I have already established my power and prestige, so how did Li Shimin come back to life?

Li Chengqian sat quietly on the dragon throne, his expression as calm as water, listening attentively to Yu Zhining's words. He nodded slightly to show his initial approval of his explanation, and then said softly, "My dear minister, please continue. I am listening."

Yu Zhining's words also made the old ministers in the court nod their heads frequently.

Yu Zhining swallowed softly to moisten his slightly dry throat, then continued, "The proof of a strong nation is its combination of civil virtue and military prowess. The two complement each other, like the two wheels of a car, neither of which can be missing."

"Laws should also conform to the principles of benevolence and righteousness, rewarding good and punishing evil, and being fair and strict. Adhering to the principle of 'punishing the guilty without sparing high officials, and rewarding the virtuous without sparing the common man,' we must fully guarantee the implementation of fairness and justice, so that the majesty of national law is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, so that the people, regardless of their status, will respect the law and dare not overstep the line."

"As for military prowess, it's not about wantonly abusing military power, but about possessing a strong military force capable of defending one's country."

"Conquests must be justified and fought for justice. This is what is meant by 'stopping war is the best way to fight.' Using war to stop war is the purpose of maintaining the territorial integrity of the Tang Dynasty and demonstrating national prestige."

"To make the barbarians pay tribute, to bring harmony among all nations, to make distant nations come to you in admiration, and to make nearby neighbors sincerely submit—this is the mark of a strong nation's military power."

"Like a skinny tiger standing tall in the forest, all the beasts are afraid."

After listening to Yu Zhining's grand speech, Li Chengqian raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a meaningful smile, and said slowly: "When I first ascended the throne, I said that I have studied all the books that you, my dear ministers, have read."

"And I have also delved deeply into books that you have not yet explored. My knowledge is not superficial."

After saying that, he looked directly at Yu Zhining, with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

"Your Confucian theory, at first glance, makes a lot of sense. It's a beautiful piece of writing, with gorgeous rhetoric and rigorous logic."

“But if you think about it carefully, it seems like a castle in the air, just empty talk and difficult to implement.”

Li Chengqian paused slightly and his tone turned cold.

"Let me ask you a question, my dear minister. You speak of 'harmony among all people, filial piety among fathers, friendship among brothers, respectful respect among younger brothers, harmony between husband and wife, and love between neighbors.' While these aspirations are fine, don't these "all people" include those with disabilities?"

"Doesn't this also include the poor people of our Great Tang who are in dire straits?"

"What position do they hold in your blueprint for a prosperous world? Are they being ignored by you?"

When Yu Zhining heard this, his expression changed slightly and he seemed to want to say something but stopped.

Your Majesty is actually refuting the words of the saint!

Li Chengqian did not pause and continued, "I know what you are thinking, my dear ministers. I also understand that you think Mr. Ma's idea is a thankless task, a waste of manpower, material resources, and financial resources, but with little prospect of significant results."

Li Chengqian glanced at the entire audience, his tone firm and unwavering, "I declare today what constitutes a prosperous era. It is defined by the living conditions of the poor and needy."

"From ancient times to the present, has there ever been a truly pure and prosperous era in the world?"

At this moment, Mr. Qi, who had been silent all the time, quietly raised his head and looked deeply at Li Chengqian, with a complex look flashing across his eyes.

Li Chengqian remained unaware and continued his impassioned speech: "The so-called prosperous times of the past were merely the prosperous times of kings, princes, generals and ministers, and were definitely not the prosperous times of ordinary people in the world. They were merely the prosperous times of a small group of powerful people."

"The majority of the people are still in dire straits, worried about getting a full meal every day, struggling on the edge of survival."

"I despise the name of such a prosperous age, which is unworthy of its reality. I neither want it nor crave it."

Li Chengqian's words became more and more passionate.

"As long as there are still people in the Tang Dynasty who are hungry and clothed."

"There are still people who are oppressed and exploited, working hard but not getting the wages they deserve."

"Then this so-called Qianwu prosperous era is nothing more than a false joke, all show and no substance."

Li Chengqian turned to look at the historian in charge of recording with a serious expression.

"Historician, record my words today truthfully. I swear that as long as the people of the Tang Dynasty continue to endure hardship, no one will record the so-called Qianwu Era of Prosperity in the annals of history."

"I believe that such a false reputation is a disgrace to the Tang Dynasty! This is my promise to the people of the Tang Dynasty."

"I only hope that the ministers of my Qianwu Dynasty can sit with the poor people of this world, and not sit too high."

"A sage once said, 'The people are more important than the ruler,' but how many people, after becoming officials, no longer take the common people seriously?"

"I don't care what happens in the future, but you all must remember me!"

"During the reign of Emperor Qianwu, I shared the world with the common people, not with the literati and officials."

"Remember, when I meet the people, I will also greet each other. If anyone dares to put on the airs of those stinking bureaucrats in front of the people, don't say that I don't show you any mercy."

The historian felt his blood boiling when he heard Li Chengqian's powerful words.

Although everyone knows that your Majesty's ideal of writing is difficult to achieve and out of reach.

But if we don't even have ideals, what hope is there in this world? What's the point of looking forward to life?