With the present strength of the Yellow Turban Army in Guangzong, seizing all of Julu Commandery was an easy task; taking Ji Province was merely a matter of time.
The reason they were in no hurry was to lure the Han army's elites to converge upon Julu Commandery before sallying forth to engage them, thereby deciding the fate of Ji Province and even the entire realm in a single battle.
As long as they annihilated the approximately fifty thousand imperial regulars under Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun combined, the Han Empire would lose the majority of its elite field forces.
"So be it."
Huang Tian nodded, approving Zhang Jiao's military maneuver.
Having received permission, Zhang Jiao tiptoed out of the room.
Huang Tian, meanwhile, settled his mind into meditation. A wisp of intent soared upward, crossing the shadowy void to return to Blue Star.
Inside the apartment.
Huang Tian opened his eyes and looked around at the familiar modern amenities, feeling as though an entire lifetime had passed.
Rubbing his face, he got up, pulled an apple from a bag on the table, washed it, and stood by the window crunching away as he watched the pedestrians and vehicles passing on the street below.
Once finished, a contented smile touched the corners of his lips.
He walked back to the edge of the bed, sat down heavily, and took out his phone to search for materials on subjects like "the evolution of agricultural tools" and "the history of industrial development."
Indeed, he planned to enhance the late Han world's productivity by improving farming tools and developing basic industries. Although magical arts were themselves an advanced productive force, he was in no rush to impart spells to the general public. Even if he did, for now he would only teach trusted disciples.
The numbers were too few and cultivation was far too time-consuming, yielding results nowhere near as immediate as boosting productivity through technological progress.
Huang Tian scanned document after document with photographic memory, committing the information firmly to heart.
In the blink of an eye, half a day slipped by.
By now, half a month had passed in the late Han world. Huang Tian was not worried about his other body starving to death.
He had tested this long ago; even in the absence of his primary consciousness, that other body could still execute basic commands like eating, drinking, relieving itself, and absorbing spiritual qi.
Setting his phone aside, Huang Tian sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and returned his consciousness.
When he opened his eyes again, he saw an antique bed, tables, chests, and a bronze oil lamp.
Huang Tian rose from the mat and pushed the door open, letting the bright light bathe him.
"Holy Venerable!" Several beautiful maidservants at the doorway immediately knelt to pay homage.
These women came from prominent, wealthy families of Guangzong and were endowed with delicate features. When Guangzong was captured by Zhang Jiao, they had been unable to escape in time and were captured by the Yellow Turban Army, then offered up to Zhang Jiao and his officers.
Zhang Jiao was never a lustful man to begin with, and worn down by illness and anxiety from consecutive defeats, he cared even less for women. He had simply kept them in the manor to perform menial chores; once Huang Tian descended into this realm, Zhang Jiao sent them over to attend upon him.
"Rise," Huang Tian instructed. "Have one of you summon Zhang Jiao."
"Understood."
The women answered softly, and one stepped away toward where Zhang Jiao handled administrative affairs.
Leaving the door open, Huang Tian strolled leisurely through the courtyard. Flowers and trees flourished in abundance, filling the air with fragrance, and in a pond, red carp leaped, vibrant with life.
Before long, Zhang Jiao hurried over and bowed beside Huang Tian.
Huang Tian raised a hand. "No need for formalities. I summoned you today because I have matters to discuss with you. But before that, give me an update on the war."
Following behind Huang Tian, Zhang Jiao reported in detail, "Half a month ago, Zhang Liang set out with the army. He has now captured the counties of Quzhou, Guangping, Ren, Nanhe, and Julu. The government forces fled at the mere rumor of our approach, offering virtually no resistance. By now, our forces should be nearing Xiaquyang to rendezvous with Zhang Bao's division."
The total destruction of Lu Zhi's twenty-thousand-strong army had terrified the officials of Julu Commandery; faced with the formidable momentum of the Yellow Turban Army, they harbored no thoughts of resistance whatsoever.
They either surrendered or fled.
Without fighting a single real battle, Zhang Liang had virtually secured the entire commandery of Julu.
Zhang Jiao continued, "The Han army has also made moves. According to our scouts, sizable contingents of Han troops have appeared around Yecheng and Lieren flying banners bearing the names Dong and Cao; it should be Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao arriving with their armies.
