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

Chapter 231 Liu Che: When our ancestors saw me, who wouldn't praise me as a good child? [Seeking monthly votes]

Wu Zetian was somewhat surprised, yet felt it was quite in line with Xi Shi's style of doing things:
"Now that's great, Fuchai and Goujian have all turned to ashes. That world is missing several idioms. I wonder if the timeline will change and whether the Qin state can still unify the world."

Judging from the current trend, there shouldn't be any major problems, but the fear is that Xi Shi might get more and more carried away and eventually change the timeline on that side, giving rise to a new history.

He glanced down at the notes in the black notebook again:

[Xi Shi summons a protective divine lightning bolt that strikes and kills King Fuchai of Wu, altering the history of Wu and Yue, and grants +20 merit.]

Fuchai didn't have many merits; the main thing was that he did a pretty good job most of the time. Apart from forcing Wu Zixu to his death, favoring Bo Pi, and engaging in excessive military campaigns, he didn't have many other problems.

Now things are much better. Without Fuchai threatening his neighbors everywhere, the entire Spring and Autumn period should be much more peaceful.

However, judging from the course of time, there will still be wars, the process of the division of Jin into three states will not change, and the State of Chu will rebound and expand again.

Decades later, when Wu Qi was born, another bloody storm ensued.

Speaking of Wu Qi, he was quite a legend. As a native of Wei, he made a name for himself in Lu, then helped Wei cripple Qin. In the end, he gained the trust of King Dao of Chu and became the Prime Minister of Chu, in charge of reforms.

After King Dao of Chu died, Wu Qi attended the funeral and was attacked by Chu nobles with arrows.

Seeing that he could not escape, Wu Qi tricked the nobles who were besieging him before he died. He ran to the body of King Dao of Chu, and if the arrows of the Chu nobles missed, they would hit the body of King Dao of Chu.

Wu Qi was shot dead on the spot without any doubt, and seventy of his men who attacked him were beheaded for offending the corpse of the King of Chu. The noble forces suffered a heavy loss.

Zhou Yi actually really wanted Wu Qilai; this guy was not only lively, but also full of mysteries.

The Han Feizi says that he divorced his wife in Qi in order to lead troops in Lu to fight against Qi, but the Records of the Grand Historian says that he killed his wife.

Judging from the ups and downs of Wu Qi's life, he most likely did not kill his wife. The account in the Records of the Grand Historian is very likely a fabrication by Sima Qian... The Grand Historian despised all those who were proficient in military strategy, and even created blemishes for them when there were none.

Just as he was thinking, the image of the Confucian scholar's pen suddenly flashed into Zhou Yi's mind.

If Wu Qi had used a Confucian scholar's pen, the effect would probably have been even better. After all, Wu Qi was a great man who spanned Confucianism, Legalism, and the School of Military Strategists. If he had used a Confucian scholar's pen to write a military discipline, combining the power of the three schools of thought, the effect would have been extraordinary.

Putting her mind at ease, Zhou Yi went to the kitchen to cook dinner, while Wu Meiniang sat in front of the computer to continue studying.

Soon, it was time for Chen Tang to come to Hunyuan Palace again.

Early in the morning, this fellow arrived at the small courtyard leading a sheep, carrying an imperial-bestowed Han sword, and with the Imperial Guard's flag slung over his shoulder:
"Let's have hand-pulled mutton today. This lamb is one year old, which is perfect for hand-pulled mutton."

This guy eats mutton all the time; he's got some experience with it.

The Book of Changes asks:

"What's that draped over your shoulder, a military flag?"

Chen Tang nodded, pulled the general's flag from his shoulder, shook off the dust, and presented it to Zhou Yi with both hands:

"This is the flag of the Imperial Guard. Those scoundrels, led by Wang Shang, tried to attack me, but I summoned divine thunder and killed them. Their weapons were also confiscated."

The Imperial Guard's banner looked rather simple. Zhou Yi thought of the black dragon flag of the Han Dynasty in the Han Emperor forum, took out his phone, found a picture, and placed it in front of Chen Tang:
"Do you use the Great Han Black Dragon Flag over there?"

Chen Tang shook his head:

"This logo exists, but it's not used on the flag. However, this flag looks quite imposing. Is it available for purchase?"

