"Hu's" prophecy made Victoria start to worry again - but she was relieved soon. Anyway, it was not her turn to decide how Rome died. Because before Rome died, everything would be handed over to the King of Rome to deal with.

As soon as she thought of this, her blood pressure dropped immediately.

[Wow Victoria, did you find some way to relieve your stress? Your blood pressure dropped instantly. It's a medical miracle.]

"Nothing, I just thought that if the sky falls, there will be a tall person to hold it up."

These words made Shangluo feel cold behind his back.

Indeed. If Rome was bound to perish because of the "Hu", then he, who took over Rome, would be the one who had to face the "Hu" directly.

"Now that you mention it, my blood pressure is actually going to go up, oh yeah."

He suddenly remembered something: "Hey, Old Xu, there is something I want to ask you: What's going on with Chiba Industrial City? What's going on with your super crossbow-class battleship?"

"What Chiba? What's the super crossbow level?"

"You do not know?"

"I am concentrating on refining the elixir, how can I have time to care about what is happening outside the window?"

"So those ninjas have nothing to do with you?"

"What ninja? I don't know." Xu Fu replied, "I only know how to make elixirs for the Qin Dynasty, and I don't know anything else."

[The situation may be like this now - Xu Fu seems to have transformed into several, maybe three, to carry out different goals. The one we met seems to be exactly what we are looking for. After all, what we are looking for is the golden elixir, and the golden elixir is in his hand. ]

"You really don't know?" Shangluo asked again.

Considering that Xu Fu, the old liar, is the originator of telecommunications fraud and he could even deceive Qin Shi Huang, it is obviously difficult for Shangluo to have 100% trust in him - which is why he must inspect the goods first.

It was because the First Emperor did not inspect the goods from beginning to end, and just relied on his mouth to deceive people, he deceived 3000 boys and girls and an entire fleet. By the way, the soldiers helped him shoot and kill the pursuers from the East China Sea aquatic creatures on the way.

it's here.

All the evidence seemed to point to the Yang Spirit of Xu Fu in front of him. Different from the Yuan Spirit and Yin Spirit, the Yang Spirit worked hard for the mission of the secular world and worked hard on paperwork.

This Xu Fu was mentioning the First Emperor from beginning to end, and was obviously trying to make himself closer to the Yang God - but was he really?

Shangluo felt that this was not certain. In addition, "Xu Fu" seemed to have deliberately led him somewhere before, so it was possible that Xu Fu himself had joined the game this time.

But does the Xu Fu in front of him really know nothing as he appears to do?

Shangluo didn't know either. But one thing was certain - he only wanted the golden elixir, nothing else mattered. As long as he could get the golden elixir, Xu Fu could do whatever he wanted here.

He wanted to know what Xu Fu had discovered after two thousand years of research here.

Although it is hard to say what the best fortune is, if Xu Fu's golden elixir can stably create a real person in the golden elixir stage, then it is also a great thing.

Shangluo himself has already touched the edge of the Golden Core Stage, so he will first evaluate whether he really needs this Golden Core. If he does not need help, then he will exchange this Golden Core for something more useful to him - he originally wanted to hold an auction.

But now, the king's division was moving with him, and the army was being commanded here and there. It would be fine if he accepted Xu Fu's six soul banner, but Xu Fu's golden elixir was the main target of this operation. If he took the main target of this operation without saying anything, it would be more trouble than gain.

On the other hand, if we discuss things well and roll points according to the needs, we should be able to get a result that everyone is satisfied with - after all, cultivating immortals also requires the use of human relationships and worldly wisdom. The value of a golden elixir may not be comparable to human relationships.

But this is not the best result after all. Even if it can break through to the Jindan stage, it can only add one more strong man. However, the Ming Dynasty is not short of strong men now. Daozu is needless to say. The four heavenly masters have already participated in the affairs of the empire. They will not ignore the rise and fall of the empire, and at least they will protect the country.

For the Jindan-stage immortals, the imperial court even had an immortal named Lan who sat far away like a messenger. Although he could not be dispatched at will, he was obviously not obedient to orders. If Zhu Xianxi summoned him, he would definitely come. The loyalty shown by the immortal Lan was similar to the loyalty to the First Emperor as described by Xu Fu.

Therefore, the imperial court is actually not short of high-end combat power. Perhaps the imperial court itself has a few Jindan-stage techniques that are not being used.

So what Shangluo wanted was not the Jindan stage in the modern sense, but the "real person" in the classic sense of cultivating immortals. A real person with a wonderful body and spirit, who could live anywhere in heaven or on earth, and could be dispersed into qi and gathered into form.

This is what is not available at present. It is so rare that perhaps only Xu Fu knows its true meaning. Even other great figures above the Jindan stage in later generations find it difficult to comprehend the secrets of the pre-Qin alchemy.

