My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

Meanwhile, in room 203 next door.

Liu Che lay on his back on the soft Simmons bed.

His body was enveloped in an unprecedented feeling of being enveloped, which made this emperor, who was used to hard beds, feel a little uncomfortable, but more than that, he felt a novel sense of relaxation.

He didn't fall asleep immediately, but instead kept his eyes open, staring at the ceiling light that emitted a soft, steady glow.

In my mind, everything I saw and heard today is playing back like a revolving lantern.

A box that can play images, a mirror that can reflect every hair on a person's face, and especially Chen Mo's seemingly light yet incredibly weighty statement—"1.3 billion tons of iron production."

"1.3 billion tons..."

Liu Che silently recited this in his heart.

"If only my Han Dynasty... if only my Han Dynasty possessed such great power..."

As he thought to himself, his gaze swept over every corner of the room: the smooth walls, the bright lights, the clear glass windows, and the excessively soft bed beneath him.

"If my great Han Dynasty could not only produce 1.3 billion tons of steel, but also ensure that everyone could live in such bright and clean houses, and that everyone could enjoy that incredibly fragrant and delicious braised pork trotters rice..."

Thinking of the taste of that bowl of braised pork trotters with rice, Liu Che subconsciously smacked his lips.

"What are those mere Xiongnu compared to us?!"

In his mind, countless iron cavalry roared as they swept across the grasslands.

Wherever the banners point, they are routed!

The Xiongnu cavalry?

Faced with such absolute power, it probably wouldn't even be considered dust!

And this is just the beginning.

Liu Che's ambition, as if sprouting wings, flew to even farther places.

He recalled the vague information Zhang Qian brought back about the countries west of the Western Regions, and those distant countries known as "Da Qin" (Rome).

"If that's the case... then my military might wouldn't be limited to the northern deserts. Wouldn't the kingdoms of the Western Regions be easily subdued with a mere proclamation? And even the Great Qin, so far away..."

A smile full of conquering desire and confidence curled at the corners of his mouth.

The heroic sentiment of "If the enemy can go, so can I" surged into my heart once again.

This thought stirred his emotions, even making him tremble slightly with excitement.

But soon, the cold reality pulled him back to the quiet guest room.

1.3 billion tons of steel?

Everyone lives in a bright house?

Everyone eats pork trotter rice?

Between him and the mighty Han of today lies a chasm longer than the Great Wall and higher than the Tianshan Mountains.

The excitement and longing gradually subsided, transforming into a deeper and more resolute determination.

"It seems..."

Liu Che stared at the ceiling, muttering to himself.

"After I return to the capital, in addition to planning the campaign against the Xiongnu, I also need to seriously consider the matter of productivity."

"Craftsmanship...technique...principle..."

"Perhaps I should meet with those lowly artisans who are usually considered inferior, and ask the Imperial Treasury if a portion of the treasury's funds could be allocated to these 'strange and ingenious crafts'?"

For the sake of his ultimate dream that "wherever the sun and moon shine, wherever rivers flow, all is Han territory," he did not mind temporarily setting aside some of his imperial pride.

After all, if one could possess such power as in later generations, let alone the Xiongnu, conquering the entire world and planting the dragon flag of the Han Dynasty throughout the world would not seem like a pipe dream!

Liu Che was excited and drifted off to sleep with ever-growing ambition.

Tomorrow, he'll definitely find Chen Mo again and have a good talk with him!

at the same time,

The Great Tang Dynasty's Lizheng Hall.

The night was deep, and the candlelight flickered.

Empress Zhangsun was sitting under the lamp, flipping through some palace affairs records, her brows showing her usual gentleness and weariness.

As a virtuous empress, she not only had to manage the six palaces, but also had to share the emperor's worries from time to time.

In particular, Chengqian's recent leg ailment and the subtle estrangement between father and son have left her feeling exhausted.

Suddenly, a series of hurried and familiar footsteps came from outside the hall. Without being announced, Li Shimin appeared at the door.

His face bore a complex expression that Empress Zhangsun had not seen in a long time—an uncontrollable excitement, the weariness of a long journey, and a sense of relief and joy.

"His Majesty?"

Empress Zhangsun quickly stood up, somewhat surprised.

At this time, His Majesty is usually still handling state affairs in the Liangyi Hall.

Even when they come over, they usually have a solemn expression, rarely appearing like this... almost out of control.

"What's going on...? Could it be that there's good news from the front lines?"

