Chapter 1037: Easily Controlling Wu Zetian

After receiving the order, Lin Lang turned around and looked at his wives and concubines, all of whom were looking at him with worry.

Lin Lang raised the corners of his lips, reached out to support Mu Xueman, whose back was soaked with cold sweat, and whispered, "No risk, no gain. Don't worry, since that's the case, I'll go meet the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty."

Mu Xueman was so nervous that she was almost speechless. Zhou Mengyao beside her whispered, "Husband, is this okay? Will you be exposed and in danger?"

Without waiting for Lin Lang to answer, Chu Yiren, who knew Lin Lang was powerful, stepped forward with a smile and whispered, "Don't worry, everyone, we will continue to set up the stall and collect the goods. Our Shanghai Emperor will be fine."

Upon hearing this, the beauties had no choice but to let Lin Lang be taken away to meet the emperor.

"Your Majesty, please follow me into the palace to see the emperor. Your Majesty and the Empress have been waiting for a long time." The general who announced the decree urged, leading a tall horse.

"Okay, let's go." Lin Lang took out a Shanghai brand Qianhe electric bicycle from his personal space as if by magic, leaving the crowd watching at the scene stunned.

"Wow..." There was really an uproar, and the people of the Tang Dynasty saw the big world.

Don't think there were no electric bicycles in 2000.

Shanghai Qianhe brand electric bicycles were independently developed and launched into the market in 1995, and it was the first brand in the history of electric vehicle development to be included in the registration catalog.

Even in 2000, Qianhe brand electric vehicles had passed the international standard certification of ISO9001-2000 quality system.

Seeing Lin Lang take out an electric bicycle from his personal space and ride it, the five beauties led by Chu Yiren couldn't help laughing.

The general who announced the decree was stunned and asked in astonishment, "Your Majesty, what is this?"

"This is the high-tech mount of our Shanghai country, named 'Electric Horse'. Let's go, you lead the way." Lin Lang rode the electric bicycle, turned the car key, threw a coquettish glance at Zhou Mengyao and others, and then turned the electric throttle to go into the palace to meet the emperor.

"Uh... a technological mount? A galloping horse?" The generals and their subordinates who announced the decree were all stunned. After being stunned for several seconds, they all mounted their horses to chase Lin Lang.

"Haha..." Zhou Mengyao and the others looked at each other and all laughed.

Lin Lang rode his electric bicycle at lightning speed on Zhuque Street. The wheels made a buzzing sound as they rolled over the bluestone pavement, attracting vendors along the street to drop their goods and run after him. Onlookers in teahouses and taverns squeezed through the windows to look in.

The old man selling candied haws was so frightened that his bamboo sticks scattered all over the ground. The man carrying water stared at the iron lump that could run on its own without the need for animal power. The wooden barrel tilted and the clear water splashed onto the street.

Passersby along the road stopped to watch, all of them were shocked to the point of having their pupils dizzy.

It is no exaggeration to say that every ancient person who saw Lin Lang riding an electric bicycle on the street was stunned and gained some new insights.

This feeling is as shocking as seeing someone riding a fire-breathing pterosaur on the street in the 21st century, flying around the streets.

When they reached the palace gate, the golden-armored guards frightened everyone so much that their pupils suddenly shrank. They lined up in formation with spears at the ready as if they were facing a powerful enemy.

If the general who announced the decree had not come on horseback and displayed the token, the guards at the gate would never have dared to let Lin Lang enter the palace on an electric bicycle.

The body search was carried out according to the law. After confirming that Lin Lang was not carrying any weapons, the guards dared to let him go.

Lin Lang rode his electric bicycle nimbly through the palace gate, holding the handlebars with one hand and holding a cigarette in the other, bringing as many pies as he wanted.

According to the rules, Lin Lang needs to wait outside the hall for a while to listen to the announcement.

He swiftly got out of the car and tapped the bell with his fingertips, and the crisp sound echoed outside the empty hall.

Inside the Tai Chi Hall, the scent of sandalwood lingers.

The general announcing the decree trotted into the hall, bowed, and exclaimed, "Your Majesty, I have brought back the vendor of the rare goods from the West Market of Chang'an. He is waiting outside the hall to receive the decree."

"But this man is a noble and imposing man. He is definitely not an ordinary peddler. He claims to be the monarch of a foreign country, the Shanghai Emperor, and has traveled to our Tang Dynasty with his wife and concubines."

After hearing this, Li Zhi exchanged glances with Empress Wu and asked, "Have you ever heard of the Kingdom of Shanghai?"

Empress Wu shook her head and said, "I have never heard of the Kingdom of Shanghai."

