This director is vindictive.

Chapter 516 The Imperial Tournament Begins

Chang'an netizens directly unleashed a barrage of hardcore historical insights:

"Hilarious! In terms of the sheer value of an emperor, Li Shimin was the strongest man on earth in the 7th century, okay?!"

—Military: The entire Tang Dynasty was almost entirely conquered by General Qin, not to mention that he destroyed the DTZ at the age of 28 and captured the Khan alive. The countries of the Western Regions knelt down and called him "Heavenly Khan". He was the real leader of Asia! The person in charge of the Eastern Hemisphere!

—In terms of governance: During the reign of Zhenguan, the granaries were piled up to rot, no one picked up lost items on the road and doors were left unlocked at night, and the GDP of the country surpassed that of the rest of the world!

—In terms of the team: All twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion are SSR-level, and Wei Zheng doesn't even get angry when he criticizes them! (Image: Yan Liben's "Emperor's Procession" depicting the Tibetan envoy humbly paying homage)
Di Renjie, the prime minister of a certain female emperor in the capital, was selected through the imperial examination by Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin). Even the change of dynasty relied on the name of the Tang Dynasty—what do you call that? That's called the confidence bestowed by one's ancestors! (doge)

(Added screenshot of the original text from Zizhi Tongjian: "The chieftains of the four barbarian tribes went to the capital to request that the emperor appoint them as Heavenly Khans")
(Attached is a critical hit comparison table:)
Li Shimin VS Wu Zetian

Number of countries destroyed: 6 vs 0

Producing a large number of famous ministers: Fang Xuanling and Du Ruyi, Qin Qiong and Yuchi Qiong vs. relying entirely on the Li family's foundation.
Later evaluations: A textbook for emperors throughout history vs. a subject of constant controversy)

The final, hilariously sarcastic meme: a photoshopped image of Li Shimin riding a Ferghana horse and wielding a long-handled sword, with the caption, "Wife (daughter-in-law)? Is my empire fun?"

However, after comparing their achievements, a group of people started pointing out each other's shortcomings.

"The First Emperor was powerful, but he couldn't prevent the Qin Dynasty from collapsing after the Second Emperor!"

"Emperor Taizong of Tang was awesome, but the Xuanwu Gate Incident set a bad example for his descendants. Moreover, the Tang Dynasty was truly corrupt. Wu Zetian? So the question is, was she Emperor Taizong's wife or daughter-in-law?"

"No problem. Erfeng is awesome, but she also has a lot of flaws. After all, Emperor Gaozong of Tang married his stepmother directly, and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was even more awesome, directly snatching his daughter-in-law. What's so special about that?"

"Wu Zetian only benefited from being a woman, and she is truly the epitome of the most vicious woman's heart, okay?"

After the three families started arguing, netizens from Nanjing, the ancient capital of six dynasties, quickly couldn't sit still either.

Do we, from the ancient Six Dynasties period, not have any prestige?
Nanjing netizens quickly chimed in, saying, "Stop arguing! When it comes to the prestige of an emperor, my Great Ming Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang is the true pinnacle!"
—The most hardcore origin story: Starting with a broken bowl, ending up ruling the world! From beggar to emperor, the only grassroots to achieve the highest rank in history! (Images: Comparison of Fengyang Huangjue Temple Ruins and Nanjing Ming Palace)
—Most outstanding achievement:

"Expel the barbarians and restore China"—the Mongol cavalry's northern expedition recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, lost for four hundred years, ending foreign rule! (Screenshot of the original text from the "Veritable Records of the Ming Dynasty")
"A reign surpassing the Tang and Song dynasties"—the Hongwu Emperor's reign restored China's GDP to the top of the world, and the imperial examination system was so perfected that the Qing Dynasty essentially copied it! (Attached is a chart showing global silver inflows during the Wanli era)

—The most ruthless methods:

Anti-corruption? Just 'skin them alive'! The skin of corrupt officials will be made into warning specimens and hung in government offices! (Exposing the criminal law articles from Zhu Yuanzhang's personally written "Great Proclamation")
A crackdown on corruption? The Empty Seal Case resulted in the execution of tens of thousands, and officials from six ministries had to bid farewell to their families before starting work! (GIF: A famous scene from the TV series "The Great Case of Hongwu")

The final three-hit combo:
A nine-grid photo collage of the stone statues along the spirit path of the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum reads: "Look at these Ming Dynasty stone carvings that have remained intact for 600 years. Do some imitation ancient buildings even deserve to be called 'historical sites'?"

Comparison photos: Left: rammed earth mound of the Tang Dynasty Chang'an city ruins; Right: Aerial view of the Nanjing Ming City Wall: "When it comes to well-preserved ancient capitals, the Jinling City Wall can still be used for marathons!"

A meme that poses a probing question: It photoshops Zhu Yuanzhang (the Hongwu Emperor) with his eyes wide open in anger, captioned, "I started with just a bowl and could rebuild China. What are you all fighting over for the legacy of the previous dynasty?"

Each of the great emperors has a large following, and the Hongwu Emperor is no exception.

This is indeed the most awesome emperor in the hearts of countless ordinary people.

