Deposed? I couldn't be happier! I wouldn't even be a dog to the crown prince.

The court assemblies in the Taiji Hall have become rather dull lately.

In the past, everyone went to court every day as if they were going to war, filled with anxiety and trepidation. They were either worried that the national treasury was empty and they wouldn't be able to pay salaries, or they were afraid that the Turks would break through the border again.

But now?

The national treasury is so full that Dai Zhou is laughing in his dreams; the border is guarded by killing gods like Bai Qi and Yue Fei, and it is said that the Turkic tribes dare not even graze their sheep more than a hundred miles from the border.

With internal and external troubles gone, the court assembly naturally turned into a large-scale "praise group" scene.

Today the Ministry of Works reports that the cement road has been built to Tongguan, and tomorrow the Ministry of Revenue reports that potato production has increased again.

Li Shimin sat on the dragon throne, listening to the chorus of praises and eulogies below, so comfortable that he almost fell asleep.

The only thing that bothered him was that his damned, unfilial son had skipped work again.

Since he announced his "retirement," Li Chengqian has never attended a morning court session. He sleeps until late morning every day, and spends his time either fishing or playing cards. He lives a more comfortable life than the emperor himself.

"His Majesty!"

Just as Li Shimin was pondering whether to find an excuse to go to the East Palace for a meal, a loud and energetic voice broke the harmony.

Wei Zheng stepped forward.

The entire court of officials instantly perked up, and even those who were drowsy opened their eyes wide.

coming!

The signature program is here!

Every time this old man steps forward, it's never a good thing. He's either criticizing this person or attacking that person. Judging from his posture today, he's probably going to impeach His Highness the Crown Prince again.

After all, the Crown Prince hadn't attended court for half a month, which, in Wei Zheng's eyes, was simply "outrageous and utterly hopeless."

Li Shimin's heart tightened, and he thought to himself, "This is bad."

Old Wei's attacks are indiscriminate; once he starts firing, even the emperor will be criticized for "failing to properly educate his son."

"Minister Wei, what is it you wish to report?" Li Shimin asked with a forced smile, already prepared to be scolded.

However, Wei Zheng's next words stunned everyone.

Wei Zheng, holding his official tablet, bowed deeply to the empty throne of the regent.

That face, usually as black as the bottom of a pot, now carried an indescribable sense of respect and emotion.

"Your Majesty, I am not here today to impeach you, but only to... express my admiration!"

"Awesome?" Li Shimin was stunned, thinking he had misheard.

"Indeed!"

Wei Zheng turned around, facing the assembled civil and military officials, his voice booming like a bell.

"Recently, I have often heard colleagues complain that His Highness the Crown Prince is indulging in pleasure and neglecting state affairs, thus failing to live up to His Majesty's trust."

"Yesterday, this old minister also held the same view. I even prepared a memorial of ten thousand words, requesting Your Majesty to severely punish the Crown Prince."

"But last night, this old minister tossed and turned, unable to sleep a wink, carefully reviewing every single event since the Crown Prince assumed regency, and only then...did it all become clear!"

A glint of wisdom flashed in Wei Zheng's eyes, as if he had discovered some secret of heaven.

"Please think about it, everyone."

Why does His Highness the Crown Prince want to promote potatoes?

"Is it for the sake of satisfying one's appetite? No! It is so that the people of the world will no longer suffer from famine!"

"Why does Your Highness want to refine fine salt?"

"Is it for some strange and ingenious skill? No! It's to break the monopoly of aristocratic families, empower the people, and make the Tang Dynasty strong!"

"Why does Your Highness want to print books?"

"Is it for the sake of being unconventional? Not at all! It's to enlighten the people, to give those from humble backgrounds a path, and to select true pillars of society for the future of the Tang Dynasty!"

Wei Zheng became more and more excited as he spoke, spittle flying everywhere, and his whole being radiated a kind of "I have seen through everything" glow.

"As for the Great Snow Dragon Riders, the Embroidered Uniform Guards, and the God of Slaughter Bai Qi!"

