Chapter 33 Li Shimin watches TV as he conquers Goguryeo!
Besides wanting movable type printing, Yuchi Jingde also wanted to bring back a surprise for Li Shimin.
-TV set.
Although Qin Shi Huang was furious when he saw it, Zhou Yu was moved to tears.
However, Yuchi Jingde firmly believed that their emperor was neither as irritable as Qin Shi Huang nor would he die young like Zhou Yu.
The Tang Dynasty will not perish after only two generations like the Qin Dynasty.
When Yuchi Jingde confidently asked Jiang Ge to watch television.
Django hesitated, which was unusual for him.
This TV series actually does a lot of harm to historical figures; some figures have been severely vilified by the characters in the series.
To say that Zhou Yu's character was tarnished.
The TV series' portrayal of Li Shimin was met with mixed reviews. Putting aside the melodramatic love lines, there was the fabricated story of a Goguryeo man blinding him.
Jiang Ge felt that if Princess Erfeng saw this, she would be angry for days.
This is blatant slander against people!
"Are you sure?" His voice was full of uncertainty. The last time Zhou Yu read "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," he only read up to Zhou Yu's death, and he couldn't bear to read any more of it.
Why?
His Dao heart was shattered.
Zhou Yu believed he had a clear conscience, but who would have thought that after his death he would be portrayed in such a negative light? Who wouldn't have their conscience shattered?
Yuchi Jingde, however, patted his chest and said with great pride, "Magistrate Jiang, rest assured! What magnanimity does our Emperor possess? How could mere words from later generations sway his mind?"
Too.
If Erfeng (Empress Erfeng) hadn't been magnanimous, could she have achieved such a beautiful relationship with Wei Zheng? She was also known for her kindness and generosity towards meritorious officials.
It should be fine.
Seeing Yuchi Jingde's confident and determined appearance.
Django still had Yuchi Jingde take the television back.
Furthermore, the TV series viewing order was thoughtfully arranged for Li Shimin, so that a single episode of "Legend of Chu and Han" could break Qin Shi Huang's defenses, and a single episode of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" could shatter Zhou Yu's resolve.
She was also quite curious about Li Shimin's reaction after reading "The Reign of Zhenguan," and Jiang Ge even left Li Shimin with a surprise at the end.
^_^
Inside the Taiji Hall, the candlelight flickered, casting an eerie glow on the strange television set within. Li Shimin stood with his hands behind his back, his yellow dragon robe appearing particularly somber in the candlelight. He stared at the dark box, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Your Majesty, can this object truly reveal events of the future?" Empress Zhangsun moved gracefully to Li Shimin's side, her phoenix eyes filled with curiosity.
How could a pitch-black object possess such great power?
This Magistrate Jiang really does favor His Majesty.
Li Shimin held her hand and said gently, "Magistrate Jiang said that this is an artifact from later generations, allowing us to see how it will be judged a thousand years from now." He paused, a complex look flashing in his eyes, "But I don't know... whether it's good or bad."
Li Shimin pondered how future generations would record the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Perhaps time had faded the conflict, but Li Shimin would sometimes think of his elder brother Li Jiancheng, of their childhood when they lived together with their father in Taiyuan, and of their joint battles against the Sui Dynasty's soldiers.
They were born of the same mother, and it was not something he wanted for his own flesh and blood to kill each other.
Empress Zhangsun smiled slightly, her fingertips gently stroking his palm: "No matter how future generations judge it, the prosperous era Your Majesty created will surely be remembered for eternity."
yes.
Although the eldest brother is gone, the Tang Dynasty now has the help of immortals, hybrid rice, sweet potatoes...
Brother, you can go in peace.
The Tang Dynasty will become increasingly prosperous and powerful.
Li Shimin felt a warmth in his heart and was about to speak when he heard hurried footsteps outside the hall.
"Your Majesty!" Wei Zheng strode into the hall, followed by Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and a group of other important officials. Wei Zheng frowned and said bluntly, "I have heard that Your Majesty has obtained a strange object that can foresee the future? This matter concerns the fate of the nation, so I urge Your Majesty to be cautious!"
Wei Zheng was a man of the former Crown Prince. After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he was imprisoned. Li Shimin valued his talent and made an exception to appoint him to a new post.
Li Shimin laughed heartily: "Wei Zheng, you certainly have excellent connections." He pointed to the television set, "Since everyone is here, why don't we all take a look?"
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui exchanged glances, then cupped their hands and said, "Your Majesty, we are willing to accompany you to observe."
Who wouldn't want to see how future generations will evaluate them?
For them, posthumous fame is more important than their posthumous fame.
Li Shimin nodded, signaling Yuchi Jingde to press the remote control.
The four large characters "Reign of Zhenguan" slowly appeared on the screen, accompanied by solemn music, and the scene gradually unfolded—
"In the ninth year of the Wude era, the Xuanwu Gate Incident occurred."