As for the best fortune, it was a clear recipe for the elixir. Shangluo didn't know whether Xu Fu had only figured out one elixir, a gourd of elixir, or a recipe for the elixir in the past two thousand years. If he could get the recipe, then even if the required materials were precious, it would not be impossible to get them with the power of the court.

By then, Xu Fu will be recruited to the alchemy room, and he will teach other Qigong practitioners to refine golden elixirs in batches. Then the ascension will be almost halfway done, at least the Jinyiwei who are already Qigong practitioners can enter the immortal state first. By then, the world will be free to roam, and the global situation will be under control.

Fu Yuanshan is already very strong. Shangluo has seen Fu Yuanshan take action several times. It is not difficult for him to destroy a country alone. According to the military exercises he and the king's division had before, even the imperial court itself could not do anything to a celestial being in the foundation-building stage.

And if this golden elixir can allow a large number of people to enter the realm of real people - or to put it another way, if it can allow a large number of people to enter the realm of heavenly beings in batches, then the balance between the heavenly court and the imperial court will be completely broken. In the face of absolute strength, this will make it easier for Shangluo to handle the relationship between them.

Shangluo is not used to dealing with the ways of the world under the same conditions. What he is good at is to keep his heart in the face of huge advantages and not to go beyond the rules.

[You are really a good person]

"Because I know that civilization without people is meaningless. If I offend everyone and only I live forever, that would be too tormenting. I think I agree with the ancients on this point. Zhuangzi wanted to become an immortal, and he wanted to travel freely, not to be disgusted with the world and abandon it. If the world itself is filthy, how can there be freedom? So."

He paused and said, "I will swear by the Luo River. I must go and see the golden elixir. As for Xu Fu's arrangements, it's up to him. This is a price I can't refuse."

,

Chapter 1172 Water of De River

[Now that you put it that way, it seems like your Yang Shen has the upper hand. ]

"To be honest, as someone who grew up in modern society, it's hard for you to let me use my 'primordial spirit' to prevail and focus on seeking the truth without caring about worldly affairs. The division of labor in human society has become highly refined and far more colorful than in ancient times. In this case, focusing on seeking the truth is equivalent to practicing asceticism. I'm not ready for asceticism yet - of course."

He shook his head. "Although I won't practice hard, I won't let the arrogant and extravagant Yin spirit occupy my heart. So from this point of view, a compromise between the two will make it easier for me to stabilize my heart, which is exactly the way of the Yang spirit. My immortal path is like this, neither can be lost. Our car is very big, and all living beings in the world can sit in it."

[Then you are really the same as the ancients, but also different]

After all, when the First Emperor was refining the elixir, he probably didn't want everyone to become real people like him.

"Ah, now that I think about it, I don't have to have too high expectations on Xu Fu. Perhaps, it's just a pill recipe that can increase my cultivation." After saying that, he also asked Xu Fu:

"So, Mr. Xu, what exactly is the elixir you want to show me?"

"It's the recipe for the East Sea Immortal Medicine, and the finished product made according to the recipe."

“???” Shang Luo was stunned for a moment, “It really exists! Is it really a prescription that allows everyone to ascend to heaven?”

"Of course." Xu Fu replied, "You can distrust me, but you can't just question my knowledge. Of course, if the First Emperor didn't trust my knowledge, he wouldn't have sent me to lead the process of seeking medicine. What I refine is an elixir that can turn you into a real person as long as you take it."

"Can you make a few more rounds?"

"If you have the materials, you can refine as much as you want. As long as you eat the golden elixir, you can leave the earth and become an immortal."

[It's over. He has given you a reason that you can't refuse, right? Because you don't worry about your own cultivation, and what attracts you is this method of cultivating strong people in large quantities.]

"Need I say that? I'm already very strong, so I'm not in a hurry. Oh my god, you're really waiting here." He looked at Xu Fu, "What's in the medicine? Are there any rare medicinal materials that are hard to replicate?"

"I'm sorry." Xu Fu replied, "I can't tell you that. Because the prescription is very simple - when you see it, you will be surprised why the prescription is so simple but has never been discovered. Maybe we just lack this finishing touch when we go there."

[Hey, hey, hey, calm down. He's targeting your preferences again. Now it's the 'FTL engine is as simple as a windmill, but the people on Earth haven't discovered it yet' 8 billion mad dogs unleashed. ]

"I understand. But this smells so good." He looked at Xu Fu, "I say, Mr. Xu, do you dare to swear? To Luo He?"

"I swear on the De River! The water of the De River is blue! It gathers in the sky, and its flow is vast! The people of the country sing together, and its water is vast! I am a Qin person, and the First Emperor has been very kind to me. And I swear on the De River, can you believe me?"

