Chapter 12: The Eternal Emperor (Additional Chapter, Seeking Recommendation Tickets)

  Made up for last week's new book ranking 6th, debt repaid.

  Last week ranked 6th in new book, this week dropped to 9th, I'm very hurt. Friends, can you hold on?

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  The Daming Palace, located on the Longshouyuan in the northeast of Chang'an, is the political center of the Tang Empire. The imperial edicts and military orders of the Tang Empire were issued from here to all parts of the country, influencing the course of world history.

  The Daming Palace was first built during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang, who originally intended to build it for his father, Emperor Gaozu. However, before its completion, Emperor Gaozu died and construction was halted. It wasn't until the reign of Emperor Gaozong that the palace was rebuilt and expanded on its original foundation, eventually reaching its current scale.

  The terrain of Chang'an City is high in the east and low in the west, with the west being relatively humid and the east being dry and comfortable. After the completion of Daming Palace, Emperor Gaozong of Tang moved into Daming Palace. From then on, Daming Palace became the political center of the Tang Dynasty, and all military orders and government decrees were issued from here.

  The Da Ming Palace is divided into a front court and an inner court. The front court was mainly used for imperial audiences, while the inner court was primarily used for residence and banquets.

  The center of the inner courtyard is the famous Taiye Pool, with countless rooms and palaces arranged around it.

  Taiye Pool was the most important royal pool in the Tang Dynasty, with many water pavilions and corridors surrounding it, making it a beautiful and relaxing place to visit.

  The clear pool water is emerald blue like a mirror, shining brightly in the sunlight, with an indescribable beauty. The gentle breeze stirs up wave after wave of ripples, adding to its charm.

  In a pavilion sat an old man eight feet tall, with hair slightly white, although not young in years, but still unable to hide his handsome appearance. It can be imagined that when he was young, he must have been exceptionally handsome and could make countless people go crazy for him.

  The old man gazed at the pool water, with a faint and enchanting smile on his face, and between glances, he had an air of swallowing rivers and mountains, and looking down on the world.

  He is the current Emperor of Tang Dynasty, the true Son of Heaven, Tang Xuanzong Li Longji!

  Li Longji, although in his twilight years, still cannot conceal his heroic demeanor. In every gesture and movement, there is a majestic aura that commands respect, without any pretension, but rather naturally revealed.

  Li Longji was a very famous and highly controversial emperor in Chinese history, with praise and blame being evenly divided.

  The prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, the reason why the Tang Dynasty can reach the height of "Kaiyuan Prosperous Times", is because it was built by Li Longji with his heart and soul.

  The Kaiyuan era is a monument in Chinese history, with brilliant civil governance and majestic military achievements that inspire admiration. The prosperity of the Tang Dynasty surpassed the "Reign of Zhenguan" established by Emperor Taizong of Tang, and only the "Han Wu's Prosperous Era" established by Emperor Wu of Han can be compared to it.

  Li Longji was not only handsome, but also had the appearance of a dragon and a phoenix, with the talent of Qin Shihuang and Han Wudi. If it weren't for him, the Tang Dynasty would have changed its surname, either to Wei or fallen into the hands of Princess Taiping.

  He lived in an era that was one of the most turbulent years of the Tang Dynasty. Empress Wei and Princess Anle joined forces to poison Emperor Zhongzong, dominating court politics, with officials not daring to speak out and members of the imperial family binding their hands. Just as the great power of the Tang Dynasty was about to fall into Empress Wei's hands, Li Longji joined forces with Princess Taiping to launch a coup, killing Empress Wei and Princess Anle and putting Emperor Ruizong on the throne.

  Li Longji was made crown prince due to his exceptional talent, which was undisputed even by his older brother.

  However, Princess Taiping underestimated him and didn't take him seriously. Soon, Princess Taiping realized she had made a big mistake - Li Longji was young but sharp-minded and exceptionally talented, regarding him as a thorn in her side, wanting to get rid of him once and for all.

  Taiping Princess was the daughter of Wu Zetian, extremely politically savvy and wanted to be an empress like her mother. Half of the court officials were in her party, her power was immense, even Emperor Ruizong would consult with her on major events, making her a formidable opponent.

