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

"Guanyinbi, tell me, am I spoiling that rebellious son a little too much?"

Comrade Li is somewhat troubled.

Despite agreeing to Li Chengqian's request to implement new policies in Bingzhou, and even preparing a civil official named Wang Ming and a military general named Hou Junji to assist him, one civil and one military, he was still able to do so.

In addition, there were three mature and prudent men: Yu Shinan, Li Gang, and Kong Yingda.

He also granted Li Chengqian the power to govern the entire Bingzhou.

It can be said that, let alone the Tang Dynasty, even in the thousands of years of Chinese history, which crown prince has had such an honor?

What was the story of Fusu, the crown prince of the Qin Dynasty?

He has some power, but compared to his own son, it's practically nothing. Moreover, he's cowardly and a complete waste of space, brainwashed by Confucianism!

What was Liu Ju, the crown prince of the Han Dynasty, like?

Although he dared to rebel, he was ultimately not as bold as his own son, and the power he held was pitifully negligible.

Then there's Yang Yong, the former crown prince...

Thinking of this, Li Shimin suddenly cursed under his breath, "How can I compare my Chengqian with that good-for-nothing who only knows how to indulge in sensual pleasures and debauchery?"

However, even though he already knew in his heart that his own crown prince already wielded considerable power.

But after court, he suddenly couldn't resist and bestowed upon the other party the establishment of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

In this way, as long as Li Chengqian wants to...

They could simply separate Bingzhou into a separate state and hold onto that territory.

Empress Zhangsun had only come to deliver a bowl of soup to her husband after he had finished court.

She was pinned down here by the other party, and could only helplessly watch her husband pace back and forth.

Some were dumbfounded.

"Your Majesty knows this, so why bestow the Embroidered Uniform Guard upon them? Arresting and interrogating people directly without going through the Three Departments or the Six Ministries—such power being transferred to others will likely cause widespread panic."

However, as soon as Empress Zhangsun finished speaking, Li Shimin suddenly glared at her.

"I gave it to my own son, my eldest son! How could the power have fallen into the wrong hands?!"

Empress Zhangsun pursed her lips, smiling but saying nothing.

Now, it was Comrade Li who blushed a little. What was the difference between this and refuting himself?

He couldn't help but pace back and forth in the Ganlu Hall, feeling somewhat conflicted.

“I am not worried about what Chengqian will do to me. That child is proud and always says outrageous things, but I can see his goodness.”

"I am worried..."

Empress Zhangsun smiled, waiting for her husband to continue.

However, after worrying for a long time, Li Shimin was stunned and stared blankly at his empress.

"What am I worried about?"

"Pfft!"

One sentence made Empress Zhangsun burst out laughing. She stepped forward with a look of both amusement and exasperation, and affectionately pulled Li Er over to sit down in a chair.

"Your Majesty doesn't seem worried about the Crown Prince, but rather reluctant to see him leave Chang'an."

Immediately, Comrade Li fell silent, his mouth trembling as he spoke.

He seemed to instinctively want to refute, but since there were only the two of them in the Ganlu Hall, Li Er ultimately remained silent.

Empress Zhangsun was also having a bit of a headache. Her husband was good in every way, but sometimes he always needed to be coaxed like a child and stroked gently.

And then there's Chengqian, who's always so loud and boisterous, always looking like he's about to fight his father at any moment.

It always infuriated Li Er, but at this time, it was also when he was most worried about Li Er.

"Your Majesty, don't you know what it was like when we raised our army in Taiyuan? We had Hou Junji and the others protecting us, and Chengqian himself was also skilled in martial arts. Your Majesty need not worry."

Empress Zhangsun offered comfort, but she was reluctant to let her son Li Chengqian leave Chang'an.

And it wasn't just Li Shimin who was involved.

Just as the two were talking, outside the Ganlu Palace...

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince requests an audience..."

Just a moment ago, Li Shimin was about to speak intimately with Empress Zhangsun, but the next second his expression turned serious.

"Hmph, let him in!"

Empress Zhangsun was speechless. Well, I really can't do anything with you two, father and son.