The Great Han Black Dragon Flag was originally designed in the Tiexue Hanhuang forum. The flag is mainly black and crimson, which is in line with the color scheme of the Great Han Dynasty, which revered black. In the center is a black Han Dynasty dragon pattern. The whole flag is grand and solemn, and is very similar to the national style of the Great Han Dynasty.

Zhou Yi opened an online shopping app and easily found several shops that made the Great Han Black Dragon Flag. Based on the size of the marching flag, he placed an order for one hundred flags.

Then, Chen Tang stated the purpose of his visit:
“We have rescued many Han women from the bandits. They are barely clothed. Lao Gan and I would like to ask you to help us buy some clothes… It is our duty as soldiers to kidnap Han women. Now we must let them go home in new clothes.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang felt that Chen Tang had done the right thing:

“I do need to buy new clothes, Immortal Master. Leave this to me. I know Sister Yanli who sells Hanfu in town. I’ll send her a message later and ask her to procure the goods. I’ll go to her shop after breakfast and keep an eye on things. I’ll make sure this matter is handled properly.”

The Book of Changes is somewhat unexpected:

When did you add me as a friend?

“I had a very pleasant chat with them on my previous trips down the mountain, and we added each other as WeChat friends.”

The Book of Changes: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Wow, you've integrated into modern society much faster than I expected.

He transferred 100,000 yuan to Wu Zetian's WeChat account:
"I've given you the money. If you need more, just ask me, and I'll transfer more to you."

"Yes, Immortal Master."

While Zhou Yi was cooking in the kitchen, Wu Meiniang sent a few messages to the female owner of the Hanfu shop in town, and then took out her notebook and asked Chen Tang about the height, weight and other data of the women.

These figures don't need to be too accurate, just a rough estimate is fine. Fortunately, Chen Tang is a meticulous person. Before coming, he took out a measuring tape and had the women measure each other's height.

As for weight, the abducted women were often underfed and poorly clothed, and almost all of them were on the thin side. Of course, this was also related to the prevailing social norms in the Han Dynasty, which valued thinness as beauty, unlike the Tang Dynasty, which pursued a fuller figure.

After breakfast, Chen Tang began slaughtering a sheep, while Wu Meiniang rode her bicycle down the mountain to a Hanfu (traditional Han clothing) shop to buy clothes.

Upon receiving the news, the shop owner, Sister Yanli, immediately sourced goods from the county and city to ensure that enough women's Hanfu were available for Wu Zetian before lunchtime.

Zhou Yi said to Chen Tang:
"Use the protective divine lightning when necessary, don't be stingy. Those people in the Yuan Emperor's court, you can just grab any one of them and strike them down and you'll get rewarded with merit. You won't lose out."

Chen Tang agreed:
“Alright, once we enter Chang’an, we will quickly purge the court and make contact with Liu Ao. He is only fifteen years old this year, so there should still be a possibility of correction.”

A teenager could be easily fooled with a toy gun. Zhou Yi thought Chen Tang had the potential to be a weirdo, so he didn't say anything more.

If Liu Ao is hopeless, then let him be a mascot. If he can be saved, then we can go to the Guanyin Temple or the Nuwa Temple to pray for a child for him.

This guy never had any children, and the throne passed from one person to another until it was eventually usurped by Wang Mang.

If Liu Xiu hadn't stepped in to clean up the mess, the Western Han Dynasty would have perished in a very farcical way.

After slaughtering the sheep, Chen Tang rushed to the Wu Cheng Wang Palace to move farm tools and other miscellaneous items out... The things Xin Qiji brought filled the Wu Cheng Wang Palace to the brim, and Chen Tang couldn't even put up the military flag, so he could only help move things first.

In the other half of the world, during the annual Jitian ceremony of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che tried on the short robe that Wei Zifu had prepared for him in the palace, muttering to himself:

"I wonder if the immortal has a mirror that can reflect my whole body. The limitations of bronze mirrors are too great; they can't reflect my upright and heroic figure."

Wei Zifu helped him straighten his clothes and advised him with a smile:
"Many people can't even get a full meal, Your Majesty, please don't be so particular about these things. When Qubing returns, I think the most important thing is to have him ask for more grain seeds."

