Ming Dynasty, New Rome, and Infinite Divine Machine

"That's true. It's very similar to what I did before." Shang Luo vaguely knew what he was going to do. The emperor solved the problems of the world, and he would solve the problems of heaven. And the biggest problem in heaven was the calamity.

The Shang Dynasty was founded by King Tang, and King Wu's conquest of King Zhou was the calamity that befell it. Now, a new foundation is being built, and the time of the calamity is unknown. If the Ming Dynasty faces the same "calamity" as the Shang Dynasty, then the time to overcome it has come. The Shang Dynasty failed to overcome the calamity and was therefore banished to the Conferred God List.

If the Shang Dynasty had succeeded in shattering the Mandate of Heaven, that would be another story. Perhaps it would also become the story of this generation. Because anyone who goes against Heaven will inevitably experience a calamity.

"Is this a secret?"

"Not really." Zhu Xianxi shook his head. "Everyone knows that when a person reaches a certain level of cultivation, they must overcome tribulations. Isn't that right? At the beginning of Investiture of the Gods, everyone knew that the Shang Dynasty's tribulation was coming, but how, when, and in what form it would come were questions to be answered later. In fact, even the tribulation itself is a matter of speculation. Look at us, our step-by-step development is actually getting closer and closer to the Heavenly Dao. Has the Heavenly Dao ever stopped us?"

"It seems, indeed not?"

"So perhaps Heaven's will is for us to challenge Heaven itself. Perhaps only by defeating Heaven can we achieve the ascension of our entire civilization. A civilization constrained by Heaven's will cannot be truly free and unfettered. Therefore, the Shang Dynasty perished because they failed to prepare for war and to win. The lesson of the Shang Dynasty is not far away, the lesson of the Shang Dynasty is not far away."

"The phrase 'a lesson from the past is never far away' is truly fitting. But isn't Rome also going through a crisis right now?"

"Indeed, Rome's calamity has arrived. Rome is considered our fellow Taoist, but their karma has gradually taken its toll, and they are gradually unable to hold on even before the great calamity."

"Should we rescue him?"

"Why save them?" Zhu Xianxun shook his head. "Rome has actually changed dynasties several times, and we don't care at all. There's no need to care. We didn't establish the Sun and Moon Emperor structure to cause trouble for each other. Rome is capable of solving its own problems, and we never interfere. And we can't help with the tribulation either. After all, Rome's tribulation is completely different from ours. We're all in trouble, so we can only do our part. And the same goes for you and me."

Chapter 227 Imperial Sword

He pointed at Shangluo, then at himself. "From now on, you'll be responsible for taking care of matters in heaven. Where do you want to start? It's still early, and I don't think your friends are awake yet. To make your work easier, I can show you the resources you can mobilize."

This is a very important topic.

This question is actually quite sensitive. It's clear that Zhu Xianxun was a true emperor. He inherited the ancient and established imperial lineage and was the eldest son. While his political achievements are unknown, this emperor seems to have a very good reputation within the court.

In addition, he is also an extremely accomplished alchemist who has led the research of Qi Hai Lingye. In both public and private life, he is very powerful.

"I see you seem a little hesitant?" The two were walking out. As if noticing the awkward atmosphere, he took the initiative to ask Shangluo, "Do you want to hear my personal opinion on this matter?"

"Yeah." Shangluo nodded.

"Well, to be honest, I'm quite envious. After all, you're a blessing from heaven, and I'm just an ordinary Qigong practitioner. Although becoming a Qigong practitioner is rare, my talent is relatively mediocre among Qigong practitioners. My greatest luck is receiving guidance from the Emperor himself, allowing me to borrow the Yuxi Palace's alchemy furnace to refine elixirs, which is why I have achieved my current alchemy achievements. Other than that, well."

He thought for a moment and said, "My academic performance is pretty average. When I took the Mingjing exam, the total score was 750, and I got 603. Although it's pretty good, I barely got into Nanjing University."

“You actually got in by yourself?”

"What else can I do? Even I can only take the exam myself. The so-called cheating in the imperial examinations has only been heard occasionally in recent years in the Jinshi examinations, because the Jinshi examinations require students to write strategic essays and have relatively few objective questions. The Mingjing examinations, regardless of whether they are liberal arts or science, give each question a grade based on the steps involved. So, I envy you. Born as an auspicious Qilin child, you have already achieved the cultivation of a celestial being at such a young age. You have escaped the sea of suffering and are safely on the first level, but I still have a long way to go." He sighed as he spoke.

