In the 23rd year of Hongwu, the Han people had restored their country. However, China had been submerged for a hundred years. The heroic spirit of the powerful Han Dynasty, the elegance of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, and the fireworks of Bianliang that illuminated the world had all disappeared.

The backward grassland and decadent Neo-Confucianism combined to strangle the flourishing Han civilization. The newly born Ming Dynasty had to become conservative due to historical limitations. It was eventually destroyed by the Tartars and sank into darkness again.

Li Qi traveled through time and space as the son of Li Shanchang, the Duke of Han. Everywhere he looked, he saw families overthrown, blood flowing in the fields, and the sons of dukes and marquises in ruins. "I have one wish: for my family to prosper and for the world to be at peace!"

————

In the winter of the first year of the Yongle reign, there was a heavy snowfall. On his deathbed, Li Qi looked at his handsome young son, and recalled his own youth. "Mu'er, your father is about to die. He has lived a short life, with nothing good to say. I can only sigh that I have seven regrets that have not been fulfilled, and I cannot rest in peace.

I regret that my ancestors could not be cleared of their sins, and the Li family is still a criminal clan. This is because their descendants are unfilial.

The second regret is that the teachings of Cheng and Zhu are still popular, while few people respond to Hengqu's four sentences.

The third regret is that the Ming Dynasty could not recover the old territories of the Han and Tang Dynasties.

The fourth regret is that I have never seen Jiaxuan’s old poem about the never-sleeping scene in Bianjing.

The fifth regret is that I don’t know the scenery of all the countries overseas.

My sixth regret is that I have never seen the way to eternal peace.

I regret not having traveled to the palaces of heaven, not knowing that among the stars there are infinite births and deaths."

————

modern.

"The Chang'e-1 lunar exploration spacecraft, developed by Chinese scientists, officially arrived on the moon today. Astronaut Li Bangyue left the spacecraft to explore. This is a great breakthrough in my country's space history!"

Nanjing, Li's Ancestral Hall.

"Li Bangcheng, the 30th generation head of the Li family, respectfully informs our ancestors that the descendants of the Li family have ascended to the heavenly palace. The seven great grievances have ended today!" (There is already a 20,000-copy book on the same subject, "Establishing a Millennium Family from King Wu's Conquest of King Zhou").

“I saw with my own eyes that they used the finest, rustproof refined steel to make utensils and cans, filling them with just a little food, then casually throwing them away after eating.”

“I saw with my own eyes that they used giant beasts as tall as mountains to devour soil and rocks, digging out underground cities, just to park their steel carriages beneath the surface.”

“I saw with my own eyes that they fed glowing ores into an everlasting stellar furnace, unleashing a radiance brighter than the sun.”

“I saw with my own eyes all those indescribable things.”

“Their iron birds covered the sky, their steel ships filled the ocean, their war machines tore the earth asunder, and their gods walked upon the world.”

“You must think I’m mad.”

“But it doesn’t matter.”

“It has already seen you.”

***

Oil is Its blood.

Thick smoke is Its breath.

Ore and steel are Its food.

The countless cargo ships in the harbors are Its myriad offspring.

The place of origin stamped in the corner is Its silent mockery.

They claim they are mere mortals.

Child, you’d best not argue.

You must understand:

Their technology is beyond comprehension.

Their production capacity is unimaginable.

A mere glimpse of their creations will drive you insane.

Their morale surpasses even the most fanatical worshippers of dark gods.

How will you stop them?

With your sword, child? Or your flesh and blood?

You should be grateful that they still consider themselves mortals.

***

“I’ve finished building my factory, and now you’re telling me this world runs on idealism?!”

“Wait, then what the hell did I just create?”