Others follow advice and imitate celebrities, but you start by pretending to be a god?

Upon hearing this, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, was so angry that he trembled all over, yet he was helpless.

"Is there any way to stop this behavior that is taking place over my palace?" Li Shimin asked Yuan Tiangang. "Why has the fate of humanity not punished the disciple of the Grand Preceptor who is so humiliating to my Great Tang Dynasty?"

"Your Majesty..." Yuan Tiangang hesitated, unsure whether he should speak. But deep down, he knew Lü Dongbin's actions were entirely justified. It was true that the Tang Dynasty was blessed with good fortune, preventing ordinary immortals, gods, and demons from disturbing the palace. Yet Lü Dongbin, riding a dragon, had not disturbed the palace but remained far away in the heavens. This was by no means an act of disturbing the palace or disrupting human order!
Furthermore, Yuan Tiangang was not entirely unaware of this matter. He was well aware of Lin Nan's significant position within the Daoist community. As Lin Nan's highly regarded disciple, Lü Dongbin's actions in standing up for his master and for Daoism were, from any perspective, perfectly justified. In contrast, the actions of the Tang Dynasty, especially Emperor Li Shimin, were utterly unreasonable.

It is no exaggeration to say that they are "deceiving the world and stealing fame," it is absolutely true!

In this situation, Yuan Tiangang was naturally at a loss and had no words to say.

Seeing Yuan Tiangang's attitude, Emperor Taizong of Tang understood the situation and stopped pressing for answers, simply letting out a cold snort.

Then, he looked around the court and asked loudly, "My esteemed ministers, do you have any good strategies to stop Lü Dongbin's outrageous behavior?"

In the Tang Dynasty court, there were many talented and extraordinary individuals. Among them, the veteran minister Wei Zheng possessed exceptional abilities. He once dreamt of ascending to heaven and slaying a dragon, making him a rare mortal-to-celestial official. Even after his death, his soul could ascend to the heavenly court and obtain an official position.

At this moment, Wei Zheng stepped forward and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, I will report this to the Heavenly Court and impeach Lü Dongbin!"

"Good!" Li Shimin said hastily, as if grasping at a lifeline. "I will trouble Prime Minister Wei to use his methods to prevent this brat Lü Dongbin from running rampant in my Chang'an city!"

Among the ministers, several, including Fang Xuanling, frowned slightly, wanting to advise Li Shimin but unsure how to begin. They knew full well that the Tang emperor's actions were truly inappropriate.

In fact, it wouldn't have been impossible to communicate directly with Lü Dongbin. With sincere communication and a heartfelt apology, some issues could have been resolved. However, Emperor Taizong of Tang's first reaction was that Lü Dongbin's actions were an insult to the Tang Dynasty and to him, the emperor.

In fact, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, was a remarkably enlightened ruler, a truly wise monarch by today's standards. However, the circumstances were different now. His previous actions of renaming crops had already made him feel guilty, and deep down he knew he had done something wrong. At that time, he only felt remorse, but now, having been publicly exposed by Lü Dongbin, he was instantly enraged and ashamed.

When people are enraged, their decisions are often not rational. Li Shimin was like that at this moment; he didn't want to communicate with Lü Dongbin, he only wanted to shut Lü Dongbin up.

Under such circumstances, the ministers were truly unable to offer any advice.

Wei Zheng, who was standing nearby, found a stool, sat down slowly, tilted his head, and drifted off to sleep. Once in his dream, Wei Zheng immediately followed the celestial official imprint deep within his soul, wanting to ascend to heaven to request an audience with the Jade Emperor.

However, just as his soul left his body, he suddenly sensed something unexpected. Right above the palace, where Lü Dongbin was, came a powerful pressure targeting his soul.

In his astral state, Wei Zheng looked in the direction of Lü Dongbin. What he saw nearly made his soul dissipate. Lü Dongbin was radiating golden light, a light imbued with a profound majesty that Wei Zheng could hardly resist.

This light originated from a magical seal on Lü Dongbin's body. This seal represented authority! Wei Zheng was greatly alarmed.

His status was special. Although he was not a member of the Taoist sect, his incorruptible official conduct earned him the protection of humanity, and he held a certain position in the Heavenly Court, considered a celestial official. Even after his death, he could still ascend to Heaven to serve as an official. Compared to most mortals, this was already a remarkable achievement.

At this moment, his soul left his body, and within his soul was a radiant and protective "Immortal Official's Register," capable of repelling ghosts and spirits. This "Immortal Official's Register" also represented his identity. However, seeing Lü Dongbin radiating golden light and exuding a strong sense of celestial authority, he instinctively wanted to step forward and pay his respects.

