Inheriting a Taoist temple, the story begins with Wu Zetian offering incense.

Chapter 194 Wu Meiniang: You let me manage your life, so you have to listen to me! [Seeking monthly votes]

Huo Qubing took out a packet of salted and peppered broad beans from his pocket, and said while eating:
"You wrote it. According to the course of history, you succeeded your father as Grand Historian and wrote the Records of the Grand Historian in your spare time. This is one of the chapters... Because of your praise, Li Guang became famous in history and became a synonym for meritorious but unrewarded. His Majesty has been cursed by his supporters for two thousand years."

Sima Qian stared wide-eyed, completely unable to believe his ears. He looked down at the "Biography of General Li" in his hands, then at Huo Qubing:

"This kind of eulogistic work was actually written by me?"

Huo Qubing nodded:
“Master said that environment can change people. The reason you think this article is a piece of flattery is because you are on the right path. Before His Majesty ordered you to join the army, didn’t you have this same attitude of admiration for Li Guang?”

That really hit the nail on the head. When he first left Chang'an, Sima Qian was full of thoughts about fighting Li Guang and showing Wei Qing what it meant to calmly and collectedly annihilate an army. He even fantasized about being ennobled in a single battle.

As a result, after joining Li Guang's army, all his illusions about the Great Han Heavenly Army were shattered.

Soldiers were running around in all directions, the camp had no discipline whatsoever, and people were even gambling and playing games together in the middle of the night... How could such an army win a battle?

As it turns out, Sima Qian's suspicions were correct. Li Guang has not only failed to win any battles, but he has also yet to find any trace of the Xiongnu.

After joining Huo Qubing's special forces, Sima Qian learned what a real army was like, understood the importance of strict discipline, and even learned military drawing from Zhang Qian.

Huo Qubing took out a bag of barbecue-flavored broad beans and handed it to Sima Qian:

"Master said that a man can only grow through experience. In the original timeline, you never participated in military affairs, let alone went to the battlefield. Therefore, some of the descriptions of war in the Records of the Grand Historian are very amateurish. Now you are a member of my special forces team and have passed the test of blood and fire. I hope you can start a new life."

Sima Qian's eyes immediately reddened, and he bowed to Huo Qubing:
"Thank you very much, General Huo. Please be sure to convey my thanks to the immortal next time you visit him."

After saying that, he asked:

"Can I continue to serve in the military in the future?"

Huo Qubing nodded:
"Of course, but we won't be able to fight side by side next time. His Majesty will probably let you lead a small force on your own, and Ziwen will be ennobled and given more emphasis on diplomatic missions. Only Zhao Ponu will continue to serve as my Sima."

Upon hearing this, Sima Qian bowed again:

"Huo Biaoyao, if you are appointed a general this time, may I serve as the chief secretary of the general's office?"

He really liked the atmosphere of the army; everyone was energetic and vibrant, and he could often listen to the teachings of the immortals. This was a divine opportunity, far more tempting than being granted a title or a high position.

Huo Qubing said with a smile:

“If you are willing, I will try my best to fight for it. While we are still young, it would be good to fight a few more battles. When there are no more battles to fight, I will stay by Master’s side. I have never had a home since I was a child. Only with Master can I find the feeling of home.”

At the same time, inside the Hunyuan Palace, Zhou Yi turned on the projector and played a documentary about the history of the Southern Song Dynasty in the courtyard, which made Xin Qiji sigh with regret:
"From bullying orphans and widows to rise to power, to the orphans and widows falling into the sea and dying, the entire Song Dynasty seems to have come full circle... Although they are utterly incompetent, seeing the scene of jumping into the sea still makes me feel choked up."

The Book of Changes says:

"Any Chinese person with a conscience would feel uncomfortable seeing this scene, so you must work hard to drive the foreign race to the point where orphans and widows jump into the sea, and help the Chinese people vent their anger."

Xin Qiji agreed:

"Rest assured, Immortal Master, this disciple knows what to do!"

Seeing Jiaxuan's gritted teeth, Li Qingzhao couldn't help but shed a tear of sympathy for the Jin nobles and the Mongol Golden Family.

The weakness of the Southern Song Dynasty suppressed Xin Qiji's military spirit throughout his life. Now that the immortal has personally removed this shackle, we can see what kind of spirit Emperor Wenzong possessed when he was in full power!
That night, Xin Qiji, carrying the books and various materials given to him by Zhou Yi, returned to the Southern Song Dynasty overnight... Several friends were still waiting outside Dangshi Village, as they would get anxious if he was delayed too long.

The next day, Gongsun Da Niang and Li Bai brought fifty stallions early in the morning, fulfilling their promise to Zhao Xu as a gift.

However, Zhao Xu had already left, so the two could only let the stallions graze freely on the back mountain.

Zhou Yi planned to find some time to have Zhao Wei drive an excavator to level the back mountain, build some shelters for the horses to protect them from the wind and rain, and build a water trough so that the horses transiting here would not suffer.

He also ordered some horse feed so that these ancient steeds could experience modern technology and hard work.

Gongsun Da Niang brought a complete set of headdresses and a letter of offering from Princess Taiping. She also mentioned that her family would be arriving in Chang'an soon and hoped that Zhou Yi could prepare some elementary school learning materials for her younger siblings to learn.

Well, while others seek out renowned scholars or senior officials to teach their children, Lady Gongsun directly used mathematics, physics, and chemistry to teach her younger siblings.

