• 2020.11.04
    星期三

Comic:Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty

[2020.11.04] 發表
(明報製圖)

【明報專訊】The Smarties are having a casual chat. What are they talking about?

“ Bill: Pat, what's happened? ”

“ Pat: I can't sleep well these days. ”

“ Bill: I can help you! Hang this poster on the wall in your bedroom like what Emperor Taizong of Tang did! The menshen would guard your house! ”

“ Pat: What is this! ”

■Know more

Emperor Taizong of Tang (唐太宗) was the second emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. His era name was Zhenguan (貞觀). He is considered one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history.

Emperor Taizong carried out legal reform and made many positive changes during his reign. He wrote down the names and works of all his local officials on the screen of his room, so that he could always review whether he had chosen the right people for the positions.

For the economy, he made a law that allowed each family to own enough land to make a living. He also pushed forward with a fairer tax system that was based on the number of men in each household.

■English highway﹕To push forward

''To push forward'' is a phrasal verb which means ''to continue with a plan'', usually with effort and determination.

e.g. The government is pushing forward with its reform.

■Glossary

reform (n) 改革

screen (n) 屏風

review (v) 審核

tax (n) 稅

[Smarties' Power English 第291期]

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