The author of the book "The Book of the Dead"

Chapter 170: Eternal Achievements

Scorching sun.

Mount Li, Huaqing Hot Spring.

The hot spring well was made into a pond, and palaces were built around the mountain.

The current emperor Li Longqing lived in the palace for his health and also handled government affairs in the palace on weekdays.

He came to the Qingshan Garden planted with pine, cypress and bamboo forests, and the eunuch Gao Lishi followed closely behind him, holding a tray in his hand.

Li Longqing put on the crane feather cloak on the tray, and looked like a famous scholar of the Wei and Jin Dynasties. He came to Qushui where everyone was gathering.

"Long live your majesty!"

"Hey, today there is no distinction between the king and the minister, so don't be too polite."

The emperor sat casually by the pool, and the monarch and his ministers started to enjoy the music of Qushui Liushang.

The celebrities were free and easy and toasted each other with wine.

The garden in the green mountains is home to many famous people.

At first glance, it is an imitation of the Lanting Banquet.

Stringed instruments, rituals, music, actors and actresses, today there are no rulers or subjects, no state affairs, only indulgence in pleasure.

Even the most stubborn adviser had no reason to be persuaded.

The emperor reigned for 29 years. He destroyed the Khitan, Tuyuhun, and Goguryeo, fought against Tubo, and took over Persia. The territory was unprecedentedly huge. What was wrong with enjoying himself?
Everyone praises, extols and loves him.

The emperor felt elated and everything in the world seemed perfect.

History ends today, and it is time to enjoy the prosperous times from now on.

After drinking the improved version of Wu Shi San, my chest felt like it was bursting with flames.

Li Longqing was completely drunk and had lost all his dignity.

He suddenly felt heroic and wanted to recite a poem, but he had no talent for it. He could only chant a long poem, saying, "I want to emulate the Liang Lang of Jiangzuo, indulge in mountains and rivers, and fish for fun!"

Liang Yue had a profound influence on the literati of the Southern and Northern Dynasties and later generations, and was an idol in the minds of countless literati.

Especially civil servants.

Liang Lang of Jiangzuo's status is higher than Zhuge Liang's, which is exactly what the literati imagine themselves to be like.

First, Liang Yue did not do any work, but he was the emperor's teacher and prime minister, and he single-handedly facilitated the establishment of Liu Song. The so-called "clever plan to divide the world into two" was fine if he did not take action, but once he took action, he restored order and established his country.

The setting of the prime minister in the mountains is exactly what tickles the hearts of the lazy and gluttonous literati.

Secondly, Liang Yue was a literati, who had many allusions to the Northern and Southern Dynasties and invented customs such as fried tea and Mid-Autumn Festival moon cakes.

Coupled with the magical legends of ghosts and monsters and the superb martial arts, he is an example of a man who is both civil and military.

From the Wude period to the present day, countless people have taken the name Shanbo.

The current emperor is a big fan of the Jiangzuo style, making the Jiangzuo craze even more intense.

At night, the emperor returned to the palace drunk with the help of Gao Lishi.

Passing by the lakeside pavilion.

"Stop, let me blow some wind."

"Your Majesty, it is a cold night, please take care of yourself," Gao Lishi advised.

"What nonsense are you talking about, you old ass? I am a congenital master, how can I be blown down by the cold wind?" Li Longqing scolded with a smile.

I returned to the waterside pavilion, leaned against the stone pillar, and the cold wind blew away the drunkenness.

"There is a white cloud palace in the sky, twelve towers and five cities... Li Bai's poems are really good..." Looking at the bright moon, the emperor gradually became fascinated, and after a long time he asked, "Gao Lishi, is there really a fairy palace in the world?"

"I am a stupid servant, but the Immortal Palace... I believe there must be some. Didn't Emperor Gaozu wander around Taixu at night?"

"Emperor Gaozu wandered around Taixu at night..." Li Longqing was half-believing and half-doubting. This was what the history books said, and he didn't know whether it was true or not.

For some reason, he felt a surge of lofty ambition in his heart. He pointed at the bright moon in the sky and said loudly:

"Lord of Baiyun Imperial Township, you are the king of heaven, and I am the king of earth. Do my achievements qualify me to travel the sky at night?"

It extends from the desert in the north to the sea in the south, from the Pamir Mountains in the west to Penglai in the east.

Millions of common people serve me as their master, and millions of soldiers expand my territory. Don’t they have the right to ascend to the imperial throne and share eternal life?

"Your Majesty, be careful with your words. A gentleman should not talk about strange things!" Gao Lishi hurried forward to advise.

What if the gods are angered and a lightning strikes you? That would be...

boom!
Thunder appeared out of nowhere, the light was so bright that people could not open their eyes.

Gao Lishi's eyes were filled with tears. When his eyesight recovered, he found that the emperor was nowhere to be seen.

