The new capital, Xinducheng, showcased a new atmosphere. After thanking Li Shimin profusely for the Lingyan Pavilion matter, standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows of the 33rd floor and overlooking the entire new city, everyone couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.
Li Xiaogong stroked his beard and lamented with a sigh.
"All of this feels like a dream. Old Ninth fears he'll wake up suddenly one day..."
Li Ji nodded in agreement and said with a wistful expression.
"Indeed. Thinking back to those years, when the Sui Dynasty collapsed and the Tang Dynasty was not yet established, the entire nation was in turmoil wherever you looked."
"If Xue Ju, Liu Wuzhou, Dou Jiande, and Liu Heita were still alive, they probably wouldn't have imagined the prosperity the realm enjoys today, would they?"
Yuchi Jingde chimed in from the side, "It's not just them; I suspect even the late Emperor and the Crown Prince wouldn't have dared to imagine it!"
The words of the three men sparked a glint in Li Shimin's eyes. He suddenly turned to Fang Er.
"Anzhi, I want you to go to another world and invite these people to come here!"
"I want them to see the current state of the realm!"
"I defeated them on the battlefield back then, and I know they must have been unwilling."
"Therefore, I want them to see the realm as it is today, to make them truly convinced!"
"And that's not all!"
Li Shimin paused for a moment, a new idea dawning on him, and he grew increasingly excited.
"There's also the former Sui Emperor!"
"I want him to know that the fall of the Sui Dynasty was correct, and it was a blessing for the common people and for the realm!"
"And also!"
"I have read that person's poems."
"'Qin Shi Huang and Han Wu Di, slightly lacking in literary flair.'"
"'I and Emperor Taizu of Song, a bit less captivating.'"
"'Genghis Khan, the mighty conqueror, only knew how to draw a bow and shoot eagles.'"
"Therefore, I wish to elevate the capital relocation ceremony to a higher level!"
"I want you to send people to invite all the emperors of antiquity and the rulers of later generations!"
"Emperor Qi of the Xia Dynasty, Emperor Tang of the Shang Dynasty!"
"King Fa of the Zhou Dynasty, the First Emperor of Qin!"
"Emperor Gaozu of Han, Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty!"
"Emperor Zhao the Second of the Later Song, Kublai Khan of the Later Yuan!"
"Emperor Zhu Chongba of the Later Ming, Emperor Huang Taiji of the Later Qing!"
"Whether they founded dynasties or lost them, not a single one should be missed!"
"I want them to see that in countless parallel worlds, only I have achieved universal harmony, and an empire where the sun never sets for the Han people!"
"I want to tell the emperors of former dynasties where they went wrong!"
"I also want to tell my descendants how to be a qualified emperor!"
The more he spoke, the more excited he became, his spittle catching the sunlight and creating fleeting rainbows.
Fang Er and everyone around him had not anticipated such an idea. As they listened, their eyes grew wider and wider.
Damn, with this plan, the grandeur of this capital relocation ceremony would be beyond description, even with the word "awesome"!
This was beyond anything imaginable!
Li Ji, Li Jing, and Li Xiaogong quickly grasped the implications. This plan could work!
It absolutely had to work!
If the Supreme Emperor gained prestige, they could also bask in some of the glory!
Could this era of prosperity be solely attributed to the Supreme Emperor?
No, it must have involved everyone present!
If this ceremony could be as perfect as the Supreme Emperor envisioned, how would history record them in the future?
A wise ruler matched with virtuous officials!
Everyone present here was a virtuous official!
Hiahiahiahiahia...........
Now, they had status, power, and wealth. What they lacked most was reputation!
A reputation that would echo through the ages!
Zhang Gongjin was the first to step forward, clapping Fang Er on the shoulder with a fawning expression.
"Anzhi, you must get this done quickly!"
"If you need manpower, you have my word that the thirty thousand elite soldiers under the Yangzhou Inspectorate will be at your disposal. Old Zhang believes the Supreme Emperor and His Majesty will surely agree!"
Li Xiaogong also nodded repeatedly, "Indeed, and my Dengzhou Inspectorate too!"
Qin Qiong: +1
Li Ji: +2
Chai Shao: +3
Cheng Yaojin: +4
Niu Jindai: +5
Yuchi Jingde: +6
In the blink of an eye, eight of the nine major Inspectorates of the Tang Dynasty had stepped forward. However, Li Shimin, being the last, slightly disrupted the formation.
"My son-in-law, what are you waiting for?"
"Now that eight of the nine Inspectorates support you, staging a rebellion would be a matter of minutes!"
"So, why don't you get started?"
Fang Er: ...........
Seeing their eager faces, he could only reluctantly agree to the task.
However, China had a recorded history of 422 emperors. Excluding Li Shimin, it would be quite a rush to invite the remaining 421 within the next two months.
And this was only from the time of the First Emperor onwards; the eight hundred years of the Zhou Dynasty...
"Please rest assured, Supreme Emperor and everyone else, I accept this task."
"Hahahaha, good! Good!"
Li Shimin was greatly pleased. He casually pushed Zhang Gongjin aside and put his arm around Fang Er's shoulder.
Then, he turned to Liu Dacheng, the Minister of Personnel, among the accompanying officials.
"Dachengzi!"
"I've heard you've been making excellent sea cucumber fried noodles lately!"
"Let's go, let's go! Today at noon, I'll have you prepare a feast for everyone!"
With that, he pulled Fang Er towards the elevators. After taking a couple of steps, he turned back and added.
"Remember, no horseradish!"
Liu Dacheng looked bewildered: ...........
What was horseradish?
He hadn't been to the main world and didn't know the underlying context. He wanted to ask but feared it would negatively impact his impression on Li Shimin, so he could only remain silent, tears welling in his eyes, as the sound of the elevator reached his ears...........
"Ding dong! Elevator descending, please stand firm........"
He looked up and found that all his colleagues had already entered the elevator, leaving him still standing outside, lost in thought. He hurried to catch up, shouting loudly.
"Hey, hey, hey, wait for me!"
He finally squeezed into the elevator, only to see the lights inside inexplicably begin to flicker.
"Ding dong! Elevator overweight........"
Liu Dacheng:...........