Chapter 12: The Stunned Emperors and the People Struggling to Survive
“Oh my… Who is this man? He actually said… Long live the people~”
“Did I hear that right?”
“Why… why do I feel like crying, child’s father?”
…
Amid the murmurs of the crowd, all eyes were fixed on the figure on the sky screen, raising his arm and shouting, “Long live the people!”
He stood tall and upright, his gaze firm yet gentle, his face marked with genuine care and hope for the common folk.
An elderly man with white hair slowly stepped forward, trembling hands raised above his head, tears streaming down his face as he exclaimed, “How many years has it been? We have suffered for too long—never before has anyone regarded us common folk with such importance.”
The people around him gathered closer, some sobbing, others cheering.
At that moment, the barrage of comments on the screen surged like a storm!
— “He is the leader of the people, placing the people first; the people will forever hold him in their hearts!”
— “Grandfather… we miss you!”
— “The sun is the reddest, and he is the dearest!”
— “A timeless… grandfather!”
— “Your people miss you, sob…”
— “No words can compare to the phrase ‘Long live the people’!”
— “A child cries out for its mother; the people cry out for him… Long live grandfather!”
…
Emperors from various times and realms stared at the overwhelming flood of comments, each word filled with longing for that leader!
Whether stunned by the weapons of the future or struck by these messages, they all gazed blankly at the sky screen.
In the Qin dynasty,
Ying Zheng watched the scene with a heart full of mixed emotions.
He had unified the Six Kingdoms, believing his achievements unparalleled, yet in the eyes of those from the future, it was this leader shouting “Long live the people” who was truly remembered.
After a long silence, he slowly spoke, “Throughout my life I pursued empire and conquest. Though I unified the world, I never truly made the people shout with joy.”
“This man, who can inspire such love from future generations, must indeed possess great skill.”
Beside him, Li Si also sighed, “Your Majesty, the changes in the future far exceed what we imagined.”
“Those four words, ‘Long live the people,’ weigh like a thousand pounds. Surely, he must have placed the welfare of the people first to win such hearts.”
Ying Zheng nodded, his gaze fixed on the screen, fists clenched as if deep in thought.
…
In the Han dynasty,
Emperor Wu, Liu Che, also watched the screen, his eyes filled with shock and contemplation.
Huo Qubing’s eyes widened, pointing at the airplanes on the screen, exclaiming, “What are those? So powerful! They can fly in the sky?”
Wei Qing frowned deeply, repeatedly murmuring the four words “Long live the people,” as if seeking their profound meaning.
…
In the Tang dynasty,
Emperor Taizong, Li Shimin, looked at the screen with a complex gleam in his eyes.
Since ascending the throne, he had vowed to build the Tang into a realm that all nations would come to, a flourishing age.
Yet the deep affection that leader showed for the people still left him shaken.
Fang Xuanling stood beside him, too stunned to speak.
After a long pause, Li Shimin sighed, “Though I hold the people dear, I have not shown them the sincerity this man has.”
“‘Long live the people’ — these four words express profound respect for the common folk.”
Fang Xuanling recovered and bowed respectfully, “Your Majesty, this is a scene from the future. That leader’s love for his people is genuine; his governance benefits the nation.”
“Our dynasty too must place the people foremost and strive unceasingly.”
Li Shimin nodded, his gaze growing resolute.
He knew well that the people were the foundation of the state.
Yet to lead them in shouting “Long live the people” as loudly as that was beyond his reach.
Not only him, but no emperor or minister throughout history could do so.
But the images and comments on the sky screen seemed to point him toward a new path.
They strengthened his determination to continue striving for the welfare of the people, to make the Tang’s citizens truly able to shout long live their land.
…
At this moment, all the emperors found themselves recalling the words spoken before the screen:
“Though Qin Shi Huang and Han Wu may lack literary grace, and Tang Taizong and Song Taizu may fall short in elegance… when counting the truly outstanding figures, look no further than the present!”
“Count the truly outstanding figures, look no further than the present!”
…
Are these their descendants from the future?
Are these the brilliant figures they spoke of?
…
For a time, rulers from all realms fell silent, as if struck by an invisible force, sinking into deep reflection.
Whether it was the advanced weapons of the future or the thunderous, heart-shaking phrase “Long live the people,”
They pressed down on their hearts like a heavy stone, leaving them breathless.
In that instant, a crimson light shone like the dawn, illuminating every corner of time and space.
The people too finally awakened to the truth: in the future, there was such a great figure who regarded the people as supreme, cherishing them as one might an emperor.
Those four words, “Long live the people,” echoed like bells from morning to night, endlessly resonating in countless minds.
Many who had been shattered by wars, many who struggled on the brink of life and death in ancient times, felt a surge of longing for life and hope for the future.
They realized they bore a special mission—the continuation of their lineage.
They must have many children, so their bloodline might flow on through the river of time.
One day, thousands of years hence, their descendants would surely meet the great figure who shouted “Long live the people.”
Thus, continuing the family line was no longer mere tradition but imbued with profound meaning and purpose.
Countless commoners, filled with reverence and hope for the great man, lived on with effort, longing for the day their descendants might witness his greatness, follow his footsteps, and share in his glory.
Waiting for him… following him!
…
Meanwhile, as emperors from various eras remained immersed in the shock of the future, the sky screen shifted again!
A huge title rose on the screen:
【Top Ten Greatest Emperors of All Time VS Top Ten Greatest Underlings of All Time!】
This striking headline pulled the emperors’ thoughts back to the screen.
For a moment, they were puzzled—what could this mean?
They understood “Greatest Emperors of All Time”—these were the rulers with grand achievements!
But “Greatest Underlings of All Time”?
What on earth was that?
Could it be… the brothers of the greatest emperors?