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

The first day of the twelfth lunar month in the sixth year of Zhenguan.

The spring day in Chang'an was slightly chilly, but lanterns and decorations were everywhere, marking the start of the new year. Today was also the last court assembly before the Tang Dynasty officials took their day off.

The Yuan Dynasty meeting.

As one of the most solemn court assemblies of the year, today not only are all civil and military officials required to attend court in formal attire, but local officials will also send envoys or personally travel to the capital to offer their congratulations.

As for vassal states, they would send people to deliver congratulatory gifts.

Royal Garden.

Li Shimin wore a brighter and more majestic Shu brocade dragon robe than in previous years, with a jade belt around his waist that was smooth and lustrous, and the dragon-shaped craftsmanship was extremely exquisite.

He wore a jade thumb ring on his hand, and his beard was neatly groomed. He stood there solemnly, while Empress Zhangsun personally adjusted his clothes.

His gaze, however, was fixed on a few boys who were lazily standing with their arms crossed to the side.

"Humph!"

A cold snort escaped from his nostrils, causing the surrounding eunuchs and palace maids to tremble, but it did not elicit even the slightest reaction from the protagonist, His Highness the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty.

They remained standing there quietly.

Beside him, the fourth prince, Prince Wei, Li Tai; the fifth prince, Prince Chu, Li You; the sixth prince, Prince Liang, Li Yin; the seventh prince, Prince Yan, Li Yun; the eighth prince, Prince Yue, Li Zhen; and the ninth prince, Prince Jin, Li Zhi, followed suit, standing in a row with their arms crossed, like replicas of the crown princes.

Empress Zhangsun slapped her husband, the emperor, who had lost the literary contest with the crown prince, her beautiful eyes giving him a warning look.

This prompted Li Shimin to reluctantly yet authoritatively raise his beard and turn his head to look in the other direction.

Empress Zhangsun was also helpless.

Now you realize you've made a fool of yourself? When Sun Yi was ordered to deliver the silver to you, couldn't you have waited until he finished speaking before seeing what it was about... This father and son really can't give me a peaceful New Year.

After Empress Zhangsun finished tidying up, Li Shimin didn't even glance at his troublesome sons.

He snorted again.

He took the Empress's hand and walked towards the Taiji Hall.

Behind them, Crown Prince Li Chengqian was the first to catch up, followed by the other princes who suppressed their laughter as they followed the group.

"Brother, you are this..."

Li Tai whispered, giving Crown Prince Li Chengqian a thumbs-up.

Although he had been busy setting up the Heavenly Crafts Bureau at the air force base outside the city these past few days, he had also been paying close attention to the literary battle between his elder brother and his father, the Emperor.

Whether it's the very first piece, "Ode to the Jiangshan Palace," which captivated the entire court, or the satirical poems delivered with blatant sarcasm after the emperor's return.

This made Li Tai and his younger brothers look at them with new respect.

The Emperor's current state of frustration—being unable to be hit or scolded—is so satisfying that anyone who sees it would say "it's so satisfying!"

Upon hearing this, the younger brothers all gave their elder brother Li Chengqian a thumbs-up in admiration.

however.

At this moment, Li Shimin, who was walking at the front, was gritting his teeth.

"These unfilial sons..."

He had excellent hearing. Although the people were trying to keep their voices down, to him it was no different from them whispering in his ear.

"Humph!"

An even colder snort came from the mouth of Emperor Zhenguan.

Empress Zhangsun turned around and glared at the princes who had been stirring things up, which finally silenced everyone.

As they entered the main hall from the rear hall of the Taiji Hall, civil and military officials, as well as envoys from various vassal states, were already respectfully waiting there.

Today is the grand court assembly on New Year's Day. The Taiji Hall, which has been lavishly decorated, already has a new look. After bowing their heads, the officials all looked towards the direction of Crown Prince Li Chengqian on one side of the stage.

Li Shimin: "......."

I'm still here!

He took a deep breath, constantly reassuring himself, "Didn't I already expect this on the way back from Chengdu? Don't worry about it, don't worry about it..."

He solemnly announced the start of the court session.

Immediately, officials from all the courts, starting with those from the Six Ministries, stepped forward to report on the major tasks and achievements their departments had made in the past year of the sixth year of the Zhenguan era...

Minister of Justice Li Daozong spoke first.

"Your Majesty, in the sixth year of the Zhenguan era, the Ministry of Justice, following the orders of His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prince of Jin who was in charge of the State, cleaned up criminal cases, upheld the law, and dealt with more than 3600 officials of various ranks across the country who had committed illegal acts."

"The trial of more than 7,000 old cases in the three provinces of Guannei, Hedong and Hebei has been restarted, and 5,300 old cases have been completed so far."

"Furthermore, in June, the Imperial University's law school was made independent, and Chang'an Law University was established. The first year of enrollment has been completed, and all teaching activities are proceeding normally..."

After Li Daozong finished speaking, he cautiously glanced at the Crown Prince, who was standing calmly beside the Emperor.

Li Shimin: "......."

This Li Daozong!

I really don't want to sit on this throne for even a day longer. Why don't you all take the lead and just let me abdicate?

This dragging on is awkward for everyone, isn't it?

Li Shimin suppressed the urge to complain and smiled, nodding approvingly at Li Daozong.

"Indeed, matters of law and punishment should be handled step by step, but the new policies are being implemented rapidly. We don't want a single bad apple to spoil the whole good soup of the new policies of our Great Tang Dynasty. The Ministry of Justice still needs to work hard."

Li Daozong respectfully responded and slowly retreated back into the queue.

Followed by.

Feng Deyi, the Minister of Revenue, beamed with pride as he reported once again on the results of the population census in the sixth year of the Zhenguan era.

At the back of the main hall, the few envoys from foreign countries who were able to enter all gasped in shock upon hearing the terrifying number of people.

However, after Feng Deyi reported on the current grain reserves of the Tang Dynasty and the development of animal husbandry in Zhenbei Road, Hebei Road and other places, even Li Shimin did not feel anything.

So what if there are more kids?

The hardship will only last for the next few years; at worst, we can just let the neighboring small countries suffer a bit more.

If we capture more slaves to work, we can get through these tough times...

Galdontsen smiled. The Tang Dynasty needed more slaves and food, so the status of Tibet could rise accordingly. In addition, they had already firmly occupied a large area of ​​land of the Harsha Dynasty.

With dedicated effort, there is still a chance for revival...

However, the Harsha Empire and many small countries in Southeast Asia are in a difficult situation.

The Tang Dynasty treated them entirely as a source of grain and slaves.