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

"His virtue is evident in his brothers' pioneering spirit and his sisters' graceful bearing, like the elegant hairstyles of the Rong and Di tribes; one can then understand that even the most exquisite gems of Kunlun Mountain are imbued with the brilliance of jade..."

Li Gang's hand, gripping the imperial edict, was now sweating slightly.

However, his voice became increasingly solemn and high-pitched as he recited the hymn, and his pair of dark yellow eyes shone brightly as he stared intently at the jade steps outside the Taiji Hall while reciting.

And at this moment, on the dragon throne.

Emperor Zhenguan, Li Shimin, was also somewhat nervous. With a smile on his face, he held Empress Zhangsun's hand in one hand and took a deep breath from time to time to calm himself down.

However, it was clear that it didn't have much effect. For some reason, he seemed to be able to sense that his most promising eldest son was now stepping up the jade steps.

Li Shimin's eyes involuntarily reddened slightly.

Empress Zhangsun, standing nearby, naturally noticed the change in her husband's expression, and she too felt a mixture of relief and excitement as they held each other's hands tightly.

The couple exchanged a glance and couldn't help but smile at each other.

Li Shimin's smile grew even brighter.

With a wife like an empress and a son like Chengqian, Li Shimin was so fortunate. Which monarch or emperor throughout Chinese history could compare to him?

Outside the hall, another round of excited and solemn eulogies rang out.

Li Chengqian stepped onto the eighteenth jade step. On either side, skilled craftsmen and embroiderers were presenting newly made farming tools or Suzhou brocade.

"May the furnace fire never die out, the iron sparks glow red, and the looms rustle as they fold brocade."

"I'll plow the land with a plowshare and forge a longsword to slay my enemies!"

"Silk ribbons are spun to connect her jade-like arms, and she is cut into silk stockings to walk on the golden shore!"

Li Chengqian continued upwards.

Under the blazing sun, the embroidered dragon robe he wore seemed to shimmer with gold threads, making Li Chengqian appear like a rising sun on the jade steps.

They ascended to the twenty-seventh jade staircase.

This time, the group on either side was clearly fishermen and coastal residents. They were so excited that the moment Li Chengqian stepped onto the jade steps, they shouted and bowed down, holding the fish, pearls, corals and other items in their hands.

May the sea be calm and the wind give way, so that a thousand sails may race and banners may flutter—

"They went south to gather coral trees, and went west to bring back chests of gold."

"The reefs opened up a path to heaven, and the hurricanes retreated, allowing tribute ships to sail."

As Li Chengqian led Crown Princess Qian Yingying uphill, the court music that seemed to resonate throughout the entire palace appeared to grow clearer and more magnificent.

The sight of the subjects bowing down one after another, and the prayers and eulogies filling Li Chengqian's heart, stirred up complex emotions within him.

These arrangements were made by the Cabinet and the Ministry of Rites, but weren't they also the wishes of the people?

The thirty-sixth jade staircase.

The merchants from the Hu region and the Tang Dynasty along the Silk Road excitedly held a box of gold coins, unsure whether they belonged to them or were temporarily given to them by the Ministry of Rites as a token of respect.

May the camel bells ring out as the sun sets, and may Persian gold coins flow like rosy clouds—

"Indian incense replaces Wu silk, and Sogdian dances follow Han music in extravagance."

"Passes and mountains cannot hinder goods from afar, and low taxes bring honest and cheerful officials."

The forty-fifth jade staircase.

To his left and right were a group of young children, who looked at Li Chengqian with their bright, innocent eyes, and held things like candy and toys in their hands as they kowtowed to him.

A clear, childlike sound rang out.

"May my grandfather return soon to lay down his iron armor, and may the sweet treats of the marketplace delight his palate—"

"A fine horse from the Western Regions brings fruit; the lychees from Lingnan are as fresh as honey."

"Amidst the crackling of firecrackers, the New Year arrives; Father, bow and sword in hand, exchanges them for wine."

Li Chengqian: "......"

He took a deep breath, and amidst these praises, he passed Buddhist and Taoist monks, foreign prisoners of war, and elders from the three religions...

In the Tai Chi Hall.

