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

"Actually, you don't need to be like this. Since I have chosen to retain you, I will certainly not hold a grudge against you because of the things your relatives have done... What I want is tangible results from the new policies of Lingnan Province!"

The Prefectural Governor's Office of Guangzhou.

The scene of him self-punishing himself in front of the people came to an end.

As the relatives of Song Jinglun, who had been investigated by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, were either beheaded or enslaved, the people of Guangzhou Prefecture finally began to show a significant change in their attitude towards the governor.

Song Jinglun lay face down on the bed.

Beside him were stacks of newly approved documents, mostly land use approvals.

Upon hearing Li Chengqian's words, Song Jinglun smiled bitterly, his forehead glistening with sweat from the pain, and he awkwardly bowed to Li Chengqian.

"Your Majesty, I am ashamed of the trust placed in me by His Highness the Crown Prince... In the end, those people committed crimes in secret and damaged the interests of the court, all because of my oversight. The Crown Prince is benevolent and did not punish me, but I am still unable to accept this punishment."

"Furthermore, the people are not fools. If Your Highness only punishes my relatives and does not take any action against me, the root of the trouble, it will not only bring unnecessary criticism to Your Highness, but will also make the people doubt Your Highness's new policies from the very beginning."

"This humble official absolutely cannot allow His Highness's benevolent rule to suffer an unjust injustice because of my crime!"

Li Chengqian gave him a deep look, then said nothing more about the matter. He instructed Wang De to put the medicine down before slowly getting up.

"Instead of thinking about that, you should think about how to handle the upcoming government affairs. Another fleet has already set sail from Dengzhou and will soon arrive in Guangzhou with personnel and supplies."

"But now Guangzhou has neither workshops nor venues..."

Behind him, Song Jinglun swore an oath to receive the order. Li Chengqian walked out of the governor's mansion, and within his sight, the entire Guangzhou Prefecture was clearly becoming lively at a visible speed.

Everywhere was filled with joy, as people called out to each other as they went to work.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't push! There's plenty of work to be done, don't rush. Anyone who knows carpentry, come register here!"

"Brother, brother, come and take a look at our side! We're building the Guangzhou State-owned Cannery. You know the cannery? The cannery has the best benefits. If you participate in the construction, your family members and female relatives will be given priority in hiring!"

"Master craftsmen, don't rush off after you've registered! We also have an apprenticeship policy. Each master can mentor up to five apprentices. As long as you teach your apprentices well and their skills pass the assessment, you'll receive a reward, plus a monthly subsidy!"

"The more apprentices you teach, the more subsidies you can receive each month!"

Li Chengqian sat in the carriage, watching the bustling scene outside.

On many plots of land for which the government has already approved the permits, laborers are already preparing to dig foundations for construction.

"Your Highness, so far it's just you leading the way. In another month or two, many large merchant guilds will surely arrive. At that time, the construction scene in Guangzhou Prefecture will probably be even more bustling than that of Taiyuan Prefecture back then..."

Wang De flattered with a smile, "The people of Lingnan Road will finally be able to enjoy good fortune alongside Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Li Chengqian simply smiled faintly.

With the experience gained in Taiyuan Prefecture, and with the considerable preparations he had made beforehand, the implementation of the new policies in Guangzhou Prefecture would surely be a hundred times smoother than in Taiyuan Prefecture.

All that's needed now is time.

Once the Yuejiang Economic Development Zone develops and the economy of Lingnan North rises, Lingnan South will be able to catch up...

As if he had thought of something, a cold glint flashed in Li Chengqian's eyes.

The Tang Dynasty must keep Linyi, this grain-producing region, firmly in its own hands.

When Li Chengqian returned to the residence arranged by the Duke of Yue, he did not see Prince Li You of Chu. Upon asking, he learned that the young man had hurriedly gone out with Feng Jinsi to survey the site for the Southern Agricultural University of the Great Tang Dynasty.

"Ha, he's certainly proactive..."

Li Chengqian chuckled softly, and the Crown Princess Qian Yingying, who was standing beside him, picked up her teacup.

Seeing that Li Chengqian seemed to be in a bad state, with a rather idle appearance, he immediately understood why.

The Crown Prince of Tang, who had always kept himself busy like an ox plowing the fields, and who kept saying he was taking a break while his mind was still on various political affairs, is now truly free.

For a while, I didn't feel used to it.

A smile played on her lips as she looked at Li Chengqian, who was sitting in his seat but seemed restless.

He suddenly spoke.

"Your Highness, Miss Feng mentioned a very nice beach around here. Since you have some free time, why don't you go and take a look?"

Beach?

Li Chengqian was taken aback, and then his mind began to wander.

"The beach? The beach is great! I love the beach the most!"

He stood up instantly, his gaze fixed on his Crown Princess with a fiery intensity that any adult could understand, before informing the other concubines.

Upon hearing that the Crown Prince would also be going, the others immediately agreed without hesitation.

When Li Chengqian arrived at the southernmost part of Guangzhou Prefecture, near the sea, with his convoy protected by hundreds of elite guards from the Eastern Palace, the beach that came into view was not as fine as it would be in later years.

But the sea breeze had no other smell besides the saltiness of the sea.

The sight of the vast blue sea instantly brought a smile to his face.

"Shelp up this beach! Give each of those fishermen ten strings of cash and let them disperse!"

