When Miaoyun started a live stream, all the ancients were completely taken aback.

Chapter 16: Rebuilding the Backbone of the Ming Dynasty, Saving the Fallen Emperor Yu Shaobao

Xu Miaoyun looked at Liu Yan, a hint of nervousness flashing in her eyes.

"The emperor has been captured, isn't our Ming Dynasty in grave danger? Could it... perish?"

Upon hearing this, countless hearts leaped into their throats, both inside and outside the sky.

During the Hongwu reign, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly stood up, his hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white. The officials behind him held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

Even Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, who was hanging there, wisely stopped his pig-like screams.

Inside the Yongle court, Zhu Di leaned slightly forward, his gaze fixed on the sky. Zhu Gaochi, along with Prince Han Zhu Gaoxu and his grandson Zhu Zhanji, were kneeling on the ground, the whole family with sweat beading on their foreheads.

During the Xuande reign, Zhu Zhanji, the emperor who personally created the Renxuan Era of Prosperity, stood in front of the palace gate, his hands tightly gripping the railing, his back soaked with sweat.

Above the sky, looking at the tense expression on Xu Miaoyun's face, a smile appeared on his lips, like the spring sunshine, carrying a reassuring power.

"Miaoyun, do you know why our Chinese nation has stood tall for thousands of years, always among the nations of the world?"

Xu Miaoyun shook her head, her long hair swaying gently.

Liu Yan reached out and gently ruffled her hair, his gesture natural and affectionate. His gaze shifted from Xu Miaoyun to the distance, as if piercing through a thousand years of time.

"Because there is a deep fascination with the domineering power of emperors in the bones of the Chinese people. We are amazed by Zhu Yuanzhang's rise from humble beginnings and his defying fate by establishing the Hongwu era; we are impressed by Li Shimin's desperate imperial tactics in the Xuanwu Gate Incident."

"but!"

Liu Yan's tone shifted, becoming deep and powerful.

"Throughout history, the reason why China has been able to stand tall is not only because of the wise and virtuous rulers of generation after generation, but also because in the darkest moments when the dynasty was about to collapse, there were always people who shouldered the mission, turned the tide, and saved the edifice from ruin."

Xu Miaoyun blinked and listened attentively.

"In the Tumu Crisis, the emperor was taken prisoner, and the empire's elite forces were wiped out."

"When the news of the loyal ministers of our dynasty shedding their blood on the battlefield reached Beijing, the entire nation was terrified, and the court was filled with those who had surrendered!"

"At this critical moment, a man stepped forward. His name was Yu Qian. He passed the imperial examination in the nineteenth year of the Yongle reign and served as the Vice Minister of War during the reigns of the Yongle, Hongxi, Xuande and Zhengtong emperors. He was a scholar who had never led troops before."

"In the main hall, voices advocating for relocation to the south to avoid the enemy rose and fell."

"Yu Qian's eyes widened in anger, and his voice boomed like a bell, uttering a statement that will resonate through the ages!"

Liu Yan took a deep breath and repeated the words slowly and deliberately.

"Those who advocate moving the capital south should be executed! The capital is the foundation of the empire; if it is moved, the entire nation will be doomed. Have they not seen the fate of the Song dynasty when it fled south?"

Southern Song Dynasty, Shaoxing eleventh year, Lin'an.

Zhao Gou was drinking tea when he heard this, and his hand trembled, spilling tea all over himself.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

Zhao Gou choked and coughed violently, his face turning bright red.

The eunuch beside him hurriedly stepped forward to pat his back, but Zhao Gou pushed him away, pointed at the sky, and looked indignant!

"What did I do to deserve this? How did this conversation suddenly turn to me?"

Zhao Gou looked around and, seeing that no one spoke, immediately sat back down on the dragon throne.

"Young man, can't you speak without hurting people's feelings! So what if we crossed the Yangtze River to the south! You did protect the Song Dynasty, didn't you? Even if you're not a great ruler, you should at least be worthy of the title of wise and virtuous ruler."

Zhao Gou muttered something, but his voice grew softer and softer.

On the sky, Liu Yan continued her narration.

"This man, who restored the backbone of the Ming Dynasty that Zhu Qizhen had shattered, not only dared to speak, but also dared to act!"

"First, he thwarted Esen's plot to 'use Emperor Yingzong to control the Ming Dynasty.' Yu Qian decisively supported Emperor Yingzong's younger brother, Prince Cheng, Zhu Qiyu, to ascend the throne as Emperor Daizong of Ming, and honored Emperor Yingzong as the Retired Emperor."

"This move cut off their lifeline, rendering the prisoners in Esen's hands worthless instantly."

As soon as the words were spoken, the three emperors of the Hongwu, Yongle, and Xuande reigns all breathed a sigh of relief.

"Second, march out of the city and form ranks, fighting to the death with their backs to the city."

"Yu Qian deployed his army outside the nine gates and then closed the city gates."

