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

"Your Highness, as you can see, the palace you are currently residing in is a remnant of the previous dynasty. Although it has been repaired every year since the founding of the country by the retired emperor, it is still not a new palace, don't you think?"

"Nowadays, not only the area around Chang'an, but also the people in places south of Guannei Road such as Qizhou and Huazhou are living better and better lives. People have built brand-new brick and tile houses, and many families with many children have built several houses early on."

Minister of Works Duan Lun stepped forward, speaking while occasionally gesturing to his colleagues around him.

Everyone agreed again.

"Yes, Your Highness. In the past, when our Great Tang Dynasty was newly established, there were still raids and threats from the Turks. Naturally, the national treasury was empty and the country was in dire straits both internally and externally. Now, the new policies have enabled the people of the whole country to live a good life. Your contribution is indispensable."

"It's time to build a new palace."

Li Chengqian looked around.

Ganlu Hall was originally the emperor's own father's bedroom, and it also served as the emperor's study and a place for his confidants to discuss matters privately, although it was still a palace from the previous dynasty.

However, the various facilities, decorated by his own father, the emperor, looked quite pleasing to the eye.

The ancient beams and pillars are carved with exquisite dragon and phoenix patterns, and under the magnificent caisson ceiling, palace lanterns emit a soft glow.

The hall is furnished with exquisite porcelain and antiques. Since the Tang Dynasty mastered glassmaking technology, the windows in Ganlu Hall and the palace have long been replaced with glass windows. The midday sun shines into the hall, making every detail more noble and elegant.

"Hiss... Don't you guys think this palace is bad? I think it's quite nice."

Li Chengqian did not see any need to rebuild the palace.

He seemed oblivious to the bitter and helpless expressions on Fang Xuanling's and the others' faces, and sighed.

"You are all pillars of my court. I know you care about me and want me to live a more comfortable life. But I am quite satisfied with my current life. I have a lot of official duties, but fortunately I have a few younger brothers to help me, so I can manage."

"The imperial court isn't particularly wealthy, but if I want to do something, conquering any place is a piece of cake."

"Silla and Goguryeo are gradually being brought under the control of my true Tang Dynasty. Japan has become a mine for my Tang Dynasty. In addition, Tibet in the highlands and countries like Harsha are also being drained of their lifeblood by my Tang Dynasty. I feel that life is simply too comfortable."

He smiled, a genuine smile that was completely unpretentious.

"So what if the palace belongs to the previous dynasty? My mother, my younger siblings, and I are still living quite well, aren't we?"

"If I despise these palaces left over from the previous dynasty, shouldn't I also despise the people left over from that dynasty?"

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Wang Gui, Pei Ji, and Xiao Yu, who had served as officials since the previous dynasty.

"Old Wang, as well as the Duke of Wei and the Duke of Song, you are all veteran officials who have continued from the previous dynasty to the present day. In particular, the Duke of Song is related to me by blood. Does the Duke of Song think that I should despise you?"

The men were immediately moved, their eyes brimming with tears of emotion.

With a sob, she suddenly knelt down in front of Li Chengqian.

"Your Highness... Your Majesty, I am ashamed!"

"Your Majesty, we simply don't want you to suffer... Throughout history, if any emperor could govern the world to a degree equal to Your Majesty's, no, even a degree equal to yours, they would surely embark on massive construction projects and create wonders. But it's just building a new palace; you deserve it!"

"Yes, Your Highness, not to mention that you have already ordered that no corvée labor be conscripted throughout the country, even if the people hear that you are going to build a new palace, no one will say anything!"

The officials were so excited they could hardly contain themselves.

Behind the crowd, the Crown Prince's Junior Tutor Kong Yingda and Junior Preceptor Yu Shinan, who had also come to Ganlu Hall after attending court that day, sighed repeatedly.

"Your Highness's wisdom is far beyond what the ancient sages could compare to..." Kong Yingda exclaimed.

Tears streamed down my face.

"Your Highness is truly a wise man for the people, as evidenced by his actions and words." Yu Shinan, one of Li Chengqian's nominal teachers, felt a strong sense of admiration as he faced his student at the table.

Inside the Ganlu Hall, Li Chengqian instructed Wang De to serve tea and seats to the senior officials.

He stood up and paced to a huge geomantic map in the Ganlu Hall.

Standing with his hands behind his back, the young man exuded a heroic air. Although he was merely standing in front of a geomantic map, he gave Fang Xuanling and the others who had just sat down a sense of grandeur, as if they were standing atop Mount Tai, accompanying the Crown Prince and looking down upon all living beings.

"I know what you all are thinking. You are worried that my brothers' mansions are all luxurious and they have countless servants. In the end, it will make me, who is still living in the former imperial palace, seem inferior and cause gossip among the people."

Li Chengqian smiled and turned to look at the crowd who had hurriedly stood up again, waving one hand in front of a geomantic map.

He was full of arrogance.

"Who says my palace is shabby? This whole world is my palace. The joy of the common people eating three meals a day surpasses the joy of me eating imperial delicacies. The rivers and lakes bless all living beings on both banks. Is this not as magnificent as my palace and the sea?"

Li Chengqian shook his head. Thinking that this year's budget was actually 120 million Tang Yuan, enough to send Tang ships flying like dumplings, and plant the Tang flag of stars, sun, and moon all over the world, his mood became increasingly beautiful.

He turned around, looked at the ministers who were ashamed and embarrassed, and smiled slightly.

"Gentlemen, the common people of the world should be the bricks and tiles of my palace, and you, the heroes of the pastoral areas, should be the walls of my palace. There is no need to mention rebuilding the palace again..."

When the officials emerged from the palace, each of them wore a complex expression, filled with shame.

They looked at each other for a few moments, opened their mouths, but ultimately said nothing. With a belly full of complicated and incomprehensible emotions, they went home separately.

The next day, Tang Jian, the Minister of Rites, had just arrived at his office when he saw that the Crown Prince's personal eunuch, Eunuch Wang, was waiting at the door. He immediately felt a pang of anxiety and hurried over.

"Eunuch Wang, has His Highness the Crown Prince arrived? If he has business, he could have simply given me a word. There was no need for him to come to the Ministry of Rites in person..."

Wang De smiled and handed a roll of something to the other person.

"His Highness did not come, however, the matters discussed by the officials yesterday have left His Highness with lingering unease..."

Tang Jian was overjoyed: "But His Highness has agreed to rebuild the palace?"

Wang De smiled and shook his head, pointing to the scroll he handed to the other party: "This is what His Highness felt inspired to write last night. It was submitted to the Ministry of Rites for publication and is also a reminder to all officials of His Highness's intentions."

After bowing, Wang De quickly left, leaving Tang Jian standing there dumbfounded.

It took him a while to realize what was happening and he unfolded the scroll in his hand.

The prince's powerful and sharp handwriting, along with the title that caught Tang Jian's eye, made the hairs on his body stand on end.

"Ode to the Jiangshan Palace"...

"I have heard that the Qin Emperor once built the Epang Palace, with its winding corridors and soaring eaves, a pavilion every five steps and a tower every ten. Yet the vermilion roofs and green tiles eventually turned to ashes, and the pepper, orchids, gold, and jade all became ash. Now, as I gaze upon the magnificent palaces, I suddenly realize: are the palaces of emperors truly built of bricks and stones?"