Just as he stood up, Li Chengqian rushed in amidst the sound of footsteps, carrying a box in his hands.

Li Chengqian had just stepped into the Ganlu Hall.

The next moment, Li Er began to speak in an uncontrollable, sarcastic tone.

"Oh dear, what wind is blowing today, bringing here our busy and concerned Crown Prince?"

Li Chengqian: "......"

Depend on!

Li Shimin's gaze, which held a half-smile, swept over Li Chengqian from head to toe before finally settling on the brocade box in Li Chengqian's hand.

Can't help but pouted.

"Tsk tsk tsk, ever since my Crown Prince arrived at the Eastern Palace, he has hardly ever visited me. Now that he has gotten what he deserves, he has finally remembered his father, the Emperor?"

"What did the Crown Prince send me? It made me spend the entire state of Bingzhou and add five hundred cavalrymen to my ranks!"

Comrade Li Er is acting strangely today; his tone of voice is like that of a resentful woman locked up in the deep palace.

It tastes so authentic!

This made Li Chengqian look at his mother with a strange expression.

Empress Zhangsun rolled her eyes and turned away, not wanting to pay any attention to the father and son.

One is a scumbag who secretly takes even the wives and concubines of the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi into the palace.

One is a workaholic son who, since becoming the Crown Prince, has been so busy that he has hardly ever visited his mother.

They're all heartless!

Li Chengqian's lips twitched twice, noticing that even his own mother seemed off.

He couldn't help but cough twice.

"Um, Father, I do have something good I'd like to offer you..."

Li Shimin raised his chin, looking arrogant.

"What is that? Bring it here. Is it the method of forging glass?"

Li Chengqian shook his head.

Comrade Li's expression immediately fell, and he promptly withdrew his outstretched hand, collapsing slumped back into the armchair behind him.

He looked utterly despondent, as if he wanted to humiliate his own crown prince to the point of despair.

A long sigh echoed throughout the Ganlu Hall.

"Alas, how unfilial! Are you trying to appease me with ginseng and lingzhi? My imperial treasury is more than capable of handling such things..."

Li Er pouted.

Li Er turned his head.

Li Er was unhappy.

He made no mention of the fact that all the silver and treasures in his private treasury came from the salt and sea salt production methods of this "unfilial prince."

Li Chengqian was immediately at a loss.

Two dry coughs.

"While the method of glassmaking is precious, what I have prepared is likely even more valuable to Father. However, since Father desires the method of glassmaking so much, I will return to exchange it..."

As he spoke, Li Chengqian made a gesture as if he were about to turn around and leave.

"Wait!"

Li Chengqian smiled as he watched his father, Li Er, finally sit up from his slumped posture.

"Even better than the method of refining crystal? What is that?"

"Liquid is more valuable than gold. With your refining method, anything made from it will undoubtedly be a masterpiece, priceless..."

Li Chengqian chuckled, then glanced at his mother, Empress Zhangsun, who was clearly sulking but whose eyes kept glancing in his direction.

"This place is not suitable. Please, Father and Mother, move to the Lizheng Hall. Your son has already had preparations made there."

Empress Zhangsun looked puzzled.

"What are you going to do there?"

"You will know when you get there, Father and Mother. The things prepared here are not only for Father, but also for Mother. Your son will be leaving Chang'an soon for Bingzhou. Before I leave, I hope that Father and Mother will be in good health."

These words caused Empress Zhangsun's eyes to redden slightly.

The terrible feeling of being neglected by her son these days has finally eased a bit.

Li Shimin, however, curled his lip upon hearing this.

"Heh, it seems that even if it's not ginseng, it must be something similar."

Li Chengqian remained silent, completely ignoring the other party's provocation, and gestured for them to enter.

As the emperor, empress, and crown prince arrived at the Zheng Hall, the eunuchs and palace maids busied themselves with preparations.

After Li Shimin had been probing Li Chengqian all the way, only to be met with Li Chengqian shaking his head in disbelief, leaving Li Shimin scratching his head in frustration, the group finally arrived at the Lizheng Hall.

Inside the hall, even though it was barely noon, two enormous bathtubs were already set up.

