The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 557 How Many Sunsets Have Passed (The End)
After the Frost's Descent, the sky over Bianjing was often a clear grayish-blue, until the twelfth lunar month when a proper snowfall finally began to brew. The snowflakes were initially fine and melted as soon as they landed, but by the afternoon they had turned into goose feather-like snowflakes, falling incessantly. In less than half a day, a soft white layer covered the palaces, streets, and alleys.

Xiao Yan returned to Bianjing when the first snow began to fall.

The Emperor returned from Dading Prefecture, bringing with him the news that Yuan Xingqin of Liaodong had swept away the enemy's strongholds, and that the Three Han states had become dust in history. The vast empire, with its unprecedentedly expansive territory, had seen the flames of war extinguished on all sides, leaving only the gentle snowfall that softly covered the triumphant banners.

With Bohai bowing down and the Three Hans destroyed, the emperor seized the opportunity to establish two provinces, Andong and Joseon, expanding the territory by thousands of miles in one battle and gaining millions of households.

This thunderous force terrified the entire Japanese nation, who not only hastily dispatched a hundred people, including the so-called Crown Prince and Right Minister, to behead Xu Zhigao, the Left Minister who had led the Yangzhou Rebellion, as well as Luo Zhixiang and other remnants of Xu Wen who had fled east with him, but also bound and presented all the remaining members who had participated in the rebellion to the steps.

The delegation of over a thousand people, which presented so-called tributes including beauties, princesses, and slaves, had to beg and plead in order to be allowed to enter the court.

However, the Emperor, mindful of Heaven's benevolence towards life and unwilling to wage war again, thus harming innocent lives, resolved that from this day forward, Japan must select suitable ports on its north and south banks and, starting from the end of the eighth year of the Hongwu reign, construct two ports within six months, permanently opening them to allow Tang Dynasty merchant ships to dock and trade, and naval warships to patrol and resupply.

The Tang Dynasty will simultaneously dispatch officials from the Maritime Trade Office to oversee all affairs. The entire Japanese nation must cooperate fully with the arrangements and must not obstruct or interfere in any way.

Furthermore, the Japanese emperor's usurpation of the title of "Emperor" was against propriety. Their ruler should relinquish this title and simply be called the King of Wa, requiring formal investiture from the Tang Dynasty emperor to be considered legitimate. Thereafter, envoys were sent to the Tang court annually.

Did the Japanese envoys not know that this was tantamount to handing their throats to someone else, allowing the Tang Dynasty to seize their lifeline at any time? But how could they not respect it, and how dare they not respect it?
The group almost immediately prostrated themselves on the ground, kowtowing to the emperor in gratitude, as if they had received an immense favor.

After the Japanese prince signed the apology list, which stipulated that the Japanese would pay tribute annually with 10,000 taels of gold, 50,000 taels of silver, 100,000 catties of sulfur, 100,000 catties of cotton, as well as ebony, sandalwood, pearl shells, pine soot ink, medicinal herbs and lacquerware, the Japanese delegation gratefully accepted the "King's Seal of Japan" given to them by the emperor and hurriedly returned to Japan.

With the Northeast pacified, the Great War in the Western Regions also came to an end.

On the grasslands west of Shazhou and north of Yizhou, the Tang army, together with the allied forces of the Western Uyghurs and the Karakhanid Khanate, engaged in a decisive battle in the former territory of the Beiting Protectorate.

Riding on the momentum of their sweeping conquest of Hexi and their overwhelming power, the Tang cavalry, with the finest armor and the sharpest soldiers of the time, broke through the enemy lines and achieved a great victory.

With the fall of the Western Uyghur Kingdom, the Karakhanid Khanate suffered a devastating blow, its main force wiped out. The remnants, led by their leader, fled westward in disarray, disappearing into the vast Central Asia. The Kingdom of Khotan, which had initially adopted a wait-and-see attitude, was terrified upon hearing the news and immediately petitioned to become its vassal. The various Tibetan tribes scattered across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau also sent their sons and followers, carrying tribute, to the capital to express their submission.

