Zhenguan Xiaoxian Wang Li Shen Li Shimin

Just as Li Shen thought, Li Shimin really did set up the team with the goal of joining the football league.

“Father, I have no objection, but have you considered that this might affect the fairness of the football league?”

Li Shen squinted his eyes.

"What fairness? What do you mean by that? Do you think I would use my status to win the competition?"

Li Shimin's tone became stern after hearing this.

"Father, that's not what I meant. I believe you would never use your status to win the competition. But..."

Li Shen paused here.

"But what?" Li Shimin asked in an unfriendly tone.

"But Father is the Emperor. Who dares to beat the Emperor? Who dares to play football with the Emperor?"

Playing football involves physical contact, and collisions are inevitable. If I were to bump into you, wouldn't that be considered insubordination? It could even be a crime of assassination.

Li Shen explained his reasoning. He hoped that after he finished speaking, his father would understand the logic and ultimately voluntarily withdraw from the competition.

Actually, Li Shen wanted to say, "You're so old, why are you getting involved? What if I hurt you?"

However, Li Shimin did not think that way.

"Hehe, what a joke. Do you think I'm like you? Don't worry, I know that there will be collisions in football, and I won't punish you for it."

"I will issue a decree in public before the game, pardoning them. Wouldn't that be fair and just?"

Li Shimin smiled gently.

Li Shen curled his lip upon hearing this. "Is this some kind of self-deception? Even if it's an imperial decree, won't others be afraid?"

Isn't this just pretending to be ignorant when you know the truth?

"Father, even so..."

"Alright, my mind is made up. You need not say anything more. I will participate in the final battle. You should make the arrangements in advance."

Li Shen wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Li Shimin, whose attitude was very firm.

Seeing this, Li Shen could only nod helplessly and accept the order:

"Yes, I'll arrange it when I get back."

However, he remained steadfast in his belief that he would form a team to defeat his own father.

"Alright, the gift has been given. If there's nothing else, you can go back now."

Li Shimin waved his hand, saying with some disdain.

"Father, I've brought so many good things, at least let me finish my meal before I leave, okay?"

This is really unfair, Li Shen thought to himself. Every family that gives gifts should at least arrange a meal for the recipient.

I gave you so much, and you're still telling me to leave? Isn't that rude?

Li Shimin remained unmoved:

"The palace has not prepared any meals today, so Your Highness Prince Ji is not short of a meal."

You wouldn't be used to the simple food in the palace.

"I..." Li Shen was utterly speechless. This guy really didn't take him seriously at all. He was even being told to leave. Did he think he wasn't even worthy of having a meal here anymore?

He then looked at Empress Zhangsun, hoping she would put in a good word for him.

However, Empress Zhangsun remained silent and watched the spectacle unfold.

"Well then, I'll take my leave. May the green hills remain and the clear waters flow on forever. Farewell, Father."

While Li Shimin was still in shock, Li Shen stood up, bowed, and then turned and left.

"What do you mean by that?" Li Shimin asked.

"There's plenty of time in the future." Li Shen walked quickly toward the door without turning his head, ready to run away at any moment.

Fortunately, his father didn't react, he just snorted coldly:

"Hmph, what absurd! Guanyinbi, prepare the meal."

Li Shimin deliberately raised his voice for the last two sentences, and Li Shen, who was at the door, stumbled and almost fell when he heard this.

He stormed off without looking back.

Lu Dingniang quickly jogged after her.

After exiting the palace gates, Li Shen turned around and spat:

"Hmph, I'm never coming here again. Who cares about that meal? My family has plenty of meat and fish, and even delicacies from land and sea."

Li Shen's voice was loud, attracting the attention of many passing servants, and even the guards at the door looked at Prince Ji in surprise.

"What are you looking at? Look again and I'll gouge your eyes out! Get out!"

Li Shen roared at the servants who were looking over from a distance, scaring them into quickly leaving.

"Please calm down, my lord. It's just a meal. If you're hungry, we can go home and have a meal now."

Lu Dingniang suppressed a laugh and tried to comfort him. It was obvious that His Majesty and her husband were at odds, neither willing to give in.

"Is this about a meal? This is about attitude. My wife, we went through so much trouble to transport over a dozen cartloads of gifts, and we didn't even get a meal. Isn't this looking down on us?"

Li Shen said confidently.

“If my lord hadn’t angered His Majesty, things wouldn’t have come to this.”

Lu Dingniang retorted.

"Hmph, you don't understand. I haven't lost yet, so I can't let him get away with it so easily. My wife, you should go back to the palace first. I have other matters to attend to."

With that, Li Shen led the stone toward the Liangyi Hall.

Watching her husband's retreating figure, Lu Dingniang sighed, wondering what trouble was about to befall her.

Inside the Liangyi Hall, Li Chengqian was reviewing memorials. With the New Year approaching, there were many memorials from various regions.

Most of these are summary reports from the past year, which he started requiring two years ago.

The main purpose is to see what local officials have accomplished in a year.

However, even after two years, the documents written by officials from various regions are still unsatisfactory.

"Bang!" Li Chengqian slammed a memorial onto the desk.

"Look at what this is all about! It's all praise and flattery. He didn't do anything all year. What use is an official like that?"

"Your Highness, please calm down. Our Great Tang is now at peace, and the people are living in peace and contentment. Indeed, nothing major has happened in many places."

"In my humble opinion, it's a good thing that nothing has happened," Changsun Wuji said at this moment.

Below the hall, the chief officials of the three provinces and the ministers of the six ministries were all seated.

With over two thousand memorials to read, it would take Li Chengqian an unknown amount of time to finish reviewing them all. Therefore, he ordered the three provinces and six ministries to review them together.

"This old minister believes that what the Duke of Zhao said is absolutely right. This old minister has also read some memorials, and indeed some of the officials in them have not made any outstanding achievements."

However, this old minister discovered that all of these were wealthy prefectures and counties, where the weather had been favorable and the people were healthy and well-off throughout the year, so they did not need to do anything.

"As long as they carry out the court's orders, that's fine." Minister of Rites Xu Jingzong echoed.

"That's not true. Even when the weather is favorable, local officials should still take action. Look at the other officials."

They helped farmers reclaim land, build river embankments, dredge river bends, and led the people to repair bridges and roads. Some local officials even led the people to plant tea and fruit trees, and raise silkworms during the off-season.

This is what a local official should do; the difference in their abilities is immediately apparent.

Yu Zhining then stood up to refute.

His words resonated with Li Chengqian, who was essentially conveying the same idea: How can an official who is mediocre and inactive be considered a good official?

This kind of official position is not what he wants.

(Have you all turned on your heating?)