Chapter 1

**January X, 2014, X o'clock.**

"Welcome to the XX News Report. Yesterday evening, a rare celestial phenomenon known as the 'Nine Stars in a Row' appeared. According to records, the last time such a phenomenon occurred was in the year 170 AD, which was 1844 years ago. Everyone in the eastern hemisphere witnessed this extraordinary event. ..."

"Next, we have another news item. Our country's youngest renowned archaeologist and historian, Liu Yao, tragically passed away yesterday evening while conducting archaeological research in a tomb from the Eastern Han Dynasty in XX Province. He was protecting an ancient book when he was struck by falling rocks and died on the spot at the age of 27. Liu Yao was born in..."

**In the year 170 AD, in a towering mountain, a Taoist with a youthful face and white hair, and a dark mark under his eye, suddenly stopped and looked up at the sky, muttering to himself, "Nine Stars in a Row, a celestial anomaly, there must be some evil afoot."**

He then lowered his head and began to calculate with his right hand. "Hmm, it's the descent of the Imperial Star, and it has landed in the Han capital of Luoyang. Could the declining Han dynasty still have a chance?"

"Ah!" The Taoist shook his head and sighed, "Forget it, forget it, what do I, an old Taoist, have to do with matters outside the ordinary world." In the next moment, a white mist enveloped the old Taoist, and when the mist dissipated, he was gone, his whereabouts unknown.

**In a magnificent palace in Luoyang.**

"Push, Your Majesty, push!" Two midwives in their forties were encouraging the Empress.

"Ah!!! Ah!!!!" A young woman, about fifteen or sixteen years old, was in intense pain on the bed.

Outside the door, a man in a dragon robe was pacing anxiously. "Why isn't it over yet? This is driving me mad."

After a long time, a palace maid reported to the man outside the door, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, the Empress has given birth to a prince."

"What!!! Let me see." The man rushed in, his face full of excitement. "Let me see."

The midwife handed the child to the man. "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations."

At that moment, the infant, now Liu Yao,勉强 opened his eyes. "Where am I?" Liu Yao felt his body. "What, why am I so small? Could I have been reborn?" Liu Yao recalled the scene of his death in his previous life. "It seems I really have been reborn."

Liu Yao eagerly looked around, trying to understand his surroundings, but he could only see the man holding him, who was about sixteen or seventeen years old, and the midwives. However, the man was wearing ancient clothing, and with Liu Yao's expertise, he easily recognized it as Han dynasty attire, specifically a dragon robe. "Could I have traveled back in time to the Han dynasty and been reborn into the royal family? Does that mean I could become emperor in the future? Hahaha!!! What incredible luck."

"Ha ha ha!!! I finally have an heir." The emperor, holding Liu Yao, laughed uncontrollably. "Hmm, that's not right, midwife, why isn't the child crying?" The man suddenly stopped laughing and asked the midwife in confusion.

Liu Yao couldn't help but pout, "I'm an adult, after all. Crying would be inappropriate."

The midwife skillfully slapped Liu Yao's bottom, causing him pain. Before he could react, another slap followed.

"#$%&*..." Liu Yao cursed in his mind, but to avoid further punishment, he forced himself to cry, "Wah wah wah!!!"

"Ha ha ha, my prince, ha ha ha." The emperor, seeing Liu Yao cry, knew he wasn't a mute and started laughing again.

"Your Majesty, Empress, there's heavy bleeding. The imperial physician says it's likely, likely..." The palace maid was too afraid to finish her sentence.

"Rubbish!!! If you don't save the Empress, all of you will be buried with me." The emperor roared at everyone in front of him.

"What!!! Empress, that's my mother. How can this be..." In the next moment, Liu Yao's newborn brain could no longer bear the strain and he fell into a daze, completely unaware of what happened next.

**Time passed quickly, and six years went by. Outside an ancient palace, a boy of six or seven, dressed in black Han clothing, stood looking at the moon in the sky.**

"The moon is brightest in one's hometown. Well, well, since I'm here, I must make the best of it." The boy shook his head helplessly, his face showing a maturity beyond his years. This boy was Liu Yao. In these six years, Liu Yao had fully understood his situation.

It was now the fifth year of Xiping, 176 AD. The current emperor, Liu Yao's father, was the infamous Han Lingdi Liu Hong, known for selling offices, favoring eunuchs, and his debauchery. Liu Hong had named him Liu Yao, which Liu Yao found satisfactory, at least he didn't have to change his name.

"Ah," Liu Yao sighed, looking up at the sky. "I never thought I would be reborn in the late Eastern Han dynasty, a time of chaos. The Han dynasty is already in decline, and even if I ascend the throne, I would only be a puppet emperor."

But then a glint of determination appeared in Liu Yao's eyes, and his face was filled with confidence. "Hmph, if heaven wants to destroy me, I will defy it. What does it matter if it's a time of chaos? Heroes emerge in times of chaos. Since I, Liu Yao, have come, I will make a grand impact. With my current status and the knowledge of history, this world will be mine." Liu Yao's heart was filled with ambition. He then lowered his head, rolled up his sleeve, and looked at the book-shaped tattoo on his arm. "I saved your life in my previous life. I wonder how you will repay me in this life."

The tattoo was identical to the ancient book Liu Yao had protected in the fire in his previous life. Liu Yao believed the tattoo was not ordinary, but he had yet to discover its use.

"Grandson, it's late. Go to bed and rest." A mature female voice came from inside the palace.

"Okay, I'm coming, Grandmother." Liu Yao responded and went back inside. The voice belonged to his grandmother, Empress Dowager Dong, the mother of Emperor Lingdi Liu Hong. Six years ago, Liu Yao's birth mother, Empress Song, died from excessive bleeding after giving birth to him. As a result, Liu Yao was placed under the care of Empress Dowager Dong. Perhaps out of guilt for Empress Song, Liu Hong was very concerned about Liu Yao and often visited him at Empress Dowager Dong's palace.

This year, his first younger brother was born, who would later become Emperor Shao, Liu Bian. His mother, Consort He, was made Empress due to the constant advice of court officials that "the country cannot be without a mother," and she enjoyed great prestige for a time.

"Grandmother." Liu Yao rushed into Empress Dowager Dong's embrace. In his previous life, Liu Yao was an orphan who grew up in an orphanage and had never experienced the love of family. Even though Liu Yao was mentally thirty years old, he still enjoyed being affectionate with Empress Dowager Dong, savoring the feeling of being cared for.

"Good! Yao, it's late. Go to bed quickly. Your father has found a teacher for you to teach you knowledge. It would be very disrespectful to be late." Empress Dowager Dong stroked Liu Yao's head. She was extremely concerned about her first grandson, fearing he might get hurt due to his playful nature. However, she was relieved that her grandson was obedient and well-behaved, rarely causing her worry.

"I know, Grandmother. I'll go to bed." Liu Yao ran to his room.

Liu Yao was also looking forward to his new teacher. In his previous life, Liu Yao had some knowledge of Confucianism, but he hoped the new teacher wouldn't be a pedantic scholar. However, anyone who could become a tutor to the crown prince must be of high status and a distinguished scholar. Having such a teacher would greatly enhance his influence among the literati, allowing him to gather some capable ministers and strategists to lay a solid foundation for his future rule over the world.