"Okay." Shangluo nodded, "I will believe you for now. But if you tell a lie——"

"I promise I didn't. I promise I'm telling the truth." Xu Fu answered without hesitation, "You should believe the old Qin people's oath to Dehe River, just like you, Shangjun, swore to Luoshui River. My oath is as sincere as yours!"

[It’s over. 】

"Ahem," Shangluo coughed, "Anyway, I'll keep an eye on it. So where is your dojo, Mr. Xu?"

"In Kumano."

"Kumano?"

[Searching for Kumano—Kumano is a pilgrimage center for the naturalistic faith known as Shugendo. Similar to the Ryukyu Ontake cult, the Kumano region also boasts numerous natural deities that are worshipped. From a spiritual perspective, the area boasts excellent feng shui.]

"Where is the exact location?"

【Look at the map.】 Apollonia noted the location.

Kumano is actually the area centered in Nara, which was divided into the "yamato" region in the Japanese Ritsu system. This word actually means Yamato. Of course, like other places, the shogunate regarded such words as taboos. Whenever you encounter yamato, just write Yamatai, which is the Japanese pronunciation of "yamato".

It can also be written as yama-hu or yama-ji, which is the specific meaning.

"So it's here." Shangluo looked at the map. This is indeed the core area of ​​the ancient Japanese regime. In other words, when Xu Fu came, there were only people here, and other places were basically wasteland.

【I also searched for the "Xu Fu relics" in Japan, and they are basically concentrated here. There is even a Xu Fu Shrine here! It is a mausoleum that worships Xu Fu as a god. Among them, Xu Fu is worshipped as the god of agriculture and medicine. He is the great god who taught farmers all kinds of crafts, grains, farm tools, medicines and medical skills. 】

"What do you think?"

[This makes sense! If you ask where Xu Fu's research facilities are, then they can only be here. After all, there are no people anywhere else. When he came, there were only people here. It makes sense that there are many relics of Xu Fu here. This makes sense.]

"You mean, you think there's something wrong?"

[It's hard for me to say. But since this is a reason you can't refuse, I won't add extra pressure to you. ]

"Okay." Shang Luo stood up. "Then Mr. Xu, I will trust you for now. Then you won't mind if I destroy Qianye, right?"

Xu Fu shook his head as a matter of course and said, "Please do as you please. I don't mind. Shall we start now?"

"Not yet, I'll deal with the main task first. As for the facilities here, I think the Dragon King will be more interested. I will let the Dragon King accept it."

Shangluo also remembered that Qianye's super crossbow-class battleship seemed to be prepared for future wars. Considering Xu Fu's experience of using crossbows to hunt dragons, Shangluo wanted to see whether the city would submit obediently in front of the dragon clan, or use its weapons to shoot dragons.

"Apollonia, help me answer the call from King Ao Zang. I have good news to tell him. This is great news, something that even I can't refuse."

"Tianjun." Ao Zang answered, "What's the situation?"

"Xu Fu and I have important matters to attend to. You don't have to go to the Dragon Palace - don't you want the souls here? Qianye is yours. Although the specific division will require another meeting, you can regard Qianye as a prepayment and you can return the excess and pay the shortfall when the time comes."

"Okay, okay!" Ao Zang was overjoyed at the victory. "Since the Heavenly Lord has said so, I won't be polite. I will take over the city and the people inside. It's time to repay the debt."

Chapter 1173 Fengtian Palace

When the royal army's artillery fire echoed in Edo Bay, everything in Yingtian City was normal. Just like countless years in the past, the Imperial Army, the Northern Army, the Southern Army, the various border troops, and the navy kept the war far beyond the border. If you were a civilian household instead of a military household, you might not see the shadow of war for several lifetimes.

"Well, everyone." Wen Zhong sat on the rostrum between the east and west wings in the Fengtian Hall:

"Today is the last standing court meeting before the winter solstice. I would like to tell the officials who have just entered this year that the court will work according to the fiscal year, which is the winter solstice. Therefore, the court will enter its busiest period around the winter solstice. Not only will it be busy with annual accounting, but also with the sacrifices around the winter solstice. Because there won't be enough people, the Fengtian Hall will not hold standing meetings on specific matters until next New Year's Day, and will only hold ceremonial court meetings. You may all know that the emperor has gone hunting in the north during this period."

Before he finished speaking, he heard some murmurs and rustling whispers below.

