Given the Yellow Turban Army's current strength in Guangzong, taking the whole of Julu Commandery would be child's play. With a little time, they could even seize Ji Province.
The reason they were in no hurry was that they planned to draw the Han Army's elite forces together in Julu Commandery, then engage them in battle and settle the fate of Ji Province—and perhaps the whole realm—in one decisive fight.
As long as they annihilated the roughly fifty thousand regular troops under Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun combined, the Han Empire would lose most of its elite field forces.
"Very well."
Huang Tian nodded, approving Zhang Jiao's military plans.
With Zhang Jiao's request granted, he quietly withdrew from the room.
Huang Tian settled his mind. A wisp of consciousness rose, passed through the unseen void, and returned to Blue Star.
In the apartment.
Huang Tian opened his eyes. Looking at the familiar modern furnishings, he felt as though ages had passed.
He rubbed his face, got up, and took an apple from a bag on the table. After washing it, he stood by the window, watching the pedestrians and cars passing along the street as he munched away.
When he had finished, a contented smile touched his lips.
He went back to the bed and plopped down, then took out his phone and searched for information on "the evolution of agricultural tools," "the history of industrial development," and the like.
That was right. He planned to improve productivity in the Late Han Dynasty by upgrading farming tools and developing basic industry. Although magic itself was an advanced productive force, he wasn't in a hurry to teach it to the people. Even if he did, for now he would only teach trusted disciples.
There were too few of them, and cultivation took far too long. Promoting technological progress would boost productivity much more immediately.
Huang Tian read through the articles one by one. With his photographic memory, he committed the information firmly to heart.
Half a day passed in the blink of an eye.
By then, half a month had passed in the Late Han Dynasty World. Huang Tian wasn't worried that his other body would starve to death.
He had tested it long ago. Even when his primary consciousness wasn't there, his other body could still follow simple commands to eat, drink, relieve itself, and absorb spiritual energy.
Setting down the phone, Huang Tian sat cross-legged on the bed and closed his eyes. His consciousness returned.
When he opened them again, he saw a bed, a low table, cabinets, and a bronze oil lamp, all in an ancient style.
Huang Tian rose from his mat and pushed open the door. Bright light fell across him.
"Holy Venerable!" Several beautiful maids at the door hurriedly knelt and bowed.
They came from powerful families in Guangzong. All were lovely, and when Zhang Jiao captured the city, they had failed to escape and had been seized by the Yellow Turban Army, then presented to Zhang Jiao and the others.
Zhang Jiao had never been a lecher, and after one defeat after another, illness and worry had worn him down. He had no interest in women. He had simply kept them in his residence to do odd jobs. When Huang Tian descended into this world, Zhang Jiao sent them to serve him.
"Rise," Huang Tian ordered. "Send one of your number to summon Zhang Jiao."
"Yes, sir."
The women answered softly. One of them went to the place where Zhang Jiao handled government affairs.
Huang Tian left the door open and strolled unhurriedly through the courtyard. Flowers and trees grew in profusion, filling the air with fragrance. A pond lay nearby, where red carp leaped from the water, bringing the scene to life.
Before long, Zhang Jiao hurried over and bowed beside Huang Tian.
Huang Tian raised a hand. "There's no need for formalities. I summoned you today to discuss something, but first, tell me about the war."
Following behind Huang Tian, Zhang Jiao gave a detailed report. "Half a month ago, Zhang Liang led the army out. He has now taken Quzhou, Guangping, Ren County, Nanhe, Julu, and other counties. The government troops fled at the first sign of us, offering almost no resistance. Our forces should soon reach Xiaquyang, where they'll join up with Zhang Bao's troops."
Lu Zhi's twenty thousand troops had been wiped out, terrifying the officials across Julu Commandery. Faced with the Yellow Turban Army bearing down on them, they hadn't even considered resisting.
They could either surrender or flee.
Without fighting a single battle, Zhang Liang had nearly taken the whole of Julu Commandery.
Zhang Jiao continued, "The Han Army has also made its move. According to our scouts, a large number of Han troops have appeared in Ye City, Lieren, and other places, marching under banners bearing the characters Dong and Cao. They should be Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao, leading their troops here.