The general who announced the decree continued with an exaggerated expression, "Not only are the items sold at this person's stall rare and unseen in the Tang Dynasty, but the mount he rides is even more mysterious, known as a technological mount."

Empress Wu asked curiously, "What is a technological mount?"

"Reporting to the Empress, the Emperor of Shanghai calls it an electric horse. It is not a living creature, but has two wheels that can be driven by twisting the handlebars. Although it cannot run as fast as a horse, it is a very novel creature."

Li Zhi paused as he gripped the jade cup. "Oh? There are actually two-wheeled mounts in this world that aren't living creatures?"

Empress Wu's eyes widened, and she smiled curiously, saying, "Interesting! Your Majesty, please summon this man to the palace. We will meet this so-called monarch of Shanghai and see what makes him so special."

The guards in the hall were on high alert, gripping the hilts of their swords tightly.

The eunuch announced the decree at the top of his voice.

Lin Lang held his head high and chest puffed out, crossing the threshold with a dignified square step, and walked into the hall with a breeze. He stopped in front of the imperial road, placed his right hand on his chest, bowed in a Western style, and suddenly uttered a string of fluent Russian: "Пpnвet,цapь!Вawaвeлnчne..."

"What does this mean?" Li Zhi looked at Empress Wu for help. The latter pursed her red lips, her eyes as sharp as a torch.

Empress Wu raised her eyes, and the moment her gaze met Lin Lang, she couldn't help but be secretly shocked.

Lin Lang's figure was as straight as a pine tree, his face was as beautiful as jade, his eyebrows were sharp, his eyes were bright, his nose was straight, and his lips were like red clouds.

His temperament is even more extraordinary. He has the majesty and solemnity of a king, yet is gentle and elegant. His noble bearing is evident in his every move.

Empress Wu thought to herself that she had never expected that the monarch of this country would be such an outstandingly handsome man. He was truly rare in the world and was truly an eye-opener.

To put it bluntly, even Wu Zetian liked to look at handsome guys and was amazed by Brother Lang's appearance.

Then, Lin Lang spoke loudly in an exotically accented official language: "I am the King of Shanghai, Lin Lang. I have long heard that the Tang Dynasty is the Celestial Empire, and its legacy of the Zhenguan era resonates throughout the world. Your Majesty's benevolence is as great as the sun and the moon, and the Empress is as wise as any man."

"This time, I traveled here with my wife and concubines, and saw the orderly streets of Chang'an and the prosperity of all businesses. I now know that the saying 'The gates of the nine heavens are opened to the palace, and people from all over the world pay homage to the emperor' is true!"

Ordinary people also like to hear flattery, let alone the king of a country.

Li Zhi was delighted after hearing this, and stroking his cup, he said: "I have looked through all the maps, but I have never seen the name of Shanghai. I wonder where your country is located?"

Lin Lang put his hands behind his back in a pretentious manner and said loudly: "Shanghai Kingdom is located on the coast of the East China Sea, with an area of ​​more than 34 square kilometers, thousands of miles of fertile land, and continuous ports."

He drew a line in the air with his fingertips, "With the vast ocean as a natural barrier to the east and vast fertile land to the west, our country of Shanghai is a treasure land with excellent feng shui."

Empress Wu raised her eyebrows slightly and interrupted: "With such a vast territory, I wonder how many people are under your rule?"

"Your Majesty, although the Kingdom of Shanghai is located in a remote corner, it has a thriving population of over four million." Lin Lang spoke in a strong voice, but he deliberately underestimated the population of Shanghai by 34 million, fearing that Li Zhi would be wary of the large population and become hostile.

After all, in the third year of Yonghui, there were only 380 million households in the Tang Dynasty, and the population was probably between 1500 million and 2000 million.

Li Zhi nodded, his fingertips tapping on the jade table, making a clear sound: "Your country has a vast territory and a prosperous population. I wonder what the people in Shanghai do for a living?"

Lin Lang stood with his hands behind his back, his posture as slender as a pine tree. "Although Shanghai is located near the sea, its people are diligent and the land is fertile. In spring, they plant rice and wheat, and in autumn, they harvest cotton and linen. The fields are all fertile soil. Moreover, the people are good at making a living. There are many workshops. Craftsmen can cast fine iron into machinery and weave brocade from mulberry and linen. Merchant ships sail from the port and come and go frequently. The rare goods they carry are exported overseas. It is known as the 'East China Sea Commercial Port.'"

Empress Wu frowned slightly. "Since merchants are said to be gathering here, why have I never heard of your country trading with the Tang Dynasty? To the west, there are the sound of camel bells along the Silk Road, and to the east, there are merchant ships plying Penglai, but Shanghai is the only city I've never heard of."

Lin Lang laughed out loud: "The Queen is wise! Shanghai Kingdom used to trade with the countries of the West Sea, exchanging mechanical tools for spices and glass."

