Inheriting a Taoist temple, the story begins with Wu Zetian offering incense.

Chapter 425 Subduing Yang Ye! [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Historically, very few emperors dared to personally lead their armies into battle, and even fewer were able to personally go to the battlefield to capture enemy generals and flags and lead their troops into battle.

Especially in the weak Song Dynasty, this was simply beyond imagination... Zhao Xu's audacity far surpassed that of Zhang Yimou, who used a single-shot technique.

Zhou Yi speculated that Zhao Xu's control over the court would be stronger after this battle, which would create conditions for moving the capital.

In ancient times, moving the capital was not simply a matter of building a new city and moving there; it involved the interests of various parties, and one could easily suffer a backlash if not handled carefully.

For example, Zhao Kuangyin had just expressed his intention to establish the capital in Luoyang when the "Shadow of the Candle and Sound of the Axe" incident occurred.

Then there was Zhu Biao, who, after conducting a thorough investigation, suggested moving the capital to Luoyang. However, this matter was still in the PowerPoint stage when the Ming Dynasty's Executive Vice Emperor inexplicably passed away.

In the face of vested interests, whether you are a prince or an emperor, if you obstruct the interests of the masses, then the only option is to end your life prematurely.

Fortunately, Hunyuan Palace can now intervene in all of this. The Later Zhou, Northern Song, Ming, and even Xin Qiji in the future will all establish their capitals in Luoyang and occupy the central position in the world.

Over the next two days, while keeping an eye on Zhao Xu's conquests, Zhou Yi printed out blueprints for various ships, and even several copies of the structural diagrams for steam locomotives and steam forging machines, intending to have Ming Dynasty craftsmen replicate them.

Just as Li Zhaozhao finished organizing these drawings, she rode her pink electric scooter to Hunyuan Palace, beaming with pride, and proudly showed them off to Zhou Yi:

"Immortal Master, your son has created a new type of explosive. Is there any reward?"

Zhou Yi asked curiously:
"You managed to make picric acid?"

Li Qingzhao shook her head:
“After purification, only a small amount of indigo remains, which is not suitable for making bitter acids… I have successfully produced nitrated starch, which is simpler and only requires starch.”

Zhou Yi was surprised that this girl actually had some luck in scientific research, so he hugged her and kissed her:
"What do you want? I'll buy it for you."

Li Qingzhao thought for a moment, then looked at the electric tricycle in the courtyard:

"How about I buy one of these? Small electric cars are convenient to drive, but they can't carry much. Electric tricycles are better; you can put a lot of supplies in the back."

Zhou Yi nodded in agreement:
"Okay, after breakfast, I'll go to town to buy you an electric tricycle."

They actually managed to create nitrated starch; they definitely deserve a reward.

Li Qingzhao also brought some mortar shells made of nitro starch, a total of six boxes, containing about seventy shells.

She planned to give half to Zhao Xu and the other half to the God of Wealth, so that the two of them could test the power of nitro starch on the battlefield.

Once the coal tar is collected, we can start making TNT, which will be used as the main explosive in the future... Modern explosives do not use just one type, but several explosives are mixed in different proportions to achieve a greater explosive effect.

Zhou Yi said to Li Qingzhao:

"I'll buy you a few DV cameras later. When we get back, film the steps you take to make explosives. Make sure to explain some key points clearly. I plan to give them to Zhu Yuanzhang so he can improve the explosives used in the Ming Dynasty."

The Ming Dynasty focused on gunpowder in its firearms development; it's time to instill some knowledge of modern explosives in them.

Zhou Yi helped Li Qingzhao move the mortar shells to Haotian Palace, and then began preparing breakfast.

Meanwhile, in the Later Zhou Dynasty, Datong City was in ruins. Guo Rong, riding his horse, carefully navigated around the corpses and collapsed houses, arriving at a mansion whose walls had completely crumbled, leaving only two wooden doors standing. He asked Wang Pu:

"is it here?"

