Yellow Heaven Dao Court

With the current strength of the Yellow Turban Army in Guangzong, seizing the entire Julu Commandery would be an effortless task, and with enough time, even taking Ji Province would be well within reach.

The reason for not rushing is the intention to lure the elite of the Han Army to gather in Julu Commandery before engaging them in battle, aiming to decide the fate of Ji Province and the entire world in a single stroke.

As long as the combined fifty thousand or so regular troops under Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun are annihilated, the Han Empire will lose the majority of its elite field forces.

"Agreed."

Huang Tian nodded, approving Zhang Jiao's military plan.

Having received permission, Zhang Jiao stepped out of the room with light, cautious movements.

Huang Tian then settled his mind into stillness, a sliver of consciousness taking flight, traversing the dark void to return to Blue Star.

Inside the apartment.

Huang Tian opened his eyes, looking at the familiar modern facilities, feeling as if he had lived a lifetime in another world.

He rubbed his face, rose to take an apple from a bag on the table, washed it, and stood by the window, munching away while watching the pedestrians and vehicles on the street below.

After eating, a contented smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

He returned to the bedside, plopped down, and took out his phone to search for information on "the evolution of agricultural tools," "the history of industrial development," and the like.

Indeed, he intended to improve agricultural implements and develop basic industry to boost productivity in the late Han Dynasty. Although magic itself was a form of advanced productivity, he was in no hurry to teach it to the world; even if he did, he would only impart it to trusted disciples for the time being.

The number of people was too small, and cultivation was too time-consuming; it was far less effective than driving technological progress to boost productivity immediately.

Huang Tian read through document after document, his photographic memory firmly etching the information into his mind.

In the blink of an eye, half a day passed.

By now, half a month had already passed in the late Han world, yet Huang Tian did not worry about his other body starving to death.

He had long since experimented; even when his main consciousness was absent, the other body could still execute simple commands like eating, drinking, relieving itself, and absorbing spiritual energy.

Putting down his phone, Huang Tian sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and shifted his consciousness back.

Upon opening his eyes again, he saw the ancient-style bed, desk, cabinets, and bronze oil lamp.

Huang Tian rose from the mat and pushed open the door, bright light spilling onto him.

"Holy Venerable!" Several beautiful slave girls at the door immediately knelt to pay their respects.

These women were from prominent families in Guangzong. They were beautiful, and after Guangzong was captured by Zhang Jiao, they had been unable to escape and were seized by the Yellow Turbans, then offered to Zhang Jiao and his associates.

Zhang Jiao was never a man of lust, and having fallen ill from worry due to repeated defeats, he had no mind for women; he merely kept them in the residence to handle chores. When Huang Tian descended into this world, Zhang Jiao sent them to serve him.

"Rise," Huang Tian instructed. "One of you, go summon Zhang Jiao."

"Understood."

The women replied softly, and one of them departed toward the place where Zhang Jiao handled official business.

Huang Tian left the door open and strolled leisurely through the courtyard. The garden was filled with flowers and trees, fragrant and lush, with a pond where red carp leaped, full of vitality.

Before long, Zhang Jiao hurried over and knelt before Huang Tian.

Huang Tian raised a hand and said, "No need for such formalities. I summoned you today because I have something to discuss, but before that, tell me about the war first."

Zhang Jiao followed behind Huang Tian and reported in detail: "Half a month ago, Zhang Liang led the army on an expedition and has now captured Quzhou, Guangping, Ren County, Nanhe, Julu, and other counties. The government troops fled at the mere mention of our arrival, offering almost no resistance. Our army should be reaching Xiaquyang soon to rendezvous with Zhang Bao's forces."

The annihilation of Lu Zhi's twenty-thousand-strong army had terrified the officials of Julu Commandery; facing the aggressive Yellow Turban Army, they had no intention of resisting.

They either surrendered or fled.

Without fighting a single battle, Zhang Liang had practically taken the entire Julu Commandery.

Zhang Jiao continued, "The Han Army has also made moves. According to scouts, many Han troops have appeared in Ye City, Lieren, and other places, flying banners with the characters 'Dong' and 'Cao.' It should be Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao leading their armies here.

