Liu Laoliu said, "When the time comes, just send him back to the Qin Dynasty via the military route."
I said with relief, "That's not bad... But what about Kangxi?" It's easy to deal with someone like Qin Wuyang who died young; they can simply go back, change their name and identity, and continue living. But Kangxi reigned for over 60 years. How old was he when he died? Would he also end up like Qin Wuyang? Wouldn't that be sending back an old, senile man? Also, Qin Qiong and the others can't follow the military path. Although they are the same person, their identities still have corresponding entities in the Tang Dynasty. Wouldn't they be fighting back?
Liu Laoliu said, "Why do you care so much? I have my own ways to deal with those who don't want to take the military path. Anyway, that year was basically a vacation for them. At worst, I won't give them the Meng Po soup when I send them back. When they wake up, they will have no memory of that year, but it will be like a dream."
"That's like closing your eyes and opening them again, and a year has passed, hooray—"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"Isn't the military road supposed to be closed in three months? Kangxi won't be back for another year, by then it'll be too late."
Liu Laoliu said impatiently, "Whether you want to save their lives or consider their homesickness first, you decide for yourself."
I cautiously asked, "If I can't get out in three months, who will take on the mission if something happens to our emperors again?"
Liu Laoliu said, "There won't be any more surprises. Three months later, the Heavenly Dao will be completely at peace, and this human realm axis that Lao He pushed over will be out of its sight. Just like a branch detached from a tree, they can live however they want."
I exclaimed in surprise, "So, after three months they can stop following the schedule?"
"yes."
I clenched my fist and said, "These guys are having a blast—but what if history gets rewritten?"
Liu Laoliu said, “What history is there? History is what’s past. In history, Liu Bang and Xiang Yu were enemies, but now they exist alongside you. By the way, you can think of them as real foreign countries. That’s one of the advantages of being outside the natural order. No one will care if they smash someone’s brains out. Of course, that’s also the downside. No one will care if someone smashes their brains out.”
I said, "Then why bother building the Great Wall under Qin Shi Huang? Just tell him to stop construction immediately, and it will save a lot of money."
Old Liu laughed and said, "It would be good to build it up as a scenic spot. And as far as I know, with so many people helping him with the construction, it should be completed in about three months."
I quickly asked, "Will Xiao Huhai encounter another Xiang Yu?"
Liu Laoliu said, "History is no more, and Xiang Yu will not reappear after Hu Hai grows up. But you must remind Hu Hai that if he remains so muddle-headed and cruel, another Wang Yu or Zhang Yu will surely emerge to rebel against him. This is what they mean by 'where there is oppression, there will be...'"
I said, "Alright, alright, hurry up and clear the road so I can go find Old Wu. Who are you to give me a political lecture?" Besides, if things don't go according to plan, he might not even inherit the throne.
Liu Laoliu said angrily, "You ungrateful bastard who kicks away the ladder after crossing the river!"
I said, "One last question: what if people from history overlap with those on the human realm axis? For example, what if Han Xin was killed by Liu Bang and came here?" This is a problem we'll face in three months. If history and the human realm axis were previously unified, this part of the human realm axis, after separating from the Heavenly Dao, will be completely independent. When I hit Qin Wuyang with the sole of my shoe, although it didn't change the historical record, it did happen in that historical period. From now on, history is history, and the human realm axis is the human realm axis, like the two ends of a carrying pole…
Liu Laoliu wiped his sweat and said, "Why are all your questions so sharp today?"
"People say you should wash up and go to bed, but don't you have to wash up before bed? I'm just being responsible to my customers."
Liu Laoliu said, “Your question is very pointed, but fortunately you won’t be receiving many clients anymore—how many people’s names do you think the King of Hell’s brother-in-law can get wrong? Apart from Kangxi, there aren’t any particularly important figures left. I’ll arrange for Sima Qian to write something like the Yucai Benji for you at the end, and that’ll be it.”
After hanging up the phone, I couldn't tell whether I was happy or disappointed. I was happy because in three months my clients would be completely free from the control of fate, and they could live a blissful life where they could smash people's brains at will; I was disappointed because it seemed they wouldn't need me anymore then. I was filled with mixed emotions when Zhao Yun, who was beside me, asked, "Brother Xiao Qiang, what's wrong?"
I looked at him and sighed, "After this is over, we should gather your lord, Sun Quan, Cao Cao and the others for a summit meeting. It would be better if everyone just lived their own lives. Why fight?"