"People always say, 'Long live the emperor!' But throughout history, more than five hundred have died, and all the palaces have turned to dust. I'm no different. If you don't achieve the Great Dao, you'll ultimately be just a mortal. So for the sake of the nation's ascension, I will give you the greatest possible convenience. First, we must clarify our relationship. The Dao Ancestor has already accepted you as the successor of his mantle, so you are his last disciple. And I entered before you, ahem."

"Ah!" Shangluo understood, "Senior Brother!"

"Eh." Zhu Xianxun touched his nose. "It feels good to play dumb a little. But we have to be fair and just, and divide the work according to the heaven and earth—but it's not absolute. Through me, you can mobilize the people and resources you need within a reasonable range."

"Like what? What if I want money?"

"Uh" Zhu Xianxun was silent.

"Money's not an option, is it?"

"It's not impossible, but the money I give you can only be transferred from the inner treasury, which is my own private money. Actually, there is still some money, but since the Jinyiwei's funds also come from it, it's not very abundant. However, I also earned money from refining pills, so normal expenses are enough."

"Ah, I see. So I have to save some money here too. What can I transfer from that matter in heaven?"

"Um, no."

"Isn't there any of this, too?"

"After all, the Jinyiwei are not the most powerful people in the world. Although I don't have much money, I can approve some vacant offices for you. You can borrow some Jinyiwei people to work on your side."

"So it's the East Factory, right?"

"Ah, right, right." Zhu Xianxun nodded. "You're very familiar with this business. The people transferred from the Imperial Guard are set up under the name of the Investigation Bureau. Do you want to set it up now?"

"Ah, are there East and West Factories now?"

"No. The eunuch system has been abolished for hundreds of years, and the internal affairs are now taken over by palace maids and imperial guards. I'm a little excited to suddenly reopen the East Factory."

"No, no, no, not for now, no need."

"Tsk." Zhu Xianxun's face showed a hint of disappointment. "If you want to open a business, you can do so anytime. My human and material resources are all seconded or assigned to you. Apart from some start-up capital and an office, I can't provide you with too many material resources."

[Back when my team was just starting out, we only had a dozen or so men and seven or eight guns.] Apollonia suddenly began to sing.

"What the hell are you singing? Why are you singing all of a sudden?"

[Since we were discussing business earlier, I won't interrupt. Now it's your business, hey.]

"I was serious."

[I'm serious. Being a factory supervisor is so cool! Ha, Flying Daggers of Dragon Gate! Flying Daggers of Dragon Gate! Don't believe me, because it's been hundreds of years, many people still think being a secret agent is super cool.]

"Tsk." He shook his head. "Then, Senior Brother, can I call you Senior Brother now?"

“Outside of the workplace.”

"The matter of the East Factory is still... let's discuss it later. But I can have an office. My home is quite far away, and sometimes it's inconvenient to go home, so I can stay in the office."

"That's easy. There are plenty of offices here. You can set up your own department and recruit your own operators—of course, you'll have to be responsible for your own profits and losses, as I don't have much funding here. If you have any ideas, you can come to me and apply for some funding. You can also apply for anything else you need, such as the Royal Flag, the Imperial Sword, etc."

"Is the Imperial Sword also possible?"

"As the emperor, my face is unlimited. Although I can't give you much in kind, I will give you as much face as you want. If you can find a place where you can gain unlimited face, you can cash in on it. Your department can expand as much as you can, as long as you can support it."

He thought for a moment and said, "I won't pay you. How big you can expand your stall is up to you. You won't owe me any compensation then."

"Why do I feel like what I just said actually has a deep meaning?"

"Did you notice? What I just described was the ritual of dividing the thatch and splitting the land. 'In the past, King Wu conquered Shang, and King Cheng pacified it. He selected and established a bright virtue to defend against the Zhou. He gave Duke Lu the great road, the great flag, the Huang of the Xia Dynasty, the six tribes of the Yin people, the fief of Shaohao's Xu, and so on. I'm giving you everything too. Ceremonial guards, granting people, fiefdoms, and so on. Well, although it's just one office, you can expand it as much as you want. Qi, Lu, and other great vassal states rose in this way. Jiang Taigong had only Yingqiu when he first arrived in Qi. Lan Fang of this dynasty also established a kingdom in Southeast Asia in the same way. Their mission was to select and establish a bright virtue to defend against the Zhou." He then looked at Shangluo.

"So, your short-term mission is to expand the spiritual network's capabilities, and your long-term mission is to prepare for the calamity. Beyond that, you can make your own decisions. Oh, and I've got the Imperial Sword ready for you. It's in the car. Which one would you like? There's one used by Wang Yangming, one used by Qi Jiguang, one used by other Liaodong governors, and one used by the successful Guo Xing. Take your pick."

Chapter 228 Face

Zhu Xianxun opened the seat of the Chuiwan cart - inside was a large bundle of imperial swords placed like salted fish.

