Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

"What about Guoxing? Does he know?" He realized something, "Could it be that Guoxing's father was..."

He didn't finish, but Lan Daoxing nodded to confirm Zhu Xianxin's speculation:

"Yes. The previous generation's surname shifted from the Penglai lineage to the Fanghu lineage, so he had to die once. Things in the Dao League are not peaceful. Immortals also have problems among themselves. But one thing is certain - among all the affairs in this world, nothing is more important than the court. All the gods and immortals in this world are not as important as His Majesty the Holy Son of Heaven. Because, His Majesty, you are the Human Emperor. Whether it is Kunlun, Penglai or Fanghu, all the immortals in the world must pay homage to the Human Emperor."

"I didn't know I was so important, but why do I always feel like you guys seem to care more about Shangluo?"

"Well, if you put it that way, the Human Emperor is actually an institution, and it only takes one person. Of course, His Majesty the Emperor grew up under our watch, and I didn't want to see you suffer, so I came here to help you. But Shangluo is different, and it won't work if we replace him with someone else. There is only one Shangluo."

Chapter 1219 Penglai Immortal

"Wait, so we are actually dealing with the Penglai Immortal now?" Shangluo received a call from Zhu Xianxin.

After hearing the news, Zhu Xianxi did not hesitate at all and immediately shared the information with Shangluo - he told everything except that he himself had collapsed.

"Yes. Shangluo, be careful."

"So there are still people above Xu Fu???"

"Oh, this." Zhu Xianxin was stunned for a moment. "Wait, I didn't expect this either. Let me ask. Don't worry, Xu Fu is alone, and there is no one above him. The immortals in Penglai fight on their own, without a master or disciples. They only care about themselves. Their behavior and motivation are all centered on themselves, and the only way to deal with others is to trade."

"Why does this sound so familiar?" This sounded more and more familiar. Those famous sayings that are so well-known just popped out of history. While Shangluo was sighing at the richness of this land, his spirit was also impacted by those wonderful ancient thoughts.

"He is not willing to give a single hair. Even if he could benefit the world by losing a single hair, he would not give it. Even if the whole world were to serve him, he would not take it. He is not willing to give a single hair. This is the kind of old Taoist priest. He will not harm others because he is immoral. He will not help others because it has nothing to do with him. It has nothing to do with him at all."

"As expected, this is the old Taoist priest! This is so classic!"

This is no ordinary classic. Shangluo doesn't know whether the current Confucian scholars can sit at the same table with Confucius and Mencius if they go back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, but if this person goes back, he can really sit at the same table with Yang Zhu.

"So, Xu Fu is like this now. You have to be careful. Although Xu Fu will definitely exchange something of equal value if he wants to take it from you, you still have to be careful."

"If it's a business deal, I don't object. I just exchange money for goods. I'll follow whatever card he plays. What I'm afraid of is that he's playing tricks on me. I'm afraid he's trying to trick me in order to make me an offer I can't refuse. Aren't there many advertisements like this - for example, they create a life of 'drinking iced Coke in the summer', which makes the audience want to consume. What if he stimulates me to consume?"

"This..." This made Zhu Xianxun a little embarrassed. "I haven't thought about this problem. I just buy whatever I want. But it seems that this situation does exist. He will test your background, figure out your needs, and then give you a price."

"So why me? Have I offended him in some way? Or what does he like about me?"

"That's a very good reason. You are auspicious, and you may have what he needs. And you seem to need what he has."

"His pill, right?" Shang Luo covered his forehead. "So, he seems to be really confident in selling this pill to me. Is it necessary to test each other like this when buying and selling things?"

"That's true," Zhu Xianxi replied. "Like buying and selling antiques, both parties want to test each other's sincerity so as to negotiate a contract that will not satisfy either party."

“Why is it ‘both sides are dissatisfied’?”

"Because only when both parties are dissatisfied can it be a truly fair contract. As a stingy old Taoist priest, he doesn't want to take advantage of you, but he also doesn't want to suffer losses. Not to mention selling antiques, I was like this when I was doing small crafts. This is the only way for business to last long." This is Zhu Xianxun's personal experience, and he has indeed done such a thing.

"Precious things are really different. But I won't let him make the cards alone. I can also make cards."

"Oh~~right, right, that's it. You see, I also used some tricks like 'limited edition' and 'mystery' before, and traded through middlemen, which was also to create an atmosphere. You are in charge of things here, how do you plan to make the cards?"

"According to what you said, Senior Brother, Dragon Palace and Xu Fu actually belong to different factions?"

"Indeed. I thought they were close since they were both at sea, but I didn't expect they were fundamentally different."

"It seems that I was right to use Longgong to mess with Xu Fu. As long as we get Xu Fu to give up all the big names first, I think we can negotiate a good price."

