I, the most powerful minister of the Tang Dynasty, have been exposed by the heavens.

"This...this..."

The ministers stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what they were hearing.

To make the emperor issue an edict of self-reproach?

That would be tantamount to the emperor admitting in person: "I was wrong, I am guilty!"

Throughout history, how many emperors have ever issued an edict of self-reproach? That would be like tearing off one's face and trampling it on the ground!

Moreover, it was a public edict issued in front of the entire court of officials, to announce it to the world!

Li Longji suddenly stood up from the dragon throne, his face flushed red:

"Old Prime Minister! What...what did you say?!"

His voice was trembling.

Lu Wuming looked at him without flinching:

"Your Majesty, I request that you issue an edict of self-reproach."

"I acknowledge my faults for neglecting state affairs, favoring treacherous officials, alienating loyal and virtuous people, and causing chaos throughout the land."

"Only in this way can the people see the sincerity of the imperial court, believe that the court truly wants to reform, and reunite the people's hearts to fight against the rebels!"

Li Longji was so angry that he trembled all over:

"You...you want me to admit my guilt? I am the Son of Heaven! What crime have I committed?!"

Lu Wuming remained silent.

He just stared at Li Longji, his eyes showing no mockery, no anger, only an indescribable weariness and disappointment.

After a long silence, he spoke.

"If Your Majesty believes yourself innocent, then why did An Lushan rebel? Why did Luoyang fall? Why did 200,000 border troops die in battle? Why are the people of the land displaced?"

"If Your Majesty believes yourself innocent, then why was a treacherous minister like Yang Guozhong allowed to become prime minister? Why did Your Majesty violate ethics and forcibly take Yang Yuhuan as your own? And why is the country now in chaos?"

His series of questions, each one like a knife, pierced Li Longji's heart.

"Your Majesty, Yang Guozhong is corrupt; he is a man Your Majesty employs."

"The military governors have become too powerful, which is the result of His Majesty's indulgence."

"An Lushan's rebellion was a scourge that Your Majesty yourself raised."

"Now that the rebel army is pressing in, and Chang'an is in imminent danger, does Your Majesty really think that all of this has nothing to do with you?"

Li Longji opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

Lu Wuming continued, "I know that it is not easy to issue an edict of self-reproach. No emperor is willing to admit that he has made a mistake."

"But Your Majesty!"

"Is now the time to admit mistakes, or the time for national subjugation?"

"If Your Majesty wishes to preserve the Tang Dynasty, you must first win the hearts of the people. To do so, you must first show the people that there is still hope for this court and this emperor!"

"And the edict of self-reproach is the best proof!"

Li Longji stood stiffly in front of the dragon throne, motionless.

The hall was deathly silent.

Everyone was looking at him, waiting for his answer.

……

The Zhenguan era.

Li Shimin was stunned when he heard the words "edict of self-reproach".

He sat on the throne, remaining silent for a long time.

An edict of self-reproach...

Of course he knew what it was.

The emperor issued an edict acknowledging that he had done wrong.

It's easier said than done.

Throughout history, how many emperors have been willing to admit they were wrong? Even if they knew they were wrong, they wouldn't say it. That would be like tearing off their mask and trampling it into the ground.

Ironically, this is precisely what wins people's hearts.

One person flashed through Li Shimin's mind—Emperor Wen of Han.

Historical records state that Emperor Wen of Han issued an edict blaming himself for "mistakes in governance and errors in conduct" due to years of famine. This was the first edict of self-reproach in history.

He remembered how he was amazed when he read that passage back then.

What makes a wise ruler? This is what makes a wise ruler.

When something goes wrong, don't blame your subordinates or God; admit your mistake first.

When the common people saw that even the emperor had admitted his mistake, what were they still protesting for?

Just live your life well.

That's how you win people's hearts.

Li Shimin always wanted to become an emperor like Emperor Wen of Han.

He looked at the assembled officials and slowly began to speak:

"An edict of self-reproach..."

"I remember that when Emperor Wen of Han was suffering from years of famine, he issued an edict blaming himself for his 'mistakes in governance and errors in conduct.' That was the first edict of self-reproach in history."

"To be honest, I have always wanted to become an emperor like him, and I have always taken him as my role model."

Wei Zheng stepped forward and nodded, saying, "Your Majesty is right. Emperor Wen of Han's edict of self-reproach was indeed the first of its kind in history."

"However, there is an even more famous one after that."

"In his later years, Emperor Wu of Han also issued an edict of self-reproach, called the 'Luntai Edict'."

