The Fierce Teacher of Zhenguan: Starting with Teaching the Crown Prince to Make a Comeback

Chapter 104 I have no intention of blaming you.

"Your Majesty, we are incompetent."

Zhang Liang bowed and said in a heavy voice.

"Regarding the case of Imperial Censor Liu, after extensive investigation, it can only be confirmed that there were three perpetrators. Based on the footprints left at the scene, the vague descriptions from witnesses, and the methods used to kill, their physical appearance is quite similar to... quite similar to Turks. One of them seems to have some difficulty walking, like a... lame person."

When he said the last two words, "cripple," his voice unconsciously lowered.

"A Turk? A cripple?"

Li Shimin repeated the two words, his face expressionless, but his eyes instantly became incredibly sharp, and the temperature in the hall seemed to drop several degrees.

"Where's the evidence? Where are the people?"

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review quickly added, "Your Majesty, at present we only have these indirect inferences, and there is no direct eyewitness or physical evidence pointing to a specific person."

"Those thugs were cunning and left almost no valuable clues at the scene."

"The so-called Turks and the lame man are just speculations based on experience, without any real evidence. Moreover... if it really was the work of the Turks, their background is complicated, and they commit crimes while on the move, which would probably make it even more difficult to trace them."

"Even harder to trace?"

Li Shimin's voice suddenly rose, filled with suppressed anger.

"A high-ranking official of the imperial court, an imperial censor, was assassinated in the street right under the emperor's nose in Chang'an!"

"After investigating for so long, you're telling me it was done by a few Turks of unknown origin? And one of them was even a cripple?! Are you trying to fool me like a three-year-old child?"

He slammed his hand on the imperial desk with a loud bang, which made Zhang Liang and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review tremble.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" the two hurriedly apologized.

"Calm down? How can you expect me to calm down!"

Li Shimin stood up, his chest rising and falling slightly.

"Someone is deliberately trying to smear the Crown Prince! Was the perpetrator a cripple? Are they afraid people won't associate it with the Crown Prince's foot ailment? Do you think I can't see through such a clumsy and despicable tactic?"

Zhang Liang forced a smile and said, "Your Majesty is wise, we had no such intention! It's just... the case has indeed reached a stalemate."

"All known clues have been exhausted, and there is no new progress. If we force an investigation, I'm afraid... I'm afraid it will be of no use."

"The matter involves the Turks, and it is a complex and multifaceted issue that cannot be resolved overnight. Your Majesty, please grant us more time, and we will certainly..."

"enough!"

Li Shimin interrupted him, his voice icy.

"I don't want to hear these excuses! Investigate! Keep investigating! Even if they really are Turks, find out who's behind it!"

"Get out!"

"Yes, I will take my leave."

Zhang Liang and the Minister of Justice felt as if they had been granted a pardon, and dared not argue any further. They quickly bowed and retreated, their backs already soaked with cold sweat.

Silence returned to the hall.

Li Shimin stood alone, his face so gloomy it seemed to drip water.

He knew, of course, that there must be something more to this case. The references to "Turk" and "cripple" were too obvious; it was clear that someone wanted to shift the blame onto the Crown Prince.

What's infuriating is that the other party was clean-cut, and the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review were incompetent, leaving the case unsolved.

Are we just going to let it go like this?
A strong sense of resentment and powerlessness welled up in his heart.

Knowing that someone was framing his son, yet being unable to bring them to justice, filled him with extreme frustration.

But right now, without evidence, he can't accuse anyone out of thin air.

This matter seems to have to be put on hold for now, but it is by no means over.

Cui Dunli acted quickly.

Within just a few days, a detailed report on the money, grain, materials, personnel, and related policies needed for the early stages of the development of Xizhou was compiled by the Secretariat and placed on Li Shimin's desk.

Throughout the entire process, Cui Dunli completely bypassed the Eastern Palace and never reported or communicated with the Crown Prince in any way.

Therefore, during a routine small-group meeting, Li Shimin specially summoned Crown Prince Li Chengqian. Also participating in the meeting were Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Gao Shilian, and the newly appointed envoy for promotion and demotion, Cui Dunli.

Li Shimin handed the document to Li Chengqian in a calm tone.

"Your Highness, please take a look as well. This is a draft of the preliminary matters for the development of Xizhou proposed by Minister Cui. It involves a huge amount of money and grain, and we need to discuss it carefully."

Li Chengqian took the document and quickly began to browse through it.

He looked very carefully, but his face remained expressionless.

The others in the hall remained silent.

Cui Dunli stood to the lower end, his eyes fixed on his nose, his nose seemingly reflecting his inner thoughts.

After a long while, Li Chengqian put down the memorial, raised his head, and his gaze first fell on Cui Dunli. His tone was flat, and it was impossible to tell whether he was praising or criticizing him.

"Cui Qing is indeed diligent. In just a few days, he has sorted out the necessary matters in such detail and with such clarity. He is truly a capable official."

Cui Dunli felt somewhat relieved and quickly bowed.

"Your Highness is too kind. This is simply my duty."

However, Li Chengqian immediately changed the subject, still looking at Cui Dunli, but his words seemed to be addressed to Li Shimin and the other important officials present.

"The memorial is very well written. However... Minister Cui, this matter is of great importance. Now that you have drafted the memorial, why not send a copy to the Crown Prince's Palace first?"

"So that I can consider this in advance and be prepared."

"We are having this discussion all of a sudden today. If I were to make a mistake or omission in my words, or say something wrong, wouldn't that only cause more trouble for the affairs of Xizhou?"

His voice was not loud, nor did he speak quickly; it even carried a hint of genuine concern.

But the weight of those words was clear to everyone in the hall.

This is not praising Cui Dunli; it is accusing him of disrespecting the crown prince, bypassing the Eastern Palace, and acting arbitrarily!
Cui Dunli's composure froze instantly. He had never expected that the Crown Prince would launch an attack in this seemingly nonchalant manner on this occasion!

He dared not look at the emperor's face, but quickly glanced at Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling. The two old ministers merely raised their eyelids, their faces remaining expressionless.

He knew he had miscalculated.

He thought the Crown Prince would swallow his anger, or at least not openly confront His Majesty.

He underestimated the prince.

This strike, though not heavy, was extremely precise!

He dared not be negligent in the slightest, and stepped forward abruptly, his voice filled with fear.

"Your Highness, please forgive me! It was my oversight that led me to submit this memorial to Your Majesty and the ministers of the Council of State as soon as possible for review."

"Your Majesty, I had no intention of being negligent. It was truly... truly an oversight. Please punish me!"

He admitted his mistake very quickly, attributing the cause to "negligence" and "being too eager for official business."

This is the best way to salvage the situation right now.

Li Chengqian looked at Cui Dunli and did not press the matter further.

He knew the timing was right; too much would be as bad as too little.

"Minister Cui is also acting in the public interest. I have no intention of blaming him. The matter of Xizhou is of utmost importance; let's discuss the proposal first."

Li Chengqian spoke calmly, as if he were telling the truth.

Li Shimin's deep gaze swept over the Crown Prince and Cui Dunli.

Speak slowly.

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(End of this chapter)