Wei Zheng was no stranger to this situation. It meant that Lü Dongbin possessed the authority of a celestial official, and that his authority far surpassed Wei Zheng's. The saying "a higher-ranking official can crush a lower one" held true in the Heavenly Court, where such a superior position was treated as a rule and a divine law.

If he were a celestial official in the flesh, he might be able to defy such restrictions based on his own cultivation, just as Sun Wukong, after receiving an official position, was still able to defy the Heavenly Court and wreak havoc in the Heavenly Palace. But Wei Zheng is different. He has no cultivation of his own. His status as a celestial official and his strange abilities all come from that "celestial official's talisman." Under these circumstances, he is greatly restricted and finds it difficult to defy the restrictions.

"Just what kind of power does this Lü Dongbin possess? He must have some extraordinary connections in the Heavenly Court!" Wei Zheng was greatly alarmed. At the same time, he forcibly suppressed his instincts and barely managed to get rid of the urge to pay homage.

Then, Wei Zheng dared not linger and ascended directly to heaven. Upon arriving in the heavenly court, he presented his memorial, which stood out prominently on the table.

Under normal circumstances, although Wei Zheng was a special celestial official in the mortal realm, he did not have the power to directly submit memorials to the emperor. Although he was the prime minister in the mortal court, in heaven he could only do some work similar to an executioner, which shows that his status in the heavenly court was not high.

But the situation was different this time. Wei Zheng had come to report on behalf of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. Li Shimin was the Emperor of Tang, the Son of Heaven, and was blessed by the fortune of humanity. Although Wei Zheng, this celestial official, held a lowly position in Heaven, he served as a link between Heaven and Earth, and in this special period, he could send a memorial directly to Heaven.

Therefore, not long after, Wei Zheng was summoned by the Jade Emperor.

For Wei Zheng, this was his first time meeting the Jade Emperor. Previously, he had only occasionally dreamt of going to heaven, where he would be told by celestial messengers what to do, and then he would carry it out.

All told, the highest-ranking celestial official Wei Zheng had ever met was actually a celestial general guarding the South Heavenly Gate. Now, about to meet the Jade Emperor, Wei Zheng couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

Because of the urgency of the matter, Wei Zheng did not go through the "Celestial Master's Hall." This "Celestial Master's Hall" does not refer to the title of Celestial Master in the human world, but rather to a separate hall where etiquette is taught. To meet the Jade Emperor, one must be fully versed in etiquette; therefore, many new deities must be instructed in the Celestial Master's Hall before entering the Lingxiao Palace.

Wei Zheng was very nervous, worried that he might be impolite. But he soon realized he was overthinking it.

As soon as he entered the hall, he knelt down in worship. The Jade Emperor immediately inquired, "What exactly happened? Tell me the truth."

Upon hearing these words and feeling the majesty of the Jade Emperor, Wei Zheng had no other thoughts and told the whole story truthfully. He didn't even add a trace of his own bias when recounting these events.

On one hand, this was also something he had no choice in. As a celestial official residing in the Lingxiao Palace, he was naturally under the control and jurisdiction of the Jade Emperor.

"Lü Dongbin, the disciple of Daoist Lin Nan, only said he wanted to restore his master's reputation?" After hearing this, the Jade Emperor already knew the matter very clearly.

"He did not overstep any boundaries and did not harm anyone else."

"The only slightly excessive act was his divine manifestation in Chang'an, which alarmed the entire city's population."

"However, it is also justified." Even the Jade Emperor had to admit this.

Finally, he waved his hand and, without even asking the other celestial officials, said directly, "The Heavenly Court cannot interfere in this matter and will not meddle."

"This was merely Li Shimin's mistake." "Lü Dongbin's actions were entirely reasonable."

"Even if it's more serious, the Heavenly Court won't get involved, because there's a reason for it..."

Wei Zheng was completely dazed until he left the Lingxiao Palace and was led out of the South Heavenly Gate by the heavenly soldiers, at which point he vaguely came to his senses.

"This is..." Wei Zheng found it hard to accept, "Even the Heavenly Court can't do anything about Lü Dongbin's affairs?"

"In fact, the Jade Emperor even implied that even if Lü Dongbin went even further, the Heavenly Court would be powerless to stop him?"

Wei Zheng realized this and fell silent.

"It seems that His Majesty must resolve this himself." Thinking this, Wei Zheng left the Heavenly Court and soon returned to his body. In the palace, Wei Zheng seemed to have just fallen asleep, then awoke after only a few breaths. In reality, Wei Zheng had already traveled to the Heavenly Court; the time difference between these events was truly remarkable.

"Your Majesty!" Wei Zheng awoke from his deep sleep and, without a moment's delay, went straight to find Emperor Li Shimin of Tang.