The emperor then issued an edict to formally establish the three provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, and XZ in the former lands of the Uyghurs, Khotan, and the Tibetan tribes who had submitted to the emperor. He selected capable officials to govern these areas, relocated soldiers and civilians, stationed troops, and vigorously promoted the equal-field system and the new tax system.

At the same time, the imperial edict ordered the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War to work together to immediately begin repairing and widening the Silk Road from Liangzhou to Khotan, to establish more post stations, and to send elite troops to protect traveling merchants.

After more than a century of silence, the Hexi Corridor, this golden passage connecting the East and the West, was finally fully opened again and firmly controlled within the territory of the Tang Dynasty.

The news spread, and the court and the people were greatly encouraged. With the whole world submitting and all corners of the land paying tribute, the world, which had been fragmented since the An Lushan Rebellion, was not only formally but also substantively reunited into an unprecedentedly powerful empire.

This empire, though still called the Great Tang, loomed over the entire Eastern Hemisphere with an even more imposing and majestic sense of oppression, looking down upon every foreign land with equal disdain.

Therefore, led by the three Grand Secretaries Han Yanhui, Feng Dao, and Jing Xiang, the ministers once again jointly submitted a memorial, earnestly requesting the Emperor to go to Mount Tai to hold the Fengshan ceremony, so as to comfort Heaven and Earth and proclaim to the world this unprecedented and unparalleled achievement.

At the last grand court assembly in the eighth year of the Hongwu reign, Xiao Yan looked at the sea of ​​kneeling officials below the throne and smiled only after the clamor subsided.

"I am aware of the thoughts of my ministers. The Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai is a grand ceremony of ancient times. However, I often ponder its purpose: Is it to announce achievements? To display virtue? Or perhaps, to bring peace and security to the people?"

Han Yanhui looked up and answered loudly:

"In my opinion, the Fengshan ceremony was performed by ancient sage kings whose achievements covered the world and whose virtue benefited all people. They burned firewood to inform Heaven and inscribed stones to commemorate their accomplishments on Mount Tai. The purpose was to inform Heaven of the achievements of human governance and to demonstrate the great achievements of the monarch to future generations. Your Majesty has swept across the land, unified the four seas, expanded the territory by thousands of miles, and brought peace to the world. Your achievements far surpass those of previous dynasties. Performing this Fengshan ceremony is truly worthy of the name and is the mandate of Heaven."

Xiao Yan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the expectant faces of the assembled officials, but he slowly shook his head. He stood up and took a few steps down the imperial steps.

"What Han Xiang said is based on ancient rites and old systems. But what about the merit of informing Heaven? Who will evaluate the work of carving the stone? Mount Tai is a long way away, the procession is grand, the prefectures and counties along the way will welcome and support us, and supplies will be provided for us for thousands of miles. How much will this cost? It will surely be a waste of money and resources for the people and cause trouble in the local areas."

Although the realm is currently at peace, the wounds of war are only just beginning to heal, and the people are only now beginning to catch their breath. If I were to wage such a pointless campaign and squander such valuable resources to showcase my own achievements, how would I be any different from Emperor Yang of Sui, who indulged his personal desires by touring Jiangdu? This is not the behavior of a wise ruler, therefore I will not do it.”

He walked to the entrance of the main hall, his back to the bowing officials, and gazed at the snow-covered palace outside: "As for achievements..."

Xiao Yan smiled, turned around, and faced the assembled officials.

"In the eight years since I ascended the throne, the two things I have devoted the most effort to are governing the people and ensuring their well-being, and managing the Yellow River. When the Yellow River is calm, the Central Plains are at peace; when the canal is unobstructed, the whole country is well-fed. Last year, good news came from Xingyang. After six years, the method of 'constraining the water to flush away the sand' has finally proven effective. The Honggou Canal has been dredged, the Yellow and Huai Rivers are now connected, and the canal transport is no longer hindered. This is a real achievement that will benefit generations to come. Rather than climbing mountains and inscribing stones, I would rather go and see it for myself."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Therefore, my mind is made up. This year, I will not go to Mount Tai. I intend to personally go to Xingyang and build the 'Anlan Terrace' at the confluence of the Honggou Canal and the Yellow River. Firstly, to inspect the success of the flood control efforts and reward the river workers; secondly..."

