Tang Dynasty: Father, if you don't rebel, I will!

electricity.......

As a soul from the future, Li Chengqian had no complaints about the level of production in this world, nor about the oil lamps and other such things used when reviewing documents every day.

That is of course impossible.

Meanwhile, the "Dragon Heart No. 1" steam engine of the Tang Dynasty was designed, built, improved, and began mass production at the Imperial University, and was put into use in industries such as textiles, canning, and metal processing.

Li Chengqian also discussed the issue of power generation with professionals from the Imperial University.

After all... the beginning of all civilization starts with boiling water, doesn't it?

He wouldn't even dare to think about wind power or solar power, but he felt that thermal power, which was the most basic and had the most abundant resources, was something worth exploring.

However, idealism ultimately becomes somewhat empty talk and laughable in the face of reality.

Although the Tang Dynasty has now initially acquired a systematic pool of talent in the early stages of industrialization, and has even made good progress in metal smelting and processing, as well as mechanical design.

There are just too many differences between a thermal power plant and a steam engine.

There is virtually no talent in theoretical fields such as thermodynamics and electromagnetism.

Furthermore, Datang has yet to produce equipment with even higher precision requirements, such as generators and transformers.

Not to mention, thermal power plants also require supporting equipment such as boilers, turbines, and power transmission lines.

Having just lit up the steam engine, giving the Tang Dynasty steam power, it was indeed a bit difficult for Li Chengqian, who was entering the First Industrial Revolution, to directly and naturally light up the technological point of electricity.

However, the situation is finally about to change!

Just as Li Chengqian was excitedly pacing back and forth in his study, already planning how to make the Tang Dynasty light the world's first electric light in the fifth year of the Zhenguan era this year...

[Ding! Detection indicates the host has completed the beginner's simulation world tutorial]

[Initiating the establishment of a projected civilization for the host...]

Li Chengqian, who thought he was about to start a new civilization simulation, was instantly stunned.

No, what the hell does this mean?

Before he could even ask, a stream of information immediately began to flash through his mind.

[Host: Li Chengqian]

[Main World: Historical Dimension - Tang Dynasty]

[Current civilization level assessment at the same stage: 2-3 stars (under upgrade)]

[Civilization Tags: Dictator, Warlike Spirit, Strict Governance, Unity of the People, Abundant Resources, Scientific Reform, Emerging Capitalism]

[War Science: Imperial Military Academy, Steel Armor, Basic Firearms, World Horse Ranch]

[Overall Assessment: 4 stars, a bloodthirsty tiger desperately needing to deal damage in war]

Before Li Chengqian could figure out what was going on, he suddenly felt as if he had entered a new world.

Standing tall above the clouds.

Looking down, one can see a vast continent.

Immediately afterwards, a burst of light shone on a large area of ​​land beneath his feet, which appeared to be roughly the size of the combined areas of the Hedong Circuit, Guannei Circuit, and Longyou Circuit of the Tang Dynasty.

Then, it was just like the initial troop deployment in a modern war game.

Cities, towns, and villages, along with mountains, rivers, lakes, vast farmlands, and throngs of people, appeared on this land.

Above the sky, a symbol identical to the Tang Dynasty's Star, Sun, and Moon Flag floated in mid-air.

Matching you with someone...

【1/7,2/7......6/7,7/7】

【Matching completed】

[Historical Plane - Great Xia] [Historical Plane - Holy Caliphate] [Historical Plane - Barbarian Alliance] [Historical Plane - Khitan] [Historical Plane - Amaterasu] [Historical Plane - Great Hun]

Immediately afterwards, in the sky above, under Li Chengqian's gaze, banners of various styles appeared in mid-air.

And beneath that flag, on the equally vast land...

One after another, cities with styles completely different from those of the Tang Dynasty appeared in an instant...

"Oh~" Li Chengqian finally realized what this golden finger really meant.

It turns out that the previous civilization simulations were simply opportunities for him to develop the power of his own world. Once the novice period was over, it would be time to use the power of his own world's civilization to fight against people from other worlds.

"If you win or lose, there should be some kind of reward or punishment, right?"

He asked this question.

【Ding! 】

[In this projection battle, rewards and penalties will be determined directly based on the final results of each country.]

[If a country is destroyed, the victor will immediately receive a "Conquest Gift Pack," which includes abundant resources such as minerals, advanced civilization technology, and rare treasures.]

Those whose nations are destroyed will suffer divine punishment in the real world; those whose nations are destroyed more than three times in projection wars will have their real world directly destroyed.

[Additionally, winning battles of varying scales also has a chance to yield special reward packages.]

Li Chengqian narrowed his eyes. If the reward could be placed in the real world, then failure would directly punish the main world.

That makes sense.

With a thought, the general information released by the other six companies immediately appeared before his eyes.

[Historical Dimension - Great Xia]: Population 3700 million; civilization roughly similar to the period of transition from nomadic to agricultural societies; primarily skilled in cavalry warfare; possesses developed animal husbandry and other relatively sophisticated industries. Current military strength 62.

[Historical Dimension - Holy Caliphate]: Population 4000 million. Judging from its civilization, it resembles the historical Arab Empire, practicing religion, with developed animal husbandry and commerce, and possessing a certain naval power. Current military strength 60.

[Historical Dimension - Barbarian Alliance]: Population 2900 million, crude social structure, harsh environment and inadequate civilization system, yet possesses formidable individual combat capabilities. Current military strength 289 million.