Zhouyi would naturally not refuse such an ambitious request:

"I'll get it ready in the next couple of days. The Taoist robe I ordered for you arrived yesterday. Go try it on. You've already put on the one Li Qingzhao wore, and it fits you perfectly."

Upon hearing this, Granny Gongsun happily went back to her room to try on clothes. At this moment, Wu Meiniang, carrying a small bag, strolled leisurely into the courtyard. Instead of returning to her room, she went straight to the kitchen doorway, leaned against the doorframe, and reported her observations and thoughts of the past few days to Zhou Yi:
"His Majesty intends to let Wang Xuance become king in India. The Indians are like mud; will they be of any use?"

The Book of Changes says:

“Everything in this world, even a piece of toilet paper, is useful. In ancient times, mining, coal mining, and mountain excavation were so dangerous that we Chinese would feel a bit stingy using them. So, we can just have Wang Xuance trick some Indians into doing the work... When you have time, you can compile some doctrines, calling India a filthy land, and saying that Indians can only escape their suffering and be reborn as superior people in their next life if they serve the Chinese like cattle and horses.”

Wu Zetian hesitated for a moment:
"Will they believe it?"

Zhou Yi said with a smile:

"The people there firmly believe in the caste system, so this filthy place is nothing to them... They believe whatever the religion says. Don't treat them like human beings. They are still somewhat useful. As long as they are well integrated with the religion, they are just a bunch of animals that you won't feel sorry for even if they die."

I don't have much experience in this area, so I plan to take some time to study on the Jianzheng forum and learn all the ruthless methods summarized by contemporary Jia Xu and others, and then teach Wang Xuance.

After thinking it over, Wu Zetian took the initiative to accept the task:

"Such a scheme of yours will damage your reputation. Let me do it. I will learn some extreme methods online and bring Wang Xuance over in a few months. I will teach him so as not to affect your cultivation."

The Book of Changes says:

"There's no need. The merits of my cultivation come from China, not India. The more ruthless I am towards them, the more merit I accumulate."

Wu Zetian disagreed:
“You said you would take care of metaphysical matters and I would take care of practical matters. This is a matter of life, and you have to listen to me.”

The Book of Changes: ? ? ? ? ? ?
Good grief, I asked you to take care of my life, and you just want to control me, huh?

To change the subject, he brought up the story of Xi Shi striking Goujian with lightning, which made Wu Zetian's beautiful eyes well up with tears:
"She acted decisively and without hesitation; that's what makes her my good sister, Wu Mei."

How many good sisters do you have...? Zhou Yi suspects that Her Majesty the Empress might be a sister-obsessed person? Why does she claim everyone she meets as her sister?

After chatting, Wu Meiniang returned to her room and changed into a new Taoist robe.

Her Taoist robe was a deep blue, more dignified than plum green and more understated than pomegranate red... The tailor really nailed her temperament perfectly; Zhou Yi even wanted to give him a banner.

After admiring the three men's Taoist robe show, Zhou Yi said to Li Bai:

"I'll have a set made for you when you grow a bit taller. It's not suitable now, it might be too small by the time it's made."

Li Bai cupped his hands and said:

“I’m currently engrossed in drawing talismans, so I’m not in a hurry to wear the Taoist robe. I can wear it when I travel around the mountains and rivers.”

Historically, I've traveled all over the country. Now that I'm no longer pursuing an official career, I should travel more and appreciate the beautiful landscapes.

After breakfast, Wu Zetian immediately sat down at the computer and carefully checked the year Xi Shi lived in, then said regretfully:

"Confucius was already sixty years old at this time, and he was traveling between the states of Wei, Chen, and Chu. The rulers of those states wanted to use him to make a name for themselves, but they didn't want to pay too much... Immortal Master, should we help Confucius?"

This question put Zhou Yi in a difficult position:
"Let's wait until we see Xi Shi. We don't know the current situation in Yue, so we can't make a decision rashly."

The Book of Changes actually wanted to bring Confucius in his youth so that he would have the strength to beat the corrupt scholars to death. What if Confucius in his old age saw the behavior of his descendants and got sick from anger?
When Aunt Gongsun heard Li Qingzhao say that she had lettuce wraps with fried meat the day before, she also clamored for some. Zhou Yi said:
"Okay, I'll go down the mountain to buy some fresh meat and marinate it. Are you coming?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Qingzhao, Gongsun Da Niang, and Wu Meiniang got into the carriage, and Li Bai volunteered to go to the Three Emperors Hall to help change the incense.

Zhou Yi drove the three beautiful women to the town's supermarket and selected ingredients suitable for pan-frying, such as pork belly, pork shoulder, chicken wings, and lamb leg.

After selecting the ingredients, the group was pushing their shopping carts to the checkout when the blind man suddenly called:

"Come to Shanju Restaurant for lunch. I booked a private room on the third floor... This trip was quite fruitful. Here's a trophy for you."

Upon hearing the first half of the sentence, Zhou Yi instinctively wanted to decline; what could be more comfortable than a barbecue on a mountain? But the blind man's second half of the sentence instantly dispelled his idea of ​​eating barbecue:
"Okay, okay, no problem. What kind of spoils are they? From the Daoist sect?"

The blind man's voice was full of smugness:

"The Taoist one was given to someone else, but I kept a Confucian one for you. We'll talk about the details when we meet at noon. I need to catch up on some sleep; I haven't slept for days..."

(End of this chapter)