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

crazy.

The entire western market of Chang'an went completely mad.

In the cold, howling autumn, at this time of year, you wouldn't see a single stray dog ​​on the streets; they would all be huddled in their kennels, shivering.

But today, the queue outside the newly opened "Royal Textile Store" in the West Market was longer than the Great Wall, even turning three corners and blocking the way all the way to the entrance of the neighborhood.

"Stop pushing! If you keep pushing, my shoe will fall off!"

"Hurry up, you guys! Taking so long to buy clothes, are you even men?"

"Shopkeeper! Do you still have... those 'long johns'? Give me three pairs! I want the extra thick ones!"

The shop doors were wide open, and a wave of heat mixed with the unique fragrance of new clothes lured passersby like a hook.

Behind the counter, dozens of shop assistants were so busy they were practically running around, their abacus beads flying everywhere, but they still couldn't keep up with the large hands waving copper coins outside.

"It's here! New stock has arrived!"

With a shout, several burly men carried out large baskets filled with colorful clothes.

This is the wool sweater produced by Li Chengqian's "black technology" textile machine.

After degreasing, dyeing, and weaving, the originally smelly and coarse wool is transformed into something softer than clouds and warmer than a stove.

An old scholar, dressed in thin linen clothes and with a runny nose from the cold, shakily squeezed to the front and slapped the fifty coins he had painstakingly saved onto the counter.

"Give me...give me one of those turtlenecks."

The waiter quickly collected the money and tossed him a navy blue sweater.

The old scholar disregarded all decorum and immediately put it on.

The moment I put the clothes on, the tight, soft, and warm feeling was like being wrapped tightly in a cotton quilt that had been sun-dried all day.

Cold wind?

What is that?

The old scholar shuddered, his hunched back straightening instantly, and a flush appeared on his pale face.

"It's warm...it's so warm!"

He touched the soft fabric covering his body, and tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.

"In previous winters, I could only rely on my strong will to endure the cold, and my bones ached from the cold."

"This year...this year we can finally have a warm winter!"

"Your Highness...you're a living Buddha!"

This scene played out in every corner of Chang'an.

Wool sweaters are all the rage.

With unstoppable force, it quickly replaced those expensive and cumbersome fur coats, as well as those unhygienic reed-patterned jackets, becoming the newest "fashion item" in Chang'an.

This trend even reached the imperial palace.

Inside the Li Zheng Palace.

Empress Zhangsun was facing a huge full-length dressing mirror (a special product from Liulichang), looking at herself from left to right.

She was wearing a light purple cashmere cardigan, the fitted design of which perfectly accentuated her elegant figure, keeping her warm without making her look bulky.

"Erlang, what do you think of these clothes?"

Empress Zhangsun twirled around, her face displaying a girlish charm.

Li Shimin sat beside her, holding a hand warmer in his hands, his eyes wide with admiration as he looked at his wife's radiant appearance.

"Beautiful! So beautiful!"

"This material looks so soft, much better than my bearskin cloak."

"That's natural."

Empress Zhangsun stroked the cuff with delight, "This was specially sent by my godfather. He said it's called something like... 'Limited Edition.' There's only one of its kind in all of Chang'an."

"Now, if any of the concubines in the palace doesn't have a decent wool sweater, they'd be embarrassed to greet people when they go out."

Li Shimin was envious.

I'm totally jealous.

So everyone in the palace has it, except me?

"That unfilial son...didn't he send me even one thing?" Li Shimin asked, still unwilling to give up.

"Yes, I gave it to you."

Empress Zhangsun pointed to the tray beside her.

There was a bright red pair of... thermal underwear lying there.

"My godfather says that his father is getting old and his leg pain is a serious problem. These red long johns are the best for warding off evil and keeping warm, so he insists that you wear them underneath."

Li Shimin stared at the glaringly red trousers, his lips twitching wildly.

It's incredibly powerful and wards off evil spirits!

I am the emperor! Wearing red thermal underwear? And under my dragon robe?

If Wei Zheng saw this, wouldn't he accuse me of "improper conduct"?

"Hmph! I'm perfectly healthy! I don't need it!"

Li Shimin turned his head away arrogantly, but his eyes couldn't help but dart towards the pair of long johns.

It's really cold today.

Or... should I wear it secretly at night?

