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

Chapter 223 Two More Max-Level Apprentice Taoists Arrive at Yiyuan Temple! [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Upon hearing Huo Qubing's request, Zhou Yi was at a loss for words.

The highest-ranking cadre he ever held was the sports committee member in high school. Now, asking him to make enlightenment books for Liu Ju is just asking the impossible.

However, thinking about Liu Ju's future fate, Zhou Yi unconsciously recalled a series of heartwarming stories such as "Nezha Chasing Li Jing", "The Xuanwu Gate Incident", "Liu Shao Killing Liu Yilong", and "Zhu Yougui Killing Zhu Wen".

Sigh, I didn't mean anything by it, I just wanted to give Ju'er more options... It's all for the child!

After the banter, Zhou Yi thought that in addition to modern elementary school curriculum, Liu Ju could also be taught the Gongyang Commentary, as the Gongyang School advocated a tough stance against external forces, which was much better than the Guliang School, which only knew how to fight among itself.

Of course, it would have been great if Xi Shi had met Confucius sooner, so that the sage could have used Liu Ju as a test subject for becoming an emperor.

History has proven that Liu Ju was not a bad person. Despite being surrounded by so many unruly people, he was not corrupted. Instead, he became a diligent and capable crown prince.

Liu Che spent nearly twenty years of his later years traveling around, and Liu Ju also served as regent for twenty years. If Liu Che had died a few years earlier, the fate and evaluation of the father and son would have been completely different.

All I can say is that Liu Che lived an incredibly long life. He could live to seventy, even while indulging in heavy metal music like candy. It would make Zhu Biao weep and Zhao Xu speechless.

Just to be on the safe side, Zhou Yi took out a set of selected works from the bookshelf:

"When you get to Chang'an, give this set of books to your uncle and tell him to take a good look at them when he's not busy. After he's finished reading them, he can decide when to let Liu Ju study them."

The meaning of the Book of Changes is very clear: Liu Ju will definitely have to learn this dragon-slaying technique in the future, and Liu Che can only decide when he will learn it.

The anthology contains methodologies and lessons learned from history, comprehensively explaining the underlying logic and operating rules of society. Studying it will only bring benefits and no harm.

Seeing that Zhou Yi greatly valued this set of books, Huo Qubing cupped his hands and asked:

"Master, may I study?"

"Sure, it contains many tactics that are well-suited for a genius commander like yourself to refer to."

Huo Qubing looked at the name on the cover, pondered for a moment, and then asked:

How should I introduce him to my uncle?

Zhou Yi thought for a moment and then borrowed some comments from netizens:
"Wheat has ripened thousands of times, but this is the first time it has happened... Your uncle is smart enough to understand."

Actually, the situation in Emperor Wu's world isn't too difficult. As long as he provides some assistance in the war effort and corrects Liu Che's bad habits from his later years, Liu Ju's succession will be no problem at all.

Liu Ju is only six years old now. When he turns eighteen, Liu Che will be allowed to settle in Hunyuan Palace... Emperor Wu of Han, who has pursued immortality his whole life, would definitely not refuse such an invitation.

When the time comes, we'll register his household registration, teach him some basic knowledge, and get him a driver's license. We'll let him drive around and see the territory he's expanded. I believe this emperor will be very impressed.

Emperor Wu of Han (Liu Che) had been traveling around for so long in history. Now, he could go on a road trip in a different place without the entourage and the slanderous words of people like Jiang Chong. If he got annoyed, he could even look at the long legs in black stockings on Douyin. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Comparatively speaking, Zhou Yi was more worried about the world of Emperor Yuan. Although Chen Tang was there, both Emperor Yuan and Emperor Cheng gave people the feeling that the Liu family genes were diluted.

With eunuchs, empress dowagers, relatives of the emperor, powerful ministers, and treacherous officials taking turns to seize power, land annexation occurring in the provinces, and the people suffering immensely... such a disastrous start was quite challenging for Chen Tang.

At noon, Zhou Yi made a pot of braised noodles, allowing Huo Qubing, who had been traveling day and night, to have a hearty meal.

When he arrived, Huo Qubing brought some more warhorses with him.

