Tang Dynasty: Father, if you don't rebel, I will!

"My esteemed guests, if I may be so bold, then to put it bluntly, Taiyuan Prefecture has everything that Chang'an has, and even things that Chang'an doesn't have... and things that Taiyuan Prefecture has that Chang'an might not have in the future!"

Di Renquan was almost stunned by his big-mouthed older brother.

He hurriedly tugged at the other person's clothes.

Li Shimin narrowed his eyes and stroked his beard with a chuckle.

"Oh? Taiyuan is indeed prosperous, and it's normal that it's more prosperous than Chang'an after a year of the new policies. But if Chang'an also starts implementing the new policies in the future, Taiyuan's number one position... hehe... might not be so secure."

Hear the words.

Di Rengui smiled faintly, while gesturing to his younger brother not to be nervous.

He nodded.

"What you say is true. Taiyuan Prefecture is what it is today thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince's tireless efforts and dedication. His Highness is such a wise and virtuous heir that even if he were placed in a remote mountain valley, he would turn that valley into a treasure land."

"The Crown Prince can live without Taiyuan Prefecture, but Taiyuan Prefecture cannot live without the Crown Prince."

When Li Shimin heard someone praising his son like that, not only him, but also Empress Zhangsun, who was originally somewhat resentful because her emperor husband was trying to cause trouble, was also moved.

At this moment, a rare smile appeared on his face.

Li Shimin stroked his beard with a smile.

"So, what you just mentioned about Taiyuan Prefecture having these things, Chang'an might not necessarily have them in the future?"

Di Rengui smiled faintly.

"Your Excellency must know that Taiyuan Prefecture was the place where our Tang Dynasty royal family rose to power. Now that the Crown Prince has returned to Taiyuan Prefecture, he has governed it far better than Chang'an."

"The Crown Prince has the support of the people, an army, food supplies, and wealth in Bingzhou. He can go north to fight the Western Turks, go west to continue dealing with the Tuyuhun, and also deal with Gaochang and the other kingdoms in the Western Regions."

"When His Highness the Crown Prince ascends to that position in the future, the capital of the Tang Dynasty may not even be in Chang'an!"

Di Rengui pointed to the north outside the lifted carriage curtain.

"Your Excellency, the Reunion Festival is just around the corner, yet His Highness remains in Taiyuan Prefecture and has not returned to Chang'an."

"Furthermore, what is it about Chang'an that would make His Highness abandon so many people in Bingzhou who love him and travel thousands of miles back to celebrate the festival?"

"Could it be His Majesty, who has become lazy since becoming emperor?"

Li Shimin: "???"

Empress Zhangsun noticed her husband's expression, which had been quite smug, and her face instantly darkened.

Can't help but smile.

The hand that was originally being held and comforted by the other person is now taking the lead.

He gently patted the other person twice as a gesture of comfort.

His gaze then turned with a smile to the young man, Di Rengui, in front of him.

"His Majesty is benevolent. You must not speak these words carelessly in the future, or you may bring about your own death!"

"Hehe, it was my fault for being so talkative. Thank you for reminding me, Madam. I only said a few words because I thought you two gentlemen looked kind. Please don't take offense."

Di Rengui hurriedly bowed and paid his respects, but Empress Zhangsun waved her hand.

“What you just said, even if His Majesty is being a bit reckless in Chang’an, isn’t the Crown Prince’s mother, the current Empress, also in Chang’an? She should go back to visit him during this reunion festival.”

This time, Di Rengui nodded, but then sighed deeply.

"Her Majesty the Empress is a good mother; otherwise, she could not have raised such benevolent and capable princes and princesses as the current Crown Prince, Prince Wei, and Princess Chang Le. Unfortunately, the journey is long and arduous, and it would take at least one or two months to travel back and forth. There are many affairs to attend to in Bingzhou, and the Crown Prince cannot leave."

"If you ask me, Your Highness would be better off bringing the Empress directly to Taiyuan. What is there in Chang'an besides a bunch of pedantic scholars and corrupt officials? Unlike our Taiyuan, which is thriving and prosperous, like the rising sun."

"If Empress Zhangsun were to come to Taiyuan, given our environment, it would make Her Majesty look at least ten years younger!"

Empress Zhangsun was amused by the other party and laughed.

Li Shimin, however, began to feel increasingly uneasy.

What the hell!

My Chang'an, and I, the emperor, am looked down upon by the people of Taiyuan Prefecture?

I am the first General of the Heavenly Strategy!

Back then, I was the famous Second Young Master Li in Taiyuan Prefecture.

Now that I am the Son of Heaven, although I have concealed my identity, it can still be considered a triumphant return home...

"Ahem, from what you're saying, it seems that in Taiyuan Prefecture, and even Bingzhou Circuit, people now only know about the Crown Prince and no longer hear about the Emperor?"

Empress Zhangsun playfully squeezed Emperor Li Er's hand.

The latter's displeasure was practically written all over his face at that moment.

However, as a guide, Di Rengui should have been more aware of the need to speak more tactfully, but when faced with this pointed question, his expression turned serious.

After gazing at Li Shimin in silence for a few breaths, he remained silent.

He suddenly spoke.

"Is this distinguished guest from Chang'an?"

Li Shimin let out a soft hum from his nose.

Di Rengui smiled slightly.

"Does that noble person, residing in Chang'an, know where His Majesty is in the palace, and what he is doing?"

Li Shimin frowned, and Empress Zhangsun spoke softly beside him.

"How could we ordinary mortals possibly know where the emperor is? Even if we have some wealth in Chang'an, we would never dare to covet the imperial family's territory."

