hsntnovel Chapter 2759 has been finalized.
Chapter 2759 has been finalized.
The Tang Dynasty did not yet have the concept of a feudal society or an imperial system.
Throughout history, dynasties have used their national titles, which are usually just one character, such as after the Qin Dynasty unified the six kingdoms.
Both states adopted the name Qin, and were referred to in writing as Qin or Great Qin.
Popular usage refers to the Qin court and the Qin dynasty as substitutes.
Li Shen was the one who proposed using the two characters for "empire" as the name of his country.
"The Great Tang Empire..." Li Shimin murmured these four words. In fact, he had heard Li Shen mention this name before.
This name has also been used in newspapers.
At that time, no one paid attention to it. Now that Li Shen has proposed using these four characters as the name of the country, Li Shimin is carefully considering it.
The Tang Dynasty was the name of the country, an empire, and a country ruled by an emperor.
Seeing that everyone was thinking, Li Shen explained:
“Father, and all of you, you should also know that there are many small countries around us, such as Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje.”
They were subordinate to our Great Tang Dynasty, so they could only call themselves kings. Gao Baozang was called King Baozang, as were the King of Baekje and the King of Silla.
They are the kingdom, a kingdom ruled by a king.
Wasn't the ruler of the Nanzhao Kingdom granted the title of king?
Aye is the emperor, so naturally the empire should be called the empire, which is nobler and more powerful than theirs.
This also tells other countries that our ruler is an emperor, not an ordinary king.
"Indeed, Your Majesty is naturally more noble than the kings of Goguryeo and Silla, and our Great Tang must be stronger than these foreign lands."
"His Highness Prince Ji is indeed exceptionally talented; the term 'empire' will likely be remembered for generations to come."
This time, even Changsun Wuji did not refute it, but instead praised it.
He had his own plans. He was a relative of the emperor's family and was currently at the height of his power. He was the person the emperor trusted most.
As the crown prince's maternal uncle, once the crown prince ascends the throne, he, as a relative of the emperor, will still be second only to the emperor.
The higher the imperial power, the higher his status; conversely, if the imperial power is divided among the ministers, then he, as a relative of the emperor, has no status.
Because his status was granted by the emperor.
“The Great Tang Empire, a fine name. I believe this name is suitable for the country.” Yu Zhining rose and bowed in agreement.
"I also think it's good," Gao Jifu seconded.
"I second that proposal." Xu Jingzong rose and bowed.
Then, nine officials from three provinces and six ministries expressed their agreement.
"What do you think, Gao Ming?" Li Shimin asked Li Chengqian.
"Your Majesty, I also think that the name of the country chosen by my tenth brother is good. It does not lose the majesty of our Great Tang Dynasty, and it also retains the original name of the country."
Li Chengqian handed a cup of tea to Li Shimin with a smile and said.
"Very well, then it's settled. You may draft the decree yourselves. From this day forward, the name of our Great Tang Dynasty shall be Tang, and it shall be called the Great Tang Empire."
"Announcing this to the world!" Li Shimin sat up straight, brimming with pride.
"Father, how about we celebrate with a general amnesty?" Li Shimin said cheekily as he leaned closer.
Li Shimin glanced sideways at Li Shen:
"Hmph, don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Even if there's a general amnesty, I won't pardon your crimes, and you can forget about getting a salary."
"Huh? What kind of logic is this? Aren't I a human being? Why shouldn't I get a share of the universal celebration?"
Li Shen was dumbfounded. Had he made it that obvious?
“Your Highness Prince Ji, this kind of thing will not be pardoned unless something even bigger happens,” Ma Zhou said to Li Shen with a smile.
“Yes, Tenth Brother, amnesties are usually granted when a new emperor ascends the throne. Father has already granted an amnesty,” Li Chengqian added with a smile.
"So you're saying we have to wait for you to ascend the throne?" Li Shen said to Li Chengqian without any hesitation.
Li Chengqian immediately glanced at his father, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that his father's expression had not changed. He nodded to Li Shen:
“That’s right, but as Father said, even if I ascend the throne, I will not pardon you.”
"What? You surnamed Li, say it again? You ungrateful person, how much money have I given you over the years?"
I was waiting for you to achieve success so you could give me something in return. Now that you're about to rise to the top, you're turning your back on me?
"Aren't you being incredibly heartless and ungrateful?"
Upon hearing Li Chengqian's words, Li Shen became furious, stood up abruptly, and started hurling insults at Li Chengqian.
He had thought about this problem long ago. When Li Chengqian ascended the throne and granted a general amnesty, his crimes could be pardoned, and he could then get back his century-long stipend.
Unexpectedly, Li Chengqian was so heartless as to refuse to pardon him.
"Hahahaha~~~"
Li Shen's actions made Li Shimin laugh heartily, and the other officials laughed along with him.
Prince Ji is quite the character; no wonder His Majesty likes him so much.
These people are all intelligent; they can understand with a little thought that Prince Ji gives His Majesty the impression of an ordinary person.
Prince Ji was carefree and unconventional. He regarded His Majesty as his father, not as an emperor.
They treated the Crown Prince as their elder brother, but now he still felt a bit like an outsider.
His Majesty has always been high above and respected. Everyone behaves respectfully and shows awe in front of His Majesty.
But Prince Ji was different; he gave His Majesty something else entirely.
The laughter from everyone made Li Shen a little embarrassed, and he quickly lay back down.
If he were to go against him, he might have some fighting power, but this leaves Li Shen with no way to attack, as Li Shen is the kind of person who responds to both gentle persuasion and force.
"Tenth Brother, we still need your newspaper's help with this matter. Publish it in every corner of the Tang Dynasty."
After Li Shimin finished laughing, he looked at Li Shen.
Li Shen's newspapers were ubiquitous throughout the Tang Dynasty, far superior to the official gazettes of the imperial court.
Even an announcement to the world might not be as fast as Li Shen's newspaper.
"Yes, son. When you get back, have them write it down immediately and publish a detailed account of today's events in the newspaper."
It is written that in the twenty-fourth year of the Zhenguan era, on the day of Jiwei, in the study of the Ganlu Hall, His Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince, and all the officials jointly discussed and decided on the name of the nation: the Great Tang Empire.
Li Shen immediately nodded in agreement.
"Do you think you're a historian? Aren't your newspapers all written in vernacular Chinese?"
Li Shimin curled his lip, "Isn't what Li Shen said just what the historians recorded?"
"I'm just giving a general overview." Li Shen nodded. Plain language is the best way to communicate, so that the common people can understand it.
"Tenth Brother, why aren't you mentioned here? You were the one who suggested the name of the country, which is a great achievement and will be remembered in history."
Li Chengqian inquired.
"Me? I won't participate. Even without this, I will still be remembered in history. At the very least, the history books will write that I am Ji Wang Shen, the tenth son of the Tang Emperor, right?"
Li Shen gently shook his head.
Some things can be claimed as credit, but others are better done by doing favors. Li Shen has already prepared to say that Li Chengqian was the one who suggested this matter.
He doesn't need to have a high reputation among the people, just as he doesn't want a good reputation in the court.
"They might not even write your name," Li Shimin said unexpectedly from the side.
(Giving it this name is a small token of my appreciation. I did a lot of research, and it turns out that the Tang Dynasty, despite its immense power, didn't have a complete country name, just the character "Tang." Tang Kingdom.)