Video spoilers history, starting with the blitzkrieg on Poland

A new sky appeared.

The outline of the Weiyang Palace was faintly visible in the twilight.

Palace servants dressed in Han Dynasty costumes were busy moving around the palace.

You can tell at a glance that this is definitely a scene from the ancient Han Dynasty.

And the sound of the sky slowly sounded.

【The truth behind the fall of the Western Han Dynasty! 】

[History always likes to blame the last incompetent ruler for the fall of a dynasty.]

[For example, in history textbooks, the fall of the Western Han Dynasty is often attributed to the weakness of the last emperor, Emperor Ping of Han, or the usurpation of the throne by Wang Mang.]

[But the real collapse often begins with a gentle blow from a good person. ]

[There was an emperor who was neither cruel nor incompetent.]

[He is even a literary youth. ]

[Praised by history books for his versatility, generosity and kindness. 】

[This emperor was the key figure in the decline of the Western Han Dynasty.]

[It can even be said that the fall of the Han Dynasty was actually caused by him! ]

Outside the sky.

Liu Bang's expression became serious...

What was the key point when the Han Dynasty went from prosperity to decline?

Even responsible for the demise of the Han Dynasty?

This is of a very serious nature!

For Liu Bang, an emperor with an open-minded nature.

Although it was a bit uncomfortable to see the dynasty he founded perish.

But in fact, Liu Bang also knew that when a country is on the eve of its demise, it is usually already terminally ill and it is not possible for a certain emperor or a certain good general to turn the tide.

Therefore, there is no need to blame too much on those who are on the eve of the country’s demise.

but!

It is different for those who have gone from prosperity to decline.

A prosperous dynasty at its peak.

Even if there are shadows behind the prosperity.

But since your country is strong, you should be able to handle it.

No matter what, he has to take the blame.

Liu Bang couldn't help but frown and asked, "Who is this person?"

"The demise of our Han Dynasty was caused by him?"

The sky continues.

[This emperor was to bear the blame for the fall of the Western Han Dynasty.]

[It is Emperor Yuan of Han, Liu Shi! ]

[You may not be able to imagine how an emperor who was neither cruel nor incompetent could destroy a dynasty? ]

[But history is so ironic - Liu Shi's "kindness" and "idealism" became the catalyst for the demise of the Western Han Dynasty.]

【Today, let’s take a look at this mild-mannered emperor. 】

[How his "benevolent rule" caused the Han Dynasty to slide step by step into the abyss. ]

[Emperor Yuan of Han, Liu Shi, was born in 74 BC. His father was Emperor Xuan of Han, Liu Xun, also known as Liu Bingyi, who was very successful in the Western Han Dynasty.]

[His mother was Emperor Xuan’s legitimate wife, Xu Pingjun.]

[When Liu Shi was born, Emperor Xuan was still living among the common people. He did not return to the royal family until he was two years old. He was made crown prince when he was eight years old.]

[His mother, Xu Pingjun, was very much loved by Emperor Xuan, and there were stories about the deep affection for the old sword and the love left in Nanyuan.]

【After Xu Pingjun was killed, Emperor Xuan took extra care of Liu Shi.】

【From this growth trajectory, Liu Shi should have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, with unique advantages, and he would be able to inherit the throne and continue the glory of the Western Han Dynasty in the future.】

【However, Liu Shi is a typical "Confucian fan". 】

[He has been obsessed with Confucian classics since he was a child, and is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He can even compose his own music and play the flute. He can be called the Western Han Dynasty version of the artistic male god crown prince. ]

……

Outside the sky.

Qin Dynasty.

Ying Zheng frowned.

Why is there another Confucian emperor?
Don’t I know whether this Confucian thought is applicable to governing the country?

Don’t think that Confucianism has become the mainstream in later generations.

But I know that Confucianism can only be used superficially to govern a country.

The actual internal operation still has to rely on the Legalists or some other schools of thought.

This is definitely not something that Confucianism can achieve.

Haha, this Emperor Yuan of Han on the sky, no wonder he would become the emperor responsible for the demise of the Han Dynasty.

It turns out that he is a person whose brain has been corrupted by Confucianism.

When he said this, Ying Zheng glanced at Crown Prince Fusu again.

I thought: If it weren’t for the drama behind the scenes, Fusu would have been very popular among the people.

And Hu Hai, who actually became the second emperor of Qin in history, was indeed a nobody. Otherwise, I would not have really made Fusu the crown prince.

But despite thinking this, Ying Zheng did not say it out loud.

After all, Ying Zheng also knew that as an empire, it was very important to have a stable and clear heir, and the foundation of the country could not be easily moved for the time being.

So Ying Zheng just continued to look at the sky and said to Fusu:

"Prince, watch carefully and learn from this."

Fusu nodded repeatedly, indicating that he was watching and learning seriously.

The sky curtain also continues.

