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

During the Sixteen Kingdoms period, Later Zhao

The capital city of Xiangguo, the main hall of the imperial palace

Two years after he ascended the throne, Shi Le was hosting a banquet for his ministers. Inside the palace, there was singing and dancing, and the clinking of cups filled the air.

As the light and shadows in the sky suddenly changed, the entire court of officials watched the spectacle while raising their cups in toast.

"In my opinion, although that Overlord is unparalleled in bravery and strength, he is far inferior to Your Majesty."

A Han Chinese official who had surrendered raised his cup in flattery. They were ministers of a fallen state, and lacking the talent and trust of Zhang Bin and Xu Guang, they could only rely on flattery to maintain their positions.

Other ministers echoed this sentiment.

"Your Majesty is unparalleled in archery and horsemanship, and his archery skills are even more superb. Even if Li Guang were to be resurrected, he would still be inferior to Your Majesty."

"Indeed, His Majesty personally led the cavalry of our Great Zhao, captured Wang Jun alive, and took Liu Yao prisoner, unifying the north. Such achievements are beyond the reach of Xiang Yu, that defeated general."

"Moreover, His Majesty comes from a humble background," a minister, slightly drunk, swayed and his eyes glazed over, blurted out.

"Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, at least served as a village head in the Qin Dynasty, and his ancestors were nobles; Your Majesty, however, was born a slave and won the empire through countless battles, far surpassing others!"

The moment the words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.

The ministers who were originally intoxicated instantly felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over their heads, and they sobered up instantly, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Are you really drunk? How can you say something like that? Although Shi Le was born a slave, he was good at recognizing and utilizing people, making him one of the few wise rulers among the Hu people.

But everyone should know these things, why did you actually say them out loud?

The ministers on either side of him quietly shifted their feet, afraid of getting blood splattered on them.

Shi Le's expression remained unchanged as he laughed heartily, completely unconcerned. He then turned to Xu Guang and said with a smile, "Xiang Yu is nothing but a warrior who relies on his strength. How could he possibly gain the world or achieve anything great?"

After a glass of wine, a surge of heroic spirit welled up within me.

"If I were to meet Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang, I would bow down and submit to him, and compete with Han Xin and Peng Yue to serve as his vanguard."

"If it were Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu, the outcome would be uncertain."

"A true man acts with integrity and uprightness, and will never emulate Cao Cao and Sima Yi, who bullied orphans and widows."

In the 26th year of the Yuan Dynasty's Zhizheng era (1366), Yingtian

Zhu Yuanzhang proclaimed himself King of Wu, defeated Chen Youliang, and unified the south of China. Only Zhang Shicheng remained unconquered in the south.

"In our opinion, just the fact that Liu Bang eliminated the kings and did not follow the old practice of enfeoffment, thus establishing the Han Dynasty's four-hundred-year foundation, already surpasses Xiang Yu by a great margin."

Zhu Yuanzhang addressed the crowd in the hall,

"However, although Liu Bang was kind and generous, and knew how to use people well, he had two shortcomings. Are you aware of them?"

"Are you referring to Liu Bang's disregard for etiquette and his disrespectful treatment of Confucian scholars?"

Li Shanchang answered, stating that as a scholar who had received a complete Confucian education, he did indeed have some reservations about Liu Bang's disrespect for Confucian scholars and his arrogant and impolite behavior.

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head. "Firstly, although he had clearly established Liu Ying as the crown prince, he still favored Prince Zhao, Liu Ruyi, and even considered deposing him."

"The most important matter concerning the state is the foundation of the nation. The principle of establishing the eldest son of the legitimate wife has existed since the Zhou Dynasty. Once the crown prince is determined, how can it be shaken?"

Just like Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, whose achievements during the Zhenguan era were remarkable, he could be considered a wise ruler. However, he was indecisive about choosing an heir, which ultimately led to Li Chengqian's rebellion and Li Tai's exile. This shows how crucial the matter of establishing a nation's foundation is.

Having said that, he pulled his son Zhu Biao to the front of the crowd and loudly proclaimed to the civil and military officials:

"Today, I'd like to take this opportunity to make a statement to you all. Biao'er is now the Crown Prince of Wu, and from now on, our entire family business will be handed over to Biao'er to inherit. You can all be my witnesses."

Zhu Biao was clearly somewhat at a loss. He had been intelligent since childhood and naturally had some knowledge of the classics, history, philosophy, and literature.

Although he is now the heir apparent of the King of Wu, given the events of the previous dynasty, not to mention the heir apparent, even the crown prince is not many who can eventually ascend the throne.

There are countless instances of brothers fighting and fathers and sons distrusting each other.

But now, for the first time, his father clearly stated in front of his civil and military advisors that the family business would be handed over to him in the future. This not only reassured the officials but also put Zhu Biao's previously uneasy heart at ease.

