Chapter 66

At the Ganwang Palace, on the Wangjiang Pavilion.

Zhang Hao stood there, looking at the somewhat yellowed books and bamboo slips in front of him, gently tapping his forehead. These were the guiding techniques he had collected, and the various noble families, upon hearing that Zhang Hao was collecting guiding techniques, also contributed their family collections.

Guiding techniques were indeed magical, there was no doubt about that. They seemed similar to the martial arts of the modern world, but there was a fundamental difference. The height that guiding techniques could reach was clearly not comparable to martial arts. This might be a bit biased, perhaps due to the difference in the concentration of primordial energy in different worlds.

However, just the ability of guiding techniques to attract external primordial energy was not something martial arts could match. Of course, guiding techniques were not without flaws; they seemed to lack the health benefits of martial arts.

Zhang Hao had never personally experienced martial arts, only heard some rumors, so he couldn't be sure of their specific effects.

Zhang Hao had a great interest and many questions about guiding techniques. How did they refine the body and absorb external primordial energy? What was their limit?!

Because of this, he collected guiding techniques and consulted many people who had achieved success in guiding techniques, but his doubts did not diminish.

The more guiding techniques he had, the more complex Zhang Hao felt. The exercises of different guiding techniques varied, but this was not a big problem, as they were all aimed at exercising different parts of the body, with different focuses.

The essence of guiding techniques was the breathing method, but how did the breathing method guide the primordial energy within the body to refine it? Why did different rhythms of breathing methods have different effects? Was there a way to combine the strengths of various guiding techniques?

Zhang Hao's subordinates, the valiant generals, and the Confucian scholars who had studied guiding techniques were not very knowledgeable about this, but they all strongly advised him not to try it lightly, as it could be dangerous.

Zhang Hao naturally understood this, but with the treasure right in front of him, he naturally wanted to figure it out.

Lifting his head, he looked at the vast and boundless scenery outside the window. Zhang Hao felt that he should find some experts to study this. He wondered if the Taiping Jing, which was said to have been taught by Nanhua to Zhang Jiao, had any magical qualities. What about Yu Ji and Zuo Ci in Jiangdong, and the Five Pecks of Rice Sect in Yizhou? Did these legendary immortals or sects have any research on this?

Zhang Hao was so interested in guiding techniques not only because he wanted to enhance his own abilities but also because he wanted to summarize a simple guiding technique and spread it throughout the country, allowing anyone to practice it. This would help him select talented individuals for focused cultivation, which would be beneficial for his future travels through other dimensions.

As for the potential social chaos caused by the widespread use of guiding techniques, Zhang Hao was not at all worried. He knew that as long as the people's survival was guaranteed and they lived in peace and prosperity, with clear paths for those with talent and ability to rise, the social system would be solid, and order would not be disrupted.

Even if there were some problems, they would be minor and easily resolved.

Perhaps he could study some modern Daoist classics to see if there were any connections. Of course, Zhang Hao did not have the patience for this, but now that he was the Ganwang, with a large following of capable and talented people, he could delegate the task to them.

Picking up his tea and taking a sip, he found it a bit cold. Zhang Hao turned his head in surprise. With his current status, he always had people attending to him, so he didn't need to worry about such details. He just needed to enjoy the meticulous service.

Seeing the situation, Zhang Hao chuckled. Not far away, Daqiao and Xiaoqiao were sitting at a table, both focused on the tablet computers in front of them, specifically the animated shows on the tablets.

At this moment, Xiaozhu and Xiaocha's attention was also drawn to the tablets, neglecting their duty to attend to Zhang Hao.

Zhang Hao was not angry, but smiled. It was natural for children to be interested in these things, and it was not surprising that Xiaozhu and Xiaocha, who had never been exposed to modern products, were also captivated.

Daqiao and Xiaoqiao were still a bit shy when they first arrived at Zhang Hao's place, but he naturally did not miss the opportunity to cultivate their affection. Various small snacks and gifts quickly made the two girls feel close and friendly towards him. Zhang Hao did not neglect their education, teaching them things that girls of this era needed to learn, as well as some modern things that he thought were necessary for them to learn.