Li Chengqian issued the order to book the entire venue without hesitation.

Sunlight shone on the shimmering beach, and the palace maids and servants who had accompanied the group began preparing a place for them to rest.

Huge parasols were set up, along with beach chairs that had been prepared in advance.

It's a pity that the beach here isn't suitable for surfing, otherwise Li Chengqian felt that with his current physical condition, he could definitely put on an awesome extreme performance.

Li Chengqian stood with his hands on his hips, looking at the beach in front of him with great joy.

Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Wang Yuyan, Zheng Lizhen, and the others blushed as they looked at the clothes that the Crown Prince had sent over by the palace maids.

"This, this... Sister Yingying, how can we possibly wear this out..."

Even Li Xueyan, who usually enjoys designing novel clothes, was speechless and blushing as she looked at the little spaghetti strap swimsuit in her hands, not knowing what to do.

Outside the carriage.

Li Chengqian's strange laughter rang out: "Hehehe, Yingying, are you done yet?"

"Don't worry, right now on the beach, besides myself, even that old eunuch Wang De has been driven away by me. It's all women outside..."

Qian Yingying pursed her red lips, looking troubled.

"Your Highness, no, this dress is too..."

She wanted to say it was indecent, but when she thought that these clothes were designed by her husband, the Crown Prince, Qian Yingying swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

Li Chengqian then urged Samaga and Salmana, who were in another carriage, to hurry up.

"Are you all changed yet, Samaga, Salmana, my beloved~"

Inside the carriage, Salmana saw Samaga staring intently at her imposing figure, and somewhat awkwardly covered herself with her arm. She was dressed in a royal blue outfit, paired with a modern-looking shirt.

Who knows how much effort it took for Li Chengqian to produce the design when he gave the clothing department the draft.

"Salmana~"

Li Chengqian's voice was clearly impatient, and upon hearing his call again, Salmana hurriedly responded nervously.

"Your Highness, I... I'm out..."

"Hahaha! Come here, come here! Let me take a good look..."

.......

"Your Highness, why don't you stop waiting? Even if a message were sent by carrier pigeon, it wouldn't arrive at this time."

In Chang'an, Fan Qi watched as Prince Wei kept watch over the pigeon coop in the palace. Seeing that it was getting dark and another day was about to pass, she whispered a reminder.

Li Tai suddenly turned around, his eyes filled with intense anger and...worry.

"It's been a month and a half! The Crown Prince has been gone from Chang'an for a month and a half. He was supposed to return in two months, so why hasn't he announced a date for his return yet?!"

He paced back and forth.

He murmured excitedly, "The Emperor Emeritus has already given up and is going to Xizhou County, and Father is also preparing to go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to Heaven... He hasn't returned yet. Are I supposed to handle all these government affairs by myself?!"

"what?!"

Fan Qi was trembling with fear.

"Well, perhaps the carrier pigeon encountered an accident on the way. Although His Highness the Crown Prince went to Lingnan Road for sightseeing, he was actually there for the new policies of Lingnan Road. Perhaps he was delayed for a few days?"

"At least send a message to inform me!" Li Tai was somewhat exasperated.

Yesterday, the retired emperor resigned, choosing to govern Xizhou Prefecture over the responsibility of overseeing the state in Chang'an.

Today, Li Tai has been forced to end his days as "supervisor" and personally handle those cumbersome government documents.

In a few days, the Ministry of Rites will begin preparations for the Emperor's sacrificial ceremony at Mount Tai. His own father, the Emperor, will also be leaving soon, so all the work will ultimately fall on Li Tai's shoulders.

He didn't even dare to think about what would happen if his elder brother returned ten days or half a month later, or even longer.

He also had to handle the administrative affairs of Taiyuan Prefecture at the same time.

"Ahhhhh!!!"

"Send a letter to me! Whether by express courier or by carrier pigeon!"

"Immediately! Right now! Bring that bastard Li Chengqian back!!!"

His Highness Prince Wei, filled with anxiety, appeared genuinely enraged, even calling the Crown Prince, whom he had always admired, a scoundrel...

however.

As time went by, things seemed to be getting worse.

"Your Highness, the Ministry of War has already approved the shipment of supplies from Xizhou Prefecture. They will first be transported by rail to Taiyuan Prefecture, and then by official road..."

Ma Zhou diligently reported on his work.

Sitting on the threshold of the Taiji Hall, Prince Li Tai of Wei stared blankly at the clouds in the sky not far away, muttering to himself. One could vaguely hear some intermittent and unclear words.

"Trying to trick me into taking the throne? You're dreaming!"

"If you dare to run away, if you dare to lie to me... I'm quitting too!"

"Married men really do become unreliable..."

Ma Zhou: "......Ahem, Your Highness, Your Highness?"

Li Tai snapped out of his daze, glanced blankly at the document Ma Zhou handed him, and then curled his lip in disapproval.

"Damn it! Nobody wants to oversee the country in Chang'an, leaving me to stay in this godforsaken place, living like a beast of burden..."

He casually tossed the document aside.

He took a few deep breaths and suddenly looked up.

"Ma Zhou, draft an imperial edict for me!"

"Order the Crown Prince to immediately depart from Lingnan Road and return to the capital! At the latest, within one month. If he does not return to the capital within one month!"

"Let whoever wants to be the regent, the Prince of Wei, take the position! I'm not doing it anymore!"