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

Changsun Wuji starts with zero frames.

Even Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, who were standing beside him, were momentarily speechless.

The two cursed inwardly, "No wonder you can be the emperor's brother-in-law!"

But he hurriedly stepped forward to echo their sentiments.

"Your subject, Fang Xuanling, congratulates Your Highness on your marriage. May Your Highness and Your Highness's wife grow old together and have many children!"

"Your subject, Du Ruhui, respectfully congratulates Your Highness on your perfect match. May this marriage be harmonious, the nation prosperous, and blessings long-lasting!"

Before the three had finished speaking, the veteran officials of the Wude faction, who had then realized what was happening, hurriedly cupped their hands in congratulations.

"Your subject, Xiao Yu, congratulates Your Highness the Crown Prince..."

"Your subject, Wang Gui..."

"Your subject, Pei Ji..."

Subsequently, Wu Shihuo, Li Daozong, Li Xiaogong, and Yuchi Jingde, who had just returned from Baikal County to report on his duties, along with other key figures in the court, all offered their loud congratulations.

Seeing this scene, even though Li Shimin already had the answer in his heart, he couldn't help but feel a complex mix of frustration and pride.

No father doesn't want to be surpassed by his son, but when his son truly surpasses him to the point that the father's role is no longer that of a mountain sheltering his son from the wind and rain.

Frustration is inevitable.

Empress Zhangsun smiled and grasped Li Shimin's hand.

"Hehe, Guanyinbi, tell me, just because you and I have a child like Chengqian, when the people pray to the gods for children a hundred years from now, won't the statues they worship be the two of us instead?"

Li Shimin's eyes were slightly red, but he stubbornly uttered words of pride.

Empress Zhangsun rolled her eyes at him, annoyed, and said, "You're just spouting nonsense!"

Li Chengqian smiled and waved his hand, pulling Crown Princess Qian Yingying to sit on the dragon throne on the left side of the dragon platform.

"Thank you for your kind words, sirs. May our Great Tang Dynasty last for ten thousand generations, may our people be prosperous and healthy, and may our land be filled with outstanding people and beautiful scenery!"

He gestured for everyone to dispense with formalities.

Sitting in this position, looking down at those below, some are pillars of the nation, some are fierce generals in the army, and some are high-ranking officials in charge of a region. Among them are also some officials with foreign faces.

These outstanding individuals now treat him, the crown prince, with utmost respect.

Below the stage, Prince Wei, Li Tai, and the others looked at their elder brother, the Crown Prince, who seemed to be shining, with eyes full of reverence.

Because of his elder brother, the court officials worked together with one heart, and the people lived in peace and prosperity.

These brothers and sisters, who would have inevitably fought to the death for imperial power in every dynasty, lived quite comfortably.

Li Yuan watched as his court officials returned to their seats, then smiled and instructed Fan Qi beside him to begin the banquet.

As the gong sounded to signal the start of the banquet.

Surrounded by the graceful figures of palace maids, one dish after another, exquisite in color, aroma, and taste, was served on the table in front of the assembled officials.

Although nowadays the Crown Prince and all the princes and princesses have gotten used to dining together.

Following the example set by those in power, officials and ministers now generally no longer eat separately at home.

However, on occasions like the grand court assembly, everyone still uses the separate meal system.

Although the dishes were served in small portions, reminiscent of Michelin-starred restaurants in later generations, the top-notch culinary skills from the royal kitchen dazzled the foreign dignitaries and even some kings who came to pay homage.

King Udaya Dewa of the Niva Kingdom and King Li Mixia of the Xiangxiong Kingdom sat in adjacent seats.

Looking at the dishes in front of them, whose names they couldn't even recall, just the aroma made everyone's throats churn uncontrollably.

"What... what kind of dish is this?"

Udaya tried to keep his movements as small as possible, turning to the side and pointing to a small pottery jar on the table in front of him.

The small pottery jar was not opened, but the lifelike and joyful Buddha image on the lid made him unconsciously start to fantasize in a fantastical direction.

Upon seeing this, Prince Nalingdeva of the Kingdom of Niva pondered for a long time, searching through all the dishes that the Crown Prince had served him when he had previously visited the Tang Dynasty.

No one had ever thought of such a dish.

He couldn't help but let his imagination run wild.

"I've heard that the Crown Prince dislikes Buddhists; could this be related to the Buddha...?"

"hiss!"

The group gasped in shock. Li Mixia's face trembled. She glanced around and, seeing that no one was paying attention, deftly opened the lid of the Buddha statue.

Instantly, a sizzling aroma, accompanied by the rich scent of spices and meat, eased his tense expression.

"Hiss... Hah~"

This smells so good...

When had Li Mixia, the ruler of a small plateau country like Xiangxiong, ever seen such an exquisite delicacy, even though the country was unable to produce enough food and salt to be self-sufficient?

The retired emperor signaled for the court dance and music to begin.

Immediately, a group of dancers dressed in flowing robes and wearing veils, yet possessing an ethereal and exquisite beauty, entered the hall with graceful steps.

Accompanied by music, they began to gracefully perform.

"Haha, everyone, raise your glasses! Today is the Crown Prince's wedding, and it also marks the fifth year of the new policies of our Great Tang Dynasty. The country is prosperous and the people are at peace, which is inseparable from the hard work and dedication of you all."

Emperor Emeritus Li Yuan rose and raised his wine cup.

The foreign envoys, who had just wolfed down their food under the seemingly disdainful gazes of the Tang officials around them, quickly wiped their mouths and raised their wine cups along with everyone else.

