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

Smoke rose from the Imperial Garden, but this time it wasn't for burning flowers and plants; it was for filling the stomachs of the Tang emperor and his officials.

Xu Xiao somehow acquired a large iron pot, placed it on several Taihu stones, and the firewood underneath crackled and popped as it burned.

If an uninformed person saw that scene, they would think that the Tang Dynasty had gone bankrupt and the emperor was having a picnic with his officials in a park.

At this moment, Li Shimin abandoned all pretense of decorum, tucked his dragon robe into his waistband, and squatted down by the fire without any regard for his image. His eyes were fixed on the few clods of earth in the fire that were slowly turning black, and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

"Chengqian, it's been cooking for a quarter of an hour, isn't it done yet?"

Li Shimin swallowed hard, as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. "I can smell it! It smells delicious! It really smells delicious!"

"Father, you can't rush things, and you certainly can't eat roasted potatoes."

Li Chengqian held a wooden stick in his hand, slowly poking around in the ash heap. "This stuff has to be simmered over a low flame to bring out the starch... uh, the sweetness inside. That's what makes it truly exceptional."

As he spoke, his other hand was also busy.

Inside that large iron pot, Li Chengqian was demonstrating his "masterful cooking skills."

The potatoes that had just been dug up were washed, peeled, and cut into hair-thin strips by the Imperial Guards.

"Sizzle—!"

A spoonful of hot oil was poured in, and the dried chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns that had been prepared beforehand instantly burst into aroma. That domineering, pungent yet captivating fragrance swept through the entire Imperial Garden.

"Achoo! It smells so good! It's so pungent!"

Fang Xuanling sneezed as he craned his neck to look into the pot. "Your Highness, what kind of cooking method is this?"

"Hot and sour shredded potatoes, a perfect dish to eat with rice."

Li Chengqian flicked his wrist, sending the iron wok flying. The shredded potatoes traced a graceful arc in the air before landing steadily in the wok. The aroma of vinegar wafted through the air, a tangy and spicy fragrance filling the air.

"Out of the pot!"

With a shout, a plate of golden, glistening shredded potatoes was served (actually, it was just a large rock).

At the same time, the roasted potatoes in the fire were dug out.

The outer skin is charred black. With a gentle squeeze, it makes a crisp "crack" sound, revealing the golden, soft, and glutinous inner core. It's steaming hot, and the sweet aroma wafts straight into your nose.

"Never mind! I'll try it first!"

Li Shimin could no longer contain himself. Ignoring the heat, he grabbed a roasted potato and tossed it between his hands, blowing on it as he did so, before taking a big bite.

"Whoosh...whoosh...it's so hot!"

Although he was gasping for breath from the heat, he didn't stop chewing.

In that instant, the soft, glutinous texture melted in my mouth, with a faint aroma of caramel and a sweet aftertaste. Although there were no seasonings, it had the most original and pure grain aroma.

That's the ultimate satisfaction that carbohydrates bring.

"Ugh! Ugh ugh ugh!"

Li Shimin's eyes widened, and he gave a thumbs-up, his words muffled. "Delicious! More mealy than chestnuts, more delicious than sweet potatoes... no, more delicious than any grain I've ever eaten!"

"The key is, this stuff is really filling!"

After only two bites, Li Shimin felt a warm sensation in his stomach, and his hunger instantly dissipated.

"My dear subjects, don't just stand there! Have a taste! Everyone, have a taste!"

Li Shimin waved his hand, displaying a grand and heroic spirit of "universal celebration".

The ministers, who had been waiting anxiously, disregarded all etiquette and swarmed forward.

Fang Xuanling picked up a piece of hot and sour shredded potato with his chopsticks. The potato was crisp and refreshing, with a tangy and spicy flavor that whetted his appetite. He exclaimed in amazement, "This can actually be cooked? It's so crisp and tender, it's simply a perfect accompaniment to wine!"

Du Ruhui, his face covered in soot from eating a roasted potato, exclaimed, "Delicious! Really delicious! I feel like if I ate two of these, I wouldn't need to eat anything else all day!"

Cheng Yaojin was even more ferocious, not even peeling the potatoes, eating them one after another with savage abandon: "Your Highness! I, Cheng Yaojin, am convinced! These potatoes are my lifeline! From now on, anyone who dares to say potatoes are bad, I'll chop them up!"

Even Wang Gui, who had been looking for trouble, had to shut up after taking a bite.

Although I hate to admit it, this thing... is indeed a lifesaver.

Watching the group of Tang Dynasty high-ranking officials wolfing down their food, Li Chengqian sat on a rock, smiling like a little fox.

"How is it? Father, gentlemen, do you now believe this is an auspicious omen?"

Li Shimin let out a satisfied burp and wiped his mouth with contentment.

"I believe you! I believe you!"

"Chengqian, these potatoes must be promoted! Promote them immediately! I want all the people of the land to be able to eat this divine food!"

"Dai Zhou!"

Li Shimin shouted, "The Ministry of Revenue must immediately draft regulations to requisition seedlings from the Eastern Palace and distribute them to various regions..."

"Wait a minute."

Li Chengqian lazily interrupted Li Shimin's fervent enthusiasm.