Two big question marks popped into Li Shimin's and Empress Zhangsun's minds.

Li Shimin pointed at the wooden bucket in front of him with an absurd expression.

"Don't you fucking say you're going to shower with me!"

Li Chengqian immediately broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly shouted.

"Father, what are you thinking? Your son has remained chaste to this day and has never even touched a woman, let alone been touched by a man!"

Li Er's face instantly turned red, and with a quick glance, he looked around for some rattan or something.

Seeing this, Empress Zhangsun hurriedly reached out to stop the father and son. If she didn't stop them, they might start fighting on the spot.

"Alright, Chengqian, now that you're here, stop keeping me in suspense and bring out the gifts. Let your mother see what presents you've prepared for her."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian carefully opened the brocade box in his hand.

When Li Shimin and his wife approached and saw what was inside with expectant expressions, they were instantly stunned.

Li Shimin's expression froze for a moment, then he became so angry that he straightened up on the spot and pointed one finger at Li Chengqian.

He looked like he wanted to curse, but when he opened his mouth, it seemed like he was considering some more vicious words, and he didn't say a word for a long time.

Empress Zhangsun remained silent.

"Chengqian, you've gone too far! How dare you even mock your father and mother!"

Inside the brocade box, which Li Chengqian had carefully protected and opened along the way, were two bright red fruits, each no bigger than a thumb.

Unremarkable.

"Guanyinbi, don't stop me! Today I will make this rebellious son know why I was able to become the Supreme General of the Heavenly Strategy!"

"Wang De! Where have you been?! Bring me my greatsword!"

Wang De, standing outside the palace, wanted to weep but had no tears.

Your Majesty, when have you ever used a broadsword?

Seeing that Li Er was about to smash the two red fruits in his hand, Li Chengqian was so frightened that his pupils shrank immediately, and he hurriedly dodged in a flash.

"Li Er, you scoundrel! You almost squandered this treasure!"

Li Shimin's eyes widened instantly.

"You unfilial son! What did you call me?! Waaaaah! Take this!"

Li Chengqian hurriedly dodged, quickly taking out a vermilion fruit from the brocade box. With lightning speed, he turned his footing the moment Li Er got close.

Like a tree-climbing ape, he instantly appeared behind Li Er, leaped up, and mounted Li Er's back.

As he roared and shouted, he stuffed a [Dragon Essence Fruit] into the other's mouth.

"Well!"

Caught off guard, Li Er's eyes widened, and he instinctively swallowed.

Before he could react in any other way, Li Chengqian suddenly bent his legs and tripped him from behind, then grabbed him tightly around the neck from behind.

"Ugh, you unfilial son, what are you going to do?!"

Li Chengqian used his hands and feet to press down on the other person tightly, muttering to himself.

"Father, take a deep breath. Dizziness is normal; it will subside in a moment..."

Empress Zhangsun was stunned.

Hearing the commotion inside, the eunuch Wang De cautiously peeked inside and his expression changed drastically.

"Protect the Emperor! Quickly, protect him..."

"Go to hell! Protect your emperor my ass! Wang De, if you dare come in, I'll chop up your whole family! Do you think I'm crazy enough to kill my own father?!"

Outside the Lizheng Hall.

The imperial guards who rushed over upon hearing the news looked at each other in bewilderment.

Seeing this, Empress Zhangsun, who had come to her senses, hurriedly reached out her hand.

"You all wait outside. You are not to enter without my order!"

As he spoke, he closed the palace door in front of him again.

Only then did he finally look at his son, who had firmly pinned the emperor to the ground, with a serious expression.

"Chengqian, what are you doing! Release your father at once!"

Li Chengqian said helplessly, "Mother, this thing is a bit too strong. If we don't hold Father down, I'm afraid he'll rush out and embarrass the Emperor. Then another bunch of palace maids and eunuchs will lose their heads."

As they were talking, Empress Zhangsun noticed that something was wrong with Li Er.

Not only was his whole body red, but he was also struggling violently, and his strength seemed to have increased, causing Li Chengqian to be covered in sweat in no time.

"Mother, don't worry. After today, Father's physique will surely leave you speechless at first sight."