Chapter 1038: Wu Zetian was fooled by Lin Lang

Li Zhi clapped his hands and laughed heartily, the gold embroidery on his dragon robe gleaming with his movements. "I have observed this 'firearm'; it is truly a truly ingenious invention. If it could be widely disseminated throughout the Tang Dynasty, it would surely bring great convenience to the people."

"Now I promise to exchange the charm of Tang Dynasty calligraphy and painting, the elegance of porcelain, the splendor of lacquerware, the smoothness of jade, and the refinement of bronze for your country's exquisite craftsmanship. Let the trade routes between our two countries be like rivers converging into the sea, so that we can share what we have and what we need, and share in peace and prosperity!"

"The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty is wise!" Lin Lang bowed.

Empress Wu tapped her fingertips lightly on the gilded table, her eyes flickering with interest. She sipped her tea, listening to the sizzling sound as it flowed into her mouth. Suddenly, she raised an eyebrow and said, "Your country is so adept at craftsmanship, is there anything more exquisite than wind and fire protection equipment? Why not present them all to me and His Majesty to broaden our horizons?"

Lin Lang took out a solar flashlight from his personal space, pressed it lightly, and bright light shot out instantly, shining on the eunuch's face. The eunuch was frightened and shuddered. He thought it was a hidden weapon and sat down on the ground.

The guards all held their sword handles tightly, ready to rush forward to protect the emperor at any time.

Lin Lang said slowly, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this is a Shanghai wonder, called a solar flashlight. It doesn't require flint or oil. It can be exposed to the sun during the day and shine brightly at night."

Empress Wu said curiously, "Quick, bring it up for me to see."

The eunuch hurriedly got up from the ground, took the solar flashlight tremblingly, and held it on the imperial desk with both hands.

Empress Wu stroked the solar flashlight with her fingertips, repeatedly observing the sunlight in the hall, and suddenly exclaimed: "There is something that can shine by itself without candlelight? The 'Never-Sleeping Silk' woven by the mermaids in the legend is probably not as magical as this!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already turned the barrel over and over to examine it, even not missing the fine lines engraved on the back.

Lin Lang continued, "Your Majesty, you may not know that the daylight is abundant right now, and the wonders of this artifact cannot be fully revealed. When night falls, its brightness will be comparable to that of a full moon!"

He raised his hand and said, "This thing has a hidden secret - by pressing the copper button at the end of the tube, you can switch between high and low beams. The far beam can illuminate a hundred steps away, and the close beam can illuminate the desk in detail. It can be very useful for night patrols and deep house investigations."

Li Zhi couldn't hold back any longer and reached out to take the solar flashlight, "Wonderful! Wonderful! This thing is really a magical tool!"

While praising him, Li Zhi suddenly stopped smiling and turned serious: "I want to ask you, is this a rare treasure that needs to be tempered by nature, or is it an ordinary tool that can be mass-produced? If we want to equip the entire army, can we keep up the production?"

Lin Lang smiled and clasped his fists: "Your Majesty, please rest assured! The workshops in Shanghai are working day and night. Not to mention thousands of pieces, even hundreds of thousands can be completed in a few days. As long as your country needs us, our country will do its best!"

Li Zhi's eyes were as bright as torches as he pressed on, "How much is such a sacred object worth? If I were to exchange it for gold, silver, or silk, how much would it cost?"

"I dare not desecrate the sacred artifact with gold and silver!" Lin Lang raised his hand and gestured, "I heard that the imperial porcelain of the Tang Dynasty is unparalleled in the world. If you exchange it for a piece of imperial kiln fine goods, Shanghai Kingdom is willing to give you a thousand solar flashlights, and only one piece of porcelain will be enough."

As soon as this statement came out, the whole palace was in an uproar.

Lin Lang is really good at business. A piece of fine imperial porcelain from the Tang Dynasty can be auctioned for at least tens of millions, and at most hundreds of millions. He can make a lot of money by exchanging a thousand solar flashlights for a piece of fine imperial porcelain from the Tang Dynasty.

