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

The Wei River wharf outside Chang'an City is now completely surrounded by heavily guarded armored troops.

Several enormous treasure ships, entirely black with masts reaching into the clouds, lay silently on the water. The deep, dark cannons lined up on both sides of the ships exuded a chilling metallic aura.

This is the most advanced shipbuilding technology in the Tang Dynasty, and it is also the expedition vehicle specially prepared by Li Chengqian for his ninth brother.

Li Zhi, who was only a few years old, was struggling to straighten his back.

His specially made small-sized luminous armor shimmered dazzlingly in the sunlight, and his breastplate was so polished it reflected a person's image. Although the helmet was slightly too large and would occasionally slip down, obstructing his vision, Li Zhi still tried his best to maintain the dignity of the imperial family.

"Father, elder brother, you don't need to see me off."

Li Zhi's voice was childish, but he insisted on imitating Li Shimin by putting his hands behind his back, his little face full of seriousness.

Li Shimin looked at his son, who was not even as tall as the deck of the treasure ship, his eyes slightly reddened, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings.

He had lived most of his life, seen princesses marrying far away to the borderlands and generals dying on the battlefield, but he had never seen anyone send a child of only a few years old to a "wild and untamed land" tens of thousands of miles away.

"Chengqian, I still feel that this matter is a bit risky."

Li Shimin quietly tugged at Li Chengqian's sleeve and muttered in a low voice.

"That Europe? I've never even heard of it. You're giving Zhinu these ten thousand men? What if they don't have enough to eat or wear over there, or if they get bullied by those hairy barbarians? How am I supposed to explain this to his birth mother?"

Li Chengqian rolled his eyes, casually peeling a lychee that had just been transported from Lingnan.

He casually stuffed a piece of lychee into his mouth and mumbled, "Old man, you're just worrying unnecessarily. Are those ten thousand Shenji Battalion just for show? They're elite troops that I personally trained, equipped with the latest breech-loading rifles."

"And those few red-coated cannons, just set them up on the shore, and they'll bombard anyone who doesn't obey. Do you even know what a 'dimensional reduction attack' is?"

Li Chengqian walked up to Li Zhi, squatted down, and carefully straightened his crooked helmet.

"Child, have you remembered what your elder brother taught you?"

Li Zhi nodded vigorously, his little fists clenched tightly.

"Remember that! My brother said that truth only exists within the range of cannons. When we get there, there's no need to talk to them about benevolence and morality; that's for the people of our Great Tang. As for those barbarians with yellow hair, if they disagree, we'll send them to see Buddha... no, to see their God."

Li Chengqian patted Li Zhi's shoulder with satisfaction and casually took out a finely drawn nautical chart from his pocket.

The map clearly marks an island nation shaped like a broad bean.

"I'll name this place 'The British Isles' for you, brother. Although it's still a wasteland right now, and people might even be making fire by rubbing sticks together in the woods, you have to build it into a fortress for the Tang Dynasty in the west."

"Mining and farming are my priorities. Anyone who dares to blast anything, open fire. I'll set you a small goal: plant that flag embroidered with the character 'Tang' all over the continent of Europe."

Li Zhi was deeply moved, and his big eyes gleamed with a light that could be described as "ambition".

"Don't worry, brother, I'll definitely turn that place into the most obedient sheepfold in the Tang Dynasty! Once I conquer it, I'll send you the finest wine and dazzling diamonds every year!"

Li Shimin listened from the side, his lips twitching.

Goodness, one dares to teach, and the other actually dares to listen.

He, the mighty emperor of the Tang Dynasty, was actually listening to his two sons discussing how to plunder territory tens of thousands of miles away at the dock, and what's more, he even found himself somewhat tempted.

"This child is likely to be led astray by you in the future."

Li Shimin sighed, but still stepped forward and patted Li Zhi on the forehead.

"Zhi Nu, if things don't go well over there, hurry back by boat. The Tang Dynasty's territory is vast enough; it doesn't need those distant lands, understand?"

Li Zhi chuckled and gave Li Shimin an awkward military salute.

