Dreaming of returning to Chang'an, the Xuanwu Gate was stained with blood, and the depths of the Taiji Palace were filled with endless sorrow. The resounding words "The people are the water, the ruler is the boat" still echoed across the land of Chang'an, but the iron hooves of foreign tribes once again trampled through the Jade Gate Pass. How can this hatred be satisfied?

What kind of fury must Li Shimin, lying in his tomb, have uttered upon witnessing the suffering of his people? He pounded on the railings, only to see the land sinking into ruin!

My heart was filled with frustration, and I wished I could cross the river of history, pluck stars from the sky, grasp the sun and moon, and turn the world upside down.

So be it. I hear ghostly cries and the autumn rain pattering outside the window. I'll cut a worn-out pen and continue the story of the glorious Tang Dynasty, removing the dark parts. My Tang Dynasty has no sorrow, only the heroic spirit of war, emperors with the ambition to swallow the sun and moon, fierce generals who have fought countless battles, scholars in high hats and wide belts, gentle and virtuous empresses, loving fathers and filial sons, and a prosperous era that continues. This is my Tang Dynasty, my "Tang Brick".

...

Man's first requirement is to live, the second is still to live, and the third is still to live… In certain circumstances, living becomes a luxury. In hell, we look up at heaven, reaching out our hands. Though we cannot touch heaven, we can at least get closer to it. We sing in hell, we give thanks in hell, we love in hell, we kill in hell. We embrace each other with tears in our eyes, then plunge daggers into each other's chests, not for anything else, but for that faint, almost imperceptible gratitude. The world of the Song Dynasty is my bondage, and also my sky. Only birds that soar in flight understand the meaning of the sky. The Emperor said—"Lend me a corner of the royal mansion, so you and your child may find refuge." Tie Xinyuan said—"I will repay a drop of kindness with a spring of gratitude, but you cannot ask for anything. Whatever reward I give you, you must accept it." I may be smarter than all of you. In a sense, I am a prophet, I am a philosopher, I am a god!

The history of the late Ming Dynasty was chaotic and complex, and can be described as a history written by a few people with strong personal charisma.

Whether it was rebels like Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, rulers like Chongzhen and Yuan Chonghuan, or traitors like Wu Sangui and Geng Jingzhong, each of them had many stories. It was because of these wonderful stories that the history of the late Ming Dynasty became so grand and turbulent.

To write this period of history well, we must naturally depict vivid characters, regardless of their stance. We stand on the edge of the long river of history and observe from the sidelines; they are merely a ripple in this long river.

To observe the world with a critical eye is what we need to do now, and to observe history with a critical eye is also a pursuit in our lives.

The river of history has flowed to our feet, and we can stand on its banks, ready to embrace our history.

Yun Zheng opened a door, and there was no turning back. That's life; once the arrow is released, there's no going back. Trying to turn back is futile. This is a novel about the way of a teacher, about survival wisdom, human warmth, brotherhood, and the virtues of gentleness and humility. It contains the most beautiful love and the deepest brotherhood… Perhaps I want to slowly unfold the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" scroll, giving you a different Song Dynasty, a different view of human life…

Space is vast, and I want to see it, to wander, to conquer, to take… If I unfortunately die in the process, there is no need to remember me or my name. I am but a speck of dust in the universe, humble yet desiring to shine the brightest light…

Previous works "Tang Zhuan", "The Wisdom of the Great Song Dynasty", "Silver Fox", "Hanxiang", "Tomorrow" and "I'm Not a Savage" are classics, welcome to read.

The people in the world and the affairs of the world are just dishes on the table of my Tang people.

Although the original ingredients have the original style of food, Yunchu still believes that the most delicious food still needs to be divided, cooked, processed, and the food that is finally served on the table is the food that is most suitable for the stomachs of Datang people.

Steaming, stewing, stir-frying, stewing... There are as many cooking methods as there are things in the world.

Whether it is Goguryeo, Turkic, Tubo, Tuyuhun, Xue Yantuo, Tiele...or long whales, tigers, giant sharks, hungry wolves, all of them can cook peerless delicacies in the melting pot of Datang...

Coupled with Li Zhi, Wu Yan, Changsun Wuji, Chu Suiliang, Li Ji, Cheng Yaojin and other peerless seasonings, there will always be one thing that will make you unforgettable regardless of the color and fragrance.

Yunchu hopes that at such a luxurious banquet, he should definitely have a seat for himself!

Now, the delicacy has been cooked——Yunchu laid out the napkin, picked up the deer knife, and closed his eyes slightly, ready to enjoy an unprecedented meal to satisfy his hungry stomach.