Chapter 996 Expedition to the Middle East

Chapter 996: 996 Expedition to the Middle East

"Ding, King Julius Caesar of the Roman Republic has declared war on you."

"Ding, quest triggered: Emperor of All Ages."

"Emperor of All Ages: Time and space have intersected. The Roman Republic and the Kushan Empire have declared war on you, and the Arab Empire has been destroyed.

Conquer them and become Emperor of All Ages.

Quest Reward: Immortality."

Lu Ming was watching a traditional opera with his daughter when he unexpectedly triggered this quest.

He was initially stunned, then a malicious smile appeared on his face.

Because he wasn’t worried about the so-called declaration of war at all; might makes right.

He was initially puzzled. Of the four great empires—Eastern Han, Rome, Arab, and Kushan—why wasn’t the Arab Empire mentioned?

Normally, the Russian Empire would have to pass through the Middle East to get here. Now it seemed the Middle East was fragmented, so passage was unimpeded.

Caravans had always maintained contact and trade with the tribes of the Middle East.

It was only after the war with the Kushan Empire that this route was cut off.

He’d only just recovered.

But none of that mattered anymore.

What Lu Ming cared about was becoming an immortal!

Becoming an immortal meant immortality!

That was something he couldn’t refuse. Whether it was a conspiracy or a genuine blessing, he would gladly accept it.

Everything he had was given to him by the system. Without the class-change system, he wouldn’t even have been able to rise to power.

At most, he’d be a wealthy old man, with a few concubines, and that would be it.

He’d live a mundane life like an ordinary person, then grow old and die.

To become the ruler of a nation—that was something he never even dared to dream of.

Turning to Hu Sanniang, who was guarding nearby, he asked, "Where has the outpost advanced to?"

Hu Sanniang lowered her head and answered softly, "It’s reached the border of the Kushan Empire. Beyond that lies the Arab world.

Those are all nomadic tribes, with vast deserts. They’re still surveying routes.

Lü Bu and Niu Fu are sweeping south, while Tian Feng is setting up strongholds."

Military generals lead the way, with civil officials following behind to build up the territory.

Initially, they’ll definitely use their own people, so experienced and reliable individuals are needed.

Tian Feng volunteered to supervise the construction of the strongholds. His opposition was to Lu Ming personally leading the expedition, not to attacking the Russian Empire.

In the eyes of such a loyal subject, insulting the Emperor was a capital offense!

Even if far away, they will be punished!

Lu Ming was happy to let Tian Feng do this, and Ju Shou had also gone; the north had been pacified.

Liaodong was also being developed, gradually becoming a major granary. The entire Qin Kingdom was thriving and prosperous. The benefits of foreign conquests are numerous; there’s no shortage of official positions. If you don’t want to go, there are plenty of others like Paru.

You don’t want a promotion, but plenty of people will.

The rich don’t want to take risks, but the poor are willing to risk everything to achieve upward social mobility!

"Alright."

Lu Ming nodded. It seemed it was time to set off.

When he returned, he could deflower his daughter.

A year later, the airship was completed.

Lu Ming personally supervised the construction of the first airship, using his blueprints.

After its test flight, this airship was handed over to the Mo family for management and replication, while Lu Ming began building the second airship.

With the airship, he could quickly travel to any location.

An airship could only carry about a thousand people.

However, its advantages lay in its convenience and simplicity. The airship required maintenance; having just begun operation, it was estimated that even with full-scale operation, it would take one or two years to reach full operational capability.

It will be very convenient then, convenient for transporting supplies, and much more convenient for everything.

As for accidents, after a lot of deaths, people will naturally become familiar with them.

Wanting technological progress without making any sacrifices is not so simple.

Moreover, the railway construction has already begun, built along the flattest terrain, from Luoyang to Chang’an, from Chang’an to Anding, and from Anding to Xiliang and Jiuquan.

It won’t be completed in less than three years, requiring both steel and technology.

However, once it’s built,

the speed will be much faster.

The main problem is the need for detours. Even with black powder bombs, it only allows for road construction along mountain slopes.

Landslides are also a problem.

Therefore, the investment in airships, combined with maritime transport, is the best news.

Actually, Lu Ming’s idea was to build a railway to Beihai, then transport goods by sea, around to India, as maritime transport is still cheaper.

The simultaneous construction of the railway and the ship did indeed slow down progress.

Lu Ming, leading his Imperial Guard, arrived in Dushanbe by airship; this was already in the Middle East.

Upon disembarking, Mi Fang was waiting, accompanied by Xue Pan.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Rise."

Lu Ming patted Mi Fang on the shoulder, then Xue Pan’s. "Well done."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The two were overjoyed; even a word of approval from His Majesty was worthwhile for them.

It was truly remarkable that they had traveled so far to engage in commercial development.

Moreover, the caravans were generally escorted by troops.

Each caravan consisted of only five hundred people.

Five hundred people could hold out for a long time in the event of a large-scale attack, and cavalry could quickly arrive to provide support.

If there was no attack, the cost of five hundred people was not high.

The Mi family, with its prestigious lineage, thrived in the Qin Dynasty, yet they seemed to never want to get involved in any power struggles.

Mi Zhu even succeeded Tian Feng as governor of Hebei, also overseeing Youzhou.

Mi Fang continued his business as always; he was only suited for business. Letting him lead troops would be a disaster.

"Your Majesty, we have reached agreements with three important Arab tribes; they are all willing to submit and pledge allegiance."

Mi Fang only reported the result, not the process.

Arriving at the stronghold, the farmland and military camps were well-planned, and there was even a hospital.

Tian Feng stood before the residence, bowing to Lu Ming and saying, "This old minister greets Your Majesty."

"Tian Feng, you have done well. Rise.

Rest assured, I take care of myself and will not charge into battle.

Come on, let me see what life is like here."

Lu Ming observed that the place was rather austere.

Fortunately, there was a well and an underground river, so there was no shortage of water.

Tian Feng moved his lips, but remained silent, leading the way.

He didn’t want to say much; His Majesty was only human, and he could only observe.

They ate and drank, and several Arab girls danced in the living room, all dressed scantily.

Lu Ming watched with interest for a while, then, having eaten and drunk his fill, he dismissed them.

Why?

Because while these Arab girls were attractive, their looks were excellent.

However, compared to Hu Sanniang, Sun Erniang, and Diao Chan beside him, they were still somewhat lacking.