Chapter 155: The First Sage Empress of All Ages? Solo Biography?!

Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di: "You filthy scoundrel! My Empress Dowager is also someone you can defame?"

"I tell you, just for that sentence, I now issue an edict—any Ming subject who sees a member of the Yehe Nara clan shall be killed without mercy!"

"Anyone who sees a member of the Aisin Gioro clan shall be demoted to the lowest register! I decree that your ancestors for eighteen generations shall never be reborn!"

First Emperor Qin Ying Zheng coldly says: "Barbarians are barbarians, lacking any sense of propriety or shame; such a witch should be torn apart on a cart."

Now Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang also gets angry: "These old women have such filthy mouths! Did Zhu Yuanzhang's Empress provoke you?"

"Oh, I remember, you have brought disaster to the nation, condemned by the Heavenly Curtain as a 'sinner of all ages'; you feel unfair, don't you? You aren't anything yourself, yet you can't stand others being good? Bah! What a thing!"

Tang Emperor Taizong Li Shimin, who was already grieving the early death of Empress Changsun, upon hearing this, became furious.

"How dare you, witch! The virtue of Empress Changsun is witnessed by heaven and earth! You, a lowly maid, are even fit to judge my Guanyin Wall?"

"I tell you, if you stand before me, I will personally behead you, to set things straight!"

Cao Cao laughs heartily: "Brilliant! Truly brilliant! Every time this witch opens her mouth, it makes me laugh for half a day."

"Come, Feng Xiao, how long do you think she can hold out this time without fainting?"

Guo Jia suppresses a laugh: "Jia gamble… within ten sentences."

……

All the emperors of the myriad ages rose together to attack.

Cixi, her face flushed and ears reddened, trembling all over:

"You… you… I am the Qing Empress Dowager! You remnants of the previous dynasties, how dare you…"

Before she could finish, the voice of the Heavenly Curtain sounded coldly, cutting her off:

"Yehe Nara clan, wasn't the last lesson enough?"

"Empress Changsun died at thirty‑six due to chronic illness and years of overwork. Her virtue and achievements shine through the ages. You, too, are fit to comment?"

"Empress Ma assisted Ming Taizu in establishing the realm; her virtue beloved by the people, her merit lasting for millennia. You, too, are fit to evaluate?"

"I, the High One, give you a final warning: if you dare speak rash words again, I will unleash heavenly punishment, causing the Aisin Gioro clan to be extinguished at once."

The final sentence, cold as iron.

Cixi's vision went black; this time she was not angry, but frightened.

"I… I dare not any longer… I dare not…"

She collapses to the ground, trembling.

Qianlong, also terrified, falls to his knees with a thud:

"Immortal, calm your anger! Immortal, calm your anger! Cixi is old and muddled, spouting nonsense! I… I will atone for her! Please grant forgiveness, Immortal!"

The Heavenly Curtain snorts coldly, and pays no further heed.

Across the ages and realms, a chorus of laughter erupts.

Liu Bang: "Damn! Let her mouth stay filthy!"

Ying Zheng: "Barbarians fear power but lack virtue; that is what it means."

Zhu Yuanzhang continues to curse: "I'm furious! This witch dares to insult my sister!"

"When my sister publishes her solo biography, I'll see what else she has to say!"

Zhu Di (both): "Father Emperor, calm your anger; being angry at such a witch is not worth it."

……

After the interlude, the Heavenly Curtain regains its solemnity.

In the scene, Empress Changsun's gentle smile reappears.

A blaze of golden light, and the voice of the Heavenly Curtain rumbles:

【Empress Wende Changsun, her virtue matches heaven and earth, her merit endures for millennia, ranking first on the list of all‑time sage empresses, truly deserved.】

【List creator Immortal Gu bestows a reward—】

【Reward One: Eighty years of longevity (freely allocable).】

A massive, unprecedented golden pillar of light pierces time and space, landing in the Legislative Hall of the early Zhen Guan era.

Feeling moved, she looks into the void and softly says, "I wish to divide this longevity into five portions."

"Ten years to Chang Le, may my son be safe and joyful;

Ten years to Cheng Qian, may the Crown Prince be steady as Mount Tai;

Twenty years to Si Zi (Princess Jin Yang, nickname Si Zi), may the young girl grow healthy;

Twenty years to Your Majesty, may Second Prince Longti be healthy and usher in a flourishing age;

The remaining twenty years… I keep for myself, hoping to accompany Second Prince for a few more years, to witness the Tang golden age a few more times."

The Heavenly Curtain flashes golden light, granting approval.

【Reward Two: One set of gunpowder manufacturing schematics.

