Chapter 223: Abundant Supplies Brought by the Modern Era

All.

Gu Shanhe also doesn't hide.

"The Han Dynasty has just been founded, beset by internal troubles and external threats. I would like to ask Your Majesty to bring some troops, bring some… our Great Qin's new gadgets, go over to lend a hand, and also perhaps address a matter Your Majesty may have on your mind— the Xiongnu."

Upon hearing the word "Xiongnu," Ying Zheng's eyes suddenly sharpened.

He exterminated the Xiongnu, pacified the Baiyue, and annexed the Western Regions, but that was his Great Qin.

He heard that over in the Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu have become a scourge again, even causing that kid Liu Bang to suffer a setback (the Siege of Baideng). He felt a bit disdainful and somewhat displeased.

After all, in his mind, the Xiongnu should forever be trampled underfoot.

"Take troops there? Help the Han Dynasty fight the Xiongnu?"

Ying Zheng stroked his chin, looking thoughtful.

"That does sound interesting."

"But, National Teacher, in what capacity would I go? By then, I would have been deceased for many years."

"Moreover, what benefit would aiding the Han Dynasty bring to my Great Qin? Would we just let that kid Liu Bang reap the rewards?"

Gu Shanhe, having anticipated his question, smiled: "Your Majesty may assume the position of Retired Emperor; after all, Crown Prince Fu Su is already up to the task."

"As for the benefit… don't you want to see how Great Qin's iron cavalry, equipped with some new gear, would be utterly unstoppable on a battlefield of another era?"

"Would you rather keep future generations from knowing that their ancestors, even in their own time, would still be invincible?"

"Moreover, the Han Dynasty has some talents and some regrets; perhaps… with our intervention, they could have a different outcome."

"Isn't that itself a very interesting thing?"

Ying Zheng was persuaded.

He was, after all, a heroic ruler who loved challenges and conquest.

After unifying the world, he indeed felt a bit lonely.

Now there is a chance to take troops to another "future" battlefield for some fun, and even meet the Liu Bang who "replaced" his Great Qin—just thinking about it is intriguing.

"Fine!"

Ying Zheng slapped his thigh, "I approve! But, National Teacher, what exactly are these new gadgets you said you'd bring?"

Gu Shanhe gave a mysterious smile, "Your Majesty, follow me."

He led Ying Zheng out of the Great Hall and onto the massive plaza before it.

It was deep night now, and many soldiers held torches, providing decent illumination.

The night‑shift guard and the senior officials who arrived upon hearing the news—Meng Tian, Li Si, Fu Su, and others—gathered around, watching curiously.

Gu Shanhe, without further words, thought of something and waved his hand.

"Wha‑la‑la—!"

Like a magic trick—no, a miracle.

On the open space of the plaza, a series of "small hills" instantly materialized out of thin air!

On the left, piles of transparent plastic bags stacked like a mountain, each containing snow‑white fine salt grains that glimmered faintly under the lights, resembling a small salt mountain.

On the right, neatly stacked cardboard boxes stretched as far as the eye could see—these were the instant noodles the National Teacher had previously given them (flavors like braised beef, fermented cabbage, fresh shrimp fish cake…).

In the center stood a row of iron blocks painted army‑green, equipped with cooling grilles and wheels (diesel generators).

There were also stacks of deep‑blue panels with grid‑like patterns (solar panels), along with matching batteries and wires.

Beside them, neatly arranged metal boxes contained walkie‑talkies.

There were also large drums covered with oilcloth, filled with diesel.

Finally, several large stacks of books wrapped in moisture‑proof cloth.

Everyone was stunned, mouths agape, unable to utter a sound.

Meng Tian's sword nearly slipped from his hand.

Li Si adjusted his hat, thinking his eyes were blurred from staying up late.

Fu Su even rubbed his eyes.

Ying Zheng was also dazed for a while, then pointed at the salt hill,

"National Teacher, this salt… so white and delicate? It's even better than the green salt we use in my palace!"

He then pointed at the generator: "These iron blocks… are they the power source the National Teacher mentioned, superior to a steam engine?"

Gu Shanhe nodded, and began a brief introduction,

"This salt is refined on my side, pure and impurity‑free, safe to eat. Though I taught you the salt‑making method before, I thought better and brought some for you."

"Also, everything in this box is instant noodles you previously ate at my place; just pour hot water, wait a moment, and they're ready—tasty, long‑lasting, suitable as military rations."

"These iron blocks are diesel generators; add this black oil (referring to the diesel drums), and they generate electricity on their own, powering lights and some small devices."