Shangluo thought about it - although this matter could be reported to the court for reimbursement, because the extraordinary power was in the hands of heaven, Shangluo had to make the decision himself.

If we take inventory, the cards in Shangluo's hand can be roughly divided into several layers.

First of all, there are things that belong to him completely: these are mainly taken from Rome and have little to do with the court, such as Artemis's hunting knife, the giant spirit, and the spear of the sun god.

He could use his own discretion to support these things, but because they were most closely related to him, and many of them were also related to Victoria's national destiny, he did not intend to exchange them.

The second is things that are slightly more distantly related, but are also his personal property - these are mainly gifts from others, such as swords and pills given to him by the Heavenly Masters, as well as maps of mountains, rivers, and states.

These are also his things. But if they are exchanged for the benefit of the Heavenly Court, it is not impossible, after all, this is also part of the operation. Making some investments in the early days of the Heavenly Court can also ensure the right to speak in the future. But then again, although it is a transaction, Shangluo does not want to exchange these things that have been used for a long time.

Then there are the things that belong to the Heavenly Court. The most important ones are the treasures that Shangluo has exchanged from various places, and the facilities operated by the power of the Heavenly Court. For example, the packaged "server" can not only provide information services, but also produce boiled eggs. And the treasure maps that the Dragon King gave him some time ago, Shangluo also counted them in this. But even these, Shangluo is not so willing to trade them. It's nothing else, just that he is familiar with it.

Finally, it has nothing to do with Shangluo. It is the magic weapon that the court collected before Shangluo came - such as those in the Jinyiwei. Shangluo thinks that if there is a trade, it is best to exchange it with the Jinyiwei's things. After all, Xu Fu's golden elixir is mostly used for public purposes, and so are the magic weapons of the Jinyiwei. It is more appropriate to exchange two things for public purposes.

Of course, it is not ruled out that Shangluo wanted to use the pill himself. That would be another story. Trading does not necessarily require the use of ready-made goods. If it is really useful, he can also help Xu Fu do some tasks in exchange for rewards.

Chapter 1220: The Court’s Funds

"So the Dragon King is very important here." Shangluo emphasized, "It's not easy for me to put equal pressure on Xu Fu, because that may lead to a spiral of mutual distrust between the two sides, and then the deal can't be done. But the Dragon King has nothing to do with us, he can put as much pressure as he wants. I will help the Dragon King and force Xu Fu to the end of his rope, and then I will get his elixir. After all, the debt he owes to the Dragon King is real."

"Why didn't I realize before that you are also good at business? Your logic is very logical. Then I am relieved about other things. It's a good opportunity to trouble you to support me for a while."

"Eh? Brother, haven't you come out of retreat? Then you can handle your own affairs. Why do you want me to hold on for a while longer?"

"Ah, well, the signal is bad. I'll hang up first. See you later."

Zhu Xianxun hung up the phone.

[Sure enough, he is hiding something from you]

"I can't understand. What's so bad about speaking up? He is the emperor, and I am his junior apprentice. There is nothing I can't say."

[Unless this matter is related to you, that's why he is hesitating and can't finish his words. ]

"what's up?"

[Ah! I see! He must have found out that he couldn't have children, so he wanted you and Zhu Ling to have a child to inherit the throne!]

"Puff——" Faertong next to him spat out a mouthful of water, "Is it like this?"

[Of course. When have you ever seen our Holy Emperor so embarrassed? He must be anxious for someone to inherit the throne, so he is here to pay a large sum of money to have a son! ]

"Yes," Victoria nodded, "It's a reasonable choice. Our family's Palaiologos-Isaurian Dynasty was born in this way. Our Isaurian family married the last descendant of Palaiologos and became co-emperors, and then a new dynasty was formed."

"Hey, hey, hey, can you guys please use some common sense here? I've only heard of letting nephews inherit political resources and industries, but I've never heard of letting nephews inherit the throne. The throne is a family matter, how can the affairs of one family be mixed with those of another family?"

[Why can't they be mixed together? Look, Yang Jian is the nephew of the Jade Emperor, right? I think when the Jade Emperor abdicates, the throne will be passed on to anyone, and it doesn't matter who takes the throne next year. Since Sun Wukong can be the Jade Emperor, there's no reason why Yang Jian can't be the Jade Emperor. Being the Jade Emperor Yang Jian - isn't that great?]

"Yes, that's good." Victoria replied, "Joint rule is great. Let others fight the war. Happy Shangluo, you're married."

"Wait a minute. Wait a minute," Phaethon said again, "Shouldn't you two first clarify one thing: Has His Majesty the Holy Son of Heaven really come out of confinement?"

"Hmm?" Shang Luo asked in surprise, "What do you mean?"

