Chapter 307 Extra Chapter: Back to Modern Times (Part 1) ^^……
Qi Chengming seemed to have slept for a very long time; his sleep was deep and of excellent quality. When he opened his eyes, he felt refreshed and had never felt so satisfied before.
The familiar ceiling, the blazing sunlight outside the curtains, the sports watch on the bedside table, the purring cat on the pillow, the anime merchandise covering the walls, and... on the computer screen lit up by the bed, the words of that novel about the struggle for the throne are still frozen in time.
Everything was just like it was before he transmigrated into the book, as if Qi Chengming had just taken a nap.
He really did return to the modern era!!!
Qi Chengming jumped up, almost bursting into tears of joy, and instinctively grabbed his phone to check.
The phone was the same phone, displaying the current time: "Saturday, 11:09 AM".
This phone had been with him for decades longer in ancient times, and Qi Chengming felt an even stronger connection to it upon seeing it. His first thought was—
He was determined to download every video and single-player game he could find to his phone, making thorough preparations! Who knows how he spent the rest of his life? Those classic videos and novels were practically worn smooth from collecting them!
"Wait a minute, I'm back in the modern world now. Wouldn't it be better to go online and read the latest news?" Qi Chengming slapped his forehead twice, secretly cursing himself for being so useless.
He felt that he wouldn't want to watch downloaded videos or read novels for at least the next twenty years.
That's not new, I want to watch something online!!
(Resounding)
Qi Chengming put down his phone and glanced at the mole on his wrist. He was sure that his body was still the same one he had before he transmigrated into the book.
But perhaps personality and thoughts are influenced by physical age; Qi Chengming had spent his entire life in Dingguo and was an elderly man in his eighties. After returning to his own body, he was still as lively and excited as a young man, adapting well, and even his old age had vanished.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty!"
A familiar voice called out softly from afar.
Qi Chengming: "...?"
He turned his head, and even he, who was used to seeing all kinds of storms, suddenly choked up.
In the living room outside the bedroom door, a large group of people were gathered, peering out at something. Leading them was Song Gu, who was craning his neck, asking with a mixture of surprise and trepidation, "I just heard a noise. Has Your Majesty woken up?"
These officials were still dressed in ancient clothes, but without exception, they were all in the style of funeral garments. They looked around the living room with a mixture of restraint and curiosity, their faces blank. But no matter who they were, they all stood firmly outside the bedroom door, as if there was an invisible line blocking their way, welded tightly together.
Even Song Gu, who was asking the question, didn't even step into the bedroom door with his neck outstretched.
"Why are you here?" Qi Chengming asked, then waved his hand, realizing he had asked a pointless question.
Just by looking at those burial clothes, you could tell that his trusted men had probably died of old age. As for how they got to the modern world, it must have been some kind of mess caused by the infrastructure system. Now there was nowhere to ask, and he had to clean up the mess.
Qi Chengming then changed his words: "What are you all standing outside the door for? It's so noisy, come in."
Even if he went to visit his neighbor's wedding, the small living room was already packed with more than a dozen people, so how could these officials not feel uncomfortable?
The ministers remained still, but Song Gu tactfully stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, may I assist you with your washing?"
With so many officials from outside the capital, who would dare to barge into His Majesty's bedchamber while he is asleep?
The outer room of the palace was a bit too small... They didn't dare to push the door open and go out at will. After discussing it for a while, Grand Secretary Mu made the decision, and they all stayed obediently in the outer room, waiting for His Majesty to get up.
As for the fact that His Majesty is now without anyone to serve him, Song Gu considers himself to be the chief steward who has served His Majesty his most trusted and closest person in the palace, so it is naturally better for him to bring it up.
...His Majesty has advocated for women to hold official positions his entire life. Before Lady Fang Bi (who was once His Majesty's personal maid) brought it up herself, none of his trusted confidants dared to suggest that she go, as that would be to expose her shortcomings and humiliate her.
"No need, you can wait a bit." Qi Chengming was silent for a moment, then got up and went to the bathroom.
He's in the modern era now, surely he can brush his teeth and wash his face by himself? He's not spoiled.
Qi Chengming really missed his smart toilet, shower head, and water heater!
As soon as he got out of bed and went into the living room, his oversized T-shirt, shorts, and pajamas were exposed.
