[Lightscreen]
[The "silk-robed figures" clearly display the aesthetic trend popular during Emperor Xuanzong's era.
In these paintings the women have curved brows, full cheeks, and plump figures. They do not mind the so called "red with green looks awful." Not only do they apply heavy makeup, they also boldly adorn themselves with rouge, dark brow pigment, and forehead ornaments.
Everything emphasizes openness and flamboyance.
Such aesthetics might appear somewhat outdated in modern times, but for the Tang people of that era, warriors displayed their might tens of thousands of li away, while foreign lands came to pay tribute before the imperial gates.
For that age there was only one aesthetic standard.
That was the "Standard of the Flourishing Tang" embodied by these silk robed women.
From the perspective of aesthetics alone, the Tang dynasty indeed demonstrated what it meant for a great power to possess overwhelming confidence.
Thus it is no wonder that although the idea of "plumpness as beauty" lasted less than fifty years, it has instead become one of the most widely recognized symbols of the Tang dynasty.]
For a moment the people in Ganlu Hall were also absorbed in what they saw.
Previously, when later generations spoke of the Tang, they usually discussed its vast territory, its famous generals, the elegance of its literary culture, or its prestige beyond the frontier.
But the subject of aesthetics had never been raised so directly before.
Empress Zhangsun admired above all the delicate gauze garments and the serene, leisurely expressions displayed in the paintings of the silk robed figures.
Li Chengqian, meanwhile, could hardly take in everything at once as text scrolled across the narrowed light screen.
Some passages explained that Tang "plumpness" did not mean obesity, but rather a healthy beauty of tall figures draped in wide garments.
Others praised the bold use of color among Tang artists.
There were even lines written with humor, saying that "Tang people probably would not understand the idea that the moon in foreign lands is somehow rounder."
The Yan brothers, for their part, carefully examined the painting techniques of this era which, according to later historical reckoning, lay several decades ahead of their own time.
They studied what aspects of its technique might be worth learning.
Li Shimin, however, slowly furrowed his brows and glanced back toward Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui.
As expected, his two old subordinates were also slightly frowning, their expressions filled with thoughts they hesitated to voice.
"A great power's mentality…"
Repeating those four words softly, Li Shimin suddenly recalled the lament later generations had expressed regarding Gao Xianzhi's defeat in the era of Emperor Xuanzong.
He still remembered how, when discussing the famous figures of the Two Song dynasties, the commentators had mentioned Yelü Dashi.
Taking him as a benchmark for a historical turning point in Asia, they said that after Gao Xianzhi's defeat at the Battle of Talas, China lost its voice in Central Asia.
Only later did Yelü Dashi, ruling the steppe peoples yet adopting Han customs, defeat the foreign Seljuk Empire in open battle.
Yet at that time China itself was already in chaos, and the Western Liao ultimately could not stand alone and gradually vanished within Central Asia.
"The Standard of the Flourishing Tang… the mentality of a great power… the right to speak for the world…"
Li Shimin murmured to himself.
Suddenly a question arose in his mind.
"Who gave Asia its name?"
No one present could answer this question.
Yet vaguely, Li Shimin seemed to glimpse another battlefield.
It was just as cruel, yet invisible and without form.
And this battlefield could perhaps be glimpsed within the pages of history.
After all, the Xiongnu who had once contended with the mighty Han in the northern steppes had not been exterminated.
Yet where were the Xiongnu now?
This realization caused Li Shimin's blood to stir with excitement.
After all, he was only a little over thirty years old.
He still possessed ample time and energy to plan for the long term.
---
Unlike the atmosphere in Ganlu Hall, within Huagai Hall of Yingtian Prefecture, the discussion of the "Standard of the Flourishing Tang" produced mostly sighs of admiration.
Beyond that, they simply looked at the images.
After all, six or seven hundred years of turmoil lay between them. It was difficult to make direct comparisons.
At most, Zhu Yuanzhang merely tugged lightly at his beard with some discomfort.
For he had the vague feeling that although later generations placed the Tang and Ming together among the ranks of great powers, their styles seemed rather different.
But this thought was soon set aside.