When Li Shimin saw Wei Zheng arrive, his expression was full of urgency. He hurriedly asked, "Prime Minister Wei, have you submitted a memorial to the Heavenly Court? Has Lü Dongbin received the punishment he deserves?"

Wei Zheng shook his head slightly, not revealing all his experiences in Heaven, but simply said, "Human affairs should be resolved in the human world."

"Hmm?" Li Shimin looked surprised, his eyes full of doubt. "In the past, the Jing River Dragon King was only considered to have violated the Heavenly Laws and was to be taken to the Dragon-Slaying Platform for making a slight mistake in the matter of rain. But now, with Lü Dongbin's actions, why has the Heavenly Court made no statement?"

Faced with the Tang Emperor's question, Wei Zheng was also filled with helplessness and unable to provide an answer. In fact, deep down, he even harbored a slight resentment towards the Tang Emperor.

Lü Dongbin's actions can be summarized in one word—righteousness. Paying back debts and avenging murder are fundamental principles. However, these principles were directed at the Tang Dynasty and Li Shimin, which explains Li Shimin's deep resentment.

"Alas!" Wei Zheng sighed and advised, "Your Majesty, why not sincerely communicate with Lü Dongbin and apologize to him?"

Upon hearing Wei Zheng's words, Li Shimin's expression instantly became quite interesting, showing both anger and annoyance.

However, before Li Shimin could express his thoughts, Lü Dongbin, who was riding a dragon and standing in the sky, spoke again.

"Ordinary people think that deceiving the world and stealing fame is no big deal, but they don't know that all the divine objects of Chechi are able to reproduce generation after generation and produce a lot every year because of the protection of the divine power of the Taoist sect and the great power of the master. Now, the Tang Dynasty is deceiving the world and stealing fame, and these divine objects have reached their limit and can no longer continue."

"If the Tang Dynasty had not harbored the intention to deceive the world and steal fame, it would not have ended up in this situation today."

Lü Dongbin's voice once again resounded throughout the streets and alleys of Chang'an, causing an uproar throughout the city.

When all the officials in the court were at a loss, Emperor Taizong of Tang suddenly thought of Li Chunfeng. Li Chunfeng had once been an envoy to Chechi, and perhaps he could now strike up a conversation with Lü Dongbin, who came from Chechi.

However, Li Chunfeng had already left the Tang Dynasty. Left with no other choice, Li Shimin could only turn his attention to Li Chunfeng's successor.

He hurriedly sent people to find Li Chunfeng's successor, Chen Maosheng. However, no one else knew who Li Chunfeng's successor was. Only Yuan Tiangang, as Li Chunfeng's close friend, knew a little about it.

Yuan Tiangang did not refuse, but instead said, "Your Majesty, I may go and invite Li Chunfeng's disciples."

"Minister Yuan, go immediately." At this moment, Emperor Li Shimin of Tang could only place his hopes on this.

Yuan Tiangang accepted the order and immediately left the court to find Chen Maosheng.

At this moment, Lü Dongbin disappeared into the clouds above the palace, while throughout Chang'an, discussions rose and fell incessantly.

No one questioned Lü Dongbin's words, and the people discussed them extensively, gradually developing resentment. This resentment was understandable.

The people blamed their resentment on the imperial court and the Li Tang royal family. After all, it was the Li Tang who had deceived the world and usurped power, and it was also the Li Tang who had increased taxes and levies.

The Tang Dynasty is becoming increasingly prosperous year by year. But behind this prosperity lies a continuous increase in taxes.

Previously, with the promotion of a series of crops, the yield per mu could often reach thousands of jin, and many people's homes were piled up with grain, with nowhere to store it.

Seeing this situation, many ministers submitted memorials suggesting that taxes could be increased appropriately. Emperor Li Shimin of Tang agreed to all of them.

As a result, taxes gradually increased and became increasingly burdensome. The original taxes were increased time and time again, until now, if a farmer's land yields a thousand catties per mu, he has to hand over more than half of that amount.

Although farmers are indeed receiving more grain than before, such an outrageous tax rate is still alarming.

Besides ordinary farmers, some tenant farmers suffered even more severe exploitation. Under these circumstances, although most people were able to eat their fill, landlords and officials became increasingly wealthy, with their granaries overflowing.

In some cases, even the grain stored by landlords rotted due to prolonged storage.

It is true that people can have enough to eat under such taxes. But they also know that the prerequisite for having enough to eat is that the crops in the land are good enough and the yield per acre is high enough.

In the past, with such high taxes, countless people would still have to work year-round but still struggle to get enough to eat.

In the past, although taxes were heavy, at least people could eat their fill, so they didn't complain much. (End of Chapter)