I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 543 - 54: The Emperor’s Final Years, Attire of All Nations

Li Shimin sat solemnly on the dragon throne, also watching this scene.

Despite his illness being apparent, with sunken cheeks and fatigue etched across his brow, the aura of majesty surrounding him remained undiminished.

No one dared to meet his gaze directly, for the fear emanating from his very soul was enough for Li Shimin to command respect without uttering a word.

He did not speak, conserving his strength.

Until all the envoys finished offering their congratulations.

Only then did Li Shimin finally make a slight movement. After taking a deep breath, he suddenly stood up, scanning the people present, and calmly spoke:

"All of you have come from afar to celebrate my birthday, further highlighting the friendship among all nations, which brings me great joy."

His voice was not loud, yet in the deathly silence of the hall, it penetrated clearly into everyone’s ears.

At that moment, all eyes were fixed on Li Shimin.

"Since the inception of the Zhen Guan era—"

"East to the great sea, west beyond the shifting sands, south to the pearl shores, north to the great desert..."

"The Silk Road is bustling with merchants, the common people live securely in their professions, and foreign lands admire our civilization."

Li Shimin’s gaze met each individual as his tone grew increasingly solemn: "This is not by Heaven’s blessing, but due to our clear laws, elite soldiers, the unity of sovereign and ministers, and the cooperation of the people!"

"I’ve often heard that when a tree stands out in the forest, the wind will certainly destroy it; if an earthwork rises above the bank, the current will surely erode it."

"Yet—"

"The tree of our Great Tang has roots as deep as a thousand fathoms, no ordinary wind can shake it!"

"The foundation of our Great Tang’s earthwork is as solid as a rock, no ordinary current can undermine it!"

His gaze grew sharper, and the aura of majesty emanating from his person burst forth entirely at this moment: "I wish to share the blessings of peace with all nations, perpetuating bonds of goodwill."

"However—"

"Should there be any who do not understand the times, who do not care for the people, who do not abide by the laws, who rashly stir conflict, disturb our territories, disrupt our trade routes, or harm my subjects..."

He slowly paced to the side, once again taking up the bow and arrows that had accompanied him for most of his life: "Let it not be said—"

"That I did not warn beforehand!"

"Even if I am growing old and frail—"

"My armored warriors;

"My outstanding generals;

"My illustrious laws—shall endure like Mount Tai and the Big Dipper, forever upholding the balance of the universe!"

Having said this, pulling strength from an unknown reserve, Li Shimin once again drew his mighty bow.

The movement was fluid and graceful, as if time had rewound, recreating the heroic image of him riding a horse and drawing a bow, commanding the battlefield!

Ready the arrow!

Draw the string!

Release the fingers!

"Whoosh—!"

A sound of breaking air suddenly exploded within the Taiji Hall, the feathered arrow embedded itself squarely in the center of the hall.

Not even the envoys from the vassal states, nor the officials of the Great Tang had anticipated this scene, and involuntarily showed expressions of astonishment on their faces.

But after all, they were court ministers, and reacted quickly.

As Zhangsun Wuji first rose, a group of officials immediately knelt to pay homage to Li Shimin.

"His Majesty is divine and mighty! His heavenly authority is vast and majestic!"

"We ministers—reverently pay homage again!"

Their voices shook the hall!

Under the echoing shouts, the envoys from all directions also finally came to their senses, disregarding the trepidation in their hearts, quickly bowing once more to Li Shimin.

—Awe!

Li Shimin evidently intended to awe the vassal states one last time, which was the final act he could perform for the Great Tang as its emperor.

Gu Yi was also watching this scene, feeling a twinge in his heart.

Perhaps this is the charm of history.

None are perfect.

Regardless of his rights or wrongs, achieving this much is actually enough for an emperor...

——————

"The Zhen Guan era stands as a critical milestone in the historical development of our nation.

After long-term turmoil across the Kyushu, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, successfully realized unity and stability while concurrently promoting national power and cultural dissemination.

He revitalized the system of multi-ethnic integration that began during the Yan Han period throughout the Zhen Guan era.

This move underscored the powerful integration capacity of Chinese culture, laying a foundation for future generations.

The policy of Tuo Hai he implemented, though not immediately impactful at the time, proved foundational for future development."

——Excerpt from "A History of the Rise and Fall of the Tang Dynasty"