I was watching short videos and historical figures were collectively vomiting blood!

Chapter 12 Zhao Kuangyin and Li Longji Vomit Blood!

Seeing Wu Zetian being forced to abdicate, Li Shimin finally relaxed his tense heart.

“This descendant called Emperor Xuanzong of Tang is quite good, and this prime minister is also capable of great responsibilities!”

[16:46] Li Longji ascends the throne, known as Emperor Xuanzong of Tang; at the same time, the poet sage Du Fu is born. [16:46–16:56] The golden age of the Kaiyuan era, the Tang Dynasty reaches its peak. [16:57] The imperial concubine grinds ink, Gao Lishi removes boots, and the poet immortal Li Bai drunkenly composes the “Qing Ping Diao.” [16:57] Du Fu and Li Bai meet and sleep under the same roof. [17:01] Emperor Xuanzong indulges in pleasure, leading to the An Lushan Rebellion. [17:02] The Mawei Slope Incident—Yang Guifei hangs herself. [17:19] The Yuanhe Restoration under Emperor Xianzong of Tang. [17:36] Zhu Wen, the grave digger of the Tang Dynasty, is born. [17:46] The Huang Chao Rebellion reaches Changan, giving rise to the famous poem:

“When autumn comes on the eighth of September, my flowers bloom and all others perish.

A fragrant force sweeps through Chang’an, the city bathed in golden armor.”

[17:48] Huang Chao is defeated by Zhu Wen and dies in betrayal. [17:56] Zhu Wen destroys the Tang Dynasty.

The Tang Dynasty falls, lasting for 1 hour, 44 minutes, and 32 seconds. After witnessing the grand prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, the day’s timeline reaches evening, and Chinese history enters another great turning point.

“Raising a cup to invite the moon, forming three shadows with my own.”

The ethereal and elegant Li Bai smoothed his snow-white robe, raised his golden goblet, and said to Du Fu beside him.

“Zimei, cheers!”

“When drawing a bow, draw a strong one; when using arrows, use long ones. Shoot the horse before the man, capture the king before the soldiers!”

Du Fu chuckled and clinked his cup with Li Bai. The poet sage and the poet immortal, in a moment of beauty and poetry!

“To think that Brother Taibai could have Yang Guifei grind ink for him and Gao Lishi remove his boots—you are truly an immortal from the heavens, how enviable!”

“Hahaha! Cheers! A few Western women have just arrived at Drunken Blue Tower. Brother Du, let’s drink today while we can!”

Li Bai lived a life of uninhibited freedom, never caring about the mysteries of the celestial screen. Wine and women, freedom and indulgence—those were what truly mattered!

—

By the Huaqing Pool, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, gazed at Yang Guifei, her graceful figure swaying in the water, the shimmering waves reflecting her delicate beauty.

She had not seen the celestial screen’s revelations, but he had. His face, already flushed from the warm vapors, grew heavy with sorrow.

“To think that this is our ending…”

At this thought, a sudden surge of anger and grief overwhelmed him. His face shifted between shades of blue and purple, until at last, with a loud “Wah!”

he spat out a mouthful of blood!

“Your Majesty!”

With a fragrant gust of wind, the voluptuous Yang Guifei cried out in alarm, stirring the petals in the water as she rushed forward to support Li Longji.

—

Outside Changan City, amid raging flames and clashing swords, a man of extraordinary presence halted in his tracks.

Looking up at the celestial screen, his eyes burned with intensity, his grip on his sword tightening before he let out a furious roar.

“Kill!”

A massive head flew into the air, a spray of blood erupting from the severed neck.

“Zhu Wen, how dare you betray me! You seek your own death!”

Huang Chao was ruthless and decisive, wasting no time before charging back into the siege.

—

“The Tang Dynasty dream is ultimately shattered.”

Though he understood that dynastic change was an inevitable part of history, witnessing the fall of later generations with his own eyes still left Li Shimin filled with gloom.

“It is said among the people: Qin made the clothes, Han wore them, and Tang borrowed Sui’s fortune for three hundred years!”

“Hmm!”

Li Shimin lifted his head, wanting to refute this claim but suddenly realizing—he couldn’t.

“Folk rumors are truly terrifying.”

—

[17:56] Zhu Wen proclaims himself emperor, establishing Later Liang. [18:00] The Khitan establish their own state, later becoming the Liao Dynasty. [18:07] Shi Jingtang cedes the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun to the Khitan and recognizes them as his “father,” earning the infamous title “The Child Emperor.” [18:16] The Chenqiao Mutiny—Later Zhou falls, ending the Five Dynasties period. [18:16] Zhao Kuangyin dons the yellow robe, founding the Northern Song Dynasty. [18:19] Li Yu loses his kingdom.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin’s expression darkened. He had been expecting a grand introduction, a dedicated section evaluating his deeds, just like Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Taizong of Tang had received.

But instead, his reign was brushed past in a single line—no further mention at all. He almost spat out blood!

“This is so unfair!”

Ending an era of chaos, founding a new dynasty, and yet, no recognition?

“Unbelievable!”

If he could, he would have smashed this ridiculous celestial screen to pieces!

—

[18:31] The Song and Liao sign the Treaty of Chanyuan. [18:35] The legendary story of the Yang family warriors—Mu Guiying takes command. [18:38] Wang Anshi is born. [18:43] Su Shi is born. [18:45] Bi Sheng invents movable-type printing. [18:59] Su Shi, opposing reforms, is caught in the Wutai Poetry Incident; exiled to Huangzhou, where he creates Dongpo Pork and Dongpo Elbow.

Su Shi looked at how history recorded him, and with a witty smile, remarked.

“Interesting, interesting.”

He was now truly curious—what kind of world was this future era?

—

[19:01] Wang Anshi’s reforms fail; the Northern Song weakens. [19:07] Su Shi dies; the “Along the River During Qingming Festival” painting emerges. [19:12] The Jin Dynasty is founded. [19:16] The Jurchens invade Kaifeng, capturing the two emperors—an event known as the Jingkang Incident. [19:16] The Northern Song collapses, lasting for 1 hour, 0 minutes, and 25 seconds. [19:16] Zhao Gou ascends the throne. [19:18] Yue Fei begins his northern expeditions, winning battle after battle. [19:21] Xin Qiji is born. [19:21] Yue Fei is executed under false charges.

Inside a brightly lit military tent, twelve golden command tablets lay on a wooden table, their gilded inscriptions gleaming ominously under the candlelight.

Yue Fei stared at the celestial screen above him, silent for a long time.

“General, you should rebel!”

“Yes! Rebel!”

“General, if you return, it will be certain death!”

“We, the Yue Army, will follow you to the death!”

Yet, seated firmly in his chair, Yue Fei suddenly declared in a resolute voice:

“Withdraw… to the capital.”

—

The glow of Chinese civilization dimmed as dusk settled, signaling the arrival of a new era brewing across the world.