"Father, have you forgotten something?"

He glanced sideways at the powerful officials, including Wang Gui, who were hiding behind the crowd with shifty eyes, and a cold smile crept onto his lips.

"Give such an important document to the Ministry of Revenue? Or to the local prefectures and counties?"

"Do you believe that these potato seeds could 'accidentally' mold, be cooked, or simply disappear without a trace before they even leave Chang'an City?"

Li Shimin was taken aback, and then his face darkened.

He wasn't stupid; he naturally understood what Li Chengqian meant.

The five prominent families and seven powerful clans control local government and grain transport. The arrival of potatoes will completely destroy their grain monopoly. They will absolutely not sit idly by and will even resort to any means to destroy this "auspicious omen".

"Then... what's your opinion?" Li Shimin asked in a deep voice.

"It's simple, just bypass them."

Li Chengqian dusted off his hands, stood up, and his youthful face revealed an air of domineering confidence.

"Your Majesty, I intend to establish a 'Great Tang Agricultural Promotion Station' in the Eastern Palace, which I will personally oversee."

"The Embroidered Uniform Guards are responsible for escorting the seeds, while the Great Snow Dragon Riders are responsible for guarding the fields."

"We don't go through government channels; we go directly to the countryside, distribute seeds to every villager, and teach them how to plant them step by step."

"Furthermore, a rule must be established: anyone who dares to damage the seedlings or obstruct their promotion will be punished for treason!"

In the end, Li Chengqian's voice, though not loud, carried a chilling murderous intent.

"I will let these potatoes grow like wildfire across every inch of the Tang Dynasty's land, and no one can stop them!"

These words silenced the entire room.

Fang Xuanling looked at the eight-year-old crown prince, and his heart was filled with turmoil.

This is not salted fish at all.

This is clearly a dormant dragon!

This move of "starting from scratch" directly eliminated all obstacles that hindered the aristocratic families in the bureaucratic system; it was a ruthless strategy to wipe out their lineage!

"Okay! We'll do it your way!"

Li Shimin patted Li Chengqian's shoulder heavily, his eyes filled with pride, "I give you this power! Anyone who dares to reach out, I will chop off their claws!"

Just then.

Wang Gui, who had been huddled in the corner, suddenly clutched his stomach and cried out in pain.

"Your Majesty... this old minister... this old minister suddenly suffers from unbearable abdominal pain, I fear it's from the potatoes I just ate... I'm not used to the local water and soil. Please allow this old minister to take his leave and go to find the imperial physician..."

Immediately afterwards, several other officials from prominent families also clutched their stomachs, their faces pale and covered in cold sweat, as if they had truly been poisoned.

Li Chengqian looked at this group of clumsy actors, but didn't expose them. He just waved his hand with a half-smile.

"Oh dear, Lord Wang is so frail? It seems he is not blessed enough to receive such auspicious omens."

"Alright, alright, go get treatment quickly. Don't leave it in the Imperial Garden and ruin this auspicious place."

"Thank you... Your Highness."

Wang Gui and the others felt as if they had been granted a pardon, and they scrambled out of the Imperial Garden faster than rabbits.

Watching their hasty departure, the smile in Li Chengqian's eyes gradually faded, turning into a coldness.

"Old Xu."

"This old servant is here."

"Have Qinglong keep an eye on things. Those old guys are definitely up to no good when they get back."

"Tell Shen Lian to sharpen the knife quickly; there might be work tonight."

……

Half an hour later.

Chang'an City, Yongxing Ward, Cui Family Mansion.

The room was dimly lit, and the atmosphere was extremely oppressive.

The leaders of the five surnames and seven clans in the capital gathered together, and everyone's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

Wang Gui was no longer as weak as he had been when he was feigning illness in the Imperial Garden. He slammed his hand on the table, shattering the teacup.

"Everyone! You've all seen that, haven't you?"

"That monster's potatoes yielded 4,000 jin per mu! 4,000 jin!"

"Once this stuff gets rolled out in Guanzhong, the millions of bushels of grain we've stockpiled will really only be good for feeding pigs!"

The patriarch of the Boling Cui clan had a gloomy face, and his fingers tapped lightly on the table, making an unsettling "tap-tap" sound.

"We can't let him promote it."

"Absolutely not."

"That's tearing us down from the roots, severing our souls!"

The head of the Lu family raised his head, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

"Since the Crown Prince wants to play, then we'll play along to the end."

"Isn't he trying to promote it? Seeds can be stolen by bandits on the road; they can be burned by heavenly fire when planted in the ground; even..."

He lowered his voice, his tone as sharp as a viper's hiss.

"We could have someone poison the potatoes, kill a few people, and then spread rumors that it's a monster, a curse from the prince!"

"When the time comes, public opinion will be in uproar. Let's see if Li Shimin will still dare to protect this auspicious omen!"

"agree."

I second that.

"Let's do it this way."

In the darkness, several pairs of greedy and sinister eyes exchanged glances and reached a vicious alliance aimed at the future of the Tang Dynasty.

"Let's do it tonight."

"Burn down the Crown Prince's seed bank, and let that salty prince keep dreaming!"