"At that time, Emperor Wu of Han was warlike and spent most of his life fighting wars. He also caused the witchcraft incident, which resulted in the death of the crown prince. In his later years, he suddenly realized his mistakes and issued an edict to 'prohibit harsh and tyrannical policies, stop arbitrary taxation, and focus on agriculture,' and stopped his turmoil."

"Only after this edict was issued could the crisis of the Western Han Dynasty be averted."

After listening, Li Shimin nodded:

"Emperor Wu of Han was ambitious and eager for quick success throughout his life, so it's not easy for him to admit his mistakes at the end."

"The worst thing for an emperor is to know his mistakes but not correct them and to insist on his own way. Only a wise ruler can admit his mistakes and correct them."

Changsun Wuji, who was listening intently from the side, quickly chimed in:

"Your Majesty is wise!"

He paused, then said:

"Speaking of which, His Majesty also issued an edict of self-reproach in the early years of the Zhenguan era."

Li Shimin was taken aback, slightly puzzled.

"I?"

Changsun Wuji nodded, and then spoke righteously.

"Your Majesty has forgotten? That year there was a severe drought, followed by a locust plague. Your Majesty said in court that this was a warning from Heaven and that it was my fault. In front of all the officials, you even picked up a locust and swallowed it, saying that you wanted to 'transfer the disaster to me'."

"I remember this matter very clearly to this day."

After hearing this, Li Shimin was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten."

He smiled and shook his head, then said.

"At that time, I had just ascended the throne, and natural disasters were frequent, perhaps due to the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Therefore, it was not the people's fault, but my fault!"

Wei Zheng nodded from the side and spoke rapidly.

"His Majesty was able to blame himself and swallow locusts back then, which shows that he truly cared about the people."

"It is precisely because of this that the people have been willing to follow Your Majesty during the Zhenguan era."

Li Shimin laughed heartily and waved his hand:

"Alright, alright, stop praising me. You'll remember my little incidents for the rest of your lives."

The courtiers also laughed.

After laughing, Li Shimin raised his head and looked at the sky.

Li Longji was still standing on the dragon throne, his face ashen.

The three words "Edict of Self-Reproach" written by Lu Wuming were like nails nailed to his face.

Li Shimin's smile slowly faded.

He looked at his descendant from later generations with a complex expression.

Li Longji was a wise ruler in his youth.

During the prosperous Kaiyuan era, all nations came to pay tribute, and the place was magnificent.

But how did you end up like this when you got old?

Yang Guozhong was so greedy, how could he not know?

Didn't he realize that An Lushan was planning a rebellion?

The Tongguan garrison commander, he just killed him like that?

Now that Lu Wuming has presented the evidence to his face, hung Yang Guozhong's head on the city gate, and banished his beloved concubine to the cold palace, has he still not realized that he has done wrong?

And then they asked, "What else do you want?"

Li Shimin's temper flared up again.

"That Li Longji is really senile!"

"Lu Wuming has gone this far, and he still doesn't realize where he went wrong? He still asks, 'What else is needed?'"

"A self-reproach edict! Of course, a self-reproach edict is needed!"

"If he won't admit his mistakes, why should the people believe him? Why should they defend the city for him? Why should they risk their lives for him?"

"Did he think killing Yang Guozhong would be the end of it? Did he think deposing the imperial concubine would be the end of it? The common people aren't fools; the root of the problem lies with him!"

"Doesn't he know that water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it?"

Wei Zheng nodded from the side, then pointed it out and said.

"Your Majesty is right. Yang Guozhong is a parasite, but he is the one who raised the parasite."

"Who allowed the Yang family to run rampant and act tyrannically? Who allowed An Lushan to grow powerful? Whose fault was it that the court was neglected?"

"Without issuing an edict of self-reproach and explaining the situation clearly, how can we win back the people's hearts?"

Li Shimin snorted and said in a serious tone.

"I think he's just reluctant to lose face."

"At a time like this, do you still care about saving face? Is face more important than the country?"

He recalled what Changsun Wuji had just said about him swallowing locusts in the early years of the Zhenguan era.

He was only in his early thirties at the time, and had only been on the throne for a few years. When the natural disaster struck, he swallowed the locusts in front of all his officials without saying a word.

Is it shameful? Yes, it is.

But is it worth it? Yes.

When ordinary people see the emperor like this, who wouldn't be convinced?

"This Li Longji," Li Shimin shook his head, his voice filled with disappointment, "was a wise and powerful emperor in his youth, how did he become like this?"

"As you get older, you seem to regress, and you're not as good as you were when you were young."