Zhao Pu, who was standing next to Wang Pu, replied with his hands clasped:
"Your Majesty, Liu Jiye's residence is located here. Since the city fell, he has remained secluded and refused all visits."

Two days ago, Guo Rong led his army to capture Datong City and personally beheaded Yelü Yansage, the Western Liao emperor who had been on the throne for just one month, officially announcing the end of the Western Liao Dynasty.

The Khitans inside the city were led out in groups, and it was time for them to hone their civil engineering skills. Road construction, canal digging, and other tasks in various places all required the Khitans' help.

Once this generation has completed its transformation, their next generation will be the citizens of the Great Zhou.

However, Datong City was not only inhabited by Khitans, but also by a large number of Han Chinese, especially generals from the Northern Han Dynasty. Yelü Yansage seized them all from the Northern Han and they joined forces to defend the city.

While attacking Datong, these generals did indeed hinder the Later Zhou soldiers' progress in besieging the city. However, once the mortars were deployed, the entire siege quickly became a stalemate. It was at this moment that Liu Jiye from Northern Han realized that the situation was hopeless. He then went down from the city wall, returned to his residence, and refused to come out.

Guo Rong waved to Zhao Pu:
"Knock on the door."

Although the courtyard wall has collapsed, it is still someone else's home, so you should still knock on the door.

Zhao Pu arrived at the gate, where only the wooden door remained, and carefully patted the door knocker... He was afraid that if he used too much force, he would knock the door over.

After knocking a few times without any response from inside the mansion, Zhao Pu immediately went around the wooden door into the courtyard and started knocking on the door.

His actions were observed by Guo Rong and Wang Pu. Old Wang whispered:

"He's someone who doesn't follow the rules. He's useful, but you have to use him with caution."

Zhao Pu was a man who was very good at seizing opportunities. He originally served Liu Ci. After Liu Ci died, he was teaching in Chuzhou because he had no official position. Not long after, Zhao Kuangyin led his army to conquer the south. Coincidentally, Zhao Kuangyin's father, Zhao Hongyin, was recuperating in Chuzhou. Zhao Pu served him at his bedside under the guise of being a member of the same clan, and thus got to know Zhao Kuangyin and became his advisor.

Before Zhao Kuangyin's death, Zhao Pu had already been alienated, dismissed from his position as chancellor, and demoted to military governor of the three cities of Heyang. After Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne, many officials were dissatisfied. Zhao Pu seized the opportunity, claiming to know the dying wishes of Zhao Kuangyin and his mother, thus legitimizing Zhao Guangyi's ascension. Zhao Pu was appointed chancellor a second time, becoming a central figure in the court. In terms of ability, he was undoubtedly talented, but loyalty… well, people who survived the hellish Five Dynasties period have little loyalty. They'll cheer for whoever they can benefit from.

The reason why Emperor Taizong of Song, Zhao Guangyi, elevated the status of scholar-officials to such a high level after he came to power was closely related to Zhao Pu's repeated promotion of their status.

However, now that there are many talented people in the court, Guo Rong will not rely too much on Zhao Pu. As long as he can keep this person by his side and avoid contact with those military leaders and the constant scheming to put clothes on others, that will be enough.

Zhao Pu pounded on the door and said:
"General Yang, His Majesty has come to see you. Hurry out to greet him, lest people say that the Yang family is ill-mannered."

He was very clever; he didn't call him General Liu, but rather Yang Ye's original surname, emphasizing that this was an internal matter for the Han people and didn't involve the Shatuo tribe of the Northern Han... You can see from his words that Zhao Pu was indeed very good at grasping the core issues. Historically, he was able to govern the country with half of the Analects, which is a manifestation of this ability.

Sure enough, upon hearing him call out "General Yang," there was a commotion inside the room.

Not long after, the door opened, and a burly man, eight feet tall, wearing only an undershirt, with his hair loose and barefoot, walked out of the house.

