Chapter Nine: The Gazetteer Is No Longer Appealing

After removing his inner confidant and greatest threat, Hegan Chengji, Li Chengqian, the Crown Prince, felt in high spirits. Everything was moving in his favor; with that trash Hegan Chengji gone, he could finally proceed with a clear plan. Li Chengqian understood that whether he could turn the tide depended entirely on his ability to invent the steam engine. Once the steam engine was born, every problem he currently faced would be easily resolved. All obstacles would cease to be obstacles; they would be nothing to worry about at all. No matter what, he had to persevere to the end—that was his most urgent task.

Having settled affairs with Li Sijian and Li Anyan, Li Chengqian felt that his plans were beginning to take shape. He had dispatched Li Anyan to Hainan and Yunnan to search for rubber, and Li Sijian to procure lead, bronze, and other materials essential for the steam engine. These supplies were critical; only with them could he successfully manufacture the machine. Otherwise, any shortfall would severely hinder the invention. He was convinced that once the steam engine was unveiled, its impact would be a hundred times greater—or more—than that of the *Kuodi Zhi*. At most, the *Kuodi Zhi* merely influenced local customs and traditions, offering extremely limited utility for the construction of the Great Tang Empire.

This was the current reality of the Tang Empire: a book like the *Kuodi Zhi* could not, and would not, fundamentally solve the empire's problems. What Li Shimin needed right now was the steam engine to drive the development of the Great Tang. If the steam engine truly existed, the empire would advance rapidly. This was what his father craved; compared to it, Prince Li Tai’s so-called *Kuodi Zhi* was fit only to be used as toilet paper.

Li Shimin, as the General of the Heavenly Strategy, possessed terrifying power. Since he now relied on Li Chengqian, his attitude had shifted rapidly, instantly forgetting the merits of Li Tai. Li Tai and his book had suddenly lost their luster. Once Li Chengqian produced the steam engine, Li Tai would fall even further from favor. In the future, the only person favored in the Taiji Palace would be Li Chengqian, and he would be the only one.

Having realized this, the first thing Li Chengqian did upon returning to the East Palace from the Taiji Palace was to eliminate Hegan Chengji. He had been a grave threat, and with him gone, Li Chengqian felt a weight lift from his heart. Everyone in the East Palace who worked against his interests had been driven out. Although he had offended them in the short term, in the long run, these actions were correct and absolutely necessary. Without resolving these issues, no matter what achievements he attained, he would always be a scapegoat, accused of either rebellion or harboring treasonous thoughts. In this era, Li Chengqian could not afford such charges. Li Shimin had risen to power through a coup himself, and he was hypersensitive to the word "rebellion." From the moment Li Shimin ascended the throne, he had been wary of such things. It was a lingering anxiety; he had staged the Xuanwu Gate Incident himself, but he did not wish for his descendants to follow suit. That would be fatal, plunging the Great Tang he had built into endless internal strife and destroying its fundamental destiny.

Lost in thought, Li Chengqian shouted to Yang Jiguang outside the study, "Come in."

Yang Jiguang hurried inside and bowed. "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

"Summon Zhao Jie immediately. I have urgent matters to arrange." Li Chengqian did not look up, continuing to work on his blueprints. Since his transmigration, he had developed a habit of sketching and meticulously studying these designs every day. He knew these drawings were his lifeline and the foundation of his survival. Only by mastering them could he fundamentally solve the problems of the Tang and lead the empire toward prosperity.

"Yes, Your Highness, I obey." Yang Jiguang bowed and departed. Since being appointed commander of the Crown Prince’s guards, Yang Jiguang had kept close to Li Chengqian, protecting him at all times.

Before long, Yang Jiguang led Zhao Jie to the study door. "Your Highness, Zhao Jie is waiting outside."

"Send him in," came Li Chengqian’s steady voice from within.

Yang Jiguang opened the door and ushered Zhao Jie inside. "Your servant, Zhao Jie, pays respects to the Crown Prince. May Your Highness live for ten thousand years."

"Rise," Li Chengqian said, looking up and gesturing to Zhao Jie. "Come, Zhao Jie, sit here."

"Your Highness, I dare not overstep," Zhao Jie replied, looking up with some trepidation.

"Sit. I only wish to speak with you; there are things I need you to handle."

"Yes, Your Highness." Zhao Jie sat down nervously.

"Zhao Jie, I have a matter of extreme importance that requires your attention."

"Your Highness, please just give the command."

"I need you to take a group of men to a location to help me refine the purest steel."

Zhao Jie looked up, confused. "Your Highness, isn't steel forged everywhere in the Tang? Can't we just call for a few blacksmiths?"

