was undoubtedly a magical power in the agrarian era.

The horror and tragedy brought about by the famine in the year of severe drought are unimaginable to those who have not experienced them.

In front of everyone, Lin Dao truly achieved the legendary ability to command the wind and rain, which in the agricultural era was like a nuclear weapon!

And~
The chances are that when someone is summoning wind and rain, it happens to rain.

But if it's pouring rain, and they say the rain will stop, then the rain really will stop.

That's no coincidence; it's truly the skill of an immortal.

Having witnessed this scene firsthand, the First Emperor truly believed it.

His expression was solemn, but his heart was filled with ecstasy.

After years of searching for the secret to immortality, the opportunity to achieve it has finally arrived!

Lin Dao flicked the water off his hair and looked over with a half-smile.

"Your Majesty, do you believe me now?"

To be honest, even Lin Dao himself was a little surprised.

He originally intended to rely on technology.

Unexpectedly, even the heavens were on our side.

Without a doubt, Lin Dao's heart was also swelling.

"The immortal's magic is divine." The First Emperor bowed again, "Zhao Zheng is utterly convinced."

"I've exhausted myself today," Lin Dao said calmly. "We can talk about it tomorrow."

Before he could prove himself, Hawking had to get up and offer a toast.

But once he proved himself, the tables turned, and it became the First Emperor who had to beg him.

"Zhao Gao."

The First Emperor stroked his beard and said, "Quickly serve the immortal so he can rest."

Everyone says that Zhao Gao was a servant who served others, but you have to look at who he served.

He serves the supreme ruler of the world.

Not just anyone is qualified to serve the First Emperor.

Even if Zhao Gao is contemptuously referred to as a servant, he is still the number one servant in the world.

The First Emperor arranged for him to serve Lin Dao, which truly elevated his status to the highest level.

Lin Dao remained calm and invited Han Xin and Zhang Liang to leave together.

He wasn't trying to control the First Emperor; he simply wanted to give the First Emperor time to think carefully about his previous proposal.

After all, the First Emperor still had time to make corrections.

I didn't believe it or want to listen before.

Nowadays, when the First Emperor goes to sleep at night, he has to think carefully, making sure not a single word is wrong.

Inside the palace, a special area was set up for Lin Dao to rest in.

Zhang Liang was alright, as he had already witnessed Lin Dao's miraculous skills.

Although Lin Dao's ability to command the wind and rain today was awe-inspiring, he felt that it was only natural given his skills.

As for the young Han Xin, he was as if he had been through a category 12 typhoon, and he was completely dazed and confused.

What's bothering you?

Lin Dao changed out of his rain-soaked Taoist robe and took out and put away all the small gadgets, such as the built-in fans.

As Zhao Gao personally brought him hot water to clean himself, he glanced at the dazed Han Xin and casually asked, "Why do you look so strange?"

"I was thinking," Han Xin sighed softly, "that immortals in the world can change the world at will by simply using their supernatural powers."

"If that's the case, then when we go to the battlefield, we can just use our immortal techniques. What need is there for us?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Liang immediately frowned and said, "Don't speak recklessly!"

"Brother Zihou is a cultivator of immortality; how could he arbitrarily interfere in human affairs!"

He was also speechless.

Han Xin is acting like a fool. Even if he truly thinks that way, he shouldn't say it to Lin Dao's face.

You've offended someone unintentionally.

Look at me, I finally learned the Art of War by Taigong, but I've encountered this kind of thing. Have I uttered a single word?
"Haha~"

Lin Dao laughed and said, "There's nothing I can't say."

"Han Xin."

"And Zhang Liang."

"Think about it carefully. Throughout history, apart from me, has there ever been a real case of an immortal casting spells?"

The two remained silent.

Zhang Liang, who had read many books, shook his head after careful consideration.

"There are many rumors, but none of them have any real, verifiable records."

"If that's the case," Lin Dao smiled again, now dressed in new clothes, "then what else do you have to worry about?"

"Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't make a move easily."

Before Zhang Liang could speak, Han Xin instinctively asked, "Under what circumstances would you make a move?"

Zhang Liang, who was standing to the side, immediately rolled his eyes.

'I just can't teach him!'

Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask!

'Such things, Zihou will naturally say if he wants to.'

'He doesn't want to talk about it, so asking is pointless and will only make things awkward.'

After finding a place to sit down, Lin Dao made no attempt to conceal anything, changing the subject as he spoke, "When facing the barbarians, I will surely take action!"

Han Xin and Zhang Liang exchanged a glance.

They both saw the doubt in each other's eyes. These barbarians were utterly vulnerable.

Even a weak Yan tribe could defeat the Hu barbarians and make them flee in terror.

Such a weakling has actually received such attention from Lin Dao.

Why?

Han Xin was about to ask him again, wanting to get to the bottom of things.

Fortunately, footsteps approached at that moment; it was Zhao Gao, who had left earlier, returning once again.

"Immortal Master~"

With the First Emperor's personal endorsement, Zhao Gao also changed his form of address.

He stepped forward respectfully to greet the immortal, "May I ask what kind of meal you are enjoying, sir?"

"Today we have a stag raised in the imperial garden, a roc newly caught on a sea vessel, and also~"

"Three servings of roasted lamb leg will do," Lin Dao replied seriously. "If you have any vegetables or fruits, three servings of those too."