To be barefoot and without an outer garment signifies guilt and also implies a lack of resistance... Not even wearing armor shows considerable sincerity.

If he were in Taiyuan, he might have followed the Northern Han in dying for their country, but the Northern Han ruler treated him like a piece of merchandise and sent him to Datong, ordering him to protect the Western Liao emperor. In that case, there was no need for him to die for his country.

We served the Northern Han Dynasty, what business do we have with the Khitans?
Upon entering the courtyard, he ignored Zhao Pu and went straight to the wooden door. After opening the door, he knelt down before Guo Rong:

"Your humble servant Yang Chonggui pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Zhou!"

He used his real name, which made his intentions clear. Guo Rong helped him up and said:
"As expected of a son of China, your physique is far superior to that of the nomadic grassland people and the Shatuo people who live a life of hardship... Yang Chonggui, I intend to end this chaotic era and establish a new dynasty for the Chinese people. Are you willing to make contributions?"

Yang Chonggui knelt down again:

"Your Majesty, I have only one request. If Your Majesty grants it, I will dedicate myself to the Great Zhou Dynasty until my dying breath!"

"Say!"

"Your subject...does not wish to advance south."

South of Datong lies the territory of the Northern Han. Although he was abandoned by his former master, he did not want to participate in the battle to attack the Northern Han, and he did not even want to see the people from the Northern Han.

Guo Rong laughed loudly:
"Don't worry, there's an attack from the south. I hope you will lead your army all the way north and visit each tribe on the grasslands... Each family can live if they offer up half of their cattle and sheep, otherwise, slaughter them all."

Yang Chonggui was dumbfounded:

"how so?"

"The grassland people often go south to raid for grain. Now, I'm sending you to raid their lands as well. If you encounter any people with backbone, remember to wipe them out... In the past, the Marquis of Champion sealed the wolf's lair. Can you recreate such a feat now?"

Yang Chonggui was now completely dumbfounded, like a fruit of utter confusion under a tree of bewilderment.

"Your Majesty, foreign tribes are like weeds; they will grow back after being wiped out. A rash northern expedition will only waste resources and manpower, and will not benefit our Central Plains dynasty."

Guo Rong said with a smile:

"Short-term inconvenience does not mean long-term inconvenience. This northern expedition is to inform the tribes of the grasslands that a new unified dynasty has emerged in the Central Plains. If they want to survive, they'd better behave themselves!"

Guo Rong couldn't explain the matter of destroying the Mongol ancestors, so he could only use the pretext of sweeping the north to send Yang Wudi to sweep through and intimidate them.

As for the future, he plans to consult the Book of Changes to completely protect the northern desert and prevent the emergence of foreign tribes that could wreak havoc on the Central Plains.

Yang Chonggui did not hesitate any longer and knelt down for the third time to kowtow and pay his respects:

"Your subject Yang Chonggui swears that he will be loyal and faithful to his mission, conveying the grace of our Great Zhou to the nomadic tribes of the grasslands!"

Just as he finished speaking, a muffled clap of thunder sounded from the sky, startling everyone.

Guo Rong said:

"The gods who protect the Great Zhou, remember your oath. Go change your clothes first. I'll go report the progress here to the gods and order you a handsome set of armor while I'm at it... None of the Shatuo or Khitan people have normal aesthetic sense; the armor they make is uglier than the last."

After saying that, Guo Rong vanished on the spot, leaving Yang Chonggui completely stunned.

"Is...is His Majesty a deity?"

Wang Pu stroked his beard and said:

"His Majesty is not a deity, but a pilgrim from a celestial abode... If you are interested, I can tell you the whole story from beginning to end."

As Old Wang prepared to tell his story, in the world of Emperor Yuan of the Western Han Dynasty, Chen Tang, shirtless and carrying a portable flamethrower used for singeing pig bristles, strode up to a bound Xiongnu man and said with a forced smile:

"Come, Left Wise King, let's play a little heartwarming game..."

(End of this chapter)