"The Honggou Canal, where the Chu and Han dynasties once fought, was the dividing line, a natural barrier symbolizing division. Today, I will build a platform on that natural barrier to ensure peace and stability, witnessing its transformation into a thoroughfare. Is this not a greater symbol of the end of chaos and the unification of the world than any act of proclaiming to Heaven?"

It's not that we don't perform the Fengshan ceremony anymore, but rather that we're changing the location and the form of the ceremony.
Now, let's talk about Xingyang in Zhengzhou, which is only a hundred miles away from Bianjing. The so-called Honggou Anlan (meaning "peace and tranquility across the Yellow River") not only demonstrates the great military achievements in pacifying the chaotic world, but also the flourishing of civilization in the new era. If we were to carve a stone on the ever-flowing Yellow River embankment to commemorate these achievements, its magnificent grandeur would certainly rival that of Mount Tai.

Upon hearing this, the officials were initially taken aback, but then they suddenly realized what was happening and responded in unison. Not one of them mentioned the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai again.

……

After dismissing his officials, Xiao Yan went to the newly established "Tiangong Pavilion" to personally follow up on the progress of steelmaking technology.

After viewing the new stoves and steel samples, Xiao Yan knew that he would probably never see the steam engine invented in his lifetime, but he was not discouraged. Instead, he encouraged the hardworking craftsmen and gave them generous year-end bonuses before taking the young crown prince back to the palace.

When they returned to the inner palace, it was nearly dusk. Fine snow began to fall again, not heavily, but densely and endlessly.

Xiao Yan brought together the Crown Prince, Li Dai, the third son of Shuliduo, the fourth son of Qianwu, the eldest daughter of Chimeng, the fifth son of Bage, as well as the children born to concubines such as Li Cunren and Miao Chengtian.

He played with his young children for a while, tested the older children on their studies, and enjoyed a moment of family bliss before sending the lively little ones away.

After pondering for a while, he strolled to a pavilion in the palace.

The upstairs lights were warm and inviting, with a faint, elegant aroma of wine wafting in on the breeze.

He went upstairs and pushed open the door, only to see the surrendered official leaning against a soft couch by the window. He was wearing a loosely draped begonia-red palace dress, which made his skin look as white as snow.

She held a book in one hand and a delicate white jade wine pot in the other, staring blankly at the snowflakes falling outside the window, seemingly lost in thought.

Hearing the door open, Jiang Chen lazily turned around. Upon seeing who it was, her peach blossom eyes first raised slightly, then immediately lit up with a bright smile, quite sly.

"Did Your Majesty come here to escape to a quiet place?" She shook the small wine pot in her hand.

Xiao Yan smiled, ignoring her teasing, and simply walked over and naturally took the wine pot from her hand, taking a sip from the spout.

"The snow outside is quite nice, come for a walk with me."

The surrendered official propped his cheek on his hand and looked at him with his peach blossom eyes. He finally chuckled softly, then slowly got up and casually took his fox fur cloak from the shelf next to him.

However, instead of putting it on herself, she walked up to Xiao Yan, tiptoed, and gently draped the snow-white fox fur coat, which carried her body fragrance, over Xiao Yan's shoulders, then deftly tied the ribbon at the collar.

"How could I refuse Your Majesty's invitation?" She smiled sweetly, her eyes sparkling. "But the snowy night is chilly, and I would be heartbroken if Your Majesty caught a cold."

After speaking, she didn't wait for Xiao Yan's reaction and walked towards the door first. Xiao Yan shook his head and chuckled at her presumptuous actions, and followed her.

Xiao Yan waved away the palace servants and eunuchs who wanted to follow, and the two stepped into the swirling snow.

As soon as he stood still in the snow, the surrendered minister naturally lifted one side of the cloak that had just been draped over him, and suddenly slipped inside, pressing close to his side, his slightly cool hands also wrapping around his arm.

"It's warm now." She looked up, her peach blossom eyes filled with a triumphant smile, as if she wasn't the one who had just been worried about him catching a cold.

