I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

...

The Forbidden City, the inner palace, Zhang Chun's residence.

Zhang Chun, Li Lin, Ma Xiaojiao, Ye Shiyun, and Yuan Qingcheng, five women, gathered together.

Zhao Yu looks to be around twenty years old, and so do the five women. It's as if time has stood still for them, even though they are all grandmothers, and some are even great-grandmothers.

Women of similar or even younger age to the five of them, such as their five famous courtesans maids—Li Shishi, Zhao Yuannu, Cui Nianyue, Wang Zhongduan, and Xu Poxi—are all now old.

Years ago, the five women thought they were just naturally resistant to aging and didn't take it seriously.

In recent years, however, the five women have begun to think that this might be a perk of their time travel.

The optimistic Zhang Chun even believes that they might be able to live forever.

Some people are excited about this, some are confused, and some have long since taken this timeless blessing lightly, regarding it as an extra gift from this journey to another world.

now--

Li Lin assisted Zhao Yu in conquering this world. Although she did not personally command the troops, her guidance and planning were indispensable behind the scenes, so her long-held wish can be considered to have been fulfilled.

Ma Xiaojiao invented countless things and "proposed" many scientific theoretical foundations, assisting Zhao Yu in initiating the Industrial Revolution. Undoubtedly, she also realized her long-held dream.

Ye Shiyun has tasted almost every kind of food in the world, tried everything she wanted to try, and incidentally, she also helped Zhao Yu establish the economic system of this world, so her life has not been in vain.

Yuan Qingcheng increased grain production by more than ten times and developed a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. This not only largely helped eliminate hunger for humankind but also greatly enriched the human diet, making an outstanding contribution to human survival and development. Naturally, she also realized her dream.

As for Zhang Chun...

Over the years, she has greatly influenced Zhao Yu, and through him, she has influenced the Song Dynasty and even the world.

Logically speaking, she should have achieved her dream by now.

But the truth is, she still has a big regret that she has never been able to fulfill.

The regret is that she never became Empress Dowager, ruled from behind the curtain, and became the ruler of this world.

original--

With Zhao Yu and Zheng Xiansu as formidable figures ahead, Zhang Chun had already begun to let go of this obsession and was ready to accept everything.

However, with the death of Zheng Xiansu and the vacancy of the Empress's position, Zhang Chun's thoughts began to stir again.

In Zhang Chun's view, as long as her son Zhao Cheng could become the crown prince, she could become empress. She could outlive Zhao Yu, and at most outlive her son Zhao Cheng, and then she might be able to rule from behind the curtain like Gao Taotao.

Zhang Chun didn't think he was indulging in wishful thinking.

First of all, Zhao Cheng is almost the most outstanding and suitable of Zhao Yu's sons to inherit the throne. The key is that not only is her son Zhao Cheng outstanding, but the three grandsons Zhao Cheng gave her are also very outstanding. Therefore, whether Zhao Yu is considering the next generation or the generation after that, Zhao Cheng is the most suitable. As long as Zhao Cheng returns from the Prince Continent, who else but Zhao Cheng will be the crown prince?

Secondly, Zhang Chun believed that she, as the chosen one, possessed the superpower of immortality.

Zhang Chun felt that even if Zhao Yu was in good health, he couldn't possibly outlive her, the protagonist with an unfair advantage. As for her son Zhao Tang and three grandsons, they were even less likely to outlive her.

Well, we'll see in time.

Zhang Chun believed that as long as she could become empress, and as long as the emperors after her were her children and grandchildren, she would eventually be able to rule the world and realize her dream.

In order to achieve this goal, Zhang Chun suggested to Zhao Yu that he secretly establish an heir, with the aim of buying Zhao Tang time to return and participate in the struggle for the crown prince position.

Speaking of this matter, Zhang Chun actually harbored considerable resentment towards Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu knew long ago that Zhao Shou's health was failing, but he never informed her so that she could call Zhao Cheng back sooner to participate in the battle for the crown prince.

Zhang Chun had complained in his heart more than once that Zhao Yu had delayed Zhao Cheng's return.

Later, it was Zhang Chun who came up with the secret system of designating an heir, which bought Zhao Cheng enough time.

Now, Zhang Chun has written more than twenty personal letters to Zhao Cheng, urging him to quickly bring his three beloved grandsons back to compete for the position of crown prince.

This was even more urgent than Zhao Gou's twelve gold medals to summon Yue Fei.

At the same time, Zhang Chun summoned the other four women, wanting their support to become empress, or rather, to support Zhao Cheng as crown prince.

The five of them traveled to this world together and became best friends for decades. Although they had their share of conflicts, they generally supported each other.