At this point, the road in front of us was open, and I led Zhao Yun and 500 soldiers straight to the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty.
On the way, I asked Zhao Yun, "Zilong, have you really never lost a battle in your life?"
Zhao Yun laughed and said, "Brother Xiao Qiang, what are you saying? I've only fought a few battles."
I scratched my head and said, "Yeah, that's true." I felt quite sorry for Zhao Yun. By the time I went to find them, everyone else had already enjoyed their moment of glory. Zhao Yun had only recently descended from Changshan, and with Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhuge Liang helping him, it wouldn't be difficult to conquer Xichuan after the Battle of Red Cliffs. Then, when the Three Kingdoms were in a tripartite balance, I could mediate, and the war wouldn't have to be fought. Being close doesn't necessarily mean unification. Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand are doing just fine, aren't they? Zhao Yun's military career was coming to an end. The historical Zhao Yun, in silver helmet, white horse, and invincible spearman, was a hero admired by all. The Zhao Yun before me could only live a quiet, ordinary military officer…
I said, "Zilong, I'm sorry, I'm afraid you'll never fight again."
Zhao Yun laughed and said, "Isn't it good that there are no battles? Zilong vowed to follow our lord in conquering the world, isn't it all so that one day we can live a peaceful life?"
I was speechless and exclaimed, "How could you do this? You're Zhao Yun!"
Zhao Yun said, bewildered, "Isn't that wrong? If someone fights just because they like fighting, then isn't he..." At this point, Zhao Yun couldn't find a suitable adjective, so I interjected, "Psychopath?"
Zhao Yun said, "Yes, psychologically abnormal—that's a really good word. No wonder Second Brother and the strategist both admire Brother Xiaoqiang."
Wow, who knew the ever-victorious general Zhao Yun was an anti-war advocate? But he's right, what normal person wants to fight and kill every day? Even politicians don't start a war just to watch people fight to the death.
The journey from the Three Kingdoms period to the Qing Dynasty was no small feat. Zhao Yun's men had just emerged from the desolate Battle of Red Cliffs in the dead of winter, still wearing their cotton-padded coats, and were drenched in sweat after less than half an hour. To make matters worse, Liu Bei was currently penniless, and the troops he had given us were all infantry. I saw some of the weaker men already struggling, so I quickly waved my hand to stop them. Zhao Yun asked curiously, "Brother Xiao Qiang, what are you doing?"
I said, "The brothers can't walk anymore."
Feeling embarrassed, Zhao Yun said awkwardly, "It's my fault for not being strict enough in supervising the troops."
I laughed and said, "It's okay, we'll rent horses."
Before Zhao Yun could ask any more questions, we had already entered the main road, which was bustling with activity. I casually grabbed a man with "Da Han Che Ye" printed on his back and asked, "Do you rent horses around here?"
The man pointed across the street: "We have a branch there."
Zhao Yun and his 500 soldiers looked at each other, full of curiosity. I led them to "Old Wang's Stewed Flatbread" and told them, "You eat first, I'll go find the horses."
This Wang Family Stewed Bread is run by Wang Ben's family. The secret recipe was learned from the Shaanxi people in Zhao Kuangyin's army when the multinational forces besieged Jin Wuzhu. Although Qin government officials were not allowed to engage in business, Wang Ben used almost all the money he earned from his business to supply the army, so Emperor Ying turned a blind eye.
I went to the Dahan Automobile Branch and told the manager, "Find me 500 horses, the best ones."
The steward hurriedly bowed upon seeing me: "Your Highness, my lord!" As he wrote out the invoice, he asked, "Where is Your Highness going, Prince Xiao?"
I said, "The Qing Dynasty."
The manager, biting his pen, said, "Qing Dynasty? That's a completely unfamiliar name. I'm afraid we don't have any branches there."
I said, "Stop talking nonsense. Do you think I, a king of such high rank, would extort hundreds of horses from you? I'll sign the contract for you. If I don't come back, you can go and demand compensation from His Majesty."
The manager, finding this reasonable, quickly issued me a receipt. After the horses were ready and Zhao Yun and the Shu soldiers had eaten their fill, I called out to the owner of the paomo restaurant, "Give each of you five more guokui (a type of flatbread)."
The shopkeeper scurried over and said, "No problem, would you like the order signed under the name of the Xiao family or the name of Prince Qi?"