"Father, rest assured, I'm leading the Divine Machine Battalion. I'll be the one taking what others have; who can possibly make me unhappy?"

As the long, drawn-out horn sounded, the giant ship slowly set sail.

Li Zhi stood at the stern of the boat, waving his little hand frantically until his small figure completely disappeared at the horizon.

Li Chengqian stretched and was about to turn around and go back to the palace to continue his afternoon nap, which he hadn't finished yet.

As soon as he turned around, a huge figure suddenly crashed into him.

"Ouch, take it easy! Qingque, are you trying to kill me with all that fat?"

Li Chengqian steadied himself and looked at the Wei King Li Tai, who was as fat as a ball, with annoyance.

Li Tai's face was all smiles, and his eyes, squeezed into slits by his fat, were full of flattery and expectation.

He rubbed his chubby hands together and approached Li Chengqian like a little lapdog begging for food.

"Brother, look, even Ninth Brother has left. His place may sound far away, but at least it's an island. As for me... that fiefdom you mentioned before, called 'North America,' shouldn't we make arrangements for it too?"

Li Chengqian glanced at him sideways, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

"What, you want to be a local tyrant too?"

Li Tai nodded hurriedly and said in a low voice, "Of course! I heard from my elder brother that the place is full of gold, the soil is so fertile it's practically dripping with oil, and there's hardly any decent resistance. I was thinking of bringing some craftsmen and farmers there to do some research, and also to serve as a logistical base for you, elder brother. What do you think?"

Li Chengqian stroked his chin and circled around Li Tai twice, making Li Tai feel uneasy.

"North America... that place is indeed great. Not only does it have gold, but also all sorts of rare things you've never seen before. However, it's all primeval forests and Native American tribes now. With your size, you probably wouldn't be able to run there."

Li Tai patted his chest and assured him, "Brother, don't worry! As long as you provide me with a few thousand Imperial Guards and a few cannons, I can raze that place to the ground even in a sedan chair!"

Li Chengqian curled his lip. These younger brothers of his had all been turned into "expansion maniacs" by him.

In the past, everyone fought to the death for the throne, but now they're all focused on the overseas territories on the map.

"Alright, considering how diligently you've been helping me with my letters lately, I'll draw a line for you later. But let me make this clear: conditions in North America are much harsher than where Lao Jiu is."

Li Tai grinned broadly, agreeing repeatedly, "No, no, it's not hard! As long as I can get away from Father Emperor, I don't feel it's hard anywhere!"

As they were talking, Li Shimin, who had been silent the whole time, leaned closer with a dark expression.

"Li Qingque, what did you just say? Stay away from me? Do you think I'm getting in your way to make money, or that I'm hindering your becoming a local tyrant?"

Li Tai trembled with fear and quickly hid behind Li Chengqian.

"Father, I am doing this... this is to expand the territory of the Tang Dynasty! My elder brother said it's called the Tang Dynasty's 'vast ocean of stars'!"

Li Shimin snorted coldly, turned to look at Li Chengqian, and looked at him with a hint of resentment in his eyes.

"Chengqian, tell me honestly, are you planning to kick all these little brats out? Then, will it just be the two of us, all alone, in Chang'an?"

Li Chengqian laughed heartily and casually put his arm around Li Shimin's shoulder.

"Old man, what are you saying? This is called diversifying risk, don't you understand? Besides, they're all out there working hard. Won't the rare treasures they bring back every year just fill your treasury?"

Li Shimin thought for a moment, and his originally tense old face finally relaxed a little.

"That's true. But don't even think about slacking off, kid. Now that Zhi Nu is gone, you'll still have to step in as regent for me!"

Li Chengqian's face instantly fell, and he said with a bitter expression, "I've been regent for so long, it's time you got a little more diligent. How about this, you send Qingque away too, and exile me as well?"

Li Shimin glared at him, about to lash out, when Li Tai, oblivious to the opportune moment, stepped forward.

"Brother, are there any fruits in the Americas that you can eat without gaining weight?"