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

Chapter 235 Liu Che Presents the Crimson Sky Sword! [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

The drizzle continued until evening before subsiding. Zhou Yi sat in front of his computer, intently studying the changes in cultivated land area in the Guanzhong region during the Tang Dynasty, and frowned as he said:
"The arable land area in the Guanzhong Plain has decreased quite rapidly. From the Zhenguan era to the Kaiyuan era, it has dropped by so much. No wonder we need to transport grain from outside."

In the early years of the Zhenguan era, Chang'an faced a grain shortage of approximately 200,000 tons per year.

At this point, smuggling some grain over, plus a period of food in Luoyang, should be enough.

However, during the Kaiyuan era, the shortage suddenly soared to nearly a million tons. Even with grain being transported day and night, people still starved to death in Chang'an.

Wu Zetian said:
"The population has been increasing, and the consumption of firewood is getting greater and greater. After the firewood is cut down, the soil on the mountain is washed down, and the fertile fields are destroyed."

The fact that people starved to death during a bumper harvest indicated that there were too many people in Guanzhong. Zhou Yi believed that either some of them should be relocated, or a way should be found to increase grain production. Otherwise, even if the An Lushan Rebellion did not break out, other chaotic situations would arise in the future.

After thinking for a moment, he bought the "Three Great Books," essential for time travelers, online, intending to have Wu Zetian take them back with her.

While it's called one of the three great books, there are actually more than a dozen in total, covering all aspects of planting, military training, medicine, disaster relief, fertilizer production, bomb making, childbirth, air defense, and reconnaissance.

Because the earliest versions consisted of three books—"Friends of Dual-Use Military and Civilian Talents," "Militia Military Training Manual," and "Barefoot Doctor's Manual"—they are collectively known as the Three Great Books.

Wu Zetian wrote down the titles of these books and then inquired about methods to reduce the population.

The Book of Changes says:

"Immigration squeezes the living space of other ethnic groups. We should find a way to capture a group of other ethnic groups and send them to build roads and mine coal, so as to consume as much of the population as possible."

When dealing with foreign tribes, we cannot adopt a united mindset; instead, we must beat them mercilessly until they are willing to follow the Tang Dynasty as its dogs. Then, we must destroy their history, eradicate their culture, and even force them to completely conform to the Tang Dynasty's dietary and clothing habits.

Only in this way can foreign tribes be completely integrated into the Tang Dynasty, instead of the Tang Dynasty having to remember their rules and then tolerate them at every turn.

Wu Zetian wrote in her notebook with a carbon pen:

"If we want to promote Han nationalism in the Tang Dynasty, other ethnic groups must either fully comply or migrate elsewhere to make room for the people of the Tang Dynasty."

She planned to take some potato seeds back with her once the books she bought arrived, so that Li Shimin could study them carefully.

If that doesn't work, ask Huo Qubing to ask Emperor Wu of Han to write a letter to Li Shimin, encouraging him with a few words... The power of an idol is immense; I don't believe Li Shimin wouldn't be moved after reading Emperor Wu of Han's letter.

If that doesn't work, there are still famous figures from the Spring and Autumn Period. You can get a handwritten letter just by calling their names.

Thinking of this, Wu Meiniang wrote another note in her black notebook:
[When the First Emperor arrives, ask him to write a letter of appeal to the emperors of all worlds, calling on them to take a firm stance against foreign tribes and demonstrate the might of China.]

Well, even though we didn't see Zheng Ge's shadow, we still need to arrange the work.

The next day, after the rain stopped, Zhou Yi picked up a hoe and planned to plant some potatoes on the flat ground in front of the door. Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense to leave such a large piece of land lying idle.

On the other side, in the world of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty.

Liu Che arrived at the gates of Chang'an early in the morning to participate in the Jitian ceremony. At this time, all the officials were already in place, and many officials even rolled up their trousers and went barefoot... Although it was just a performance, they still had to be immersive.

In the fields outside the city, oxen and plows were already prepared, with golden silk threads wrapped around the oxen's horns and the plows wiped clean.

Before the ceremony of offering sacrifices at the imperial field even began, the officials were already devising their congratulatory words.

