Chapter 41: Li Tai Panics

At this moment, Li Tai knew very well that this question was not easy to answer.

He had only thought about success and never considered failure. He had assumed that Li Chengqian was just boasting and could never possibly accomplish such a feat.

Suddenly being questioned by Emperor Taizong caught him completely off guard; he had never contemplated this scenario, leaving him utterly at a loss for how to handle it.

"That's right, if it ultimately fails, it will deal a devastating blow to him."

As Li Tai pondered this, sweat began to bead on his forehead without him even realizing it.

Yet he had no choice but to face it, for Emperor Taizong was staring right at him, waiting for his reply.

A seemingly simple question now felt immensely complicated to Li Tai, so tangled that he could not find an answer.

"What? Is this question really that difficult to answer?" Emperor Taizong's face grew even gloomier, and it was evident that the Emperor had already been provoked into deep anger.

When the wager was proposed, Li Chengqian had readily and decisively accepted the challenge against the machine that could match four thousand workers. But when it came to Li Tai, he could only stammer and stutter in hesitation.

"This... this son is willing to obey Your Majesty's decree." Li Tai sighed, realizing he had no other option at this point.

"Since it is a wager, one must be a good sport and accept the consequences. If you lose, I shall make the decision on Chengqian's behalf and order you to leave the Wude Palace, ready to depart for your fief outside the capital at any time." Emperor Taizong's expression shifted instantly. He looked toward Li Chengqian and smiled faintly, "Chengqian, what do you think of my idea?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian could not help but find it amusing. It seemed that the glory brought by the *Treatise on Geography* had reached its end, and the era of the steam engine was about to begin.

After all, when compared to the entire realm, Emperor Taizong weighed matters with absolute clarity.

When the interests of the empire were at stake, Emperor Taizong would never yield an inch.

Especially now, having witnessed the sheer might of the steam engine, his heart was deeply stirred, and taking the initiative to have Li Tai leave the Wude Palace was actually a maneuver to smooth over internal conflicts.

A wave of admiration rose involuntarily in Li Chengqian's heart; this imperial father of his was indeed no ordinary man.

"Yes, Imperial Father, this son obeys your will." Li Chengqian smiled, cupping his hands in compliance.

Of course he could accept this task, as he had nothing to lose. It was merely a matter of proving himself before everyone, which was hardly anything to worry about.

"Very well, Qingque, your elder brother has already agreed. What do you think of this arrangement?" Emperor Taizong nodded in satisfaction and turned his gaze back to Li Tai.

At this moment, Li Tai was genuinely bewildered, because he knew nothing whatsoever about the steam engine, which lay completely outside the realm of his understanding.

He was at a severe disadvantage in a field he neither knew nor understood.

Yet, having spoken so boastfully earlier, there was no turning back now. No matter what, he had to withstand the pressure.

With this thought, Li Tai raised his head, determined to put on a brave face despite his inner panic. "Yes, Imperial Father, this son obeys the imperial decree. If the steam engine is truly as miraculous as Eldest Brother claims, this son is willing to withdraw from the Wude Palace."

"Good. Chengqian, Qingque, then it is settled. I have made the decision." Emperor Taizong slowly raised his head, looking at both Li Tai and Li Chengqian.

"Yes, Imperial Father, this son will abide by your command." Li Chengqian hurriedly cupped his hands in assent.

"This son obeys the decree." Li Tai followed suit.

A wager destined to alter the fates of Li Tai and Li Chengqian was about to unfold, and a great show was about to take the stage.

"Wonderful, then it is settled. By the way, Chengqian, how many days do you need to prepare?" Emperor Taizong asked, suddenly turning his head sideways to look at Li Chengqian.

"Reporting to Imperial Father, ten days at most will be more than enough." Li Chengqian replied without hesitation.

Li Chengqian understood that the opportunity belonging to him had finally arrived. He could use this period to properly consolidate his work and upgrade the steam engine even further.

Actually, Li Tai's earlier mention of the steam engine blowing up its cylinder was entirely genuine.

The insider planted by Li Tai had indeed tampered with the steam engine, damaging its cylinder block. While the initial startup might not have shown much effect, prolonged operation would inevitably strain the cylinder, causing it to rupture under the immense pressure.

Therefore, when the steam engine had operated for nearly half an hour today, the ultimate result was something Li Tai had never anticipated; he had never imagined things would turn out this way.

He had been fully prepared to sit back and laugh at Li Chengqian's expense, but now, he realized that he, Li Tai, had become the laughingstock—and a monumental one at that.

To Li Tai, this was the ultimate irony.

He had braced himself to watch a fine performance, never expecting that the audience would consist of his Imperial Father and Li Chengqian, while he himself had been reduced to a character trapped within the farce.

Furthermore, he had foolishly stumbled into a wager with Li Chengqian. Until this very moment, Li Tai remained utterly depressed, unable to accept the reality before him, which completely defied all his expectations.

He simply could not fathom how this had happened. His insider could not possibly have deceived him; exactly where had the link failed?

Right now, Li Tai was racking his brains, completely unable to figure it out.

Of course he could not figure it out, for Li Chengqian had made provisions long in advance.

The insider sent by Li Tai had long since exposed himself. The moment he tampered with the steam engine's cylinder, people dispatched by Li Chengqian were watching from nearby, choosing merely not to disturb him.

