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

For the Tang Dynasty today, if it wanted to launch a massive westward expedition with hundreds of thousands of troops in one fell swoop, it would require some preparation time. This preparation would not only involve provisions and weapons, but also things like military doctors, medicines, and intelligence support.

Both are quite large projects.

Meanwhile, the Harsha dynasty needed time to mobilize laborers to help repair military fortresses and other places along the way.

Therefore, allowing our Emperor Emeritus Li Er to go out and travel in the early stages will also allow him to take advantage of this time to do a lot of things.

Li Shimin received the decree from His Majesty Emperor Tianwu, his face beaming with pride and smugness.

Seemingly oblivious to the strange expressions on the faces of those around him as they watched the emperor deliver an edict to the retired emperor, he laughed heartily and patted the shoulder of Qian Lou, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, in front of him.

"Duke of Su, why don't you come with me on this western expedition? What fun is there in staying in Chang'an? A true man should fight on all sides!"

As he spoke, he gave a knowing look, chuckled twice, and showed no awareness whatsoever of the need to maintain royal dignity after relinquishing his imperial duties and the title of retired emperor.

"Hehe, Duke Su, you still haven't taken a second wife, how can that be? I've been inquiring a lot about it from those foreign merchants these days; the women of Byzantium and Arabia have skin as white as snow..."

The voice was kept very low, only the two of them could hear it.

however.

Qianlou, a massive figure, looked at Emperor Li Er with a strange expression.

In a muffled voice, he said, “Your Majesty, I will convey these words to His Majesty. I believe His Majesty will agree to expand your harem. As for the Empress Dowager… oh dear!”

"Hahaha! Just kidding, just kidding! Duke Su really doesn't understand my humor at all, hahaha, I was just teasing you. Not bad, not bad, you really didn't disappoint me. That's how you do your job as the emperor's eyes and ears!"

The Emperor Emeritus's expression changed instantly, and he quickly covered Qianlou's mouth before he could finish speaking.

He laughed heartily, pretending to be relaxed, while patting the other person on the shoulder.

however.

The cold sweat that was faintly appearing on his forehead was still seen by the head of the Imperial Guard in front of him.

Li Shimin felt uncomfortable under the man's gaze, so he simply sent him away to report back, while he began to reorganize his troops.

Qianlou returned to Beijing.

Today, the railways of the Tang Dynasty are much more skilled and standardized than when they were first built and operated. In recent years, several new routes have been added to the railway connecting Chang'an and Taiyuan.

All the train stations along the route were also put into operation.

They came and went, like earth dragons breathing out clouds and mist, carrying the people and merchants of the Tang Dynasty, as well as a large amount of goods, to and from this area of ​​the Tang capital.

"Supplying 10,000 people will be a breeze..."

After reviewing a memorial submitted by the Ministry of Works regarding the expansion of the imperial palace, Qianlou returned to report.

Li Chengqian nodded slightly, feeling relieved.

Letters like "My son Chengqian, I want..." are unlikely to be received any longer recently.

Now that the Tang Dynasty has adopted a cabinet system, and the emperor is assisted by the Tiance Mansion and the Grand Council, Emperor Li Chengqian's official duties are actually not that many.

More than anything, he is like a gardener, needing to check every now and then which pot of flowers is growing well, whether it is lacking water or fertilizer, or whether it has been infested with pests.

Just as he was thinking about whether he should go out of the city today to see the farmers around Chang'an in the Tang Dynasty during their spring plowing season.

He has been promoted to Director of the Inner Palace, also known as the Chief Eunuch.

This old man, who had been castrated in the Jinyang Palace during the previous dynasty and became a eunuch, served two emperors of the Tang Dynasty and now witnessed the rise and ascension of Emperor Tianwu, Li Chengqian.

Even those of high rank, such as Fang Xuanling in the Grand Secretariat, had to be treated with respect.

However, when he ran into the hall, his old face was flushed with excitement.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty...you're pregnant! Consort Wu is pregnant!"

