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

The seventh month of the Zhenguan era.

The imperial court has finally issued its decision regarding the handling of the Xueyantuo tribe.

The Crown Prince's decree was delivered to Princess Gaoyang, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard was responsible for announcing it.

"Although the chieftain of Xueyantuo, Yinan, had a previous feud with the Tang Dynasty, the Crown Prince was benevolent and kind, and considering his loyal and upright character, he believed that he had been misled by the remnants of the Turks. Now he has changed his mind, killed the remaining Turkic chieftains, and presented their heads to the palace. His sincerity is commendable."

"He shall be granted the title of Earl of Mosui and appointed as a fourth-rank military officer. His subordinates shall be brave and valiant, and each shall be given a military post according to their rank. Upon the arrival of this imperial edict, he shall proceed to Chang'an to assume his post without delay. This edict shall be proclaimed throughout the country so that all may be informed."

The barbarian man, kneeling to receive the decree, felt conflicted, even though he had expected this outcome.

However, when he heard that he had to hand over the power of the Xueyantuo tribe and remain in Chang'an from then on, he couldn't help but feel disappointed and dejected.

Seeing that the man seemed dazed, the Imperial Guard delivering the decree handed it to him and then spoke softly.

"Lord Mosui, the Crown Prince has another decree... that bringing you to Chang'an is not to place you under house arrest. You will be employed in the Grand Council from now on. In a few years at the latest, our Great Tang will launch a major western expedition, at which time there will be plenty of opportunities to earn fame and fortune."

The several Imperial Guards who accompanied them exchanged glances that seemed to possess a penetrating power.

Keep a close eye on the current reaction of Mo Suibo Yinan.

A western expedition?!

To be described as a "grand western expedition" by the current Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, its scale must be beyond my imagination. And then there's the Tang Dynasty's extensive breeding of warhorses and stockpiling of cattle and sheep in Zhenbei Road over the years...

"Hiss..." Yi Nan gasped, and then, having just stood up, he knelt down again and kowtowed repeatedly in the direction of Chang'an.

"Your Highness, I am deeply grateful for your divine grace! By the Eternal Heaven, if I, Yinan, ever harbor any disloyalty again, I will surely be rejected by the Eternal Heaven after my death and will not be allowed to enter the cycle of reincarnation!"

For Yi Nan and the others, things took a turn for the better.

However, after receiving the imperial decree, Princess Gaoyang pouted in disappointment.

"The Crown Prince ordered the cabinet to prepare for the relocation of the Tiele tribes in the northern desert, so that they could live together with the Turks and Han herders of Zhenbei Road. The original location of the Tiele tribes, including the northern desert, will be established as the Northern Desert Road of our Great Tang. The relevant preparations for building cities and sending officials are already underway."

Inside the tent, Li Xiaogong, the Prince of Hejian, who had been demoted to Baikal County, had been there for almost a year.

He glanced at Gao Yang's reaction and pursed his lips.

"Your Highness should restrain yourself in the future. Although your elder brother ascended to the throne, he is first and foremost the crown prince of this vast empire. This time, he only brought the northern desert under the jurisdiction of the court and did not touch your Northern Sea Dragon Cavalry. This is already more than enough."

Gao Yangxing glared at her.

"Then if I don't expand southward, am I supposed to expand northward? What's the point of going to that godforsaken place in the north where water freezes instantly in winter?!" Gao Yang was very dissatisfied, but she also knew that her behavior was taboo.

She could only glare resentfully with her almond-shaped eyes, staring intently at the geomantic map in front of her.

Lake Baikal is rich in resources, but it is too limited, like a cage surrounded on all sides. The biggest problems are inconvenient transportation and sparse population.

She wanted to build a city that would make her proud in front of her royal brother, so she had to win over the population and resources.

Li Xiaogong's eyes darted around.

As if he had thought of something, he coughed lightly.

“I’ve heard that His Highness the Crown Prince knows a lot of things. Even though he’s never been to Arabia, he can always tell you detailed information about that place. Perhaps Your Highness could ask the Crown Prince.”

"Now happens to be the deadline for preparing for His Highness Prince Chu's wedding, and the other princes will also be returning to the capital..."

Gao Yang's eyes suddenly lit up.

If Li Chengqian were here, upon seeing Gao Yang's map showing that she had explored part of the northern region, he would immediately recognize that this girl had ventured to the Eastern Siberian Plateau.

The climate there is much colder, and the land is all frozen soil.

It would be a miracle if it could even develop.

If you go a little further west to the West Siberian Plain, there are vast lands and rivers, although many crops cannot be grown there during the spring and summer seasons.