[His father, Emperor Xuan of Han, Liu Xun, was an iron-blooded emperor who was well versed in politics and emphasized "mixing the ways of hegemony and kingship" in governing the country. ]

【Only by combining "kingly way" and "tyrannical way" can one stabilize the country. 】

【Using both Confucian moral education and Legalist harsh laws, the Western Han Dynasty reached its peak during the "Zhaoxuan Restoration".】

[The country is at its peak with clear politics, stable society, prosperous economy, and the four barbarians submitting to it.]

[However, Liu Shi scoffed at this "mixed statecraft". ]

[And Liu Shi had a fatal flaw in his character: he was cowardly and lacked independent thinking.]

[This is clearly revealed in his attitude towards state affairs.]

[Liu Shi had no interest in governing the country, but he highly respected Confucianism and was obsessed with rituals and music.]

[He not only disagreed with his father's many practices of governing the country by law, but also felt that they were too harsh.]

[Once, the ministers Yang Yun and Gai Kuanrao wrote to Emperor Xuan of Han, suggesting the implementation of benevolent policies and explaining the harm of harsh laws to the country.]

【Emperor Xuan mistakenly thought that they were slandering the court, and he was furious. In the end, Yang Yun was beheaded and Gai Kuanrao committed suicide.】

【Liu Shi was very worried when he saw this. When he was dining with his father, he tactfully advised his father to employ more Confucian scholars.】

[“Your Majesty’s punishment is too harsh. It is better to use Confucian scholars.”]

[After hearing this, Emperor Xuan rebuked him harshly:]

[The Han Dynasty had its own system, which combined the kingly way with the hegemonic way. How could it be like the Zhou Dynasty, which only used "virtuous governance"? ]

[Those vulgar scholars are ignorant of the changes in the world, prefer the past to the present, and cannot even distinguish between "name" and "reality". How can they be entrusted with the important task of governing the country! "]

[From this conversation, we can see the huge difference between the father and son in their ideas of governing the country. ]

[Emperor Xuan of Han was so wise that he saw that Liu Shi had no talent for governing the country and even thought about abolishing the crown prince more than once.]

[Seeing through the prince's superstition of Confucianism and his weakness. ]

[He also said with deep sorrow: "The one who caused chaos in my family was the prince!"]

[But firstly, the crown prince had done nothing wrong and was well-respected by the court for his benevolence, so there was no reason to depose him.]

【Secondly, Liu Shi was the fruit of his love with his beloved Xu Pingjun, so he couldn't bear it.】

[In terms of valuing family affection, Emperor Xuan of Han was not like other emperors of the Liu family, who were always unable to be cruel.]

[In desperation, Emperor Xuan of Han carefully arranged for the "three horses" to assist in governing before his death. ]

[Let Shi Gao, Marquis of Leling, Xiao Wangzhi, the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and Zhou Kan, the Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince, assist Liu Shi in governing the country.]

【Liu Shi finally succeeded smoothly.】

【Liu Shi became Emperor Yuan of Han.】

[As soon as he came to power, he madly advocated "ruling the country with pure Confucianism" and wanted to use "The Analects" as a constitution! ]

【The results of it? 】

[The Confucian scholars were indeed happy, as the court was filled with "theorists" who talked a lot about benevolence, righteousness and morality.]

[The practical ability is basically zero. ]

[They study how to restore the Zhou rituals every day, but turn a blind eye to land annexation and separatist regimes.]

[The most outrageous thing is that Emperor Yuan was particularly fond of granting amnesty to the entire nation.]

[During Emperor Yuan's reign, there were many natural disasters. He cut royal expenses and military spending and used them for disaster relief. However, people still starved to death on a large scale. Emperor Yuan was very sad and felt that he needed to implement a benevolent policy and grant amnesty to the whole country.]

[The number of amnesty is as high as ten times! 】

【I think that criminals can be reformed and God can appease his anger. 】

[As a result, thieves became more rampant as they were pardoned, and social order completely collapsed.]

On the canopy.

The barrage of comments couldn't hold back any more.

《Ah, from this perspective, he is indeed a good person.》

"Being a good person is not enough to be an emperor."

"Confucianism is a bunch of "scholars" who only talk about theory and are out of touch with reality."

"We should attach importance to the thoughts of farmers, doctors, and Mohists. Confucianism can only be used as a supplement and cannot be the basis."

《Emperor Yuan of Han: Fortunately, my father is Emperor Xuan of Han, who has thick blood and can withstand beatings! 》

"In fact, we can't blame Emperor Yuan of Han entirely. Natural disasters continued to occur during his reign, and I guess his mentality also collapsed."

"At that time, Confucianism was dominant throughout the world, and the Confucian theory of changing surnames according to the Mandate of Heaven began to become popular. This was a huge blow to the imperial power."

"The rise of Confucianism is inevitable. The emperor likes Confucian etiquette, which makes the imperial power supreme. The powerful also like Confucianism, which makes their class stable."

"Could it be that Emperor Yuan was using the eunuchs to clean up the civil service group?"

"It's hard to say."

"Eunuchs will not become powerful if they have no offspring. Perhaps Emperor Yuan saw this point in his thinking."

"Even if it was really a check and balance strategy, it was obvious that Emperor Yuan had failed." (End of this chapter)