[Historical Dimension - Khitan]: Population 3000 million, a powerful nomadic people at its peak, possessing a formidable cavalry and fierce fighting prowess, with a simple social structure. Current military strength 300 million.

[Historical Dimension - Amaterasu]: Population 1700 million. A quintessential example of Japan during the Edo period. Its social system is only the best among the worst, but it harbors considerable ambitions for aggression, mainly due to its lackluster navy and barbaric samurai. Current military strength: 109 million.

[Historical Dimension - Great Xiongnu]: Population 2500 million, similar to the previous Khitan. Current military strength: 240 million.

Li Chengqian took a deep breath. Although it was just a projection battle, judging from the current situation, these opponents did not seem to be easy to deal with.

but.

When he saw his own message immediately afterward, he silently retracted his previous thought.

[Historical Dimension - Tang Dynasty]: An empire with a population of 1.1 million, possessing a well-developed top-down centralized system, a strong agricultural and commercial foundation, nascent industrial science, early stages of military reforms involving firearms, and the initial stages of a naval fleet system...

Featuring an epic war defense line: the Great Wall

It has a main railway line running through the north and south.

A long list of evaluations was given, providing a general description of various professions, including scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants.

Finally... current troop strength: 400 million

Li Chengqian: "...What a wonderful matching mechanism!"

At almost the same time, the other hosts with cheat codes who also possessed a world, like Li Chengqian, were all instantly horrified and gasped upon seeing the information about the [Historical Dimension: Tang Dynasty].

Among them, the leaders of the Great Xiongnu and the Khitan, who were completely adjacent to the Tang Dynasty, had previously shown some smugness, but their expressions instantly froze on the spot.

"Damn it, how could we possibly be matched against an opponent like this?! We both have a population of over 20 million, and you come up with 100 million right off the bat?"

"Protest! I protest! Something must be wrong. I don't believe this is the first time this opponent has entered projection battle mode!"

Both of them immediately protested against their cheat codes.

Unfortunately, the final result was predictable.

As for Amaterasu, which faces the Tang Dynasty across the sea, its hopes were completely dashed after seeing the information that the Tang Dynasty was in the "early stage of the naval fleet system".

【Ding! 】

[Projection battles are about to begin. During the battles, one day in the main world is equivalent to one month in the current battle world.]

The victor is king, the loser is an outlaw...

Boom!

A terrifying, thunderous roar followed.

While Li Chengqian was still somewhat bewildered, several grand voices resounded throughout the land.

"The Great Xiongnu leader Huyan Dadamu and the Khitan leader Yelü Mingtai have formed a military alliance!"

"[Amaterasu Akikawa Masashi] Joins the Alliance"

"[Great Xiongnu Huyan Dadamu], [Khitan Yelü Mingtai], and [Amaterasu Akikawa Masashi] declare war on you."

Li Chengqian: "???"

Is everyone this enthusiastic?

Are you so eager to be shot?

He remained completely calm, and with a thought, he appeared in the projected image of Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, at the Taiji Hall...

"Your subject, Li Shimin, requests permission to fight!"

wtf?

As soon as he entered the hall, Li Chengqian heard a familiar voice and looked closely.

Good guy!

The main world is filled with civil and military officials, including capable ministers and generals from the Qin Prince's Mansion, veteran officials of Wude, and even Wang Ming, the grandson of the earliest Crown Prince's faction from Taiyuan.

However, it seems that none of these people can see him.

On the throne, Li Chengqian, with his majestic appearance, seemed to fit the description of the emperor even better than his father, who was as handsome as the sun and moon. He nodded slightly.

He immediately spoke up.

"Li Shimin, Prince of Qin, is hereby appointed as the General Commander of the Expedition against the Khitan, leading an army of 30! Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Jingde, and Chai Shao are appointed as his deputies!"

"Li Jing, Duke of Ying, is hereby appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Expedition against the Xiongnu, leading an army of 30! Li Ji, Duan Zhixuan, Li Xiaogong, and Li Daozong are appointed as his deputies!"

"Li Ke, Prince of Han, is hereby appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Army against Tianzhao, in command of the First Fleet of the Great Tang Dynasty, leading 20 troops! Li Yin, Prince of Liang, Hou Junji, and Li Daliang are appointed as his deputies!"

Li Chengqian looked at his own projection and clicked his tongue in amazement.

This thing can even be managed by a third party. I wonder if it can only be managed by a third party, or if it can also be involved. It would be great if it could be actively commanded. Since it's a projection war, there's no need to care about whether the methods are clean or not.

So many research achievements from our own national medical school...

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly heard "Li Chengqian" speak again.

"Summon Dean Berens of the National Medical College to the hall!"

Li Chengqian: "......."

No, no?

I didn't do anything!

System, are you toxic? Do you think I, Li Chengqian, am that kind of person?

Your projection looks way too fake!

With the projection ordering the establishment of the "Great Tang Military Epidemic Prevention Action Office" at the National Medical College to coordinate the three parties in advancing the war, Li Chengqian was completely relieved.

The projection warfare in this world didn't require his direct command at all; it seemed to be able to simulate his thoughts and the mind of his loyal father...

The next day.

The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, who had been rambling on like a monk chanting sutras all night beside his Empress, arrived at the Taiji Hall as usual.

Just as he was feeling happy that his empress had finally chosen a few concubines for him to accompany him, he noticed something strange about his eldest son's gaze.

That look in his eyes had a kind of offensiveness that made him feel uncomfortable all over.

"Your Highness, what kind of look is that?!"