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[UrbanIron: "The "Heavenly Grand General" (Tiance Shangjiang) title effectively became an honorary one because Li Shimin physically combined the roles of Emperor, General, and Minister into one. If it had remained a real executive office, future Emperors wouldn't have known what to do with it.
WarOnWifi: True. He literally did everyone's job. Though it's funny, hardly anyone followed Hou Jing's lead by claiming the title "Grand General of the Universe." Controlling the Six Harmonies and the Armies of the World sounds badass, but it was just Chuunibyou energy even back then.
PatchNoteKnight: Emperor Jianwen of Liang was stunned: "The General actually has a 'Universe' title?" He was eventually killed by Hou Jing. It was tragic; before becoming Emperor, he was a great administrator, skilled in arts, medicine, and metaphysics. He was just too indecisive, similar to Li Yu (the Last Ruler of Tang).
CommandLag: The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period was remarkably similar to the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Even though the South took the stage, the main actors were still Northern warlords from the Central Plains. And then there's Ma Yin, who was originally a carpenter... reminds me of another "carpenter" Emperor who nearly dissolved in water...
SupremeButTired: Tianqi (Ming Emperor) just loved woodworking as a hobby; he wasn't a carpenter by trade. But if he'd had a modern education, he might have been a great engineer. Sadly, the mess he inherited couldn't be fixed by engineering.]
On the screen, the gilded Tiance Mansion Treasure coin shimmered beautifully.
Yet the tone of the later commentator was noticeably calmer than before. The excitement shown for the imperial decree and the distilled liquor was absent.
Zhang Fei snorted.
"We gave later generations horse-hoof gold. Zhao Da is stingy."
Poor Zhao Kuangyin. He had chosen that coin after careful thought and personal fondness.
Zhang Fei, however, only saw weight.
Compared to that, Liu Bei and the others found the comments far more interesting.
"So the 'General Tiance' title came from there."
Liu Bei finally resolved a lingering question. A year ago, the luminous screen had briefly joked about that title. Only now did the origin become clear.
Zhuge Liang nodded thoughtfully.
"'Gazing upward at the vastness of the universe.' No wonder later generations find the title laughable."
He still occasionally dreamed of the cosmic vistas once shown on the screen.
He had even sketched them in idle hours.
None captured the immensity.
After glimpsing the scale of the universe, the phrase "General Tiance" indeed carried unintended humor.
Setting that aside, Liu Bei sighed softly.
"Many in later ages have used 'Han' as their banner. Few are worthy of serious discussion."
The one that left the deepest impression was the so-called Han of the Xiongnu.
For centuries Han and Xiongnu had fought.
Who would have imagined that after Han fell, it was a Xiongnu leader bearing the Liu surname who first raised the Han banner again?
Even knowing the political logic behind it, Liu Bei still found the combination strange.
Ma Chao squinted at the scrolling words.
"How does a man dissolve in water?"
Zhang Fei waved dismissively.
"When later generations speak humorously, they surpass even Master Jian Yong."
Jian Yong only laughed and nodded.
Zhang Fei continued, confidently:
"When they say 'dissolve in water,' it likely means drowning. And given their tone, I suspect not just two or three emperors in history met such an end."
Pang Tong blinked.
"Yide, you possess such insight?"
Zhang Fei puffed up with pride.
"Later generations praise my strategy too. People think Zhang Fei is just a rough general. They don't know I'm clever."
Laughter filled the hall.
Meanwhile, Zhuge Liang quietly noted Ma Yin's economic policies regarding Southern Chu and added his own interpretations. He planned to dispatch a trusted aide to share them with Liu Ba for study.
The luminous screen gradually dimmed.
A replay option appeared.
Zhang Fei had never cared for such things. He clasped his hands and prepared to leave.
Yet just before stepping out, he paused, scratched his head, and turned back toward Lu Su.
"Strategist Lu."
Lu Su immediately understood the weight of the address and returned the salute solemnly.
"General Yide."
Zhang Fei laughed.
"Why be so formal? Just call me Yide."
"This year when we march, I will serve as vanguard. Strategist Lu, would you care to see the Central Plains?"
The meaning was unmistakable.
Before Lu Su could answer, Liu Bei suddenly stepped in and grasped Lu Su's arm.
"Zijing, do not feel pressured. When we march this year, we will personally stand on the battlefield. Only then can we retake Luoyang and expel the traitors."
"For now, let us watch the replay."
Zhang Fei's eyes gleamed.
"So if I lead as vanguard, I'll have four strategists advising me?"
His meaning was transparent.
From seizing Baishui Pass to pacifying Hanzhong, brave soldiers had mattered.
But so had Pang Tong and Fa Zheng.
Now, with two more strategists accompanying the eastern campaign—and remembering Jiang Wei and Ma Jun's earlier demonstration of artillery—
Zhang Fei could almost see it.
Cannons roaring beneath city walls.
Shells crashing down upon Cao's banners.
He grinned fiercely.
…
Inside the palace hall of Bianliang.
Zhao Kuangyin had finally steeled himself to send forth the Tiance Mansion Treasure.
Under the brilliance of Li Shimin's decree, however, it had faded somewhat.
He suppressed the disappointment.
Three months later, he would astonish them.
For now, there were practical matters to handle.
He designated Zhao Pu to select the replay and to explain the luminous screen to Liu Han.
As for himself—
He ordered attendants to bring a desk and chair.
Brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were laid out.
An attendant diligently ground the ink.
After brief recollection, Zhao Kuangyin began writing.
"To the Ministry of Rites of the Secretariat: In accordance with the memorandum of the eighth year of Kaibao, first month, third day…"
He continued steadily.
"Imperial Edict: Prince of Jin Zhao Guangyi shall have his official rank and noble title converted to that of a monk. He is granted the Dharma name Kong Jiong and assigned supervision of Xiangguo Temple…"
From the late Tang onward, ordination certificates had sometimes served as financial rewards. Zhao Kuangyin was familiar with their format.
Line after line flowed.
An imperial ordination document took shape.
By the time he signed his name, Zhao Pu had already chosen the replay.
On the screen, large characters appeared:
"Eternal Prime Minister."
Zhao Pu stepped forward to add the necessary countersignature.
When he finished, he looked at the still-slumped Zhao Guangyi on the ground.
He sighed with heartfelt sincerity.
"Your Majesty has truly shown the utmost benevolence."