His voice reached Li Chengqian's ears as he stood up, stretched, and was about to go out for a stroll. The latter was taken aback, and then a look of joy instantly appeared on his face.

"Hahaha, very well, prepare the carriage for the Golden Jade Palace!"

Consort Wu was Wu Shun, Li Chengqian's concubine when he was still the crown prince. Now, the fate of the entire Wu family is completely unrelated to history.

Samurai Ge is still alive and well, and has been entrusted with the important task of continuing to serve as the president of the Royal Bank.

Since marrying Li Chengqian, Wu Shun has always been honest, dutiful, and law-abiding, truly embodying the meaning of the name "Shun" to the fullest extent.

However, despite being a concubine, she never became pregnant.

The Duke of Ying's mansion was not in a hurry. Wu Shun had been informed of the pros and cons by his parents, but had not said anything.

It was as if they understood each other without saying a word.

There were some rumors circulating in Chang'an and even among the common people, but they weren't serious. Wu Shun remained a concubine for several years, and then steadily rose to the rank of Imperial Concubine after Li Chengqian ascended the throne.

When Li Chengqian's imperial carriage arrived at the Golden Jade Palace in a grand procession, not only Empress Qian Yingying was present, but also his mother, Empress Dowager Changsun, who was beaming with joy as she spoke with Qian Yingying and admonished the palace maids of the Golden Jade Palace.

"Your Majesty has arrived~"

A loud voice rang out from outside, and Wu Shun hurriedly got up from the bed. She had only just been diagnosed with pregnancy by the imperial physician, and it was already somewhat uncomfortable for her to be lying in bed with the Empress and Empress Dowager present.

Now, finally seizing the opportunity, he stood up and greeted Li Chengqian, who had entered the hall.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace..."

Li Chengqian was now the emperor, and the situation was different. Even Empress Dowager Changsun, his mother, nodded slightly to Li Chengqian as he entered.

The imperial physician who had taken Wu Shun's pulse had not yet left, and he was also excited when he saw Li Chengqian.

He was very young, but he was a student of Sun Simiao, the current president of the Royal Medical Academy. He was able to enter the palace as a royal physician, so he should not be underestimated just because he was young.

"Your subject, Jiang Qingdao, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Li Chengqian chuckled and dismissed the formalities, then looked at the imperial physician: "Imperial Physician Jiang, Consort Wu is undoubtedly pregnant?"

Jiang Qingdao cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I assure you, it is a positive pregnancy test. She is about two weeks pregnant... I have prepared a prescription for nourishing the fetus, so please rest assured."

"Hahaha! Excellent! Here's a reward!"

After expressing their gratitude, Jiang Qingdao and the other staff members of the Imperial Medical Bureau left.

Only Li Chengqian and his family remained in the hall. He gently held Wu Shun's hand, sat down at the table, and suddenly let out a long sigh, as if reflecting on something.

"These years have been tough on you..."

Everyone understood what he meant. Wu Shun gently shook his head, a serene smile curving his lips.

“Your Majesty was the Crown Prince back then. Although I am a woman, I understand many things. Your Highness had no choice but to do so. Besides, Your Highness has always treated me very well over the years, and my sister Qian has also treated me very well.”

Wu Shun's sensible and considerate demeanor earned a satisfied nod from Empress Dowager Changsun.

That same day, the palace sent someone to the Duke of Ying's residence to deliver the imperial decree and inform him of the matter.

Wu Shihuo and Lady Yang were not particularly surprised, but they still put on a show of great joy and sent people all over Chang'an to announce the good news in advance.

however.

Just when everyone thought the matter was over.

The next day, news came from the palace again that Consort Wang was unwell, and the palace maids summoned the imperial physician to take her pulse.

She was pregnant.

Upon receiving this news, Wang Ming, the Minister of Personnel, even plucked a tuft of his beard at home.

Despite his best efforts to restrain himself, he still blushed deeply upon hearing such good news.

"Quickly, prepare a carriage for me! I need to enter the palace!"