You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

Oh?

Zi Nu was slightly surprised. She hadn't expected that Lu Zuo's visit was for the Mo family.

Zilanxuan is in the intelligence business and has dealings with various martial arts forces. As for the Mo family, a mysterious organization that is rarely seen, only Zinu can make contact with them.

but……

The Mo family was unwilling to show themselves in public easily, and Zi Nu did not know what Lu Zuo's intentions were in seeking out the Mo family.

After thinking it over for a moment, he was about to shake his head and refuse when he heard Lu Zuo say, "I want to purchase some Mohist mechanisms."

"If Miss Zi can act as a go-between, I, Lu, can add 10% to the purchase price as a fee for her."

"Of course."

"If it is inconvenient for the Mo family to come forward, you can act as my intermediary and purchase Mo family tools on my behalf."

If that's the case...

There's still room for discussion!

Zi Nu smiled, her eyes narrowing: "Young master, please come in."

……

A short while later, in the elegant room in the backyard

Unlike the luxurious exterior, this place is furnished with an elegant and simple style. Several ink paintings of orchids and bamboo hang on the four walls, and a rosewood tea table is placed by the window.

A low table sits on the couch, upon which rests an elegant set of celadon teaware. A copper kettle on the stove is bubbling away, releasing a fragrant aroma of tea.

Zi Nu skillfully poured two cups of tea, gently pushing one of them towards Lu Zuo: "Since you urgently need the Mo family's mechanisms, I can act as your liaison."

"only……"

"Disciples of the Mohist school are elusive and their movements are extremely dangerous; they are most afraid of being tracked and investigated."

"The rules of this transaction are that the young master must not inquire about or investigate the whereabouts of any Mohist disciples."

"I hope that you will abide by this rule, young master."

Lu Zuo picked up his teacup, took a sip, and nodded: "I only care about the goods, not their origin."

Zi Nu's smile deepened as she continued, "As for the price..."

"The artifacts of the Mohists have always been exquisite and cost a considerable sum."

"The world is not at peace these days, and transportation is fraught with risks."

"If you wish to receive the goods as soon as possible and ensure their superior quality, I'm afraid you'll need to pay an additional amount beyond the original price..."

At this point, she extended her slender finger and gestured: "Add this number."

Lu Zuo raised an eyebrow slightly: "One and a half percent?"

"Miss Zi Nu, your brokerage fee is quite high."

Zi Nu smiled and said, "Young master, it takes a lot of effort to act as a go-between, guarantee the risks, and ensure the safe arrival of the goods in Xinzheng."

"Alright." Lu Zuo nodded, took out a piece of paper covered with writing from his pocket, and handed it to Zi Nu.

"This is exactly the performance of the Mohist mechanism I need. If the Mohists can build it, the price is negotiable."

Zi Nu lowered her eyes and looked down, then revealed a strange expression.

A mechanical beast that clears away weeds and rubble?

There are also water diversion devices, well drilling systems, and Mohist mechanisms that can run on their own and carry cargo...

Although the Mohists did not frequently create various mechanical weapons like the Gongshu School.

But that doesn't mean the Mohists wouldn't do it or hadn't done it before.

Zi Nu had initially thought Lu Zuo was there to purchase mechanical weapons, but she hadn't expected him to come with these strange and unusual gadgets...

Also, what is this thin thing that can be written on?

"I will have someone deliver the deposit tomorrow, and I hope Miss Zi Nu can give me a reply as soon as possible."

Having finished his business, Lu Zuo had no intention of staying any longer and got up to leave.

……

For some time afterward, Lu Zuo frequently traveled between the three worlds: Qin's Moon, the fictional Song Dynasty, and Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty.

While waiting for Zi Nu's reply, he continued his debauched and immoral life.

All attributes have steadily increased, and although there are no new martial arts techniques to learn, the improvement in strength is quite significant.

It wasn't until about half a year had passed in the Qin Dynasty timeline that Zi Nu finally found an acquaintance from the Mohist school, Jing Ke.

After all, the disciples of the Mohist school were elusive, and in the ancient world, contacting a person was not as easy as it is in modern times.

This world has all sorts of advanced technologies, but it has no telephones...

Inside the Purple Orchid Pavilion.

Jing Ke smiled amusedly, fiddling with the exquisite wine cup in his hand, and asked, "What brings you here, searching the whole world for me?"

Zi Nu smiled and said calmly, "I have a business deal I'd like Brother Jing to help me with."

"One of my guests greatly admires the mechanical arts of the Mohists and wants to purchase a batch of mechanical beasts."

"As for its purpose..."

"It's not for fighting or being aggressive, but rather for agricultural irrigation, such as clearing weeds and rubble, drilling wells, and transporting goods."

Jing Ke's previously languid expression faltered slightly. "Oh?"

"How much?"

The Mohists were short of money at the moment, and what the other party wanted wasn't weapons, so this was a good thing for Jing Ke.

Zi Nu smiled slightly: "My guest said that as long as the goods meet the requirements, he will never let the Mo brothers suffer a loss."

Jing Ke pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "As long as it's not used for murder or arson, this business is worth doing!"

"What specific requirements does your guest have for the Mohist mechanisms?"

Seeing that he was already interested, Zi Nu took out a neatly folded piece of paper from her sleeve and gently pushed it in front of Jing Ke:

"The specific requirements are all written here. Brother Jing, please take a look carefully."

When Jing Ke's gaze fell upon the smooth, thin, yet clearly written-on 'paper,' his nonchalant expression froze instantly, and his pupils contracted sharply!