"I have a hypothesis—just a hypothesis. He wants Shangluo to hold on for a while longer because he hasn't actually come out yet. He just has to come out because of something, just like a hungry bear in hibernation, he has to come out to eat a few bites before going back to sleep. Maybe he just ran out because he has something unfinished."

"Right!" Shangluo clapped his hands fiercely. "You're really reliable. This is a reasonable decision. Then why did he come here?"

"I'm guessing, I'm just guessing - maybe he is coming to find Xu Fu." Phaethon guessed again.

"You know what? It's really possible. He emphasized the matter of Xu Fu to me, which means he had consulted him before. So, he actually wants to go to Xu Fu for something?"

“Is this a good thing?” Apollonia asked.

"Shangluo, Apollonia, and Phaethon, let me tell you, this is definitely a good thing, a very good thing, there is nothing better than this. From an administrative point of view, this is better than Shangluo eating it himself." Victoria suddenly said.

【why? 】

"Yes, why?" Shangluo didn't understand either.

"What is the most important ability to support the operation of a department? Do you know? It is spending money! You must find a reasonable excuse to apply for funds, because if you don't have the ability to spend money, it proves that the ability of your department needs to be improved. So no matter what, we must first apply for funds in the dual system of the transition between the Heavenly Court and the Imperial Court - and there is no better reason to apply for it than for the health of the Son of Heaven! So if it is for His Majesty the Holy Son of Heaven himself, then no matter how many resources we ask for from the Imperial Court, it makes sense. Just hold a meeting."

When they entered Victoria's professional field, the three of them were stunned because Victoria was so skilled.

"So," Shangluo asked, "my best option is to make this a big deal?"

"Yes, we should let everyone know - but the specific form of expression depends on your choice. In fact, I have read the history of Zhendan, and there is a debate about the annual budget that you had hundreds of years ago. Judging from the result of that debate, building a palace for the emperor is the most legitimate excuse. In any case, when the emperor really needs it, the funds can certainly be obtained. As for how to spend it after obtaining it, that is another matter. In short, the more funds, the greater the power."

"Wait a minute." Shangluo asked in surprise, "Should we start the merger now?"

"Yes, that's what I mean. If you transfer all the funds of the court to this place, then the Heavenly Palace will belong to the court. This happens every year in our place. The Senate, the Palace of Muses and the Oracle all compete with each other for funds and other spheres of influence. In fact, whoever does the most in the end has the greater say."

[So the empire is doomed, and competing to see who spends money faster is like stepping on the accelerator on a downhill road.]

"Well, that's it." Victoria was a little embarrassed. "Anyway, it's right to strive for more resources. Reform is not like treating people to a meal. If you don't strive for resources, they won't come to you on their own. Whenever there is reform, there must be new people laughing and old people crying. And who laughs and who cries is decided by you, Shang Tianjun - this pill can have a far-reaching impact, and it can become an important opportunity."

"I understand." Shangluo nodded. "Some parts make sense. We should fight for what we should fight for. The only thing I'm afraid of is what to do if Xu Fu asks for too much. If he doesn't want to be decent, and we can't help him be decent, then in the end I might not even be decent. Wait, now that things have come to this, it's better to escalate. Victoria, make a phone call for me. I'm going to start calling people."

Chapter 1221 Chiba Industrial City

"Tsk, is this Qianye?"

The first moment he and everyone else arrived at [Chiba Industrial City], Shangluo actually had the illusion of traveling through time when his feet stood on the concrete ground - of course, including this time, that meant he had traveled through time twice.

This feeling of time travel was not because he saw something advanced, but because the city and the outside of the city were completely different worlds.

Concrete ground, traffic lights, and skyscrapers. Some of these skyscrapers are even made of steel and have glass facades.

Fu Yuanshan also came. It only took him a dozen minutes to travel such a short distance, and he could come all the way here by himself. Phaethon was also here, and she could temporarily recover her original strength when holding the Spear of the Sun God. With the pills she was taking, she was much stronger than when she first met Shangluo.

Including Shangluo himself, the three people here can destroy the country three times - in fact, only Fu Yuanshan alone is needed.

Shangluo remembered that there was such a scene in a martial arts novel he had read a long time ago: Under the city of Xiangyang, a martial arts master was in a dilemma among thousands of troops and horses, exhausted. Because martial arts masters need to use light skills to move, need to use internal strength to defend against arrows, and need to use internal strength to kill the enemy. These three only need to be performed alternately in a duel, but among thousands of troops and horses, the crowds are endless and there is no room for breathing. Even for masters, it is difficult to retreat unscathed in front of a real army.

But this is not a problem for the celestial beings who have surpassed mortals. Because the celestial beings have already achieved the trinity of firepower, mobility and defense. In their own areas of expertise, such as when Fu Yuanshan was controlling the wind, his magic power was as endless as the number of thousands of troops. Even the air defense force of Northern Zhili could not have a real impact on Fu Yuanshan.

