Chinese animation: Starting with Bad Guys

No one answered; only heavy breathing echoed in the empty hall.

"He colluded with foreign tribes and wanted to seize Yan and Yun, which is disloyal; he possessed the land of Jin but had no heart to protect the people, instead using hundreds of thousands of lives as hostages, which is inhumane."

Qin Chuan lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, each tap like a blow to the hearts of the feudal lords:

"Those who are disloyal and unrighteous shall be executed. Do you all agree with this rule?"

"Young Marshal is wise!"

"This is the will of Heaven!"

Amidst the chaotic responses, an undisguised fear was palpable.

How could they dare utter a single word of "no"?

Before the fireworks in Taiyuan had faded, Shi Jingtang's head was said to be hanging on the gate of Luoyang, exposed to the wind and sun day and night—a "gift" from Qin Chuan to them.

“That’s good.” Qin Chuan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and glanced at the King of Wuyue on the far left: “Under the King of Wuyue’s rule, the people are prosperous and happy, which is quite rare.”

The King of Wuyue trembled and hurriedly kowtowed:

"Your subject... Your subject is merely guarding the land and ensuring the safety of the people, and dares not accept the young marshal's undeserved praise. I am willing to present all the household registrations and military records of the thirteen prefectures of Wu and Yue to Daliang, and only ask for... only ask for a sinecure to serve the young marshal."

Upon hearing this, the other feudal lords felt a chill run down their spines.

The King of Wuyue was the first to voluntarily offer territory, which was intended to force them to follow suit.

Qin Chuan smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes:

"King Wuyue is overthinking it. What I want is the unification of the world, not to seize someone else's territory. As long as you submit a memorial to acknowledge my submission and relinquish your royal titles, you can still remain in your original positions to govern your regions and care for the people."

The feudal lords looked up abruptly, their eyes flashing with surprise and doubt.

Is it really that simple?

"But—" Qin Chuan changed the subject, and suddenly a stack of files appeared on the table, which were handed down one by one by the Black and White Impermanence beside him. "These are your 'deeds' in recent years."

The King of Wuyue took the dossier, and the moment his fingertips touched the pages, his face turned deathly pale.

The document contained a detailed record of his secret correspondence with the Min Kingdom three years prior, including his words to his confidant at the post station the previous night: "If Qin Chuan forces us, we will retreat to Wu and Yue and defend to the death."

Prince Jinghai opened the dossier, which contained account books detailing his exorbitant taxes and embezzlement of salt and iron, as well as a detailed account of his concubine's father's misappropriation of disaster relief grain.

The records of the Prince of Dingnan contain evidence of his secret trade with the Jiaozhi tribes and his stockpiling of weapons...

Each volume is like a mirror, reflecting the filth and ambition hidden beneath their grand facade.

And who else but the notorious criminals who are everywhere in the world could have recorded all of this?

"These," Qin Chuan's voice turned colder, "can be used as waste paper, or as evidence. It all depends on how you all act in the future."

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty has absolutely no disloyal intentions!"

"I am willing to serve the young marshal faithfully, even unto death!"

The feudal lords could no longer hold on. They crawled a few steps on their knees, their foreheads slamming heavily against the gold bricks, leaving bloody marks.

They finally understood that what Qin Chuan offered was not leniency, but a harsher constraint.

What he wanted was not their land, but their complete submission, to make them behave as "good people" under his nose.

When they left the hall, the princes walked unsteadily, as if they had just escaped from the gates of hell.

They knew that from the moment they stepped into Luoyang, their lives and their clans were entirely in the hands of that young marshal.

As dusk settled, Qin Chuan stood on the highest observation platform of Jiao Lan Palace, overlooking the myriad lights of Luoyang City.

The night wind whipped up Qin Chuan's robes, making them flutter loudly.

He gazed at the Central Plains, which was gradually being unified, and saw no joy of victory in his eyes, only a deep and unfathomable calm.

Chapter 126 Ascending the Throne and Becoming Emperor!

Outside Chengtian Gate in Luoyang, the capital of China.

Before dawn, the huge square was already filled with a dense crowd of people, all eagerly waiting.

The news of Emperor Liang's abdication, the ascension of a new emperor, and the change of the dynasty name to Tang was like a hurricane, drawing the attention of heroes from all over the Central Plains and beyond.

As the sun rises, its golden rays pierce through the clouds and spill onto the majestic palace.

However, just as the red sun was about to leap over the horizon, a sudden change occurred!

As if an invisible giant hand had blocked out the light of day, the daytime instantly fell into darkness!

The shadows spread rapidly, swallowing the golden light, and the world turned into an eerie gray—a solar eclipse!

A black disc with an eerie golden-red edge is greedily devouring the blazing sun!

"A celestial dog eclipsing the sun! An ominous sign!"

Terrified screams erupted like a plague among the crowd, and waves of unease surged forth.

At this darkest moment when the world lost its color, the heavy, vermilion main gate of Chengtian Gate, inlaid with huge gilded copper nails, slowly opened with an ancient and solemn "creaking" sound!

A figure appeared at the end of the imperial path in the center of the archway.

The emperor's robe, with its black base and twelve embroidered crimson dragon patterns, was adorned with a white jade crown with twelve tassels, partially obscuring his face.

His figure was as tall and straight as a solitary peak reaching the sky. Under the eerie light, his black imperial robe seemed to absorb all the darkness, while the dragon patterns embroidered with gold thread on the robe seemed to flow and shine like living things, exuding an imperial might that could suppress the eight wastelands.