He sat bolt upright, brought the paper close to his eyes, and examined it repeatedly with his fingers. His face was filled with disbelief and shock.

"What...what is this?"

"Neither silk nor bamboo slips, so light and thin, yet capable of writing..."

"Where did you obtain this item?"

Looking at Jing Ke's expression, Zi Nu was quite puzzled. Why did he react so strongly to this tiny "white piece"?

Strictly speaking, the Hundred Schools of Thought were not martial arts sects, but rather academic schools of thought.

Zi Nu was not from any of the Hundred Schools of Thought. Although she had come into contact with people from various schools of thought, she could not truly understand how important an object that could thoroughly carry and disseminate knowledge was to the Hundred Schools of Thought.

In the past, knowledge was carried on bamboo slips and wooden tablets.

A single book can fill countless volumes, and a single article can be carried by carts and horses.

The recording, copying, and dissemination of Mohist scholarship was costly and inefficient.

And this thing.....

Lightweight and easy to write on and carry.

With it, the doctrines of the Mohists could be copied and disseminated at an unprecedented speed and on an unprecedented scale.

The Mohist ideal of universal love and non-aggression, the Confucian doctrine of benevolent governance, and even any exquisite technical manuals, medical prescriptions, and pharmacopoeias will no longer be easily monopolized on high shelves, but will have the potential to enter the homes of ordinary people.

For the various schools of thought in ancient China, who regarded "spreading doctrines and educating the world" as their lifeblood, this was a different story.

This tiny piece of paper is far more valuable than any gold, silver, treasures, or divine weapons!

Zi Nu replied, "It was left behind by my guest. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"inappropriate!"

"This is highly inappropriate!"

Jing Ke held the paper in his hands as if it were a precious treasure, his eyes shining brightly.

"Tell your guest that if he can tell the Mohists how to make this thing."

"He only needs to provide the materials, and the Mohists will build the mechanical beasts for him free of charge!"

what?

Zi Nu stood there, stunned. Was such a thin little thing really that important?

……

Xinzheng, the royal palace.

Lu Zuo leaned back on the large throne that originally belonged to the King of Han.

The enchanting woman leaned almost against his side, her slender fingers picking up a peeled grape, and with a charming smile, she offered it to his lips. Her eyes sparkled with allure, and she whispered sweet nothings, her breath as fragrant as orchids.

Lady Hu and her consort knelt on brocade cushions in front of the throne, holding fruit platters in their hands, their postures respectful.

As for King Han An...

His hair was slightly disheveled, and he held a heavy gold wine jug in both hands. He stood trembling in the shadows not far from the throne.

His face was pale, his eyes were lowered, and he stared intently at the ground, not daring to look directly at the person sitting on the throne, nor daring to glance at the concubines who originally belonged to him.

Whenever Lu Zuo or any beautiful woman finished their wine, he would humbly refill their cup and then step aside.

"Damn it..."

Lu Zuo took a bite of the grape offered by the Tide Demoness, inwardly sighing, "Power is truly captivating..."

"Respectfully submitted to the King."

Just then, a palace maid's shrill voice came from outside the palace gate: "A girl named Zi Nu is requesting an audience outside the palace."

……

A short while later, in the main hall.

Zi Nu stared blankly at the scene before her, a strange sense of absurdity washing over her...

But then I thought about it again. With Lu Zuo's terrifying strength, turning Han Wang An into a puppet would be nothing more than a normal thing.

It's rare that he's talking business with me in such a friendly manner...

Zi Nu sighed inwardly, vaguely feeling that Lu Zuo was a bit of a split personality.

On the one hand, he seized control of the palace, humiliated the King of Han, and treated him like a dog.

On the other hand, they are willing to trade fairly with us, without any airs of being the de facto rulers of South Korea.

"Has Miss Zi Nu made contact with the Mohist school?"

Lu Zuo's deep voice interrupted Zi Nu's thoughts, and she quickly cupped her hands in reply, "That's right."

"but……"

"The Mohists made a request."

Oh?

Lu Zuo straightened up and asked, "What is the request?"

Zi Nu took out the piece of paper: "The Mo family said that if you, young master, are willing to exchange the method of making this item for it, you only need to provide the materials in the future."

"The Mohists only charge fifty gold coins for the craftsmanship of each mechanical beast."

This shows what a shrewd businessman really is...

Jing Ke said it was free to make, but Zi Nu made it fifty gold for a mechanical beast. If you add another 15%, that's nearly sixty gold in income.

The reason Zi Nu dared to act this way was because she saw through Lu Zuo and knew he wouldn't easily use his power or influence to oppress people.

Yup!

Upon hearing Zi Nu's words, Lu Zuofang finally realized how important papermaking was to academic schools like the Hundred Schools of Thought.

"Why didn't I think of that sooner?"

"Nothing else is needed; just a large amount of blank paper can be exchanged for benefits from the various schools of thought, and even... martial arts skills!"

"After all, what are martial arts compared to the powerful tools for spreading knowledge and ideas?"

"Worthless!"

"Oh, and printing technology!"

"For the various schools of thought during the Warring States period, this was something comparable to a divine artifact!"

"and……"

"We can also utilize the advanced technology of the Qin Dynasty to create papermaking and printing production lines, greatly enhancing the dissemination of knowledge and reducing the number of books we need to read."

After thinking for a moment, Lu Zuo nodded and said, "Okay, but I have a condition."