Xiao Yan looked down at the surrendered woman, who was almost entirely huddled in his cloak with only her head showing. Her soft, warm body was in his arms, and her warm fox fur was on his shoulders. He couldn't help but feel affection for her and pulled her closer to him. He smiled helplessly and said, "You fox demon, you really are... impossible to subdue."

Upon hearing this, the surrendered minister was not angry at all. Instead, he rubbed his cheek against his arm and enjoyed his indulgence with a clear conscience.

Snowflakes fell silently on Xiao Yan's shoulders and Jiang Chen's hair. The world was quiet except for the soft crunching of boots on the snow and the rustling of their clothes as they walked side by side.

The two walked slowly along the snow-covered palace path. Xiao Yan, with his sleeves tucked in, gazed at the palace eaves blurred by the snow in the distance, and suddenly said, "Zhang Zhenniang... gave birth to twin daughters last winter."

The surrendered official paused slightly on his arm, then casually hummed in response without saying anything more.

“I was thinking,” Xiao Yan turned to look at her, “bring one to the palace and let you raise it. Having a child by your side to keep you company will certainly make things more lively.”

The surrendered official was silent for a moment, then chuckled softly, turning her head to look at him. Her expression was obscured in the darkness, but her voice carried a hint of mockery:
"The Emperor is truly heartless. Madam Zhang has endured so much hardship all these years, hiding her identity and acting with extreme caution, to finally have this child. That child is her heart and soul, her very lifeblood. Losing any of them would be like having her heart ripped out. How could she bear to do that?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan fell silent for a moment.

But the surrendered official didn't wait for his reply and started counting on his delicate fingers again:
"Speaking of which, those two Xu sisters, the Emperor of Shu, died two years ago. They're both alone and destitute. Why doesn't Your Majesty bring them into the palace together? It would certainly enhance your reputation for being a chivalrous womanizer. And also…"

"Stop." Xiao Yan interrupted her, his tone a mix of amusement and exasperation. "In your eyes, am I such a lustful and indiscriminate person?"

The surrendered minister gave a soft hum, tightened his grip on her arm, and whispered with a smile in his voice, "Then... what about Shuliduo and Yelü Zhiwu, this mother and daughter?"

Xiao Yan paused, falling completely silent. After a long while, he awkwardly clasped his hands together, gazing at the swirling snowflakes, speechless.

Seeing his appearance, a mischievous smile flashed across Jiang Chen's eyes, but after a moment of silence, he suddenly stopped joking and gently rested his head on Jiang Chen's shoulder, his voice becoming very soft and gentle, like falling snow: "Actually... I know your feelings."

Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback and looked at her.

The surrendered official didn't look at him, his gaze fixed on the empty snowfield ahead: "You inquired about information from the master, and secretly sent the Embroidered Uniform Guard to search for ancient prescriptions everywhere... I know all those things."

With her eyes closed, she whispered, "Actually, it really doesn't matter. I stopped caring a long time ago, really. What does it matter if we have children or not? As long as you're here, by my side, I don't care about anything else."

The sound of falling snow seemed to vanish. Xiao Yan stopped, standing still, letting her lean against him. After a long while, he whispered:
"Throughout my life, though I have reached the highest position, I am destined to let down many people. I have betrayed Yun Ji's trust, caused Xue'er to worry and fear, and I have always owed Chi Meng and the others a great deal. But I know in my heart that the one I have wronged the most is you."

The surrendered minister gave a soft hum, his face still resting on his shoulder, and said lazily, "It's good that you know you owe me. But why are you telling me all this? They are them, and I am me. Why should I, the surrendered minister, compare myself to others?"

Xiao Yan shook his head. "I'm sorry for what I did wrong. It's not just that you always said I owed you, yet for over ten years you never really asked anything of me, only helping and supporting me in every way. It's also because... I refused Yuan Tiangang's elixir of immortality." He felt the body leaning against his shoulder stiffen slightly.

Xiao Yan smiled, a smile tinged with a complex sense of melancholy:

"Before he left, he told me that with my current cultivation level, even if I took the medicine, the side effects of the drug's effects would be negligible. I... did hesitate. But it wasn't because I coveted this eternal imperial power, but because I thought that if I grew old and returned to dust, leaving you alone in the world to endure that long and endless loneliness... how could I bear it?"