The Jitian ceremony is related to the year's harvest, so you can't say anything unpleasant. You have to rack your brains to say auspicious words, just like when you pay New Year's visits on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Do whatever makes you feel happy and auspicious.

The Grand Master of Ceremonies recited the meaning and blessings of the Jitian Ceremony with great intonation. Liu Che stood by the field, looking around aimlessly with his binoculars.

He saw Zhongnan Mountain, Lishan Mountain, and endless farmland, and he also saw a troop of cavalry galloping from the northeast:

"Huh? Who's that? Is there another urgent military situation?"

Liu Che climbed onto the carriage not far away, stood on the carriage and looked into the distance. Only then did he realize that the person who had come was actually Huo Qubing.

Li Cai walked over quickly and whispered a reminder:
"We are currently offering sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, so please refrain from wandering around."

Liu Che pointed to the distance and said:
"Qubing has arrived. I wonder what has happened. You all continue. I will be right back."

After saying this, he took off his shoes, mounted a Ferghana horse, and galloped quickly toward Huo Qubing.

The Grand Master of Ceremonies, having grown accustomed to His Majesty's unpredictable actions, continued reciting the prayers he had prepared for months, fearing he might displease Heaven.

Liu Che galloped wildly on his horse, startling the Imperial Guards on the city gate tower.

Soon, a well-equipped cavalry force rushed out of the city gate and chased after Liu Che.

About half an hour later, Huo Qubing, who was on his way, saw his uncle riding towards him and quickly waved to him. Soon the two sides joined forces.

Liu Che asked:

"Why are you back? Is this your first time traveling so far from home? Did you miss it?"

Huo Qubing took a plastic cup from his satchel, unscrewed it, and took a sip of water purified with a water purification tablet:
"I came here on Master's orders to deliver some crop seeds. Why are you here with mud on your feet?"

Liu Che was drawn to the plastic cup, and without a word, he took it and even tasted the water inside.

"The Jitian ceremony is being held outside the city today. What's that water like? It tastes strange."

"I put in a water purification tablet. My master said that drinking raw water can easily cause worms to grow in your stomach, so he told me to boil the water as much as possible, and only add a water purification tablet if absolutely necessary." Liu Che examined the water cup, screwed on the lid, turned it upside down, and was somewhat surprised to find that not a single drop of water had spilled.
"Not a single drop spilled. This is a great glass."

He wanted it, but was too embarrassed to ask, so he could only change the subject.

Huo Qubing smiled and took out a dignified black water cup from his satchel. It was still in its packaging and clearly hadn't been used.
"This is for you, and there are two smaller ones for your aunt and Ju'er."

Upon seeing that he also had a share, Liu Che immediately accepted it:
"When are you going to Hunyuan Palace? Take the Chixiao Sword, passed down from our ancestor, with you. This sword is the sword of our Han Dynasty's uprising. Now that it has achieved fame and success, it is time for it to enjoy the blessings of the gods."

The Immortal Master Yiyuan gave us seeds and a water cup, so as the Emperor of the Great Han Dynasty, we should also reciprocate.

He then inquired about the golden statue used in the sacrificial ceremony:
"Your uncle wrote to say that you took the golden statue used for sacrificial rites to the Hunyuan Palace. How did the Immortal Master deal with it?"

"It was buried at the entrance of the Wu Cheng King's Palace."

Liu Che didn't react for a moment:

"Where is that?"

Huo Qubing slowed his horse and recounted the entire story of the man who buried the gold, which Liu Che applauded with admiration.

"As expected of a deity, a sacred object from another race, this is exactly how it should be handled!"

The two rode to the place where Jitian Li was located. By this time, the Grand Chancellor had already finished reading the prepared speech. In order to avoid an awkward silence, he forced himself to say another part.

Liu Che's mind was now filled with seeds. He dismounted, went to the field, plowed twice in a hurry, and then rode off with Huo Qubing to Weiyang Palace.

He took out the Chixiao Sword, the one Liu Bang used to slay the white snake, and handed it to Huo Qubing:
"If the immortal has any other needs, please feel free to give them. Everything that our Great Han has, we are willing to offer it up."