This time, I won't come back in between. I'll only come to Hunyuan Palace in Chang'an to report for duty. I'll also take a batch of military horses from the camp outside Chang'an to support Zhao Xu.

As for stallions, a batch will be prepared to change the embarrassing situation of the Northern Song cavalry having no horses.

After the meal, Huo Qubing took some food and gave each of his followers a water cup. Then he bid farewell to Zhou Yi and returned to the world of Emperor Wu to continue his journey.

On the other side, in the Kaiyuan World of the Tang Dynasty, outside the gate of Yiyuan Temple, a carriage slowly came to a stop. The curtain was lifted, and a tall, smiling middle-aged Taoist priest jumped down.

Then, an elderly Taoist priest who looked remarkably spry got out of the car. His legs were surprisingly agile for his age, and he didn't need any help getting out of the car.

The two stood at the entrance of Yiyuan Temple, but instead of going in, they looked up at the inscription written by Li Longji.

"Master Baiyun, what do you think is the background of this Immortal Master Yiyuan?"

The elderly Taoist priest was none other than Baiyunzi Sima Chengzhen. He faced the gate of Yiyuan Temple and performed a Taoist ritual:
"His background doesn't matter, just treat him as our patriarch... Ziyang, stop looking. This is our first time paying respects at the mountain gate, don't let the gods blame us for not knowing etiquette."

Upon hearing this, Hu Ziyang made a hand seal and bowed ninety degrees to the gate.

After exchanging greetings, the two went inside.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Li Bai, who was wiping his car there, stood up in surprise:

"Excuse me, are you Daoist Baiyun and Master Ziyang? I am Li Bai, Daoist name Qinglian."

He didn't recognize either of them, but for some reason, he felt an extraordinary familiarity upon first meeting them. Sima Chengzhen looked at Li Bai's face, chuckled, and stroked his beard, saying:

"Young friend, your affinity with the immortals is truly enviable. Were these two wheels on the ground a gift from the gods? They look quite exquisite... Do immortals also research such ingenious objects?"

Before they arrived, the two listened to Yuan Danqiu explain the various divine items and even tasted the snacks from the immortals' abode.

Seeing a bicycle now suddenly makes the snacks I used to eat seem less appealing.

Li Bai flipped himself onto the bicycle and skillfully performed rabbit hops and tail-swings in the yard. He even lifted the handlebars and rode around the yard with only the rear wheel on the ground.

After the performance, he explained the principles of bicycles to Sima Chengzhen and Hu Ziyang, who were amazed by his explanation.

After chatting for a while, Li Bai led the two into the main hall of Yiyuan Temple, where they paid their respects to the Taiji diagram in the center. Then, Li Bai brewed a pot of tea, set out various snacks, and invited the two to enjoy tea and chat.

Tang Dynasty tea ceremonies involved many seasonings; more accurately, it should be called tea soup or oil tea. Li Bai, however, simply boiled water in an electric kettle to brew tea, producing a delicate aroma that caught the eye of Sima Chengzhen and Hu Ziyang.
"There's a way to drink tea like this?"

The three knelt on the prayer mats and chatted. Li Bai introduced the whole story of his trip to Hunyuan Palace and also introduced the pilgrims from different times and spaces in Hunyuan Palace.

Upon learning that Xi Shi was going to retrieve the original copy of the Tao Te Ching from Hangu Pass, Sima Chengzhen rose and bowed respectfully.
"If you can obtain the original text, young friend, would you allow me to make a copy? If you agree, I am willing to pay any price."

Sima Chengzhen spent his entire life studying the Tao Te Ching, but the current versions of the Tao Te Ching are all from the Han Dynasty and have been supplemented with many annotations. Every practitioner wants to see the original text.

Li Bai said:

“I can give you a copy, and you should also give me a copy of your Taoist scriptures. I will take them to Hunyuan Palace for my master to review. I have also given the Taoist scriptures that Yuan Danqiu gave me to my master before.”

Upon hearing that the gods could read the scriptures they had written, Sima Chengzhen and Hu Ziyang were overjoyed and repeatedly said that there was no problem.

The three of them sipped fragrant tea and ate snacks, chatting until evening without stopping.