“Hehe…” Di Rengui let out a soft, ambiguous laugh.

Suddenly, he turned his head to look out the window towards the north of the city, squinting as he observed for a few moments.

He turned his head again, a smug look on his face.

"My lords, His Highness the Crown Prince should be in the Ziji Hall of Yangcheng Palace right now. He is about to prepare for the next planting of winter wheat. And a few days ago, the newspaper reported that His Highness is having people research a way to make our Great Tang Dynasty able to eat fresh fruits and vegetables in winter."

"The Ziji Hall is precisely where Yangcheng Palace connects with agricultural affairs in Bingzhou Province. His Highness should be handling agricultural matters at the moment!"

"Furthermore, if it were merely a matter of reviewing documents and memorials, His Highness would only need to be in the Shougong Hall. Therefore, His Highness should currently be in the Ziji Hall meeting with the agricultural officials to discuss the details of agricultural affairs!"

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun were both astonished and puzzled as they looked at Di Rengui, who had a confident and resolute expression.

Li Shimin frowned: "How did you know?"

"Nothing more than what His Highness the Crown Prince told me!" Di Rengui tilted his head back, his face full of pride.

Di Renquan, who had been trembling and dared not speak, saw this scene and hurriedly pulled back his brother who was about to let loose again.

He hurriedly pointed out the window towards the sky in the direction of Yangcheng Palace.

"My esteemed guests, please look over there. Can you see the dragon banner flying in the sky to the west of Yangcheng Palace?"

"Where the dragon banner is located is where the Crown Prince is, and judging by that direction, it is undoubtedly the Purple Palace."

Empress Zhangsun and Li Shimin both looked outside.

Then, one could immediately see the so-called dragon banner, which, under the midday sun, seemed to be pulled by a large floating ball and soared hundreds of meters above Yangcheng Palace.

Li Shimin's eyes widened.

"What is that? Why is it flying in the sky?"

Di Renquan didn't dare give his elder brother a chance to speak and hurriedly chimed in.

"That ball is called a hot air balloon. It was made by people from the Imperial University based on the principle of the ancient Kongming lantern. It is filled with hot air and can fly in the sky. Then, it is held in place by ropes below."

Li Shimin was puzzled: "Why would the Crown Prince do such a thing? How can the heir apparent be so ostentatious? What if some audacious person seizes an opportunity to exploit this..."

"Who dares?!" Di Rengui shouted, as if he had suddenly been provoked.

The once polite and arrogant young man suddenly revealed a fierce glint in his eyes.

Outside the carriage.

Qin Qiong quickly moved closer to the car window, looking wary.

"The prosperity of our Great Tang Dynasty and Bingzhou Prefecture today is entirely due to the wise governance of the current Crown Prince. If His Highness the Crown Prince and Prince Wei had not personally led the troops on the northern expedition, those Turkic bandits would still be running rampant!"

"With such a wise and virtuous ruler in mind, who would dare to harbor any wicked thoughts? They would be sinners for all eternity!"

"Exterminate his entire family!"

Li Shimin: "......."

Good news! This outstanding young man is a fan of my Crown Prince.

Bad news... This kid looks down on me, the emperor.

Empress Zhangsun gestured to Qin Qiong outside the window not to disturb him, and then gently comforted the somewhat agitated Di Rengui.

"Alright, alright, but such a thing is unheard of from ancient times to the present. Royal affairs have always been a secret among the common people. My master is also worried about His Highness."

Di Rengui took a deep breath and calmed himself down.

He hurriedly bowed to the two of them in apology.

"My esteemed guests, I have misspoke and acted inappropriately. Please do not hold it against me."

Empress Zhangsun nodded.

"In fact, the concerns of the two noblemen were also the concerns of the officials of Bingzhou. Since His Highness took control of Bingzhou, he has had conflicts with the Turks and Tuyuhun."

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Six Guards of the Eastern Palace take His Highness's safety even more seriously."

"However, despite the opposition of the officials, His Highness insisted on doing so, and even published a statement in the newspaper declaring that the place where the dragon banner was located was where the crown prince was."

"Although His Highness said he did this to make it easier for messengers to find him in case of emergency military affairs or local disasters, but..."

Di Rengui took a deep breath and bowed respectfully again through the carriage window towards Yangcheng Palace.

"Our instructors in charge of official schools say that this is the bright path!"

"His Highness wants to tell the world and those enemies that he is there, standing in the light despite the blood on his hands!"

"Conquering battlefields and repelling four enemies—this is the mark of a great ruler."

"To stabilize the country and bring peace to the people, to spare no expense in protecting one's own power, and to swiftly eliminate the parasites—this is the mark of a true king."

"The people of Bingzhou toil for a living, working from dawn till dusk, yet they can still see His Highness's dragon banner and the lights of the Shougong Hall burning late into the night. They work tirelessly day and night; this is the true meaning of a sovereign!"

"Now, a new imperial examination system has been launched, making the promotion of officials more transparent. Water conservancy projects have been developed, universities have been built, and even women are encouraged to study literature and take the exams."

"Almost every household in Bingzhou had at least one literate person."

"The rulers of all the surrounding vassal states bowed in awe of the Emperor's might and proclaimed the true Khan's glorious name!"

Di Rengui became more and more agitated as he spoke, and Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun both felt that the other might simply faint from lack of oxygen at any moment.

However, he was so excited that his face turned red and his neck bulged.

He stared intently at Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty before him.

"Such achievements, who would believe they were accomplished in just over a year?"

"With such a crown prince, who dares to say he is not worthy of being called an emperor?"

Li Shimin: "......"

Then...I have passed away?