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

Changan.

This winter in Chang'an is noticeably different from previous years.

Thanks to the continuous coordination between Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui and the Bingzhou Road New Policy Reform Office, many things that existed in Bingzhou Road have now entered every household in Chang'an.

For example, honeycomb briquettes, coal stoves, heated kang beds, and communal bathhouses established by dividing Chang'an into different wards—these things made this winter noticeably colder than in previous years.

However, the lives of the people in Chang'an and the surrounding counties were not greatly affected.

The Secretariat.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui exchanged subtle glances.

Every now and then he would walk back and forth into the hall, or stand in front of the bookshelves and scrolls, looking around, or stepping behind the officials in the hall, pondering as they wrote documents, and letting out a soft, ambiguous "hmm."

finally.

As the Left Minister, Fang Xuanling had no choice but to take a deep breath and slowly step forward.

"His Majesty......"

"Hmm? Xuanling, is there something that requires my decision?"

Li Shimin's spirits lifted, and his gaze, which had been focused on the documents written by the scholars in the hall, instantly fell on Fang Xuanling. This burning gaze was something that Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui had been hoping to see in His Majesty in the past few days.

But now...

"Forehead......"

I was originally going to tell Emperor Li Er in a tactful way that his presence here would prevent the officials from concentrating on their work, and that he should go back and continue to amuse the princess and princes.

Upon being asked this question by Li Er, Fang Xuanling's old face suddenly stiffened.

His mind was racing.

The official road from Chang'an to Luoyang has been suspended due to the onset of winter. According to His Highness the Crown Prince, without the antifreeze agent, the cement road would be of poor quality.

The construction within Chang'an City has been completed, with funds allocated from His Majesty's private treasury.

There's nothing that Your Majesty needs to do now...

hiss!

There is no need for the distribution of winter supplies to the people of Chang'an this year. Under their arrangement, the Chang'an magistrate has already distributed heaters and other supplies to some relatively poor families in the city.

At the current price of two coins for five honeycomb briquettes.

The people have absolutely no need to worry about this winter.

"Xuanling?"

The expectation on Emperor Taizong's face slowly faded, and his eyes began to look dangerous.

A single call caused cold sweat to instantly break out on Fang Xuanling's forehead.

Fortunately at this time.

Du Ruhui, who was serving as the Minister of War, coughed twice.

"Cough cough!"

He watched as the other person tapped the documents on the table beside them twice with their finger.

Fang Xuanling had a sudden inspiration and quickly raised a finger.

"Oh! I remember now, uh, no, I mean, I do have a very important matter here that requires Your Majesty's personal decision..."

Li Er's expression was not very pleasant, but he still waited quietly for the other party to continue.

Fang Xuanling handed over a document.

"Your Majesty, this is the preliminary operating procedure for my Chang'an 'Great Tang Daily'. It is a plan that I have formulated based on the management of His Highness the Crown Prince's 'Great Tang New Daily' in Bingzhou."

"However, many aspects, especially those related to business and anecdotes, have not yet been determined. It is not as Your Highness did in Bingzhou, where you shared the joy with the people, allowing merchants to use the newspaper as a tool and the common people to use it as conversation topics after dinner."

"Or perhaps, it reflects the dignity of the imperial court, similar to the official gazette of our Great Tang Dynasty, being even more serious and pragmatic..."

Li Shimin nodded slightly, and finally a mysterious smile, which he considered unfathomable, appeared on his face.

He gave a soft "hmm" and reached out to open the document in front of him.

suddenly.

"Wow!"

Two folded pages slipped out from between them.

Du Ruhui was taken aback, Fang Xuanling was stunned, and at this moment, Ma Zhou, who had recently entered the Ministry of Personnel as a scholar in the palace, was recommended by Chang He.

But he was instantly shocked.

"Huh? What is this?"

They watched as His Majesty the Emperor picked up the item and then unfolded it.