"Ahem, let me repeat it again. This is literally the Northern Hunting. The emperor went hunting somewhere in the north. Some of you new here may think that the emperor is lazy about government affairs, but I think most people know that the emperor never rests. So for this short-term special situation, I urge everyone to be considerate of the emperor. He has no rest all year round, and even on New Year's Eve he has to stand at the Temple of Heaven for half a day. So, although you can submit memorials to express your opinions, I suggest that the censors do not say anything - of course." He added:

"It's your power. From the emperor to the ninth-rank warehouse manager, you can impeach anyone you want. But from my point of view, I advise you to use the memorials in your hands with caution. Don't think of shocking others, and don't deliberately provoke the emperor to cheat the imperial caning." He emphasized, "I'm glad that no one did this this year, and I hope it will be the same next year. I tell you frankly, what I hate most is cheating the imperial caning. Because even if you are sure that the emperor will not talk back, it is even more impossible for him to really be caned."

After saying this, he looked at everyone, and they all nodded in approval.

Among all the cabinet ministers, Wen Zhong was the one who presided over the most court meetings alone. He could be said to be a full-time official in this area. The other cabinet ministers, including the chief minister, would only attend the meeting when the topic concerned themselves. And every morning, without fail, it was Wen Zhong who sat here to preside over the meeting.

His words were important because the court was where decisions were made and the core of the imperial examination system. But they were also not very important because Wen Zhong himself could not actually express his opinion on any controversial issues. Because he had to speak last on everything, the overall situation had already been decided by the time it was his turn to speak.

However, indirectly, he can influence certain decisions by arranging the order of the agenda, but that is a story for later.

Here, Wen Zhong’s most important task is to arrive earlier than everyone else and leave later than everyone else.

Although he had not actually influenced any decision this year, his prestige was enough to make all those who had just entered the room afraid to respond - after all, he was actually the one who attended court on behalf of Zhu Xianxun. When Zhu Xianxun was not attending court, Wen Zhong was the one who attended court here.

The people who met here were not senators or consuls in the Roman sense, but councilors.

The Yilang were Langguan, the successful candidates of the imperial examinations over the years - or more specifically, they were Hanlin. As Hanlin, they were actually the youngest group of people in the entire court, but they actually held the huge power of drafting imperial edicts. Hanlin also had its own promotion system, with a total of 10 levels, starting from Daxueshi and Bachelor, to Daizhi and Yingfeng as the backbone, and Shujishi as the last.

The top three candidates in the imperial examinations would begin at the fourth level, the "Editor," while the majority of the others would begin at the lowest level, the "Shujishi." The Hanlin Academy would undergo regular reelections; those who passed the examinations could remain in the Fengtian Hall, while those who failed would be transferred to the six ministries, nine government offices, or prefectures and counties.

Everyone here is brimming with energy, even in test-taking mode, or even in a pre-exam sprint. This is essentially the peak of one's intelligence, and as long as one can maintain this, one can remain in this position forever. Imperial decrees require the most efficient and intelligent individuals to draft them.

Although the direction of national policy is ultimately formulated by the cabinet elders and the six ministries and nine government offices, the specifics of how it should be done are completely determined by the Hanlin Academy. Some people in the Hanlin Academy will be trained as "Six Departments of the Imperial Censorate" and receive special seats in the Fengtian Hall - they can directly refute the memorials that have been drafted by the court and exercise the right of veto. The Six Departments of the Imperial Censorate monitor the six ministries of rituals, households, rituals, soldiers, punishments, and labor respectively, and those in charge of the criminal department are also in charge of the Jinyiwei's power to arrest and interrogate.

This can be said to be the most tense place in the entire court. The more tense people are, the more likely they are to have problems.

So Wen Zhong specifically reminded: "Do you all understand what I just said?"

"We will follow your instructions." Everyone stood up and bowed to Wen Zhong to show their understanding. Wen Zhong was the principal to many of them, but when they were working, they would only call him "Gentleman".

Wen Zhong also stood up to return the greeting. After everyone sat down, Wen Zhong picked up the microphone again:

"Then, let's gradually start today's schedule. The first thing, I know you may have already known. Maybe some people don't know, so I'll tell you here: the royal division has already been dispatched."

There was a lot of discussion in Fengtian Hall. This news exploded like a frying pan, because this was almost the first time in their lives that the king's division directly skipped the Ministry of War to mobilize troops.

Of course it is possible. After all, the whole world belongs to the emperor, and the emperor can mobilize troops as he wants. However, if the reason is not even told to the people in Fengtian Hall, it is obviously unreasonable. However, the discussion of the people is mainly focused on the matter, not on "power struggle".

After all, the Hanlin Academy was not a single entity, and the turnover of personnel was very high. No one would think that "the power of the Hanlin Academy had been divided, and they wanted to get their place back." They only knew that there would be big troubles in the future.

The question of "whether it is in accordance with the rules to transfer troops by skipping the Hanlin Academy" was never considered by the Hanlin Academy, but by Wen Zhong. Wen Zhong was the one who spoke on behalf of the Hanlin Academy as a whole. What is important now is that this matter has already happened, so what should they do next to end it? This is the most important thing.

Chapter 1174 Making a decision

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