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

At the end of the sixth year of the Zhenguan era, it was the dead of winter and there was a heavy snowfall.

The snow around Chang'an was several feet deep, blocking the official roads. Despite the deployment of snow removal teams, caravans that were originally scheduled to depart from Chang'an were forced to stop.

"Uncle must have seen such snow scenes every day when he was in Baikal County, right?"

Li Chengqian stood on the tower outside the Ganlu Hall in Chang'an, leaning on the railing. His father had built this tower, supposedly to overlook Taiyuan Prefecture. While Taiyuan Prefecture was not visible, it offered a panoramic view of most of Chang'an.

Beside him, Duke Huo, Chai Shao, bore the obvious signs of hardship. He had just returned to Chang'an a few days earlier after exchanging shifts with Prince Hejian, Li Xiaogong.

Upon hearing this, Chai Shao let out a long sigh of joy.

"Your Highness is mistaken. While there is snow in Baikal County, it is difficult to appreciate its beauty beyond the harshness of the wind and snow and the biting cold of the ice. However, the snow in Chang'an is different. Smoke rises from chimneys, children play in the streets, and although the roads are blocked by heavy snow, no one is worried about being cold or hungry... Although it is the dead of winter, I feel that spring is in full bloom."

As expected of someone from the Guanzhong Chai clan, he was different from Yuchi Gong, who was also ordered by Li Chengqian to be transferred back from Baikal County.

That's a pleasant way to talk.

Yuchi Gong, standing to the side, rolled his eyes and said, "That's because the people all know that even in the heaviest snow, they have Your Highness's protection. Even if the heavens come, they are no match for Your Highness!"

Li Chengqian smiled, then paused for a moment, and slightly raised his hand.

Wang De, who had served Li Chengqian for many years, immediately understood and took a tray with writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone from a junior eunuch.

The table on the viewing platform was set out for Li Chengqian.

Chai Shao and Yuchi Gong both glanced at each other, realizing that His Highness was probably about to compose another impromptu poem. Chai Shao involuntarily took a half-step forward.

When he returned to the Tang Dynasty and entered Zhenbei Road, he saw His Highness the Crown Prince's "Ode to the Jiangshan Palace" in the newspaper of Jiuyuan City. As a nobleman, he was no ordinary general who only knew rough martial arts.

He also has a remarkable ability to appreciate literature.

He was immediately awestruck, his eyes filled with fervent anticipation.

But then Li Chengqian picked up his brush, pondered for a moment, and then suddenly put pen to paper.

"A Poem Written in Response to the Sentiments of Duke Huo Upon Returning to the Capital from His Frontier Post and Viewing the Snow in Chang'an"

Chai Shao: "!!!"

He stood behind Li Chengqian, his body trembling with excitement, his face flushed, looking overjoyed. He wanted to say something, but Li Chengqian looked serious.

But he forcefully suppressed this impulse and firmly held back his excitement.

The ink stained the paper, which was even whiter than the snowflakes falling outside.

Li Chengqian's elegant and aloof "Slender Gold" calligraphy style resembles a solitary swordsman standing tall amidst wind and snow.

"Jade palaces and towers stand tall in Chang'an, while silver millet flutters across the vast expanse of heaven and earth."

Even when the harsh winter invades every household, laughter still fills every jar.

"Smoke rises from the chimneys of my humble abode, while the bustling marketplace is filled with the sounds of preparations for the New Year's feast."

"As long as the people are well-fed and clothed, what harm is there in dedicating my heart and soul to them even in old age?"

As Li Chengqian lifted his pen, Wang De immediately offered his praise with delight.

"Your Highness's poetic talent is unparalleled. 'As long as the people are well-fed and clothed, what harm is there in dedicating oneself to the cause until old age?' Your Highness's benevolence and love for the people are worthy of being called a sage for all ages!"

He smiled with a festive air, his face glowing with health.

"Now every household in Chang'an is well-fed and clothed, with plenty of meat and grain. Your Highness deserves the greatest credit for this."

Chai Shao was so excited that his hands were trembling, like a child about to celebrate the New Year who suddenly saw an elder take out a bulging brocade pouch filled with silver coins.

She stared blankly at Li Chengqian, excited yet somewhat insecure.

His almost piercing gaze was comparable to that of the concubines in Li Chengqian's harem.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

He pointed tremblingly at Li Chengqian's handwritten poem. Given Li Chengqian's current status, if this poem were to be circulated, it would surely be remembered for eternity. And who in the future wouldn't know of Chai Shao's tireless efforts, working day and night, braving ice and snow to defend the country's borders...

Chai Shao felt that receiving this poem from her was even more exciting than when she married Princess Li Xiuning.

Li Chengqian smiled faintly.

"My uncle guarded the border of Baikal for our Great Tang for four or five years. In his letters, Wei Zheng often told me about my uncle's words and deeds there. He set an example by guarding the border, which has made the infrastructure construction in Baikal go smoothly."

"This is a great achievement, and I will receive a reward at this year's court assembly. As for this poem... it is merely a token of my appreciation, a simple and crude work, and I hope my uncle will not find it offensive..."

dislike?!

Chai Shao's mouth was practically stretched to his ears in a wide grin.

The crown prince presented a poem as a reward.

At this moment, even if he didn't want any reward, just having this poem would be a huge win for Chai Shao!

"Your Highness has presented me with a poem; how could I dare to have the slightest dislike for it? Moreover, this matter should be passed down through the ages!"

After saying that, Chai Shao quickly and carefully picked up the paper, knelt down in front of Li Chengqian with a thud, and loudly thanked him.

"Your Highness, I thank you! I am willing to serve Your Highness and the Tang Dynasty to the utmost, even unto death!"

At this moment, Chai Shao truly had this thought in mind.

What Huo Qubing? What Marquis of Champion?

You only managed to reach the North Sea, but I, Chai Shao, held out there for several years, braving wind and snow, and the treacherous hearts of foreign tribes. I even built a city and started production there. He, Chai Shao, built the northernmost city for the Tang Dynasty!

Standing to the side, Yuchi Gong saw that Chai Shao had actually obtained such a fine piece of writing.

Even if Yuchi Gong didn't understand poetry, he still wanted a good reputation.

Immediately, she reached out and eagerly grabbed one of Li Chengqian's arms.

“Your Highness, Your Highness, I, Yuchi Gong, have never dared to slack off for a single day. The fishing grounds and the ironworks in Baikal County were all built under my supervision. Did Wei Zheng not report this to you?”

"Your Highness, you are extremely discerning. You must trust me, Yuchi Gong!"

He noticed Chai Shao's smug face, and his eyes grew even more eager.

Li Chengqian smacked his lips; he knew it would be like this.

Originally, he had only summoned Chai Shao today...

Seemingly sensing something amiss, Yuchi Gong thought to himself that something was wrong, and suddenly a scream that startled Li Chengqian rang out from his mouth.

"Your Highness!"

"Waaah! Back before Xuanwu Gate, it was I, Yuchi Gong, who first said I would support you as the Crown Prince. I, Yuchi Gong, was loyal to Your Highness back then!"

Li Chengqian: "......"

Father, oh Father, I only intended to steal from you, Duke Huo, Chai Shao, but Yuchi Gong just had to come along and offer a buy-one-get-one-free deal...