The hall fell silent instantly.
Everyone in the main hall participated in the Xuanwu Gate Incident; they all planned it together and set a precedent for the Xuanwu Gate Succession Law of the Tang Dynasty.
If someone asked them if they regretted it?
No regrets!
I'll do it again next time I have the chance.
On the screen, the young Li Shimin, clad in armor and holding a longbow, gazed coldly. Opposite him stood Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and Prince Qi, Li Yuanji. Arrows pierced the air, and blood splattered at the palace gates.
Li Shimin's fingers tightened slightly, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes. He had never forgotten that day.
From that day on, his reputation could never be erased.
Yuchi Jingde suddenly looked up, his voice trembling slightly: "Your Majesty..."
Li Shimin raised his hand to stop him from speaking and said in a deep voice, "Continue watching."
The scene shifts to the young Li Shimin ascending the throne and changing the era name to Zhenguan. He diligently governed the country, humbly accepted advice, and discussed state affairs with his ministers.
The country is prosperous and strong, and the people live in peace and stability.
All of this is inseparable from their hard work.
"This..." Fang Xuanling looked at the screen showing himself and Du Ruhui reviewing memorials day and night, and couldn't help but chuckle: "Later generations have certainly portrayed us as quite diligent."
Du Ruhui stroked his beard and nodded: "I just wonder how people of later generations will view the policies of the Zhenguan era?"
However, what happened next caused everyone's expression to change drastically—
"In the tenth year of the Zhenguan era, Empress Zhangsun passed away..."
"What?!" Li Shimin stood up abruptly, his eyes filled with disbelief. He turned to look at Empress Zhangsun beside him, only to see that her face was slightly pale, but she still tried to remain calm.
Changsun Wuji looked worried. He and his sister had a deep bond. Their father died when they were young. He was ten years old and his sister was eight. Their half-brother, Changsun Anye, kicked them out of the house, and they were raised by their uncle, Gao Shilian.
Although there are almost no records of direct communication between the two in historical books, Empress Zhangsun repeatedly advised Li Shimin not to give too much power to his relatives; Changsun Wuji was very tactful and knew when to advance and retreat while Empress Zhangsun was alive; when Empress Zhangsun was critically ill, she specifically summoned Changsun Wuji to entrust him with her final affairs and pleaded with Li Shimin to spare her brother's life...
They were siblings and relied on each other, but this blood relationship inevitably became intertwined with political interests after Li Shimin became emperor.
On the screen, Empress Zhangsun lay weakly on her sickbed. Li Shimin knelt before her, holding her hand tightly, tears welling in his eyes: "Guanyinbi..."
"Your Majesty," Empress Zhangsun called softly, reaching out to stroke his cheek, "I...can no longer stay with you..."
"No!" Li Shimin slammed his fist on the table, overturning teacups and spilling tea all over the floor. He turned sharply, staring intently at the television. "This is impossible! Guanyinbi is perfectly healthy now, how could she..."
Empress Zhangsun gently held his hand and said softly, "Your Majesty, life and death are preordained, why be angry?"
Li Shimin's chest heaved violently. After a long while, he slowly exhaled and said, "I... will never let this happen."
With the help of immortals, such a thing will never happen.
"In the seventeenth year of the Zhenguan era, Crown Prince Chengqian plotted a rebellion..."
"Absurd!" Li Shimin roared, "Chengqian is the crown prince, why would he rebel?" His gaze shot like lightning towards Crown Prince Chengqian, who was standing to the side.
Li Chengqian's face turned deathly pale, and he knelt down with a thud: "Father! Your son would never..."
rebel.
He dared not utter those two words.
Li Shimin ignored him and continued staring at the screen. He saw the adult Li Chengqian with a sinister expression, plotting a rebellion with Hou Junji, which ultimately failed and led to his deposition.
"Hou Junji?!" Li Shimin suddenly looked at Hou Junji in the ranks of military officers, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
Hou Junji trembled and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty! I swear to Heaven that I have no disloyal intentions!"
At least Hou Junji has never thought about it.
Li Shimin sneered: "Is that so?"
"Prince Wei, Li Tai, vied for the throne, and Prince Jin, Li Zhi, succeeded him."
The scene depicts the power struggle between Li Tai and Li Zhi, with Li Zhi ultimately ascending the throne while Wu Zetian gradually consolidates her power...
A woman is in power.
Foolish!
"Enough!" Li Shimin shouted, abruptly turning off the television. A deathly silence fell over the hall, broken only by the sound of heavy breathing.
This Li Zhi was definitely born to Guanyinbi, but it's unknown when she became pregnant. Li Shimin didn't want such a muddle-headed child.
Empress Zhangsun shared the same thought as Li Shimin: it would be better not to have such a muddle-headed child, to save the hardship of ten months of pregnancy.
The emperor and empress exchanged a glance, both understanding what the other was thinking.
