Tang Dynasty: Consort Wu? Your Majesty, please address her as the Crown Prince's Consort.

Li Shimin narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of murderous intent flashing in them, and said:

"Because they threatened imperial power!"

Li Chengqian was stunned when he heard his old man's words.

Then, looking at his old man with some disbelief, he said:

"That's it? No other reason?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin couldn't help but sneer.

"Do you think we need any other reasons? The reasons you've given are just accusations on the surface, merely a cloak of justice to justify their trial."

Li Chengqian remained silent; he was reluctant to agree with Li Shimin's ideas.

Just as Li Chengqian couldn't help but frown, Li Shimin couldn't help but laugh.

"Hahaha! It seems you don't agree with my views!"

Li Chengqian nodded without hesitation.

"I certainly don't agree. Why did the Qin Dynasty only last two generations? Why was the Sui Dynasty replaced by the Tang Dynasty?"

This world has never belonged to one family, but to all the people. Power is a public instrument, and my Li family just happens to be holding power on behalf of the people.

If the people feel that my Li family is not good enough, then let's change the dynasty. After all, are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?

Upon hearing Li Chengqian's words, a hint of appreciation flashed in Li Shimin's eyes.

This kid seems to have some talent!

"Hahaha, well said. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. When those so-called noble families treat the common people like livestock, they are destined to perish sooner or later."

what?

Seeing Li Shimin stroking his beard and laughing heartily, Li Chengqian was momentarily confused.

One second they were saying it was because of a threat to imperial power, how come their tone has suddenly changed?

"Dad? You don't have a split personality, do you?"

"You bastard! What nonsense are you spouting?"

Li Shimin, who had been in a good mood, turned pale upon hearing his unfilial son's words.

Seeing his strange look, Li Shimin quickly coughed and explained:

"I am testing you. If you answer that imperial power is above all else, then you will have truly disappointed me. But it seems there is still hope for you!"

However, upon hearing his old man's words, Li Chengqian curled his lip in disdain.

This old rascal has dug a hole for himself again. If it were the original Li Chengqian, he probably would have gone along with what Li Shimin said in order to please him.

He's more cunning than a lotus root; no wonder Li Chengqian was forced to rebel in the original history!

A small pit every three days, a big pit every five days—how much mental stress must that be?!

Seeing Li Chengqian's speechless expression, Li Shimin simply ignored it and then continued speaking:

"But now is not the time to make a move against the powerful families. They have developed for thousands of years, control a lot of resources, and their power is already deeply rooted."

If we act rashly, Yang Guang is the best example!

At this point, Li Shimin couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian nodded in agreement.

Was Emperor Yang Guang truly a foolish ruler?

I'm afraid that's not entirely true!

He built the Grand Canal to connect the north and south, established the imperial examination system to break the monopoly of aristocratic families in officialdom, conquered the Tuyuhun, defeated the Turks, and expanded the territory.

These achievements don't seem like something a tyrannical ruler could have accomplished.

However, he was too hasty. For example, the matter of opening the imperial examination touched upon the core interests of aristocratic families.

In addition, his large-scale construction projects led to widespread public discontent, giving powerful clans the opportunity to incite riots.

This led to the numerous rebel kings at the end of the Sui Dynasty!

Li Shimin sighed and said with some helplessness:

"The affairs of powerful families cannot be rushed; we must proceed gradually!"

Seeing his old man's helpless expression, Li Chengqian had a sudden inspiration, and then a wicked smile appeared on his lips.

"Father! Actually, there is a way. I have an idea!"

Ok?

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin was slightly taken aback and looked at his rebellious son in disbelief.

"You have a plan too?"

Seeing the disbelief on his old man's face, Li Chengqian immediately became unhappy.

"What are you saying? What are you saying? Who do you think you are? They're just some mere aristocratic families. Dealing with them is a piece of cake!"

Seeing that Li Chengqian still looked confident, Li Shimin was also intrigued!

"Oh? Then tell me your plan!"

Li Chengqian no longer concealed anything, immediately snapped his fingers, raised his chin, and said:

"Simple, Father! Let's rebel!"

what?

Upon hearing Li Chengqian's words, Li Shimin was dumbfounded. He stared at his eldest son in disbelief and said:

"Rebel...rebel? Rebel against whom?"

You're a crown prince, and I'm an emperor. You're telling me to join you in a rebellion?

Is this reasonable? Is this correct?

Seeing his old man's constipated state, Li Chengqian chuckled and said:

"So what? Father, you are the emperor, but are you free?"

Will your policies be implemented smoothly?

The powerful clans oppress you at every turn, and your policies have to take their feelings into account. The ancestors of these powerful clans were nothing more than a bunch of lowly servants under Liu Bang.

Do you consider yourself inferior to Liu Bang? What gives these little bastards the right to act so arrogantly in front of you?

Li Chengqian's words were extremely persuasive, and Li Shimin felt his blood boil.

I am the emperor! An emperor whose wrath can cause the deaths of millions! What right do these damned aristocratic families have to oppress me?

Seeing Li Shimin's expression, Li Chengqian smiled slightly and continued:

"Father! Where there is oppression, there is resistance. These powerful families have treated you so badly, shouldn't we resist? Shouldn't we rebel?"

Ah this...

Looking at Li Chengqian's confident declaration, Li Shimin felt for a moment that his mind was a little blank!

"Wait a minute, although that's how it is, I feel like something's not quite right!"

"I'm already the emperor, why would I rebel?"

"Yes, it's a massacre! We'll start killing them based on the family genealogies of these powerful clans as soon as we rebel!"

Li Shimin: "No...no, I was talking about the purpose, not the massacre!"

Seeing his father's constipated expression, Li Chengqian couldn't help but chuckle.

"Father, are you scared?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin immediately became displeased.

"I'm afraid? Would I be afraid? Back in the day, I defeated 100,000 with only 3,000 men at Hulao Pass and captured two kings in one battle. Would I be afraid?"

But now that the world is unified, we can't do that. If war breaks out, the people will suffer again after just a few years of peace!

Then he couldn't help but roll his eyes at Li Chengqian and said:

"Alright, alright! Stop thinking about these unrealistic things. Matters concerning noble families can't be rushed. Stay here and help me review the memorials!"

As soon as Li Shimin said this, Li Chengqian turned and left, as if he had made up his mind.

This scene infuriated Li Shimin.

"You unfilial son! Come back here!! I ordered you to review the memorials, and you dare to leave?!"