Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

On the imperial platform.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "My dear ministers, your youngest children are only six or seven years old. How can you say you are old?"

"You are still young."

As Li Chengqian finished speaking, all the ministers in the hall showed strange expressions.

Apart from Duke Li Jing of Wei, all the other old ministers have taken several beauties from the Western Regions as concubines in recent years, and they have all had several children with them.

Don't let their gray beards fool you; their children are still young kids.

After some pleasantries.

Li Chengqian announced in a loud voice: "My beloved ministers, at the court assembly early tomorrow morning, I will bestow titles upon the princes. After the bestowal of titles, the Prince of Han and I will perform the Fengshan ceremony in a hot air balloon above the Daming Palace!"

"You must wear brand new official robes tomorrow."

When the civil and military officials heard that His Majesty would be performing the Fengshan ceremony the next day, their faces all showed joy.

After waiting for more than ten years, the day of being crowned a king has finally arrived!

The princes and officials all stood up, bowing with excited expressions.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Sitting next to Li Chengqian, Li Shimin squinted at the group of civil and military officials, then turned his gaze to Du He, feeling a sense of relief.

Abdicating in advance is the best option!

Moreover, Du He's performance far exceeded his expectations. The fact that the Tang Dynasty was able to unify the world and achieve such rapid development was almost entirely due to Du He's efforts.

Without the thunderous bombs, the Gewu Garden, and the ruthless crackdown on foreign tribes, the Tang Dynasty could not have achieved its current success.

The banquet lasted for another hour, until it became dark.

Zichen Palace.

Just as Li Chengqian returned to his palace, a eunuch suddenly came in to report.

"Your Majesty, Duke Qing, Ma Zhou; Duke Su, Xue Rengui; Duke Ying, Xi Junmai; and Duke Lu, Pei Xingjian, are requesting an audience outside the main hall."

Upon hearing that four key ministers were coming at this time, Li Chengqian's face was filled with astonishment.

What are they doing here?

These people usually don't come directly to me when they have something to say; instead, they go to Du He first, and then Du He relays the message to them.

He was stunned for a few breaths.

Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "Please invite them in."

"promise."

After receiving the order, the eunuch quickly walked out.

Not long after, Ma Zhou, Xue Rengui, Xi Junmai, and Pei Xingjian, led by an attendant, respectfully entered the main hall.

Half an hour later, the four of them left the main hall looking relaxed.

...

The next day.

All the princes and officials of the third rank and above gathered in the spacious Hanyuan Hall, and even Li Shimin attended in full imperial robes.

Before the court assembly began, the faces of these princes and powerful ministers from aristocratic families were all beaming with joy.

On the imperial platform.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "My dear ministers, the Emperor Emeritus and I promised you back in the Zhenguan era that after the unification of the country, I would bestow titles and honors upon the princes!"

"And today is the day I fulfill my promise!"

Upon hearing this, the breathing in the hall became rapid.

However, Du He, Du Gou, Pei Xingjian, Xue Rengui, and the others looked relatively calm, since they already knew about their status as kings.

Hou Junji and Xue Wanche, who had made serious mistakes during the war, looked uneasy.

Seeing the officials' faces flushed with excitement, Li Chengqian felt a sense of relief.

When he saw Du He's calm expression, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and a faint wicked smile appeared on his face.

"Good boy!"

"He was able to remain calm in the face of such a momentous event as being granted the title of king!"

"We'll see!"

Li Chengqian pondered for a moment, then said loudly, "My dear ministers, I know you are all eager to get started, so I will not keep you in suspense."

"Come to Jinan and read out the imperial edict."

coming!

Facing the burning gazes of the princes and civil and military officials, Lai Ji, who had already assumed the position of Minister of Personnel, strode to one side of the imperial platform, holding the imperial edict.

"Cough cough."

Lai Ji coughed twice, then read aloud.

"By imperial decree, Li Tai is granted the title of Prince of Wei, with his fiefdom encompassing the European borders, the western coast of the ocean, a territory of 6000 li, and 20 households of Tang people are to be relocated."

"By imperial decree, Li Zhi was granted the title of Prince of Jin, with his fiefdom encompassing the territory of Europe, east of the Wei Kingdom, spanning 6000 li, and 20 households of Tang people were relocated."