Zhang Chun felt that the four women should support her in becoming the empress.

Zhang Chun did not hide her thoughts, but spoke frankly to the four women.

Zhang Chun then spoke frankly, even with a hint of threat, saying, "Most of us have the superpower of immortality, while the Emperor is just a native who will die of old age sooner or later. If this throne cannot be passed down to our descendants, what will we do when the Emperor dies?"

After a pause, Zhang Chun continued, "I'm not trying to scare you, but if we still look the same in a few decades, everyone will know that we have the superpower of immortality. At that time, if there is no imperial power to protect us, we might be captured by people who want to live forever and used as guinea pigs."

Seeing that the four women remained somewhat unmoved, Zhang Chun couldn't help but frown:

"Do you think I'm exaggerating? Who in ancient times was most interested in pursuing immortality? Of course, it was the powerful and wealthy, and even the emperor!"

"Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng, sent Xu Fu with thousands of boys and girls to the east in search of elixirs of immortality; he favored alchemists and consumed elixirs, ultimately dying suddenly; Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, in his later years, was fanatically seeking immortality, building a dew-collecting plate to collect dew for alchemy, and favoring alchemists such as Li Shaojun and Luan Da, performing the Fengshan ceremony in pursuit of longevity; Emperor Ai of Jin, Sima Pi, was obsessed with elixirs and died at the young age of twenty-five from poisoning by elixirs; Emperor Daowu of Northern Wei, Tuoba Gui, consumed cold food powder and alchemy, went insane, and was killed. The Tang Dynasty was even more severely affected, with Emperor Taizong Li Shimin, Emperor Xianzong Li Chun, Emperor Muzong Li Heng, Emperor Wuzong Li Yan, and Emperor Xuanzong Li Chen, each more obsessed with immortality than the last; there was also Zhao Ji of the Song Dynasty, Emperor Shizong Zhu Houcong and Emperor Guangzong Zhu Changluo of the Ming Dynasty, and Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty."

At this point, Zhang Chun intensified his intimidation: "If the imperial power is no longer in our hands, and the next emperor is also obsessed with immortality, he might drain our blood to make elixirs, or even dig out our hearts to make elixirs. These things could very well happen."

Frankly speaking, if all of Zhang Chun's assumptions are correct, then what Zhang Chun said is possible.

You should know that those who pursue immortality are extremely crazy. Some even use virgin menstrual blood to make elixirs. So it's not impossible to make elixirs using the blood of immortals or other things from immortals.

If such a madman were to actually appear, even if the five women were not his ancestors, he might still capture them, bleed them, and use them to make pills.

To avoid this situation, becoming the one who holds imperial power is undoubtedly a good solution.

Anyway, that's what Zhang Chun thinks.

Moreover, Zhang Chun felt that she could definitely persuade the four women, after all, it was not only for her own sake, but also for the sake of the four women.

To Zhang Chun's utter surprise, no matter how she threatened them, the four women seemed uninterested.

'What's going on? Are they trying to secure the throne for their sons?' 'If that's the case, they're incredibly short-sighted.'

Thinking of this, Zhang Chun reminded the four women, "Don't blame me for not reminding you, this throne falling into the hands of our son is only the first step. The next step is for me to take charge of the Song Dynasty, so that we can protect our personal safety."

At this point, Zhang Chun leaned back and said with a smile, "Is there anyone among you who wants to compete with me for this matter? If any of you can take control of this world, I will step down and guarantee to support her wholeheartedly."

Zhang Chun was using a strategic retreat to advance. He firmly believed that, apart from her, the other four women were simply incapable of ruling the Song Dynasty or the world.

Indeed, apart from Zhang Chun, none of the other four women had the ability to be the supreme leader of the world, let alone the supreme leader of a small country.

Even so, the other four women were still not interested in what Zhang Chun said.

This is simply because all four of them know that Zhao Yu is also a time traveler. With Zhao Yu around, they don't need to put all their eggs in one basket with Zhang Chun. To put it another way, even if they wanted to support Zhang Chun, it would be impossible.

Yes.

Following Yuan Qingcheng, Ma Xiaojiao, and Ye Shiyun, Li Lin also learned that Zhao Yu was a time traveler.

Li Lin only learned a few years ago that Zhao Yu was also a time traveler.

This is also related to the fact that these time travelers seemed to have gained the ability to live forever.

Since Zhao Yu conquered the world, Li Lin, who had focused his energy on military affairs all those years ago, finally had some free time.

With nothing to do, Li Lin followed Zhao Yu around every day, protecting him, practicing martial arts with him, practicing yoga and prisoner conditioning with him, and even practicing Taoist health cultivation techniques with him.