Moreover, just to be safe, Li Chengqian had instructed Yang Jiguan and the others to prepare an additional steam engine as a precautionary measure.

This was a contingency plan; Li Chengqian had readied two steam engines precisely to guard against such interference.

At the crucial final moment, Li Chengqian had discovered the insider sabotaging the machine, yet he pretended not to notice and quietly switched the units instead.

This maneuver was kept strictly hidden from the insider. Once the man finished his sabotage and left, Li Chengqian had the damaged unit concealed and acted as if nothing had happened.

Thus, the insider was successfully deceived, which in turn fooled Li Tai.

This was the very reason for Li Tai's simmering fury right now. His eyes practically shooting fire, he glared viciously at Li Chengqian.

Even now, Li Tai was still kept entirely in the dark, unable to comprehend what had transpired.

Li Tai had no inkling of what had actually occurred, and this ignorance was the primary reason for his utter humiliation today.

In fact, that very insider was currently waiting below the city wall, feeling even more depressed.

He had indeed personally sabotaged that steam engine; why, then, was the machine brought out by Li Chengqian completely undamaged? Could Li Chengqian conjure things out of thin air and repair a steam engine in such a short span of time?

At that moment, the insider was thoroughly bewildered, not knowing what to say, and could only lower his head in deep despair.

He had actually noticed Li Tai up on the second-story balcony earlier, but he simply did not dare to look up.

The imperial princes each harbored their own thoughts; even Li Ke and Li Li, who were less involved in this affair, dared not utter a sound at this moment.

"Very well, I grant you ten days. Ten days from now, you and Li Tai shall compete right here. I will have forty spinning wheels brought over to compare the output of spun thread, and we shall calculate the results then."

"Yes, Imperial Father, this son obeys the decree." Li Chengqian hurriedly cupped his hands and agreed.

"You may all withdraw for now; I am feeling somewhat weary." Emperor Taizong said, stifling a yawn.

Having busied himself for half a day, Emperor Taizong was indeed quite tired. He might not have felt it earlier, but the commotion stirred up by Li Tai and the others had left him mentally and physically exhausted.

"This son and the others take their leave." Li Chengqian and the rest said as they turned and walked away.

"Qingque, you stay."

Suddenly, Emperor Taizong called out to stop Li Tai.

Li Tai had been planning to slip away swiftly, but just as he was about to leave, his imperial father called him back.

"Yes, Imperial Father!" Li Tai had no choice but to comply, remaining behind despite his extreme reluctance.

Once the other princes had walked far away, Emperor Taizong immediately let his face darken.

"Qingque, what is the meaning of this?"

With these words, Emperor Taizong picked up the cup of water from the table and gulped down several mouthfuls.

At this moment, Emperor Taizong was so furious that his mustache stood rigidly on end.

Especially given Li Tai's recent behavior, which had deeply displeased him.

Normally, Emperor Taizong repeatedly emphasized the importance of fraternal harmony and mutual respect among brothers. Li Chengqian's recent conduct had been commendable and left Emperor Taizong quite satisfied.

As for Li Tai, his behavior had infuriated Emperor Taizong; aside from the previous compilation of the *Treatise on Geography*, not a single thing Li Tai did satisfied the Emperor.

Now, having witnessed the formidable power of the steam engine, Emperor Taizong's interests had long since shifted.

Indeed, his interest in the steam engine far surpassed that in the *Treatise on Geography*.

By extension, since Emperor Taizong favored the steam engine, he naturally favored Li Chengqian as well.

"Aya, this son only wished to stay by your side." Sensing that something was amiss, Li Tai hurriedly cupped his hands and replied.

Inwardly panicking, Li Tai had never expected that his imperial father would already begin to suspect him.

"I am not talking about that! You must know very well what you have done, don't you? Tell me, do you still have insiders planted in Li Chengqian's residence? The words you spoke earlier must mean you have already uncovered some of the secrets behind his steam engine, am I right?"

Emperor Taizong's sharp gaze pierced into Li Tai, as if trying to see right through him.

Under that piercing stare, Li Tai felt thoroughly uncomfortable all over. Knowing full well that he had indeed done something underhanded, he dared not meet Emperor Taizong's eyes.

Moreover, whenever Emperor Taizong looked at him with that expression, Li Tai felt terrified, and his awkward demeanor grew even more pronounced.

"Aya, I..." Li Tai stammered instantly, at a complete loss for words.

"I know it now; you orchestrated all of this. You have disappointed me greatly." Emperor Taizong trembled with anger, and pointing a finger at Li Tai, he declared, "Remember this: starting today, pull every single insider you have planted in the Crown Prince's residence out of there. If you ever dare to meddle in the Crown Prince's affairs again, I will never forgive you."

A sudden chill ran down Li Tai's spine. Emperor Taizong's words made him acutely aware that an ominous turn of events had arrived.

He finally understood: at this moment, the scales in his imperial father's heart had tipped entirely toward Li Chengqian.

"Aya, this son has never planted any insiders in the Crown Prince's residence; it truly was just a guess on my part." Li Tai continued to argue stubbornly, refusing to confess.

"You unfilial son!"

Emperor Taizong flew into a rage. Regaining his composure slightly, he pointed a shaking finger at Li Tai. "You had better behave yourself and act honestly. Go pack your things and prepare to leave the Wude Palace in a few days."

With those words, Emperor Taizong slowly turned his back.

Li Tai stood there dumbstruck. What was bound to come had finally arrived...