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

Bingzhou was at the forefront of the Tang Dynasty's new policies and the benefits of war.

From the ninth year of the Wude era to the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, nearly five years have passed, and the changes that have taken place can be described as earth-shattering.

Li Shimin and his entourage traveled on the cement road that ran almost parallel to the railway.

Because of the special lane regulations, the speed of the vehicles can certainly not be compared with that of the Zhenguan train, but it is still much faster than traffic under normal circumstances.

The sights and experiences along the way broadened the horizons of Lu Shiming and other officials from Chengdu Prefecture who were accompanying the group.

If their previous vision of the new policy's future could only remain a fantasy in their minds...

Strive in that direction in the best possible way.

But now, the harmonious and prosperous life in Bingzhou, where the people live in peace and contentment, has truly set an example for them.

"This magnificent scene was unprecedented even during the Kaihuang era of the previous dynasty... and it was achieved in just five short years?!"

Lu Shiming felt unprecedented pressure.

Like the other Chengdu officials in his group, he hoped to leave a good impression on His Highness the Crown Prince with his outstanding political achievements.

However, now... the officials the Crown Prince has in Bingzhou seem to be much stronger than they imagined.

Their efforts in Chengdu over the past year or two are indeed somewhat insignificant compared to the current prosperous scene.

"Ahem, Minister Fang, may I ask what His Highness the Crown Prince's preferences are?"

Lu Shiming, nervous and somewhat obsequious, sought advice from Fang Xuanling.

Having had enough of the unreliable Emperor Zhenguan, Fang Xuanling, who had made up an excuse to sneak into the carriage, slowly opened his eyes.

With just a glance at Lu Shiming, he already knew what the other party was planning.

He shook his head slightly.

"Don't think about those things. Trying to please him won't work with His Highness the Crown Prince. In fact, you might even incur his dislike!"

Lu Shiming's face twitched, and then he couldn't help but sigh with a bitter smile.

"Ah, that's true. I was being presumptuous. Thank you for your guidance, Prime Minister Fang... It's a pity that Chengdu Prefecture is too far from Bingzhou. Even if His Highness wanted to see our efforts clearly, it would be difficult."

His words clearly carried a hint of envy for the current officials in Taiyuan Prefecture.

As long as you work hard, with such a wise prince around, you will eventually be discovered.

Fang Xuanling saw that he was once again in a state of self-pity.

He couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

Looking out the car window at the rapidly receding scene of the busy farming season, he suddenly seemed to have thought of something.

"Governor Lu, do you wish to serve the Crown Prince or His Majesty?"

Lu Shiming was startled and instinctively looked around before lifting the carriage curtain to check outside.

Seeing that no one had noticed, he hurriedly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Fang Xuanling smiled and shook his head. Back then, when faced with this question that was more like knocking someone's hat, he was just as nervous as the other person.

But now.

"I want to serve the Crown Prince!" His voice was firm and clear, without any attempt to suppress it.

This frightened Lu Shiming so much that his face turned even paler.

"Before His Majesty took me to Chengdu, I originally planned to go to Taiyuan to join His Highness the Crown Prince. I misjudged people's hearts, which led to my current predicament."

"But I have never forgotten my wish from that day, and I have no intention of returning after this trip to Taiyuan!"

Fang Xuanling crossed his arms, appearing calm and composed.

Lu Shiming pursed his lips, but couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Prime Minister Fang, didn't you go to Taiyuan Prefecture because you were afraid that Madam Fang would make you commit suicide?"

Fang Xuanling's face flushed red instantly, then immediately turned black.

"I'm trying to have a serious talk with you, and you dare to insult me?!"

He made a move to yell at the coachman to stop the carriage, but Lu Shiming quickly pulled him back.

"No, no, no, Prime Minister Fang, I misspoke. You are a senior, please don't hold it against an ignorant junior like me. I apologize..."

As he spoke, he hunched over again and bowed.

Fang Xuanling then gave a cold snort and sat down calmly again.

"I know you want to make a good impression on His Highness the Crown Prince, but forget about your clever tricks like giving gifts and trying to please him. However, I do have a way to raise your status with His Highness the Crown Prince!"

A light suddenly flashed in Lu Shiming's eyes.

"I humbly request your guidance, Prime Minister Fang. Whether it succeeds or not, I will be eternally grateful!"

Fang Xuanling smiled, moved closer to the other person, and lowered his voice.

"You and the others discuss this and claim all of His Majesty's achievements in Chengdu as your own..."

"Wh-what?!" Lu Shiming's pupils shrank, wondering if there was something wrong with his ears.

"Steal, steal credit? Or steal His Majesty's credit?!"

Lu Shiming's voice trembled as he spoke those few words.

Seeing that he didn't understand his meaning at all, Fang Xuanling wasn't annoyed. He smiled and pointed in the direction the carriage was traveling.

"Do you know why His Majesty bypassed Chang'an this time, and even ordered the Hundred Cavalry to conceal the whereabouts of the convoy and detour to Taiyuan Prefecture?"

“Of course, we should ask His Highness the Crown Prince to mediate between the Empress and His Majesty!” Lu Shiming replied immediately.

Fang Xuanling nodded.

"Then why do you think His Highness, with his father on one side and his mother on the other, should speak up for His Majesty?"

