Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors

"Although the historical materials we see today are limited, the ancients who lived earlier had access to even more. For example, when Wen Jun was writing 'Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance,' he could see many historical materials that we cannot, yet he still largely adopted the records from the 'Old Liang Book' and the 'Liang Book.'

"In fact, there have been many instances of altering history, such as in the Chu Dynasty, Northern Wei, Sheng Dynasty, and so on, where numerous records of historical revisionism exist. And for the most part, they've been corroborated by either the discovery of artifacts or the latest research, making it very difficult to overturn.

"The one exception is the large-scale and vehemently criticized history revisionism by Emperor Taizong of Liang. To this day, no concrete and irrefutable evidence has been found, which in itself may illustrate some issues.

"Moreover, to revise history on a large scale, there is one necessary condition that the Liang Dynasty did not meet."

Li Hongyun asked, "What is it?"

Wen Jun smiled slightly, "Literary inquisition, and it has to be on a large scale, sweeping across the country from the top down.

"Because to revise history, it's not enough to just change the official history, there are also numerous records in the hands of the people. Although these records are considered 'wild history,' they also collect a lot of corresponding information, and many of the authors of 'wild history' are highly respected and influential people.

"Perhaps one day in the future, these 'wild histories' will corroborate with some unearthed historical material, thereby verifying the fabrication of the official history.

"So, to revise history, you would also have to eradicate the 'wild histories,' leaving only the official history that you have revised. To get rid of 'wild history,' you would have to instigate a large-scale literary inquisition, arrest and kill everyone who writes history among the people, burn all their books, and even execute those who hide them...

"Only by doing so can you completely eliminate the other versions.

"But as we all know, the Liang Dynasty did not ban private histories, didn't restrict speech or thought, and had no literary inquisition. The cultural environment at the time was the most open and inclusive in the entire ancient history of Huaxia.

"Moreover, if you truly approached this subject with skepticism, you should think like this: Would those who revise history let you know that they've altered it? How low would their intelligence have to be?

"If Emperor Taizong of Liang really wanted to revise history on a large scale, why would he leave a record in the historical materials that he demanded his ministers to alter history, leaving such an obvious stain?

"On the contrary, those dynasties that have no records of altering history should be regarded with more suspicion. Because they really did change it with great care and perfection, removing any trace of what should be deleted, even instigating literary inquisitions to eliminate all civilian historical records. After decades of effort, they made it impossible for you to find any hints of the real history."

Li Hongyun thought for a moment, "What about the 'Records of the Founding'? There seem to be many discrepancies with the records of the 'Old Liang Book' and the 'Liang Book,' right?"

Wen Jun nodded, "Yes, that's true, but the 'Records of the Founding' are not necessarily reliable either, because it also contains many records that are illogical even to ponder over with one's toes.

"For example, it states that after the siege of Yanmen, Emperor Gaozu of Liang, the War God of Ma Yi, frightened the Turkic people so much that they did not dare to move south. 'The Turks lost their courage and deeply acknowledged the Emperor's military prowess, gathered their troops, and dared not enter from the south,' they even wanted to perform the ritual of a vassal to Emperor Gaozu of Liang.

"However, the following year in May, the Turkic cavalry surrounded Taiyuan with tens of thousands of horsemen.

"And we know that the Turkic people really stopped invading only about ten years later at the Treaty by the Wei River. During these ten years, the Turkic people raided the south almost every year, and their attacks became more intense.

"Clearly, this is baseless boasting."

Li Hongyun was speechless for a moment, truly convinced by Wen Jun's argument.

"Then... what about the private records concerning Emperor Taizong of Liang?"

Wen Jun smiled slightly, "Private records? The private views on Emperor Taizong of Liang are much more exaggerated than the official history.

"However, no one had any doubts or slandered Emperor Taizong, instead, everyone viewed him as a 'Saint King.'

"Two lines of poetry are enough to explain.

"'Since your arrival one hundred and ninety years have passed, yet the world still celebrates with songs and dances.' That is to say, Emperor Taizong of Liang has been deceased for one hundred and ninety years, but the people still praise his holy virtues with songs and dances.

"'Anger accumulates until the song at Yi River changes, lone loyalty finds no path but to weep at Zhaoling mausoleum.' This was composed by a famous poet from the Qi Dynasty, depicting a custom from the Liang and Qi dynasties, where the virtuous and wronged would wail at Emperor Taizong's tomb. And this was six hundred years after Emperor Taizong passed away.

"If Emperor Taizong of Liang really had some huge scandal, I believe the people of his time would have been more capable of finding and more motivated to record and spread it than modern people."

Li Hongyun nodded slightly, "So that means... I should just follow the records to get through the Xuanwu Gate Incident?"

Wen Jun was silent for a moment, "That's not exactly the case. There are some details that still require your careful discernment and refinement.

"But overall, if you proceed within this framework, there should be no problem."