I am Li Shen and Li Shimin, the free kings of the Tang Dynasty

Li Shen, holding a ruler in his hand, stared blankly at his father, the emperor, who was already slumped over the bench.

He never imagined that his father would do something so shameless for 800,000 strings of cash.

It's just 800,000 strings of cash, why are you going to such lengths? You even used a self-inflicted injury ruse, it's disgusting. Where did you learn all this from?

"What, aren't you going to make a move?" Li Shimin said in a deep voice.

"This..." Li Shen was completely speechless. If a son hits his father, may the heavens punish him, may he be struck by lightning.

Why would someone do such a thing when they're not plotting to usurp the throne?

Moreover, the consequences would be severe; would he still be able to live in Chang'an?

Is this balancing act a form of self-imposed pressure?

"Erlang, what are you doing? How dare Shen'er lay a hand on you? Get up quickly."

Empress Zhangsun stepped forward to advise him, and she felt that Li Shimin's actions today were somewhat absurd, that he actually let his son hit her.

Isn't this ridiculous? It's turning the Heavenly Gang upside down!

"Guanyinbi, my mind is made up. You need not repeat the mistake. Since I have failed to teach him properly, he must be punished."

Otherwise, how will I face my ancestors after I pass away?

Li Shimin spoke with righteous indignation.

Empress Zhangsun was speechless at this, and it seemed that His Majesty was determined to confront Li Shen today.

At this moment, Consort Wei also came over and grabbed Li Shen's arm.

"Ouch~~ Mother, be gentle." Li Shen winced as she was pinched.

"Shen'er, quickly apologize to His Majesty," Consort Wei scolded angrily, but a hint of worry was on her face.

If Li Shen were to actually attack His Majesty, even if His Majesty gave his permission, he would not have a good ending.

Li Shen scrambled to his knees before Li Shimin, leaned forward, and whispered in Li Shimin's ear:

"Dad, aren't you going a bit too far? It can't be that bad, can it?"

Li Shimin glanced at Li Shen, then spoke in a voice inaudible to others:

"You used the imperial court to threaten Gar Tongtsen Yulsung, and you used me to threaten Songtsen Gampo. Aren't you playing a big game?"

“Father, I’m just trying to make a living. The court hasn’t suffered any losses. I’m just making money on the side.”

Li Shen defended himself.

"Hehe, since it's an easy way to make money, shouldn't I get a share too? Don't forget, you took advantage of me."

"Shouldn't you give me some wages? You even pay wages for corvée labor."

Li Shimin sneered twice.

Upon hearing this, Li Shen felt disdain. This was supposed to be the Heavenly Khan? Was the evaluation of his father by later generations a bit too high?

How can someone so petty, greedy, and lustful be worthy of being the Heavenly Khan?

"Father, even if you want money, you don't have to go to such lengths. Father, you can just ask directly. Why make such a fuss?"

Do we really want to force our son to rebel against the Heavenly Gang and suffer complete disgrace?

Li Shen's tone was sarcastic: "Only 800,000 strings of cash? Why would a wise ruler do such a thing? It's beneath him."

Little did he know that Li Shimin looked at Li Shen with a strange gaze, making Li Shen feel uneasy and wonder if he had said something wrong.

Li Shimin said in a low voice with the same mocking tone:

"You, Prince Ji, truly do not know the meaning of food. No wonder everyone says that the powerful and wealthy drink fine wine in their high towers, but they know nothing of the suffering of the common people."

Eight hundred thousand strings of cash is considered a small matter to you.

Do you know how many people could be supported by 800,000 strings of cash? At least 300,000.

Your 800,000 strings of cash could feed at least 300,000 people for a year, and if it were put into the army, it would be enough to feed 200,000 soldiers for a year.

But you take it so lightly?

Eight hundred thousand strings of cash and eight hundred million Kaiyuan Tongbao coins are things that ordinary people can hardly achieve in a lifetime.

Although Li Shimin came from a prestigious family and did not suffer hardship in his childhood, his father Li Yuan never earned more than 800,000 strings of cash in his entire life.

If Li Shen hadn't spent the last ten years developing his business, his vast wealth would have been the ceiling for an ordinary person.

Li Shen felt a little embarrassed by what his emperor father said. That wasn't what he actually meant; he just realized he had indeed earned more than he should have.

Although 800,000 strings of cash is a lot, he can still afford it, which is why he said that.

Little did he know he'd get a lecture from his own father.

The father and son whispered to each other under the gaze of everyone, and no one knew what they were saying. Everyone thought that Li Shen was pleading for mercy in a low voice.

Only Empress Zhangsun, who was standing on the far side, could hear it clearly, and she almost burst out laughing.

It turns out that His Majesty went to great lengths to stage this whole drama in order to get money from his son.

She also found it strange at first, wondering why His Majesty was making such a fuss over nothing today.

Having understood everything, Empress Zhangsun was no longer worried. She carried Li Xu back to her seat to wait and watch the show.

"Father, I know that 800,000 strings of cash is precious, but isn't it a bit too much for you to ask for 800,000 strings of cash so readily?"

Li Shen rolled his eyes. He was asking for half a share right off the bat. He had handled the whole thing himself. Didn't he deserve some labor costs?

"Tenth Prince, do it. After I am punished, I still need to go and comfort our ancestors and reflect on my mistakes in front of them."

Li Shen didn't get any bargaining. Li Shimin suddenly said something loudly, which startled Li Shen.

The talks have already fallen apart? They haven't even started yet. Li Shen felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

However, Li Shen was not one to sit idly by and wait for his doom, and he also spoke out loudly:

“Father, the eldest brother is like a father, so why don’t you let him carry out the family rules in my place?”

"Tenth Brother! What are you saying?"

No sooner had Li Shen finished speaking than Li Chengqian jumped out. Good heavens, this guy is starting to bite people randomly now.

“Eldest brother, you are the eldest son of the family and will inherit the family business in the future. You are in charge of this family.”

Li Shen held up the family law with both hands, waiting for Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian cursed Li Shen in his heart, knowing that this guy was not to be trifled with, and immediately began to retaliate.

"No, no, no, with Father here, how could it be my turn to be in charge? Tenth Brother, you're joking." Li Chengqian waved his hands repeatedly.

"Brother, don't refuse. How could I dare to lay a hand on Father? Wouldn't that be going against the Heavenly Order? You are the eldest son, so you should do it."

Li Shen continued.

"Tenth Brother, you fear rebelling against the Heavenly Gang, but am I not also rebelling against the Heavenly Gang?"

Li Chengqian was furious when he heard Li Shen's words. "If you make a move, you're accused of rebelling against the Heavenly Gang. How come I'm not? I'm also their son."

"You take those four?" Li Shen then looked at Li Tai.

"No, no, no." Li Tai shook his head directly and even took a step back.

Li Shen then looked at Li Zhi:

"Ninth Brother just spoke righteously, why don't you do it?"

"Hmph, you caused this mess yourself, what does it have to do with me?" Li Zhi snorted and turned his head away.

Of course, he didn't dare to do it.

"Father, what should we do if they don't make a move?" Li Shen asked, retracting his family's magic.

"Then you do it. Hurry up, it's getting late," Li Shimin said nonchalantly.

“Father, the eldest brother is like a father. I think it would be better to let the eldest brother take your place. I can bring myself to do it.”

When one of Li Shen's plans failed, he came up with another.

(A ten-year dream of Yangzhou)