"Someone come, the emperor is missing!!!"

Gao Lishi was as anxious as an ant in a pot of stir, and quickly summoned the imperial guards.

Above the nine heavens is the imperial home of white clouds.

The ground was shrouded in white mist, and one could tell at a glance that this was not the human world.

At this moment, Li Longqing was completely awake. He walked in a daze on the vast land and looked around. The jade buildings, pavilions and towers were exactly the same as described in Li Bai's poem. "Is this the legendary Baiyun Imperial Hometown?" Li Longqing was a little excited. "It seems that the gods have recognized my achievements."

Li Longqing traveled around the imperial city. There were cranes and phoenixes in the sky, dragons swimming in the water, and even a giant crocodile as big as a house.

A big black dog was frolicking around on the fire cloud.

Strangely, there was no one here.

"Where is the Emperor of Heaven? I...I request to see you!"

Facing the mysterious Lord of Baiyun Imperial City, Li Longqing remained a little low-key.

Wow!
The clouds parted.

A divine man wearing a crane cloak, with three strands of beautiful beard and a face as white as jade slowly fell from the void.

"Greetings to the Lord God!" Li Longqing bowed.

"No need to be polite."

Liang Yue conjured up tables, chairs and fine wine. After Li Longqing drank the wine, he immediately felt relaxed all over. The headache that had troubled him for years seemed to be cured all of a sudden. He closed his eyes and felt the changes in his body.

Liang Yue looked at the emperor.

To be fair, this person is expected to be among the top three in history in terms of both civil and military achievements.

After Li Chengqian, an emperor who had received orthodox training, ascended the throne in the Tang Dynasty, the political atmosphere improved.

At least it is not "dirty" anymore. There is no killing of brothers or forcing of fathers, no "friendly brothers and respectful younger brothers", and no marrying of father's concubines and daughters-in-law, or ruling the country with concubines.

Liang Yue did not want to see the emperor sink into depravity in his later years, so he specially let him come up.

After a long while, Li Longqing opened his eyes and smiled shyly:
"Thank you, Lord, for the wine. I haven't felt so refreshed in a long time."

I thought it was a good start, but the next sentence was like a bucket of cold water poured on me.

"Li Longqing, do you think that after achieving unprecedented feats, you can just quit and enjoy yourself? Live forever with the gods?"

Liang Yue had a blank expression on his face, but there seemed to be a hint of reproach in his eyes.

As the elder of Li Hongwen and Li Hu, he is still qualified to act like a senior and teach the younger generations.

Li Longqing was sweating profusely and even said he didn't dare, but he was still a little confused.

"God, I have already defeated all the enemies in the world, why do I need to work hard to govern the country?"

"The enemy will never perish, be it the northern barbarians, the inner clans, or even yourself..."

Li Longqing felt a little embarrassed when he said this. The laziness he had felt in the past few days was enough to prove this statement.

Liang Yue stood up and paced.

"Han Wu once said: The vast sky cannot be viewed for long, and the great land cannot be stepped on for long. This is the ultimate truth! No matter how magnificent the cause or how great the king is, it will fade away with the passage of time."

"When a man dies, his government dies. How can it not happen to you?"

Liang Yue asked back.

Li Longqing fell into deep thought.

He was a smart man. When he figured out the reason, he suddenly felt a sense of crisis.

It turns out that there is only one step between eternal infamy and lasting fame.

Thinking of this, he stood up and bowed.

"Please enlighten me, God!"

“Learn from Emperor Taizong. Look up at the magnificent palace, and pay attention to the people below.”

"If you are willing but unable, you can abdicate and let the crown prince succeed you. This is a good system left by Emperor Taizong."

In this Tang Dynasty, apart from martial arts, Liang Yue feels that the most important system is abdication.

From Li Yuan to Li Shimin and Li Chengqian, three generations of abdication over a hundred years have made this system a regular practice.

It can prevent the emperor from being incompetent in his later years and the new emperor from being immature.

At this point, Liang Yue added: "The character of the Tang Dynasty is far superior to that of Jiangzuo. Don't be complacent."

"I've learned a lesson from you."

Li Longqing seemed to have attained enlightenment, and remained motionless, pondering this sentence.

Liang Yue stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the Kuafu Moon.

If he had the opportunity to choose in his first life, between the Jiangzuo style and the Tang Dynasty style, Liang Yue would rather choose the Tang Dynasty style.

In this way...there won’t be so many regrets.

"There is one thing I don't understand..." Li Longqing paused and asked again, "Why did you invite me to the palace?"

"Inviting you up here is not a merit, you should know..."

Golden light shone brightly from Baiyun Imperial City. Liang Yue opened the three eyes between his brows, and mysterious light flowed in his eyes.

"A thousand years of achievements is not as good as everlasting glory."

(End of this chapter)