The surrendered official was stunned, then suddenly raised his head, staring blankly at Xiao Yan's profile, his eyes gradually reddening.

“Even so,” Xiao Yan said again in a low voice, “I still had selfish motives. I chose to spend these limited years with you instead of facing the eternal death and loneliness with you. So… I’m sorry.”

"Fool." After staring at him blankly for a long time, Jiang Chen finally let out a soft breath. Her voice was choked with sobs, but the corners of her mouth were clearly trying to turn up. "Who asked you to live forever with me?"

She rested her head back on his shoulder and said contentedly in an almost dreamlike tone, "When you get old and can't walk anymore, I'll be buried with you. In the afterlife, we'll still be together."

Xiao Yan was shocked. He immediately turned to look at her and scolded, "Don't talk nonsense!"

The surrendered official shook his head with a smile: "It's not nonsense. Before I died, I was your concubine. After I die, surely I can compete for your position as empress?"

Without giving Xiao Yan a chance to refute or answer, she tilted her head back, cupped his cheeks in her hands, and forced him to meet her gaze.

In the snowy night, she carefully traced his somewhat blurred yet incredibly vivid outline, whispering in a breath that could be heard only by the two of them:

“You, surnamed Xiao… have no idea how important you are to me. So important that you will never escape my grasp for all eternity.”

Xiao Yan was stunned, as if something had struck his heart hard, leaving him speechless for a moment.

He watched the glistening snowflakes drift and swirl silently between them, then reached out and firmly grasped her slightly cool hands that were cupping his cheeks.

He pressed his warm palms tightly against hers, as if trying to transfer all his heat to her. Then, he slowly lowered his head and gently pressed his forehead against her smooth, warm forehead, their breaths mingling, but in the end, he couldn't say anything more.

The two stood in the snow for a long time, until their shoulders and hair were covered with snow, as if they were really going to grow old together.

As they trudged through the snow back to the main palace area, they could see many slender figures standing in the brightly lit corridors of the main hall.

The Empress stood tall and imposing, draped in a dark cloak with phoenix patterns.

Ji Ruxue, Chi Meng, Shuliduo, Qianwu, Yelü Zhiwu, Bago, Li Cunren, and even Miaochengtian, among other women, were all by his side.

Dressed in colorful cloaks and carrying hand warmers, they resembled proud flowers blooming in the snowy night, chatting softly. Hearing footsteps, they all looked up at the same time, turning to face Xiao Yan and Jiang Chen, who were walking hand in hand through the snow.

Upon seeing them, the Empress smiled slightly first, and the other women smiled knowingly in return, without a trace of jealousy.

They all knew the hidden pain of the surrendered minister's inability to have children. Xiao Yan usually favored her a bit more. She would occasionally throw a little tantrum to compete for his favor, but most people would just laugh it off and no one would really hold it against her.

Seeing this scene, Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle. He squeezed the surrendered minister's hand even tighter and said loudly, "What? My surrendered minister and I were just stealing half a day of leisure to stroll and enjoy the snow, and it has made all the ladies envious, so they're here to 'ambush' their husband?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress couldn't help but smile and said gently, "Ninth Brother is joking. This is the first decent snowy night since the beginning of winter this year, and it's rare to have such a beautiful scene. Seeing that you two haven't returned yet, the sisters were worried and waited here, thinking that perhaps we could enjoy this beautiful snowy night together."

"In that case,"

Xiao Yan was in high spirits. He laughed heartily, took the surrendered minister's hand, and waved his sleeve, saying, "Then why not climb to a high place and enjoy the view! The snow scene of this vast palace city is completely different when viewed from the ground versus from a high platform. Ladies, would you like to join your husband on the platform and appreciate this beautiful landscape together?"

The women all smiled and nodded in agreement. So the group then escorted Xiao Yan through the many corridors and up to the Moon-Viewing Terrace, the highest platform in the palace.

On the high platform, a slightly stronger cold wind blew, causing clothes to flutter, but the view suddenly opened up and became incredibly magnificent.

