The Great Tang: Li Shimin Is Stunned from the Start

Zhao Chen transmigrates to the Tang dynasty with a System, hoping to live a laid-back life. In his spare time, he'll tend the fields and go fishing. But one day, a middle-aged man calling himself Old Li suddenly shows up and says he wants to take Zhao Chen back to the palace to become crown prince. Zhao Chen says, “Being crown prince sounds boring. How about I provide the know-how and you provide the money, and we start by doing some metalwork at home?” Old Li waves his hand. “Metalwork sounds great. Good exercise, and I'll give you all the money you need.” Zhao Chen says, “How about we dig a canal and benefit the people?” Old Li says, “Fine, here's the money.” Zhao Chen says, “How about we build roads...” Old Li says, “Here's the money.” Zhao Chen says, “How about...” Old Li says, “Here's... What, the treasury's empty?” Seeing that the treasury he had carefully built up over ten years of frugality now had so little food that even a few rats had starved to death, Old Li angrily calls Zhao Chen a wastrel. But the very next day, Old Li sees envoys from all nations arriving at court, asking to pay their respects to the crown prince...