A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

"To take a recent example, let's talk about Emperor Taizu Gao."

"Emperor Taizu Gao received the mandate of heaven, started a rebellion after slaying the white snake, and unified the world. His words carried the imperial law, and his pronouncements became law."

"The Black Emperor's lineage was established in the Five Emperors Temple in Yong County, and General Ji Xin was appointed as the City God. A temple was built in Shanglin Garden for worship. For nearly a hundred years, Shanglin Garden has enjoyed favorable weather and abundant harvests, and has produced outstanding people and beautiful scenery."

Emperor Wu of Han was increasingly excited as he listened. "I am now the emperor of the Han Dynasty. My ancestors were so amazing, so I must be amazing too."

"Your Majesty has followed the will of Heaven and since ascending the throne, you have expanded the territory and governed the region. The territory of the Han Dynasty has increased by more than double, and the golden age has already begun to emerge."

"With the blessing of good fortune, he also regained some of the aura of a human emperor, his words carrying the mandate of heaven, pure of the three systems, and aligned with the three righteous ones; a single word was enough to confer divine status."

"Therefore, wherever Your Majesty goes, that is the realm of the Human Emperor, where gods and ghosts retreat, and naturally, those immortals cannot see Your Majesty's holy words."

"Yes, yes, I see, I see."

"No wonder I've spent my whole life searching for immortals and seeking the Dao. Those alchemists say with absolute certainty that there are immortals there, but I just can't meet them."

"We've finally found the reason."

After hearing Wei Sheng's explanation, Emperor Wu of Han felt completely refreshed, as if he were feeling clear and comfortable from head to toe.

He made a decision: to abolish the title of "Son of Heaven" and instead use the title of "Human Emperor."

He also thought of the records in the Liu family's collection, which contained records of the Han emperors bestowing titles upon gods throughout history. The more he thought about it, the more he understood that Wei Sheng was right.

Emperor Wu of Han, the Human Emperor, was awesome!

Emperor Wu of Han was overjoyed, "and suddenly felt that Wei Sheng before him had such a kind face."

"Your talent is unparalleled; it would be a pity if you didn't enter officialdom. I wonder if you would be willing to serve as Prime Minister?"

Good heavens, he's the prime minister right off the bat.

However, given Wei Sheng's status, if he were to actually become the prime minister, not many people would say anything.

After all, the Wei family now enjoys a good reputation throughout the entire Han Dynasty. Even their rivals have to admit that each member of the Wei family is capable in their own way.

"I have no interest in the court; spreading my doctrines is my lifelong ideal."

Faced with the chancellor of a nation, Wei Sheng casually declined.

This made Emperor Wu of Han even more convinced that Wei Sheng was no ordinary man, but "a true sage."

Emperor Wu of Han sighed.

"My dear minister, since the Emperor, no, the Human Sovereign, the Human Sovereign is so powerful, why haven't we heard any rumors of the Human Sovereign ascending to heaven in recent times? Is it because Ji Zhou submitted to Heaven?"

"Perhaps, I'm not entirely sure about that either."

"However, I have a conjecture. The celestial realm and the mortal realm are different after all. The mortal body is mortal and cannot live forever. Perhaps when those immortal kings and ministers ascended, they used the power of heaven and earth to shed their mortal bodies and remain in the mortal realm. Their three souls and seven spirits entered their newly born immortal bodies and went to the celestial realm."

Emperor Wu of Han nodded, agreeing with this assessment.

Especially feeling his now aged body, his disgust for it had reached its peak.

If given the chance, he would like to leave this crippled body in the mortal realm in exchange for an immortal body.

"How can I ascend to the heavens like the Five Emperors and Eight Sovereigns?"

"At that time, you will also be able to come with me to the Heavenly Realm and rule over its vast territory."

While asking questions, Emperor Wu of Han also casually drew a large, round cake.

It can only be said that the art of making empty promises had become ingrained in Emperor Wu of Han's very being; however, he was able to fulfill the promises of the past, but he could not fulfill this one.

