Time Travel: I am the idle king Li Shen and Li Shimin in the Tang Dynasty

Li Shen wasn't as afraid of Li Chengqian. After all, he wasn't the emperor yet, so when Li Shen heard that Li Chengqian was learning from his father, he immediately retorted:

"Brother, I noticed something was off about you."

"What makes you say that, tenth brother?" Li Chengqian immediately asked.

Li Shen's expression turned serious, and he said solemnly:

"Brother, you suddenly visited my Prince Ji's residence today and even got two meals here. The Crown Prince should be going back to handle state affairs, but instead you have time to chat here."

"I'm very curious, are you... unable to afford food at the Crown Prince's palace? So you've come here to freeload?"

"Pfft~~~~" Tang Jian spat out a mouthful of wine, but luckily he blocked it with his hand.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. This old minister has been disrespectful before Your Majesty." The main issue was that Li Shen's words came as a complete surprise.

Even the imperial son-in-law, Zhou Daowu, was caught off guard and choked on his wine, coughing incessantly.

"Cough cough..." He never expected that Prince Ji would say such a thing.

Li Shimin looked utterly helpless and refused to glance at Li Shen again.

As for Li Chengqian, he was about to put a piece of meat in his mouth when he heard Li Shen's words and stopped.

I stared blankly at the meat on my chopsticks, unsure whether I should eat it or not.

After Li Shen finished speaking, he acted as if nothing had happened, taking a bite of food and a sip of wine, leisurely and content.

"Hehe, Tenth Brother is indeed a brilliant strategist. Indeed, I am currently destitute and penniless."

Simple meals every day, life is not bitter.

"Since you're back, I'll take this opportunity to have a couple of meals here. Just like you always say, eating at the palace improves one's diet, and I feel the same way. I'm sure my tenth brother won't refuse, will he?"

Li Chengqian sensed it quickly and, instead of feeling embarrassed, smiled and nodded in agreement with Li Shen.

This move put Li Shen in a somewhat passive position, and he could only manage a couple of dry laughs:

"Hehe, how come you've become so shameless now, brother?"

It's true that water that's too clear has no fish, and a person who's shameless is invincible. When a person becomes shameless, they really leave others helpless.

Li Shimin observed all of this without saying anything, nor did he continue to ask the question from before.

"By the way, Daowu, what are your plans after the New Year? Are you going back to the border, or will you come back to Xizhou with me?"

During the meal, Li Shen suddenly looked up and asked a question.

"Well... we still have to follow the imperial court's arrangements. The decree I've received is to accompany the prince to Xizhou to command 10,000 soldiers and assist the prince in guarding Xizhou."

Zhou Daowu did not expect Li Shen to raise this question at the banquet. He glanced at Li Shimin and Li Chengqian before answering.

To be honest, he certainly wanted to stay in Chang'an; how comfortable it would be to have a wife, children, and a warm bed.

He used to dream of making a name for himself on the battlefield and restoring the Zhou family's former glory.

But I have no such thoughts now. I married Princess Linchuan today and have such a powerful brother-in-law. Why would I be so foolish as to go to the battlefield to kill the enemy?

Isn't it better to just stay in Chang'an? Your brother-in-law will arrange all the promotions you need, so you don't have to risk your life for them.

What if something goes wrong, and I get pierced by a thousand arrows and die on the battlefield? How unjust that would be!

He wasn't such a corrupt person; using connections and back channels wasn't a shameful thing for him.

Since he's already involved with a princess, it's only natural for him to take advantage of her influence; I wonder how many people envy him.

"Oh, right, I remember you're the Right Valiant Guard General, aren't you?"

Li Shen casually asked questions while picking up food, just like chatting.

"Your Highness has a good memory," Zhou Daowu replied with a smile.

"Of course it's good. Do you know how hard it was for you to get this official position? It took you a whole... This dish is a bit salty."

Just as Li Shen's excitement was building, he felt a chill and immediately picked up his wine glass and took a sip.

This made Tang Jian, who was just enjoying the gossip, feel quite uncomfortable. He was about to find out what the gossip was, so why was he not saying anything?

"Daowu, you performed very well in Xizhou this time. I have read your memorial. You assisted Prince Ji in guarding Anxi, and you also took the lead in suppressing the rebels and protected Prince Ji."

The imperial court will surely reward you handsomely. You should remain in Chang'an and return to your original post. Once the western expeditionary force returns, all rewards will be distributed uniformly.

After glaring at Li Shen, Li Shimin spoke to Zhou Daowu.

This rebellious son was clearly threatening him; he almost revealed that he had bought the official position.

Zhou Daowu's title of Right Valiant Guard General was bought from him by Li Shen for one million strings of cash, under the pretext of building a temporary palace.

But later he found out that the one million strings of cash that Li Shen paid out actually came from the four million strings of cash that he had been swindled out of.

As a result, Zhou Daowu obtained an official position for nothing.

Li Shimin felt uneasy whenever he thought about this.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. This is what I should do."

Zhou Daowu quickly stood up and bowed.

"Sit down. As expected, like father, like son. It's a pity that Xiaofan can't see this. If his father were still here, how happy he would be to see you achieve what you have today."

Li Shimin suddenly remembered Zhou Daowu's father, Zhou Shaofan, and his expression darkened.

Zhou Shaofan was his confidant back then. At the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he led the Imperial Guards to block Li Jiancheng's Crown Prince Guard, making great contributions to Li Shimin's ascension to the throne.

Li Shimin trusted him greatly and allowed him to continue serving as the commander of the Imperial Guards, guarding Xuanwu Gate for seven years.

Unfortunately, fate was cruel to this talented man; Zhou Shaofan passed away in the seventh year of the Zhenguan era.

However, Li Shimin was deeply saddened. To show his gratitude to his loyal ministers and generals, he raised the young Zhou Daowu in the palace.

Therefore, every time Li Shimin saw Zhou Daowu, he would think of his father, Zhou Shaofan.

Zhou Daowu was also somewhat saddened by Li Shimin's words. He stood up, stepped back, knelt on both knees, and kowtowed to Li Shimin.

"On behalf of my late father, I thank Your Majesty. If my late father knew this in the afterlife, he would also be grateful for Your Majesty's kindness to the Zhou family."

Zhou Daowu was moved to tears. His family came from the Yong'an branch of the prominent Runan Zhou clan, but his branch had now declined.

He held the highest official position and was the one with the best chance of restoring his ancestors' glory.

His father's decision back then was correct, and his choice now is also correct.

With Prince Ji's support, he will surely go even further.

"Good boy, get up quickly." Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction.

“Do not grieve, Father. The dead cannot be brought back to life. Now that Daowu has grown up and inherited his father’s mantle, the old Duke Qiao can be considered to have a worthy successor.”

Seeing that Li Shimin was somewhat agitated, Li Shen quickly offered words of comfort, saying that older people should not experience extreme joy or sorrow, otherwise it would damage their heart meridian.

Especially things that are upsetting like this.

"Yes, Father, Daowu is already showing the qualities of the old Duke Qiao, and I believe he will surpass you in the future."

The Crown Prince also realized this and joined Li Shen in offering advice.

Li Shen's eyes darted around and he quickly said:

"If Father is mindful of our past relationship, how about bestowing upon Daowu the title of Grand General Who Protects the Nation?"

(Spring drowsiness, autumn fatigue, summer naps, what to do in winter?)