"Word also has it that Huangfu Song defeated Bu Si in Dong Commandery of Yan Province, largely pacifying Yan Province. By imperial decree, he is now shifting operations to Ji Province to join forces with Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao."
Huang Tian asked, "What of Zhu Jun?"
Zhang Jiao replied, "It is said Zhu Jun is still laying siege to Wancheng. The fighting is fierce, and he cannot disengage."
"A pity," Huang Tian said.
Zhang Jiao nodded, regret showing on his face.
Had Liu Hong acted foolishly and redeployed Zhu Jun from Wancheng to Ji Province, the Yellow Turbans in Wancheng would have gained a lifeline, and Guangzong could have sought to wipe out Zhu Jun's twenty thousand elite Han troops in a single stroke.
However, Liu Hong still possessed some wits; he was determined to crush the Wancheng Yellow Turbans first and completely quell the Yellow Turban rebellions everywhere outside Ji Province.
"Once Huangfu Song arrives with his army, we can either let them attack us, or march on Lieren and Yecheng to strike them."
Huang Tian paced with his hands behind his back. "Now that we have covered the military situation, here is what I wished to speak with you about."
Zhang Jiao listened attentively.
"I intend to establish the Yellow Sky Daoist Court to govern the world. Beneath the Daoist Court will be three courts: the Court of Administration, the Court of Science, and the Court of the Dao.
"The Court of Administration will function like civil officials assembled at court, responsible for handling governance.
"The Court of Science will study machines, tools, and the underlying principles behind them.
"The Court of the Dao will be for those who cultivate magical arts, overseeing all practitioners under heaven.
"And the master of the Daoist Court shall bear the title of Great Virtuous Teacher. You shall be the first Master of the Daoist Court."
Overwhelmed by the honor, Zhang Jiao hastened to say, "With Master present, how could this disciple serve as Court Master? I beg Master to reconsider."
Huang Tian replied indifferently, "My body is merely formed of spiritual intent. Once the tribulation is broken and the Dao transmitted, I shall ascend and depart. What care have I for worldly wealth and honor?"
Having heard this, Zhang Jiao could only accept the position of Great Virtuous Teacher of the Daoist Court. After thinking it over, he asked:
"Master, I understand the Court of Administration and the Court of the Dao, but how should the Court of Science operate?"
"Do you know of the Mohist mechanism arts?"
"I do."
"It is similar. 'Science' means categorization and taxonomy. The Court of Science will classify the mechanical arts, formulate their underlying principles, and apply those principles to guide the crafting and improvement of implements."
Huang Tian continued, "If developed over centuries, it may achieve the sights I once beheld in a certain world:
"In the sky, iron birds soar with wingspans of a thousand chi, ascending into the Great Emptiness without relying on favorable gales. Their bellies can hold hundreds of travelers, departing Cangwu at dawn and arriving at the Northern Sea by dusk.
"There are four-wheeled carriages that consume neither grass nor grain yet gallop like the wind, accessible even to common folk in the alleys. They travel a thousand li a day without tiring, and inside are clever little mechanisms that regulate cold and heat, bringing autumn chills even during the dog days of summer.
"Beyond the heavens, golden-eyed mirrors hover, patrolling above the nine skies to survey every detail of mountains and rivers below. Messages from thousands of li away are transmitted in an instant, and moving images from the farthest corners of the world appear immediately before one's eyes..."
Hearing this, Zhang Jiao held his breath.
Iron birds carrying men into the nine heavens, carriages traveling a thousand li a day, celestial hanging mirrors perceiving the entire world...
Every single thing filled Zhang Jiao with awe and longing. "Such mighty power cannot be far from that of gods and immortals, can it?"
Huang Tian smiled. Blue Star's technology was indeed advanced, but claiming it rivaled gods was nothing more than boastful talk.
"For now, Ji Province remains unsettled and the realm is in turmoil, so we shall only establish the Court of Administration and the Court of Science first. The Court of Administration will remain under your general oversight as usual, while the Court of Science will recruit literate individuals. If children of prominent clans and powerful families wish to enter, they may also be accepted. When the time comes, I shall impart the principles of science.
"As for the Court of the Dao to be established later, magical arts cannot be imparted lightly. None may enter unless they have rendered great service, possess great perseverance, and demonstrate extraordinary comprehension."
Chapter 17