Li Zhi stood up suddenly, his dragon robe sweeping the teacup off the table without him noticing: "Great! My Great Tang Dynasty has countless imperial porcelains. Exchanging them for such a divine artifact will strengthen the army and enrich the people. This is a rare and cost-effective deal!"

"Pass on my order - immediately prepare a hundred pieces of imperial porcelain, and Jinri will sign a trade agreement with the Kingdom of Shanghai!"

Lin Lang was delighted after hearing this, because both Li Zhi and Empress Wu believed in Buddhism. He took out a CD player from his personal space, touched the CD player button with his fingertips, and in an instant, the ethereal and distant Buddhist Sanskrit sounds gushed out like a clear spring.

The lingering Buddhist music filled the air, startling the palace maids below the stairs so much that their tea trays dropped to the ground with a clang. The guards, gripping their swords tightly, trembled slightly in shock.

Li Zhi suddenly stood up, his dragon robe sweeping across the imperial desk, his eyes wide open staring at the shiny black square box. Empress Wu showed astonishment, and the pearl on the phoenix hairpin swayed slightly with his rapid breathing.

Lin Lang said loudly, "This is the 'Wonderful Sound Box' of Shanghai State. It contains the universe and can contain thousands of Buddhist sounds within this small space."

"I've heard that Your Majesty and Your Majesty are devout Buddhists. If you place this treasure in your bedroom, every morning and evening, you'll be cleansed by the sound of Buddhist chants. This is more than a hundred monks chanting sutras, and will even better bless the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty and ensure the longevity and health of Your Majesty and Your Majesty!"

Li Zhi waved his hand impatiently: "Show it up quickly!"

The eunuch trotted over and carried the CD player to the imperial desk. The emperor's fingers repeatedly stroked the smooth shell, and suddenly looked up and asked: "How can this small device produce such clear and pleasant sound?"

"Your Majesty, the secret lies in this 'audio disc'!"

Lin Lang pulled out a CD from his personal space, displaying its flowing, colorful halo to the sunlight. "The disc is engraved with fine lines. When the magic sound box reads it, it can produce heavenly music. Not only Buddhist music, but also hundreds of tunes in the world!"

"Is there such a miracle?" Li Zhi's eyes lit up. "Show me quickly!" The eunuch handed the CD player back to Lin Lang.

As the DJ dance music CD was inserted, deafening bass suddenly exploded, strong drum beats roared like war drums, and electronic sound effects echoed in the hall.

The guards instinctively drew their swords to protect the emperor, and the palace maids covered their ears, even the copper bells on the eaves were jingling from the vibration.

Li Zhi's face flushed red, and he asked loudly amid the clamor: "What is this? How can there be such a majestic sound!"

Lin Lang responded loudly: "This is the 'Earth-shaking Song' of the Shanghai National Opera, specially played for the celebration! The rhythm is sonorous, it can boost morale and inspire people!"

Empress Wu's eyes widened, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the table in time with the drumbeats: "Your country actually has such passionate and unrestrained music? It makes my blood boil!"

After hearing this, Lin Lang thought to himself: A small CD player can scare Li Zhi and Wu Zetian, this is so fucking funny!

After he finished reciting, Lin Lang took out a series of colorful CDs from his personal space as if by magic. The glass-like discs glowed with a magical halo under the light and shadow in the hall.

&34;陛下娘娘请看！&34;林浪扬手展示光盘上印着的明星肖像与烫金曲名，&34;此乃沪上国时下最炙手可热的&39;天籁音碟&39;，既有《卜卦》的婉转清雅，亦有《安和桥》这般诉尽人间情长的妙曲！&34;

Li Zhi and Empress Wu looked at each other, both unable to hide their amazement.

