Zhenguan Xiaoxian Wang Li Shen Li Shimin

Seeing that Li Shen remained silent, Li Shimin assumed that Li Shen had been wronged, so he opened the box, took out the jade pendant, and deliberately waved it in front of Li Shen.

Then he admired it with great satisfaction. It has to be said that what this unfilial son got his hands on was indeed a good thing.

He can't deny it, even if he doesn't want to.

Prince Ji's extravagant lifestyle was so well-known throughout the Tang Dynasty that it was known to everyone.

Even people in remote areas have heard of the existence of a King Ji.

As for the business community, it goes without saying that countless people have sculpted statues of Li Shen and enshrined them in their homes as a god of wealth.

Products from the Prince Ji's Mansion are all of the finest quality.

"Father, I've heard that the Imperial Seal of the State was carved from a beautiful piece of jade? Is it really that good?"

Suddenly, Li Shen became interested in the imperial seal. He wasn't concerned about the seal itself; he wanted to know if the jade was of good quality.

Li Shimin examined the jade pendant in his hand and calmly said:

"The jade seal is indeed carved from beautiful jade, but to be honest, the quality is not top-grade jade, especially compared to jade from the Western Regions, it is still slightly inferior."

Compared to the fine jade presented as tribute, it was quite ordinary. Its value lay in its origin from the Qin Emperor.

"I see. But why is it called a rare and precious jade?" Li Shen asked, puzzled.

"What, you didn't even think of that?"

Li Shimin put down the jade pendant and asked with great interest.

"No. Could it be because of the ministers' boasting?" Li Shen shook his head and guessed.

"Haha, you, Prince Ji, are so intelligent, how could you not have guessed it yet?" Li Shimin laughed.

"Please enlighten me, Father." Li Shen bowed.

Li Shimin finally felt a sense of superiority, picked up his teacup, and took a leisurely sip:

"The reason is simple: because of perspective."

"Perspective?" Li Shen was taken aback.

"That's right, it's all about vision. Back then, when the seven kingdoms were at war, although the First Emperor unified six kingdoms, the territory was still far smaller than it is now."

In addition, with years of war, there was no time to mine jade, so there were naturally not many good jade stones. Therefore, the slightly better ones were called rare treasures.

After the Han Dynasty, the territory became vast, and exchanges with the Western Regions became more frequent, bringing with them more and more rare treasures and broadening their horizons.

High-ranking officials, nobles, and generals began to seek something better.

Just like you, Prince Ji, aren't you the same? Blood coral is extraordinary, but once it arrived at your Prince Ji's residence, it was placed in a pond to be exposed to the wind and sun.

Did you know that blood coral could be exchanged for half a city during the pre-Qin period?

Li Shimin explained it to Li Shen, and Li Shen immediately understood: people in that era had never eaten coarse food or seen anything good.

Now that the Tang Dynasty has a vast territory and its people live in peace and contentment, free from war, they have begun to enjoy a better material life.

In addition, merchants from all over the world came to the Tang Dynasty, bringing with them good things that were not available before, which broadened people's horizons.

What was once considered a treasure has now become quite ordinary.

Especially now that even the Western Regions have become part of the Tang Dynasty's territory, places like Khotan, Suyab, and Kucha, which are rich in jade, have an abundance of top-quality jade.

"I see, so the imperial seal isn't anything special after all," Li Shen remarked.

"Hmph, the Imperial Seal is a national treasure, how could it be an ordinary item?" Li Shimin was immediately displeased. Wasn't his own Imperial Seal precious?

"Yes, yes, the imperial seal is priceless. I was referring to the jade used to make the seal," Li Shen quickly corrected himself.

"By the way, Father, is it true that the imperial seal was missing a corner and was repaired with gold?"

Li Shen recalled the rumors from his previous life.

“That’s true, but it’s only a small corner, and the gold used to patch it up isn’t very pure.” Li Shimin nodded.

"I see," Li Shen stroked his chin, suddenly having a bold idea:

"Father, if that's the case, why don't you make your own jade seal? In terms of achievements, the First Emperor's unification of the six kingdoms may be of extraordinary significance."

But if we're talking about achievements, Aye far surpasses Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han, and can be called a great emperor of all time. It should be Aye's turn to rewrite the story of being ordained by Heaven.

"Ok?"

As soon as Li Shengang finished speaking, Li Shimin's eyes lit up, and he stroked his beard in thought.

Li Shen's words struck a chord with Li Shimin, who was a man who valued his reputation above all else.

Who wouldn't want to be a great emperor for all time, leaving a lasting legacy and being revered by future generations?

Li Shen is right. The First Emperor's unification of the six kingdoms was a great achievement for his time and a benefit for future generations. No one can match him in this regard.

But in terms of achievements, the Tang Dynasty now has all nations paying tribute, and the brothers who once made people tremble with fear now have to kneel at its feet.

The territory of the Tang Dynasty was much larger than it was at that time.

This is absolutely unprecedented. Such an achievement is enough to warrant the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai. Why can't I leave something behind like the First Emperor?

"You mean you want me to make an imperial seal too?" Li Shimin was somewhat tempted.

“Exactly, just like the Imperial Seal of the State, it will be passed down for generations.” Li Shen nodded vigorously.

"Then what words do you think should be engraved?" Li Shimin asked, intrigued.

“Engrave words? Hmm... Thousands of generations, unify the martial world? No, no.” Li Shen had just thought of two familiar phrases when he saw his father’s murderous gaze.

"May you enjoy eternal bliss and live as long as the heavens?" With Li Shen's limited education, how could he possibly come up with such grand and majestic phrases as "receiving the mandate of heaven and enjoying eternal longevity"?

All I can come up with are minor tricks.

Li Shimin shook his head, realizing that his son had simply not studied enough.

"Alright, we'll discuss this later, and you mustn't spread it around." Li Shimin no longer relied on Li Shen; he planned to consult the great Confucian scholars and veteran officials.

However, Li Shen's idea was quite good, and it suited his taste perfectly.

"Um, Father, can I borrow the token to play a little longer?" Li Shen asked quickly, seeing that Li Shimin was happy.

"No, it must be delivered before evening, or we'll confiscate your property."

As a result, Li Shimin decisively shook his head and refused.

"Alright." Li Shen felt a little regretful for not succeeding, and then he glanced reluctantly at the jade pendant in his father's hand, feeling even more disappointed.

However, he quickly recovered. This amount of money was nothing; he could get it back sooner or later.

"Dad, I heard you've formed a football team. I wonder who you're planning to play against?"

Li Shen remembered what Wang Hongfu had said yesterday, so he pretended to be nonchalant and asked.

"Oh? Your information network is quite impressive; you even know that I've formed a football team." Li Shimin was slightly surprised upon hearing this.

"With Duke Lu around, there are no secrets," Li Shen casually explained, not caring whether Cheng Yaojin had said it or not, just making up an excuse.

"Hmph, I knew this scoundrel was unreliable. I specifically instructed him not to tell anyone." Upon hearing this, Li Shimin immediately retorted angrily.

Li Shimin had no doubt about what Li Shen said. He knew Cheng Yaojin's personality all too well; his big mouth was one of his defining characteristics.

"Since I've formed a team, naturally I'll participate in the football league. What, do you have a problem with that?"

(It's November already, time flies.)