Chapter 98

PS: Thank you to the generous donation of 1888 coins from the Fifth Master of the Capital, and the four update requests. Is this the rhythm that leaves a shut-in no time to rest? For the first update request for this book, I've decided to sacrifice a few more brain cells today and do four updates!

Li Kuan's school of thought had become a thorn in Li Er's heart, but not the kind that he wanted to remove immediately. It was more like a thorn that he could not obtain. Although this scientist could be confirmed to exist, there was no concrete evidence to find. Even the identities and activities of the members were unknown. Li Er had already made inquiries in various ways over the past few years but had come up empty-handed. Now, the whole family had moved into the inner courtyard of the palace, yet this mysterious scientist could still come and go without a trace, meeting his son without showing himself. Was he, the emperor of a nation, inferior to a child?

Now, hearing that this mysterious school had a gift to present, Li Er was truly curious. What would they send? Would it be beneficial or detrimental to the Tang Dynasty? These thoughts began to swirl in Li Er's mind as he pondered the school's attitude towards his ascension to the throne. He concluded that since the school had taken his son as a disciple, they would not harbor hostility unless their interests conflicted. The school had shown an extreme desire for so-called energy, which the Tang Dynasty did not need. Coal and oil were mainly used for cooking and lighting. Moreover, Li Kuan had purchased these items, not forcibly taken them, so there was no conflict.

Li Er thought much in his mind, but in reality, it was just a brief moment. Li Kuan had just reached into his box. This time, he took out a scroll, which was very similar to what Li Tai had previously presented.

"Could it be a poem or painting?" someone in the crowd of ministers whispered.

"I don't know. This is the first time I've heard that the Second Prince has such a mysterious school. The information was probably kept secret by the emperor, especially when Prince Xi and Prince Qi were still around, for fear they might harm the Second Prince!" a minister who had been in Chang'an for a long time explained.

"Whatever it is, since it has been presented, the emperor will certainly give a commentary. Perhaps we will all learn a bit about it!" another minister said.

These were originally neutral ministers. The ministers who had previously supported the former crown prince, now Prince Xi, Li Jiancheng, did not dare to speak so freely. Those on Li Er's side were accustomed to waiting for Li Er to speak first before they responded. Only Changsun Wuji might guide the conversation before Li Er spoke.

Li Kuan presented the scroll, holding it above his head with both hands and passing it to Li Er, who also extended both hands to receive it. This was a form of etiquette. Li Kuan, representing his school, knew that everything was illusory, but he had to make it flawless on the surface. Li Er, on the other hand, showed respect for Li Kuan's school by receiving the scroll with both hands, then slowly unrolling it and looking at it. His eyes became fixed on the scroll, and his head began to shake involuntarily.

"Your Majesty, what is it that has so captivated you?" Changsun, wearing a robe embroidered with a phoenix rising from the flames, looked regal and dignified in her bright red attire. Only she, as the empress, had the right to interrupt and remind Li Er.

"Guanyinbi, I am quite captivated. I never thought there were such noble and pure people in this world. I wish I could meet them. Auxi, read it to everyone!" Li Er answered Changsun's question and instructed Changsun Wuji.

Changsun Wuji, hearing Li Er's summons, stepped out from the crowd of ministers, ascended the steps, and took the scroll with both hands. He slowly unrolled it and began to read aloud: "Recently, I have heard of Your Majesty's ascension to the throne, and I am very pleased. However, we are all free spirits who do not like the constraints of court. Therefore, I have ordered my inferior disciple to present a humble gift. I hope Your Majesty will not blame me. Among my juniors, there is a nephew named Du Mu, who is very talented. He has written 'The Ode to the Afang Palace,' which deeply resonates with us. Today, I present it to Your Majesty, hoping that you will consider the welfare of the people and not repeat the mistakes of Hu Hai and Yang Guang."

The first paragraph explained that the scroll was an article written by a person named Du Mu, who was Li Kuan's senior's nephew and Li Kuan's senior brother. It hoped that Li Er would understand the message and do more good for the people, not repeating the cruelty of Hu Hai and Yang Guang.

"Six kingdoms have fallen, the four seas are united, the mountains of Shu are bald, and the Afang Palace rises..." Changsun Wuji began to read the main text. The entire hall fell silent, and everyone listened intently, even the rough men like Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong closed their mouths. The imperial garden echoed with Changsun Wuji's resonant voice. The opening four lines were grand and majestic, the first two lines vividly depicting the might and grandeur of the Qin Emperor's conquest. The next two lines portrayed the grandeur of the Afang Palace, which required the entire Shu region to be stripped bare to build, a grand and ambitious feat.