However, crops such as potatoes, peas, and rye, which are available in the Tang Dynasty today, can still be grown.

With the addition of glass greenhouses and steam heating, although initial development was difficult, it wasn't without opportunity...

Unbeknownst to him, his troublesome younger sister, ambitious and about to return to Chang'an to request tactical guidance, was currently looking at the ceremonial robes and other items sent by the Imperial Household Department for the King of Chu's wedding.

The Tang Dynasty royal family is very wealthy now, even though they still live in the palace left over from the previous dynasty.

However, the imperial treasury was almost empty of copper coins; it was filled with gold, silver, and jewels.

"The silk craftsmanship in Jingchuan County has improved so much? It's truly developing rapidly..."

King Yi Yin of Liang sighed. Although he had also developed many industries in Silla, the silk industry could not be developed in just a few years. From the very beginning, silkworm breeding had great requirements for geographical climate.

Li You's wedding attire was magnificent and grand. Thanks to the efforts of Li Xueyan, a top fashion designer of the Tang Dynasty, it even resembled modern Hanfu in some ways, complemented by the royal embroiderers and tailors.

The result is that almost every inch of the fabric is covered with exquisite patterns.

Li Zhi pursed his lips, his gaze lingering for a moment on his third son, Prince Han, Li Ke, and his fourth son, Prince Wei, Li Tai, before speaking softly.

"This is nothing. These wedding gowns were only made last year. You haven't seen the wedding gowns that Mother had prepared for Third Brother and Fourth Brother. Those were truly magnificent. They were covered in..."

He was only halfway through his sentence when he was instantly silenced by two sharp gazes.

Li Ke and Li Tai glared at their stupid younger brother, who always brought up the most inappropriate topics, with dark faces.

"Ahem... Third and fourth princes, don't look at me like that. As princes, it's your duty to continue the royal line. I've given you opportunities to find them yourselves, but you haven't taken it seriously!"

Li Chengqian looked like he was "heartbroken as the eldest brother": "After the fifth brother gets married, the two of you must also get married as soon as possible, especially you, the third brother. Don't even think about going to sea again. If you can't get married and have an heir, you'd better stay in Chang'an!"

At this moment, Li Chengqian adopted the demeanor of an elder brother who is like a father.

Both Li Ke and Li Tai looked grim. The thought of the wealthy young ladies they had been dealing with these past few days, and the prospect of living with one of them and having children...

"Tsk..." Li Ke's eyes were full of gloom; he really didn't like any of them!

Li Tai, on the other hand, seemed to have thought of something, rolled his eyes, and then coughed twice.

"Ahem, Your Majesty, it's not impossible for me and Third Brother to get married sooner... Actually, we both really want to wear the wedding clothes prepared by Mother as soon as possible, but..."

Li Chengqian's eyes lit up, and Li You, Li Yin, Li Yun, Li Zhen, and Li Zhi also looked over in surprise.

Lee Tae stroked his chin, looking confident, and spoke with a smile.

"I've heard that Father has already prepared a dragon robe for you, my elder brother. If you promise to wear that dragon robe starting today... my third brother and I promise to find our respective concubines within three, no, within six months!"

Upon hearing this, Li Ke, who had been somewhat anxious, instantly brightened up.

He nodded quickly.

“That’s right. If Your Majesty can do that, Qingque and I will never go back on our word. Within half a year, your younger brother will definitely choose a good Han Princess.”

Li Chengqian: "......Hiss"

East Palace.

Zheng Lizhen was severely reprimanded by Madam Zheng, who had recently entered the palace, and has become much more obedient, especially after hearing rumors that there were other people in her clan being selected to enter the palace as the Crown Prince's consort.

Zheng Lizhen finally put away her arrogant and domineering nature.

Wang Yuyan was very capable. Under her management and with the support of the Wang family of Taiyuan, the spice trade was restored in less than two months.

Moreover, it utilized both the Maritime Silk Road and the Land Silk Road simultaneously.

She is currently reviewing accounts with Crown Princess Qian Yingying.

Suddenly, they heard a commotion outside and saw their own Crown Prince leading a group of princes in one direction.

The little boy, Li Yutong, was held in the arms of Prince Liang, Li Yin. He laughed and could be faintly heard saying things like "Sixth Uncle, Sixth Uncle".

The two exchanged a glance, then got up and followed.

Then, they went to the Crown Prince's bedroom.

When they saw Crown Prince Li Chengqian, who had changed his clothes inside the hall, both of them were instantly stunned, looking incredulous.

"Your Highness, you..."