"Your Majesty is foolish and dull, and has not been able to obtain the method of ascension. In my opinion, the one who has the potential to obtain the method of ascension is none other than Your Majesty."

Wei Sheng bowed and said.

Emperor Wu of Han understood, understood completely.

No wonder the Wei family discovered such a big secret and came to tell him instead of hiding it from him.

It turns out that the Wei family lacked confidence in their ability to succeed, believing that only I could lead them to ascension, which is why I told him.

That makes sense.

Otherwise, would Emperor Wu of Han really doubt the Wei family's loyalty to him?

They even have the method to ascend to immortality, instead of keeping it to themselves.

So what should he do?

The answer is obvious.

He must achieve feats comparable to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to be able to ascend to the heavens and be named the Heavenly Emperor.

Can he do it?

It's definitely achievable.

Emperor Wu of Han was very confident.

He felt that the achievements he had made were already no less than those of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.

Why haven't they received guidance from Heaven yet?

That shouldn't be the case. Isn't his achievement great enough?

Just as Emperor Wu of Han was about to ask Wei Sheng for advice, a palace attendant came to report.

Emperor Wu of Han, Wei Zhong, and Wei Sheng all felt a jolt in their hearts, knowing that something big had happened.

Otherwise, no one would bother them at this time.

"Announce."

Emperor Wu of Han sent someone in, and then they heard a sentence that terrified them.

"Your Majesty, reports have come from both the east and west sides of the Great Han Dynasty: a massive locust plague."

!!!

Emperor Wu of Han stood up angrily.

He was comparing himself to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors when someone came to disturb him, telling him that a massive locust plague had occurred under his rule.

Slap on the face.

More importantly, if he truly is a holy king, why are there so many calamities?!

Wei Sheng noticed the change in Emperor Wu of Han's expression, thought for a moment, and then spoke to Emperor Wu.

"Your Majesty, I have heard of it."

"Guanzi Shan Quanshu said that Tang had a seven-year drought and Yu had a five-year flood. The people had no food and some even sold their children."

"Tang used the gold from Zhuangshan to mint coins and redeemed the people who had sold their children without a beam."

"Yu used the gold from Mount Li to mint coins and redeemed those who had no food and had to sell their children."

Were Tang and Yu not sage kings?

"From this perspective, although disasters may be the will of Heaven, they are not necessarily punishments."

"It could also be a test for the holy king."

Emperor Taizong once said, "Heaven created the people and appointed a ruler to govern them. Since Heaven has appointed the Son of Heaven to oversee the people, to receive the Mandate of Heaven, and to bestow upon them great responsibilities, how could Heaven arbitrarily impose warnings or punishments upon them?"

After hearing Wei Sheng's explanation, Emperor Wu of Han agreed wholeheartedly.

Unfortunately, the recent years have been plagued by severe droughts and locust plagues, leading many to criticize the emperor for nepotism and excessive military expansion.

How could Heaven punish the people for his mistakes? If it really was his fault, then he alone should be punished.

Even his idol's grandfather said so, so it must be true!

"What do you think of this disaster, my dear minister?"

Wei Sheng bowed again.

"When Heaven is about to bestow a great responsibility upon a human emperor, it will first test his will with setbacks and hardships, measure his benevolence with calamities, and evaluate his virtues and achievements as a sage."

"If one does not change one's will when faced with setbacks, and does not change one's benevolence when faced with disasters, one will benefit the world and all living beings."

"He can be called a sage king!"

"In the early years of Your Majesty's reign, the weather was favorable. However, after Your Majesty unified the Central Plains, your achievements rivaled those of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Therefore, Heaven has sent down a test. If Your Majesty can still ensure peace throughout the land and the well-being of the people in the disaster areas during such a calamity, then surely..."

Wei Sheng left the story unfinished, giving Emperor Wu of Han ample room for imagination.

"This is the manifest mandate of Heaven for the Han Dynasty, and Your Majesty's manifest mandate of Heaven."

After a pause, Wei Sheng continued.