Zhao Gao responded repeatedly, bowed, and withdrew to prepare the meal.

"You should all freshen up as well," Lin Dao instructed. "Getting wet in the rain makes you more susceptible to catching a cold—it's like the wind and cold entering your body."

Han and Zhang responded and changed their clothes and washed up.

Lin Dao, who was sitting to the side waiting for his meal, couldn't help but laugh as he looked at the two of them.

The reason was that he thought of female-oriented content.

If this scene were in a female-oriented novel, it could probably be the subject of ten or more chapters.

Zhang Liang is famous and handsome, so he's probably suitable to be the second male lead in a female-oriented novel.

Han Xin later achieved extraordinary success, but his life was somewhat tragic; he was definitely a male best friend.

As for the male lead, it's obviously the First Emperor!
It's estimated that Fusu will also be added, creating a scene of father and son fighting.

Then there's the plot where she offends the First Emperor by protecting several handsome men, and is banished as punishment. As a result, she encounters Liu Bei, Xiang Yu, and others, and even has to compete with Yu Ji for beauty and charm.

In the blink of an eye, a million-word novel for female readers, about a woman who transmigrates into the body of the Empress of the First Emperor, was published.

Zhao Gao worked quickly, and in no time, three roasted lamb legs on plates were served.

Freshly baked food couldn't possibly be prepared that quickly; in fact, the palace kitchens all had pre-made dishes.

Of course, they are mainly eaten steamed, boiled, roasted, or even raw.

Looking at the thick layer of spices covering the lamb leg, Lin Dao couldn't help but laugh.

"Spices are free, why are you sprinkling so much?"

As is well known, the Silk Road originated from Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions.

But before that, the Central Plains had already established connections and trade routes with the Western Regions and even further afield.

Originally, this road was used to import Hetian jade.

Later, caravans selling Hetian jade also brought spices.

Examples include pepper, coriander, sesame, frankincense, and styrax.

It was only because the scale was too small and the roads were full of bandits that it was extremely dangerous.

Moreover, the Central Plains cannot offer any sufficiently good products for reverse export, hence its low brand recognition.

Until the Western Han Dynasty, silk and rhubarb became the main commodities exported in reverse. At the same time, Emperor Wu of Han opened up the Western Regions, which led to a sudden increase in trade and economic exchanges, hence the name Silk Road.

During the Qin Dynasty, merchant caravans from the west brought not only Hetian jade but also spices.

Because of the difficulty and high level of danger involved in traveling to and from these places, spices were extremely expensive.

As is widely known, it weighs as much as gold.

It was precisely because of its preciousness that the extensive use of spices became a way to display wealth.

Pick up the small knife from the plate, scrape off the thick layer of spices, and then cut the meat.

Eating roasted lamb leg is indeed like in movies and TV shows, where you pick up the whole leg and gnaw on it.

It's just very rare.

In most cases, knives are still used.

The so-called Western dishes are all things that our ancestors had already mastered.

The main vegetable is celery, and the fruit is local peaches.

Zhao Gao, with a handkerchief draped over his wrist, stood bowing and serving, just as he would the First Emperor.

Lin Dao remained calm and unperturbed, showing no discomfort whatsoever.

He has seen far too many historical figures and is already desensitized to them.

If it weren't for the large-scale uprising that would have led to a horrific population decline, he wouldn't have even come looking for the First Emperor.

After all, with the First Emperor still alive, the fighting strength of the Qin elite soldiers was still guaranteed.

Once a large-scale peasant uprising is launched, it will be a loss for the Central Plains, regardless of which side dies.

Next, it remains to be seen whether the First Emperor, after witnessing the miracles and divine powers, will heed advice, allow the people to rest, and turn his attention to the outside world.

When construction projects are short-handed, it's not necessary to use ordinary people from the Central Plains; barbarians and other nomadic tribes can also do the work.
And maybe they can do it faster and better.

After all, even the incredibly lazy Black people could become expert cotton pickers, so why couldn't the barbarians become excellent builders?
After eating and drinking to their hearts' content, they took the handkerchief offered by Zhao Gao to wipe themselves.

Lin Dao clapped his hands, intending to dismiss Zhao Gao so he could return to the modern world.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Gao stepped forward with a smile on his face and spoke.

"Immortal Master~"

"Will Zhao serve you during your bath?"

"Zhao's daughter is charming and graceful."

Lin Dao blinked, then smiled and said, "The palace has beauties from all over the country?"

"Yes~"

Zhao Gao smiled warmly, “Qi women are passionate, Chu women are graceful, Yan women are elegant, Han women are beautiful, Zhao women are delicate, Wei women are gorgeous, and Qin women are heroic.”

"Like a hundred flowers blooming in competition, like a hundred treasures in full bloom."

"Each is unique and beautiful in its own way."

If it were a different time traveler, they might blurt out, "You eunuch, you're concerned about this?"

But Lin Dao knew that the label of eunuch was imposed on Zhao Gao by later generations.

Zhao Gao was a legitimate high-ranking official among the Nine Ministers; he was not a eunuch at all.

Lin Dao nodded, but then raised his hand and waved.

"Need not."

(End of this chapter)