My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

Weiyang Palace

Liu Che opened his eyes without the slightest hesitation.

"By my decree, summon all skilled craftsmen under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Department and the Grand Master of Works, regardless of their official rank, to the palace! Immediately!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the servants quickly moved away.

In no time at all, dozens of craftsmen were kneeling in the main hall, trembling with fear.

Liu Che's gaze swept over the group of craftsmen below the stage, and he spoke, recalling Chen Mo's explanation of the steam engine.

"You've all seen the phenomenon of steam pushing up the lid after water boils, haven't you?"

The craftsmen looked at each other and nodded in agreement.

"What I want is to be able to utilize this steam and convert its power into other things, such as wheels."

Liu Che paused, thinking about the car he had seen earlier.

"Steam drives the wheels to rotate, thus enabling the vehicle to run on its own without the need for oxen or horses."

"Can you do it?"

Liu Che looked down at the audience, only to see that everyone looked confused.

He knew it was indeed difficult, but he didn't care; he only cared about the result.

As long as a steam engine can be manufactured, even if it cannot be used yet, as long as a steam engine is available.

Liu Che stood up and stared intently at the group of craftsmen.

"I don't care what methods you use! What materials you use! Even gold is acceptable! I only want one result!"

Liu Che waved his hand.

"Among you, who can be the first to build the steam engine I've described according to this principle, even if it's just to make the wheels turn on their own—I…"

Liu Che paused for a moment, his tone exceptionally forthright.

"A thousand pieces of gold will be bestowed upon him! He will be granted a noble title, and his descendants will benefit from it!"

"A daughter of high birth? A noble title?"

The artisans went crazy.

For them, who had been craftsmen for generations and held a low social status, this was an incredible opportunity!

It's no less amazing than a carp leaping over the dragon gate!

Looking at the craftsmen below whose breathing had become heavy, a hint of satisfaction flashed in Liu Che's eyes, but he quickly snorted coldly.

"But what if someone is just filling in the numbers, or does a perfunctory job..."

A glint of light flashed in Liu Che's eyes.

"I will not let them off lightly either!"

"Long live Your Majesty! We, your humble servants, will do our utmost to repay Your Majesty's grace."

The craftsmen all kowtowed to the ground, their faces filled with excitement.

Liu Che nodded and waved his hand.

"All of you, step back! I await your good news!"

Afterwards, the craftsmen withdrew, and Liu Che pondered for a moment.

"The legends of Sang Hongyang, Gongsun Hong, Dong Zhongshu, Wei Qing..."

Soon, the ministers arrived in the main hall.

The officials stood solemnly, each wondering why Emperor Wu of Han had summoned so many people in such an urgent manner.

Could it be that the Xiongnu in the north have made some unusual moves again?

Just as the ministers were divided in their opinions, Liu Che spoke up.

"I have decided to postpone the campaign against the Xiongnu. The most urgent task is to concentrate the nation's resources on developing the productive forces of our great Han Dynasty."

"What?"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.

Even a composed and steady general like Wei Qing suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"His Majesty!"

One of the generals couldn't help but speak up to dissuade him.

"Since the Mayi Incident, the war against the Xiongnu has almost become a national policy of the Han Empire, and it is the culmination of Your Majesty's lifelong ambition. How can it be stopped so easily?"

"Moreover, the Xiongnu are a thorn in the side of our great Han Dynasty. Now that our army has just annihilated more than 10,000 Xiongnu, our morale is high. We should press our advantage, wipe them out, and eliminate this threat forever!"

"If we cease hostilities now, wouldn't that give the Xiongnu a chance to recuperate and rebuild?!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Another minister quickly added.

"Although the national treasury has been depleted due to years of war, it is still able to sustain itself."

"If we turn to that elusive pursuit of productivity now, and if we expend enormous resources without seeing any results, we fear that our national strength will be wasted, and we will only give the Xiongnu a chance to regroup!"

Doubts and criticisms have been raised one after another.

Few of the ministers agreed.

Liu Che listened quietly without interrupting immediately.

He only spoke slowly after the crowd's voices had subsided.

"I know what you're worried about! But I'm not saying we're not going to fight anymore!"

"We definitely have to fight!"

"Without destroying the Xiongnu, our Great Han will never have a day of peace."

"But the most urgent task now should be to develop productivity!"

"Only when productivity increases and our people become prosperous will we be able to defeat even the Xiongnu!"

Liu Che waved his hand generously, looking quite magnanimous.

"Even that Qin Dynasty, which is so far away, I can conquer it for you!"

The officials looked at each other in bewilderment.

Soon, someone else stepped forward and spoke up.

"Your Majesty! What if the Xiongnu really recover? Wouldn't all our efforts be in vain?"