Cold sweat instantly broke out on Ma Zhou's forehead.

Li Shimin unfolded it, and after seeing the contents, he couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation.

"Establish multiple newspapers, with the Great Tang Royal Daily as the national government's official gazette, dedicated to reporting on reforms and major local events. Also establish newspapers such as the Great Tang People's Gazette, the Great Tang Commerce Gazette, and the Great Tang Industry Gazette..."

Li Shimin read it softly, but his voice grew softer and softer.

Even later, the enigmatic smile on his face slowly disappeared.

He calmly looked at Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, who had already stood up from their seats, trembling with fear, and waved the papers in his hands.

"Isn't this already a pre-established method? Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, are you two trying to mock me?!"

"thump....."

A sound of someone kneeling down came from a corner of the hall even faster than Fang Xuanling and the other person.

Ma Zhou looked terrified.

"Your Majesty, it is I, your humble servant, who is new to the Ministry of Personnel and unfamiliar with its customs. I have written down my humble opinions on the Great Tang Daily, intending to have them read by the Left Minister..."

"My lord is guilty!"

Li Shimin frowned, looking at the other person's face which seemed somewhat familiar, and then he realized the other person's identity.

"Are you Ma Zhou?"

"It is indeed I, Your Majesty. Please forgive me!"

Li Shimin took a deep breath and looked at the thoughts on the Tang Daily written by Ma Zhou in his hand. Although he was reluctant to admit it, if he had to make the decision immediately...

He probably couldn't have imagined something like this.

"The reform in Bingzhou is sufficient to be handled by one newspaper, the Great Tang New Daily. However, Chang'an is the capital of our Great Tang, and the reforms will surely be implemented throughout the country in the future. But a single newspaper is indeed not enough to handle so many affairs... Implementing separate newspapers would be a good idea."

Li Shimin calmly placed the document on the table and looked at the trembling Fang and Du.

"Minister Fang, Minister Du, haven't you always told me to be diligent in my duties? I'm right here today, is there anything else that needs my decision?"

Fang Xuanling and his companion exchanged a quick glance and frantically began searching through the pile of memorials on the table in front of them.

The Ministry of War has upgraded its armor and weapons... His Highness has sent 50,000 pieces of refined iron armor and weapons, so there's no need for that anymore.

Minister of Rites Zhang Gongjin is about to begin preparations for next year's imperial examinations. Everything should proceed according to plan. As for the results of His Highness's new examinations, we'll have to wait and see...

Li Daozong, the chief administrator of Lingzhou, requested that Bingzhou assist in promoting aquaculture in Lingzhou... This depends on Your Highness's decision.

"Splash, splash..."

The two were in a flurry of activity, and the once neatly arranged documents on the table were now a complete mess.

Some even fell directly to the ground by accident.

This made Li Shimin's face grow even darker.

at last.

"Your Majesty, the Zheng family head of Xingyang, Henan Province, Zheng Jiang, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, has submitted a report to the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Court of Judicial Review detailing the corruption and crimes of more than fifty officials who have been exploiting the local people."

Li Shimin frowned: "Why are you looking at me? Now that there has been a report, why don't the various departments investigate and collect evidence according to the Tang Dynasty law, arrest the people, and sentence them? Do you think I am the kind of person who would condone corrupt officials?"

Fang Xuanling smiled awkwardly and hurriedly bowed in agreement.

Suddenly, Du Ruhui seemed to have thought of something.

He hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your Majesty, I have a matter that requires Your Majesty's personal decision."

"The rebellion of the aristocratic families in Hedong Road is a foregone conclusion. With General Li Jing and Cheng Yaojin in charge, the rebellion will be quelled in no more than six months. However, those aristocratic families are probably deeply involved in the local area. If they are punished for treason according to the Tang Dynasty law, at least tens of thousands of people will lose their heads."

"Tens of thousands of people need to be exiled or imprisoned. Your Majesty, what should be done with these people in the future?"