"...Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
This startled Commander Mao, whose pupils constricted. He stammered and took a nimble step, bumping into his ministers and sending them stumbling. Amidst shouts and curses, he squeezed his way to the very front. His towering figure, as large as a door panel, completely blocked the way, forcing him to hunch over slightly in a somewhat cramped manner.
"Ouch, you brute!" "Who stepped on my foot?!" "—My nose!"
The people who were knocked down by Chairman Mao were cursing incessantly.
Song Gu quickly lowered his head, avoiding looking at anything improper, and said anxiously, "Where are Your Majesty's clothes? I'll serve you!"
His Majesty's clothes were disheveled, with his arms and legs exposed. This was too... too private!
How could they possibly see this? His Majesty doesn't have the habit of sleeping side-by-side with his subjects. (He Santie: How do you know I'm the only exception? *smug face*)
If there hadn't been nowhere else to retreat, Song Gudu would have loved to drag his ministers out as well.
Wen Zhongnan took a deep breath: "Alright, let's just listen to Wuyou. Who knows if the customs are the same or different in this place?"
His gaze met that of Yang Shou, who was also a martial artist. Yang Shou looked bewildered, but General Wang Shuo's eyes flickered, and he looked back at Wen Zhongnan thoughtfully: "You mean..."
The two exchanged a secret glance, and Wen Zhongnan nodded slightly with a mysterious and reserved air.
Since ancient times, the gods in paintings and shrines have not all been the same, dressed in revealing clothes and exuding an ethereal aura.
Judging from His Majesty's relaxed and at ease demeanor, he seems even more at home than when he was in Liuzhou. The lamps and furnishings in the outer chambers of his palace are all so unique; it's clear His Majesty has returned home. The fact that he's only showing his arms and legs, and hasn't gone shirtless, is already quite conservative!
Huang Dong didn't bother chatting with the group. He sat on the living room sofa, his hands itching, with a tablet charging in front of him.
"This thing... looks familiar." Compared to the others who were hesitant and might not understand what could and couldn't be moved, Huang Dong felt much more at ease.
Isn't this just a large MP4 player? It's still charging!
The problem is, Huang Dong didn't see a generator, so how come the other end of the large MP4's cable can charge when plugged into the wall? Is the wall electrified?
Huang Dong pondered for a long time, and was very eager to try.
—I wanted to put my hand into that hole and feel around to see how it differed from the generator's interface.
The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue frowned, looking absentmindedly out the window: "...It must be at least ten stories high."
Shen Shuzhi, concealing her shock, replied in a low voice, "I counted, we're on the nineteenth floor! We're in the sky."
Bai Xuan murmured almost inaudibly, "There's more above that."
They weren't unfamiliar with such tall buildings; historically, a dynasty had spent enormous resources constructing a towering structure that must be quite similar to the one outside their window. However…
But it's no wonder the ministers were dumbfounded.
Looking out the window, skyscrapers rose one after another, each so tall. Bai Xuan only glanced cautiously at the ground, feeling dizzy and seeing people as if they were ants.
He couldn't help but exclaim, "...Is this the perspective of an immortal?"
"Is this the air conditioner of the immortals?" Mu Maoshi, who was not far away, couldn't help but exclaim.
Despite the sweltering summer heat, the outer room was packed with people, yet none of them seemed to feel the heat. Mu Maoshi looked at his burial clothes, wondering if he was too dead to feel the cold, but pinching him still hurt. His attention slowly drifted to the strange thing on the wall blowing out cool air, with the words "air conditioner" written on it.
Although Prefect Mu of that time—later Minister of Works, Young Master Mu—did not know why it was named "Air Conditioner," he couldn't help but marvel at how precious it was.
On the other side, Qin Liusong and He Santie were in the kitchen with their sleeves rolled up. Even though they didn't know how to use most of the things, they still managed to take out some leafy greens and semi-finished instant food from the refrigerator. They also found two boxes of instant noodles and a bag of flour on the ground.
Qin Liusong recognized these things. His Majesty had often secretly ate alone with them when he was in Liuzhou. At first, they burned the outer packaging clean, but later they stopped trying to hide it. He knew exactly how to cook instant noodles.
"I'll handle these things, you cook," Qin Liusong instructed. The two of them had just discussed it and figured that since His Majesty had woken up, he couldn't go hungry, so they'd make something simple to have on hand. He Santie considered himself one of the better cooks among his colleagues, so they'd have to rely on him.