"These blue panels are solar panels; they absorb sunlight by day and can also generate electricity."

"These are walkie‑talkies, hmm… think of them as compact long‑range voice tubes; within a certain distance, two people can converse clearly."

"These books contain knowledge of investigating things to acquire understanding, arithmetic, and medicine."

He walked to a generator, gestured for a young official to come over, and briefly taught him how to add diesel and pull the rope to start it.

The young official obeyed timidly, giving the start rope a strong pull.

"Tut‑tut‑tut‑tut—!"

The generator roared violently, emitting a huge noise that startled those nearby.

But immediately after, a searchlight that Gu Shanhe had pre‑connected (also brought along) blasted out a dazzling, blinding beam of light straight into the night sky, illuminating half the plaza as bright as day!

"Ah!" someone shouted.

"This… this light! It's a hundred times brighter than a torch!" Meng Tian was stunned.

Ying Zheng looked at the beam, then at the roaring generator, and his eyes burst with astonishing brilliance.

"Good! Good! A self-illuminating thing! If used for night city defense and battlefield, wouldn't it be like fighting in broad daylight—enemy visible, we hidden?"

Gu Shanhe picked up two more walkie-talkies, tuned the channels, gave one to Ying Zheng, kept the other himself, and walked to the other end of the square, a distance of a hundred steps.

"Your Majesty, speak into this."

Gu Shanhe pointed to the button on the walkie-talkie.

Ying Zheng curiously leaned in, pressed the button, imitating Gu Shanhe, and said, "Hello? Can you hear me?"

The walkie-talkie in Gu Shanhe's hand immediately transmitted Ying Zheng's clear voice: "Hello? Can you hear me?"

"!!!"

Ying Zheng's hand shook, and he almost dropped the walkie-talkie.

He abruptly lifted his head to look at Gu Shanhe a hundred steps away, then glanced at the lump of iron in his hand, his face full of disbelief.

"It… it actually transmits voice?! Absolutely crystal clear!"

Now everyone was in an uproar.

Li Si lunged toward the pile of books, carefully undid the moisture-proof cloth, picked up a volume titled "Junior High Physics," and opened it.

He stared at the strange symbols, diagrams, and simplified characters inside, his hand trembling badly,

"Heavenly script… this truly is a heavenly script! State Preceptor, could what is recorded here be the wondrous principles of the immortals?"

Gu Shanhe walked back, smiling, and said, "It is not the immortals' wondrous principles, but the law governing the operation of all things."

"If Minister Li is interested, you may study it slowly in the future."

"Your Majesty, I have brought half of these things over and present them to Great Qin."

"Salt can benefit the people and also be traded. Instant noodles can serve as emergency military rations and also be bestowed as gifts."

"Generators, solar panels, and walkie-talkies can be prioritized for equipping the frontier troops, the navy, and important workshops."

"Books can be selected for bright youths to study."

"With electricity and clearer communications, Great Qin's governance and frontier defense can rise to a higher level."

Ying Zheng paced back and forth excitedly: "Good! Good! Every time the State Preceptor returns, he brings a surprise!"

"With such advantageous tools, the foundation of Great Qin becomes ever more secure! Li Si, Meng Tian, make good use of these things for me!"

"We, your subjects, obey the edict!"

Li Si and Meng Tian responded excitedly in assent.

"Father Emperor."

Fu Su stepped forward with some worry.

"The State Preceptor just said, inviting you to go together to Han? This… is too shocking and involves the secret of time and space—whether…"

Ying Zheng waved his hand, cutting off Fu Su: "My mind is made up! Since the State Preceptor has come to invite, he must have confidence."

"I have no equal under heaven; I now wish to go see the later world's scenery and meet that Liu Ji boy!"

"Fu Su, from today onward you shall officially ascend the throne as the Second Emperor of Great Qin!"

"Li Si, Meng Yi, you two must wholeheartedly assist! I myself will take the title of Retired Emperor, lead troops, and travel with the State Preceptor for a while!"

"Father Emperor!" Fu Su still wanted to advise.

"No need for more words!"

Ying Zheng was bursting with enthusiasm and simply wouldn't listen.

"Meng Tian, muster the troops! Give me a hundred thousand—no, eighty thousand elite forces, leave some men for you."

"Equipment must be the best! Han Xin—where is he? Call that kid too; we'll need him in battle! Depart in three days!"

He again looked toward Gu Shanhe, rubbing his hands, just like a child who has gotten a new toy.

"State Preceptor, how shall we go?"

Gu Shanhe said, "Your Majesty, we will go through the teleportation gate."