Li Shimin did not answer immediately, but strode forward and grasped Empress Zhangsun's hand.

His palms were slightly sweaty, yet unusually strong.

"Guanyinbi, this is not a war, it's a joyous occasion! A truly joyous occasion!"

Empress Zhangsun was even more puzzled by him and asked softly.

"Your Majesty, please speak slowly. What joyous occasion has brought you such delight?"

Li Shimin took a deep breath, as if to calm his surging emotions, before speaking slowly and deliberately.

"These past few days, I... visited an incredible place and witnessed a brilliant future!"

"clever?"

Empress Zhangsun's heart tightened, fearing she might hear some bad prophecy.

But Li Shimin's next words made her widen her beautiful eyes instantly.

"Those amazing legs...there's hope!"

"Later generations have had miraculous healers and divine arts that can cure his legs, allowing him to walk and even run like a normal person!"

"What?!"

Empress Zhangsun suddenly gripped Li Shimin's hand tightly, her nails almost digging into his flesh.

"Your Majesty...you...you're telling the truth?! Such miraculous abilities truly exist in later generations? Chengqian...he really can..."

Her voice trembled, choked with sobs, and her eyes instantly filled with tears.

For a moment, I couldn't even believe my ears.

Chengqian's leg ailment had been a heavy burden on her heart for many years.

Watching her son grow increasingly depressed due to his disability, she, as a mother, shed countless tears in secret, and visited many famous doctors, but all to no avail.

Li Chengqian endured a great deal.

But who could know how much she, as a mother, worried about Li Chengqian?

"Absolutely true!"

Li Shimin nodded emphatically, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"I saw it with my own eyes! That medical skill was unbelievable; with just one... one surgery, the crooked joints were corrected!"

"Gao Ming's leg has been healed; he just needs to stay there and rest."

"It's good that you're cured! It's good that you're cured!"

Empress Zhangsun wept with joy.

"That's wonderful...that's really wonderful...thank you!"

After the initial excitement, Empress Zhangsun gradually calmed down.

She looked at her husband and keenly sensed that besides joy, there seemed to be something deeper hidden in his expression.

"Your Majesty, what exactly is that place you went to? Why would people from later generations be so willing to help you?"

Li Shimin pondered for a moment, then selectively told her about his adventures at the Time Inn, the innkeeper Chen Mo, and his encounters with Zhu Di, Liu Che, and others.

Of course, he omitted unpleasant things such as Li Chengqian's future rebellion, and only emphasized the advancement of science and technology in later generations and the peculiarities of the young shopkeeper named Chen Mo.

Empress Zhangsun was shocked to hear this.

Traveling through a thousand years?

This is simply a myth!

But she knew Li Shimin well; he would never joke about such an important matter.

"It seems that shopkeeper Chen is a wise and influential person, and also a benefactor of His Majesty."

Empress Zhangsun said softly.

"Your Majesty, since Chengqian has such an opportunity, we must seize it. However... while the methods of later generations are good, we must also be cautious, for the safety of a wise ruler is at stake..."

"I understand."

Li Shimin patted the back of her hand.

"I have made all the arrangements. Now, there is one more matter..."

His expression turned serious.

"I have had many reflections on this experience. Especially regarding Chengqian, Qingque, and how to be a father and a ruler... Perhaps I have indeed made mistakes in the past."

"If I hadn't been too harsh on Gao Ming, he probably wouldn't have been under so much pressure."

"His Majesty……"

Empress Zhangsun opened her mouth.

She could certainly see Li Shimin's strictness towards Li Chengqian, and she also knew that as the crown prince, he couldn't be too lenient.

Therefore, all she could do was show more care for Li Chengqian on a regular basis, hoping to alleviate his stress with her concern.

But she also knew that if the leg ailment persisted, Li Chengqian's psychological pressure would definitely be immense.

After all, which emperor was a cripple?

But thank God, Chengqian's leg finally has a chance of being cured.

"His Majesty……"

Empress Zhangsun looked at Li Shimin.

"I have a request that I cannot make."

Li Shimin was slightly taken aback.

"Guanyinbi, we are so close, how can you say it's an unreasonable request?"

"Since that's the case..."

Empress Zhangsun bowed slightly.

"Your Majesty, I wish to visit Gao Ming. I wonder if this is permissible..."

Li Shimin smiled slightly.

"Of course! I'll take Guanyinbi to see the world of the future."

"Did you know? In the future, people have mastered lightning and can use it for lighting. There's also a box called a television that can play things..."