Chapter 1: A Retrospective on a Century

However, he became quite enthusiastic and ended up engaging in a map simulation with Yang Zi for quite a while. Although both of them were only half-informed, they found a lot of enjoyment in it. In the end, Liu Chang still summarized it with a single sentence: "It is merely a delusion; we can hardly change our own fate."

The starry sky is adorned with countless sparkling stars, shining brightly; however, Liu Chang must first overcome his own fears. As a traveler from another world, he must understand the situation firsthand

This land is currently the old battlefield of the Taiping Rebellion, where both sides composed one tragic song after another with their blood and lives

If one could travel back in time like in a novel, there would indeed be many past regrets to address. For a moment, Liu Chang was lost in thought, but Yang Zi continued the conversation: "Yes, about Teacher Wei, and... However, I wonder how much you could really change by going back fifteen years? You and Xiao Ling would still end up the same. It would be better to travel back one hundred and fifty years; that would truly be earth-shattering!"

The night breeze did not extinguish his passion; rather, it inspired him with more thoughts: "At least I can change myself, right?"

Indeed, the odor was quite strong; it was unclear how long this group of soldiers had gone without bathing. He was shocked by the fact that he had traveled through time, and the other party, having discovered him by the torchlight, began to shout. Liu Chang could not understand what they were shouting about

The changes in Chinese cities are indeed significant! The transformations in this era within a year may equal those of a century in the past. I can change not only myself, right?

1862? What should one do after using up the power in the battery?

This seemingly flourishing Qing Dynasty unexpectedly slid into an abyss of endless humiliation under the challenges of the small nation of Fusang, and if I had such an opportunity, perhaps I could do something about it

He was confused for quite a while before realizing that this string of torches had already been brought over. He took a long breath, prepared to walk over to confirm, perhaps this was just a misunderstanding

His foundation in modern history remains, knowing that this year the Xiang Army has already begun to besiege Tianjing, while the Eight Mile Bridge has become a humiliating past. A series of unequal treaties have been imposed upon the Eastern Empire, and he spoke up loudly: "Attacking the Xiang Army is of little significance, but the difficulty of overcoming the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom is far too great! Whether it is Li Xiucheng, Chen Yucheng, or the Young Heavenly King, none can reverse this situation. There are still more than thirty years until the First Sino-Japanese War, yet Russia has already seized so much of our territory! A few years earlier would have been the right path."

Even if one holds a laptop, what use is it? This world probably does not even have a standard voltage of 220 volts, and he regrets it

He suddenly realized that he was lost. Yunzhou is a small city, and he had not been here for several years, but the changes in this city were so significant that he could not find the right direction

Continuing to shout loudly, Ying Yong, Liu Chang still could not understand what they were saying. However, he finally heard some Mandarin that he could comprehend. The voice, somewhat reminiscent of Standard Mandarin, said: "Sir, sir, it is a long-haired spy, it is a long-haired..."

Liu Chang raised his head and found that the view was almost entirely shrouded in darkness

When he lifted his head, he discovered that the starry sky was so beautiful. Unlike the few scattered stars he usually saw, the sky was filled with stars. Only in the distant childhood of his memories, did he recall such stars from books.

Indeed, it has been exactly fifteen years! Liu Chang returned to this city specifically for this reunion: "Fifteen years have passed; how wonderful it would be if I could go back!"

I have truly returned to the year 1862. Good heavens, this is an unprepared time travel. Had I known it would be like this, I should have equipped myself better for this trip to Yunzhou. Now, apart from the notebook on me, I have nothing else to show for it.

It has been seven or eight years since we last contacted each other, time really flies. It has been twelve years since graduation, and it has been fifteen years since we were desk mates!

Two gentlemen, bearing a hint of nostalgia, casually lean against the sofa, reminiscing about the fleeting moments of the past

Yang Zi spoke well; some tragedies cannot be replayed. Liu Chang felt delighted as he thought of all this, his footsteps even becoming lighter. He was even contemplating whether he would always see the lights ahead, or perhaps this was just a dream

A group of soldiers seemingly emerged from a Qing Dynasty palace drama, wearing red tassel hats and ill-fitting uniforms, holding bird guns and short spears, with what appeared to be some characters written on their chests. However, it was not the sight of them that first caught Liu Chang's attention, but rather the foul odor emanating from them.

Although this likely occurred around one hundred and fifty years ago, specifically in 1862, Liu Chang felt that his mouth was not that powerful; perhaps it was fifteen years ago instead

He looked at the twinkling stars in the sky and shouted loudly: "I can change not only myself, but perhaps I can change many, many things"

He declined Yang Zi's plan to take him back to the hotel: "Although I haven't been to Yunzhou for several years and there have been quite a few changes, I can still find my way back on foot. I can just take a taxi!"