"For the eternal foundation of our Great Tang Dynasty! Let's do it!"

The courtiers excitedly congratulated them, saying, "This is the foundation for the Tang Dynasty's eternal prosperity!"

Li Chengqian noticed the look in his grandfather's eyes, clearly indicating that he should say something.

He smiled, raised his glass, and stood up.

"We will not discuss state affairs today. Even if you gentlemen get drunk, you will be served and escorted home. You will not leave until you are completely drunk!"

"You won't come home until you're drunk!"

The ministers raised their glasses once more.

As the banquet began, the Crown Princess, who was beside Li Chengqian, was pulled away by Empress Zhangsun after she had finished eating, and he immediately began to behave in a dissolute manner.

Li Shimin's face flushed slightly, but he remained steadfast despite the fierce battle against Yuchi Jingde, Li Xiaogong, and Li Daozong who were attacking him.

"Drink! Drink! Keep drinking! Yuchi Jingde, you went to Beihai, and now you can't even drink? Are you raising fish? Keep drinking! We still need three more cups!"

"Hahaha! Pfft!"

"That old scoundrel Cheng Yaojin hasn't returned yet, otherwise, hmph, even if you all attacked together, you wouldn't be a match for me! Hahaha! Guards! Play the Qin King's Battle Formation Music for me! I want to drink a hundred of them under the table!!!"

Meanwhile, the third generation of the Li family also had their own drinking party.

Li Ke and Li Tai poured wine for Songtsen Gampo from either side.

"It's better to resolve enmity than to let it fester. Now that your sister has become my imperial brother's concubine, Tibet and our Great Tang are now one family. Let's drink to this friendship!"

Songtsen Gampo: "..."

My stomach was churning, and the alcohol was flowing out of my nose like snot.

He had no way to express his grievances, but facing the Prince of Han, who came from the Imperial Guard, and the Prince of Wei, who liked to line up people to be executed, he, the Crown Prince's "brother-in-law," didn't dare to utter a single word.

Li Ke and the others said that Tibet and the Tang Dynasty were as close as family, but he didn't believe it at all.

Some, like King Go Geon-mu of Goguryeo, wanted to take the opportunity to curry favor with Li Chengqian.

Du He and Fang Yi'ai grabbed them from the left and right and forced them to drink.

Today, His Highness the Crown Prince has said that he will not discuss state affairs, so those present no longer have any status as representatives of any state. This bastard from Goguryeo has received so much support from the Tang Dynasty for more than two or three years.

They managed to make Na Yuan Tai Zuo's business grow bigger and bigger.

Gao Jianwu immediately felt the enthusiasm from the Tang Dynasty, both physically and psychologically.

The strong liquor nearly sent him to the Imperial Medical Bureau on the spot.

Meanwhile, on Li Chengqian's side...

Feng Daizhi also brought an old man with him.

"Your humble servant Feng Ang greets Your Highness the Crown Prince. I have never had the opportunity to meet you before, but now I finally do... Your Highness is a wise and virtuous ruler; one can tell just by looking at your face."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian's eyes lit up immediately.

He stepped down from the dragon platform, and with the latter looking flattered, he pulled him to a random empty seat.

"Duke of Yue, I have long wished to see you, but unfortunately, the journey from Lingnan to Chang'an is long and arduous..."

Feng Ang smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.

"His Highness the Crown Prince previously sent my son to deliver a message instructing me to encourage sugarcane planting in Lingnan Province. I have not dared to slack off. Now, on the occasion of His Highness the Crown Prince's wedding, I received a summons from His Highness the Crown Prince and that is why I have come here."

"Fortunately, His Highness the Crown Prince's new policies have won the hearts of the people. Although Lingnan Road is located in a remote area, the people are willing to actively plant crops after hearing that it was encouraged by the Crown Prince."

Li Chengqian's smile grew even wider as he glanced at the trembling Feng Daizhi beside him.

The Feng family of Lingnan has a history of loyalty to the emperor and serving the country, and Feng Ang was a man who knew how to be pragmatic.

It's a pity... Feng Daizhi must have been terrified by Feng Ang's threats and sense of crisis since he was a child.

It's as if he's locked himself in a cell, and no matter how much others call him, he can't get out.

"Lingnan has a warm and humid climate, which is not only suitable for growing sugarcane, but also an excellent place for growing rice... Duke Yue, I intend to let you implement new policies in Lingnan and give you full authority to handle the affairs of the new policies in Lingnan. I will provide you with support in terms of personnel and technology."

"Are you willing?"

Feng Ang was just coming over to say hello, to become familiar with the prince, and also to show his respect to the crown prince.

But to everyone's surprise, the Crown Prince, who had just said that he would not discuss state affairs at the banquet, gave him such a deadly surprise right from the start.

"This, this, Your Highness... I am now old and frail, and there are many things I am no longer capable of..."

The Feng family already wielded enough power in Lingnan Province. Over the years, he had been deliberately reducing the Feng family's influence and transferring power to the Tang government.

Li Chengqian simply smiled at this.

He gazed intently at Feng Ang, who looked tense at that moment.

He spoke softly.

"Duke of Yue, perhaps when the Tang Dynasty was first established, my imperial grandfather needed you local powerful figures to remain subservient, and you all wisely chose to relinquish power and retire, but..."

"What the Tang Dynasty needs least now is a retiring person!"

"Duke of Yue, I wish to appoint your Feng family of Lingnan. Do you dare to accept the imperial decree?"