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

As the "Ode to the Jiangshan Palace" spread throughout the entire Tang Dynasty.

The reason why His Highness the Crown Prince wrote this poem was quickly known to the people and merchants of the world.

The officials believed that since the country was now prosperous and the people were living in peace and contentment, and the national treasury was full, some money could be allocated to His Highness the Crown Prince to rebuild the palace. However, His Highness the Crown Prince rejected this idea.

This is something that previous dynasties, or even emperors throughout history, would absolutely have sought after.

His Highness the Crown Prince refused without hesitation...

Not only were the imperial censors ashamed, but the people of Chang'an also began to discuss it. They hadn't thought much of it before, but now that this had happened, the people of Chang'an, who were still immersed in their daily happy life, suddenly remembered it.

The imperial palace in Chang'an is a remnant of the previous dynasty.

Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, neither the retired emperor, nor the current emperor Zhenguan, nor the Crown Prince, the "executive vice emperor" of the Tang Dynasty, have ever gone to great lengths in matters such as those within the imperial palace.

Even Yangcheng Palace in Taiyuan Prefecture is a temporary palace left over from the previous dynasty.

The Crown Prince made some minor modifications to the heating and lighting systems, and then put it into use.

In the taverns and teahouses of Chang'an, merchants who had traveled all over the country, as well as some scholars or wandering knights who came to Chang'an, all talked about this matter.

"This situation is truly strange. In the past, who would have thought that those censors who wished His Majesty the Emperor would eat chaff and wild vegetables would actually collectively request the royal family to rebuild the palace?"

"Yes, who can argue with that? When I first heard about this in Taiyuan, I thought it was just a hoax. But I never imagined that His Highness the Crown Prince would truly be a sage ruler for all time. All previous dynasties are just the past dynasties. Emperors all claim to be the rulers of the world, but who really cares about us common folk?"

"I used to trade in Hebei Province. Tsk tsk tsk, it was a miserable time during the Wude era. Bandits in various places would exploit us, and we had to pay tribute to officials and even minor clerks. And then there were those powerful and wealthy families... After a trip, even if we managed to save some silver, we had to risk our lives. What Ministry of Commerce? Do you believe there is any government office in the world that would protect lowly merchants like us?"

The discussions among the crowd were undeniably bold.

In previous dynasties, or even during the Wude era, such a person could be immediately charged with discussing the imperial family.

However, now all these people are nodding and sighing in agreement.

At this moment, the voices of several scholars gathered around a table in the teahouse grew even louder, each holding a copy of "Ode to the Jiangshan Palace" that they had personally copied, and they were very fond of it.

"Palace maids with colorful sleeves flutter like clouds, yet no commoners are seen wearing hempen clothes; the fragrance of ambergris lingers in the heavens, yet no smoke from the poor scholar's cooking fire is heard; the carved eaves reflecting the sun shine only on a small area; only when stars hang low over the plains can the true beauty of heaven and earth be revealed."

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is a truly wise ruler who, with his precious life, defies fate to change the destiny of our nation and its people. Throughout history, how many monarchs have truly regarded themselves as the Son of Heaven, and how many have truly considered themselves the ruler and father of their people? The Crown Prince has done just that!"

Their faces were flushed, and they were even more devout and excited than when they recited the classics of Confucius in the past.

Confucius and Mencius are considered saints, but what they left behind in the world are nothing more than wise words of warning.

But His Highness the Crown Prince is a real and tangible being, living right here in Chang'an with them, working tirelessly for the sake of the nation, its people, and all living beings!

"Indeed, the ruler of the world, if he is obsessed with the vanity of the palace and ignores the well-being of all people, how can he be called the ruler of the world? No matter how luxurious the palace is, with gold bricks and jade tiles everywhere, he is at most just a monarch of palaces and a father within four walls... The ruler of the world, hahaha, how wonderful!"

Chengdu Prefecture.

Today, after taking their shifts, the officials all whispered to each other, even though they had a lot of things to deal with, they couldn't help but gossip and chat from time to time.

Rustling sounds, chirping chatter...

Li Shimin has been in a good mood lately. A few days ago, he received a letter from the Crown Prince saying that Dengzhou Prefecture had successfully built a steam-powered sea vessel similar to a steam train, which he tentatively named the "Zhenguan-class".

Sea trials are currently underway.

If this succeeds, the Tang Dynasty's navy will be able to cross the vast ocean and travel to even more distant lands.

North America, South America, Africa...