"We've also received word that Huangfu Song defeated Bu Si in Dong Commandery, Yan Province, and has more or less pacified the province. He has now received the Han Emperor's order to move into Ji Province and join up with Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao."
Huang Tian asked, "What about Zhu Jun?"
Zhang Jiao replied, "I hear Zhu Jun is still besieging Wan City. The fighting is fierce, and he can't get away."
"That's a shame," Huang Tian said.
Zhang Jiao nodded, looking regretful.
If Liu Hong had lost his wits and ordered Zhu Jun to leave Wan City for Ji Province, the Yellow Turbans in Wan City might have escaped death. And the forces here in Guangzong would have had a chance to wipe out Zhu Jun's more than twenty thousand elite Han troops in a single battle.
But Liu Hong still had some sense. He was determined to eliminate the Yellow Turbans in Wan City first, putting down the rebellions everywhere except Ji Province.
"Once Huangfu Song arrives with his army, either let them come attack us, or we'll go to Lieren or Ye City and attack them."
Huang Tian paced with his hands behind his back. "Now that we've finished discussing the war, I'll tell you what I summoned you for."
Zhang Jiao listened attentively.
"I intend to establish the Yellow Heaven Dao Court and govern through it. Beneath the Dao Court, there will be three institutes: the Political Academy, the Science Institute, and the Dao Institute.
"The Political Academy will be like a court of officials, responsible for handling state affairs.
"The Science Institute will study machines and the principles behind them.
"Those who enter the Dao Institute will practice magic and govern the cultivators of the realm.
"The ruler of the Dao Court will bear the title Great Virtuous Teacher. You will be its first leader."
Zhang Jiao was overwhelmed by the honor and hurriedly said, "With Master here, how could this disciple lead the Dao Court? Please think it over carefully."
Huang Tian didn't mind. "My body is formed from a wisp of spiritual thought. Once I've overcome the calamity and completed my mission of spreading the Dao, I must ascend and depart. What use have I for worldly wealth and rank?"
With matters put so plainly, Zhang Jiao had no choice but to accept the position of Great Virtuous Teacher of the Dao Court. After thinking for a moment, he asked,
"Master, I understand the purpose of the Political Academy and the Dao Institute, but how should the Science Institute operate?"
"Do you know of Mozi's mechanisms?"
"I do."
"It will be much the same. 'Science' means distinguishing and categorizing. The Science Institute will sort the arts of machinery into different fields and derive principles from them, then use those principles to guide the creation and improvement of machines."
Huang Tian said, "If it can develop for several centuries, perhaps it will achieve the kind of things I saw in another world.
"Metal birds will soar through the sky, their wings spanning a thousand feet. They will fly through the vast heavens without relying on the wind, their bellies able to hold a hundred passengers. They will depart Cangwu at dawn and reach the North Sea by dusk.
"There will also be four-wheeled carriages drawn by four steeds, speeding along without eating grass or grain. Even common folk in the streets and lanes will be able to ride them, traveling a thousand li a day without showing fatigue. Inside, ingenious mechanisms no bigger than a square inch will control the heat and cold, bringing autumn's chill even in the height of summer.
"Beyond the heavens, golden-eyed mirrors will patrol the nine skies, examining the mountains and rivers down to the tiniest detail. Messages from a thousand li away will arrive in an instant, and images from the farthest reaches of the world will appear before your eyes..."
Zhang Jiao held his breath as he listened.
Metal birds that carried people through the nine heavens, carriages that traveled a thousand li a day, mirrors in the sky that could see across the world...
Every one of these wonders filled Zhang Jiao with yearning and awe. "Such power must be little different from that of the Immortal Gods, mustn't it?"
Huang Tian smiled. Blue Star's technology was indeed advanced, but to say it rivaled the gods was nothing more than boastful talk.
"Ji Province remains unsettled, and the realm is in turmoil. For now, we'll establish only the Political Academy and the Science Institute. As usual, you'll oversee the Political Academy. The Science Institute will take in people who can read. If the children of Aristocratic Clans and powerful families wish to join, we can accept them too. In time, I'll teach them the principles of science.
"As for the Dao Institute, which we'll establish later, its arts must not be taught lightly. Only those who have performed great deeds, possess tremendous resolve, and display exceptional insight may enter."
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