Lu Shiming took a breath and began to think.

"Prime Minister Fang, do you mean... His Majesty might use the merits of the new policies in Chengdu Prefecture to plead with His Highness the Crown Prince?"

Fang Xuanling smiled and nodded, then picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Lu Shiming felt even more dizzy: "Then, if we steal His Majesty's credit, wouldn't that be betraying His Majesty? That... ouch!"

Damn...

Lu Shiming gasped as he spoke, his words cut short.

Staring in horror at Fang Xuanling before him, he couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

Fang Xuanling chuckled softly.

"Now that His Majesty's bargaining chips have been taken away by you, wouldn't His Highness the Crown Prince be better off proactively proposing his own price?"

.......

"The Empress Dowager looks so good in Aunt Pingyang's clothes... If I were to look at her from a distance, I would think that Aunt Pingyang has come back to life..."

Chang Le looked at Empress Zhangsun with a mixture of joy and envy, who was wearing a bright armor and a bright red cloak.

Wearing a golden-red phoenix-winged helmet and holding a long spear, he wielded the spear with great skill in the center of the training ground.

Amidst the clanging of spears.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian also wielded a bright silver spear and engaged in a martial arts duel with Empress Zhangsun.

"Mother, Father is more accustomed to attacking the top lane... Take this!"

Li Chengqian let out a low shout and thrust his spear toward his mother's chest.

He didn't use his full strength, but even so, his power was not something an ordinary person could withstand.

However, he suddenly fired a shot.

Empress Zhangsun's feet suddenly flickered and moved, like a butterfly entering a flower bush. She used the Bagua You Shen Step to dodge the attack in an instant, and then swung her spear backward.

It slammed down on Li Chengqian's back.

"boom......"

Li Chengqian suffered a blow to the back, but his body only trembled slightly.

"Father's close-quarters combat techniques are a mix of feints and real attacks; Mother must be careful to discern the truth!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Li Chengqian suddenly dropped his spear and slammed his fists into Empress Zhangsun's lower abdomen.

Empress Zhangsun immediately threw down her spear.

Hands are in a fighting stance.

Tai Chi Chuan...

The sounds of fierce fighting continued in the training ground for nearly an hour.

Princess Chang Le and the other princesses and princes who came upon hearing the news were dumbfounded, and even Consort Yin and several of Li Er's concubines screamed in surprise.

Li Chengqian only stopped fighting when he felt it was enough.

He smiled wryly at his mother, who was still lost in thought, and stretched his aching shoulders.

"Hiss... I didn't expect that you, Mother, would be so quick to grasp martial arts. Now I have told you all the flaws in Father's moves... You must hold back a bit when you fight."

Li Chengqian, who originally had no worries about the couple, now felt inexplicably uneasy about his father, the emperor, who was attracting women outside the home.

After your body was strengthened by the red fruit, Father Emperor, you practiced Yin and Yang on your bed.

After the Empress Dowager's body was strengthened by the red fruit, she secretly practiced martial arts and tempered her body...

I hope your face won't be covered in bruises on my wedding day...

As Li Chengqian wiped his sweat and rested, Wang De, accompanied by Cui Xiaoguo, a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, strode over.

"Your Highness, His Majesty's carriage is less than thirty li from Taiyuan Prefecture!"

Li Chengqian was taken aback, then a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Looking at his mother, who had just finished warming up.

"Tsk tsk tsk, who says Father doesn't care about Mother? Mother's hands are itching right now, and Father has come running just in time, hasn't he?"

"Your subject greets Your Majesty! Why didn't you inform me beforehand that you were coming to Taiyuan?"

"Now that the railway from Chang'an to Taiyuan is operational, it will be more convenient for you to take the train... You haven't been to Chang'an?"

Yangcheng Palace.

Li Chengqian showed just the right amount of enthusiasm for his father, Emperor Li Shimin, who arrived "suddenly".

While respectfully pouring tea for the other party, he was asking a question he already knew the answer to.

Li Shimin coughed lightly, his gaze seemingly evasive.

"Ahem, well, I was worried about you. When I was in Chengdu, I heard that you were handling government affairs and working so hard day and night without taking care of your health, so I came directly to Taiyuan... For now, please don't disturb your mother."

"I will personally give her a surprise."

Li Chengqian took a deep breath, trying not to burst out laughing on the spot.

Surprise!

Father, your surprise has already been delivered.

He nodded in a perfunctory manner and began to stay by the other person's side, chatting idly.

"How is Father Emperor's new policy progressing in Chengdu?"

Upon hearing the Crown Prince bring up this question, Li Shimin was immediately delighted. After a reserved smile, his expression quickly turned serious.

"I dare not slack off for a single day... The new policies in Chengdu Prefecture are progressing well, but this is mainly due to the help of Governor Lu and other capable ministers of our Great Tang Dynasty."

He adopted a humble demeanor and waved to Lu Shiming and the others who, upon entering the hall, seemed to have strange expressions and dared not meet his gaze.

"Minister Lu, the Crown Prince has inquired about the new policies in Chengdu Prefecture. Each of you may now give your explanations..."

He held his teacup, feigning shame, but there was a clear hint of smirk in the corner of his eye.

"My minor achievements need not be mentioned..."