"This one belongs to Sun Chengzong, this one to Xiong Tingbi, this one to Mao Wenlong, and the one below belongs to Yue Zhongqi. This one looks newer, with a stainless steel blade. It belonged to the former Grand Commander of Beiting, Zhang Songnian. They're all Imperial Swords."

“So there are so many!”

"Because it's in stock. I haven't issued a single one in the four years since I took office. After using it, the Imperial Sword is actually useless because it was just an ordinary sword. In recent years, the Imperial Swords are all made of stainless steel, which is easier to maintain. Which one do you want? I can give you an ancient sword, or you can have a new stainless steel one made."

"Do you have the one that Wang Yangming used?"

"Ah, that one, right? I knew you wanted it. I have to give him a call and ask."

"Ask him?"

"Yes, ask Wang Yangming. Oh, you don't know. Wang Yangming had already become a celestial being after his enlightenment in Longchang. When he was wielding the imperial sword and wielding the mountain bandits, he sighed, 'It's easy to defeat the bandits in the mountains, but it's hard to defeat the bandits in the heart.'" He meant that the bandits in the mortal world are visible and easy to detect, while the bandits in the heart will disturb the mind of a celestial being and be difficult to deal with.

"He later often lamented the graying hair of the gods, and wrote a poem on the Mid-Autumn Festival: A good time in a hundred years is seldom seen, let alone the invasion of gray hair. My heart has its own bright moon, and eternal reunion will never be lacking."

"Mr. Yangming must be several hundred years old now, right?"

"Because Mr. Yangming was a celestial being who had attained enlightenment, not cultivation. The five decays of celestial beings were hardly a problem for him."

"So there are so many ways to become a celestial being?"

"Yes, there are. There are internal and external alchemy methods, right? Buddhism talks about cultivating to achieve enlightenment, and there are also convenient doors like the Pure Land Sect. If this life is not enough, you can go to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and continue to cultivate. There are also many ways to reach the "heavenly realm" in Rome. There are even people who are born as celestial beings. The celestial realm is a realm higher than that of mortals, and there are many ways to reach the celestial realm. Among them, things like foundation building can be copied, but enlightenment cannot. Enlightenment is unique and depends on personal cultivation and enlightenment. And..."

He thought for a moment, "Achieving enlightenment and becoming a celestial being presents other challenges. For example, even if you're a naturally accomplished celestial being, if you don't possess any magical powers, then you've merely advanced slightly above mortals. You don't possess any extraordinary power, and becoming a celestial being doesn't automatically grant you additional magical powers—which is exactly what you're experiencing right now. However, you can learn magical powers very quickly, and the magical powers you can acquire as a celestial being are different from those of mortals."

"What about Mr. Yangming?"

"Mr. Yangming never learned any supernatural powers. I always feel that this might be his way. He has never dabbled in any kind of spiritual practice such as magic, elixirs, or tools. He simply travels around. The world is vast, and it would take hundreds of years to see it all. However, he is not opposed to enjoying the convenience of modern technology. He doesn't travel by foot, he has a motorcycle."

"Does he have Fetion?"

"No." Zhu Xianxi shook his head. "But there's a cultivator who's his apprentice. We usually page him by sending FeiXin and then calling a public phone. How about borrowing it? I don't think he'll refuse."

"No, no, no, forget it. I'll contact him again if I need you."

"I'll send you a phone book later. With the phone book, you can contact many people you don't know."

"Is it some kind of universal phone book?"

"It's not that mysterious, but it's close. Some numbers are only known to a few people, and when you call, the person on the other end will know your approximate level. For example, only I and Zhang Tianshi and the others know Mr. Yangming's phone number. He must have contacted us occasionally, after all, if a motorcycle tire blows out, even a celestial being can't do anything - so I say, my face is unlimited, so don't be polite when you need it. Anyway, I can't go out, and I can't cash in on my face."

"I suddenly realized that our department is quite promising."

"Is that so?" Zhu Xianxi nodded. "Although you'll need to build your hard power from scratch, your soft power will be maxed out. After all, if you want to accomplish great things, you need powerful equipment. Well, we still have time. Would you like to tour the workplace? You can tour the entire Purple Mountain."

Shangluo looked down at the time - there was still a whole morning before his afternoon appointment with Wen Yuan and the others.

"Actually, there's a place I want to visit. It's that place. Can I visit it casually?"

A bronze plaque for the Imperial Kitchen hung next to a square building. Constructed entirely of airtight concrete, it looked more like a bunker than an Imperial Kitchen. A large semi-trailer truck, a massive air conditioner mounted on its hull, slowly pulled into the garage.