Li Zhi twirled his beard and laughed heartily: "Since I ascended the throne, I have seen treasures from all over the world, but I have never seen such an all-encompassing collection of wonderful things! There are Buddhist chants for blessings, war drums to cheer, and even thousands of human tunes hidden inside. It is truly unheard of!"

"I wonder if this 'magic music box' can be imported into the Tang Dynasty in large quantities like lighters?" Empress Wu tapped the table with her fingertips, her eyes fixed on the indicator light of the CD player.

Lin Lang bowed solemnly and said: "This thing is extremely ingeniously constructed, requiring the collaboration of hundreds of craftsmen to create it. Even in Shanghai, it is considered a national treasure."

Changing the subject, he smiled and said, "Your Majesty and Your Majesty are so generous. In exchange for a hundred pieces of fine porcelain from the imperial kilns, I would like to present ten wonderful music boxes, a hundred selected heavenly music discs, and ten boxes of 'energy storage stones'!"

"Energy storage black stone?" Li Zhi frowned. "What kind of magical object is it?"

"This is the energy that drives the Magical Music Box!" Lin Lang took out four AA batteries, which shone with a silvery metallic luster in the sunlight. "This stone contains mysterious power. Once placed in the Magical Music Box, it can keep the music going for seven days and seven nights. When the energy is exhausted, replacing it with a new stone will restore the magic sound. It is a thousand times more convenient than adding oil and wax to a candle!"

Empress Wu gently stroked the golden hairpins on her temples and said thoughtfully, "Ten pieces of imperial porcelain in exchange for such a sacred artifact...it's not a loss at all. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

Li Zhi was delighted. "A mere one hundred pieces of fine porcelain from the imperial kilns can be exchanged for ten 'Wonderful Music Boxes', one hundred heavenly music discs, and ten boxes of 'Energy Storage Mysterious Stones'. It's quite a bargain."

Empress Wu smiled and said, "If the ten boxes of 'Energy Storage Mysterious Stones' are used up, does your country have any more 'Energy Storage Mysterious Stones' to sell?"

Lin Lang laughed out loud: "Don't worry, Madam! The black stones given with each Miaoyin Box are enough to last for more than half a year. If the Tang Dynasty needs them, Shanghai Country is willing to exchange what it has with your country at a fair price!"

Li Zhi flicked his sleeves lightly, and the air of agarwood rose in the hall. He said, "The Tang Dynasty, with its open arms, is willing to expand trade with your country. If we can spread your country's treasures throughout the nine provinces, and spread the splendor of the Tang Dynasty abroad, one day history will record our shared prosperity!"

Lin Lang's lips curled up with a confident arc, "Thanks to the Tang Dynasty for not abandoning me. I am willing to use the strengths of Shanghai to trade with the return of the country and join in the great cause."

Empress Wu said curiously, "I was surprised to hear that the Emperor of Shanghai is riding a high-tech mount, the Electric Horse. Could you please let me and Your Majesty see what the Electric Horse is like?"

Lin Lang raised his hand and pointed outside the palace. "It is not convenient to ride the electric horse inside the palace. Your Majesty and Your Majesty, please move outside the palace to see the style of Shanghai's high-tech vehicle. I can demonstrate riding the electric horse in an open area."

"Okay!" Li Zhi took Empress Wu's hand and stood up from the dragon throne.

A group of golden-armored guards protected Li Zhi and Empress Wu in the center like stars surrounding the moon, and slowly walked out of the towering palace.

Outside the Golden Palace, the midday sun cast a golden glow.

Lin Lang stood in the square in front of the temple, with the silver electric bicycle parked beside him. The streamlined body shone with a cool luster in the sun, and the reflective strips on the edge of the wheel swayed gently in the breeze, like a dormant steel giant waiting to wake up.

Lin Lang clasped his hands together and said loudly, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, look at this Shanghai State Power Horse!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already nimbly stepped onto the seat and lightly pressed the start button on the handlebar with his fingertips. In an instant, the motor hummed, like the roar of a dormant dragon.