Note: This item is immensely powerful, capable of splitting mountains and cracking stone, usable for military and engineering, a divine artifact of a strong nation. May it be used wisely to protect Tang and benefit the people.】

A scroll of schematics drifts into Li Shimin's hands.

Li Shimin unrolls it, seeing words like 'saltpeter, sulfur, charcoal' and notes such as 'explosion', 'siege', 'mining'; a spark of brilliance flashes in his eyes.

"Divine artifact! This is the weapon to destroy enemy nations!" He trembles with excitement.

【Reward Three: One set each of bird‑gun and Red Garment cannon schematics.

Note: This is the pinnacle of firearms, range far surpassing bows, power to raze cities and crush cavalry. With these two, Tang's iron cavalry will sweep the six directions!】

Two more scrolls drift down.

Generals Li Jing, Qin Qiong and others receive them; a single glance ignites their blood.

"With such divine weapons, the Turks, Goguryeo, Tubo… are nothing but chickens and dogs!" Li Jing's voice trembles.

【Reward Four: One world map.】

Note: This map contains the entire world's territories, mountains, rivers, seas, and national resources. May the Tang emperor use this map as a basis to expand and conquer, becoming the global decision‑maker.

The massive world map unfurled, and Li Shimin gazed at the boundless lands on it, his heart swelling with heroic ambition.

Reward Five: a steam engine manufacturing blueprint, plus one top‑grade navigation ship manufacturing blueprint.

Note: The steam engine can replace oxen and horses; the ship can cross the high seas. With these two, the Tang navy can traverse the four oceans, connect myriad nations, and achieve an unprecedented great feat!

The final two scrolls of blueprints drifted down.

The Minister of Works and the chief master craftsman knelt to receive them, as if they were priceless treasures.

Li Shimin looked to the heavens and laughed loudly, his voice shaking the hall:

"Excellent! Excellent! With this heaven‑bestowed divine artifact, I shall sweep the six directions, unify the universe, and let the Tang dragon banner be planted in every corner of the world!"

"I shall become the true 'Heavenly Khan', no, the 'Sovereign of All Under Heaven'!"

He turned, took Empress Zhangsun's hand, and together they faced the celestial curtain, bowing solemnly.

"I, Li Shimin, accompanied by the Guanyin maid, thank the immortal for the generous gift! Heaven's grace is vast; the Tang shall remember forever!"

Behind them, Crown Prince Li Chengqian, Prince Li Tai, Princess Chang Le, Princess Jin Yang, and ministers Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Wei Zheng, Li Jing and other civil and military officials knelt together, shouting like a mountain‑and‑sea roar:

"Thanks to Heaven's grace! Hail Your Majesty! Hail the Empress! Long live the Tang for ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years!"

Above the celestial curtain, golden light gradually faded.

Empress Zhangsun's figure, within the light, transformed into myriad stars, eventually coalescing into a five‑character poem that shines through the ages:

Virtue is born of Heaven, exquisite quality naturally graceful.

Tied hair together with dragon and phoenix, hearts united to secure peace.

The harem upholds frugality, the front hall assists with clarity.

Under the bright moon of Zhaoling, generations look up to cultured virtue.

When the poem ends, the light disperses.

The final sound of the celestial curtain resounds, its lingering echo long:

"The list of ancient virtuous empresses is now complete."

"Three days later, at midnight, the celestial curtain will reopen."

"Special biography: The Eternal Empress — the filial, compassionate, lofty Empress Ma, wife of the Hongwu Emperor."

"At that time, Empress Ma's lifelong achievements will be revealed, granting her exclusive rewards, blessing the Ming, and bestowing grace upon all the people."

"Please look forward to it."

The voice drifted away, and the celestial curtain returned to calm.

Across the ages, the crowd gazed at the firmament, their hearts roiling with boundless waves.

The list of virtuous empresses is finished, and the even more splendid "Eternal Empress" biography is about to begin.

Ming dynasty, Hongwu era.

Zhu Yuanzhang tightly grasped Empress Ma's hand, his eyes full of anticipation and pride:

"Girl, did you hear? In three days, a solo biography! The Eternal Empress! Your name will be inscribed through the ages!"

Empress Ma smiled and nodded, tears glistening in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Tang dynasty, Zhenguan era.

Li Shimin embraced Empress Zhangsun, looked at the sky, and said softly:

"Guanyin maid, you are the greatest virtuous empress of all time; I am proud of you."

Empress Zhangsun nestled in his arms, speaking gently:

"All I need is to stay by your side, watching this flourishing Tang, and that is enough."