……

The Eastern Palace, Cheng'en Hall.

Li Chengqian was lying in a rocking chair, listening to Qinglong report on today's revenue.

"Your Highness, today our five branches in Chang'an sold a total of 30,000 wool sweaters, 5,000 wool blankets, and 10,000 cashmere scarves..."

"The total revenue was... 150,000 strings of cash."

"This doesn't even include the large orders placed from the Western Regions."

Li Chengqian yawned, showing no surprise at the number.

What's this called?

This is called a dimensional reduction attack.

Using industrialized products to disrupt the handicraft market is simply robbery.

"Alright, as long as you have enough money, that's fine."

Li Chengqian waved his hand, "Tell the textile workshops not to just focus on making money, but also send a batch to the soldiers at the border. The winters there are much colder than in Chang'an."

"Yes! Your Highness is merciful."

Qinglong bowed and accepted the order, then spoke with some hesitation.

"Your Highness, there is one more thing."

"explain."

"The last batch of 'spoils of war' that General Huo Qubing sent back from the grasslands has arrived."

"Besides cattle, sheep, and warhorses, there were also... several hundred princesses and noblewomen from various Turkic tribes."

"General Huo said that these people have special identities and he dared not deal with them without authorization, so he specially sent them to Your Highness... to enrich the harem."

"puff--"

Li Chengqian spat out all the grape wine he had just drunk.

To enrich the harem?

I'm only eight years old!

What's Old Huo thinking about all day long?

"Nonsense!"

Li Chengqian wiped his mouth. "I'm still a child! What do I need a harem for? Let them go work in the textile factory!"

"But……"

Qinglong looked troubled. "There's one of them here whose identity is rather special."

"Who?"

Ashina Yun.

Qinglong whispered, "Jieli Khan's niece, known as the 'Pearl of the Grasslands.' General Huo said that this woman has an extremely fierce temperament; she went on a three-day hunger strike on the road and almost died."

"Moreover... she specifically asked to see you."

"See me?"

Li Chengqian became interested.

Jieli's niece?

That unlucky guy whose uncle was killed by Huo Qubing with a single spear and whose hometown was ransacked?

"That's interesting."

Li Chengqian stood up, straightened his robes, and revealed his signature harmless smile.

"Let's go take a look."

"I'd like to see if this pearl of the grasslands can still shine in my Eastern Palace."

……

Side hall of the East Palace.

Hundreds of ragged, terrified Turkic women huddled together, like a flock of startled quails.

There was only one girl, standing all alone at the front.

She wore a bright red riding outfit, which was worn out and her face was covered in dust, but it still couldn't hide her breathtaking beauty.

With a high nose, deep-set eyes, and fair skin, his sapphire-like eyes held no fear, only two blazing flames.

That was hatred.

It is also about resilience.

"Squeak—"

The palace doors were pushed open.

Sunlight streamed in, and a tall, slender yet slightly youthful figure walked in against the light.

Ashina Yun suddenly looked up and stared intently at the boy.

it's him!

It's this lazy-looking, sleepy-looking Han Chinese child!

He sent people to destroy the royal court!

He turned the grasslands into pastures!

It was he who turned the proud Turks into slaves who only knew how to mine coal and shear sheep!

"You're the 'Pearl of the Grasslands'?"

Li Chengqian walked up to her, looked her up and down, and made a clicking sound.

"His looks... are just so-so."

"It's not as pretty as my Persian cat."

Ashina Yun trembled, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug deep into his flesh.

"Kill me if you want!"

She gritted her teeth and said in broken Mandarin, "A daughter of the grasslands is not afraid to die!"

"kill?"

Li Chengqian smiled, a particularly radiant smile.

He reached out and gently lifted Ashina Yun's chin, a gesture as frivolous as that of a playboy from Chang'an.

"Killing you would be pointless."

"If you die, you lose everything."

"I want you to live."

Li Chengqian moved closer to her face, and a devilish light gleamed in her clear eyes.

"I want you to see how your people become docile and obedient under the rule of the Tang Dynasty."

"I want you to see how that grassland, which once belonged to you, has become the back garden of my Great Tang Dynasty."

"Come."

Li Chengqian released his hand and pointed to the wine table next to him.

"I am thirsty."

"Pour the wine."