Everyone was engrossed, imagining the magnificent Afang Palace. But when they heard the line "The Chu people set it ablaze, and it became a wasteland of ashes," the palace turned into ruins, and the grand structure collapsed in a single night. At that moment, everyone felt a sense of regret and relief. The Afang Palace, though grand and splendid, was built on the suffering of the six kingdoms and the extravagance of the rulers. Its collapse symbolized that such reckless and wasteful behavior was wrong. The ministers drew many lessons from it, and the aristocratic families felt a sense of shame, as they were not much different from the Qin people. Could it be that...

Li Er closed his eyes, waiting for Changsun Wuji to read the last paragraph, which moved him the most.

"Alas! The six kingdoms destroyed themselves, not the Qin. The Qin destroyed themselves, not the world. If the six kingdoms had each loved their people, they would have been able to resist the Qin. If the Qin had loved the people of the six kingdoms, they could have ruled for generations. Who could have destroyed them? The Qin people did not have time to mourn themselves, and later generations mourned for them. If later generations mourned but did not learn from it, they would also mourn for later generations!" Changsun Wuji read the final paragraph in one breath, and the tension in his heart eased. This passage was so direct. If the six kingdoms had loved their people instead of sacrificing them for the benefit of the nobles, could the Qin have conquered them? If the Qin had not been so extravagant after conquering the six kingdoms, would they have fallen? Would the current world still belong to them? Such a profound lesson made Changsun Wuji uneasy.

"Ministers, what do you think of this article? Does it speak to your hearts? The Qin people did not have time to mourn, and later generations mourned for them. If later generations mourn but do not learn from it, they will also mourn for later generations! This article makes me break out in a cold sweat. The world is stable, but is it truly secure? Is there no one among the people of the Tang who will set fire to my political hall?" Li Er stood on the steps, looking down at the ministers below.

"The world has just stabilized, and Chang'an is gradually flourishing. But some bad signs are beginning to appear. I give you all one more chance. Seize it, and do not blame me for being unsympathetic later!" Li Er gradually shifted the topic, seemingly hinting at something. Some people in the crowd below had shifty eyes, indicating they had something to hide.

"Enough, let this be a lesson. Learn from the Qin. Do not treat the people like fish and meat. Who knows, one of them might rise to prominence. Then you will not look good! Kuan, I accept the gift from your school. I like it very much. I will have it framed and hung in my study!" Li Er said to Li Kuan, who was still standing to one side.

"Thank you, Father. I have more..." Li Kuan bowed and said.

"More..." Li Er

"..." Changsun Wuji

"..." the ministers

What is this? How can a little brat like you send such astonishing gifts? The first two items, the horseshoes, greatly reduced the Tang military expenses, and the stirrups improved the cavalry's combat effectiveness. Then your school sent 'The Ode to the Afang Palace,' a masterpiece that taught profound lessons to the entire court. Now you still have more?

"Bring everything out!" Li Er was a bit embarrassed. This boy was stubborn, and he wouldn't budge unless pushed.

"This final gift, I do not know what it is. But since my teacher gave it to me solemnly and said it concerns the fate of the Tang, it must be significant!" Li Kuan finally presented a brocade pouch, intending to remind Li Er about the humiliating Weishui Alliance and see if it could be changed, and how history would correct itself if it did.

Li Kuan was testing the limits of the ability to correct history. Previously, Li Yuanji, who should have been killed by Yuchi Gong, was killed by Qin Qiong. But Yuchi Gong's solo journey supported Li Er, and the credit was restored. In the official history, Qin Qiong was not favored by Li Er, and his contributions were ranked last in the Lingyan Pavilion, which was unjust. Here, Qin Qiong became a pawn of Li Yuan and was distanced by Li Er.

In short, the Tang Dynasty Li Kuan was in had some differences from the historical Tang, but not too many. Many things were deliberately aligned with the historical records. So Li Kuan wanted to see what would happen if Li Er learned about the Weishui Alliance in advance. Would history really start to diverge and be changed by him?

"Hurry up and bring it out!" Li Er was a bit impatient as Li Kuan took a long time to retrieve it from the box. Although the items he presented were very much to his liking, Li Kuan was a bit stubborn and didn't give him much face, causing him to lose composure twice today.

"This brocade pouch is a gift from my uncle, who studies the mysterious arts. It contains information about the fate of the Tang! I do not know what it is, but my teacher told me it is very important and not entirely accurate, so it is up to Father to decide whether to believe it or not!" Li Kuan said mysteriously, then took the brocade pouch from the box and presented it to Li Er with both hands. (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to起点and vote for it. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users can read at m. (To be continued.))