The video takes us to ancient times; Li Er transforms into the Tongtian Emperor of Shu Han.

"In that case, it seems more like Zhao Er misunderstood Zhao Da's meaning?"

Li Er stroked his beard, as if he had figured something out.

Zhao Kuangyin's policy of emphasizing civil officials and suppressing military officials was intended to curb the power of military generals and nobles, so as to prevent the Chenqiao Mutiny from happening again.

And to avoid as much as possible the situation of warlordism at the end of a dynasty.

The important thing is not to emphasize literature, but to suppress military power!

But when it came to Zhao Erren, he actually emphasized the former, stressing literature!

This completely suppressed the military officers, leaving them utterly unable to raise their heads.

Furthermore, the influence of the civil service on the emperor far exceeded that of military generals and nobles; in fact, many emperors were even educated by civil officials.

Under these circumstances, it was only natural that the emperors of the Song Dynasty gradually became weaker.

Throughout history, whenever war breaks out, it is mostly civil officials who advocate for peace.

Once there are no pro-war military generals in the court, even if the emperor wants to fight, his resolve can easily be swayed by the civil officials.

"Old Zhu is not wrong. If the emphasis on literature and suppression of military affairs can be properly controlled, the consequences will not be so serious, and may even be more beneficial than harmful."

"But starting with Zhao Er, this path went astray, to the point that military officers completely lost their voice, and the civil officials almost controlled the entire court."

At this point, Li Er suddenly realized what was going on.

No wonder Zhao Heizi, who was constantly belittled by Zhu Yuanzhang, was ranked ahead of Emperor Wen of Han.

If that's the case, then none of the policies he decided on could be considered bad.

At most, it's just that his descendants failed to understand his meaning, and simply wrote the principle of valuing literature and suppressing military affairs into the ancestral rules.

Upon hearing Li Er's words, Old Zhu immediately became anxious.

He wanted to offer a brief explanation, but he never intended to completely clear Zhao Heizi's name!

"To be honest, Emperor Taizong, I feel somewhat guilty about what you said."

Before Zhu Yuanzhang could continue his slander, Zhao Kuangyin spoke directly.

"In fact, from the few words Old Zhu had said before, and from the list of incompetent rulers compiled by the immortals, I knew that I had made a mistake."

"That's completely wrong."

He immediately admitted his mistake.

The policy of valuing literature and suppressing military affairs still seems correct even today.

The premise is that it is in the hands of a wise ruler, an emperor who can maintain a good balance between civil and military affairs, in order for the benefits to outweigh the drawbacks.

But how could he guarantee that every emperor after him would be a wise ruler?

Once someone goes astray, the phrase "emphasizing literature and suppressing military affairs" comes from the mouth of Emperor Taizu of Song, and it can easily be established as an ancestral law.

Moreover, apart from the emperor's own distorted thinking, the civil service group would also constantly guide him with their words.

After all, as long as they embark on the path of valuing literature and suppressing military affairs, their status will be elevated almost infinitely.

It is conceivable that the civil service would rack their brains and try every possible method to lead future emperors astray.

Once it goes astray, the Song Dynasty will uncontrollably follow the same path as those on the list of incompetent rulers!

"This can't be entirely your fault; at least the method was good."

Of course, Li Er (Emperor Taizong of Tang) would not agree with, nor would he want his Li Tang dynasty to use such a method to balance the military generals.

The powerful families of the Tang Dynasty were already strong enough that people in many places preferred to acknowledge the families rather than the imperial court.

In this situation, if we were to introduce a policy of emphasizing literature and suppressing military affairs, wouldn't that be tantamount to handing over the Li Tang dynasty to the emperor?

"Let's wait and see. If there are no other faults, he deserves to be seventh on the list of wise rulers."

Ying Zheng, unusually, gave his own evaluation.

Or rather, in his view, ending the decades or even centuries of regional separatism and giving the world renewed hope for unification was enough.

His achievement in establishing a unified dynasty is unparalleled by any other accomplishment.

As long as this is achieved, regardless of whether the ruler is wise or not, or even a tyrant, his achievements cannot be erased!

"Other faults?"

"Then that should be it. Even Zhao Heizi's younger brother didn't get the chance to become senile in his old age."

Everyone: "..."

"Ahem, in a sense, this result is not bad. At least it doesn't have to be like Emperor Wu of Han, who became senile in his later years and caused the witchcraft disaster."

Li Er coughed lightly twice.

"It's not just Emperor Wu of Han; your great-grandson is the same."

“If your great-grandson had died ten or twenty years earlier, he might have had a place on the list of wise rulers.”

Old Zhu said quietly.

"?"

Li Er slowly typed out a question mark.

What do you mean?

Great-grandson?

Wasn't that the one he participated in to avenge the Tang Dynasty?

They've almost become a disgrace to the Tang Dynasty, how could they possibly have a chance to be listed among the wise rulers?

"Old Zhu, are you talking about Li Longji?"

Li Er quickly asked.

"Of course, the Kaiyuan era was a golden age, renowned throughout the entire Tang Dynasty..."

"No, even if we include the Song Dynasty, the Han Dynasty, and other dynasties, among all the eras that are called golden ages, the Kaiyuan era is absolutely unique."

"If all the records in historical books are accurate, then in the hundreds or thousands of years of history, perhaps only the Kaiyuan era can be considered a true golden age!"

Old Zhu has been thoroughly studying history books lately, all for this opportunity to shine in front of others!

Even if we don't make it onto the list of wise rulers because of our love for killing corrupt officials, we can still make others remember us in another way!

Thank you, Tianmu! Thank you, immortals, for giving us this opportunity to enjoy our drinks!

"Li Longji, what Old Zhu said is true. If he had died in the last few years of the Kaiyuan era, he would definitely have a place on the list of wise rulers, and might even have had a chance to be in the top five!"

This time, Zhao Kuangyin and Zhu Yuanzhang, who were usually at odds with each other, surprisingly reached a consensus.

They were all emperors of later generations, so naturally they knew just how powerful the Kaiyuan era, as recorded in history books, truly was!

No matter what hidden dangers there were, at least before Li Longji became senile, no hidden dangers could overshadow the brilliant prosperity of the Kaiyuan era!

"Understood. I will immediately order the imperial physicians to verify the method of weakening the body and making people more prone to premature death in middle age!"

Li Er silently turned his head to look at the people from the Imperial Medical Bureau not far away.

In an instant, the people from the Imperial Medical Bureau felt their heads grow several times larger, and the sounds of their nine generations of relatives saying thank you seemed to be echoing in their ears.

What the hell can they do?!

Even if there is a way!

Whom is Li Er going to use this on?

It's for the future emperor of the Tang Dynasty!

If you can't produce that thing, that's disobeying an imperial order, a capital offense.

Creating that thing is tantamount to plotting against the future emperor—a capital offense, punishable by the extermination of his entire family!

Don't say that they were already dead after Li Longji ascended the throne.

Even if they're dead, they'll be dug up, burned to ashes, and scattered!

What else could they say but brace themselves to meet Li Er's gaze?

As a member of the Imperial Medical Bureau, you never know whether tomorrow or an accident will come first.

For example, right now, the battle to protect the nine clans has already begun!

"Your Majesty, spare your life!"