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

The prison van moved slowly along Zhuque Avenue.

This wasn't because Li Chengqian intentionally humiliated him, but because the transportation in Chang'an was now so advanced. The smooth cement roads made the prison cart move even more smoothly than the luxurious horse-drawn carriages of the past.

Lu Dongzan lay on the wooden fence, staring intently outside.

He saw the enormous factory billowing black smoke. Upon closer inspection, he realized it wasn't a simple workshop at all, but a steel monster composed of countless massive gears and linkages. With a deafening roar, countless weapons and farm implements poured out of the monster's belly like a flowing river.

He then saw the banks of the Wei River, where several enormous machines were spewing out white steam. These machines didn't require anyone to operate waterwheels; they could pump the surging river water to the farmland on higher ground, irrigating the endless cotton fields.

This is the true essence of the Tang Dynasty.

This is not a country that can be fought against by human power; it is an industrial behemoth that has been fully awakened!

"stop."

At the East Palace gate, the Imperial Guards opened the prison cart. Shen Lian expressionlessly gestured for them to proceed.

Lu Dongzan walked unsteadily into the East Palace Hall.

When he saw the eight-year-old prince lounging lazily on the soft couch, playing with a bunch of grapes from the Western Regions, this once powerful and influential Tibetan sage, whose knees buckled, prostrated himself on the smooth marble floor.

"Your Majesty, I, Lu Dongzan, pay my respects."

His voice was hoarse, carrying a sense of profound weariness and utter defeat.

Li Chengqian spat out a grape skin, slightly raised his eyelids, and glanced at the old man on the ground.

"Da Xiang has been carrying bricks in the logistics camp these past few months, how come he looks even more robust than before?"

"Your Highness, you flatter this humble subject." Lu Dongzan raised his head, tears streaming down his face, his voice trembling. "What this humble subject has seen and heard outside Chang'an these past few months has made me realize how arrogant and ignorant our Tubo Kingdom was before. To attempt to challenge the Tang Dynasty was simply like a mantis trying to stop a chariot!"

"If Heaven does not bestow a crown prince, the world will remain in perpetual darkness!"

Lu Dongzan kowtowed deeply. The slightly exaggerated flattery, when uttered by him at this moment, was a heartfelt sincerity.

Li Chengqian got goosebumps from the sudden, nauseating flattery. He sat up straight and waved his hand to interrupt the old man's continued rambling.

"Alright, stop flattering me. I'm not killing you because you're good at flattering, but because I think your brain is still somewhat useful."

Li Chengqian casually tossed a waist token onto the ground, where it made a crisp sound.

"The railways in the Western Regions and Tibet are under construction. Li Ke, that idiot, may be strong, but he's not very bright."

"I hereby bestow upon you the nominal title of 'Deputy Director of the Western Infrastructure Construction Office of the Great Tang Dynasty.' Go back to the plateau and help Li Ke coordinate those Tibetan laborers. If you do well, I will consider it a redemption; if you do poorly, you can go and fill the steam boiler with coal."

Lu Dongzan held the waist token, trembling with excitement. This wasn't exile; it was clearly a sign of being given an important position!

"Your Majesty, I swear to serve you to the death! I am willing to give my life for the infrastructure of the Tang Dynasty!"

After seeing off the grateful Lu Dongzan, Li Chengqian slumped back onto the soft couch, ready to take a nap.

"Chengqian! Quickly! Come with me to the Taiji Palace!"

Before Li Shimin even arrived, his booming voice had already penetrated the walls of the East Palace.

The Tang emperor rushed in, his face flushed, and even the hem of his dragon robe was a little disheveled.

"Father, what's wrong now? Has Goguryeo attacked?" Li Chengqian rubbed his temples and sat up helplessly.

"What nonsense! It's a joyous occasion! A truly joyous occasion!"

Li Shimin rubbed his hands excitedly, his eyes almost squinting as he smiled.

"With peace and prosperity throughout the land, I have decided to hold a grand and magnificent marriage ceremony for Chang Le!"

Princess Changle, Li Lizhi, was Li Shimin's most beloved eldest daughter and Li Chengqian's younger sister.

Historically, Princess Chang Le should have married Changsun Chong, the eldest son of Changsun Wuji, at this age. However, Li Chengqian's meddling delayed the marriage for more than half a year.

"Oh? That kid Changsun Chong?" Li Chengqian raised an eyebrow, the image of his cousin, who was fairly handsome but always had a bookish air about him, popping into his mind.

"Yes! Fuji (Changsun Wuji's courtesy name) cried in front of me all afternoon yesterday, saying that his silly son is almost lovesick for waiting for Chang Le."

Li Shimin paced excitedly in the room, beginning to plan how to hold a grand celebration.

"I intend to give all the finest gems from the Western Regions and the five thousand Ferghana horses from the national treasury to Princess Changle as her dowry! It must be more lavish than any princess's dowry in history!"

Hearing his father's extremely vulgar and nouveau riche-like arrangements, Li Chengqian couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Sending jewels? Sending horses? What era are we living in? Still using such outdated tricks?

Since it's my most beloved younger sister getting married, how can I give her something so unsophisticated?

"Father, those gold and silver jewels are too tacky. If we're going to be glamorous, we need to do something different."

Li Chengqian stood up, a very amused smile playing on his lips.

"Since my uncle is so eager for this marriage, then as his elder brother-in-law, I must naturally prepare a 'generous gift' that will be unforgettable for the Changsun family."

A few days later, at the Duke of Zhao's residence.

Changsun Wuji sat in the study, rubbing his hands together excitedly, his wrinkles beaming with joy.

"Chong'er, this marriage is finally settled. You will be the consort of the eldest princess of the Tang Dynasty, and the wealth and honor of our Changsun family are now completely secure."

Changsun Chong stood to the side, dressed in a festive bright red auspicious robe, rubbing his hands together excitedly.

"Father, rest assured! Your son will treat the princess well and will never fail the Emperor and Crown Prince's great kindness!"

Just as the father and son were immersed in great joy, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

The butler rushed in, sweating profusely, carrying a gold-embossed gift list.

"Master! Young Master! The dowry list has arrived from the Crown Prince's Palace!"

Changsun Wuji snatched the gift list and eagerly opened it.

However, when he saw the extremely simple yet extremely chilling line written on the gift list...

The eyes of the most powerful minister in the Tang Dynasty suddenly widened, and his breath caught in his throat.

"This...this...Has His Highness gone mad?!"