Qi Chengming, still brushing his teeth: "…………"
He stood at the bathroom door, looking at the chaotic mess, feeling utterly overwhelmed. The elation of returning to the modern world was replaced by worry.
He quickly rinsed the foam from his mouth and finished his quick wash.
"Alright, Mr. Qin, stop bothering with that instant noodles. I'll order takeout later."
"Mr. Anbang, put it down, put it down!"
Qi Chengming was extremely worried.
So many people, all of them unregistered, what can we do?
He didn't know where they lived, and he didn't even dare to take anyone out of the house casually, as there were security cameras downstairs. Ordering takeout was out of the question… ordering such a large quantity of takeout, even if it was ordered separately, would be unusual. If the delivery driver accidentally discovered that so many people were hiding in their house, they'd be in even more trouble.
This is definitely a pyramid scheme den!
Luckily, it's Saturday, and he happens to have some free time, otherwise he wouldn't even have time to worry...
In the end, Qi Chengming still made everyone a bowl of instant noodles, along with braised duck legs, smoked sausages, canned eight-treasure porridge, cola, and other miscellaneous things to make do with a meal.
People need to eat something good, right? In modern times, we can no longer eat plain porridge and side dishes, so let's indulge ourselves and try out technology and grueling work.
Fortunately, the infrastructure system's notification arrived belatedly:
[Please don't panic, the system is under repair and will be resolved within one business day on a modern Earth.]
Qi Chengming slowly breathed a sigh of relief. This means that the officials will be sent back within a day, right?
If that's the case, then it's good; he can endure it.
"...That's the situation now." Qi Chengming explained to everyone, looking at the burial clothes on his trusted men, unsure whether it was a good thing or a bad thing. He figured none of them really wanted to go back...
But unfortunately, on this last day, Qi Chengming couldn't very well take them out to experience modern life as a group.
"Brother Zhang, Doctor Bian, come with me." Qi Chengming looked left and right, and precisely picked out Zhang Ji and Doctor Bian from the crowd. Only the two of them were the most similar in build to him, and could wear his modern clothes and shoes. The three of them went out to buy clothes and necessities.
Qi Chengming was really afraid of being exposed if there were more people.
Wearing a hat to avoid surveillance cameras would allow you to sneak out and take a look around.
"..." The others looked at the two lucky ones with envy and jealousy. They didn't know if they would be able to go out and see the world afterward.
Qin Liusong deeply resented his height, watching longingly.
It's only a little bit higher, isn't it?
Doesn't His Majesty favor him anymore? Why didn't he think of choosing him first?
As for those who stayed at home, Qi Chengming couldn't just leave them waiting. He used a computer, a flat-screen TV, and a screen mirroring system to show them how to search for things, play documentaries, and access news channels...
Thanks to Qi Chengming's promotion of pinyin in Dading and the subsequent simplification of characters, the officials quickly got the hang of it.
Xiao Mu's first reaction was to search for what an air conditioner was.
Qin Liusong, however, wanted to find out what the "airplane" that His Majesty had once inadvertently mentioned was.
After they had finished checking the computer, Qin Liusong was still a little dazed; "No wonder His Majesty... has always wanted to come back."
The people here can actually land on the moon and dive into the sea, with spacecraft, orbital submarines, and more. They can even turn deserts into oases and grow crops in seawater. Moreover, airplanes are machines that fly in the sky, and high-speed trains are metal-plated vehicles that allow people to travel from Liuzhou to Beijing in a single day.
Fang Bi remained silent, but a fervent infatuation flashed in her eyes.
Is this the magical world of immortals?
Although it was largely different from what they had imagined, judging from what they could do, the people here were like immortals.
Grand Tutor Wu, a lifelong scholar and intellectual, naturally focused his attention here. Just then, a new video randomly played on the projected screen; it featured people with barbarian appearances excitedly recounting the amazing surprises they had witnessed in this country.
"Look, these packages and takeout orders are just piled up at the door, with no one guarding them. People just pick out their own and take them; they don't even steal from others. Unbelievable! In my country, if these packages are left on the ground for more than five seconds, they'll be snatched away..."
Grand Tutor Wu watched the long video with tears in his eyes. It contained many examples, and his lips trembled slightly as he was too moved to speak.
People value honesty, kindness, and friendliness among each other; they do not pick up lost items on the road; and they are selected based on their virtue and ability…
Isn't this the most beautiful expectation that scholars have cherished since ancient times—the world of "universal harmony"?
