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

"roar--!"

As news of Li Shimin's appointment as "Commander-in-Chief of Global Armed Forces" spread throughout the country, the Tang Dynasty, a state apparatus already in a state of frenzied expansion, completely entered a mode of insane military buildup.

Dengzhou Port, Quanzhou Port, and even Tianjin Port, which was only recently opened up.

The once tranquil coastline has now been transformed into a deafening steel jungle. Dozens of massive dry docks, constructed with high-grade cement, resemble bottomless pits that devour resources, ceaselessly consuming refined steel and massive timbers from all over the country.

Here, shipbuilding is no longer about old carpenters relying on experience to slowly and meticulously craft their work.

Li Chengqian crudely introduced the concept of assembly line operations into the shipbuilding industry of the Tang Dynasty.

"Besides, besides!"

Several massive steam engines powered huge water-powered forging hammers and steam saws. Huge logs were rapidly cut into standard ship planks, and red-hot steel plates were pressed into uniform armor modules under the forging hammers.

Hundreds of thousands of prisoners of war captured from Goguryeo and Fusang were like worker ants, mechanically and efficiently assembling equipment according to the blueprints provided by the Tang Dynasty overseers.

In less than half a year.

Hundreds of steam-powered treasure ships with astonishing displacements were pushed into the sea like dumplings being dropped into boiling water.

However, this was not what shocked the Tang Dynasty navy the most.

"Your Highness! The recipe you gave me is miraculous!"

That afternoon, Mo Ju, sporting dark circles under his eyes that rivaled those of an iron-eating beast, excitedly rushed into the East Palace's study. He held a palm-sized steel plate with a strange, eerie blue sheen in his hands, which were trembling.

"This 'special steel,' refined with special mineral powder, is not only three times harder than high-strength steel, but also has excellent toughness! Even if bombarded from ten paces away by the most powerful cannons, it can only leave a shallow crater!"

Li Chengqian sat up from the soft couch, took the steel plate, and tapped it, producing a crisp metallic sound.

This is the basic alloy steel recipe provided by the system. In this era when even wrought iron wasn't widely available, this stuff is practically magical defense.

"very good."

A satisfied glint flashed in Li Chengqian's eyes.

"Now that we have the materials, the transitional product like the Ming Dynasty's treasure ships, which are made of wood and iron, should be phased out of the main fleet."

"Old Mo, convey my order."

Li Chengqian walked to the desk and solemnly unfolded a brand-new, massive warship blueprint with a structure so complex it made one's scalp tingle.

"Use this special steel for the keel and lay the full steel armor. I want you to build the first true 'all-steel armored steamship' of the Tang Dynasty in the core dock of Quanzhou Port!"

"I've already decided on a name for this ship."

"Let's name it 'Dingyuan'!"

Mo Ju stared at the blueprint, his breath catching in his throat.

There were no sails, only steel. If this were built, it wouldn't be a ship, but a steel mountain that could move on the sea! This brutal aesthetic of dimensional destruction made the soul of this top Tang Dynasty craftsman tremble.

"Your Majesty, I obey! I will risk my life to get the Dingyuan launched as soon as possible!" Mo Ju, clutching the blueprints, ran off.

Meanwhile, the shipyard was bustling with activity.

The first "Royal Naval Academy" of the Tang Dynasty also ushered in its most exciting day.

On the parade ground, three thousand young cadets, dressed in brand-new dark blue naval uniforms, stood ramrod straight.

Among them were illegitimate sons of noble families, impoverished scholars who had failed the imperial examinations, and street urchins known for their bravery and daring. But at this moment, their eyes all burned with the same fervent flame.

Standing on the platform was their honorary principal—Li Shimin.

"Soldiers!"

Li Shimin wore his signature brown sunglasses and had the gold medal of Commander-in-Chief hanging on his chest. His voice was broadcast throughout the venue through a loudspeaker.

"In the academy, you learned about nautical star charts, the principles of steam engines, and the calculation of artillery trajectories."

"But what I'm about to teach you is the final lesson at the Naval Academy!"

Li Shimin suddenly drew his Tian Ce sword and pointed it straight at the sky.

"Wherever the Tang Dynasty's fleet goes, it becomes Tang Dynasty territory!"

"You're not going out to preach morality and righteousness to those barbarians. The truth of the Tang Dynasty lies only within the range of your naval cannons!"

"Remember this: when the people of the Tang Dynasty cross the ocean, they are the elite! Your muskets are the highest form of civilization you can bring them!"

"Go! Go and take back all the gold and silver hidden in the deep sea, and those unruly natives, and trample them under your feet!"

This speech was filled with blatant hegemonism and predatory thinking.

It instantly ignited the wolf-like nature within these passionate young people.

"Long live the Great Tang! Long live the Commander-in-Chief! Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Three thousand young faces were contorted with excitement. They seemed to see themselves standing on foreign soil, receiving the glory of the natives kneeling in worship.

Several months later.

The sea breeze was biting at Tianjin Port.

Zheng He, dressed in a brand-new naval admiral's uniform, stood on the forecastle of his flagship.

His gaze swept across the sea.

There, five hundred steam-powered treasure ships, belching black smoke, were lined up in a terrifying battle formation, completely blocking the horizon.

And at the very center of the fleet.

A colossal, all-steel warship, entirely black with a cold metallic sheen and not even a single sail—the Dingyuan—resembled a deep-sea demon surveying its territory, its engines roaring so loudly that the surrounding seawater trembled.

Zheng He took a deep breath of the sea breeze, which smelled of coal smoke.

This navigator, who once sailed the Western Ocean as a peace envoy throughout history, now only had a cold, indifferent look in his eyes.

He gripped the sword at his waist and muttered to himself.

"In the past, when sailors went out to sea, they relied on the heavens for their livelihood and prayed to Mazu for protection."

"But now..."

Zheng He raised his head, looking at the blood-red dragon flag fluttering in the black smoke, a proud smile curving his lips.

"Now, it's up to fate to decide whether our Great Tang Dynasty will be in control."

"All troops, listen up! Weigh anchor! Target—South Sea Star!"

"Ugh—!"

Five hundred earth-shattering whistles sounded simultaneously.

The mighty steel torrent of the Tang Dynasty, carrying an unstoppable, world-destroying power, crashed into the sea.

The era of global bloodsucking has officially begun.