"All previous efforts have been in vain?"

He smiled.

"Then I ask you, even if our army can march straight to Longcheng today and capture and kill the Chanyu..."

"Could those vast grasslands become entirely our Han prefectures and counties? Could those elusive nomadic cavalry be wiped out?"

The ministers looked at each other, then answered in unison.

"cannot!"

Liu Che stood up, walked to the huge hanging map, and traced his finger across the vast grasslands and deserts of the north.

"The threat from the Xiongnu is rooted in their nomadic nature; when we attack them, they flee, exhausting our troops."

"If we appease them, they will rebel, and we will waste our resources. Even if we can defeat them temporarily, there is no guarantee that they won't come back again in a few decades!"

"This is a chronic problem that has existed for thousands of years!"

He turned around abruptly, his gaze fixed intently on the crowd, especially the generals.

"But if only my great Han Dynasty could possess the productivity of later generations!"

"Even if it's not exactly the same, but only a fraction of it, annihilating the Xiongnu would be an easy task!"

Liu Che then looked at the group of ministers.

"Do you know of any iron box that doesn't need oxen or horses to move, but can run on gasoline at extremely high speeds?"

The ministers looked at each other again, and shook their heads.

Liu Che continued speaking.

"Do you know that even though people are thousands of miles apart, with this so-called network, information can be transmitted in seconds?"

"You all know that as long as productivity increases, the iron production of our Great Han will increase several times, even dozens of times!"

"At that time, every soldier of my great Han Dynasty will be clad in heavy armor made of fine steel and wield a hundred-times-forged sharp blade!"

"With such an army, what can the Xiongnu possibly use to stop them?!"

Liu Che's voice grew increasingly agitated.

"At that time, our great Han will no longer face an evenly matched enemy, but a ferocious opponent, like a stone striking an egg!"

"At that time, just like in the Central Plains, the north where the Xiongnu people live will also become part of our great Han Dynasty."

"Such achievements cannot be compared to our current aimless pursuit of the enemy, chasing after them wherever they may find water and grass!"

Silence fell over the hall. The ministers were awestruck by this grand, even somewhat insane, idea.

Even so, some people still voiced their opposition.

"His Majesty……"

However, before they could even exit, Liu Che narrowed his eyes.

"I've already said so much, why are you still objecting?"

"Don't you understand what I'm saying?"

"If you can't understand it, then don't listen!"

"Guards! Throw this man out! Strip him of his official rank!"

"yes!"

As soon as Liu Che finished speaking, guards came in and took the man away.

Finally, seeing Liu Che's resolute attitude, none of the ministers objected anymore.

Wei Qing pondered for a long time before slowly speaking.

"Your Majesty's foresight is beyond our reach. If it can truly be achieved, it would indeed be a permanent solution. However, this path is destined to be long, and what if the Xiongnu launch a large-scale invasion during this time?"

Liu Che had clearly considered this matter long ago, and said decisively.

"I am not going to give up completely; the defense of the border regions must not be relaxed."

"Large-scale offensives are suspended, but small-scale counterattacks and defenses are still essential."

"What I want is to concentrate the nation's most vital resources on this crucial breakthrough!"

Finally, he looked around at everyone again, his tone carrying a final, resolute tone.

"This is my decision! The suspension of large-scale conquests is not out of fear of war, but so that in the future, we can wage a... different, decisive war!"

"A war that gambles with the fate of the nation!"

"If I exhaust the nation's resources and productivity fails to develop effectively, then the Xiongnu will seize this opportunity to grow stronger and launch a counterattack against our dynasty."

"But if I succeed, then it won't just be the Xiongnu, but also the Qin Dynasty, which is far away!"

"I will take them all down with me!"

Liu Che's tone was more heroic than ever before.

"I decree that wherever the sun and moon shine, and wherever rivers flow, shall be Han territory! Under heaven, all shall be subjects of Han!"

Liu Che looked at the group of ministers.

"My lords, I need you all. Join me, risk the fate of the nation, and forge this path!"

The ministers looked at each other, and finally they all said the same thing.

"Your Majesty, we...will humbly obey your holy will!"

After seeing off the ministers, Liu Che looked deep in thought and remained silent for a moment before speaking again.

"The throne is passed to Crown Prince Liu Ju."

"only."

Before long, Crown Prince Liu Ju hurriedly entered the hall.

He was still young, with a scholarly air about him and clear eyes. He bowed respectfully to his father on the throne.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

Liu Che did not immediately tell him to get up, but instead scrutinized his son with a complex look.

Liu Ju felt uneasy under his father's gaze, maintaining his bowing posture while feeling anxious.

I wonder if I have said or done anything inappropriate lately that has displeased my father so much.

