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

The issuance of Tang Dynasty paper money was an action planned long in advance.

Both the secret Royal Mint and the Royal Bank had made advance preparations and provided training on personnel and various rules and regulations.

Tang Dynasty paper money will also be put into use by industries with Tang Dynasty government and royal background at the beginning of this year.

Officials' salaries will also begin to be paid in Tang Dynasty paper money.

Unlike stocks that are skyrocketing on the stock exchange, this thing doesn't seem to appreciate in value in the short term.

The people who are crowding here today, bringing some of their savings to exchange for Tang paper money, are making this simple decision entirely based on the personal prestige of Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

The issuance of Tang paper money was a grand plan personally decided by His Highness the Crown Prince, and it was a national policy.

Just like the land reform, education reform, and commercial tax reform promoted by the new policy, they were all decided for the purpose of strengthening the country and enriching the people. There are often rumors circulating in the market that Tang paper money is unreliable.

Perhaps they were worried that His Highness the Crown Prince's grand plan would be hindered.

After the grand court assembly on New Year's Day ended and the officials took a break, the Royal Bank immediately began issuing Tang Dynasty paper money on the same day.

Royal Bank branches were established in Chang'an, Taiyuan, Luoyang, and even in Gaochang City of Xizhou County in Hexi Circuit, Yanzhou Prefecture and Dengzhou Prefecture in Hebei Circuit, as well as Chengdu Prefecture in Jiannan Circuit and Guangzhou Prefecture in Lingnan Circuit.

And almost the same reaction.

Soldiers stationed in Hexi Road, people who were looking forward to the addition of another railway line to Hebei Road, and people from Lingnan Road, Jiannan Road, and other roads also spontaneously went to the bank to exchange their family's money for Tang Dynasty paper money.

"Tsk tsk tsk, the will of the people... what exactly is he waiting for?"

Unbeknownst to Li Chengqian, in the restaurant next door, Li Shimin was slamming his wine cup on the table, his voice filled with surprise and confusion, and a hint of resentment in his tone.

Before him, Li Yuan stroked his beard and let out a hearty laugh.

"Erlang, you get jealous sometimes, huh? Hahaha!"

Li Shimin rolled his eyes: "Father, how could I be jealous of my own son?!"

Li Yuan remained silent, simply admiring the spectacle of the crowds that had emptied the streets, while a wad of hundred-yuan bills jingled in his hand.

Li Shimin hummed softly.

"Gao Ming, let alone his mother, even I have mentioned to him several times that he should succeed to the throne. When you went to fight in the Western Regions, he refused, citing the tense situation at the front and the need for him to personally oversee the command in Taiyuan Prefecture."

"After the Hexi Road was conquered, he said that the Tibetan region on the plateau was not peaceful and needed him to deal with it."

"and then?"

"He ruined Tibet. Now it is a thorn in the side of other small countries on the plateau, and has become a slave-catching team and grain merchant for our Great Tang."

Li Shimin took a deep breath, his tone inevitably tinged with resentment.

“A few days ago, I had Guanyinbi subtly remind him a couple of times, and guess what happened, Father?”

Li Yuan scoffed, "I won't guess..."

"That kid said he's still a child! I..."

Li Shimin paced back and forth in the tea room, looking frantic, gritting his teeth.

"He's already a father of two, and Xueyan is almost due to give birth. He'll soon be a father of three, and he still has the nerve to say he's a child?!"

"I think he's just lazy!"

Li Yuan smiled but remained silent. He thought, "You father and son can do whatever you want. Anyway, this old man has already accomplished a great deal. Now, all I need to do is manage the Hexi Circuit well."

As for the rest... well, children and grandchildren have their own blessings to enjoy.

"Tsk tsk, this tea is quite good..."

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

Look at the life of this retired emperor, who wouldn't be envious?

Having the power of the emperor and plenty of time to enjoy life, isn't this the wonderful life I dreamed of back when I was still the second young master of Taiyuan Prefecture?

He returned to the palace with a belly full of resentment.

At that moment, in the Lizheng Hall, several female officials and palace maids appeared to be delivering something.

As Li Shimin entered the palace, he saw Empress Zhangsun examining a new dragon robe.

"Your Majesty, this is the dragon robe that the Imperial Wardrobe made for you this year. I brought it for Your Majesty to try on and see if there's anything that doesn't fit..."

Li Shimin wore the new dragon robe, his expression complex.

Back when the Tang Dynasty was first established, even Emperor Li Yuan, the emperor's own father, couldn't prepare a new dragon robe every year in order to set an example. Now, in his reign of Zhenguan, he really hasn't had any hard times.

He stepped forward, opened his arms, and the palace maids around him rushed forward to help him undress.

Then someone brought over a full-length silver mirror.

Looking at himself in the mirror, now appearing much more dignified in his dragon robe, Li Shimin was fairly satisfied, but...

"Your Majesty, is there anything you find inappropriate? I can go back and make changes immediately..." The female official sensed Li Shimin's bad mood and became somewhat nervous.

Empress Zhangsun looked at it twice but didn't find anything wrong with the dragon robe.

What works first and what works next.

As the crown prince, Li Chengqian implemented new policies and encouraged innovation in all walks of life. Even the Ministry of Rites, which often talked about "ancestral laws" and "strict etiquette," had to come up with some clever ideas to innovate in some court music and rituals or royal items.

Take this year's dragon robe for example. The embroidery and thread used for the dragon pattern are obviously more exquisite. Not only are the colors much more vibrant, but the dragon shape also appears more majestic and charming.

It's a new style of dragon robe...

"Does Your Majesty not like it? If not, you can change it to last year's model," Empress Zhangsun said.

Li Shimin shook his head, but then suddenly turned to look at the female official beside him.

How long does it take to make one of these dragon robes?

"This... if Your Majesty were to have this outfit made, the Imperial Wardrobe still has some material left, but it would take at least two or three months."

The lady-in-waiting had already gone to great lengths. Although the royal family was large and the imperial treasury was abundant, and the Imperial Clothing Bureau had a considerable number of artisans such as embroiderers, the materials, weaving techniques, and patterns used in making dragon robes were extremely demanding.

The dragon robe that Li Shimin is wearing was actually made after the New Year's Day celebrations in the fifth year of the Zhenguan era.

It took more than a year to complete.

Li Shimin frowned: "What if we make a smaller version of this outfit, without changing the pattern or anything else?"

The female official hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "A month and a half is enough!"

Li Shimin finally nodded with a reluctant satisfaction and smiled.

"Very good, then let's make another one according to the Crown Prince's physique..."

The female official was taken aback, and then her expression changed.

For His Highness the Crown Prince, to make a dragon robe?

Judging from His Majesty's attire?!