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

In the early morning at Taiji Palace, the air is filled with a breathtaking vitality.

What should have been the old emperor's soft groans of back pain were replaced by the deafening clanging of stone weights.

Li Shimin, shirtless, was sweating profusely on the training ground where he had trodden several deep pits.

He lifted the 500-pound stone lock with one hand as if it were a paper toy, and the strong wind generated by his swing made the surrounding imperial guards unable to open their eyes.

"Awesome! That's so awesome!"

Li Shimin let out a long roar and slammed the stone lock firmly into the ground, causing the ground to shake.

He took the towel Wang De handed him, casually wiped away his sweat, and his taut muscles reflected a bronze-like metallic luster in the sunlight.

Seeing an emperor who was even younger than the crown prince and whose energy was like that of a monster, the censors who had been clamoring for Li Chengqian to ascend the throne all fell silent.

Wei Zheng stood not far away, still holding the folding tablet he had originally intended to use to advise that "the Holy Spirit is weary and should abdicate the throne sooner," but now he was looking blankly at the center of the training ground.

"Old Fang, do you think... this throne can still be passed down?" Wei Zheng tugged at Fang Xuanling's sleeve, his tone full of existential doubt.

Fang Xuanling shook his head with a wry smile and replied in a low voice, "What are you spreading rumors about? Look at His Majesty's demeanor, does he look like he's about to retire? His pulse is pounding louder than a war drum. I think His Majesty can get rid of all of us old bones and still reign for another five hundred years."

The political climate in the court changed instantly.

The previous discussions about "the crown prince having been regent for too long and his position being illegitimate" vanished without a trace.

Everyone knew perfectly well: the Emperor was currently in his prime, and it would be truly awkward if the Crown Prince were to ascend the throne now.

Moreover, this emperor is not only not tired, but also has an excess of energy, making his speed in reviewing memorials outrageously fast.

Previously, border affairs that had been piling up for half a month were now being addressed by Li Shimin while he was eating braised pork, and he was writing them down in red ink.

With this bizarre boost to physical fitness, the administrative efficiency of the Tang Dynasty was raised to an unbelievable level.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Palace presented a completely different scene.

Li Chengqian was slumped under the shady grape trellis, holding a half-grown iron-eating beast in his arms, his toes idly hooking at the cradle beside him.

He held a blueprint in his hand, on which cylinders, pistons, and a rudimentary crankshaft were sketched out like gibberish.

"Xu Xiao, take this thing to Mo Ju."

Li Chengqian yawned, crumpled the blueprint into a ball, and tossed it over.

"Tell him to stop hanging around that steam engine all day. It's good, but it's too cumbersome. Let him try to use this internal combustion method to build me a small car that can run really fast."

Xu Xiao took the blueprints and looked at the incomprehensible symbols on them, feeling a bit of a headache.

"Your Highness, what kind of divine invention is this? His Majesty is busy approving memorials in front of the emperor, and you're here figuring out how to escape?"

Li Chengqian rolled his eyes and lazily changed his posture.

"I call this technological research and development, the primary productive force! The old man is still full of energy, so it's perfect for him to contribute his remaining strength. Isn't it good for me to be an invisible leader?"

He is indeed very pleased with himself now.

This drastic move not only completely thwarted Li Shimin's idea of ​​retirement but also bought him the legitimate time to retire.

Now the whole of Tang Dynasty knows that it's not that the Crown Prince refuses to ascend the throne, but that the Emperor is too healthy and doesn't give him the opportunity.

This kind of legitimate way of slacking off is the ultimate level of being a salted fish.

Although Li Shimin spent his days in the Taiji Palace reviewing memorials with grumbling and even occasionally waving a greeting in the direction of the Eastern Palace.

But he has to admit that his return to peak physical condition made him addicted to the thrill of being in control of everything.

He's like a gamer who just got a max-level account, wanting to plant a flag everywhere he looks.

The trade routes to the Western Regions have been cut off? I will personally lead troops to make a trip there!

The ports in Southeast Asia aren't big enough? I'll personally go and move bricks!

This strange balance made the Tang Dynasty the most terrifying monster on the planet.

Wu Meiniang walked over carrying a plate of exquisite pastries. Looking at Li Chengqian's smug face, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

"Your Highness, news just came from the Court of State Ceremonial that His Holiness the Pope has memorized the Thousand Character Classic and is crying and begging to see you, pleading for you to exempt him from the remaining three hundred volumes of scriptures."

Li Chengqian closed his eyes, inhaling the delicate fragrance emanating from Wu Meiniang, and spoke in a leisurely tone.

"I will not see him. Tell him that I will consider seeing him only after he can write a policy essay on the 'Scientific Outlook on Development' in Chinese."

"Also, go tell the old man that I've recently made some progress on the internal combustion engine and need him to allocate tax revenue from two states as research funding."

Wu Meiniang smiled, her beautiful eyes filled with admiration.

"Your Highness's move to cut off the enemy's supply line is truly brilliant. Not only does it make His Majesty work wholeheartedly, but it also makes him beg you for more new ideas."

Li Chengqian snorted smugly and casually patted the iron-eating beast's round belly.

"There's nothing I can do. I'm a good crown prince who respects the elderly and cares for the young. Since Father Emperor wants to revive his former glory, I, as his son, will of course give him my full support."

"However, Your Highness, His Majesty just sent a telegram saying that he wants to take advantage of his high energy to go north and wipe out the remaining nomadic remnants, and asked if you would like to join the army."

Li Chengqian suddenly opened his eyes, his face full of vigilance.

"Go with the army? No! Tell him I will stay in Chang'an to protect the technological flame of the Tang Dynasty!"

"If I'm gone, who will guide Mo Ju in developing the engine?"

Wu Zetian clutched her stomach and laughed so hard she almost fell over.

"Your Highness, why don't you just say you're worried about the sandstorms in the north?"

Li Chengqian snorted coldly and closed his eyes again.

"I'm doing this for the future of the Tang Dynasty, what do you know?"

at this time.

Inside the Taiji Palace.

Li Shimin was looking at a battle report from the north when he suddenly slammed his hand on the table.

"Issue my decree! I will personally undertake a northern tour! Have Bai Qi lead the way. I want to see who dares to stand in the way of the Tang Dynasty!"

Wang De, standing to the side, nervously handed over the telegram.

"Your Majesty... His Highness the Crown Prince said he is going into seclusion and will not be going."

Li Shimin's lips twitched, then he fiercely swung his fist towards the direction of the Eastern Palace.

"That unfilial son... I knew he wanted to slack off!"

"But so be it, with my current physique, I can easily sweep them all away by myself!"

"Tell the Crown Prince to prepare plenty of that chilled plum juice for me; I want to drink my fill when I get back!"

Xu Xiao stood on the wall of the East Palace, watching the messenger rushing about, and chuckled.

"The world is about to get lively again."

Li Chengqian, under the grape trellis, was already snoring softly.

"Your Highness, are you really not afraid that His Majesty will come back to settle accounts with you?" Wu Meiniang murmured softly.

Li Chengqian mumbled something indistinctly.

"Settle accounts? As long as I still have immortality... no, as long as I still have high technology, he'll have to obediently work for me."