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

Quanzhou Port.

The morning sea fog gradually dissipated under the sunlight, and the snow-white giant ship waited quietly in its berth, reflecting a dazzling pearly light.

Outside the port, layers upon layers of foreign merchants and ordinary people from the Tang Dynasty craned their necks, and some even climbed the towering cranes, just to catch a glimpse of this divine object.

"My God...is this really not Poseidon's chariot?"

A Roman merchant dropped his pipe in astonishment as he stared at the smooth, white hull of the ship, his mouth agape enough to fit a salted duck egg.

In his limited understanding, a ship should be made of wood and have huge sails.

But this monster in front of us, apart from the numerous observation decks and transparent glass domes, doesn't have a single mast to be found on its deck.

The people of the Tang Dynasty were already used to it. Although their eyes were still full of pride, they were more concerned about the ship's displacement.

"I heard this is called internal combustion engine power. It doesn't need wind or oars. As soon as that black smoke comes out, it can travel faster than an arrow in the sea."

"What internal combustion engine? I think this is His Highness's magic touch, turning stone into gold. Look at the glass on the side, it's clearer than the finest porcelain in Chang'an."

Although the "Salted Fish" was not a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and didn't even have a single small-caliber cannon for self-defense, it was an undisputed miracle in this era.

Inside it lies a massive power system consisting of more than three thousand precision pistons.

That is the culmination of the highest level of industrial development in the Tang Dynasty.

For this ship, the Quanzhou Shipyard has burned countless tons of expensive aviation fuel precursors over the past six months.

Li Chengqian was leisurely climbing onto the deck using a specially made non-slip soft ladder.

Behind him followed Wu Meiniang, who looked on expectantly, and two long lines of Eastern Palace attendants.

"Your Highness, as you instructed, the entire culinary team is in place."

Xu Xiao leaned close to Li Chengqian's ear and reported while holding a list in his hand.

"Not only did we have imperial chefs who were skilled in braised pork and the Eight Great Bowls, but we also brought along those Japanese chefs who came up with the idea of ​​'raw fish with wasabi'."

"Where's the band?" Li Chengqian patted the cool steel handrail and asked casually.

"We've brought thirty of the finest pipa players and musicians, so your ears won't be bored while you're enjoying the sea breeze."

Li Chengqian nodded in satisfaction; this was what a vacation should be like.

But if he were to slip away with Wu Meiniang on this long journey, the old man would surely go mad and blow up the ship.

Therefore, out of filial piety, he prepared a "life-saving charm".

"Mother, slow down. The deck of this ship is very stable; you'll feel like you're walking on flat ground."

Li Chengqian adopted a gentle, courteous, frugal, and modest expression, and personally helped a graceful and elegant woman.

Empress Zhangsun was dressed in a light blue, elegant silk dress. The sickly look on her face had long since disappeared under the care of the secret medicine from the Eastern Palace. Her skin was fair and her eyes were gentle.

She looked at the spacious deck, which resembled a plaza, her eyes filled with wonder and joy.

"Chengqian, is this the 'world tour' you prepared for the Empress Dowager?"

Empress Zhangsun covered her mouth and chuckled, taking her son's hand, "You child, you've really gone to great lengths to get your mother out of the palace for some fresh air."

Li Chengqian said seriously without batting an eye, "Your Majesty has been in the palace for so many years, and the Tang Dynasty has changed so much. You must see it for yourself."

"The old man is busy approving official documents every day; he doesn't even have time to accompany you to Qujiang Pool to see the flowers."

"It just so happens that I am going overseas to investigate the people's conditions. I will take you to see the scenery at the ends of the earth, so that you won't get sick from being bored in the palace."

These words were spoken so flawlessly that they disguised "skipping work to have fun" as "taking care of one's mother and fulfilling filial duties."

Empress Zhangsun had no idea about her son's complicated thoughts. She only felt that although the crown prince was usually unruly, his filial piety was genuine.

"Alright, Mother will do as you say. I've never seen what the sea looks like before, so I'm determined to see it to my heart's content this time."