After a long silence, Liu Che finally spoke slowly, his voice low and deep: "Ju'er, what books have you been reading lately?"

Liu Ju breathed a sigh of relief; it turned out to be a test of his knowledge. He quickly answered.

"Your Majesty, I have recently been reading the Spring and Autumn Annals and am discussing the differences between the Gongyang and Guliang commentaries with Dr. Shi Qing."

"Um."

Liu Che responded noncommittally, his fingers unconsciously tapping the edge of the imperial desk.

"A ruler must be able to distinguish right from wrong and see through treacherous officials. He must encourage open discussion, but he must not be swayed by biased opinions, lest he be framed by villains and cause fratricide... Do you understand?"

Although these words seemed to be spoken to Liu Ju, they were actually spoken to himself.

Liu Che looked at Liu Ju and decided it would be better to get insurance.

"Furthermore, Ju'er, listen carefully to me, and remember this to the core!"

He paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately.

"From now on... no matter what happens, no matter what you hear or see."

Even if... even if you think Father is truly old and senile!

"Don't rebel! As long as you don't raise an army and point your swords at Weiyang Palace, I... I will never lay a hand on you! Never!"

"boom--!"

These words were like a thunderclap from the heavens, exploding in Liu Ju's ears!

Father... How could Father suddenly utter such earth-shattering words?!

Too old and senile? He would never take action?

This...this is clearly...this is...

Liu Ju was instantly overwhelmed by immense panic and confusion, his face turning deathly pale.

He suddenly banged his head on the ground, his voice filled with sobs and extreme fear.

"Father! How can you say such a thing! Your son... Your son is utterly loyal to Your Majesty and to the Han Dynasty, as Heaven and Earth can attest!"

"Never...never dared to harbor even the slightest thought of disloyalty, Father!!"

Seeing his son's terrified expression, Liu Che felt a mix of emotions.

"I know you don't."

Liu Che's voice softened somewhat.

"I am simply telling you to remember my words today! No matter what happens in the future, uphold your duty! This is the best choice for you and for the Han Dynasty! Rise."

"Remember my words!"

"Your subject will remember your father's teachings."

Although he didn't understand why Liu Che would suddenly say such a thing, Liu Ju still bowed and said so.

Liu Che nodded and waved his hand.

"Alright, I understand. You... take your leave. Study hard, and treat... treat those around you well."

"Your subject takes his leave."

Although Liu Ju was even more puzzled, he dared not ask any more questions. He bowed respectfully and then left the Xuan Shi Hall.

In the empty hall, only Liu Che remained.

He leaned back on the dragon throne, closed his eyes, and rubbed his temples hard with his fingers.

"Jiang Chong... Su Wen... witchcraft..."

……

Meanwhile, on the other side, the Tang Dynasty

"Guanyinbi! Do you think our Tang Dynasty can achieve the same level of success as later dynasties?"

Upon returning to the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin looked at Empress Zhangsun beside him.

Empress Zhangsun smiled gently and took Li Shimin's hand.

"Your Majesty, although we cannot achieve the terrifying productivity of the future, I believe that if Your Majesty truly wants to increase productivity, it will certainly be stronger than it is now."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin pondered for a moment.

"That's right, even if it doesn't reach the level of the future, it will definitely be better than it is now."

Every time Li Shimin thought about the 2.6 trillion catties of iron produced, his heart would burn with excitement.

Two trillion jin!

Let alone 20,000, even if the Tang Dynasty produced 60 million catties of iron every year, he would still be laughing in his dreams.

Not to mention 2.6 trillion!

Li Shimin took a deep breath and said in a deep voice to the outside of the hall:

"Someone come here!"

"His Majesty."

The eunuch entered in response.

"Summon Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji immediately..."

Li Shimin paused.

"Summon the key officials from the Ministry of Works and the Directorate of Works as well! The meeting in the Liangyi Hall must be swift!"

Then, Li Shimin hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

"Summon Wei Zheng here as well!"

"yes!"

The eunuch dared not ask any further questions and quickly withdrew to relay the order.

Then, Li Shimin looked at Empress Zhangsun.

"Guanyinbi, you should rest first! I still have things to discuss with them."

Empress Zhangsun nodded; she could naturally tell that Li Shimin was in a hurry.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have summoned people to the palace before even waiting until tomorrow.

……

"Xuanling, what do you think His Majesty has summoned us to the palace for at this time?"

Changsun Wuji walked to Fang Xuanling's side and asked in a low voice.

Fang Xuanling glanced at him and shook his head.

"I don't know either. His Majesty will tell us once we enter the palace."

Although he already had a guess in his mind, he couldn't possibly say it out loud.

Upon seeing this, Changsun Wuji raised an eyebrow, but did not say anything more.