"I knew you would want to visit the Imperial Kitchen. Many people want to visit it. After all, it serves meals to tens of thousands of people every day."

"Is the braised pork elbow we usually eat made here?"

"Well, the food will be served in five minutes after I make a call, and then the Jinyiwei will deliver the food. But before you go in, please wait, the person who is waiting for us hasn't come out yet."

Before he finished speaking, the person inside came out——

Lu Huaiyang, wearing the uniform of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, walked out of the small glass door of the huge concrete building.

When he saw Shangluo, he was stunned for a moment. He noticed Shangluo's white hair at first glance.

"Done?"

"Yes," Zhu Xianxi answered for him. "He wants to see how the institutions on Purple Gold Mountain operate so that we can assist him in carrying out the tasks assigned to him by Daozu himself. So, let's visit the imperial kitchen first."

"Oh~~Good, that's great." Lu Huaiyang stood by and signaled the two to go in.

Zhu Xianxun passed by and went in first. Shangluo asked in a low voice: "Uncle Lu. Um. Captain Lu, why are you here?"

"The Imperial Guards are responsible for the tours, security, and many other activities at the Purple Mountain Grand Palace. I was on duty last night and was about to leave when I heard this great news. Have you told Lu Liang and the others?"

"I'm going to have dinner this afternoon."

"Okay, okay. Then tell him for me to buy some Korean paper on your way back. It should be convenient for you to go to Jinjikou Street, so buy some on the way back. Let's go first, and wear this before you go inside to explore."

Lu Huaiyang took out a pair of white cotton masks.

“Do you need to wear a mask?”

He pointed inside: Zhu Xianxin inside the door was not only wearing a mask, but also a white dust cap and a white sterile gown.

The emperor was wearing a sterile suit, which was actually a very strange sight.

Cleanliness was often associated with status. In ancient times, emperors often gifted their servants with food. Some of the food was untouched, and some was leftover. But whether the emperor ate it or not, it was considered a "blessing." Conversely, when serving food to the emperor, a mask—usually a white cloth covering the mouth and nose—was always worn to prevent foul breath from contaminating the food.

Chapter 229: Imperial Kitchen of Guanglu Temple

This phenomenon isn't limited to ancient times; it extends even into modern times, even in Shangluo's "known history." In 1850, Hungarian obstetrician Semmelweis published a series of observations titled "The Cause, Symptoms, and Prevention of Puerperal Fever." At the time, maternal mortality rates in some hospitals were as high as 20% or even higher. He blamed doctors for not washing their hands.

He discovered that puerperal fever was prevalent across all social classes, affecting both upper and lower-class delivery rooms. This was because all doctors, regardless of social status, held the belief that "professional doctors are cleaner than their patients"—meaning that even Empress Elizabeth of Austria, known as "Princess Sissi," had doctors who delivered her babies who didn't necessarily wash their hands.

Semmelweis's views seem perfectly reasonable today. However, upon publication, they were condemned by the entire medical community, even leading to his admission to a mental hospital. This is understandable, and it can't simply be attributed to "ignorance." Rather, once acknowledged, all doctors would face immense pressure for their previously common-sense behavior.

And before him, Zhu Xianxun, the Son of Heaven—a title so noble that it needed no extension, simply the word "Son of Heaven" was enough. Even as a supreme being, he had to wear a mask and antibacterial clothing to enter the imperial kitchen. This was one of the most shocking scenes Shangluo had seen in a long time.

Even though it was just a change of clothes, if I were to rank them, they would probably be in the top three. So far, the most shocking scene was when the Lighthouse System reduced the Forest King to a lower dimension in front of him.

After changing his clothes, Zhu Xianxin started to wash his hands——

Washing hands is a necessary step. Lu Huaiyang handed the same protective suit to Shangluo and took him to wash his hands after he put it on.

The washbasin alone is very particular. A huge stainless steel washbasin is set against the wall. In addition to the faucet and hand soap, there is also a disinfection pool.

While Lu Huaiyang was washing himself, he told Shangluo: "Wash your hands first with hand sanitizer. Scrub your palms, the backs of your hands, and even between your fingers. After washing, soak your hands in disinfectant, covering both hands completely for at least 30 seconds."

Shangluo put his hand in, and Shangluo took his hand out.

His hands were as white as peeled eggs. He felt that his hands had never been so clean in his life.

After washing, they passed through the dust removal duct and walked into the imperial kitchen.

Stainless steel, stainless steel everywhere. There are no stir-fry stoves or chopping boards, only long rows of stainless steel assembly lines, connecting one workshop to another. The closest, separated by glass windows, is the pork production workshop. The rumble of dust-removing fans echoes in the background, while even larger and more machines roar ahead.