In this case, there are only three keys to restrain Fu Yuanshan: first, he is not a knight, and he has no subjective intention to break the law with force. Second, his fortune requires accumulating virtue, and he has no objective basis for doing evil. Third and most importantly, there are people who are more powerful than him and are loyal to the court, and he cannot beat them.

But here, he has entered the realm of freedom to display his force. Since this special operation, he has been almost invincible. Except for the unknown force from the jungle that blocked him in Kumano, other places were as fragile as paper to him. This time, he flew in quietly with Shangluo and Phaethon, and hiding all the way did not consume much of his energy.

"Not bad." Fu Yuanshan looked around after landing, "It's on the level of Pyongyang. This place can be considered East Korea. It's a blessing for them that it's a bit like North Korea."

“However, North Korea can only reach this level after being integrated into our industrial chain, right?”

"Yeah." Fu Yuanshan nodded, "So I say, they are somewhat blessed - Xu Fu is also considered lucky."

“Then they are really blessed.”

Although the tall buildings in front of me rose suddenly from the ground, everything here had long been riddled with holes. The shells had collapsed the concrete structure, and the dust had been shaken up. The whole city was covered with a thick layer of war ash. Whether it was the glass curtain walls, the occasional trees on the roadside, or the cars parked on the roadside, they were all covered with dust.

This place was indeed as prosperous as North Korea. But because of its "good fortune", it has now been crushed by the Dragon Palace.

There were no people to be seen on the streets. Because everyone who was still alive must have gone to the air-raid shelter or somewhere else. Judging from the intensity of the previous battle, it was probably impossible for a mortal body to survive here.

But Shangluo is not the only place that can move here.

"Hmm?" There was a rumbling sound of machinery in my ears - at the corner of the street, soldiers in black armor maneuvered over with the help of wheeled vehicles.

These armors were about the same size as the Jinyiwei's armors, more than two meters high, and quite oppressive. Their speed was so fast that it did not match their tall stature. In the blink of an eye, they came from a distance and stopped their bodies with a side slide. Four armors surrounded the three people in the middle. The word "Police" was engraved in Song font on the black armor. There were no lethal weapons exposed on their bodies, only shields and batons.

"Commoner, show me your permit to enter the city. We will escort you to safety."

"???" Shangluo hadn't recognized what it was yet, and Fu Yuanshan was stunned for a moment. He gathered the wind pressure in his palm and punched the soldier in black armor directly. The outer layer of the armor was shattered by the wind pressure, revealing the fragile structure of the inner layer. Inside were wires, pipes, and infusion tubes, without a single bit of flesh and blood. Fu Yuanshan aimed at the heart and pulled out a golden ball. There was also a green liquid of unknown composition stuck to his hand, which seemed to be an electrolyte.

"Is this thing an automaton???" Phaethon finally recognized it and took out a "Vulcan Core".

"Who are you!"

The remaining three showed obvious fear. Fu Yuanshan said nothing but repeated the same action on the remaining three in a flash. After a series of clangs, he had four walnut-sized balls in his hand, and the four armors all fell backwards to the ground - dead.

"Interesting." Fu Yuanshan turned the four balls in his hand like he was spinning walnuts. "It looks like our Xu Fu has brought a lot of blessings here. We even have this kind of stuff."

"Why is there an automaton here?"

"No, these are not automata, these are people. That was not the reaction of an automaton just now, there is a living person inside. Doesn't this outer shell look familiar to you?"

"Wait a minute." Shangluo also saw it, "Isn't this the Crab General from Dragon Palace? If you look closely, they look exactly the same, except that they have a few legs missing, and their walking legs have been replaced with wheeled legs."

"So this is what the Crab General looks like inside!" Phaethon said in amazement. "No wonder Ao Zang said at the time that this was the result of technical exchanges with West Sea. This is exactly like an automaton."

"It seems that Ao Zang communicated with your 'Western Sea', and Xu Fu communicated with the Dragon Palace, so they came up with something that looks almost identical."

As he spoke, he looked towards Shangluo:

"What should we do with these four? There are living people inside, and they are still conscious."

"Just treat them as captives. If the Crab Generals of Dragon Palace are using the same principle, does that mean that Dragon Palace is also planning to condense humans into such a 'golden elixir'?"

Chapter 1222 Boxing

[This is too crazy! When Rome made the Vulcan core, they captured wandering spirits. Wandering spirits had no self-awareness before being captured, and even the idea of ​​escaping came into their mind during training. Does the Dragon Palace intend to use living people to create machine souls directly, and then stuff them into the steel body? ]

"I think so." Fu Yuanshan held up a golden elixir and observed, "No wonder the Dragon King wanted to come here first, probably he knew something. This is not a big secret, but if we knew it first, it would be embarrassing for him."

[Shangluo, do you want to remember their black beans? ]