"I am aware of those, but the steel I need is of a much higher quality, and the requirements are strict. Those blacksmiths cannot forge what I require."

"Yes, Your Highness, I understand."

"Take this letter. Follow my instructions to the letter and go to the front lines of the smelting process. The letter contains specific methods; you need only follow them." Li Chengqian handed him a letter with Zhao Jie’s name written on it.

"Yes, Your Highness." Zhao Jie took the letter.

"This matter is of great importance to me, to my father, and to the entire Great Tang. You must give it your all; do not be negligent." Li Chengqian’s voice grew stern.

"Yes, Your Highness, rest assured."

"Good. You have one month to refine the steel I need, or do not expect me to show mercy. Of course, if you succeed, I will certainly take credit for you before my father."

"Yes, Your Highness." Zhao Jie bowed and withdrew. Though Zhao Jie’s status was noble—his mother was Princess Changguang—he was far below Li Chengqian in standing.

After Zhao Jie left, Li Chengqian felt a burden lifted. He continued to refine his steam engine blueprints, down to every detail. He knew that details determined success or failure; the slightest oversight would be disastrous.

"Yang Jiguang," Li Chengqian said, taking a sip of water.

"Your Highness?"

"Take men to monitor these people at this address. I want to know their every move." He handed Yang Jiguang another envelope.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Li Chengqian finally breathed a sigh of relief. Other components were easier to manage, but this was difficult, so he had to prepare in advance. His focus was entirely on the steam engine; only by developing it quickly could he consolidate his position as Crown Prince and force those with ulterior motives to retreat. Once unveiled, the steam engine would be explosive news for the Tang, and its impact would last for a long time. It was tied to the fate of the empire and to his own fate. He had to handle it personally to ensure not a single error occurred.

"Your Highness, your tutors are here to see you," Yang Jiguang reported.

Li Chengqian paused, then quickly reacted. These tutors were capable but appointed by imperial decree; they were temperamental and often lectured or scolded him.

"Let them in," Li Chengqian said, then suddenly added, "Wait, I will welcome them myself."

"Your Highness, you..." Yang Jiguang was stunned. The usually arrogant Li Chengqian had suddenly become so respectful of his teachers.

"Come with me to welcome them." Li Chengqian stood up and walked out. Indeed, Zhang Xuansu, Yu Zhining, and the others were walking toward the palace.

"My teachers, your student Li Chengqian is late to welcome you; I hope you will forgive me," Li Chengqian said with a respectful bow.

"Your Highness... this is..." Zhang Xuansu was astonished, his mouth agape. It was clear that the teachers were unaccustomed to this change; the formerly unruly Li Chengqian seemed like a different person.

"Showing respect to my masters is what I should do," Li Chengqian said, keeping his head bowed.

"Your Highness, please, rise quickly." Zhang Xuansu and the others were overwhelmed and hurried to help him up.

"Thank you, teachers." Li Chengqian rose, his eyes filled with genuine gratitude. He knew that though they were rigid, they were responsible and truly cared for him. He would need their help in the future.

"Your servants pay respects to Your Highness," Zhang Xuansu and the others knelt.

"Teachers, please rise." Li Chengqian helped them up, acting as if he were honored.

"Teachers, please sit." He gestured to the stools.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Teachers, what brings you here?" Li Chengqian asked directly. He knew they wouldn't have come without a reason.

"Your Highness, we have come by the Emperor’s decree to assist you. The Emperor says you are working on a feat unprecedented in history, and we are to cooperate fully," Zhang Xuansu said with a smile.

Li Chengqian was surprised. In his memory, Zhang Xuansu was always stern; this behavior was out of character. It seemed his father was putting in a lot of effort behind the scenes. Clearly, his father valued the steam engine far more than he had anticipated.

A brilliant idea struck him. Since his teachers were here, he would involve them. This would put his father at ease and keep him informed of the progress. At this moment, Li Chengqian realized that the steam engine was the stepping stone that would secure his position, just as the *Kuodi Zhi* had once been for Li Tai. Li Shimin had sharp eyes, especially regarding artifacts that could benefit the Tang. Only by being strong and performing well could he gain his father’s attention and emerge victorious in the struggle for the throne.

"What exactly did my father say? How am I to cooperate with you?" Li Chengqian stood up and asked calmly.

The teachers were stunned. Was this really the Crown Prince? He seemed so calm, intelligent, and composed. He looked exactly like Li Chengqian, yet he felt like a stranger.

"Your Highness, the Emperor only said you are crafting a divine artifact and that we are to assist you. He said nothing else," Zhang Xuansu replied.

"Did my father mention Qingque?" Li Chengqian suddenly asked.

The room fell into stunned silence.