Gongsun Da Niang entered the reception room and said:
"Dinner's ready. After dinner, you can have a late-night chat by candlelight and test the effectiveness of the fluorescent lights. If it doesn't work, we'll switch to incandescent bulbs next time."

Sima Chengzhen and Hu Ziyang stared at each other in disbelief, guessing that it must be a treasure bestowed by a deity.

The two followed Li Bai and Gongsun Da Niang to the restaurant, where they saw a fat man busy serving dishes. It turned out to be Li Chengyi, the emperor's elder brother, and the noblewoman sitting at the table was none other than the famous Princess Taiping.

Both of them entered the palace to preach, and Sima Chengzhen even advised Li Dan to abdicate in favor of Li Longji. It can be said that without Sima Chengzhen, Li Longji's ascension to the throne would not have been so smooth.

Upon seeing Princess Taiping, Sima Chengzhen bowed:
"Meet the princess."

"No need for formalities, Daoist Master. Princess Taiping is dead, and I am now just a servant in the Yiyuan Palace."

Sima Chengzhen: "..."

Are there servants sitting upright in chairs waiting for the prince to serve them?
However, considering that Wu Zetian in another world was the head steward of the Hunyuan Palace, it's normal that Princess Taiping was able to survive the life-or-death ordeal.

Tonight's dinner is a dish of boiled rice that Aunt Gongsun found online, along with boneless ribbonfish, stewed eggplant and green beans, and stir-fried green peppers with pork.

After the meal, Sima Chengzhen and Hu Ziyang strongly requested to stay at the Yiyuan Temple to study Taoist arts. Li Bai and Gongsun Da Niang exchanged a glance and agreed to the request.

And so, Master Ziyang, the founder of the Taoist Neidan school, and Sima Chengzhen, the master of the Shangqing school, became apprentice Taoists at the Yiyuan Temple in Chang'an... well, apprentice Taoists who were just one step away from ascending to the highest level.

That evening, the two new students saw electric lights, tablet computers, and various household appliances, repeatedly marveling at the wonders of the magic.

Li Bai said:

"My master said that these are not immortal techniques."

Hu Ziyang, assuming he didn't want to disclose it, said understandingly:
“I understand. When I was young, I climbed mountains to seek the Tao. The old Taoist priest also said that there was no magic in the world, and then he flew away on a cloud.”

Li Bai explained:
“Master said that this is the result of scientific development. His Majesty has now summoned a monk named Yi Xing, who is proficient in mathematics, to Chang’an. When he arrives, he will promote mathematics. Mathematics is the foundation of science. You two might as well stay a few more days and sit down with Yi Xing for a chat.”

Sima Chengzhen and Hu Ziyang exchanged a glance and thought the suggestion was good. They planned to stay in Chang'an for a while longer. They had heard that the Pomegranate Fairy had summoned divine thunder to destroy the Nestorian temple in Persia, and they wanted to go and pay their respects at the site.

On the other side, in the Spring and Autumn Period.

Xi Shi set up a tent for the night in a place called Zuili in the Wu Kingdom. To prevent wild beasts from appearing, she sprinkled a lot of insect repellent around the tent and also put out several animal traps.

After a good night's sleep, Xi Shi woke up in the morning, washed up, cooked herself a bowl of noodles, ate and drank her fill, packed up her tent, and continued on her journey.

They hadn't gone far when they encountered a group of Wu soldiers guarding a middle-aged man sitting on a chariot. A flag was also on the chariot with the words "Grand Tutor" written on it in bird-script.

Grand Chancellor of Wu... has he encountered Bo Pi?
It is said that this person is ambitious, greedy, and lustful... Xi Shi frowned and held the token of Hunyuan Palace in her hand.

At this moment, Bo Pi also saw her and immediately ordered the car to stop:
"There really is such a stunningly beautiful woman in the world? Bring her to me quickly! I thought it would be a chore to tour for the king, but I never expected such a good thing to happen. Hahaha, I am so lucky!"

The Grand Chancellor of Wu shook his green official robe, rubbing his hands excitedly, his fat trembling as he looked like a giant... green-headed fly!
(End of this chapter)