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

Chapter 15 The Tiger of Jingyang Ridge—Wu Song Fights the Tiger? Nope, He’s Outta Here!

“The end of imperial rule?”

Ying Zheng gazed at the sky screen, momentarily stunned.

“When I looked at the Qing Dynasty before, I thought it had a good start and transition, but it ended in utter chaos. But why did the emperor disappear after this dynasty?”

He couldn’t figure it out.

Beside him, Li Si’s eyes flickered as if he had thought of a possible explanation.

He spoke up, “Your Majesty, I believe there are only two possibilities.”

“Let’s hear them.”

Li Si continued, “From what we’ve seen on the sky screen, during Emperor Qianlong’s reign, the Qing Dynasty adopted a policy of seclusion. This caused the once-powerful Qing Empire to lose contact with foreign nations.”

“I suspect that during this time, those foreign nations must have undergone groundbreaking transformations, creating a widening gap between them and China.”

“This, I believe, is the real reason behind the Qing Dynasty’s ultimate chaos.”

Ying Zheng found his words reasonable.

“Go on.”

Li Si glanced at Zhao Gao, who looked utterly confused, coughed lightly, and, feeling quite pleased with himself, continued.

“Your Majesty, even though the imperial system ended after the Qing Dynasty, that only means the title ‘Emperor’ disappeared. Just like before Your Majesty, no one used the title ‘Emperor,’ yet rulers still existed. Even if there are no emperors in later generations, there will surely be sovereigns. There’s no need for Your Majesty to worry.”

“Well said, Chancellor.”

“Still, the Qing Dynasty was truly disgraceful. It embarrassed the descendants of Yan and Huang!”

Ying Zheng snorted coldly.

After all, it was under the Qing Dynasty that the imperial system was lost.

_____

Li Shimin frowned deeply.

“I never expected that future generations wouldn’t even have an emperor.”

“Although the Qing Dynasty was ruled by the Manchus, who took over China, at least they had the sense to create a prosperous era. But to think that the imperial system itself would end with them!”

“Fujii, do you think the lack of an emperor in later generations means that China was conquered by foreign invaders?”

However, as far as Li Shimin knew, foreign lands also had similar imperial systems. Zhangsun Wuji pondered for a moment before smiling.

“Your Majesty, throughout history, from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to now, no matter how times change, a nation will always have a ruler. Even in the celestial realm, there is a Heavenly Emperor, and in the underworld, there is King Yama.”

Li Shimin was still puzzled.

“So, what do you mean?”

Zhangsun Wuji explained further:

“Where there are people, there will always be power and social classes. As long as these two exist, there will always be a ‘ruler.’ An emperor is simply a form of ruler. Looking at history, the changes in the world are nothing more than shifts in power and class. Even if there is no emperor, there will still be a ruling authority. The only difference is that they won’t be called ‘emperors,’ but they will still govern like one. Otherwise, without central authority, wouldn’t the world descend into chaos?”

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and the others nodded in agreement. Though Zhangsun Wuji was known as the greatest flatterer in the Tang Dynasty, his reasoning this time was solid.

Li Shimin also nodded.

“What you say makes sense. There will certainly be rulers or ruling classes in later generations. Otherwise, there would be a complete disorder.”

“However, with the imperial system gone and a new regime in place, it is the common people who will suffer once again!”

Hearing this, Zhangsun Wuji’s eyes lit up. It was time for some flattery!

He immediately bowed and said, “Your Majesty, you are a once-in-a-millennium emperor, a model for future wise rulers! You have created a golden age unmatched in history. This is not only the good fortune of the Tang Dynasty but also a blessing for all its people!”

At that moment, every dynasty and era was discussing the end of the imperial system.

______

Wu Song was drinking when he looked up at the sky screen.

“Dynasties rise and fall, rulers come and go—at the end of the day, it all boils down to human greed and power struggles. But in the end, it’s always the common folk who suffer.”

Wu Song glanced at it a few more times before losing interest.

After finishing three bowls of wine, he called out, “Innkeeper, bring more wine!”

The innkeeper came out and pointed to a banner hanging outside.

“Sir, you must have seen the sign—it clearly says, ‘Three Bowls and No More!’”

Wu Song raised an eyebrow, curious.

“What does ‘Three Bowls and No More’ mean?”

The innkeeper saw Wu Song getting annoyed and quickly explained, “Sir, my family’s brewing technique has been passed down for generations. Anyone who drinks more than three bowls gets drunk. Ahead is Jingyang Ridge—if you’re drunk, you won’t make it over the mountain. That’s why it’s called ‘Three Bowls and No More.’ Everyone around here knows this.”

Wu Song scoffed.

“It’s just a ridge. Even if I’m drunk, I can still cross it.”

“Bring me the wine!”

The innkeeper hesitated.

“Sir, you must not be from around here. There’s a fierce tiger on Jingyang Ridge—it has already killed dozens of travelers! If you must drink, why not stay here for the night and continue your journey tomorrow? No need to throw your life away!”

Wu Song smirked.

“A tiger? What’s there to be afraid of?”

The innkeeper was about to argue further, but at that moment, both he and Wu Song looked up.

The sky screen suddenly changed.

[HD Highlight Reel: Wu Song’s Drunken Tiger Fight on Jingyang Ridge!]. [After drinking eighteen bowls of wine, Wu Song felt a cool breeze, and the alcohol surged through his veins. His head spun, and he collapsed onto a boulder to sleep.]. [Moments later, a thunderous roar shattered the silence, shaking the ground like an earthquake.]. [Wu Song leaped up, gripping his staff, cold sweat breaking out.]. [In the distance, a massive tiger bared its fangs, its razor-sharp claws gleaming in the moonlight, before pouncing at Wu Song!]. [Wu Song dodged mid-air, but his staff struck a tree and snapped in half.]. [The tiger swept its tail, knocking him to the ground.]. [It lunged at him again, tearing his clothes like paper.]. [As it pounced again, Wu Song seized its tail, spinning the beast in circles like a whirlwind!]. [Seizing the opportunity, Wu Song vaulted onto the tiger’s back, discarding his broken staff. He clenched his fists and rained down punches on the tiger’s skull.]. [Blow after blow, like a raging storm, each fist slammed into the tiger’s head.]. [At last, Wu Song, drenched in sweat and exhausted, stopped. The tiger lay still, blood streaming from its orifices—lifeless.].

…

The innkeeper gawked.

“What did you say your name was again?”

Wu Song was equally stunned but instinctively replied, “Wu Song.”

Meanwhile, on Jingyang Ridge, a white-furred tiger gazed at the sky screen, its eyes filled with terror.

Due to the sky screen’s mysterious power, even animals could understand the general meaning.

“Wu Song fights a tiger?”

“Humans are this terrifying!”

“I’m outta here!”

The tiger’s eyes darted around before it bolted deep into the mountains. Better to lay low for a while—staying alive was more important!