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

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this is a court assembly, you..."

Fan Qi rushed forward to help Li Shimin, looking flustered. "Your Majesty, your shoes have been knocked off!"

This could lead to impeachment by the censors!

however.

Now everyone's attention is focused on this terrifying fiscal revenue figure. Officials in the Tang Dynasty have very high salaries. Because the authorities often use extreme punishments to combat corruption, officials in the Tang Dynasty live a truly respectable and wealthy life in order to maintain integrity.

The fact that the total annual fiscal revenue is so staggering is something everyone has figured out: it's because the Tang Dynasty issued paper money in the early 7th year of the Zhenguan era, the scale of maritime trade expanded, and the Tang Dynasty successively conquered Tibet and Japan.

Given His Highness's temperament, this wealth will definitely not be enjoyed exclusively by the royal family.

Everyone present will benefit greatly; at least this year's year-end bonuses are expected to be at least double that of last year.

"Brilliant! Eighty-three billion! Just prepare two billion for my western expeditionary force, and I guarantee that you won't mention those Arabs or Sassanid Persians..."

“Ahem, Father, Sassanid Persia is our vassal state, and a rather submissive one at that,” Li Chengqian coughed, reminding him.

Li Shimin, however, had no interest in these intricate details.

Two billion Tang Yuan, which, according to the old system of conversion, is two hundred million Guan!

Goodness gracious... Am I being a bit too greedy? Perhaps 1 billion Tang Yuan, or even 500 million Tang Yuan, would be equivalent to 50 million Guan. When he first ascended the throne, the total annual fiscal revenue was less than 10 million Guan.

The more Li Shimin thought about it, the more he felt that he was no good at being an emperor!

Abdicate!

Abdicate the throne directly to this brat and let him be the emperor!

I, the Great General, will personally lead the expedition!

Li Shimin tugged at the sleeve of his crown prince's dragon robe, his handsome face now displaying a strange, almost maniacal smile. He seemed to be contemplating some scene, and a low chuckle escaped his lips, sending chills down the spines of the Prince of Wei and the Prince of Han standing nearby.

"Hey hey hey..."

Li Chengqian: "......"

He could guess with his toes what his father was thinking right now.

Two billion in military expenses for the western expedition.

In addition to the brave soldiers who had been suppressed for years and were eager to make a name for themselves, there were also muskets, cannons, and the navy, among other forces.

With his own son in charge of logistics, young officers personally trained by the Western Expeditionary Military Academy, and veterans from the Tian Ce Mansion working together, as well as the intelligence network that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had cultivated for so many years.

There are also numerous vassal states whose troops can be conscripted at any time to serve as auxiliary forces.

"Hiss..." Li Chengqian suddenly had an urge to back out. If he let Li Shimin and the Tang army out in this state, who knows what kind of mess the world would be turned into.

however.

Perhaps sensing the resentment on his unfilial son's face, Li Shimin snapped back to reality, his heart skipping a beat.

To the astonishment of the officials, he simply hoisted the still conflicted Crown Prince Li Chengqian onto his shoulder and leaped forward once more.

Before Li Chengqian could figure out what was going on, he suddenly felt dizzy, and then... he felt the familiar sensation of the dragon throne on his buttocks.

Li Shimin pushed the maids on either side aside and placed his hands on Li Chengqian's shoulders.

"That's settled then!" He smiled excitedly, now remembering that he was still the emperor, at least for now.

He announced it directly in front of the entire court.

"The Cabinet has allocated two billion Tang Yuan for my upcoming western expedition. In addition, the Ministry of War and the Grand Council shall immediately begin preparations for the western expedition, mobilizing troops from various regions, and preparing warhorses for the Zhenbei Circuit..."

Fang Xuanling, leading the cabinet members, said: "..."

The six ministers: "..."

Grand Councilor Li Jing: "..."

Everyone wore strange expressions, and their gazes all converged on Crown Prince Li Chengqian. Li Shimin's expression froze, and then the hands that were on his Crown Prince's shoulders began to knead them in a fawning manner.

The big-faced man lowered his head and leaned closer.

"Gao Ming, you must keep your word. If you nod your head, I will fully support your plan. Moreover, the empire I have conquered will be yours in the future, but the empire your uncles have conquered may not be so."

Li Chengqian rolled his eyes helplessly, but this year's total fiscal revenue was indeed much more abundant.

There is no problem with using 2 billion Tang yuan for military expenses.

He nodded slightly.

"Hahahaha! Good! Good! You all saw it, the Crown Prince nodded! Fang Xuanling, Li Jing, don't make me say it a second time!" Li Shimin was overjoyed, his eyes wide with a smug look of someone who was taking advantage of his master's power.

This left the civil and military officials below the stage speechless and helpless.

"Your Majesty, we obey the decree..."

Having received permission, Li Shimin dropped all pretense and plopped down on the steps below the dragon throne, handing over the reins of today's court assembly to Li Chengqian.

He had already begun to calculate in his mind how to wage this wealthy western expedition.

The smile on his face almost reached his ears.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside. A young eunuch quickly led a person to a stop outside the hall, and Fan Qi stepped forward to inquire.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness... Urgent report from Hexi Circuit! General Su Dingfang of Hexi Circuit says that the Byzantines have detained our Tang Dynasty caravans, plundered our Tang Dynasty goods, and killed our Tang Dynasty merchants. He has already ordered the Sasanian Persian King to send troops to quell the rebellion."

"The Hexi Circuit also dispatched 3,000 troops..."

Suddenly.

In the imperial court, the officials, who had just witnessed a farcical drama of father-son affection in the royal family and were still somewhat unsettled, couldn't help but gasp upon hearing this urgent report.

His face was full of astonishment and surprise.

These two absurd and outrageous things could actually happen at the same time?!

Regarding the existence of that so-called Byzantine Empire, as the Tang Dynasty has completely taken control of the Western Regions in recent years and established the Hexi Circuit, the court officials' understanding of the world's countries and foreign barbarians has also improved a lot.

That Byzantine Empire, an entity whose emperor needed a pope to be established—had they lost their mind? To offend the Tang Dynasty at this crucial moment...

Even back then, Jieli knew at least that he should choose a time when the Tang Dynasty was internally unstable to raid southwards.

Was that Byzantine emperor so valiant that he thought he could face the Tang Dynasty, clad in divine armor and with health bars as thick as the Great Wall?

Inside the Taiji Hall, everyone looked at each other.

Finally, even Fang Xuanling shook his head and sighed speechlessly, bowing to Emperor Zhenguan, who was now sitting on the steps, laughing even more excitedly.

"Your Majesty, we will prepare provisions and military supplies."