Huo Qubing examined the sword. After all these years, it was still quite sharp; it must have been well-maintained.

"Please have Uncle write a letter of offering on bamboo slips. All those who offer gifts need to write a letter and keep it at Hunyuan Palace."

Upon hearing this, Liu Che immediately found a blank bamboo scroll, picked up a brush, and wrote a warm and enthusiastic letter of tribute in clerical script.

This emperor would do anything for food.

With everything prepared, Huo Qubing arrived at the courtyard of Weiyang Palace and said to Liu Che:

"Master has prepared quite a lot of seeds for you. I will need to stay for about two or three hours."

"You may go, I will personally guard this place!"

Before Liu Che could finish speaking, Huo Qubing vanished from the spot, along with his sword and bamboo slips.

At this moment, Dongfang Shuo came over to inquire about the time for the sacrificial ceremony at the One Yuan Platform, and Liu Che said:

"It will be held in two or three hours. Qu Bing is coming and wants to bring some seeds to my Han Dynasty... Go and find a few dozen more Xiongnu prisoners. It is said that the Daoist sect has the saying that the Great Dao is fifty. Gather fifty Xiongnu prisoners and kill them at the Yiyuan Platform later, and use their blood to worship the immortals."

Since the immortals were so kind, Liu Che didn't know how to express his gratitude, so he could only make the Xiongnu suffer.

Inside the Hunyuan Palace, Zhou Yi was inspecting the one hundred large black dragon flags sent by the merchant when he saw Huo Qubing arrive. He smiled and said:

"Take a look, does this flag suit your uncle's taste?"

Huo Qubing was immediately drawn to the flag at a glance:
"This item seems tailor-made for a burly man. Who designed it?"

The Book of Changes says:

"A group of Han imperialists, whose names are now lost to history, whose black dragon flag already existed when the internet was booming."

Zhou Yi and Wu Meiniang counted that, in addition to the hundred flags, the shopkeeper also gave them ten large triangular flags and vertical flags of the same style, which could fully demonstrate the iron-blooded style of the Han emperor.

These were originally intended for Chen Tang, but since Huo Qubing has arrived, they decided to divide them in half upon meeting, with the banners being equally distributed between the two Western Han dynasties.

Huo Qubing quickly expressed his gratitude and presented the Crimson Sky Sword with both hands:

"I came in too much of a hurry and didn't bring any horses. I'll bring some more for my third junior brother in five days... This is the Crimson Sky Sword that our ancestor used to slay the white serpent. My uncle asked me to bring it over and present it to you."

Upon hearing the name Chi Xiao, Zhou Yi noticed that the number of magic swords in Hunyuan Palace was increasing.

Dragon-Slaying Sword, Chun Jun Sword, Chi Xiao Sword... I wonder if it will eventually develop into a situation where every fairy has a sword; that would be quite a sight.

After finishing his reflections, Zhou Yi put the sword away in the cabinet, and then together with Huo Qubing, they carried boxes of potato seeds to the Three Emperors Hall, offered them on the altar of the Shennong Emperor, and then stacked them at the entrance of the Hall of Longevity.

Meanwhile, in the world of Emperor Yuan of the Western Han Dynasty, the Shili Pavilion outside Chang'an was bustling with activity. Countless commoners and court officials finally welcomed Gan Yanshou and Chen Tang, the meritorious officials who had led the expedition against the Northern Xiongnu.

In the crowd, the men sent by Imperial Censor Fan Yanshou planned to take advantage of the chaos to assassinate Chen Tang and Gan Yanshou.

Before they could even make a move, a young man suddenly rushed out from the side, knelt down in front of Chen Tang without saying a word, and shouted loudly, "Master!"

When the people arranged by Fan Yanshou took a look... wow, isn't this the Crown Prince?
The Crown Prince actually bowed to Chen Tang as his teacher in public! Who would dare to assassinate him now? Get out of here!
Not far away, Wang Mang, who had come to join the fun with the Wang clan, saw his cousin Liu Ao kowtowing and bowing, and slapped his thigh in annoyance:
"Oh dear, why didn't I think of becoming an apprentice? I'm too late!"

(End of this chapter)