We still can't keep this child.
However, what neither of them expected was that the "Old Book of Tang - Annals of Emperor Gaozong" records that Li Zhi was "born on the day of Gengyin in the sixth month of the second year of Zhenguan in the Lizheng Hall of the Eastern Palace".
In other words, Li Zhi is now pregnant with Empress Zhangsun's child.
Father Emperor, Mother Empress, here I come! (Pregnant belly version)
Li Shimin stood with his hands behind his back, his piercing gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall. He slowly raised his right hand, his fingertips tapping lightly on the imperial desk a few times, each sound like a heavy hammer blow to the hearts of his ministers.
"Chengqian." The emperor's voice was deep and majestic, carrying an irresistible force.
The young crown prince hurriedly stepped forward, his sleeves fluttering slightly in the breeze from his hasty movement. He knelt on one knee, his eyes gleaming with expectation as he looked up: "Your subject is here!"
"From this day forward, at Chenshi (7-9 AM) every day, stand in the Zheng Hall and wait." Li Shimin bowed slightly, the jade beads on his crown swaying gently. "I will personally teach you how to review memorials and explain the way of being a ruler."
Li Shimin did not want to experience the pain of fratricide, so he let the Xuanwu Gate Incident end with his generation.
Descendants should not kill each other anymore.
Li Chengqian kowtowed deeply, his forehead touching the cold gold bricks: "Your subject will certainly study diligently and live up to Father Emperor's teachings!"
Li Shimin straightened up and turned his gaze to the side of the hall. His gaze pierced the air like a sharp sword, landing on the slightly chubby young man.
"Bluebird".
Li Tai trembled and hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects. His movements appeared composed, but beneath his wide sleeves, his fingers trembled slightly: "Father..."
Li Shimin gazed at his most beloved son, his eyes gradually softening: "Your literary talent is remarkable." He then changed the subject, his voice suddenly turning cold, "But the position of crown prince is a matter of life and death for the nation, and cannot be easily obtained through talent and learning."
Li Tai's face was deathly pale, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He bowed deeply, his voice choked with emotion: "Your subject...will remember your teachings, Father."
The atmosphere in the hall was tense, and all the officials held their breath. Li Shimin suddenly turned around, his dragon robe drawing a sharp arc in the air. His gaze, like that of a hawk, locked onto Hou Junji in the ranks of military officers.
“Junji”.
These two words pierced Hou Junji's heart like an ice pick. This fierce general staggered before stepping forward and kneeling: "Your subject... Your subject is here."
"The post of Governor of Youzhou will be handed over to Li Ji tomorrow." Li Shimin's voice was frighteningly calm. "You shall return to your residence and reflect on your mistakes. You shall not leave without an imperial edict."
It was Li Shimin's mercy to spare his life.
Hou Junji trembled all over, his armor making a soft clanging sound. He kowtowed heavily, the sound of his forehead hitting the ground echoing in the hall: "Your subject... obeys the decree."
Empress Zhangsun quietly stepped forward, gently placing her slender hand on her husband's tense arm. Her voice flowed like a clear spring: "Your Majesty..."
Li Shimin took his wife's hand in return, his gaze tender and affectionate. No matter what might happen in the future, he felt at peace in this moment.
Some of the officials couldn't bear to look. Yuchi Jingde's hand was gripped tightly by the nauseatingly sweet gesture, but he forgot that he was still holding the remote control.
All I heard was:
"Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, are you really surrendering?"
In the scene, a general dressed in strange armor is holding a long sword to an emperor who is kneeling and begging for mercy with his eyes covered by a white veil.
"Please spare my life, General," the emperor pleaded in a trembling voice, his attitude humble.
Tang Dynasty emperor?
The hall was deathly silent.
Everyone stared intently at the screen, and after a long while, they realized that the humble emperor was actually His Majesty.
"Oh, this..."
Wei Zheng's Adam's apple bobbed, and he was momentarily speechless.
Li Shimin slowly rose, his yellow dragon robe fluttering even without wind. He narrowed his eyes and said, slowly and deliberately, "The person in this painting—is it me?"
"I would never act like that, and I will not be defeated!"
Li Shimin waved his sleeve and said, "It seems this TV series is not credible, Hou Junji!"
Hou Junji, whose name was called, trembled and hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down: "Your subject is here!"
Li Shimin strode up to him, looking down at him with a deep and dangerous voice: "I remember you are skilled in surprise attacks and adept at riding and archery."
Sweat beaded on Hou Junji's forehead: "Your Majesty flatters me..."
"I want you—" Li Shimin suddenly raised his voice, "to crush Goguryeo!"
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Author's Note: The next chapter is about recruiting new talent. Can you guess which dynasty it's from? [shy] I'm just hoping for some good readership. [shy] I just wanted to leave a hook. [laughing and crying with face covered] Why am I being called Korean again...?
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