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

Changsun Wuji's comment about not being bothered by trivial matters eased Li Shimin's tension considerably, but his gaze towards Li Shen still held a hint of hostility.

Li Shen felt uneasy watching this, wondering what his father was trying to do.

Entrusting his son to someone else? Impossible. His own father looked healthy and didn't seem like someone who was about to die.

But why would he want to get close to these people? That doesn't make sense.

"You flatter me, Duke Zhao. I am just closer to my father and visit him more often, unlike my elder brother who is busy with state affairs every day, which is why I have less contact with my father."

Li Shen spoke humbly to Changsun Wuji.

"Hehe, Your Highness Prince Ji is too modest. Being able to accompany His Majesty so often is enough to show Your Highness's filial piety."

Changsun Wuji laughed.

“Yes, in Chang’an, everyone knows about Prince Ji’s filial piety,” Ma Zhou echoed.

Everyone present nodded in agreement.

Li Shen frowned when he saw this. What the hell is going on?

What are these old fogies up to? Are they targeting me?

Thinking of this, Li Shen stood up and said seriously:

"Gentlemen, if you want to borrow money, please don't ask. I never lend my money."

"what?"

"this......"

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then felt as uncomfortable as if they had swallowed a fly. This Prince Ji was really something.

"Hahahaha." Li Shimin laughed heartily, quite pleased with himself.

Li Shimin didn't boast about them when we were chatting just now, but now they've finally got a helper.

His son's words silenced those old fogies; the Li family's magic weapon really works.

Then look at those three sons over there. You could kick them and they wouldn't even fart. What good are they?

"Tenth brother, how can you speak to your uncles like that? All the gentlemen present are your elders, and most of them have fought alongside your father."

You are the junior; you mustn't be rude, you know?

After laughing, Li Shimin deliberately put on a stern face and lectured Li Shen, but everyone could see the emperor's smugness.

Everyone felt contempt. It was one thing for them to lose an argument with us, but to actually unleash their dogs on us was utterly despicable.

"Yes, I know I was wrong. I just informed you all in advance to avoid any embarrassment later."

My son is now destitute and barely able to afford food. I believe it won't be long before I'm begging for food in front of the Vermilion Bird Gate.

We hope that our elders will be generous and give us some at that time.

Li Shen bowed respectfully, his attitude extremely humble. He couldn't help it; being high-profile in front of his father would only cause him trouble.

Yesterday he went to see Songtsen Gampo and today he lost 5,000 catties of gold. Li Shen is already considered to have a strong mind if he didn't hang himself on the spot.

"Your Highness Prince Ji is joking. If you were begging for food, wouldn't we all be dead by now?"

Everyone in the Tang Dynasty knows that Prince Ji's mansion is richer than a country, and half of the wealth in the world is in Prince Ji's hands. We need to be generous.

In my humble opinion, we still need Prince Ji's patronage.

Changsun Wuji spoke with a smile.

"I think what Duke Zhao said is absolutely right. If we are talking about who is the richest in our Great Tang Dynasty, then it must be His Highness Prince Ji."

Yu Zhining, the Imperial Attendant, interjected.

"Hehe, since you two have said so, then I shall also agree. It is widely believed that His Highness Prince Ji is the reincarnation of the God of Wealth, and no one in the world can match him in the business world."

"A single artificial hill in Prince Ji's mansion is worth more than my annual salary; it's truly enviable."

Seeing that Changsun Wuji and Yu Zhining had both said so, Grand Secretary Ma Zhou chuckled twice and joined in.

Today's New Year's Day banquet, instead of discussing national affairs, was just a bunch of old men bragging, and they even brought up the idea of ​​seeking outside help.

Those kinds of people must unite to attack Li Shen, as the saying goes, "the sins of the father are visited upon the son."

However, Li Shen himself was unaware of this. He was somewhat puzzled. What was going on? Were these old men dissatisfied with him?

I didn't do anything to offend them.

However, not wanting to lose face, Li Shen still said:

“Ma Zhongshu, you’ve only been to my residence two or three times. How do you know that a single stone in my residence is worth more than your annual salary?”

“Your Highness, this is also my guess. The scenery was different each time I went there.”

"Those stones are colorful; they must be quite valuable," Ma Zhou replied.

"Hehe, you see very clearly, but you're wrong about one thing. Those aren't ordinary stones, but jade, multicolored jade."

It also features many gemstones as embellishments.

Li Shen chuckled softly and began his boasting.

"Jade? You just spread so much jade on the ground?" Ma Zhou, who had been joking, was suddenly astonished.

He thought they were just colored stones he'd picked up somewhere, but they turned out to be jade.

The jade stones were still multicolored; the wealth of the Prince Ji's mansion was indeed terrifying.

"That's just for decoration; you wouldn't understand even if I explained it further. This is called art." Li Shen looked at the people in front of him with disdain.

"What kind of technique? What sect's technique?" Li Shimin turned his head and looked over; it was the first time he had ever heard such a new term.

“Father, what I’m talking about is… is… a kind of skill, a skill.”

Li Shen thought for a long time but still couldn't figure out how to explain the word "art".

After explaining, Li Shen suddenly stood up, raised his wine glass, and said loudly to everyone:

"Gentlemen, and uncles, I have been fortunate to enjoy peace and prosperity in the country these past few years, so I have made some money. I have to thank my father for this."

If it weren't for my father's diligent and conscientious work in managing the affairs of the country, where would we have this bright and peaceful world, this prosperous and peaceful era?

How could the development of various industries today be like a hundred schools of thought contending?

This is an era, a great era. The Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty will be recorded in history, passed down for thousands of years, and revered by future generations.

And I, Aye, will become an emperor for all time, unprecedented and unparalleled.

All nations paid tribute, and the world was at its most glorious; only the Zhenguan Emperor reigned supreme.

It is truly a privilege for us to witness this era, and through my father's name, you too can be remembered in history.

Let us raise our glasses to Emperor Zhenguan, wishing His Majesty a long life!

"Long live your majesty!"

"Long live your majesty!"

As soon as Li Shen finished speaking, all the old ministers at the table stood up, raised their cups, bowed to Li Shimin, and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

Then all the officials stood up together, saluted, and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

This immediately brought the atmosphere to a small climax.

It must be said that Li Shen's eloquence is truly admirable; his speech was so fluent and engaging that it stirred the blood of the audience.

Not to mention the ministers present, even Li Shimin himself straightened his chest, feeling much more imposing.

His smile was barely concealed; the corners of his mouth turned up high, and he let out a hearty laugh.

"Hahaha, gentlemen, please rise. This is not only my achievement, but also the achievement of all of you. I wish to encourage you all to work together."

(I believe Li Shimin was truly one of the greatest emperors of all time, unmatched except by Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han. This is just my personal opinion.)