Sky Curtain: The Overlord Charges into Battle, Shocking Emperors of All Dynasties

[A list of five emperors in history who can be called great emperors of all time]

The title that appeared on the screen instantly captured everyone's attention. From emperors and officials of all dynasties to commoners and rural folks, everyone's mind was drawn to these four words, and they were all discussing the issue.

After the appearance of the canopy, it became the best form of entertainment for ordinary people in their leisure time.

In ancient times, ordinary people had little entertainment or leisure after a long day's work, so they usually went to bed early. This is why the birth rate in ancient China was relatively high, with families often having four or five children.

People always need entertainment and leisure.

After the appearance of the celestial canopy, some taverns and teahouses specially hired some unsuccessful scholars to record what the celestial canopy said, and then sent people to tell stories in the taverns and teahouses for busy men who were too busy to pay attention to the celestial canopy, which was also a way to attract customers.

Some large restaurants and brothels even hired famous opera troupes and specially modified some of their plays to bring to life the events described on the screen.

Although it can't be as lifelike as a sky screen, at least it can be watched repeatedly.

Those who got to eat the first batch of crabs made a fortune.

And this time, the emperors who are known as the greatest emperors of all time in history must include the founding emperor of our own dynasty.

Thinking of this, even the tenants who toiled in the fields, their backs to the sky, unconsciously straightened their chests.

A great emperor of all time?

Many emperors fell into deep thought, pondering whether their achievements were worthy of the title of "Emperor of a Thousand Ages."

Some emperors slowly shook their heads. They knew their own limitations. If they were only considered wise rulers, they might be among the top, but as for the greatest emperor of all time, the greatest emperor of all time in the entire history of China...

This title is too heavy; it's not something an ordinary person can bear.

Tang Dynasty

Li Shimin gazed intently at the four characters on the sky, his mind reeling, as if an invisible magic had locked him firmly in place.

"The Emperor of All Ages"

"I wonder if I can be ranked among the greatest emperors of all time?"

Li Shimin seemed to realize something, and shook his head bitterly.

A great emperor for all time—I suppose I'm unworthy of that title. I forced my father to kill my brother, and not long ago I signed the Treaty of the Wei River with the Turks. Judging from the attitudes of later generations towards these matters shown by the previous events,

Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty was criticized by later generations for signing the Treaty of Chanyuan. Not only did he sign the Treaty of Wei River, but the source of his throne was also not legitimate. How could he be worthy of being called a great emperor of all time?

Li Shimin looked up at the sky, his eyes filled with desolation. He wondered how the annals of history and the words of future generations would condemn him.

No, even if I am unworthy to be a great emperor for all time, I cannot bear the infamy of signing an alliance with a foreign race.

In an instant, his dejection vanished, and he was filled with fighting spirit.

Turks, you just wait.

The Ming Dynasty

Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head to look at Zhu Biao beside him, his tone rough yet tinged with expectation:

"Biao'er, do you think we can be considered one of the greatest emperors of all time?"

Zhu Biao's expression was solemn. He bowed and cupped his hands. "Of course, my father, a commoner, wielded a three-foot sword to drive out the Mongol Yuan dynasty, quell the chaos, restore our Han homeland, and recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, which had been divided for four hundred years. He severely punished corruption, cared for the people, benefited the present, and his achievements will last for generations."

"You are truly worthy of the title of one of the greatest emperors in history."

"Well said! What our son says is always the most agreeable."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, overjoyed. He was pleased not only because his achievements earned him the title of one of the greatest emperors in history, but also because of his son's admiration and recognition of him.

For him, Zhu Biao's trust moved him far more than the praise from later generations.

Of course, I would be very happy if future generations would recognize my achievements.

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze swept across the sky as he made his own assessment:

"In our opinion, among the emperors of all time, we can be one, Emperor Taizong of Tang Li Shimin is one, Emperor Gaozu of Han Liu Bang is one, Emperor Wen of Han Liu Heng is one, and the last one, Zhao Kuangyin or Liu Xiu, are both acceptable."

西汉

"A great emperor for all time! How amazing!" Liu Bang said, crossing his legs and leaning back on the couch in a carefree manner.

"I wonder how many of your descendants will be called emperors of all time," Liu Bang tossed a roasted soybean into his mouth with precision, casual and carefree.

"Your Majesty, aren't you curious whether you might become one of the greatest emperors of all time?"

Lou Jing, who would later change his name to Liu Jing, was intrigued upon hearing this and bowed to ask:

Liu Bang waved his hand dismissively, "What's the use of the title 'Emperor of a Thousand Ages'? You've already enjoyed everything you were entitled to. Do you think calling me 'Emperor of a Thousand Ages' will ascend to heaven and become a god?"