Immediately, Li Shimin frowned.

This is indeed a very important matter that requires careful consideration.

In fact, he had considered this during this period. In fact, veteran officials of the Wude era, such as Duke Pei Ji of Wei and Duke Xiao Yu of Song, had visited the palace more than once, subtly hoping that he would show leniency.

Just as Li Shimin was hesitating, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui had just breathed a sigh of relief.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps approached.

He is Li Er's new personal eunuch, Eunuch Sun.

"Your Majesty, General Cheng Yaojin of Hedong Circuit has sent an urgent message, covering 800 li!"

Everyone tensed, and Li Shimin immediately waved his hand.

"Quickly, send someone over here!"

When a weary messenger was brought in by the eunuch, he bowed and saluted.

"Your Majesty! The Cui family of Boling in Hedong Circuit was plotting a rebellion, but it was discovered in advance by the Imperial Guards of Bingzhou Circuit. His Highness the Prince of Hanzhong personally led the Imperial Guards and joined forces with General Cheng Yaojin. Five days ago, on a rainy night, they arrested the entire Cui family in Boling's ancestral land!"

"Five hundred sets of armor were found in the Cui family mansion in Boling, along with several hidden granaries in and around Boling. The garrison commander of Boling resisted arrest and was killed on the spot by General Cheng Yaojin."

"The Cui family patriarch, Cui Minshi, and others are already on their way to Chang'an and are expected to arrive in no more than three days!"

"hiss!!!"

Inside the hall, the scholars who had been writing documents all gasped in shock.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui exchanged a glance, their expressions full of surprise.

So fast?

And... the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

His Highness the Crown Prince is in Bingzhou, yet he's involved?

Li Shimin's eyes quickly scanned Cheng Yaojin's report. Although the other party tried his best to show that he was in charge, Li Shimin was not stupid and could see through it.

It's obvious that the Embroidered Uniform Guard couldn't claim the credit; the lion's share went to that bastard Cheng Yaojin.

"Tsk... My crown prince certainly has a lot to worry about..."

Li Shimin gave a soft, ambiguous hum.

Just then, another eunuch rushed in.

She whispered something to Eunuch Sun at the door, and then Eunuch Sun's expression changed again.

"Your Majesty, another urgent dispatch! Yes, it's from Yanmen Pass!"

"What!?"

Li Shimin gritted his teeth. When he heard that the messenger came from Yanmen Pass instead of Taiyuan Prefecture, his expression immediately turned serious. He hurriedly ordered someone to bring the messenger in.

The messenger was excited. As soon as he saw Li Shimin, he immediately knelt down and clasped his hands in greeting.

"Your Majesty! A great victory has been achieved at Yanmen Pass!"

"The Eastern Turkic leader Jieli, together with Tuli and the Western Turkic leader Ashina Dili, raised an army of 170,000 and attacked Yanmen Pass. His Highness the Crown Prince personally led 15,000 Turkic wolf cavalry and 6,000 heavy cavalry from the Eastern Palace to fight."

"They ambushed Jieli's 70,000-strong army at Yinshan, achieving a great victory and beheading over 30,000."

"Later, His Highness the Crown Prince personally led the Turkic wolf cavalry in a fierce battle with Jieli near the Ula Mountains. His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prince of Yue took the lead and fought against forces several times larger than their own, capturing the Turkic Jieli Khan in the process!"

"hiss!!!"

Even Li Shimin, upon hearing this news, couldn't help but gasp in shock in front of everyone.

There was no need for Eunuch Sun to take the battle report from the other side.

He quickly stepped forward and snatched it away.

His pupils trembled as he looked at the text, which was clearly written by Hou Junji himself.

When I saw the words, "His Highness the Crown Prince has continued northward, fighting a great battle against Tuli and Ashina Dili's forces. Jieli will soon be escorted to Chang'an along with Tuli and the others."

Li Shimin clenched his fists in excitement.

"it is good!!!"

