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

Chapter 4 Biao’er, How Can I Trust You with the Empire?

[Sixth Place: Eastern Han Dynasty. At its peak, it did not engage in significant territorial expansion, with a total land area of approximately 6.55 million square kilometers.]. [Fifth Place: Western Han Dynasty. At its peak, it reached 10 million square kilometers, but this period was short-lived. Soon after, it strategically withdrew from the northern frontier, retreating south of the Great Wall.]. [After a series of strategic withdrawals, the Western Han’s long-term territory stabilized at around 6.68 million square kilometers.].

Liu Bang saw that the Han Dynasty had made it onto the list, and he couldn’t hide his excitement. Sitting beside him, Lü Zhi was also beaming with joy. Although she had her own calculations regarding the position of the crown prince, seeing their nation being remembered so prominently in history still made her happy.

“But why is it divided into Eastern and Western Han? What does this mean? Was my great Han split apart?”

Liu Bang’s expression darkened. It seemed that only divided dynasties were given such east-west designations.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! It seems that our descendants were also diligent rulers, achieving great feats!”

“Isn’t the Eastern Han still part of the Han Dynasty?” Lü Zhi commented.

She didn’t care much about these details—her main concern was who would be the future emperor. Liu Bang nodded. He realized he needed to accelerate the process of appointing a crown prince.

Liu Che saw that the Han Dynasty was ranked, but unlike its founding emperor, he was not particularly pleased.

“Why only fifth?”

“Shouldn’t we be number one?”

Dongfang Shuo pondered for a moment.

“Since this ranking is a message from the future, warning the world, it can also serve as guidance for our great Han Empire.”

“Your Majesty, I believe we should first campaign against the Xiongnu, then conquer Nanyue, pacify Minyue, and launch military campaigns in the southeast, southwest, northwest, and northeast to expand our territory.”

Liu Che nodded.

“That makes sense!”

He immediately declared with great ambition.

“I will gather elite troops and generals to march against the Xiongnu! I will dominate this ranking and claim the top spot!”

“I will be like the First Emperor, leaving an indelible mark in history! I will expand the Western Han’s territory so thoroughly that the Xiongnu will never rise again, and the Han Dynasty’s fate will endure forever!”

Dongfang Shuo stepped forward and presented a memorial.

“Your Majesty, I have already compiled a list of recommended generals for this campaign!”

“My loyal minister, you have relieved me of a great burden!”

Liu Che eagerly had the list brought to him. The conquest of the Xiongnu could not wait!

Liu Xiu furrowed his brows. Initially, he was quite pleased that the Eastern Han had made it onto the list, but when he saw the words “did not engage in significant territorial expansion,” his mood soured.

All land under heaven belongs to the emperor!

All people within the land are his subjects!

What emperor wouldn’t want to unite the world under his rule?

“Back then, after Wang Mang usurped the throne, the empire fell into chaos. My elder brother was killed. I abandoned my army and traveled alone to the north. It took me two years to unify Hebei, enduring countless hardships before I ascended to the throne. After that, I worked tirelessly to rebuild the nation, only to be judged like this by history?”

He was unwilling to accept it!

Chancellor Geng Yan saw his emperor’s disappointment and spoke solemnly, “Your Majesty, although this vision comes from the future, you are still the ruler of this nation. History is not yet set in stone!”

That statement was a wake-up call! Liu Xiu’s eyes gleamed with determination. “You are absolutely right!”

[Fourth Place: Ming Dynasty.]. [During the Yongle era, the Ming Dynasty’s territory expanded to nearly 10 million square kilometers.]. [Later, after losing control over the northeast, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Ningxia, the Ming Dynasty’s land shrank to just 3.6 million square kilometers.].

“Yongle?”

“Is that the era name chosen by Biao’er after he took the throne?”

“From 10 million square kilometers down to 3.6 million… What kind of emperor were you?”

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at the word “Yongle” in the sky, lost in thought. His era name was “Hongwu,” yet it was “Yongle” that had been ranked.

The most troubling part was the loss of so much territory. Did this mean Biao’er would be an incompetent ruler?

Hearing this, Zhu Biao felt uneasy, his face turning pale. Could it be that he would truly lose that much land in the future?

Hurriedly, he knelt down and declared, “Father, you will reign for all eternity! The Ming Empire will last forever! This vision must be false!”

Meanwhile, Zhu Di kept muttering “Yongle” over and over, his eyes filled with confusion.

Why did this era name feel so familiar to him?

Had he seen it in a dream?

“Biao’er, we may have come from humble beginnings, but we are not fools. No one lives forever.”

“With reasoning like this, how can I entrust the empire to you?”

Zhu Biao: “…”

He was on the verge of spitting blood. When would this cursed vision disappear?

[Third Place: Tang Dynasty.]. [During the reign of Emperor Taizong, the empire expanded significantly, laying the foundation for a vast territory.]. [During Emperor Gaozong’s rule, the Tang Dynasty reached its territorial peak, covering nearly 12 million square kilometers. If counting effective control zones, it ranged between 15 to 16 million square kilometers.]. [However, after the early Tang period, political turmoil led to the loss of some land. By the late reign of Emperor Xuanzong, the Tang Dynasty’s territory had shrunk to less than 8 million square kilometers.].

Seeing these words in the sky, the usually carefree and impulsive Cheng Yaojin was about to offer congratulations, but Qin Shubao and Yuchi Jingde quickly pulled him back, signaling him to stay quiet. Meanwhile, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui’s minds were racing.

Cheng Yaojin then noticed the grim expression on Emperor Taizong, Li Shimin’s face.

“The Tang Dynasty ushered in an era of peace—how can we not be ranked first?”

He didn’t seek immortality like Emperor Qin Shi Huang, nor did he deny the natural rise and fall of dynasties. But from the moment he ascended the throne, he had dreamed of building a glorious empire,

Creating a golden age, becoming an emperor remembered for all eternity. His lofty ambitions made it hard to accept this ranking. Since this message was from the future, it meant that under his rule, the Tang Dynasty had not become history’s greatest empire.

“Who was this Emperor Xuanzong?”

“How could he let us lose 4 million square kilometers of land? He is the disgrace of the Tang Dynasty!”

His imperial presence was overwhelming. His sons, Li Chengqian and Li Zhi, along with all the ministers, were left in fearful silence.

Fang Xuanling finally stepped forward and cautiously said, “Your Majesty, while this vision comes from the future, events that have not yet happened are not set in stone. Since this revelation has come to our Tang Dynasty, it must be meant as guidance. Just as history serves as a lesson, why not use the future as one?”

“If you listen to wise counsel, promote virtuous officials, and govern diligently for the people, the Tang Dynasty will naturally prosper.”

Although Li Shimin was still displeased, he nodded slightly.

“You speak wisely!”

As the ruler behind the legendary “Reign of Zhenguan,” he quickly regained composure.

His resolve to create an era of prosperity grew even stronger!

[Second Place: Qing Dynasty.]. [The last feudal dynasty in Chinese history, with a peak territory of 13.16 million square kilometers.].

In the midst of a grand hunt, Kangxi read the words in the sky. He was no longer focused on the rankings.

“The last feudal dynasty!”

With uncertainty in his eyes, he muttered in shock, “Does this mean my great Qing has fallen?”