Xu Miaoyun's eyes widened upon hearing this.

"If we leave the army outside the city, won't the soldiers have no way to retreat?"

Liu Yan nodded.

"This is precisely where Yu Qian's brilliance lies; he uses the courage of 'burning the boats' to push morale to its peak!"

"He wanted to tell all his soldiers that behind them stood the people of the Ming Dynasty, the state of the Ming Dynasty, and their families!"

"Take a step back! The country will be destroyed and the family will perish! Take a step back! Blood will flow like rivers! Only by putting ourselves in a desperate situation can we have a glimmer of hope!"

Xu Miaoyun gasped upon hearing this.

"Yu Qian has such great courage!"

Ye Yang nodded.

"Yu Qian cut off his own escape route, but in doing so, he gave the Ming Dynasty a century of new life!"

"In October of the fourteenth year of the Zhengtong reign, Esen took Emperor Yingzong hostage and led the main force of the Oirat Mongols straight to Beijing."

"Yu Qian faced the Oirat army head-on, holding his ground at Desheng Gate!"

"Thirteen days of fierce fighting! In the end, by luring the enemy deep into their territory, they killed the younger brother of the former leader, Boluo, and decisively defeated the Oirat!"

"Esen launched a fierce attack for five days without success, and was ultimately forced to retreat in haste! From then on, the Ming Dynasty endured the most difficult month since its founding!"

"At a time when people's hearts were turning against the government and the army's morale was wavering, Yu Qian turned the tide, supported the new emperor, fought against the Oirat Mongols, defeated Esen, and saved the Ming Dynasty from collapse."

"This prevented China from falling into a state of division between North and South again!"

"After this battle, Yu Qian was awarded the title of Junior Guardian and ranked among the Three Sovereigns."

Beneath the sky, countless times and countless emperors breathed a sigh of relief.

The Qin Dynasty, Xianyang Palace.

Ying Zheng stood up, put his hands behind his back, and looked at the sky with great respect.

Yu Qian.

The First Emperor uttered the name softly, his voice deep and powerful.

"A mere civil official, entrusted with a critical mission, turned the tide and saved the day; he is truly a hero!"

"This is the 'scholar' I envision."

"With pen in hand, one can bring peace to the world; with horsemanship, one can conquer the world."

"Yu Qian truly deserves the title of 'unparalleled national hero'."

The first year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, Taiji Palace.

Li Shimin stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes bright and piercing.

"What a fine Yu Qian! What a fine Junior Protector Yu!"

Li Shimin slammed his hand on the railing, his voice filled with passion.

"Those who advocate moving south should be executed! These words are a wake-up call, and quite bear the imposing presence of my own authority!"

"Guards! Play the 'Qin King's Battle Song' to celebrate the Great Ming Dynasty! To celebrate Junior Protector Yu!"

The first year of the Jianlong era of the Great Song Dynasty, Bianliang.

Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, looked up at the sky.

As a ruthless man who emerged from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, he remained silent for a long time after hearing Yu Qian's story. Only after a while did he speak, his voice full of emotion.

"I conquered the world through military force, and I know all too well that the most dangerous time for a dynasty is not when external enemies are strong, but when its own people are demoralized."

"In the Tumu Crisis, the emperor was captured and the elite troops were wiped out. If it were any other dynasty, it would probably have perished long ago. But the Ming Dynasty did not perish. Why? Because Yu Qian stepped forward."

"A ruler with loyal ministers will not perish, and a father with loyal sons will not perish."

Inside the Hongwu Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed, and the gloom on his face dissipated considerably.

"These are the true subjects of our Great Ming! With such subjects, we can finally put our minds at ease."

"I believe that after this battle, our Great Ming Dynasty will surely prosper!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Old Zhu looked at Prince Yan, Zhu Di, who was still hanging up.

"You've got some good judgment, choosing such a principled and capable minister for future generations. That's a good way of making amends for your past mistakes."

"Guards! Release the Prince of Yan..."

Before Zhu Yuanzhang could finish speaking, Liu Yan in the sky let out a long sigh.

"It's a pity that Yu Shaobao managed to defend Beijing and protect the century-old foundation of the Ming Dynasty, but in the end, he couldn't protect himself..."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately waved his hand!

"Wait! Let's keep this going! Based on our understanding of this young man, there might still be a twist in the story!"

Prince Zhu Di of Yan: Liu Yan, I swear to God, please stop talking!

My family, does anyone know?! Guess if I'll make it back to my Prince Yan's mansion alive today?

During the Jingtai reign, all the officials who came to pay homage looked at Yu Qian with surprise and unease in their eyes.

Yu Qian stood straight in the hall, his face calm and serene, as if nothing could disturb him in the slightest.

Having been rescued with great difficulty, Zhu Qizhen immediately showed a trace of despair upon hearing Liu Yan's voice from the sky.

Because he knew that this man was about to tear open his most despised scar!