A loud shout, brimming with joy and delight, burst forth from Li Shimin's mouth.

"Hahahaha! My son Chengqian has not disgraced me, the emperor, nor my Great Tang Dynasty!"

"And Qingque, hahaha, I have two outstanding sons! Oh, right, and that boy Ke'er too, they're both excellent! They're both excellent! Hahahaha!"

Li Shimin was so excited that he refused to hand the report to them, so Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui had to lean closer and crane their necks to read it themselves.

"Your Highness is so brave! At just over thirteen years old, you have led your army to defeat the Turks! Your Majesty, in this battle, even Wei Qing and Huo Qubing of the Han Dynasty could not compare to Your Highness!"

Fang Xuanling's eyes widened in surprise, and he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Du Ruhui, standing to the side, nodded repeatedly, his gaze seemingly observing the expression on Li Shimin's face.

He murmured in admiration, "Like father, like son! His Majesty is truly blessed by Heaven. If His Highness the Crown Prince were to conquer Tuli, the vast territory of the Eastern Turks would fall into the hands of our Great Tang!"

"Your Majesty! I congratulate Your Majesty!"

The people inside the hall hurriedly and excitedly bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, we congratulate you! We congratulate the Great Tang Dynasty!"

"Hahahaha," Li Er was very happy.

He had only been on the throne for less than half a year, and had not even started the new era.

This had already helped expand the territory of the Tang Dynasty.

Even when he reached his own father, Li Yuan, Li Shimin could still act arrogantly, especially since that scoundrel Jieli had humiliated Li Yuan and his men quite a bit back then.

If the old father knew that Jieli was about to be taken to Chang'an, he would have to nod and admit that he was better than the Crown Prince Nayin, right?

Li Shimin was thinking happily when the messenger kneeling on the ground bowed again.

"Your Majesty, there is also a letter that Eunuch Gao asked me to pass on to you."

Hear the words.

Li Shimin, who was already in a good mood, suddenly brightened up again in his smiling eyes.

It seemed to shimmer with golden light.

"Quickly! Bring it here!"

When he excitedly opened Gao Hai's letter, hoping to find news such as "half a mountain of gold is about to be transported to Chang'an", he was filled with anticipation.

His expression, however, gradually became stiff and strange as the contents of the letter came into view.

aside.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were extremely curious, but as Li Shimin's trusted advisors, they could only watch from the sidelines if it was an urgent dispatch.

If a letter came from a palace official like Gao Hai, it would be disrespectful to them without the emperor's permission.

Li Shimin's expression was complex, with pride in his eyes.

However, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui clearly and keenly noticed the fleeting envy and jealousy in the emperor's eyes.

I vaguely heard words like "True Khan".

I couldn't hear it very clearly either.

Emperor Taizong suddenly became less happy. The news of the Crown Prince's victory over the Turks had only brought him a few minutes of joy before it was shattered by a letter from Gao Hai.

This instantly changed Emperor Taizong's expression.

Looking in the direction Li Shimin had left, Du Ruhui's gaze turned cold, and he clenched his fists.

"That filthy scoundrel Gao Hai! What exactly did he write in that letter? Is he trying to sow discord between His Majesty and His Highness?!"

Fang Xuanling also realized that something was wrong, and his expression changed instantly.

"No, we must inform His Highness about this matter, lest it lead to a great disaster!"

Ganlu Temple.

Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Er) tightly clutched the letter sent by Gao Hai in his hand.

A person locked himself inside the hall.

Looking at the letter's description of his own Crown Prince Chengqian's status in the hearts of the Turks.

The words, such as "The Turkic grasslands now only know the Tang Dynasty's Crown Prince, True Khan Li Chengqian, but not the Khan Ashina Dubi," made Li Shimin imagine his own son on the grasslands.

With a single call to arms, a million iron cavalry would rise up.

"Hiss... This brat has become a true Khan, so what have I become?"

"The Supreme Khan?"