The Heavens: From Film and Mythology to Conquering Myriad Realms

Xiang Yu knelt on one knee, lowered his proud head, and surrendered to Lu Yao.

Xiang Liang's eyes widened in disbelief that Xiang Yu, who had once been so stubborn, would surrender to the enemy. He was unsure whether to be happy or not.

The thousands of Chu soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment, and all laid down their weapons and surrendered.

"Having Xiang Yu join me is like gaining an arm."

Upon seeing this, Lu Yao stepped forward to help Xiang Yu up, laughing heartily.

After Xiang Yu surrendered, Lu Yao officially unified the Central Plains, establishing the second unified state after the Qin Dynasty.

The capital of the Wu Dynasty remained in Xianyang, but it was renamed Wudu, since the Qin Dynasty had already perished and using that name again would be considered unlucky.

The founding ceremony was held in Wudu in a grand manner, and all the generals under Lu Yao's command participated in the sacrificial ceremony to report to Heaven.

On the towering altar, after the chief priest finished reading the sacrificial text, Lu Yao ascended the throne and became emperor.

After the sacrificial ceremony, Lu Yao simultaneously initiated the investiture ceremony.

Lu Yao formally conferred titles upon all the marquises who had been temporarily appointed, except for a few more people.

Among them was Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, which is also a manifestation of Lu Yao's inclusion of him into the Wu Dynasty system.

After the ceremony, the officials performed their respective duties: those who needed to appease the people did so, and those who needed to quell the bandits did so.

Lu Yao established a cabinet to handle the heavy political affairs. Its members were all advisors who followed Lu Yao and have now all obtained high positions.

Lu Yao was well aware of the dangers of mixing civil officials and generals, so he implemented a system of separation between military and political affairs.

The Grand Council was established to be solely responsible for military affairs, not domestic matters, and only for fighting wars.

The cabinet does not deal with military affairs, but is only responsible for domestic affairs.

Furthermore, Lu Yao encouraged commerce, elevated the status of merchants, established the Imperial Merchants Association to lead business operations, stimulated economic development, and achieved remarkable results.

Everything in the Wu Dynasty was back on track, and the people gradually became wealthy and lived in peace and contentment.

……

Lu Yao frowned as he looked at the military report in his hand.

This military report was sent by the Great Wall Legion on the border, and it mentioned the Xiongnu's invasion of the border.

Before Lu Yao unified the Central Plains, the Qin state's Great Wall army had been fighting the Xiongnu on the border.

They only sent a letter of surrender to Lu Yao when their supplies could no longer sustain them. Li Xin, the commander of the Great Wall Legion, returned to Wudu to live out his days in peace. Later, Lu Yao sent Li Da to guard the Great Wall border and to command the Great Wall Legion.

"Someone, summon Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, to see me."

Lu Yao sent a eunuch in the palace to deliver an order, stating that he intended to send Xiang Yu to attack the Xiongnu in order to relieve the border troubles.

After meeting Lu Yao, Xiang Yu went directly to the Military Affairs Office, took the Tiger Tally, and dispatched 100,000 elite soldiers of the First Legion to the Great Wall border to attack the Xiongnu.

……

Lu Yao, dressed in a brocade dragon robe, stood on the pavilion of the palace, looking down at the bustling Wudu, feeling a great sense of accomplishment.

"It's time to go and see Tangwu Mountain."

Thinking of the Tangwu Mountain where Beiyan Mountain Man lived, Lu Yao's expression changed slightly.

Now that he has destroyed the Qin Dynasty and established the Wu Dynasty, the world's origin in the Haotian Pearl has reached ninety percent!

Lu Yao planned to investigate the mysterious Beiyan Mountain Man. Since the Beiyan Mountain Man was able to create a time-traveling treasure box, he must not be an ordinary person.

Lu Yao guessed that the elixir of immortality in Cui Wenzi's possession must have been made by the people of Beiyan Mountain, and that it was related to that magical red meteorite.