Liu Che nodded:

“By the time I have completely defeated the Xiongnu, Ju’er will be almost grown up. He is kind and benevolent and will be just right to lead the people to recuperate and thrive.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Zifu's expression changed slightly:

"In that case, future generations will surely say that you are warlike and have caused the people to suffer... Isn't Your Majesty worried?"

Liu Che sat down casually, picked up the honey water, and took a sip:
"It's just a name after death, let them say what they want. As long as I destroy the Xiongnu, I can face my ancestors in the afterlife without shame. I avenged Emperor Gaozu's humiliation at Baideng Mountain. Tell me, which of my ancestors wouldn't praise me as a good son?"

Wei Zifu remained silent. She felt that if all the ancestors could be gathered together, the matter of avenging the Xiongnu should be put aside, and they should first discuss how the throne was passed to Emperor Wen.

If Empress Lü were here, she would most likely have scratched the faces of these unworthy descendants to pieces.

Soon, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat delivered the itinerary:
"Three days later, we will go to the Jitian ceremony outside Chang'an City. After the ceremony, we will go to the Yiyuan Terrace to worship the immortals and pray for favorable weather and a good harvest... What does Your Majesty think of this arrangement?"

Liu Che thought for a moment and then made a request:
"Qu Bing said that the immortal master liked to kill foreign tribes. He picked out ten prisoners from the Xiongnu who would rather die than surrender, and on the day of the blessing, he escorted them to Yiyuantai to be beheaded and displayed to the public."

These words greatly surprised the Imperial Attendant:
"Your Majesty, such a sacrifice to Heaven may invite impeachment from the court officials."

Liu Che glared:

"What business is it of theirs if I use the Xiongnu to curry favor with the gods? If anyone has any objections, they can take the initiative to replace the Xiongnu in the sacrificial ceremony. I'm giving them that opportunity."

These words immediately silenced the Yellow Gate Attendant. He silently noted it down, intending to give the other officials a heads-up beforehand, so as not to embarrass the older ministers.

Emperor Wu of Han (Liu Che) had a perverse pleasure in seeing his court officials make fools of themselves, and he would actually put anyone who dared to offer advice on his behalf in such a way.

At noon, the hand-pulled mutton at Hunyuan Palace smelled especially delicious.

While eating, Li Bai and Granny Gongsun introduced the changes in the Kaiyuan world, and also mentioned that the Yiyuan Temple had gained two new apprentice Taoist priests.

Zhao Xu mentioned his decision to personally lead an expedition against the Western Xia, and also consulted Zhou Yi about the possibility of moving the capital.

Moving the capital is a major event, and even the Book of Changes wouldn't dare to guarantee anything.
"Once you cripple the Western Xia, I will find some experts in the Sanqing Hall to help you predict the fate of the Song Dynasty, whether it is suitable to move the capital, and where to move it. At that time, it will be clear. Don't think about these things now, fight the war first."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xu felt relieved and began to devour the mutton.

After the meal, Zhao Xu led his horse back to the Northern Song world. Li Bai and Gongsun Da Niang planned to stay another day to wait for Xi Shi, the Lotus Fairy who had killed two people.

Not long after, Sister Yanli, the owner of a Hanfu shop in town, delivered two hundred sets of women's Hanfu, along with matching innerwear, boots, and so on.

After Sister Yanli left, the owner of the underwear shop in town also sent a lot of underwear, socks, and white shoes. In addition, he also sent several boxes of soap and towels on behalf of the toiletries store. All of them were gifts that Wu Meiniang had prepared for those women.

Having successfully completed his mission, Chen Tang excitedly returned to the world of Emperor Yuan of the Western Han Dynasty with the clothes and asked Gan Yanshou:

"Are you all ready?"

Gan Yanshou said:
"We're ready. There's a warning line in the shallows. It's sandy and quite flat below."

Hearing this, Chen Tang, holding his vegetable-selling megaphone, stood on a large rock and addressed the group of rescued women:
"The immortal has bestowed upon you clothes, one set for each of you. Now take these clothes to the shallows of the Jing River to bathe and change. We are about to enter Chang'an. Everyone, wash away the filth and go home looking beautiful!"

(End of this chapter)