Li Chengqian finally breathed a sigh of relief as Empress Zhangsun, surrounded by her female attendants, entered the "Sea View Suite" on the top floor.

He turned back and raised an eyebrow at Xu Xiao, his eyes filled with the smug satisfaction of his wicked scheme succeeding.

"Old Xu, send an urgent telegram to Taiji Palace."

"I have already received the Empress Dowager. For the sake of the Empress Dowager's health, I plan to take her to the South Pacific for a six-month 'health retreat'."

"Don't worry, old man, I will take good care of Mother so she can be healthy and plump."

Xu Xiao's lips twitched. If this telegram were sent, His Majesty would probably overturn his desk on the spot.

"Your Highness, are you sure His Majesty won't chase after us in his warships?"

"Which ship is he driving? The best engines in the Tang Dynasty are right under my feet. He can't catch up with a damn thing."

Li Chengqian laughed loudly and turned to walk towards his private suite.

"Set sail! Destination: Hawaii!"

A loud whistle sounded again, and scalding steam gushed out from the exhaust vents.

Like a giant whale awakening, the "Salted Fish" gracefully turned its bow, drawing a white arc as it sped towards the deep blue sea.

At this time.

Chang'an City, Taiji Palace.

Li Shimin had just finished approving a daunting memorial concerning the "expansion of the Lingnan rubber plantation" and rubbed his slightly sore shoulders.

He is now full of energy and can handle government affairs quickly, but he can't keep up with the ever-expanding world and the increasing number of messes.

"Wang De, go to the Lizheng Hall. I want to have lunch with Guanyinbi."

As Li Shimin spoke, he quickly changed out of his ordinary clothes. "I just happened to get two baskets of the best lychees. Let her have a taste."

Wang De knelt down with a thud, sweat dripping down his face.

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty, the Empress...she's no longer in the palace."

Li Shimin paused, his brows furrowing. "Not at the Lizheng Hall? Did you go to Taiye Pond to admire the flowers? Or did you go to the Eastern Palace to see that rebellious son?"

"No, it's not that... Xu Xiao from the Eastern Palace just sent a telegram."

Wang De tremblingly handed over the slip of paper with the "salted fish" watermark printed on it.

"His Highness said that because the weather is getting colder and the Empress Dowager is unwell, he has escorted her to Quanzhou Port and boarded that newly built ship to... to go to sea to absorb innate spiritual energy for recuperation."

Li Shimin snatched the note, his eyes widening instantly.

Each word was like a spark, igniting the powder keg in his chest.

"Absorbing innate spiritual energy? For healing?"

Li Shimin was so angry that his beard stood on end. Due to his great strength, he crushed the note into dust in an instant.

"That unfilial son! He's kidnapping! He's embezzling!"

"He clearly wanted to go out and have fun, and fearing I would stop him, he even managed to steal my Empress away!"

Li Shimin roared deafeningly at the empty palace hall.

He looked at the unfinished document on the desk, then at his own handsome face in the mirror, now rejuvenated to that of a twenty-year-old.

He suddenly realized that the Tang Dynasty was not only vast in size.

He, the emperor, has not only become younger.

He has completely become a "veteran working man" who lives alone in an empty house!

"Wang De! Issue the order! Have Li Zhi, the Ninth Prince, recall his fleet! I want... I want..."

Li Shimin was halfway through his speech when he suddenly sat back down in his chair, feeling discouraged.

It's no use bringing it back; the telegram said that the ship can run at thirty knots.

His treasure fleet was so fast that it couldn't catch up even if it was eating dust.

"Li Chengqian...you unfilial son! It's bad enough that you betrayed me, but you even stole your own mother!"

"Your Majesty... will you still go to the Hall of State Affairs for lunch?"

"Eat my ass! I'm already full of anger! Get back to approving the memorials!"

On the sea.

The Saltfish cut through the waves, and Li Chengqian lay on the sofa on the deck, listening to the sound of the waves, and hummed a tune comfortably.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has replied with a telegram; it only contains three words."

"Which three words?"

"You unfilial son, get out!"