The praises from outside grew clearer as the jade steps rose higher, and the imperial edict in his hand was nearing its end. Many of the solemn civil and military officials standing on either side couldn't help but feel excited and wanted to turn around to look at the situation outside the hall.

However, the officials from the Ministry of Rites around them glared at them and warned them to stand still.

He could only stand there, filled with anguish and inner turmoil.

"Its position is not only something that the Chinese and barbarians crouch and look up to, but also something that the black tortoise carries a map in the Luo River and the blue rhinoceros roars in the East Sea."

"I am in the prime of my life, and I will follow the precedent set by Yao and Shun in succeeding each other..."

"It is not that I am unable to bear this burden, but the people truly deserve a wise ruler."

"It is not that I am weary of serving the emperor, but rather that the element of fire should usher in a new era..."

A figure, seemingly glowing in the bright sunlight, emerged from the jade steps outside the palace. The tassels on his crown swayed gently. The young man, who appeared even more majestic and handsome today, caught the eyes of Li Gang and Li Shimin and his wife on the dragon throne.

This caused everyone to gasp in excitement.

The new emperor of the Tang Dynasty!

he came!

At this moment, Li Shimin involuntarily wanted to stand up, but fortunately Empress Zhangsun remembered the etiquette and quickly pulled him back.

Li Shimin snapped out of his daze and gave an embarrassed smile. However, when his gaze fell on his own crown prince who had entered the hall, the smile on his face gradually widened uncontrollably.

The father and son locked eyes for a brief moment.

As Li Gang finished reading the eulogy in his hand, Tang Jian, the Minister of Rites, picked up another imperial edict from the side and handed it to him.

Li Gang looked at his student with satisfaction, took a deep breath, and seemed to become much younger at that moment.

The voice even became more resonant.

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:!"

Crown Prince Li Chengqian and Crown Princess Qian Yingying knelt down and bowed. On either side of them, in front of the civil and military officials, all of whom were dressed in the court robes of princes or princesses according to their age, the Prince of Han, the Prince of Wei, Princess Chang Le, Princess Gao Yang, and others also bowed down in accordance with the decree.

Both civil and military officials bowed down.

"The heavens reveal their signs, and the virtue of fire replaces the heavens; the universe undergoes a transformation, and divine artifacts return to the sun."

"Crown Prince Chengqian is skilled in both literature and military affairs, pure in nature, respectful, frugal, benevolent, and filial, and possesses both strength and gentleness."

"He revered Heaven and Earth and his ancestors above, loved the common people below, possessed the qualities of Yao and Shun, upheld the principles of Qin and Han, was concerned about the national situation, and revitalized the court."

"Possessing the bearing of a sage, embodying the principles of both literature and martial arts, and embodying the lofty ambitions of the past and present, he is destined to command the divine artifact and imperial edict!"

"The nine realms are united, the eight directions are unified, now the great throne is passed on, in accordance with the will of Heaven..."

"I, in order to govern the people, hereby appoint the Holy Son True Lord as the new emperor, establishing the imperial lineage, in accordance with Heaven's will and the people's wishes, and proclaim this throughout the land so that all may know."

"So be it!"

After Li Gang finished reading the imperial edict, he closed it, only to find that his feet seemed to be welded to the ground, and his breathing became heavy.

He hurriedly handed the imperial edict to Tang Jian, who noticed it.

Without regard for anything else, he hurriedly took the imperial edict and presented it to Li Chengqian with great joy. Li Chengqian bowed and thanked him loudly, then handed the edict to the eunuch Wang De behind him.

Next, under the excited gazes of the civil and military officials behind him, as well as the princes, princesses, brothers, and sisters, Li Chengqian stepped onto the dragon steps in front of him.

Li Shimin had gotten up at some point and was now standing on the dragon steps.

With a look of satisfaction, Li Shimin looked down at his son. Father and son locked eyes, and Li Shimin's smile grew even wider.

He extended a large palm and offered it to Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian was taken aback, then smiled and shook hands with him.

Beside Li Shimin, Empress Zhangsun also reached out a hand and took the hand of Qian Yingying, who was sitting in the audience...