Under the collective gaze of those in the General's Residence, their eyes moved downward.
The first thing they saw was a pale yellow silk document placed at the very front.
Liu Bei studied the handwriting briefly, then simply read it aloud.
"Under Heaven: The matter of establishing an exhibition is most commendable. What you have memorialized, We have fully heard… As the collection is scarce, We personally compose and transcribe a copy of the Lanting Preface… The responsible officials shall carry it out. Third day of the first month, sixth year of Zhenguan."
The edict was straightforward. Following it was a long list of names and official titles, along with the formal closing phrases, all seals present and accounted for.
By now, everyone understood.
In response to a simple inquiry from later generations, Li Shimin had directly convened his ministers and issued a formal decree.
Beside the edict lay a piece of calligraphy, vigorous and elegant. It was the Lanting Preface, signed openly and without hesitation with the three characters: Li Shimin.
Liu Bei's gaze continued downward.
Then came the flood of comments from the later world.
[Server Chat Log]
[ AshPvP: Is this an Imperial Decree? Wait, where is the "By Command of Heaven, the Emperor says" at the beginning? Or the "Respect This" at the end?
SteelIRL: The "By Command of Heaven" intro didn't start until the Ming Dynasty with Zhu Yuanzhang. That's a trope from modern TV dramas.
VoidBanner: In the Tang, these were called 'Edicts' (Zhi) or 'Decrees' (Zhao). The term 'Saintly Decree' (Shengzhi) became popular in the Song. Also, notice a bug: Du Ruhui is on the list, but he died in the 4th year of Zhenguan. If this is the 6th year, he's been gone a while!
GrimTag: The immersion is incredible. By the way, whose original handwriting is more valuable, Li Shimin's or Wang Xizhi's?
RuinCore: Purely for calligraphy, Wang Xizhi. But the tragedy is that Li Shimin has no original ink manuscripts left, only stone inscriptions. And don't get me started on his tomb, the Zhaoling. Two of his six famous stone steeds were stolen and taken to America; the other four were smashed into crates and nearly stolen too.
FuryIndex: If Li Shimin knew his tomb doors were stolen, he'd be grinding his teeth in rage. He never suffered such an insult in his life. Never forget history; stay strong, our generation.]
In Ganlu Hall, Li Shimin's chest rose and fell sharply twice. With Empress Zhangsun's quiet hand already upon his arm, he merely exhaled through clenched teeth.
"Barbarous thieves," he said coldly. "Would that I could lead troops myself and grind their bones."
Though Zhaoling was not yet built, Li Shimin had already imagined the steeds of his campaigns immortalized in stone. He had once felt relieved upon learning the tomb itself was not plundered.
Now he learned the gate had been.
He glanced instinctively toward the map. The land called the Americas did not even appear upon it.
The anger had nowhere to go.
He could only swallow it.
"These later sons of Xia," he murmured at last, reading the final eight characters. "Their burden is not light."
Empress Zhangsun patted his hand gently. He forced a thin smile.
"Let us continue."
After the edict came a transparent glass bottle. Inside was a crystal clear liquid.
Empress Zhangsun admired its clarity before reading the text beside it.
[Server Chat Log]
[RedBanner: "This glass bottle, I sniffed it. Most likely distilled liquor, perhaps brewed by ancient methods."
IronHeir: "The uploader also discovered more than one sponsor. This distilled liquor came with a note signed by Zhuge Liang. It simply says: 'As for the exhibition, you may act according to your own judgment. Very much the Prime Minister's style. Respect."
NeoLegion: "Wait, is distilled spirits just Baijiu?
SteelOath: Similar, but remember: in the ancient world, high-proof spirits were more than just a drink. They could be used to clean wounds and kill bacteria. Using low-alcohol fermented wine on a wound is basically asking for an infection. Of course, back then, most people just used a red-hot knife to cauterize, grain was too expensive for 'alcohol rubbing.']
In Bianliang, both Zhao Kuangyin and Liu Han's eyes lit up.
"Sadly, we cannot sample it yet. When the exhibition opens, perhaps we can set up a section on ancient cuisine. Enough likes and we might even offer free tastings."
Liu Han immediately focused on the word disinfect.
Zhao Kuangyin, veteran of countless campaigns, had seen too many wounded men deteriorate suddenly from fever to death within half a day.
Was it truly because something unseen lingered within the wound?
He frowned.
If confused, consult a physician.
He turned to Liu Han, whose face now blended excitement and bewilderment.
"This matter is simple," Zhao Kuangyin declared confidently. "We shall ask Marquis Wu. He will know."
Meanwhile, the screen shifted.
The gilt coin Zhao Kuangyin had sent earlier now appeared.
The introduction was concise.
"Tiance was originally the name of a star. After Li Shimin bore the title Tiance Shangjiang, it gained special meaning. Later dynasties occasionally posthumously honored figures with the title."
"During the Five Dynasties, Ma Yin of Chu requested Zhu Wen to grant him the title Tiance Shangjiang and establish the Tiance Mansion."
"To commemorate the event, Ma Yin minted Tiance Mansion Treasure coins in gold, silver, and bronze. In a sense, commemorative coins."
"Ma Yin governed through commerce, light taxes, and encouraged tea, mulberry, and cotton cultivation. With copper scarce, internal markets restricted transactions to iron and lead coins, quickly consolidating wealth and maintaining prosperity in Hunan."
"The gilt bronze Tiance Mansion Treasure is extremely rare today. More symbolic than practical, but it reminds us of one of the few rulers in that era who truly understood economics."
Ganlu Hall fell quiet again.
Li Shimin's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Tiance Mansion Treasure," he repeated softly.
He remembered well the weight of that title when he had borne it.
In Chang'an, Zhang Fei snorted.
"So even carpenters can play at Tiance."
Liu Bei coughed discreetly.
Zhuge Liang merely smiled faintly, his feather fan unmoving.
Across dynasties, emperors and generals watched the same luminous screen.
Gold and calligraphy.
Liquor and coins.
Glory and loss.
History, displayed beneath glass.