Because the sword that had been hanging within the hall earlier had finally been brought forward.
---
[Lightscreen]
[Previously we already received a sword, but that one was an eight sided jade fitted Han sword.
The one before us now is clearly a Ming sword.
When speaking of Han swords, there is a phrase used for them. They are called "the last battlefield swords."
Although that description may be somewhat arbitrary, it actually explains quite well the difference in use between Han swords and Ming swords.
From the Tang dynasty onward, soldiers on the battlefield already had many weapons superior to the sword.
By the time of the Ming dynasty, firearms had even appeared.
Thus beginning in the Tang era, the sword gradually withdrew from the battlefield and instead developed toward the role of a sidearm or ceremonial weapon.
Ming swords were no exception.
Looking at this scabbard alone, it is already far more ornate than that of a Han sword.
Let's draw it out and take a look.
Hmm. There is an inscription on the blade.
'Made in the ninth year of Hongwu.'
Then let us temporarily call it the Hongwu Sword.
I must say, leaving aside practical use, Ming swords really are beautiful.]
Although the tone was not entirely flattering, Zhu Yuanzhang's face still showed a trace of satisfaction.
After all, he himself rarely had occasion to use the sword now.
Most of the time it was simply worn or admired.
If so, letting later generations appreciate it was not so different.
Even so, the Ming emperor still spoke with some modesty.
"I have reigned for more than thirty years in the Hongwu era. Countless swords have been forged."
"Even if only one or two out of ten thousand survived to later ages, that would already be quite a number."
"To name my personal sword alone after Hongwu seems somewhat arbitrary."
Yet it seemed the descendant on the light screen had heard his remark.
The explanation continued faintly in response.
[Lightscreen]
[As for why it is called the Hongwu Sword, the reason is simple.
Because the most famous Ming sword today, the Yongle Sword, was named in exactly the same way.]
At once Zhu Yuanzhang's smile faded by several degrees.
Zhu Di instinctively shrank his neck slightly, though he himself did not quite understand why.
[Lightscreen]
[Among surviving ancient Chinese swords there are actually quite a few examples.
But when discussing representative masterpieces of ancient blades, the Yongle Sword is one that cannot be avoided.
This sword was bestowed in the eighteenth year of Yongle upon the Dharma King of U-Tsang as a gift.
Later it passed through many hands and eventually entered the Qing imperial collection.
And later… as everyone knows, the Eight Nation Alliance looted countless treasures from China.
The Yongle Sword was one of them.
After leaving China it passed through several more hands before finally appearing at an auction.
The Royal Armouries Museum of Britain purchased it and it became the foremost piece in their collection.
However it should be noted that this was a ceremonial sword bestowed during the Yongle reign, not Zhu Di's personal weapon.
Therefore its value is slightly discounted in that regard.
Even so, it remains without doubt one of our national treasures.
We can only sincerely hope that one day it may be recovered.]
[Server Chat Log]
Wifi Warrior: Countless Chinese treasures have been lost.
Many museums abroad display Chinese artifacts as their most prized exhibits.
It is both ironic and painful.
AlgoKid: If Zhu Di knew about this he would probably be so angry he would come back to life.
NerdCake: Come on. When Zhu Qizhen opened the city gates, Zhu Di did not revive from anger.
When Zhu Youjian hanged himself on the crooked neck tree, Zhu Di did not revive either.
For a gifted sword that was not even his personal weapon, it probably would not be enough.
Of course it would be best if national treasures could be brought home.
But I absolutely do not want them bought back.
Why should something stolen be redeemed with payment?
That would mean losing both substance and dignity.
Rather than buying them back, it is better that they remain abroad for now, reminding later generations never to forget national humiliation and never to follow the path of the Qing court.]
Zhu Biao heard everything clearly.
When the later generation spoke of the sword, the tone had been calm and ordinary.
Yet the words appearing on the light screen were deeply unsettling.
Turning his head, he could not clearly see the expression on his father's face.
But when Zhu Biao lowered his gaze, he could see it plainly.
His father's hands were clenched tightly.
The veins stood out sharply upon them.