At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang had evidently guessed the source of the Sky Screen.
His eyes filled with alarm, he hurriedly summoned the official in charge of historical records and asked, "4700 BC—doesn't that mean the recorder is from 600 years in the future?"
The historian calculated for a moment and replied solemnly, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
Zhu Yuanzhang clutched Empress Ma’s hand, speaking with agitation: "Empress, this Sky Screen must have been transmitted by someone from the future! I never imagined people in the future would possess such heaven-defying abilities. Do you think our grandson’s illness might actually be curable?"
Seeing the hopeful smile on Zhu Yuanzhang’s face, Empress Ma couldn't help but pat his hand. "Yes, Chongba! Perhaps our grandson’s illness can be cured."
Overjoyed, Zhu Yuanzhang stood up from his dragon throne and looked at the historian with an authoritative tone: "Minister Lin, you are to record everything that happens on this Sky Screen! Every single detail—not a word is to be missed!"
The historian bowed respectfully: "As you command, Your Majesty!"
...
Great Qing Plane.
Yongzheng was seated on the dragon throne, reviewing memorials. Upon seeing the figures on the Sky Screen begin to move, he paused and hurried out of the palace gates.
As he watched the text and moving images appear on the screen, ripples of emotion stirred in his heart.
Nian Gengyao and Longkodo arrived, with the latter quickly kneeling to pay respects: "Your servant, Longkodo, pays homage to Your Majesty. Long live, long live, long live the Emperor!"
Yongzheng extended a hand to signal him to rise.
As Longkodo looked up and saw the massive screen, the moving images—and, most importantly, the people within it actually moving—he cried out, "Your Majesty, a monster! There's a monster!"
With that, he collapsed to the ground, scrambling backward in terror.
Yongzheng shot Longkodo a look of disdain and said helplessly, "It is not a monster. Look closely for yourself!"
Longkodo turned, trembling with fright, and squeezed his eyes shut, refusing to look at the Sky Screen.
Yongzheng stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "Longkodo, look up at the front!"
Spurred by Yongzheng's words, Longkodo raised his head and slowly opened his eyes. Seeing the figures moving, his eyes were filled with astonishment.
Immediately, he began to examine the colossal entity. The Sky Screen stood suspended in the heavens like a treasure bestowed by the Divine.
He asked with half-hearted belief, "Your Majesty, could this be a treasure of the celestial immortals?"
Yongzheng nodded and continued, "Indeed, Minister, your words are correct! For this object to appear suddenly and remain suspended in the sky, it must be an artifact of the gods. I only wonder which deity it belongs to."
Nian Gengyao studied the subtitles appearing on the screen and knit his brows. "Your Majesty, look—why does the text here resemble Han script? Could these celestial beings be of the Han lineage?"
Yongzheng looked at the characters, his expression growing more serious. He paced with his hands behind his back, deep in thought for a long moment. "Indeed, it is Han script, yet it is not quite the same. Could this be a script unique to the Heavenly Court?"
Longkodo nodded. "Your Majesty is wise; Your Majesty’s scholarship is vast and profound!"
...
"Great Yu founded the first dynasty, the Xia Dynasty! He divided the world into Nine Provinces... King Wu of Zhou distributed land for merit, enfeoffed the feudal lords, and protected the realm. Over 200 years later, the beacon fires were lit to amuse the lords... Duke Huan of Qi united the feudal lords nine times and brought order to the realm, becoming the first hegemon of the Spring and Autumn period!
Duke Mu of Qin extinguished 12 states in his lifetime, laying the foundation for Qin Shi Huang’s great unification!
After more than 480 battles, large and small, 52 feudal states were destroyed and gradually merged into seven great powers...
Even though Jing Ke attempted to assassinate the King of Qin, he could not stop Qin Shi Huang’s journey. In 221 BC, Ying Zheng swept away the six states and established achievements that would last for ten thousand generations. A fragmented Huaxia was unified, and Ying Zheng became the first Emperor of Huaxia! Future descendants of Huaxia would call him—the Emperor through the Ages!"
Great Qin Plane.
Qin Shi Huang held the Tai'e Sword, drawing it from its scabbard with a heroic glint in his eyes. "I have unified Huaxia! I ascended the throne at thirteen and took full power at twenty-one! I have been diligent and conscientious every day; I have not failed the countless subjects of Great Qin!"
Li Si stepped forward, his eyes filled with adoration. "Your Majesty, the Emperor through the Ages! By sweeping away the six states, you have established achievements for ten thousand generations! You are truly the first Emperor of our Huaxia..."
Li Si cleverly recycled the very words that had just been used to describe Qin Shi Huang on the screen.
A smile spread across Qin Shi Huang’s face. "Minister Li, you truly understand my heart!"
A faint smirk touched Li Si’s lips as he glanced at Zhao Gao beside him with a look of triumph.
Zhao Gao was not to be outdone and immediately began to flatter Qin Shi Huang as well. "Your Majesty’s brilliance and strategy exceed the Three Sovereigns and surpass the Five Emperors..."
Hearing this, Qin Shi Huang was filled with gratification! He was currently sending men to Yingzhou Island in search of the elixir of life; if only he could find it, the Great Qin Empire would last for ten thousand generations!
...
Great Han Plane.
Emperor Wu of Han (Liu Che) was intently watching the figures on the Sky Screen. Upon hearing the mention of Qin Shi Huang, he said sincerely, "The First Emperor of Qin is indeed the first Emperor of our Huaxia! He unified Huaxia, established standardized weights and measures, unified the script, and aligned the axle lengths! 'Emperor through the Ages'—the description is truly apt!"
Han Anguo nodded and said, "Qin Shi Huang is certainly worthy of the title 'Emperor through the Ages'. He unified Huaxia and built the Great Wall for the benefit of future generations!"
A raging fire burned in Emperor Wu’s heart. Sooner or later, he would wipe out the Xiongnu and create a mighty Han Dynasty!
Emperor Wu gazed at the giant screen in the sky and slowly looked up. "I wonder how these celestial beings will describe our Han Emperor Gaozu, and how they will describe me?"
...
Great Tang Plane.
Li Shimin stood on the highest watchtower of the Xuanwu Gate, looking at the detailed introduction of the figures on the Sky Screen with a sense of longing. How would the Sky Screen describe him?
He, Li Shimin, felt he had fulfilled his duty to all the people, yet he remained the only one who had failed his elder brother.
"Your Majesty, Li Chunfeng is here to see you!"
Upon hearing the name Li Chunfeng, Li Shimin’s eyes filled with pleasant surprise. "Quickly, bring him in!"
As he spoke, he prepared to walk down the stairs of the high tower. "No, I shall go to him myself!"
Li Chunfeng wore a black Daoist robe, his hair and beard completely white. He walked with an ethereal grace, truly possessing the air of an immortal.
He flicked the horsetail whisk in his hand and bowed to Li Shimin. "This humble Daoist, Li Chunfeng, pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed!"
Seeing Li Chunfeng had arrived, Li Shimin smiled broadly and quickly helped him up. "Minister Li, there is no need for such formalities! I summoned you today because I have something to ask you!"
Li Chunfeng looked at the screen hanging in the sky, his face full of shock. Stroking his beard, he couldn't help but exclaim in wonder, "That such a miraculous object exists in this world is truly rare! Your Majesty, you are a benevolent monarch; I suspect this Sky Screen was set up by Heaven specifically for you!"