After all, starting with a bowl and ending with a country, even novels wouldn't dare to write something like that.

But he actually did it, and it's no exaggeration to say that he reached the pinnacle of an emperor's comeback.

After all, compared to Qin Shi Huang, who built upon the legacy of six generations, wielded his long-term strategies to govern the world, and conquered the two Zhou dynasties and destroyed the feudal lords!

Although he was born a hostage, he was still of royal blood from the Qin Dynasty.

Although Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, was hailed as the governor of Asia, the strongest carbon-based life form of the 7th century, and the leader of the Eastern Hemisphere, he was also a scion of a noble family.

Needless to say, Wu Zetian was an even bigger figure.

It can be said that among these emperors, none were more legitimate than Zhu Yuanzhang in terms of both their humble origins and the legitimacy of their ascension to the throne.

He could rebuild China from scratch with just a bowl; for that alone, Zhu De has nothing to say.

"Old Zhu is truly something else. He started with a bowl and ended up with a country. It's just outrageous!"

"The legitimacy of the Ming Dynasty's ascension to the throne is unparalleled in all of history!"

"No problem. Other emperors were either nobles of the previous dynasty or high-ranking officials. Even Liu Bang was at the level of a police station chief in the Qin Dynasty. But Zhu Yuanzhang was a complete commoner, a beggar, and a wandering monk. He never received a salary from the previous dynasty. He was a true grassroots emperor! He's amazing!" Jinling, the ancient capital of six dynasties, finally breathed a sigh of relief, but netizens in Kaifeng were not happy.

Why?
Kaifeng has its own prestige, right?

"Hilarious! When it comes to the value of an emperor, my Great Song Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin was the true terminator of chaos!"
—Military: The donning of the yellow robe ended the chaos of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, and the "releasing military power over a cup of wine" directly led to the collective retirement of military generals, thus ushering in three hundred years of peace! (Image: Reconstruction of the donning of the yellow robe at Chenqiao Post Station)
Moreover, I, Emperor Taizu of Song, was the only truly kind-hearted person. Look at the First Emperor, Emperor Taizong of Tang, and even more so Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Wu Zetian. They were all like the cunning rabbit who was killed and the hunting dog cooked, and they were incredibly adept at discarding the bridge after crossing the river. Only I, Emperor Taizu of Song, was the only emperor who did not kill his meritorious officials. On this point alone, no one can match me.
—Economically: The Song Dynasty's GDP accounted for 80% of the global total! The per capita annual income in Bianjing (Kaifeng) far surpassed that of European kings of the same period! (Comparison of illustrations of bustling city life from "The Eastern Capital: A Dream of Splendor" with data from the Cambridge Economic History)
—Culturally:

The Song Dynasty was truly the pinnacle of civil administration and the imperial examination system! Scholars from humble backgrounds could become prime ministers simply by studying; Wen Yanbo and Fan Zhongyan were both top-scoring examination candidates! (Excerpt from the "Song History: Records of Elections": "Family background was not considered when selecting officials")
Song Dynasty poetry has swept across East Asia! Liu Yong's poems are sung wherever there is well water, and Su Shi's "Prelude to Water Melody" remains a top Mid-Autumn Festival favorite! (Includes cover videos from Japanese and Korean netizens)

Attached is a nine-square grid of the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" scroll: "Look at the density of shops along the Bian River; some of the once bustling Tang Dynasty night markets, where 'all nations paid tribute,' had to close and be subject to curfew!"

Comparison image: Left: Chang'an's ward and market system during the Tang Dynasty; Right: Bianjing's commercial street during the Song Dynasty: "Breaking down the boundaries between wards and markets, the Song Dynasty was the true progenitor of the ancient commercial revolution!"

A meme that poses a soul-searching question: It shows Zhao Kuangyin holding up the "Zizhi Tongjian" (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government) with the caption: "The shame of Jingkang? That was my brother Huizong's doing! My 'Jianlong Era' made China rich enough to buy the whole world!"

However, this is in contrast to the claim that Emperor Taizu of Song was the only emperor who did not kill his meritorious officials.

The people of Qin were not satisfied.

"Laughing to death, you should read more history books before you talk. Although many people call me the First Emperor a tyrant, he was the only emperor who never killed a single meritorious official, okay?"

Strategists: Li Si, Wei Liao, Yao Jia. Military generals: Wang Jian, Wang Ben, Wang Li (grandson and grandson); Meng Ao, Meng Wu, Meng Tian, ​​Meng Yi (grandson and grandson); Neishi Teng, who destroyed the state of Han; Wang Yi, a veteran of three reigns; even Li Xin, who was guilty of unforgivable crimes due to the failure of the campaign against Chu and the loss of his troops, was not killed.

Qin Shi Huang's reputation for not killing meritorious officials is well-deserved.

As for other emperors, did Zhao Kuangyin not kill any meritorious officials?
Let's learn about Zhang Qiong. Zhang Qiong once saved Zhao Kuanyin's life on the battlefield, taking an arrow for him with his own leg. However, he had a volatile temper, offended many people, and was falsely accused of corruption. Yet, he refused to admit his mistakes and defied the emperor.