Such good news prompted Li Shimin to write a letter to his son, reminding him not to forget the 300,000 cavalry he had promised him. He assured him that Chengdu Prefecture would be governed within five years, and then he would lead his troops on a westward expedition.

"Minister Lu, the tea industry in Yazhou has made good progress this year, but the output is still insufficient. We must encourage the people to plant tea trees more. We are not short of money now. We need to mobilize the enthusiasm of the people. The Royal Tea Reserve Bureau must ensure fairness and impartiality and provide a safety net for the people..."

Lu Shiming followed along, listening intently. The dark circles under his eyes proved that he hadn't slept all night again.

However, Emperor Li Shimin, who also hadn't slept all night, showed no signs of fatigue.

At this moment, he was riding in the same carriage as Lu Shiming, personally escorting him to the governor's mansion. Just as he put him down, he saw several clerks in front of the governor's mansion looking very excited.

They huddled together, as if discussing something.

They were so engrossed in the discussion that they didn't even notice the emperor's carriage or their superior, Lu Shiming, appearing.

Li Shimin had excellent hearing and vaguely heard words like "Crown Prince".

Just as he was about to go to the outskirts of Chengdu to see the Jiannan Road New Army training, he couldn't help but signal the eunuch He Ding, who was driving the carriage, to stop and get off the carriage.

Lu Shiming was still a little dizzy when he saw that the emperor had also gotten out of the carriage, which startled him.

"Your Majesty, you..."

Li Shimin ignored him and walked straight to the officials who were still discussing "truly a sage ruler for all ages," clearing his throat.

"What were you discussing while you were on duty?"

Everyone was startled. When they saw that it was actually His Majesty the Emperor, and that the governor was standing next to him, they all trembled and turned pale, about to kneel down and beg for forgiveness.

Li Shimin waved him off and snatched a newspaper from their hands; they had clearly been discussing this very thing.

Li Shimin frowned, and then, upon seeing the contents of the newspaper, his pupils suddenly contracted.

"The Ode to the Jiangshan Palace..."

He muttered to himself, his brows furrowing deeper. As he read on intently, his expression shifted from initial seriousness and surprise to a hint of bitterness...

Lu Shiming gestured for the group to leave.

After the others left, he approached Li Shimin and asked, "Your Majesty, has something happened?"

Li Shimin looked up and handed him the newspaper, but the contents of the article kept replaying in his mind.

This, this unfilial son... he's writing articles again?!

he......

Li Shimin took a deep breath, feeling absurd, yet he couldn't help thinking that he might as well abdicate after Chengdu was brought under control and let that brat become emperor.

Li Shimin also became the retired emperor along with his father, and then led his troops on a westward expedition.

Li Shimin heard Lu Shiming gasp beside him. He glanced at him, but the latter was completely absorbed in the heroic spirit expressed in the article and couldn't pull himself away.

Unconsciously, he uttered phrases such as "Your Highness is very talented" and "Your Highness is wise".

This only made Li Shimin feel more bored.

Damn it... that rebellious son pulled off another big stunt...

Li Shimin had gradually become numb to his son's repeated attempts to show off in front of the whole world.

He doesn't expect to surpass his opponent.

He only hoped that after his death, the achievements and character he left behind would be enough for historians and future generations to recognize him as "Emperor Wen" or "Heavenly Khan".

As for anything higher... well, in the future, when people all over the world pray for children and blessings, they will most likely have to worship me and Guanyinbi.

That makes sense.

"Being a bird emperor is really not easy..."

Li Shimin felt that being an emperor was not easy because he had his own crown prince, whose abilities were outrageously high.

At the same time, Li Chengqian also felt that being an emperor was not easy.

Just after dinner, as he was still thinking about where to stay for the night, a bunch of delicate little hands, like the arms of a fairy from the Spider Cave, surrounded him.

Apart from the pregnant concubine, Li Xueyan.

The remaining concubines included Consort Wu Shun, Lady-in-Waiting Zanmu Samaga of Tibet, Lady-in-Waiting Queen Jin Deman of Silla, Lady-in-Waiting Princess Salmana of Sassanid Persia, Lady-in-Waiting Queen Yu Yan, Lady-in-Waiting Zheng Lizhen, and the concubines who had been sent from Chengdu by their father, the emperor, some time ago, who were said to be the daughters of the leaders of the Six Southern Zhao Kingdoms.

They had all leaned against him.

"Your Highness, why don't you come to my place tonight?"

"No, Your Highness, come to me. I have prepared new clothes especially for you today!"

"Your Highness, do you think I've gotten bigger...?"

Li Chengqian: "!!!"