Chapter Ten: Serenity

3:45 a.m.

The darkness before dawn enveloped the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Copper bells hanging from the eaves tinkled crisply in the chilly spring wind.

Today was the grand court assembly.

As the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian wore the prescribed dark robe with crimson lining, exuding solemn dignity.

Beneath that black ceremonial garment, his back was straight and firm, like a sturdy pine!

He gripped an ivory tablet tightly, his fingertips turning white from the pressure.

After years of seclusion, suddenly having to stand tall in the court from today on, it was impossible not to feel nervous.

Li Chengqian silently recited the "Ten Proposals for Discussion" he had memorized all through the previous night to calm his mind.

He glanced at the ministers whispering in small groups, adjusted his attire, and confidently stepped forward into the hall.

"Your Majesty... The court convenes!" A sharp-voiced eunuch intoned as three whip cracks echoed.

"We pay homage to Your Majesty and respectfully wish you health!" The civil and military officials knelt in unison.

Emperor Taizong gently waved his hand, and a eunuch stepped forward to say, "May Your Majesty be blessed with good health!"

After the entire ceremony of the grand court, dawn had already brightened the eastern sky.

Finally finished, the premier minister, Changsun Wuji, prepared to step forward to present his memorial.

Yet, just below the imperial steps, the foremost figure—the Crown Prince Li Chengqian—suddenly clasped his ivory tablet and spoke aloud:

"Father, your son has a memorial to submit!"

The Crown Prince, usually as still as a statue in court, startled the assembled officials with his sudden voice.

Only Emperor Taizong, seated solemnly on the throne, showed no outward expression, though a faint gleam of joy flickered at the corner of his eye.

"Granted!" The emperor controlled his delight and spoke evenly, as if without emotion.

"Thank you, Father!" Li Chengqian bowed deeply and stepped out of formation.

"I petition to reopen the Hexi trade market, reducing the sixteen tax checkpoints on the Western trade routes by half."

"Additionally, establish a Western Region Maritime Trade Office to oversee commerce with the border tribes."

Then, Li Chengqian detailed the pros and cons of this proposal, following the terms meticulously discussed with Zhao Mu the previous day, focusing on implementation and the great benefits it would bring.

Having finished, the Crown Prince bowed and awaited the emperor's decision, but a commotion erupted in the court!

Changsun Wuji, who had intended to be first to present, also wore a look of shock.

Somehow, in his mind appeared the audacious and reckless figure of Zhao Mu, speaking confidently.

Wang Gui, the Crown Prince’s Right Assistant, was so surprised his ivory tablet nearly slipped from his hands.

Known for his uprightness, he was visibly shaken by the Crown Prince’s unprecedented words, his aged body trembling slightly.

With unsteady steps, Wang Gui approached Li Chengqian, saluted, and cautioned:

"Your Highness, please speak with care. Tariffs are the foundation of the state, the source of the court’s revenues! How can they be changed lightly?"

"Moreover, as Crown Prince, it is improper to meddle lightly in merchant affairs. This is a reversal of priorities, shaking the very roots of the nation. I earnestly ask Your Highness to withdraw this memorial!"

These critical words caused Emperor Taizong’s brows to rise sharply, clearly displeased.

"Minister Wang, that is mistaken!" Li Chengqian smiled faintly, turned to bow to his former teacher, yet his gaze remained firm and unwavering.

"In the Spring and Autumn period, the state of Qi was weak and bullied by others. Then Guan Zhong implemented a market tax at the brothel district, and Qi Huan became hegemony. This shows that commerce can indeed enrich and strengthen a nation. How can it be said to undermine the root of the state?"

"Absurd!" Xiao Yu, the Left Vice Minister of the Department of State Affairs, sneered, stepping forward: "Crown Prince, have you recently become reckless? Comparing yourself to Guan Zhong’s brothel tax policy?"

"Exactly!" A deputy minister from the Ministry of Revenue spoke up, "Your Highness may not realize that no matter the reforms and increased revenue from merchants, commerce is still a lowly profession and cannot be placed on equal footing with our great Tang’s agriculture and sericulture. I advise the Crown Prince to prioritize agriculture and speak not of the lowly trades!"

Such blunt words from a minor official whose name Li Chengqian did not even know made the Crown Prince’s eye twitch with anger!

Xiao Yu was untouchable; a few harsh words were tolerable. But this insignificant official — was he also beyond rebuke?

Li Chengqian frowned, fixed his gaze on the unknown official, and asked sternly:

"As a deputy minister of revenue, do you know how much tax revenue the West Market of Chang’an collected last year?"

Before the man could reply, Li Chengqian produced a thick bundle of yellow registers from his sleeve, raised them high, and continued:

"More than three million one hundred thousand strings of cash! For reference, the annual military expenditure supporting the troops along the Longyou frontier is only about one million strings!"

With that, he threw the bundle before the insolent deputy minister.

A sharp intake of breath echoed through the hall.

Whether it was the Crown Prince's startling action or the staggering amount of tax revenue from the West Market, the court echoed with gasps and astonished murmurs.

While Emperor Taizong watched this spectacle, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Your Majesty!" The Minister of Revenue, Tang Jian, suddenly stood and said, "Although the Crown Prince’s proposal would increase state revenue, as Minister of Revenue, I must say the tax system set during the Wude era should not be altered."

"I concur!" The Minister of Justice also voiced agreement.

"Your Majesty, you must know our great Tang is the celestial empire, blessed with abundant resources, envied by all under heaven, so that tributaries from all nations come to court!"

"Each year, there are over one hundred tributary delegations, with countless accompanying trade caravans. These foreigners make up nearly a tenth of Chang’an’s population!"

"This inevitably causes numerous foreign affairs disputes. Last month alone, the Ministry of Justice handled dozens of cases involving tribal merchant caravans."

"Not to mention, do you recall last year when the Tibetan caravan frightened horses in the West Market, causing clashes and casualties among our people? Your Majesty was enraged and executed that caravan, nearly leading to war between our two nations!"

"Thus, the Crown Prince’s proposal is extremely improper!" The Minister of Justice finished and returned to his place, clearly opposing it.

"Your Highness, you seem to know only the profit of commerce, not its dangers!" Wei Wang Li Tai, startled by the sudden change, lumbered forward into the hall.

"Know this: the Hexi garrison’s annual military expenses reach hundreds of thousands of strings, all funded by the taxes from the sixteen checkpoints along the Hexi trade route! Have you considered the consequences of hastily abolishing these tariffs?"

He spoke with a booming voice.

Li Chengqian merely sneered contemptuously, then turned back to Li Shimin and bowed, saying:

"Father, the very concerns Prince Wei raised are precisely what I intend to address with my second proposal today!"

"Oh?" Li Shimin did not expect an additional surprise and asked eagerly, "Crown Prince, please proceed!"

"Reform of the frontier military’s agricultural settlements!"

A thunderous uproar exploded through the court!