Looking out, the entire city of Bianjing unfolds before your eyes. Layer upon layer of palaces and pavilions are covered in thick white snow, and under the night sky and the glow of palace lanterns, they resemble a celestial palace, otherworldly. Further away, the city lights merge into a hazy sea of ​​light against the snowy backdrop, blending seamlessly with the horizon.

The snowflakes grew larger, falling thick and fast, landing on everyone's hair and shoulders. In just a moment, the white specks accumulated, making it seem as if they had all turned white-haired in an instant.

The clever eunuchs had already prepared warm wine and various hand warmers on the stage. When the emperor and empress came up, they quietly retreated to the ground to wait.

Xiao Yan picked up a cup of warm wine, glanced at his wives—each with their own unique beauty and charm—and asked with a smile, "How is it? Is this scene worthy of being described as a painting?"

The Empress, holding a cup of wine, walked to the railing and slightly raised it towards Xiao Yan, the rim of the cup slightly lower than the wine cup in his hand. Her phoenix eyes swept over the vast land covered in silver snow before returning to Xiao Yan, and she said softly, "Snow covers the land, and all things are renewed. Your Majesty's reign has only just begun."

Xiao Yan looked at her and understood the unspoken meaning in her eyes—

This glorious era is just beginning, and the road ahead is long.

He smiled and gently clinked glasses with her, producing a crisp, soft sound, then tilted his head back and drank the warm wine in one gulp.

Slightly tipsy, Xiao Yan felt a surge of heroic spirit. Leaning on the railing, he gazed into the distance and saw the magnificent landscape, the beautiful woman beside him, and his children surrounding him. His life's achievements, affections, and family happiness were all complete, leaving him with no regrets.

In an instant, the Tang emperor, who was completely captivated by the magnificent scenery, felt an indescribable surge of emotion and boundless pride welling up in his heart.

He suddenly chuckled and shook his head, his gaze sweeping over the faintly visible Bian River, which meanders eastward through the capital city, and began to murmur a poem that echoed in the snowy night.

As the saying goes:
"The mighty Yangtze River flows eastward, its waves washing away the heroes of the past."

Success or failure is all in vain.

The green hills remain, how many sunsets have they witnessed?
The white-haired fisherman and woodcutter on the river bank are accustomed to seeing the autumn moon and spring breeze.

A pot of wine to celebrate our reunion.

So many things, past and present, are now just fodder for laughter.

Then, he personally refilled the wine glass, solemnly held it up with both hands, and looked around at all his wives and concubines.

But behold the Empress's dignified majesty, Ji Ruxue's aloof purity, the surrendered minister's alluring charm, Chi Meng's quick wit and agility, Shuliduo's exotic allure, Qianwu's gentle grace, Bago's dashing efficiency, and Li Cunren's calm composure...

Overwhelmed with emotion, his thousand unspoken words finally burst into a clear and hearty laugh:

"The mountains and rivers remain unchanged, their history etched in the annals; the lights of humanity shine brightly, the years stretch on. With you all, this world never loses its luster!"

He tilted his head back and drank the second glass of wine in one gulp.

The women all gazed at him with smiles, their eyes filled with tender emotions. They raised their cups and drank together with their husbands and their emperor, a cup of wine symbolizing reunion, prosperity, and deep affection.

……

In Sichuan, the evergreen bamboo forests are also adorned with a light snow, resembling jade inlaid with broken silver.

The older sister, riding on the back of a round, chubby, and adorable panda, scratched her head, suddenly looked up and called out, then muttered, "I promised to send two black-eyed cats to the capital for Chi Meng to play with. Is it auspicious to go out today?"

Above her head, a thick bamboo stalk was bent under the weight. Hou Qing then lay leisurely on the bent bamboo, one leg bent and the other hanging down naturally, as if she were lying in a comfortable hammock.

He held a Taiyi Liuren divination plate in his hand, and with a gentle push, the plate slowly rotated.

When the older sister didn't get a reply, she became a little impatient and asked loudly again, "Hey! Hou Qing! Is today an auspicious day to go out?"

Hou Qing lightly tapped the divination plate with his finger.

"Good luck."

The older sister patted the panda's head contentedly, ready to leave. But then, her worried voice came from not far away: "What about tomorrow?"