As a result, his entire clan was exterminated by Zhao Kuangyin. When his family was searched after his death, it was discovered that they were extremely poor, revealing him to be an honest and upright official.

"Is this what you call not killing meritorious officials? It's just that fewer were killed!"

Chang'an netizens are taking to the field once again.

"Hehe, everyone disperse! In terms of imperial achievements, I, Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, am the true founder of the Chinese nation's territory! Alright?"
—Military: The two great heroes of the Han Dynasty, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, directly broke through the Hexi Corridor, and the Xiongnu cried out, "We have lost our Qilian Mountains, and our livestock can no longer thrive!"
From then on, the Western Regions were incorporated into the territory, and the Silk Road was unimpeded!
(Images: Dunhuang mural depicting Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions + Maoling stone carving of a horse trampling the Xiongnu)

The Marquis of Champion sealed the Wolf-Dwelling Mountain, signifying the unprecedented strength of the Han Dynasty. Those who dare to offend the mighty Han, no matter how far away, will be punished!

—Institutionally: It pioneered the "state monopoly on salt and iron" to create a state-owned enterprise monopoly, and the "Decree of Grace" voluntarily crushed the feudal lords, bringing centralization of power to its maximum!

(Attached is a screenshot of the original text from the Book of Han: "The feudal lords only received clothing, food, and taxes; they were not involved in political affairs.")
—Culturally: The suppression of all other schools of thought and the exclusive veneration of Confucianism unified thought and textbooks for two thousand years! The Imperial Academy's system of supporting scholars was the precursor to the imperial examination system! (Showing a photocopy of Dong Zhongshu's policy memorial)

【汉武帝】VS【其他帝王】灭国数量：南越/东瓯/朝鲜/大宛等8国 vs平均3-4国疆域增幅：从280万→560万平方公里（翻倍！）vs祖龙/二凤仅维持原版图！

Later impact: The Silk Road and Confucian orthodoxy remain in use to this day, while some policies disappeared with the change of dynasties!
Attached is a famous scene featuring Chen Baoguo as Emperor Wu of Han: accompanied by the words "The enemy can go, so can I—which general here can achieve the feat of 'Sealing the Wolf and Dwelling in the Mountain'?" (Attached is a close-up of the stone inscription "How can I have a home when the Xiongnu are not yet destroyed" in front of Huo Qubing's tomb)
P.S.: A little-known fact—during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, even warhorses had to be certified. The *Stable Law* stipulated that any horse under six feet tall would be discarded! That's true military obsession!

Upon seeing the "Fenglang Juxu" mentioned by netizens in Chang'an, netizens in Beijing couldn't sit still.

"Speaking of sealing the wolf's lair, I, the Yongle Emperor, would just laugh! When it comes to the pinnacle of imperial martial prowess, even the Grand General of the Heavenly Strategy, I, the Yongle Emperor, am not inferior."

I, the Yongle Emperor, am the true all-rounder!

I, the Yongle Emperor, am the only emperor in history to have achieved the "Fenglangjuxu" (a legendary military feat)! I led five expeditions to the northern deserts, crippling the Mongols, and even the descendants of the Golden Family were chased down to their knees, calling me "father"!

(Attached is a screenshot from the "Veritable Records of Emperor Taizong of Ming": "In the eighth year of Yongle, the Emperor personally led an expedition to the northern deserts, beheading tens of thousands, and the enemy chieftain fled.")
The Emperor Guards the Nation's Gate: Moving the capital to Beijing to face the Mongol cavalry, from then on, the emperors of the Ming Dynasty were all "iron-willed warriors." Even Esen of the Oirat Mongols reached the gates of Beijing? Zhu Qizhen was incompetent, but Zhu Di's descendants never backed down!

In terms of civil administration, it's absolutely phenomenal, isn't it?

The Yongle Encyclopedia, a 3.7 million-word encyclopedia of global scale, predates the European Renaissance by a century! (Comparison image: fragments of the Yongle Encyclopedia VS parchment from the same period in Europe)

Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean: His fleet was larger than Columbus's, African giraffes were offered as tribute, and Southeast Asian kings lined up to acknowledge him as their elder brother!
Is that not enough? Then, when it comes to imperial integrity, who else but the Yongle Emperor could compare?
Even though it was the end of the dynasty and Emperor Chongzhen's suicide at Coal Hill was a tragedy, the root cause was the ancestral precept set by Zhu Di: "No ceding of territory, no marriage alliances, no indemnities, the emperor guards the nation's gate, and the monarch dies for the state!"
The following is the original text of the "Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty": "Anyone in later generations who dares to speak of peace through marriage shall be killed without mercy!"

The Ming Dynasty may have had its shortcomings, but it was undoubtedly the dynasty with the strongest backbone, right? Compared to the list of princesses sent to marry foreign rulers during the Han and Tang dynasties, the Ming Dynasty had zero such records!

The Ming Dynasty had no princesses for political marriages, only cannonballs!

The attached GIF shows Zhu Di riding a warhorse and wielding a musket, captioned: "My conquest is the stars and the sea—the territories of some 'great emperors of all time' are not even as far as the route of my fleet!"

(End of this chapter)