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

This logic is absolutely perfect.

Li Chengqian played with the small purple-gold gourd in his hand, his lips curling into an uncontrollable, wild smile.

As long as Dad drinks this stuff, not only will he not have to worry about quitting, but he will also stay in peak condition, dealing with the mountain of memorials every day like he's on steroids.

And what about yourself?

Then he could legitimately continue to be an invincible salted fish in the Eastern Palace, protected by his father's wings, counting money until his hands cramped!

Anyone who dares to mention abdication again...

Without them even having to say a word, all the officials looked at the emperor, who was so vigorous and powerful that he could kill a tiger with a single punch, and who dared to utter a single word?

"This isn't medicine; it's clearly a 'get-out-of-jail-free card' and a 'lifetime paid leave certificate' bestowed upon me by God!"

Li Chengqian happily tucked the purple-gold gourd into his pocket.

He pushed aside the dragon-slaying stone in the secret chamber and stepped out of the room.

The early autumn sun shone warmly on my face.

Li Chengqian stretched out a big yawn, feeling that the air in the Tang Dynasty was exceptionally sweet today.

Instead of taking the palanquin, he hummed an unknown tune and strolled towards the Imperial Study in the Taiji Palace with an air of nonchalance.

Inside the Imperial Study at this time.

Li Shimin sat before his large imperial desk, his brows furrowed in worry.

The desk was piled high with urgent documents sent back from all over the world by carrier pigeon or telegram.

"Those brats, once they're let loose, they're like wild dogs running free!"

Li Shimin rubbed his temples in frustration and slammed a memorial onto the table.

"The third prince is seizing territory in Dongshengzhou (the Americas), saying that although the local people there are weak, the area is too big and there are not enough troops. He asks me for guns and cannons every day."

"The fourth brother was freezing in Beiting and kept cursing, saying that the coal mines in Siberia were too deep and he insisted that the Ministry of Works allocate him ten of the latest steam pumps."

"The most outrageous one is that kid, Li Zhi, the ninth brother!"

Li Shimin pointed to a telegram translation that reeked of the strong smell of the sea, and glared angrily, blowing his beard and staring.

"He's only been in Europe for a few days, and he's already led 10,000 elite soldiers to bombard the capital of that Frankish Kingdom! Now he's sitting in their cathedral, forcing that Pope to crown him emperor!"

The old eunuch stood to the side, forcing a smile, barely daring to breathe.

The Tang Dynasty has expanded its operations far too much.

Although countless treasures of gold and silver flowed into Chang'an every day, these trivial yet enormous military and political affairs also made the originally energetic Khan feel a little tired.

"Sigh, the world is so big, and there are so many worries."

Li Shimin picked up his teacup to moisten his throat, a hint of weariness flashing in his eyes.

"These past few days I've been feeling a bit sore in my back and waist, and my mind isn't as sharp as it used to be when dealing with these memorials. Time really does catch up with us."

He was reflecting on this.

The door to the Imperial Study was suddenly pushed open.

"Father, why do you say that? In my eyes, you are forever a god of war!"

Li Chengqian walked in with a smile, holding the small purple-gold gourd in his hand with great seriousness.

"Chengqian has arrived."

When Li Shimin saw his son, his tired face immediately changed to a defensive expression as if facing a formidable enemy.

This kid never does anything without a reason. Today he actually came to the Imperial Study on his own initiative, and with such a... creepy smile?

"What mischief are you plotting now, you brat? Are you trying to find another excuse to slack off and dump these memorials on me for approval?"

"Father, your words are too hurtful to my heart."

Li Chengqian feigned deep sorrow, walked to the imperial desk, and mysteriously placed the purple-gold gourd on the table.

"Your subject has come to present you with this treasure because you are so busy with state affairs and have devoted yourself to the Tang Dynasty."

"baby?"

Li Shimin looked at the exquisite gourd with suspicion.

"From which foreign land did this rare item come to be stolen?"

"Such fine things are nowhere to be found in foreign lands."

Li Chengqian lowered his voice, glanced around, and leaned close to Li Shimin's ear, his tone carrying a strong sense of "metaphysics".

"Father, do you remember what happened a while ago, when Old Yuan (Yuan Tiangang) was struck by lightning?"

Li Shimin nodded.

