Chen Qian, a college graduate who found himself unemployed right after graduation, accidentally transmigrated to the eighth year of the Zhenguan era while looking for work. He discovered that he had become none other than Li Shimin’s eldest son, Li Chengqian. Chen Qian hadn’t majored in history, but as an amateur history enthusiast, he knew quite a bit about the Tang dynasty.
The mighty Han and prosperous Tang dynasties both had their regrets. The Tang dynasty’s greatest regret may have been decided the moment Li Shimin deposed Li Chengqian. Since Heaven had given him the chance to start over, he would make sure the prosperous Tang dynasty had no regrets.
After taking on his new identity, Li Chengqian won over the ministers. From Changsun Wuji to Fang Xuanling, they all became convinced that he was the only crown prince worth following. Even Wei Zheng, who was always stern-faced, had to praise him: “His Highness the Crown Prince is truly a model for all the people.”
At home, he set an example as the elder brother. Whether it was the supremely arrogant Li Tai, the calculating Li Zhi, or Li Ke, who was as brave and imposing as their father, they all willingly declared, “We will serve our big brother, holding his horse and stirrups, and remain loyal unto death.”
Abroad, he expanded the empire’s borders. To the north, he completely broke up the Xueyantuo, ensuring that the Tang would never again face the threat of northern horsemen sweeping south. To the west, he brought Tuyuhun and Gaochang fully under his control, ensuring that the Tang would never again risk having the Silk Road cut off. To the east, he placed Goguryeo and Japan alike beneath the Tang’s iron hoof, ensuring that no tiger would lurk beneath the empire’s very bed. To the south, he brought the Southeast Asian peninsula and the Tibetan Plateau to heel, sending Tang culture steadily overseas…
A Tang dynasty this prosperous would have no regrets!
Chapter 15: Poisoning people to death and giving away their women 🤮
Yes, logical thinking is OK