The Zhenguan Father-Son Game: Has the Crown Prince Been Slacking Off Today?

One day, Su Chen, a history graduate student, wakes up as Li Chengqian, Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty.

The good news: his father is Li Shimin, an emperor for the ages, and his mother is Empress Zhangsun, the very model of virtue. He's got a winning hand from the start.

The bad news: he's lame, and the history books say he rebelled, was demoted, and met a tragic end.

Somehow, the daily life of this “couldn't-care-less” crown prince sends the Zhenguan Golden Age to new heights.

When Turkic envoys provoke the court, he fires back with doggerel. When the Yellow River floods, he introduces a “section-by-section contract responsibility system.” And when court debates turn into a shouting match, he always comes up with a ridiculous idea that makes everyone fall silent. Wait, no, a brilliant idea.

Li Shimin goes from “You disobedient brat!” to “This kid's got something,” and eventually to “My son is just like me.”

Li Chengqian's greatest achievement isn't keeping his position as crown prince. It's turning the tragic father-son story of history into a warm and hilarious slice of everyday life in Chang'an.

This is a story about how a slacking crown prince uses modern knowledge to coast to victory in ancient times.

It's also a story about a proud, affectionate emperor dad and his mischievous monkey of a crown prince, who love to drive each other up the wall.

In Chang'an during the Zhenguan era, the most exalted father and son in the land live the most down-to-earth lives.