The dial was turned again.

"Good luck."

"And the day after tomorrow?" The voice faded into the distance, yet it persisted relentlessly.

The sculpting disc slowly came to a stop. Hou Qing closed his eyes, but an uncontrollable smile, as gentle as a breeze and a bright moon, curved his lips. His clear voice drifted through the snow-covered bamboo forest, carrying far and wide.
"In the Hongwu era, the world will be blessed with great fortune."

------

"Your Majesty, I have heard that Emperor Zhongzu, who inherited the mandate of Heaven and possessed divine merit, was valiant and wise, and had the ambition to govern the world. At that time, the Liang and Jin dynasties were fighting each other in the Luo River region, and various warlords were vying for power like canine teeth. The Emperor endured humiliation and hardship, humbled himself to serve the false Liang, secretly gathered heroes in secret, and recruited talented people during the turbulent times. When Zhu Wen and his son were killing each other, the Emperor rose up swiftly, forced the usurper to abdicate, slaughtered all the rebels, and was able to destroy the false Liang, annex Qi and Shu, pacify Wu and Yue, stabilize the Jianghuai region, and conquer the northern deserts. In ten years, he brought peace to the world."

His military strategies were flawless. The night raid on Yuyang, a single rider breaking through the enemy lines, forced the Khan of the Northern Desert to flee with a severed finger; the surprise attack on the Huangshui River, a coordinated assault, brought the entire Northern Desert court under siege. As for the perilous Jiange Pass, he traversed the Qinling Mountains as if walking on flat ground. In the campaigns in Jiangnan, the firearms at Yingwuzhou burned the ships, the Dongting Lake navy was wiped out, the land battle at Wuchang secured victory, and the siege of Nanjing ultimately led to Tiangang's self-immolation. All these feats demonstrated unparalleled strategic brilliance, surpassing all previous dynasties.

His governance was remarkably wise and meticulous. He brought order to a state after three centuries of chaos, reforming the accumulated abuses of the past three hundred years. He abolished the regional military governorships and established provincial administrations, strengthening the central government and weakening local powers; he equalized land distribution to ensure the well-being of the people and reduced harsh taxes; he opened the Grand Canal to connect the five lakes and established maritime trade to control the four seas. Furthermore, he used the Embroidered Uniform Guard to purify the bureaucracy, bringing all the corrupt officials under his command, thus consolidating the power of punishment and reward in one person, and none in the world dared to defy him.

In the past, Emperor Gaozu of Han rose from humble beginnings as a village head, and Emperor Guangwu of Han rose to power in Baishui. Although they were said to have acted in accordance with the times, they still relied on the legacy of the previous dynasties. Only Emperor Zhongzu, a descendant of Emperor Zhaozong, faced an unprecedented upheaval in three hundred years, seizing the empire from the flames of war with his bare hands. The hardships he endured were far greater than those of previous dynasties. When his identity was announced to the world, all who heard it were deeply moved. Yet, after ascending the throne, he was able to tolerate Prince Xin Xingyun within the imperial clan and accept unscrupulous individuals into his service. His magnanimity rivaled that of the ancient sage kings.

As for unifying the North and South, managing the four seas, taking over the Bohai Sea in the east, pacifying the Uyghurs in the west, pacifying the southern borders, subjugating the northern deserts, and ruling the five continents, the vastness of his territory and the reach of his teachings would surpass even if Emperor Taizong were to be reborn.

The commentary states: "Of all those who rightfully established a dynasty since the Three Dynasties, none surpassed Emperor Zhongzu. He inherited a nation broken after three hundred years of disarray and laid the foundation for lasting peace. He not only restored the Tang dynasty but truly reshaped the Chinese nation. When he performed the Fengshan ceremony at the Yellow River, the snow-covered mountains were as if wiped clean, and a peaceful and prosperous future seemed assured. Was this not a clear sign from Heaven? The proverb says, 'Extraordinary people achieve extraordinary feats,' and observing Emperor Zhongzu's life, this is indeed true!"

—From Volume One of the Hongwu Grand Canon, annotated by Yang Shen of the Tang Dynasty.

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