"By imperial decree, Li Ke is enfeoffed as the Prince of Wu, with his fiefdom encompassing the territory of Europe, south of the Kingdom of Wei, spanning 3000 li, and 12 households of Tang people are to be relocated."

"By imperial decree, Li Yin was enfeoffed as the King of Shu, with his fiefdom encompassing the territory of Europe, west of the Wei Kingdom, spanning 2500 li, and 6 households of Tang people were relocated."

"By imperial decree, Li Zhen is enfeoffed as the King of Yue, with his fiefdom encompassing the territory of Europe, south of the Kingdom of Jin, spanning 2500 li, and 6 households of Tang people are to be relocated."

"..."

As Lai Ji finished speaking, the nine princes strode to the center of the hall, lined up, and knelt down to pay their respects.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

Although they are all His Majesty's brothers, His Majesty still bestows different fiefs upon them based on their closeness. Brothers born of the same mother receive more fiefs, while other brothers receive far fewer.

After a while.

Lai Ji took out the second imperial edict and read it aloud.

"By imperial decree, Li Yuanjing is granted the title of Prince of Jing, with his fiefdom located in North America, spanning 2000 li, and 5 households of Tang people are to be relocated."

"By imperial decree, Li Yuanheng is granted the title of Prince of Xu, with his fiefdom located in North America, spanning 2000 li, and 5 households of Tang people are to be relocated."

"By imperial decree, Li Yuanjia is granted the title of Prince Kang, with his fiefdom located in North America, spanning 2000 li, and 5 households of Tang people are to be relocated."

"..."

As Li Shimin's 14 brothers were granted the title of king, they all went to the center of the hall to kneel and express their gratitude.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!"

After they returned, Lai Ji continued to recite aloud.

"By imperial decree, the eldest son of the Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty, Li Xiang, is enfeoffed as the Prince of Yan, with his fiefdom located in North America, spanning 8000 li, and 30 households of the people of the Great Tang Dynasty are to be relocated."

"By imperial decree, the third son of the emperor, Li Yan, is enfeoffed as the Prince of Qi, with his fiefdom located in North America, spanning 10000 li, and 40 households of the people of the Tang Dynasty are to be relocated."

"The other territories in North America will temporarily belong to the imperial court, and will be granted titles and rewards to the other princes when they come of age!"

hum~

As Lai Ji finished speaking, a huge commotion erupted in the main hall.

Unexpectedly, His Majesty sent his two sons, Li Xiang and Li Yan, to the fertile North America as princes, and the territory they occupied was so vast.

A biological son is always the best!

Li Xiang, 25, and Li Yan, 15, bowed excitedly.

"Thank you for your great favor, Father Emperor!"

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, these two should be the most powerful feudal lords!

On the imperial platform.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "You two are not young anymore, and the fiefdoms I have given you are quite large. You must manage them well."

"I will send some veteran officials and young, capable ministers to accompany you to your fiefdoms, so you need not worry too much."

The two princes knelt down again to pay their respects, looking at Crown Prince Li Jue with envy before respectfully returning to their seats.

On the imperial platform.

Lai Ji received a brand new imperial edict, which he then read aloud.

"By imperial decree, Li Daozong is granted the title of Prince Gong, with his fiefdom encompassing the territory of Oceania, spanning 3000 li, and 10 households of Tang people are to be relocated."

"By imperial decree, Li Fengci is granted the title of Prince of Dai, with his fiefdom encompassing the territory of Oceania, spanning 1000 li, and 2 households of Tang people are to be relocated."

"By imperial decree, Li Xiaoxie is enfeoffed as the Prince of Liang, with his fiefdom encompassing the territory of Oceania, spanning 1000 li, and 2 households of Tang people are to be relocated."

"..."

"By imperial decree, Li Renjian is granted the title of Prince Xiang, with his fiefdom encompassing the territory of Oceania, spanning 600 li, and 1 households of Tang people are to be relocated."

This time, a total of 70 vassal kings were enfeoffed, and the vast majority of them had fiefdoms of a thousand li. Only a few relatives who had committed crimes were enfeoffed with fiefdoms of only 600 li.

However, a fiefdom of 600 li is not small for them, roughly equivalent to one or two states.

Dozens of princes emerged from both sides of the hall, shouting in unison.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!"