Young Marshal, Qin Chuan!

No, from this moment on, he is the new ruler of this land—the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty!

He stepped forward, his steps steady as a mountain, treading on the dragon-carved stone in the center of the imperial road, and walked step by step toward the high platform in front of Chengtian Gate.

Each step he took seemed to tread upon the heartbeats of millions. Behind him, the elite Imperial Guards, clad in black armor, stood like an iron wall, their chilling aura soaring to the heavens, crushing the pervasive panic!

As he stepped onto the high platform, standing at the center of the extraordinary celestial phenomena and the gazes of all people, the darkness of the sky reached its peak!

The entire city of Luoyang sank into a sea of ​​darkness.

In absolute silence and darkness, Qin Chuan slowly raised his arms.

An immense, boundless, invisible imperial might, seemingly originating from the core pulse of the earth, erupted from him!

That is the absolute will to rule the eight wastelands and establish the order of the universe!

This imperial might, like a tangible raging tide, instantly swept across the entire plaza!

All the unease, whispers, and commotion vanished instantly before this imperial aura, like snow being poured over boiling water!

Hundreds of thousands held their breath, their hearts clenched by an invisible hand, filled with primal awe. The darkness that had enveloped the world now served as a curtain to highlight his supreme majesty!

Beneath the imperial steps, all nations come to pay homage.

Gu King Chi Li and his wife Xian Shen stood side by side, their faces showing the satisfaction and expectation of elders.

Chi Li nodded slightly, and Xian Shen smiled. The beautifully dressed saintess Chi Meng, her bright eyes brimming with pride and love, almost leaped for joy.

The twelve chieftains, dressed in ancient attire, exuded a deep and imposing aura, signifying Raojiang's formal submission.

Emperor Yelü Abaoji of the Liao Dynasty in the northern desert stood side by side with his two younger sisters, Qingguo and Qingcheng, watching this grand scene.

Behind them, Yelü Zhiwu held a bone staff symbolizing divine authority and power, her beautiful face displaying a mixture of immense pride and deep admiration.

Feeling the immense imperial might emanating from her master, a thought exploded in her heart like a thunderclap: "Master...you taught me not to regret! From today onwards, you are a true dragon in the clouds. If I do not speak out, I will regret it for the rest of my life!"

A do-or-die determination burned in her eyes. She straightened her back and fixed her gaze intently on the high platform—after the ceremony, she would go find him!

Abaoji noticed his daughter's unusual focus, raised his thick eyebrows slightly, and seemed to be deep in thought.

Li Xingyun, dressed in red, leaned against a white marble pillar slightly behind the ranks of the feudal lords, his arms crossed.

Looking at the radiant Qin Chuan, he felt a sense of relief and感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both relief and reflection).

He can finally live a carefree and happy life.

Standing beside him was Lu Linxuan, dressed in a light blue outfit, looking elegant and refined. Her gaze pierced through the crowd and was fixed on Qin Chuan, her eyes filled with undisguised concern, tenderness and pride.

Her gaze occasionally met Chi Meng's in the air, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

In a corner unnoticed by anyone, the four Corpse Ancestors were in a relaxed atmosphere.

The surrendered minister leaned lazily against a soft chair that had been moved from somewhere, holding a glistening grape in his hand, watching the grand scene with great interest, a playful smile on his lips.

Ying Gou crossed her arms, looking impatient, and muttered under her breath, "So annoying, standing here for so long."

But when her gaze swept over Qin Chuan on the high platform, a rare, almost imperceptible hint of approval also appeared in her eyes.

Hou Qing remained as elegant as ever, holding a bone flute in his hand.

"Brother Qin is even more classy than me today!"

The most robust of the three was the Hanba, who carefully protected Princess Shangrao beside him.

Princess Shangrao's belly was already noticeably protruding, and her face was flushed with happiness as she nestled close to her husband.

Hanba looked at Qin Chuan with sincere blessings in his eyes, his rough hands gently resting on his beloved wife's pregnant belly.

Ma Xisheng squeezed into the front row of the princes' sons. The young crown prince of Chu was so excited that his face was flushed and his hands were tightly gripping the hem of his clothes.

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes gleaming with an almost fanatical adoration as he stared intently at Qin Chuan on the high platform.

"Long live Brother Qin!"

If it weren't for the solemn atmosphere around him, he would have almost cheered out loud.

Zhang Daoling, the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, also stood with his wife and children near the Taoist viewing area.

His expression was solemn and dignified, and his gaze toward Qin Chuan was filled with deep gratitude and admiration.

At this moment, with the most solemn Taoist bowing ceremony, he silently offered his most sincere blessings to his benefactor on the high platform, and also to the emperor of this new dynasty.

The King of Wuyue, the King of Jinghai, the King of Dingnan, and others, dressed in ceremonial robes, knelt at the front of the procession, their foreheads pressed tightly against the cold gold bricks.

Their bodies trembled slightly, and they even breathed cautiously. Shi Jingtang's "lesson from the past" and the cold records in the dossier were like invisible shackles, firmly nailing them to this position of submission.

The new emperor's imposing presence and the convergence of various forces made them feel even more insignificant, and all their delusions vanished.

While everyone's attention was focused on the high platform and the dignitaries from all sides, a chilling black tide silently gathered and arrayed itself around the square!

They were not imperial guards, but rather wore uniform black outfits and had cold bronze masks covering their faces, revealing only their equally cold and sharp eyes.

The thousands of them, perfectly aligned, resembled a ghostly legion emerging from the shadows.