He slightly retracted his legs, and the electric bicycle rushed out like an arrow, with the tires making a crackling sound as they rubbed against the bluestone ground.

Lin Lang was seen controlling the handlebars, riding an ordinary electric bicycle in modern society, showing off in front of Li Zhi and Wu Zetian, riding back and forth in circles "whoosh", shocking all the ancient people present.

Li Zhi's eyes widened, his beard trembling slightly with his rapid breathing. "This...this lightning horse isn't a living creature. It has two wheels and requires no animal power, yet it moves at such a rapid speed! Could it be the gust of wind from the sky that has taken shape?"

Empress Wu's eyes widened, her fingers clutching the cuffs of her phoenix robe tightly. Even the pearls on her phoenix hairpins shook violently. "Strange! Strange! How could a carriage be so exquisite? If it were placed in the streets of Chang'an, the merchants passing by would probably drop their jaws in amazement!"

Around the square, the golden-armored guards all widened their eyes, and the spears in their hands trembled unconsciously, as if the scene before them overturned their lifelong cognition.

The eunuchs opened their mouths so wide that their jaws almost dropped to the ground, and they were completely unaware that the whisks in their hands had fallen.

The palace maids were all stunned, wondering to themselves, "Am I dreaming? How can this thing with two wheels actually move on its own?"

After riding his electric bicycle for a few laps, Lin Lang drifted back gracefully and stopped steadily in front of Li Zhi and Empress Wu.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, thank you for your praise! This electric horse is powered by 'energy-storing black stones' and can travel a hundred miles a day without getting tired. It is truly a must-have artifact for traveling in Shanghai!"

Li Zhi paced back and forth excitedly, the hem of his dragon robe sweeping the ground. "Wonderful! Wonderful! If we can import such a rare item, the Tang Dynasty's trade routes will surely become more accessible, and our national prestige will spread far and wide!"

Empress Wu nodded slightly, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "If such a miraculous object could be displayed in Chang'an, it would open the eyes of the people and demonstrate the broad-mindedness of the Tang Dynasty!"

Lin Lang was secretly delighted, but his face remained respectful: "If Your Majesty favors us, Shanghai will definitely make every effort to prepare and join hands with the Tang Dynasty to make this grand event with the most sincere offer!"

In the square, the exclamations and discussions of the crowd echoed for a long time, and the electric bicycle standing quietly was like a huge rock thrown into a deep pool, stirring up thousands of huge waves in the hearts of the Tang Dynasty's emperor and his ministers.

Li Zhi said eagerly, "Your Majesty, may I try riding your country's electric horse?"

Lin Lang replied readily, "Of course. I can present this electric horse to Your Majesty as a gift to show our country's sincerity in opening up trade with the Tang Dynasty."

Li Zhi was very pleased. His fingertips lightly touched the mutton-fat jade pendant on his waist. The warm luster reflected the smile in his eyes.

The jade pendant jingled as it left his body. He raised his hand and ordered the eunuch to present it to Lin Lang. His voice was as loud as a bell: "The Emperor of Shanghai generously gave me such a rare gift. How can I accept it for nothing?"

"This jade pendant has been with me for decades, and today I will return it with courtesy. In the future, our two countries will share what we have. I hope you and I can join hands to paint a long scroll of prosperity together!" After saying this, Li Zhi waved his robe sleeves, and the black hem of his clothes rolled like black clouds, showing the majesty of the emperor.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" After Lin Lang took Li Zhi's imperial jade pendant from the eunuch, the system prompt sound exploded in his mind.

"Ding! This Hetian jade dragon pendant, crafted by Emperor Li Zhi of the Tang Dynasty, was worth over 2000 million Chinese Yuan in 2!"

What the hell!

Lin Lang secretly exclaimed: I exchanged an electric bicycle for a jade pendant worth 2 million yuan from Emperor Li Zhi in the Tang Dynasty. No one else can do that.

It seems that we need to build a solar power generation system in the palace to generate electricity to charge electric bicycles, haha...