  No one had expected that Li Longji would first take action against the human, and in one move, he killed Taiping Princess, sweeping away the biggest obstacle on his road to the throne, and no one could compete with him for the throne anymore.

  Li Longji ascended to the throne, but the political situation he faced was extremely severe. Because since Tang Taizong, Tang Gaozong, Zhongzong and Ruizong, three consecutive dynasties of soft-boiled emperors, with eunuchs intervening in politics, palace chaos, court instability, and accumulated ills, the Tang Empire was no longer as prosperous as it was during Tang Taizong's time.

  Li Longji was determined to be a wise ruler like Emperor Taizong of Tang, and he put it into action. He promoted virtuous and capable officials, such as Yao Chong, Song Jing, Han Xiu, Zhang Jiuling, and Zhang Yue... These famous ministers were given important positions, eliminated accumulated evils, reformed the military, encouraged diligence and good governance, and made the Tang Empire prosperous and flourishing, driving Chinese history towards the "Prosperous Era of Kaiyuan".

  Appreciating the rolling blue waves, Li Longji's mood was excellent, and there were more smiles on his face.

  Just then, a faint sound of footsteps was heard. Li Longji did not turn his head and asked, "Li Linfu, what brings you here?"

  "Long live Your Majesty! Congratulations to Your Majesty!"

  Li Linfu stepped forward quickly and paid his respects to Li Longji with great courtesy and caution, without any flaws.

  "Oh!"

  Li Longji slightly sensed something was off, turned his head around, and his eyes sparkled as he stared at Li Linfu. To Li Linfu, it felt like the gaze wasn't just a look, but a sharp sword that pierced through his heart.

  Li Linfu was a famous treacherous minister in history, but he had great talent and could be considered a hero of his generation. However, every time he faced Li Longji, he felt like he was being seen through.

  "Your Majesty, Gao Xianzhi has defeated the small tribe of Bolü, captured Su Heili and the Princess of Tubo, and they have been escorted to the capital." Li Linfu hastily reported back.

  "Has the little Liutao been defeated?" A flash of light appeared in Li Longji's eyes, like a heavenly sword breaking through the air, making people dare not look up. He stood up suddenly, and a sense of majestic momentum burst forth.

  "Good hit!"

  Li Longji clapped his hands lightly, producing a crisp clapping sound, and praised: "Tubo and Dashi colluded with each other, in a state of panic and treachery, and once joined forces to become enemies of the Great Tang. The two countries colluded, from the east of the great non-river to the west of Persia, tens of thousands of miles of territory were all enemies of the Great Tang, although the Great Tang was prosperous, it was also a thorny problem."

  The Great Non River refers to the area around Qinghai Lake today, which was an important economic zone of Tubo and played a very important role.

  "This campaign of Gao Xianzhi was like a sharp knife, cutting off the Tibetans and Arabs at the waist, dividing them into two from the Small Pilous!"

  Li Longji would have become a rare wise and virtuous ruler in Chinese history if he hadn't indulged in pleasure in his later years, but instead continued to work diligently. Although the true Son of Heaven has now entered old age and is no longer diligent in handling state affairs, his astuteness remains, and with one sentence, he hits the nail on the head: "If Tibet cannot restrain the Anxi Protectorate, then the Anxi Protectorate can concentrate its forces to contend with Dashi!"

  "Long live Your Majesty!"

  Li Linfu praised: "Although the small victory is small, it is extremely important. The small victory gave the Tang Dynasty a big win, this is a great event for the Tang Dynasty. I beg your majesty to issue an edict, heavily reward the soldiers and generals, and celebrate greatly!"

  "Heavily rewarding the soldiers is a must, there's no need for grand celebrations."

  Li Longji waved his hand lightly and said, "Since the establishment of the Great Tang Dynasty, the Tang has destroyed the Turks, Tuyuhun, Goguryeo, defeated Tubo, Dashi, and won numerous victories. Just taking out one of them would be more brilliant than this battle. This battle was not bad, but it can't compare to those great victories, so there's no need for grand celebrations. Pass down the edict, three days later, open the Furong Garden, allow the common people to enter, that's enough."

  Li Longji was no longer diligent in government affairs, but he was still shrewd and discerning, with clear rewards and punishments, and this was the best way to handle things.