He paused, then chuckled, "Besides, compared to myself, I would much rather that a descendant of the Han dynasty become a great emperor for all time."

"In that case, you would be the ancestor of the First Emperor of All Time. If you met him in the afterlife, the First Emperor of All Time would have to kneel down and kowtow to you obediently. Wouldn't that be more pleasing to hear than if the First Emperor of All Time himself were the one to do it?"

Upon hearing this, all the Confucian scholars in the hall secretly grumbled in their hearts.

You dare to claim the title of Emperor of All Time?

Such disregard for etiquette and scorn for the teachings of the Confucian school, including publicly humiliating scholars and urinating into their hats, how could such behavior be worthy of an emperor for all ages?

If Liu Bang can be included, then shouldn't Qin Shi Huang, who is regarded as a tyrant by the world, be even more firmly at the top of the list?

During the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty,

"As one of the greatest emperors of all time, I certainly have a place here. Don't you all agree?" Li Longji reclined lazily on his dragon couch, embracing Yang Yuhuan in his arms, his expression one of pride and smugness.

Yang Yuhuan delicately peeled the lychee and fed the white flesh to Li Longji's lips with a charming smile.

The lychee flesh was pure white, with three white segments complementing each other, which left Li Longji somewhat stunned.

"Mmm, these lychees are delicious, big and white."

"Issue an imperial decree that Lingnan and Fuling send more fresh lychees as tribute," Li Longji said, casually taking Yang Yuhuan's soft, boneless hand and pulling her into his arms.

"My beloved concubine loves to eat, and so do I!!"

At a single command, the horses galloped swiftly along the thousand-mile post road, raising clouds of dust as countless post horses traveled day and night, all for the sake of winning the favor of beauties and the pleasures of the emperor.

Yang Yuhuan was laughing, Li Longji was laughing, and treacherous officials like Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong were also laughing.

Only the Tang Dynasty is weeping.

The veteran officials of the court, gazing upon the extravagant and incompetent emperor, were filled with sorrow and asked with a sigh:

Where is Sanlang, who once worked diligently to create a prosperous era?

Why did Li Sanlang, who was once so spirited and almost a great emperor throughout history, end up like this?

A powerful background music started playing, and the sound gradually rose against the backdrop of the sky.

Fifth place: Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who turned the tide and saved the dynasty from collapse.

[Starting from humble beginnings, from beggar to monk, he later fought in the south and north, expelling the Tartars, rebuilding China, establishing the Ming Dynasty, and restoring the Chinese civilization.]

[Sweeping away six hundred years of barbarian influence, expelling the Tartars, launching thirteen northern expeditions to destroy their ancestral temples, and ushering in the Hongwu reign]

[The mountains and rivers encompass the land of China, and the sun and moon reignite the great unification of the world.]

The scene on the screen shifts, and atop Purple Mountain, Zhu Yuanzhang, clad in a dragon robe, stands alone atop the towering peak, his posture upright and his demeanor vast and boundless.

"Your subject, Zhu Yuanzhang, kowtows to the heavens, the sun, the moon, the mountains, and the rivers."

"After the end of the Song Dynasty, the Heavenly Mandate True Man entered the Central Plains from the desert and ruled for more than a hundred years."

The scene suddenly changes dramatically. Smoke rises everywhere, and the Mongol cavalry sweeps across the land. Wherever their blades strike, lives are lost, ruins and rubble are scattered across the land, cries of agony fill the air, and the devastation is everywhere, a testament to a century of humiliation suffered by the Han people.

"This fate has come to an end."

The music gradually became more rousing.

"Your humble servant, acting in accordance with the will of Heaven and the wishes of his subjects, has eradicated a century-old scourge and subdued the warlords of the North and South."

"On the fourth day of the first month, an altar was set up at the summit of Zijin Mountain to announce to Heaven and the Emperor."

"Establish the Great Ming Dynasty, and establish the reign title Hongwu!!!"

Zhu Yuanzhang turned to face the camera, exuding an aura of dominance and unparalleled power.

Looking up at the sky, the ancients felt the emperor's majesty rushing towards them, as if they were seeing a roaring dragon.

Of all the dynasties since the Three Dynasties, only the Han and Ming dynasties were truly legitimate in their acquisition of power.

[The only emperor in Chinese history to successfully launch a northern expedition from south to north, and also the only emperor in history to rise from a beggar to become emperor—a peerless and unparalleled ruler throughout history.]