This wonderful world actually exists!
"...Haha!" Grand Tutor Wu laughed through his tears, his face flushed red. "To know that such a place exists, I could die without regret!"
Now Grand Tutor Wu understands why His Majesty insisted on returning to Chu.
He wasn't too excited when he saw those strange objects, after all, he was used to the appearance of wondrous things around His Majesty. On the contrary, now that he had discovered how the people here lived their daily lives, it was a huge shock to Grand Tutor Wu... Grand Tutor Wu's hands were trembling so badly that he almost fainted.
This is clearly a fairyland, a real fairyland!!
Grand Tutor Wu no longer had any doubts; instead, he became a staunch believer.
...
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Author's Note: This side story is so much fun! I'm getting more and more into it, and I really want to write a second short story—
The story is about Qi Chengming returning to the modern world, and the deceased ministers following him. To solve their problems of being unregistered residents and their livelihoods, Qi Chengming has to rack his brains and collude with the infrastructure system to lease a mountain in Shennongjia and develop it into a traditional-style tourist attraction. (lol)
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[Pre-orders are now open. Interested readers can click to add this to their favorites on the author's page.]
My ministers have all traveled from ancient times to the present?!
Copywriting:
After transmigrating into a novel about vying for the throne, Qi Chengming successfully became emperor for a lifetime with the help of an infrastructure system, and only returned to reality after dying a natural death.
"—My air conditioner, shower, hot pot, and spicy hot pot!"
We're finally free!
Qi Chengming's eyes welled with tears. Who could understand? Even if he brought all the technology the system provided to ancient times, it still wouldn't compare to the conveniences of the modern world. He dreamed of returning... *sobs*
but.
What's with this group of ancient people crowding into the living room waiting for him when he woke up?!
.
The top civil official, Grand Secretary Mu; the Grand Tutor Wu, whose students are spread throughout the land; the Minister of Personnel, He Santie; the valiant General Wang Shuo; and the Grand Eunuch of the Imperial Palace, Song Gu… all of them were his trusted and beloved generals in ancient times. Even his most favored head chef of the Imperial Kitchen has transmigrated here.
"Your Majesty," Song Gu said wistfully, "it seems we can't go back."
Grand Secretary Qin Liusong was the first to kneel and plead, "Your Majesty, I am willing to follow you here!"
"We follow Your Majesty!" These were the resounding words of the assembled officials.
.
Qi Chengming's vision blurred as he said, "You can't say things like that! This is modern society. I have impeccable revolutionary credentials. We can't be feudalistic anymore."
That's too much torture!
Besides, how is he supposed to support dozens of unregistered residents all by himself?!
.
After scratching their heads, Qi Chengming finally found a solution in the system store:
[One-time group teleportation scroll, requires 100,000 points].
Qi Chengming slowly asked his ministers, "Do you know about Shennongjia?"
No one can go deep into Shennongjia, so this is the only way to solve the problem of dozens of unregistered people in one go!
...
A month later, a major news story in China topped the trending topics list, with the same thing ranking at the top:
#Ancient Village Discovered Deep in Shennongjia!#
#The mystery of the Wild Man in Shennongjia, which has lasted for many years, has finally been revealed#
#Real-life Shangri-La#
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"The next step is the issue of livelihood." Qi Chengming had already made plans, and continued holding small meetings with his confidants.
“The officials are even more concerned than we are, and they are providing a lot of support. How about we just rent a mountain in Shennongjia and build an ancient-style tourist resort? You can still be generals or scholars in the resort, and you can continue to do what you normally do. I won’t let you have a hard time.”
The infrastructure system from when Qi Chengming transmigrated into the book also came along, isn't that a perfect match?
The ministers looked at each other, none of them having any objections: "Yes, Your Majesty."
Qi Chengming quickly stopped him: "You're wrong. From now on, you all have to change your address and call me Village Chief!"
"Yes, village chief!!"
Reading Instructions:
1. This article is part of the series "My Subjects Have All Been Reborn".
2. Feudal overthrow does not exist in modern society. The male protagonist will later become the village chief of a rural tourism business, and the ministers who transmigrated here are all employees under labor contracts with him, and he is required to pay social insurance and housing provident fund contributions! Both the author and the male protagonist abide by the law, so please do not take this personally.
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