"However, I have long heard of the magnificent scene of the Tang Dynasty, 'Chengdu rises from the sky, and thousands of doors are like paintings.' This time, I have traveled across the ocean and brought my wives and concubines to Chang'an, precisely to witness the splendor of the Celestial Empire."

"If Your Majesty does not object, I am willing to exchange Shanghai's exquisite craftsmanship for Tang Dynasty paintings, calligraphy, porcelain, lacquerware, jade, and bronzeware, so that the trade routes between the two countries can be connected and we can enjoy peace together."

After saying this, Lin Lang bowed deeply, and the corners of his robe formed ink-colored cloud patterns in the hall.

Hearing that Lin Lang wanted to start a trade relationship with the Tang Dynasty, Li Zhi's eyes were shining. He clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Shanghai is good at making exquisite things. I wonder what treasures you can bring this time that will catch the eyes of me and the Queen?"

Lin Lang raised the corners of his lips slightly, and a disposable plastic lighter suddenly slipped out of his sleeve.

He lightly pressed the raised part on the side with his fingertips. With a crisp "click" sound, a cluster of dark blue flames suddenly shot out, startling the guards below the steps so much that they quickly drew out half of their swords. The cold light startled everyone in the hall.

"Your Majesty, don't panic!" Lin Lang raised his hand, the flame dancing steadily between his fingers. "This is a Shanghai country's 'fire lighter'. It doesn't require flint or tinder. Just press it lightly to start a fire. It's more convenient than your country's fire stick."

He twisted his wrist, and the flame flickered with his movement. "Ordinary tinderboxes require tinder and saltpeter, which become useless if they come into contact with water. This lighter contains a special fuel, making it even more convenient to carry."

Empress Wu leaned forward, curiosity flashing in her eyes: "Show it up."

The eunuch took it tremblingly and held it on the imperial desk with both hands.

Li Zhi pressed the trigger with trembling fingertips, and the flames shot up with a "puff", startling him so much that he leaned back suddenly, causing everyone in the hall to hold their breath.

After seeing the flame was as steady as a lamp, he murmured: "It's so magical... This small object is filled with water?"

&34;非也。&34;林浪摇头，&34;此乃&39;丁烷&39;燃料，无色无味却易燃。

However, this lighter is a "disposable" item and cannot be used again once the fuel is exhausted. But its advantage is that it is lightweight and cheap. If it is introduced to the Tang Dynasty in large quantities, whether it is used by ordinary people for cooking, craftsmen for smelting, or soldiers for night marches, it will achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Empress Wu seemed to be thinking about something, then smiled and said, "According to what you said, if this artifact were to be sold in the market, it would be a business that would benefit the people."

Seeing this, Lin Lang raised a meaningful smile at the corner of his lips and took out a disposable windproof lighter from his personal space.

He pressed his thumb hard in the direction of the draft in the hall. With a "click", a cluster of pale green flames suddenly rose up, and the tip of the flame was shining with a sharp white light. Even when the draft passed by, it continued to burn steadily, like an eternal lamp.

"Your Majesty, Queen, please look!" Lin Lang held up a disposable windproof lighter, the flame remaining motionless despite the impact of the airflow.

"This is a specially made windproof fire starter from Shanghai! Ordinary fires will go out when exposed to wind, but this one, with its built-in vortex airway and fire-gathering device, can condense the flame into a powerful force that can be forcibly ignited even in the most violent storms!"

Lin Lang reached out and took the lamp on the table, and easily lit the wick in the cool breeze. The dancing flames illuminated the entire hall.

The eunuch trembled as he presented the windproof lighter to the imperial desk. Li Zhi's fingers almost shook as he held this strange object.

He imitated Lin Lang's movements and pressed the switch. A dark green flame burst out, startling him so much that he almost dropped it.

Empress Wu unconsciously leaned forward, her eyes filled with shock: "How could there be such a wonderful thing? It's impervious to wind and rain, and lighting a fire is as easy as taking something out of a bag!"

"That's right!" Lin Lang said with a bow, "This item can keep the fire burning during marches and battles, and it can keep the lighthouse lit during voyages. If the Tang Dynasty merchant caravans carry this weapon, they won't have to worry about the fire being cut off even when crossing the raging sands of Mobei or the torrential rains of the South China Sea."

Sweeping the shocked faces in the hall, Lin Lang thought: Seeing how inexperienced Li Zhi and Wu Zetian looked, I knew that doing business with the Tang Dynasty officials was a sure thing.

After reading it, Lin Lang's tone became more excited, "Shanghai Kingdom is willing to use this windproof device as a guide to open up a prosperous trade between the two countries!"