In short, Zhang Hao did not want them to become idle canaries. But he did not forget to let them relax after studying, just like now.

"Your Majesty, Lord Tian has returned," a guard reported from outside.

"Oh, Zitai has returned," Zhang Hao stood up. Xiaocha and Xiaozhu, who had been startled awake, quickly came over to help him tidy his clothes. Zhang Hao gestured for them to continue watching and walked out himself. He met Tian Chou in a side hall.

Compared to when Taishi Ci brought him to meet Zhang Hao, Tian Chou's face had matured and become more resolute. At the prime age for growth, and entrusted with important tasks, it was no wonder he had matured. Grateful and loyal, Tian Chou was both a scholar and a warrior, managing the affairs of the Divine Might Army on the Youzhou border with great efficiency.

After Taishi Ci and other generals were recalled, the number of Divine Might Army soldiers decreased, and the pressure increased. But Tian Chou managed to hold up, not tarnishing the name of the Divine Might Army, and even took the initiative to attack, making the Goguryeo, Samhan, and Wuhuan tribes miserable.

After carefully understanding the current situation of the border barbarians, Zhang Hao allowed Tian Chou to go home and visit his family.

When Tian Chou and Taishi Ci returned last time, they directly brought their families to Jiangdong, to show their loyalty. Additionally, the environment in Jiangnan was indeed better than the harsh and cold Liaodong, making it more suitable for living and safer.

Zhang Hao was preparing to go to the stables. This time, Tian Chou brought quite a few gifts. It wasn't that Tian Chou was trying to flatter him; many of the gifts were from the Goguryeo, Samhan, and other tribes who were so frightened that they offered them voluntarily. They knew that the Ganwang Zhang Hao was getting married, so these tribes prepared precious gifts.

Perhaps Tian Chou had mentioned it to them, otherwise, how would they know about Zhang Hao's wedding from the border. Zhang Hao was pleased with Tian Chou's handling of the barbarians; they needed to be kept in check.

The other gifts were fine, but the gift from Goguryeo that Tian Chou mentioned was quite mysterious, piquing Zhang Hao's interest. After all, with famous horses, Zhang Hao certainly wouldn't be lacking, but Tian Chou's confidence was telling.

"Husband..." A soft and gentle voice came from the door, and Daqiao and Xiaoqiao peeked out with their little heads.

"Have you finished watching?" Zhang Hao walked out and asked gently. The two girls tugged at his clothes and nodded vigorously. After Zhang Hao's efforts, the two girls were now very close to him.

Deciding to take them along, Zhang Hao led the two to the stables, which could be called a horse ranch. As they approached, Zhang Hao noticed several strangers, and his stable hands and the surrounding guards were looking at the stables with strange and shocked expressions.

Zhang Hao raised an eyebrow and walked forward. The palace's chief steward, Yan Fang, was there, directing the servants. Yan Fang, in his fifties, had once been a steward for the Liu clan's feudal lords. Later, when the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, the palace he served was destroyed, and he led people to protect his lord and fled to Jiangdong.

Yan Fang was loyal and righteous, serving his lord even when only orphans and widows remained. Eventually, he came to Zhang Hao's residence as a steward, allowing his former lord to live in peace and prosperity.

"Your Majesty, you should not approach. I feel it's unsafe. These people are too bold. I have carefully questioned them, and they have not tamed this... this strange beast..." Yan Fang saw Zhang Hao and hurriedly walked over, somewhat angrily.

"Strange beast?" Zhang Hao became even more interested and took a few steps forward, ignoring Yan Fang's instructions to the guards to guard strictly.

Seeing the new resident in the largest and most spacious stable, which once belonged to the Red Hare, Zhang Hao's expression became somewhat strange, and he didn't even notice the Red Hare's pained look in its second-class suite.

"Is this... a unicorn?"