Gradually, Li Lin discovered that Zhao Yu also seemed to be immortal.

This aroused Li Lin's suspicion.

The five women discussed that their immortality might be a benefit of their time travel.

By this logic, if Zhao Yu was in the same situation as them, wouldn't he also be a time traveler?

Li Lin thought about it again and realized that Zhao Yu's wise and powerful performance over the years was not at all like that of a native.

Yes.

This is also because of the five time travelers who were helping Zhao Yu.

The problem is that all these big ideas and important decisions were made by Zhao Yu.

Moreover, some things are clearly beyond the scope of what people in this era can accept and understand.

As it turned out, Zhao Yu was able to accept and understand it.

For example, in their dream world, Zhang Chun learned the art of divination, she learned military strategy, Ma Xiaojiao learned the art of mechanical craftsmanship, Ye Shiyun learned arithmetic and medicine, and Yuan Qingcheng learned agricultural skills.

How absurd this is! How could Zhao Yu, with his wisdom and martial prowess, possibly believe it?

But Zhao Yu believed it without a doubt.

There's a problem!!!
After much hesitation, Li Lin approached Yuan Qingcheng, her closest friend, and said, "Qingcheng, I suspect that the Emperor is also a time traveler."

Seeing that Li Lin finally knew the secret, Yuan Qingcheng's first thought was, "Sister, how come someone as smart as you only discovered after all these years that the Emperor was also a time traveler? Were you focused all your attention on military matters, or were you simply blind to your own shortcomings?"

Yuan Qingcheng's second thought was that she felt extremely sorry for Li Lin, her closest older sister.

After a moment of silence, Yuan Qingcheng said to Li Lin, "Sister Lin, I'm sorry."

"?"

After a moment's thought, Li Lin narrowed her almond-shaped eyes and asked, "Is the Emperor really a time traveler? And you already know that the Emperor is also a time traveler?"

Yuan Qingcheng did not deny it, but admitted it directly: "Yes, the official is also a time traveler. He is the delivery guy we hit and killed before we time traveled."

Hearing Yuan Qingcheng say this, Li Lin remembered that before they traveled through time, she bumped into a food delivery guy wearing a crown on his head.

'That person was actually an official?!'

This was something Li Lin hadn't expected.

Li Lin thought carefully about what the delivery guy looked like.

It has to be said that she still has a very deep impression of the food delivery guy she hit and killed.

Although the delivery guy was much darker-skinned, much older, and had a completely different demeanor than Zhao Yu, once you remove these differences, you'll find that he and Zhao Yu do look exactly alike.

After a long silence, Li Lin suppressed her anger and asked, "When did you find out?"

Yuan Qingcheng knew she was in the wrong.

Let's leave aside the fact that Yuan Qingcheng kept this from Li Lin for over twenty years.

It is said that after Li Lin discovered this, she came to find her immediately and told her about it, which shows how much she values ​​her.

In comparison, Yuan Qingcheng really owes Li Lin a lot.

Therefore, Yuan Qingcheng didn't dwell on Li Lin's anger, but quickly explained, "The Emperor forbids anyone who knows about this matter from spreading it. Besides, it was you, Sister Lin, who hit the Emperor with your car. I really don't know how the Emperor intends to deal with you. I was afraid that if I told you about this, you wouldn't even have a chance to redeem yourself. Later, Jiaojiao and Shiyun also found out about this. I discussed it with them, wanting to tell you and Zhang Chun about it, but they said that the three of us discovered it on our own, and it would be fair if you and Zhang Chun also discovered it on your own..."

After listening, Li Lin said coldly, "So, the only ones who didn't know that the Emperor was also a time traveler were Zhang Chun and me?"

Yuan Qingcheng knew that Li Lin, who was always loyal to her friends, was truly angry this time. She quickly said, "Sister Lin, I swear, the first person I wanted to tell after I found out about this was you, but..."

Li Lin stopped Yuan Qingcheng from continuing, and instead said bluntly, "No need to say anything more, from now on we are no longer sisters."

Yuan Qingcheng was very anxious and hurriedly went to ask Zhao Yu, Ma Xiaojiao, and Ye Shiyun to speak on her behalf.

No matter how Yuan Qingcheng, Ma Xiaojiao, and Ye Shiyun tried to persuade her, Li Lin was determined to sever ties with them. Even when Zhao Yu tried to persuade her, Li Lin did not budge.

Later, Ye Shiyun rolled her eyes and said to Li Lin, "Sister Lin, what's there to be angry about? Compared to Chun Chun, who's still completely in the dark, you're so much happier..."

...(End of this chapter)