"Secondly, Liu Bang's treatment of his meritorious officials was too extreme." Zhu Yuanzhang looked disdainful, clearly dissatisfied with Liu Bang's behavior.

"His old brothers who fought alongside him were all killed one by one when he had the chance. He's so petty. He even bestowed some title of 'Marquis Gengjie' upon his own nephew. Where is the demeanor of a monarch?"

Zhu Yuanzhang suffered hardship from a young age. The Yuan court was tyrannical, and almost all of his family members starved or died of disease. If it weren't for his brother-in-law Li Zhen's help and shelter, they would have been dead long ago. Therefore, he valued family ties the most and remembered old kindnesses the most.

"If we achieve great things in the future, we will follow the example of Emperor Guangwu and Emperor Taizong of Tang and share wealth and honor with all of you old brothers."

"Imperial edicts, official titles, and generous salaries—we won't be stingy with them!" Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, making a solemn promise to the civil and military officials in the room.

"We will surely be able to create a timeless tale of harmonious relations between the emperor and his ministers, just like Emperor Taizong of Tang."

For a moment, the atmosphere in the room was very harmonious, especially among the veteran generals, who were filled with excitement.

Why do we fight on the battlefield? Isn't it all for a better future for ourselves and our descendants? Now that we have the guarantee of a high position, how much wealth and honor will we have in the future?

The 26th year of the Hongwu reign.

The city of Yingtianfu was packed with people.

The execution ground was surrounded by people, who were discussing the matter animatedly.

"Which high-ranking official is going to be beheaded by the Emperor this time?"

"It seems to be the Duke of Liang, and there are also marquises and earls, anyway, there are many."

"It seems to be because of treason and rebellion. I heard that the emperor once bestowed upon them a certificate of merit and ironclad authority."

"The crimes they committed wouldn't be enough to warrant even a few imperial pardons!"

The onlookers chattered excitedly, creating quite a scene. It was a rare sight to see so many high-ranking officials being beheaded, adding a vibrant splash of blood to their otherwise dull and monotonous lives.

Cao Zhen, Zhang Wen, and the others knelt on the ground. The midday sun shone warmly on them, but their hearts were ice-cold.

As Cao Zhen gazed at the sunlight, images from over twenty years ago surfaced in his mind.

At that time, the Ming Dynasty had not yet been established. Once, when he ascended the throne, he discussed Emperor Gaozu of Han and Emperor Taizong of Tang. He personally stated that he would never emulate Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, in killing his meritorious officials. Instead, he would emulate Emperor Taizong of Tang, who bestowed upon them imperial edicts and certificates of merit. He also mentioned many times afterward that he wanted to share wealth and honor with his old comrades.

But now...

Having risen to power is, after all, having risen to power.

"It's noon! Execute!"

A flash of light, and heads littered the ground, blood splattering high into the air.

Cao Zhen's head rolled a few times on the ground, and when it stopped, his eyes were facing the direction of Pichang Temple on the outskirts of the city.

The Pichang Temple in Yingtianfu, Nanjing, was originally a land temple next to the Nanjing Prefectural Government Office.

Since the founding of the Hongwu era, Zhu Yuanzhang punished corrupt officials by stripping them of their skin and stuffing them with straw.

A gentle breeze blew by, and the human skin figures hanging above the Pichang Temple swayed in the wind. The wind whistled through the gaps between the skin and straw, as if mercilessly mocking the promises made by Zhu Yuanzhang.

That straw figure was none other than Lan Yu, the Duke of Liang.

In terms of appointing meritorious officials to positions of power, it is far inferior to that of Emperor Gaozu of Han.

This was Cao Zhen's last thought.

In the twenty-sixth year of the Hongwu reign, the Lan Yu case came to light.

This case is the most serious of the four major cases during the Hongwu reign, involving the widest range of people and the largest number of people killed.

In total, there are one duke, thirteen marquises, and two earls, all of whom are old brothers who rose up in Huaixi back then, and most of them hold imperial edicts.

In just eighty days, nearly 20,000 members of the clan were exterminated.

Lan Yu himself was skinned alive and stuffed with straw, and the images were sent to various provinces before finally being sent to the Shu King's Palace and hung in front of the gate.

Beneath the sky, two voices seemed to echo, intertwining like thorns:

"We will never follow the example of Emperor Gaozu of Han in slaughtering his meritorious officials; we will share wealth and honor with our old brothers."

Today's imperial edict is as sharp as a knife:

"Lan Yu is arrogant and lawless, has formed a clique, and plotted rebellion. Although he has been granted a pardon, his crimes are unforgivable. He shall be skinned alive and his entire family wiped out. His remaining associates shall be exterminated without mercy."