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

"What did you say?!"

Li Shimin, who had just caught his breath, almost died on the spot.

He pointed to the other small mountains of land deeds, house deeds, and shop contracts, his eyes practically bulging out of their sockets. "You want those...you want those too?"

"Father, you're mistaken about that."

Li Chengqian shook his finger, his face saying, "You're too naive."

"What do you mean 'also' want? Those were originally my spoils of war."

"We split cash and jewelry 40/60 because I understand your empty treasury and want to support your infrastructure development. But what about real estate..."

Li Chengqian chuckled, revealing a set of small white teeth. "These things are just a pile of dead objects in the national treasury, and we have to spend money to maintain them every year. But in my hands, it's a different story."

"Oh? What's different?" Li Shimin narrowed his eyes, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

"Of course they're different."

Li Chengqian walked up to the pile of contracts, picked one up casually, and blew off the dust.

"Your subject intends to use this money to establish two institutions."

"One is called the 'Royal Academy of the Tang Dynasty.' It specializes in recruiting skilled craftsmen from all over the country to study the science of investigating things and acquiring knowledge. Improving the curved plow, water-powered spinning machines, and even... building an iron bird that can fly in the sky is not impossible."

"The other one is called the 'Great Tang Royal Academy.' It recruits students from all over the country, regardless of background or social status. As long as you have talent, you'll be provided with food, lodging, and even a stipend. We want to cultivate our own scholars and firmly reclaim the power of the pen that has been monopolized by aristocratic families for hundreds of years!"

These words were spoken with great conviction.

Li Shimin was deeply shocked upon hearing this.

Academy of Sciences? Confucian Academy?

Just how many shocking things are still in this rebellious son's mind?

If it really can be as he says, with one developing technology and the other cultivating talent...

The future of the Tang Dynasty was more than just a golden age; it was practically about to break free from Earth and venture into the universe!

Li Shimin was tempted.

But he was still unwilling to give up.

"The idea is good."

Li Shimin coughed, attempting a final attempt to persuade the court, "But these farmlands and shops should rightfully be nationalized and allocated by the imperial court..."

"Father, you are the emperor, and I am the crown prince."

Li Chengqian interrupted him, the smile on his face gradually fading, replaced by...

What he possessed was an air of authority that seemed out of place for his age.

"I did these things for the Tang Dynasty, and for you. If you don't trust me, then you can take all of these things."

He shoved the land deed in his hand into Li Shimin's arms.

"The Academy of Sciences will be discontinued, and the academies will not be built. Whether the Tang Dynasty prospers or declines, becomes rich or powerful, is up to you."

"Your subject... is going back to the Eastern Palace to sleep."

After saying that, he turned and left without looking back.

Li Shimin looked at the heavy land deed in his arms, and then at his son's resolute back, and his heart suddenly panicked.

He knew that his unfilial son was truly angry.

If he really quits, who will conjure potatoes for me? Who will conjure fine salt? Who will conjure the Great Snow Dragon Rider?

Are we going to rely on Dai Zhou, that stingy old man who only knows how to complain about being poor?

"stop!"

Li Shimin gritted his teeth and stamped his foot, finally making a decision that went against his ancestors' wishes.

"I...I grant permission!"

He watched Li Chengqian's retreating figure, his heart aching as if a piece of his flesh had been cut away, trembling with pain. "Those properties... they all belong to your Eastern Palace! I don't want them anymore!"

Li Chengqian paused, slowly turned around, and his smug smile returned to his face.

"Father is wise!"

"However, words are not enough; you need to put it in writing."

Li Shimin: "..."

He felt like he was about to have a heart attack.

……

Half an hour later.

The dramatic division of spoils finally came to an end after Li Shimin tearfully signed the treaty ceding territory and paying reparations.

The final result was: the national treasury received 40% of the cash and jewelry, and the Crown Prince's Palace received 60%; all real estate, including farmland and shops, was transferred to the Crown Prince's Palace and a "Crown Prince's Property Fund" was established, which was under the full control of Li Chengqian.

Although he had suffered a significant loss, Li Shimin's mood improved considerably when he saw the national treasury overflowing with funds, so much so that the doors could barely be closed.

At least, I won't have to worry about money anymore.

At least, I won't have to put up with those powerful families anymore.

"Chengqian."

Li Shimin patted his son on the shoulder, a genuine smile on his face, "This time, it's all thanks to you."

"If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I'd still be arguing with Dai Zhou over such a paltry sum."

"Father, you're too kind."

Li Chengqian yawned. "Who told you to be my father? If I don't help you, who will?"

The father and son stood amidst the golden mountains and silver sea, watching the rising sun and enjoying this rare moment of warmth.

All the crises seemed to have been resolved.

The Turks outside were terrified and dared not invade again in the short term.

The powerful families within the region were completely eradicated and could no longer stir up any trouble.

The national treasury is full, and the people have enough food.

It seems that the Tang Dynasty is truly about to usher in an unprecedented golden age.

Seeing all this, Li Chengqian finally felt a huge weight lifted from his heart.

He came into this world to engage in economics, military affairs, and internal strife. What was his purpose?

Isn't it all just so that he can live a peaceful and comfortable life as a salted fish prince, enjoying this decadent and decadent feudal lifestyle?

It now appears that the goal has been largely achieved.

All that's left is to completely subdue those restless Turks to the north, and then we can rest easy and live a carefree life.

"father-

"Your Majesty, since there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Li Chengqian stretched out a big yawn, his joints cracking and popping.

"I didn't sleep at all last night, I'm so tired."

He waved his hand and turned to walk towards the East Palace.

"This time, I'm going to sleep for three days and three nights. Don't wake me up even if the sky falls!"

"By the way, Father."

He walked to the door, then suddenly turned back and added a sentence.

"Forget about the Fengshan ceremony. With that money, you'd be better off paying the soldiers more wages, or buying a few more pounds of beef for my Eastern Palace."

After saying that, he waved his hand casually and disappeared into the morning light.

Li Shimin watched his son's disappearing figure, shook his head helplessly, but a doting smile remained on his lips.

"That unfilial son..."

……

The Eastern Palace, Lizheng Hall.

Li Chengqian buried his head in the large velvet bed and let out a satisfied sigh.

"Lying down is still the most comfortable."

He closed his eyes, ready to start his "salted fish nap" mode.

However, just as he was about to drift off to sleep...

"bite--!"

That familiar system notification sound rang out in his mind once again, at an inopportune moment.

【Congratulations to the host! 】

[First stage of main quest: First experience with salted fish, perfectly completed!]

[Rating: S-level! You're not just a lazy bum, you're a top-notch lazy bum who knows how to train employees!]

"Stop talking nonsense, is there a reward?" Li Chengqian mumbled with his eyes closed.

[Rewards being processed... System upgrade in progress...]

[Ding! System upgrade complete! New map unlocked!]

Li Chengqian frowned, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

"A new map? What does that mean?"

[New check-in location has been updated!]

The system's voice carried a hint of schadenfreude in its electronic tone.

[Target Location: Turkic Royal Court - Yabten!]

[Mission Requirements: Please personally visit the Turkic royal court and sign in inside the golden tent of Khan Jieli!]

"What?!"

Li Chengqian suddenly jumped out of bed, completely wide awake.

"Go to the Turkic royal court? You want me to go and die?!"

"System, are you a sore loser?!"