Yang Zi immediately exposed Liu Chang's intentions: "If you could go back to the past, it must be for Xiao Ling. Rest assured, I will arrange for both of you to sit at the same table."

Regardless of the time and space, there exists the same sky; it is merely that the starry sky perceived by people varies. Liu Chang seemed to hear that voice from the void: "Have I traversed through?"

However, in 1997, no one should have been carrying torches; there must have been a flashlight, right? Looking at the torches floating in the distance, Liu Chang felt an ominous premonition

The officer smiled somewhat sinisterly: "This is quite an achievement. Long Mao, if you want to save your life, hand over the silver to the master, and the military officer will arrange a way for you to survive."

One hundred and fifty years One hundred and fifty years One hundred and fifty years One hundred and fifty years

Liu Chang responded with a sound, his gaze sweeping over the business card on the coffee table: "The municipal government? Is there still contact?"

Strictly speaking, this era is not a good choice; it represents a significant upheaval not seen in three thousand years. It marks the last peasant war in Chinese history. However, this peasant war did not give rise to a vibrant new dynasty, but instead evolved into the so-called "Tongzhi Restoration," a grotesque outcome.

Liu Chang finally confirmed the fact that he had crossed over. He was pinned to the ground by several soldiers and could not move at all. No matter how much he struggled, he was powerless to resist. An officer across from him shouted, "Is this really a long-haired spy?"

He patted himself, slightly easing his mind, realizing that his laptop was still on his shoulder, but soon he thought of a terrifying fact

Indeed, those were difficult times. Back then, I even got into a few fights with the people from the Red Heart K for that bicycle rewarded by the company

They have just turned thirty, which is still considered the best golden years of a man's life. However, they are always filled with a strong sense of crisis and have deeper reflections on the past. Liu Chang patted his laptop beside him and said, "Yang Zi, you can be considered successful now. You have a position, a house, and your wife has given you a pair of twins. I am still living alone, without any worries for my family."

However, Liu Chang's concern was merely about another significant matter: "Esteemed General, what year is it now?"

Liu Chang suddenly became interested: "That's true, if we go back to 1997, we would be altering the trajectory of history just a little. But what if we were to go back one hundred and fifty years?"

In the night breeze, he recalled his own words: "If I could truly travel through time, how many things could I change?"

At this moment, the distant sky is faintly brightening, dawn is approaching

"It is a true long-haired one, look, it has no braids! Perhaps it is a true long-haired spy sent from Nanjing!"

Liu Changcai took two or three steps forward, and both parties were now within visible distance of each other, causing his breath to become suddenly rapid

Long hair? It is long hair!

One should ideally travel back fifteen years, as that would be the perfect world. Even if one cannot become a couple with Su Lingyan, there are still many things one can change. However, that mysterious existence did not hear Liu Chang's thoughts, and the starry sky remains as beautiful as ever.

The moon is full, casting specks of moonlight on the ground, yet Liu Chang's footsteps grow lighter and lighter. Suddenly, his heart skips a beat; he sees a glimmer of light!

It is all in the past! Liu Chang shook his head, but he found himself thinking even more: "If I could go back to fifteen years ago and talk about the illustrations, I would want to do more things, for instance, the matter at Teacher Wei's house, and..."

Liu Chang, however, discouraged himself: "Even if I could traverse to this era, I wouldn't be able to change anything. A figure like the founding emperor made it very clear to Nixon that a lifetime of struggle only changes a small piece of land around oneself. If I were to go back, I might not even be able to change myself."

Yang Zi knows that his old deskmate, who works as a salesman, may not be doing particularly well, but his genuine enthusiasm is undeniable. Moreover, he really enjoys reading historical novels like this: "A few years earlier? That was indeed an era of great change, with heroes emerging one after another. It can be considered the last major peasant uprising in Chinese history. Lao Chang, if you could be in that era, you would definitely achieve great success."

Yang Zi's gaze, however, was tinged with a hint of mist. He gently traced his finger across the glass of the coffee table: "This is my first love"

The initial contact between the two parties immediately escalated into conflict. Two or three battalions of brave soldiers, upon discovering that Liu Chang was alone, rushed forward shouting. Just as Liu Chang was about to clench his fist in resistance, he was already tackled to the ground, falling completely down.

In the depths of darkness, a voice responded to Liu Chang: "As you wish"

The starry sky in 1997 was similar to that of tonight; if that is the case, then it would be remarkable! Not to mention, the notebook I carry on my back contains enough information to ensure a life of wealth and ease, and perhaps I could even attract a few more beautiful women, and also...

What era is this? And where is this?

He calculated: "One hundred and fifty years? That would be 1862, not good, not good!"

Cooking noodles in a pressure cooker, at that time we actually came up with such an idea, but now I can't remember whose idea it was