Chapter 764

Yao Yue: "That's right, Bao Zheng. You're all emperors of Great Song—you haven't betrayed Great Song. I've never seen a victory that ends in paying reparations."

Li Shimin: "This is indeed a good choice. Of course, if Bao Zheng is willing to join me, I, Li Shimin, guarantee your family eternal glory and unending wealth."

Zhao Kuangyin: "?? Li Er, what are you doing, poaching my people!"

Zhu Yuanzhang: "Li Er, you're clever. Since Li Er has spoken, then—I'll speak too: join me, and I guarantee you endless glory and wealth."

Su Xiao: "You emperors are unbelievable. Don't forget, Bao Zheng is a chat group member—your so-called glory and wealth mean nothing."

Xiao Mai: "Exactly. Who'd work for a dead salary when you can become immortal or a sage?"

Tian Can: "Your Majesties are wasting your efforts—Bao Zheng won't join Great Tang or Great Ming."

Bao Zheng: "Tian Can is right. After some thought, I've decided to join Emperor Taizu. My Great Song is of the same lineage—no difficulty in coordination."

Zhao Kuangyin: "Good. Bao Zheng, you're the one. Let them see—we still have many virtuous ministers and capable generals in Great Song."

Li Shimin: "Speaking of virtuous ministers and capable generals, Great Tang has the most—twenty-four ministers of Lingyan Pavilion. Can you match that?"

Zhu Yuanzhang: "Speaking of that, I'm wide awake now—do you think my old Huaixi brothers are inferior?"

Zhao Kuangyin: "Laughable, Old Zhu. Didn't you kill off all your old brothers in the end? What's there to boast about?"

Li Shimin: "Exactly. Don't bring up the dead."

Zhu Yuanzhang: "??? My old brothers are still alive—nothing's happened yet!"

Bao Zheng: "Emperor Taizu, shouldn't we discuss what comes next? My current emperor, Zhenzong, is growing more reckless by the day. Stopping him sooner will spare the people more suffering."

Zhao Kuangyin: "Good. I'll come right away. Activate the cross-realm access for me."

Luzhou, Hefei.

"Bao Zheng, why are you muttering to yourself so early in the morning? Are you ill?" Bao's mother asked, puzzled.

Bao Zheng snapped back to reality, stepped closer, and helped his mother dry the herbs.

"Mother, there's something I haven't had time to tell you yet," Bao Zheng sighed. "Soon, we'll have an honored guest arriving."

Bao's mother blinked. "An honored guest? Your master?"

"No, far more prestigious than that!" Bao Zheng shook his head.

Bao's mother guessed again: "The prefectural academy?"

"No, think bigger!" Bao Zheng shook his head again.

Slap!

The next moment, her palm came down as she glared. "Keep guessing? Why can't you just say it?"

"Mother, you're too impatient," Bao Zheng said helplessly. "It's Emperor Taizu of Great Song!"

Bao's mother rolled her eyes and turned to walk into the house.

Bao Zheng was startled. "Mother, where are you going?"

"Talking about the dead in broad daylight? You must be possessed. I'm going to exorcise the evil spirits from you!" came her distant voice.

Bao Zheng heard this and sighed helplessly, following her inside. "Mother, it's my fault—I didn't explain the full story. This matter is long and complicated. Let me tell you slowly."

He then recounted how he had joined the chat group days ago.

Bao's mother listened, her expression growing even more worried.

"You're not possessed? Then how could you say such things?"

"Mother, look!"

Bao Zheng thought, and his entire body floated into the air.

Seeing this, Bao's mother grew even more alarmed.

He's floating—has my son already died? Is the one beside me just a ghost?

Though this world has Wu Gong, nothing so absurd exists—no one can float like this.

"My son, do you have unfinished business?" Bao's mother wept, eyes red.

Bao Zheng was utterly stunned.

"Mother, I'm not dead! Look—I have a shadow. Touch me—you can feel my warmth."

Bao's mother stared closely—yes, there was a shadow. She reached out and felt his warmth.

"You child! You scared me to death!"

Bao Zheng was speechless. "Isn't it your reaction that's too fast? I didn't even get to explain!"

"Hmph!" Bao's mother snorted, changing the subject. "So Emperor Taizu really is coming?"

"Of course he is," Bao Zheng nodded. "It's connected to me—I complained in the chat group about how the current emperor burdens the people too much. Then Emperor Taizu said he'd descend into our world to reform Great Ming's Shanhe!"

"From now on, Great Song won't have to pay tribute to Liao anymore."

Bao's mother's expression changed drastically. She rushed to the door, checked outside, shut it, then ran back and whispered: "You haven't told anyone else, have you?"

"I haven't had time to tell anyone!"

"Whether you had time or not, never tell anyone else," Bao's mother said seriously. "This brings no benefit—only enemies to point fingers at your back. You know, I know—no third person must ever know."

"Mother, you're too cautious. Fine, I promise—I won't tell anyone, not even Gong Sun Ce!"

Seeing his mother's worry, Bao Zheng kept assuring her.

Seeing his earnestness, Bao's mother finally relaxed.

This child is still young—he doesn't understand the darkness of human hearts.

Even if Emperor Taizu's arrival improves the people's lives, who knows if 393 won't breed discontent? When others can't harm the emperor, won't they target your Bao family?

"If Emperor Taizu is coming, shouldn't we prepare something?"

"Prepare what?" Bao Zheng asked, puzzled.

"An incense altar, a spirit platform," Bao's mother said confidently.

Bao Zheng slapped his forehead. "Mother, Emperor Taizu is alive—he doesn't need those things."

Just as he was speaking, he felt the transmigration authority being used.

"Mother, there's no time. The Founding Emperor, Your Majesty, has arrived. Let's go out to greet him."

Coming outside, they saw a portal open in the void above, and a squad of uniform soldiers with formidable auras walking out from within.

High in the sky, a young sovereign wearing a dragon robe stepped across the void, flanked by two fierce and valiant generals.

"Bao Zheng of the Great Song pays respects to the Founding Emperor, Your Majesty!"

"The Lady Bao pays respects to the Founding Emperor, Your Majesty."

"Rise!" Song Taizu nodded in satisfaction, landed on the ground, and helped the two up. "Lady Bao, you have raised a fine son. In the future, Bao Zheng will surely become a pillar of the realm."

"Many thanks for Your Majesty's gracious favor, but Bao Zheng still lacks training and cannot shoulder great responsibilities," Lady Bao hurriedly said with modesty.

"He can, he can." Zhao Kuangyin laughed heartily. "I have great faith in Bao Zheng's abilities. Gao Huaide, once the entire army has come through, head straight for Bianliang and have Zhao Heng abdicate!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."