"Does Your Highness keep a private army in order to rebel? That's utterly absurd!"

"On the banks of the Wei River, without the mighty cavalry, His Majesty is in grave danger! Beneath the walls of Youzhou, without General Bai Qi, the Great Tang Dynasty is in peril!"

"Your Highness may seem to be pointing the sword at the aristocratic families, but in reality, you are severing the malignant tumor clinging to the Tang Dynasty! You have cleared the greatest obstacle for His Majesty and for this vast land!"

"this……"

The entire court was stunned.

After being "enlightened" by Wei Zheng, they suddenly felt that... it really made sense?

Every "outrageous thing" His Highness the Crown Prince does seems to ultimately bring immense benefits to the Tang Dynasty!

"Therefore, this old minister understands!"

Wei Zheng took a deep breath, his voice filled with deep emotion and a hint of shame.

"His Highness the Crown Prince may seem lazy and indifferent to state affairs, but in reality... he practices the Daoist principle of 'governing by non-action'!"

"He resolved all the major and difficult issues with ease and humor. He nipped all potential problems in the bud."

"Now that the world is at peace and prosperous, is it necessary for him to personally handle everything? No, it is not!"

The reason he's "lazy" and "sleeping" is because he's already finished all the work that needed to be done!

"What profound wisdom! What magnanimity!"

After Wei Zheng finished speaking, he bowed deeply again towards the direction of the Eastern Palace.

"This old minister was blind to Your Highness's greatness and wronged you."

"His Highness the Crown Prince cherishes the well-being of all people; he envisions the eternal prosperity of the Tang Dynasty!"

"Having such a crown prince is a blessing for the nation and a boon for all the people!"

"This old minister...is completely convinced!"

Dead silence.

Inside the Taiji Hall, a deathly silence once again descended.

Quiet.

Everyone was stunned by Wei Zheng's shocking "whitewashing" remarks.

Is it possible to explain it like this?

To describe "laziness" as "governing by doing nothing," and "absenteeism" as "great wisdom appearing as foolishness"?

This old man Wei truly lives up to his reputation as the number one troll in the Tang Dynasty; his logic is simply unbeatable!

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui exchanged a glance, both seeing deep shock in each other's eyes.

They consider themselves strategists, but compared to the Crown Prince's level, they're practically in the basement!

Li Shimin sat on the dragon throne, his mouth slightly open, his expression blank.

He was also misled by Wei Zheng's words.

Yup!

That seems to make sense!

Although this unfilial son seems unreliable, every single thing he has done has benefited the country and its people.

So... so he wasn't lazy, he was on the fifth floor?

Was I wrong to blame him?

In an instant, the slight resentment in Li Shimin's heart caused by his son stealing the limelight vanished.

Instead, there was an unprecedented sense of pride and...inflation.

"Cough cough."

Li Shimin cleared his throat, slowly stood up, and revealed a profound and inscrutable smile.

"What Minister Wei said is exactly what I wanted to say."

He walked to the center of the hall with his hands behind his back, exuding an air of "I have seen through everything."

"In truth, how could I, as Chengqian's father, not know what he's thinking?"

"The reason he did this was all because I... tacitly approved it."

Li Shimin began to pat himself on the back.

"I intend to use this method to temper his character and test his abilities."

"Facts have proven that my judgment was correct!"

He felt incredibly pleased as he looked at the enlightened and then admiring expressions on the faces of the court officials.

What does it mean that my son is so amazing?

This shows that he, as a father, has good genes, good upbringing, and even better judgment!

Ultimately, it all comes down to me being the best!

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The courtiers knelt down again, this time completely convinced.

Looking at the peaceful and prosperous court and listening to the overwhelming flattery, Li Shimin felt that he had reached the pinnacle of his life.

"It seems that under my rule, the Tang Dynasty poses no further challenges."

He touched his chin, a glint of something else flashing in his eyes.

"It's time...to do something exciting."

"Like... a war or something?"