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

The retired Emperor Li Yuan was also present, sitting on one side of the side hall. He saw Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun, the two emperors of the Zhenguan era, leading the new emperor Li Chengqian and the new empress Qian Yingying up the dragon steps as if passing on the mantle.

An urge to shout out excitedly welled up in my chest.

"Great, great..." He was overcome with emotion, tears streaming down his face, but they were tears of joy.

Although the Zhenguan era lasted for less than nine years, if it weren't for the benevolent mind of his own son, how could Crown Prince Li Chengqian have had the opportunity to shine and make a name for himself in history?

Although he couldn't help but make sarcastic remarks about his son every time he saw him, Li Yuan actually held his second son, Li Shimin, in high regard.

"That's good..." he exclaimed again.

In sight, Li Chengqian and Qian Yingying, the newly crowned emperor and empress, arrived before the dragon throne, which symbolized supreme power, supported by Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun.

Although Li Chengqian had sat in this chair countless times.

Even the Crown Prince Xiangyu and the Second Prince Pinu had played on it more than once, but now this chair symbolizes something completely different.

That is the true ruler of heaven and earth, the sovereign of all people.

Li Shimin smiled approvingly and nodded slightly to Li Chengqian. The latter took a deep breath and finally sat steadily on the dragon throne amidst excited and expectant gazes.

Immediately afterwards, Empress Zhangsun also pressed Qian Yingying to the side.

The emperor and empress exchanged a glance, smiled with satisfaction, and then waved their hands.

Immediately, two female officials brought over a tray, each with a brocade box on it.

Upon seeing the brocade box, Li Chengqian's breath caught in his throat for a moment, and he swallowed hard without making a sound. Li Shimin caught a glimpse of this and chuckled to himself.

This kid says no, but his actions say otherwise.

Indeed, who could resist those eight words?

His expression turned serious, and he solemnly picked up the brocade box from the tray, presenting it to Li Chengqian with both hands.

"My son, you should be like Yao and Shun!" Li Shimin said solemnly.

Upon hearing these words, Li Chengqian's previously turbulent emotions instantly crumbled.

His lips twitched slightly as he took the Imperial Seal, a symbol of supreme power, with both hands, speaking softly in a voice only he and his son could hear.

"Father, please don't say those words carelessly in the future; it's unlucky..."

Li Shimin looked at him with a puzzled expression, not understanding what was going on.

Li Chengqian didn't know how to explain, so he just gave the other person a look that said, "Listen to me, you won't go wrong."

The latter remained silent.

Meanwhile, Empress Zhangsun presented the phoenix seal, symbolizing the empress, to Qian Yingying, her dignified face bearing a smile of approval and encouragement.

As Li Chengqian and Qian Yingying received the imperial seal, they rose and bowed to the emperor and empress of the Zhenguan era.

The two finally held hands and walked towards the side hall below the stage, where a seat had already been prepared for Li Yuan.

From this day forward, Emperor Li Shimin of the Zhenguan era and Empress Zhangsun will be formally promoted to Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager.

Sitting on the dragon throne, Li Chengqian, who was now the emperor of the new dynasty, looked around and his gaze swept across the faces of the royal nobles, civil and military officials, and foreign ministers.

He waved gently.

The next moment, a figure hurriedly walked up the dragon steps from the side, first bowing to Li Chengqian, and then unfolding an imperial edict.

This person was not a veteran official, but a young and capable one.

The first person to follow Li Chengqian to Taiyuan Prefecture to implement the new policies was Xiao Rui, son of Duke Xiao Yu of Song and husband of Princess Xiangcheng.

The imperial edict in his hand at this moment was not from the Zhenguan era, but the first edict of the new emperor of the new dynasty.

Inside the hall, Duke Xiao Yu of Song felt the envious gazes around him and tilted his head back slightly, as if he were feeling honored.

On the dragon steps, Xiao Rui took a deep breath, and then his voice was resounding.

"I have heard that the heavens establish the ultimate order, and sages emulate the heavens. In the past, the Yellow Emperor drew the plains, which were no more than nine provinces; Yu Gong divided the land, which was limited to five regions. Now, our Great Tang inherits the great achievements of successive emperors and receives the precious mandate from the heavens. All peoples are devoted to us, and the eight directions are at peace. This is not due to human effort, but rather to the flourishing of civilization and the far-reaching influence of benevolence."

“Recently, a divine spirit appeared to me in a dream, and a black tortoise carried a map. This showed that in the wilderness where Yu’s work had not yet reached, there were still people with disheveled hair and tattoos.”

"Some live like animals in the forests, while others abuse the will of Heaven to oppress their subjects. Though they may occasionally imitate the writing of insects and birds, they are ultimately ignorant of the proper relationships between father and son, ruler and subject. In the past, the Xiongnu submitted to the border and Huhanye became their vassal; now, the Byzantine Empire is rebellious, killing our merchants and plundering our ships. This is proof that these barbarians do not understand the ways of the king."

The Gongyang Commentary states: "The true ruler has no outsiders; the world is one family."

"As the successor to the ancestral line, I shall uphold the teachings of Zhou and Confucius and carry on the deeds of Tang and Wu. I wish that wherever the celestial sphere points, there shall be the correct calendar; and that the brilliance of the sun and moon shall shine upon the crown and regalia. Wherever fish and sea creatures roam, they shall be clothed in ceremonial attire; and wherever demons and monsters wail, they shall be transformed into a land of rites and music."

"Military force is for suppressing violence, restraining weapons, protecting the people, establishing merit, pacifying the people, harmonizing the masses, and enriching the nation."

"This year, the new dynasty shall send heavenly troops, unleash thunder and lightning, and spread its might and virtue to the far reaches of the land. Let the Chinese and barbarians share the same customs, so that for ten thousand generations to come, they will know that wherever the sun and moon shine, it is all Tang land, and wherever the wind and rain reach, they are all subjects of the king."

"This is a great and virtuous ceremony of the new dynasty!"

"The new dynasty has changed its era name... Tianwu!"

"Announce it to the whole world, and let everyone know."

"Appreciate this!"

Unbeknownst to Xiao Rui, a fine layer of sweat had already appeared on his forehead. He calmed his breathing.

At this moment, the imperial relatives, nobles, civil and military officials, and foreign envoys below the stage all bowed loudly in unison after the imperial decree was read aloud.

He proclaimed it aloud.

"Long live the Heavenly Martial Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Outside the hall, similar sounds followed like waves, echoing from the outside.

At almost the same time, outside the Vermilion Bird Gate, atop the high palace walls, Du He also finished reading the imperial edict of Emperor Tianwu in his hand, almost simultaneously.

Outside the palace walls, the people of Chang'an, as well as wealthy merchants and foreign merchants, who had gathered there, all bowed down to the palace in excitement upon hearing the new reign title.

"Long live the Heavenly Martial Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

......

P.S.: Before I knew it, we'd reached two million words! Our Crown Prince has finally ascended the throne! This is my first time writing a historical novel, but the book's success has exceeded my expectations. Thank you all for your continued support, especially seeing so many long-time readers following along after each daily update. You've given me the strength to constantly refine the content. Thank you.

I started writing this morning and only just finished now. I deleted the imperial edict several times because I wasn't satisfied with any of them.

Fortunately, it was eventually put to rest.

Thank you all for your continued support. Today, I'm not going to be a one-off author and will release all three chapters at once.

Besides... do you expect our Emperor Guangwu to kneel down and beg you before you'll give the author a reward? (Evil grin)