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

"Stop? Who said we were going to stop?"

Li Shimin had just recovered from the blissful feeling of being showered with money.

Upon hearing her son's words, her heart tightened immediately.

He looked in the direction Li Chengqian was pointing.

It was a blueprint he had never seen before, which had somehow ended up hanging on a huge wooden board in the dock's loading and unloading area.

"Chengqian, what kind of map is this? Why is it drawn so strangely?"

Li Shimin stepped forward, his brows furrowed as he stared at the world map.

Based on his geographical understanding at the time, the Tang Dynasty was the center of the world, with the Western Regions to the west, the wild and miasmatic lands to the south, the Turkic steppes to the north, and the boundless ocean to the east.

However, on the map in front of us, although the territory of the Tang Dynasty is vast, it only occupies a part of it.

Beyond that familiar territory lie vast expanses of unknown land, each with its own unique shape and vibrant colors.

"Father, this is called a world map."

Li Chengqian walked to the map, holding a white jade baton in his hand.

He casually drew circles in those areas that were still shrouded in mystery for the Tang Dynasty.

"You just thought that the silver dug up from Japan represents the pinnacle of wealth throughout history?"

Li Chengqian chuckled and shook his head.

"Father, your vision is still too narrow."

"The silver mines in Japan are at best just enough to provide a basic foundation for our Tang Dynasty's national treasury, serving as pocket money."

Upon hearing this, the ministers listening nearby all gasped in shock.

Even Dai Zhou couldn't help but swallow.

The piles of silver, as big as mountains, even cracked the docks of Tianjin, yet His Highness the Crown Prince called it "pocket money".

That's incredibly arrogant!

Li Chengqian ignored the shocked looks on everyone's faces.

He moved his baton to the lower left of the map and pointed to a continent marked "Africa".

"This is a land scorched by the extremely hot sun."

"But deep within this land lies more gold than stone, and even a superb gemstone that glows in the dark and is hard enough to scratch glass."

Li Shimin's breathing became rapid instantly.

More gold than stones? Gems that can glow?

He spent his life on the battlefield, conquering countless territories, but he had never heard of such a treasure land in the world!

Li Chengqian's baton never stopped.

He crossed the Atlantic Ocean and landed heavily on a new continent called "America".

"And here."

Li Chengqian's voice became deep and seductive.

"The indigenous people here are still in an extremely primitive tribal era, carrying wooden sticks and stones."

"But they possess a high-yield red crop. If we bring it back to the Tang Dynasty and plant it, the yield per acre will be terrifying, enough to increase the population of our Tang Dynasty tenfold within a hundred years!"

"Not only that, there are also mountains of silver veins there, with reserves more than a hundred times that of Japan!"

"And then there's that southern region, made up of countless islands, overflowing with precious spices. Just a boatload of those spices could be exchanged in Chang'an for enough silk and copper coins to last several lifetimes!"

silence.

A deathly silence.

Apart from the sound of waves crashing against the rocks and the muffled roar of the steam engine, there was no other sound at the entire dock.

Everyone, including Li Shimin.

They were all completely stunned by the magnificent, even absurd, blueprint for the Age of Exploration described by Li Chengqian.

Gold can be picked up as easily as stones?

A miraculous crop that could multiply the population tenfold?

A super silver mine a hundred times larger than Fusang's?

This is not some unknown territory; it is clearly a super treasure trove that God has prepared for the Tang Dynasty, which is still unlocked!

"Bang!"

Li Shimin slammed his fist into the wooden pillar beside him, making the map shake.

In his bloodshot eyes, a flame of war, a hundred times more intense than when he pacified the Turks and destroyed Goguryeo, ignited once again.

"Excellent! What a wonderful world map!"

Li Shimin strode over to Li Chengqian and grabbed his shoulder.

"Chengqian! Is what you're saying true?!"

"When have I ever lied to Father?"

Li Chengqian's lips curled up slightly as he looked at his father, who seemed to wish he could sprout wings and fly over right now.

"The Tang Dynasty's iron cavalry could sweep across the land."

"But the truly boundless wealth and future lie on the other side of this vast ocean."

"Now that we've already kicked the door open, wouldn't it be a waste not to take it?"

Li Shimin released his grip and laughed heartily, looking up at the sky.

His laughter exuded an absolute domineering aura, as if he were destined to sweep away all obstacles.

He originally thought that the world was at peace and that he, the Heavenly Khan, could only return to the Taiji Palace to live out his remaining years.

But now, his son has drawn him a new pie that is countless times bigger than the Tang Dynasty!

"The Heavenly Khan's journey has only just begun!"

Li Shimin suddenly turned around and looked at Zheng He, who was standing solemnly to the side.

"Chief Steward Zheng!"

"Your subject is here!"

Zheng He knelt on one knee, his voice as loud as a bell.

"I grant you the highest level of privilege!"

Li Shimin waved his hand.

"The Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue—all the resources of the Tang Dynasty are at your disposal!"

"I order you to build the largest shipyards for me in Tianjin, Dengzhou, and Quanzhou!"

"Not only should we build these treasure ships, but we should also build even larger, stronger, and more robust super-giant ships capable of withstanding these boundless storms!"

Li Chengqian nodded in satisfaction.

This old man, whenever it comes to expanding territory and accumulating wealth, his execution is off the charts.

"Father is wise."

Li Chengqian walked up to Zheng He and personally helped him up.

"In addition, I intend to establish the Great Tang Royal Naval Academy in the coastal prefectures."

"Recruit all the young people who know how to read stars, understand hydrology, and dare to take risks."

"The future battlefront of the Tang Dynasty will not be limited to horseback riding."

Li Chengqian turned his head and looked at the boundless blue sky.

In his eyes, it seemed as if countless steel behemoths spewing black smoke were being reflected, conquering the entire world.

"The Age of Exploration has officially begun."

"Our goal in the Great Tang Dynasty..."

Li Chengqian slightly raised his chin, his tone carrying an undeniable sense of destiny.

"It's the stars and the sea."