I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

"Princess Pingyang Zhao" enjoyed immense popularity across the country and soon came to its finale.

On the night of the finale, countless viewers were already glued to their televisions and computers, their eyes fixed on the screen.

Although everyone knows the historical ending of Princess Pingyang Zhao—she died young and was unable to witness the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty—at this moment, everyone unanimously holds a glimmer of hope that the screenwriter can slightly alter the ending, hoping that this heroine can have a peaceful end and not have to end so early.

Unfortunately, under Cheng Sheng's influence, the screenwriting team at Shengli Film and Television Company has always adhered to the bottom line of respecting history. When filming historical dramas, they only restore the true trajectory of historical figures and do not drastically change historical figures and events in order to cater to the audience's preferences.

This is both a sign of respect for history and a responsibility to the audience, avoiding any attempt to mislead them.

According to authoritative public records, after Princess Pingyang Zhao (the third daughter of Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan) passed away in the sixth year of the Wude era (623 AD), her father, Emperor Gaozu of Tang, was extremely grieved and specially ordered that she be buried with military honors. Her burial specifications included "a front and rear guard of feathered canopies and drums, a large carriage, banners, forty men with swords, and tiger-armored soldiers." The funeral procession was personally carried by the army, showing the utmost honor. This is also the only princess in Chinese history to be buried with military honors.

To authentically recreate this historic moment, the production team specially invited a history professor from Kyoto University to serve as an advisor, meticulously scrutinizing every detail, from the arrangement of the funeral procession and the style of the clothing to the types of musical instruments and the procedures of the ceremony, striving for absolute accuracy. In the end, they presented a heart-stirring military-style burial scene.

On the television screen, Princess Pingyang Zhao, played by Tong Yaya, lay quietly in her coffin, still wearing the blood-stained armor that bore witness to her life of military service and defense of the country.

As the soldiers slowly closed the coffin lid, the atmosphere at the scene instantly became solemn and heavy.

Then, the scene shifts to Chang'an in early spring, where low-hanging clouds cover the sky and fine snow falls like broken jade, covering the bluestone pavement of Zhuque Street, turning the world into a pure white expanse.

The entire long street was deserted as people stood silently on both sides, holding their breath. The only sounds were the fluttering of banners in the wind and the deep, resonant military drums and horns that slowly approached from the direction of the imperial city, striking straight to the heart.

The funeral procession was arranged strictly according to the rites of a great general. Two sets of feathered canopies and drums led the way. Dozens of musicians dressed in black military uniforms played gongs, horns, flutes, and drums at the same time, playing "The Qin King's Battle Music," which was Princess Pingyang Zhao's favorite piece. The melody was deep and powerful, and every note carried the momentum of a thousand troops, making the street tremble slightly.

At the forefront of the procession, forty elite soldiers, armed with swords, led the way. They wore black iron armor edged with white silk, carried no swords but long halberds, with white banners hanging from their spear tips. Every step they took was perfectly synchronized, their footsteps heavy and powerful, rolling across the long street like muffled thunder, exuding an air of solemnity and killing intent.

Following closely behind was a large carriage pulled by four white horses—the funeral carriage was entirely painted plain, covered with black banners, and had white pennants hanging from the four corners, making it appear exceptionally solemn.

Inside the carriage was a large coffin made of nanmu wood, its body pure white and flawless, with only a small bronze emblem of the Women's Army battle flag embedded at the head, a symbol of the glory of Princess Pingyang Zhao's life.

Sixteen female soldiers of uniform height, clad in armor and holding shields, stood silently guarding either side of the coffin. Their faces were solemn, and tears welled up in their eyes at the edges of their armor, unable to conceal their grief.

Further on, a hundred armored soldiers lined both sides of the procession, all clad in plain armor, carrying plain banners and halberds, their bows undrawn and blades unseen, signifying their intention to "rectify without killing." Their iron armor reflected the swirling snow, gleaming with a chilling light; the entire funeral procession stretched for miles, from the imperial city all the way to the outskirts, seemingly endless, both magnificent and filled with boundless sorrow.

People on both sides of the street knelt down, some sobbing softly, others wiping away tears silently.

As the coffin passed by, every household set up an incense table, placing white candles and white banners. Paper money fluttered in the wind, mingling with the fine spring snowflakes, gently landing on the shoulders of the soldiers and on the coffin, as if the people were bidding farewell to and remembering this heroine.

The procession arrived at the cemetery on the outskirts of the city. The place was nestled against the mountain and faced the sun, with an open terrain. There were no tall tombs or huge monuments. It was simple and solemn, just like Princess Pingyang Zhao's character of not coveting wealth and glory, but only caring about her country and family.

Before the tomb, Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan, dressed in white robes and a plain crown, personally scooped up the first handful of yellow earth and tremblingly sprinkled it on the coffin. Tears streamed down his face as he murmured to himself, filled with longing and regret for his daughter.

Princes and princesses such as Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin, dressed in white, stood quietly by the funeral procession, their expressions filled with grief. Chai Shao, also in mourning clothes, stood beside the tomb, clutching the horn bow that Princess Pingyang Zhao used to carry with her. His eyes were red, and he remained silent for a long time. The sorrow and reluctance in his eyes were evident without a word.

At the moment of burial, military music sounded again, drums and horns resounded, echoing across the wilderness, and a hundred armored soldiers raised their halberds in unison, giving the most solemn military salute to bid farewell to this female general who had fought all her life.

As the coffin slowly sank into the ground, the last thing to be illuminated by the sunlight was still that small bronze emblem of the Women's Army battle flag, shining brightly as if telling the story of her life of battles and illustrious achievements.

The camera keeps switching scenes. The wind blows across the wilderness, and the white banners flutter in the wind, as if it were Princess Pingyang's response. In her life, she was a woman who wore armor and guarded the mountains and rivers. In the end, she returned to the land she protected with her life with the respect due to a soldier and the dignity of a marshal.

Viewers in front of their televisions and computers fell silent, their eyes glued to the screen. Before they knew it, their eyes were red, their noses were stinging, and tears were welling up in their eyes.

Gradually, some people began to sob softly, while others were deeply moved by the atmosphere in the scene, their hearts filled with regret for Princess Pingyang Zhao, as if they were grieving the passing of a close elder.

In an instant, low sobs could be heard from every corner of China.

At this moment, regardless of age, gender, or location, everyone was deeply moved by the story on television and could no longer hold back their tears, feeling profoundly touched by the passing of this unparalleled female general.

Countless viewers were moved to tears, their hearts filled with sighs and admiration.

People were deeply moved and flocked to social media platforms to leave messages expressing their feelings of emotion and regret. (End of Chapter)