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

The sudden, urgent report about the Byzantine Empire was almost like a circus or acrobatic performance you see on your way to work, bringing only amusement to the civil and military officials present.

Almost immediately, it was forgotten by everyone.

Now that the Tang Dynasty has decided on the western expedition, what it intends to conquer and attack is not just the Byzantine Empire, but all the territories of the world that are not under the control of the Tang Dynasty or its vassal states.

These are all targets that our "Emperor Taishang of Zhenguan" is preparing to conquer next.

After finalizing the western expedition, His Majesty the Emperor seemed to have completely let go of all his insistence, sitting happily and carefree on the steps below the dragon throne.

He quietly watched as his crown prince and officials discussed important matters.

"Last year, the total tax revenue of our Great Tang Dynasty was only a little over 90 million strings of cash, less than 100 million strings. However, this year, our Great Tang Dynasty has increased its tax revenue eightfold, and this is even with rebellions breaking out in Jiangnan Circuit and Huainan Circuit..."

Having made his decision, Li Chengqian simply sat firmly on the dragon throne.

He completely ignored his father, the emperor, who was sitting on the steps, and slowly addressed the officials.

"This is the inevitable benefit of commercial taxes and maritime trade brought about by the various industrial reforms brought about by the steam engine in our Great Tang Dynasty."

"Now that our Great Tang Dynasty has no rivals on all sides, we should strive for an even greater empire! This cannot be accomplished by the western expedition alone!"

His voice was powerful and resonant, and his imposing figure, clad in a dragon robe and resembling a coiled dragon, caused all the civil and military officials present to momentarily lose their composure.

I just felt that the person sitting in that position now spoke as if he were a real dragon roaring.

Fang Xuanling's expression tightened, as if he realized something, but he dared not interrupt.

They could only watch helplessly as the Crown Prince now sat on the dragon throne, their lips barely moving before...

"I have decided to grant permission for the descendants of the Tang imperial family to venture out to expand their territory, govern the land, and implement the ancient Zhou dynasty's enfeoffment system in foreign lands!"

"hiss!"

Fang Xuanling and the others looked up in astonishment, realizing before Li Chengqian even spoke that the prince was about to say something shocking.

Upon hearing this, everyone's minds went blank for a moment.

Among the officials, Duke Hou Junji of Lu State's lips trembled with excitement, and he cried out in his heart with even greater excitement.

"I knew it! I knew it!"

"His Highness the Crown Prince really intended this! He must have had this idea when he was training the princes! I knew it!!!"

He tried his best to suppress his emotions. Now, his daughter, the Crown Prince's Consort Hou Qianya, had given birth to a child for the Crown Prince!

In an instant, Hou Junji seemed to have a new goal to strive for!

Judging from His Highness's current attitude, as long as the Crown Princess's eldest son, Xiangyu, does not make any mistakes, even if he becomes a ruler who only maintains the status quo, he will surely inherit the position steadily.

But now that Your Highness has said this, there is no reason why the other members of the Tang Dynasty's royal family are allowed to go out and expand their territories, while your own flesh and blood are not allowed to do so.

The Duke of Lu's mansion could take advantage of the fact that the second grandson of the emperor, Pi Nu, is still young to conquer a territory overseas, and then inherit that land once he is granted permission to establish a kingdom.

Hou Junji thought about it more and more and it seemed feasible, and his gaze became increasingly fervent.

Isn't this a continuation and transformation of his Hou family business?

After a brief moment of deathly silence, the scene erupted into chaos, with officials in an uproar.

"Your Highness, this is absolutely unacceptable! Enfeoffment is a strategy that sows the seeds of future disaster. Our Great Tang is now strong and well-equipped, with the advantage of a naval fleet. Why should we be so eager to expand our territory and sow the seeds of future trouble?"

"Yes, Your Highness, I implore you to reconsider!"

"Your Highness, while there are indeed capable princes among the imperial family, such as Prince Lu and Prince Jing, fundamentally, there are still many flaws. The Censorate submits impeachment memorials every month..."

"......"

Li Chengqian was not surprised by this reaction or the arguments against it.

She simply glanced at her younger brothers standing to one side and smiled slightly.

"King of Han, King of Wei, I have decided to implement the enfeoffment system, sending those royal relatives who have little to show for their work and are wasting their time overseas. Now you all say that my plan will bring disaster. What do you think?"

Li Tai snorted coldly, stepped out of the ranks, and swept his brows across the room.

"Since you gentlemen believe this is a plan that will bring disaster, then you must think that some of your relatives harbor rebellious intentions and are treacherous... Could you please tell me directly who they are? I will immediately order their arrest and interrogation!"

"If he truly harbors cunning and evil intentions, I will personally oversee his execution!"

Everyone was speechless. Dai Zhou, the Imperial Censor and Grand Counselor, instantly attracted the attention of many officials, who all hoped that he would stand up and object at this moment.

Dai Zhou was helpless, but this was indeed within the scope of his authority.

He had to take a deep breath and step forward: "Your Highness, it is not that we are nitpicking or maliciously slandering, but in fact, there are many relatives who have been impeached for their acts of deceiving the people, exploiting merchants, and bullying local officials... If Your Highness does not believe me, the Censorate has sent several new impeachment memorials."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin felt a growing aversion towards certain members of the imperial family.

Recently, impeachment memorials have been arriving, which is really making me itchy for a fight.

However, remembering how those people had left Chang'an in a hurry to confess their crimes and make amends after his own crown prince spoke with them a few days ago, he did not get angry on the spot.

Upon hearing Dai Zhou's explanation, Prince Li Ke of Han stepped forward.

“This matter is easy. Since what the Crown Prince said is about enfeoffment, there is a distinction between suzerain and vassal. If there is rebellion in the enfeoffed country, or if there are many illegal acts or misgovernance, the title of the country can be removed and the land can be taken back.”

"And today, apart from the royal family and relatives, who else in the world can lead the Tang banner to go overseas and claim territory? Merchants still cause trouble in the Jiangnan and Huainan regions. And which noble family thinks they are more suitable to be granted territory and fiefdom?"

After the King of Han finished speaking, he swept his gaze across the ranks of civil and military officials, and those whose eyes fell upon him all instinctively looked away.

Li Chengqian smiled slightly and didn't press too hard. This matter was very important and couldn't be decided in a single court meeting. It also depended on the attitude of the imperial relatives in admitting their mistakes.

He waved his hand, announced the adjournment of the court session, and instructed the cabinet and the six ministries to discuss the matter.

It also gives the royal family and other members time to clean up their own reputations.

However, what happened at the court assembly quickly spread throughout Chang'an, and then, as if it had grown wings, it flew to places like Taiyuan and Luoyang.