Not only did he remember that incident, but the entire city of Chang'an knew that the Imperial Advisor had flown a kite outside the city to attract lightning, almost roasting himself alive.

"Although Lao Yuan was struck by lightning that time, he also benefited from the misfortune and gained a glimpse of the truth of the creation of heaven and earth."

Li Chengqian began to spout nonsense with a straight face.

"He combined the extraction techniques of the Mohist school with countless rare medicinal herbs, and finally, under the tempering of thunder and fire, he refined this batch of 'Super Strengthening and Foundation-Nourishing Liquid'."

"There's only a tiny sip of this in the whole world. Old Yuan himself couldn't bear to drink it, so he had his son deliver it to you overnight."

Li Chengqian uncorked the purple-gold gourd.

A faint, exotic fragrance, seemingly capable of penetrating directly into the soul, instantly wafted from the gourd's mouth, filling the entire imperial study.

Just by taking a whiff of the fragrance, Li Shimin felt that the fatigue he had accumulated over the past two days from reviewing memorials had instantly vanished!

Even the few hidden wounds left from his early years of fighting no longer cause him any pain.

"This...this is truly a divine medicine concocted by the Imperial Advisor?!"

Li Shimin's eyes suddenly lit up with an alarming light.

As emperors, they naturally possess an irresistible fervor for elixirs that can strengthen the body and even prolong life.

What's more, the fragrance and effects are a hundred times more miraculous than any tribute medicine he has ever taken!

"How dare I deceive Father?"

Li Chengqian presented the gourd to Li Shimin with both hands, his eyes filled with the sincerity of "filial piety and parental love".

"Old Yuan said that this medicine is extremely potent. If an ordinary person drinks it, they may be in danger of exploding. Only those who possess the aura of a true dragon emperor can suppress its power and transform it into endless vitality."

"Father, please take it while it's hot... no, before the effects wear off."

"The Tang Dynasty still needs you, the vigorous and powerful Heavenly Khan, to maintain order for several more centuries!"

Li Shimin was thrilled to hear this.

The aura of a true dragon! Suppressing the medicinal power!

These words hit his most proud and satisfying spot as an emperor perfectly.

He had no doubts.

After all, it was personally delivered by the Crown Prince, whom he trusted most, and the unique fragrance that made one's pores open was absolutely genuine.

"Good! Good! The Imperial Advisor is very thoughtful, Chengqian, you are thoughtful too!"

Li Shimin nodded repeatedly in excitement.

He grabbed the purple-gold gourd and, without any hesitation, tilted his head back and drank the pale purple, viscous liquid inside in one gulp.

The medicine went down the throat.

It wasn't as spicy or bitter as I had imagined.

Instead, it felt like a warm, refreshing spring, quickly sliding down the esophagus into the stomach.

Followed by.

A massive, terrifying life force, seemingly capable of destroying the world, exploded wildly throughout Li Shimin's body like a nuclear explosion!

"boom--!"

Li Shimin's eyes widened suddenly.

He felt as if every cell in his body was giving a greedy cheer at that moment.

The meridians, bones, and muscles that were originally aging due to the passage of time are being reshaped and strengthened at a terrifying speed visible to the naked eye!

"Crack! Crack!"

A series of cracking sounds emanated from Li Shimin's body.

His back, which had been slightly hunched from years of governing, straightened instantly!

What frightened the old eunuch even more was that he fell to the ground with a thud.

The few strands of white hair at Li Shimin's temples that were barely noticeable suddenly faded in a few breaths, turning into a deep, dark black like ink!

Not only that.

As the medicine fully takes effect.

The loose-fitting casual robe worn by Li Shimin moved and fluttered even without wind.

That's because his muscles, which were already somewhat loose, were now bulging and bursting as if inflated!

Even through his clothes, you could feel the terrifying muscle lines that exuded explosive power, like those of a young man in his prime at twenty!

"call--!"

Li Shimin exhaled a breath of stale air.

That breath, almost tangible, swirled in mid-air, causing a stack of memorials on the emperor's desk to flutter wildly.

He clenched his fist.

Feeling the seemingly inexhaustible primordial power within his body.

Li Shimin raised his head, and his once deep dragon eyes now shot out two dazzling beams of light that were impossible to look directly at.