Lu Yao found the meteorite in the Qin Kingdom's treasury. According to the guards, it was a meteorite that once fell from the sky and could levitate surrounding objects under certain conditions.

Lu Yao knew that this was the mysterious meteorite placed in Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum in the original story, which could make the entire mausoleum float up, like a heavenly palace.

Lu Yao wouldn't risk his life now; that Northern Rock Hermit is mysterious and unpredictable, and might have some tricks up his sleeve.

Although Lu Yao could use the Haotian Pearl to escape at any time, there was no need.

Lu Yao immediately ordered the Military Affairs Office to dispatch 20,000 soldiers to completely surround Tangwu Mountain.

The one leading the troops this time was Yi Xiaochuan, one of the three people who went up the mountain back then.

Lu Yao appointed him to lead the troops because he was the chosen one, and perhaps he would have an unexpected effect.

Tangwu Mountain.

The once remote and uninhabited mountains and forests were now surrounded by countless soldiers.

The soldiers were ordered not to release a single rabbit, so checkpoints were set up at all key points.

A group of soldiers led the way, protecting Lu Yao and Yi Xiaochuan as they ascended the mountain.

Arriving at the courtyard they had visited years ago, it was exactly the same as when they had come a few years ago.

Lu Yao signaled the soldiers to knock on the door and see if anyone was inside.

The door opened quickly, and there stood the same boy, only a few years older.

The boy who opened the door was taken aback to see a large group of soldiers standing outside.

"Generals, is there something important?"

The boy said somewhat uncertainly.

After all, this place is sparsely populated, and you can hardly see anyone usually. Why are there so many soldiers here today?

"It's been a long time! Do you still recognize us?"

Yi Xiaochuan stepped forward and said to the boy with a smile.

The boy was also taken aback when he looked at Yi Xiaochuan.

"So you were our distinguished guests a few years ago. It hasn't even been sixty years yet. What brings you two here?"

Looking at Yi Xiaochuan in front of him, then at Lu Yao behind him, he asked in confusion.

"Enough with the nonsense! Let us in. Where's your master?"

Yi Xiaochuan stopped smiling and didn't give the boy a friendly look.

Upon hearing this guy talk about what happened sixty years ago, Yi Xiaochuan became furious.

“My master has been traveling the world and has not returned. Please do as you said back then, and come back after sixty years.”

The boy spoke calmly and expressionlessly.

"Alright, alright, you're getting too big for your britches, aren't you!"

Upon hearing the boy's words, Yi Xiaochuan felt a surge of anger and couldn't help but laugh in frustration.

Yi Xiaochuan waved his hand, ordering the soldiers to force their way into the courtyard.

"Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing? You can't go in!"

Seeing that Yi Xiaochuan was about to resort to force, the boy looked extremely anxious.

Lu Yao watched coldly from behind, waiting for the Northern Rock Hermit to appear.

However, after the soldiers rushed into the courtyard and searched it thoroughly, Beiyan Shanren still did not appear.

"Could it be that the Hermit of Beiyan Mountain has truly gone astray?"

Lu Yao looked puzzled, unsure of Bei Yanshanren's thoughts.

The boy who tried to stop Lu Yao and the others was also captured on the spot by two soldiers and held aside.

After searching, the courtyard was found to contain nothing but some daily necessities.

They only found some Taoist books in the young master's room; they were all theoretical books.

"Your Majesty, after investigating the room of that young master, it is clear that no one has lived there for many years."

A soldier who was conducting the search approached Lu Yao, knelt down, and reported.

"Search again!"

Lu Yao frowned, he didn't believe that the Northern Rock Hermit hadn't left any clues at all.

It seems that the Northern Rock Hermit really hasn't returned for a long time, but his presence has always been felt in the original story, so he couldn't have simply vanished into thin air.

If they still can't find Beiyanshanren, Lu Yao plans to issue a nationwide manhunt for him; he refuses to believe they can't find him.

You want to wander around? I'll make sure you can't move an inch!