There is also news that Huangfu Song has defeated Bu Si in Dong Commandery of Yan Province, effectively pacifying Yan Province, and is now acting under the Han Emperor's orders to transfer his forces to Ji Province to rendezvous with Dong and Cao."

Huang Tian asked, "What about Zhu Jun?"

Zhang Jiao replied, "I hear Zhu Jun is still besieging Wan City. The fighting is intense, and he cannot pull away."

"A pity," Huang Tian said.

Zhang Jiao nodded, a look of regret on his face.

If Liu Hong had been foolish enough to transfer Zhu Jun from Wan City to Ji Province, the Yellow Turbans at Wan City would have found a way to survive, and they here in Guangzong could have fought to annihilate Zhu Jun's twenty thousand elite Han troops.

But Liu Hong still had some sense; he was determined to first eliminate the Yellow Turbans at Wan City and thoroughly suppress the rebellions everywhere in the world except for Ji Province.

"Wait for Huangfu Song to arrive with his army, then let them attack us, or we shall go to Lieren and Ye City to attack them."

Huang Tian paced with his hands behind his back. "The war is discussed; now for what I wanted to tell you."

Zhang Jiao listened intently.

"I intend to establish the Yellow Heaven Dao Court to govern the world through the Dao Court. The Dao Court will be divided into three institutes: the Political Academy, the Science Institute, and the Dao Institute.

The Political Academy, like the imperial court of officials, will be responsible for handling state affairs.

The Science Institute will research machinery and the principles behind them.

The Dao Institute will be for those who cultivate magic, leading all practitioners in the world.

And the Master of the Dao Court shall be known as the Great Virtuous Teacher; you shall be the first Master of the Dao Court."

Zhang Jiao was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor and hurriedly said, "With Master here, how could this disciple possibly lead the Dao Court? I implore Master to reconsider."

Huang Tian did not care in the least and replied, "My body is but a manifestation of spiritual intent. Once the tribulation is broken and the Dao is spread, I shall ascend and depart. What meaning do the riches of this world hold for me?"

With the matter put this way, Zhang Jiao had no choice but to accept the position of Great Virtuous Teacher of the Dao Court. After a moment of thought, he asked:

"Master, I understand the purpose of the Political Academy and the Dao Institute, but how should the Science Institute operate?"

"Are you familiar with the Mohist mechanism arts?"

"I am."

"It is much the same. 'Science' means to distinguish and categorize. The Science Institute is meant to classify the arts of machinery into systematic principles, then use those principles to guide the creation and improvement of tools."

Huang Tian continued, "If it can develop for several hundred years, perhaps it can achieve the scenes I witnessed in another world.

In the sky, iron birds soar with wingspans of a thousand feet, traversing the great void without relying on the wind. Their bellies can hold a hundred passengers, departing from Cangwu in the morning and arriving at the North Sea by dusk.

There are also four-wheeled carriages that gallop like the wind without needing fodder. Every commoner may ride them, traveling a thousand miles a day without showing fatigue. Within them lie ingenious mechanisms that regulate heat and cold, bringing the coolness of autumn even during the height of summer.

Beyond the heavens hang golden-eyed mirrors that patrol the nine skies, observing the minutiae of the mountains and rivers. Messages can be transmitted across a thousand miles in an instant, and images from the furthest reaches of the wilderness appear before one's eyes in a heartbeat..."

Zhang Jiao held his breath as he listened.

Iron birds that carry men through the nine heavens, carriages that travel a thousand miles a day, mirrors in the sky that observe the world...

Every single thing filled Zhang Jiao with longing and fascination. "Such great power—is it not nearly equal to that of immortals and gods?"

Huang Tian smiled. The technology of Blue Star was indeed advanced, but to say it rivaled the gods was merely an exaggeration.

"With Ji Province not yet settled and the world in turmoil, we shall first establish the Political Academy and the Science Institute. You will oversee the Political Academy as usual. As for the Science Institute, recruit those who are literate; if any sons of noble families or powerful clans wish to join, they may be accepted. When the time comes, I will pass down the principles of science.

As for the Dao Institute to be established later, the Dharma must not be spread lightly. None shall enter unless they have rendered great service, possess immense perseverance, or demonstrate extraordinary comprehension."