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

Chapter 13 How should I repay this debt?
Li Yichen gathered his thoughts and said, "Next, Your Highness, please consider this: if there are other people in the court besides Your Highness and Prince Wei who are also interested in this matter, or if the ministers in the court each have their own factions, how should the strategy be adjusted in this multi-party game?"

Li Chengqian listened even more attentively, sitting up straight and completely focused.

"The key lies in identifying who the real adversaries are and who the allies are, as alliances are often not very stable..."

Li Yichen had barely begun speaking when Li Chengqian couldn't help but interrupt.

"ally?"

"Like the King of Han? Or Hou Junji and the others?" When he mentioned these two names, his tone was somewhat subtle, as if he was subconsciously considering something.

Li Yichen felt a chill run down his spine. They've arrived.

Historically, the key figures in Li Chengqian's rebellion were Prince Li Yuanchang of Han and Hou Junji.

This topic must be handled with extreme care; we must neither directly deny it, thus arousing the Crown Prince's suspicion, nor encourage such a dangerous alliance.

"Your Highness, alliances are an important tool in the game, but choosing allies requires extreme caution," Li Yichen said solemnly.

"Several factors need to be considered. First, do the allies share the same goals as His Highness? Are they genuinely assisting His Highness, or do they have ulterior motives? Second, what is the strength and value of the allies? Can they provide assistance, or will they instead hinder His Highness? Third, and most importantly, will allying with this person make His Majesty more at ease with His Highness, or more wary of him?"

Li Chengqian pondered for a moment: "The Prince of Han... is my father's half-brother. He is usually quite close to me and often complains to me about how harsh my father treats him... Hou Junji has just made a great contribution in destroying Gaochang, but he was reprimanded by my father for embezzling treasures, and he also harbors resentment..."

He seemed to be analyzing something, or perhaps talking to himself.

Li Yichen's mind raced.

He couldn't directly tell you that these two people harbored malicious intentions and would kill you in the future.

He can only analyze it from the perspective of game theory strategy.

"Your Highness, please consider this from a game theory perspective. Is forming an alliance with these two a superior strategy for you?"

Li Chengqian raised his eyes, gesturing for him to continue.

"The Prince of Han is a member of the imperial clan. Your Highness has a very close relationship with the prince. What will His Majesty think? Will he suspect that Your Highness is associating with members of the imperial clan and intends to do something improper? This is a great taboo for His Majesty."

"Hou Junji is a military general. Although he has achieved military merits, his reputation for greed and tyranny is well-known, and he has just been reprimanded by His Majesty. Is Your Highness's alliance with such a disillusioned general an indication of benevolence to the world, or an indication to His Majesty of forming cliques for personal gain, or even colluding with resentful generals?"

Li Yichen's words were like cold water poured over Li Chengqian's heart, quickly cooling down the little thought that had just arisen in his mind.

“Furthermore,” Li Yichen continued, “what can these two offer Your Highness if we form an alliance? The Prince of Han has no power or troops, only the title of a member of the imperial clan, and may be able to use his influence. Hou Junji may have some former subordinates, but can he mobilize the troops in the capital? His Majesty has extremely strict control over military power. The assistance they can provide to Your Highness is limited, but the potential risks—arousing His Majesty's vigilance and disgust—are enormous and potentially fatal.”

"Your Highness, is this worthwhile?"

Li Chengqian fell silent, his fingers unconsciously tracing patterns on the table.

He had to admit that Li Yichen's analysis hit the nail on the head.

By associating with these two, one might seem to have gained more allies, but in reality, it could prematurely expose one's true intentions and invite a fatal blow from the Emperor.

This is definitely not a good strategy.

"Then... in your opinion, how should I treat them? Ignore them completely?" Li Chengqian asked, his tone probing.

“It’s not that we’re ignoring them,” Li Yichen shook his head. “Your Highness can act with the decorum of a crown prince, neither servile nor arrogant. If they come to complain, Your Highness can listen, but must never agree with them, much less promise anything. You can express understanding appropriately, but point out that His Majesty is a wise ruler and has his own considerations. You can even advise them to be mindful of their duties as subjects. In this way, you will neither offend anyone nor give His Majesty any leverage. This is a defensive stance within ‘cooperation’.”

Li Chengqian nodded slowly: "I understand. Keep your distance, be evasive, and don't give others any leverage against you."

He felt he had learned another lesson. "But where are the true allies?" Li Chengqian pressed, this was the question that concerned him most.

"Who is the one who can help this orphan?"

Li Yichen had already thought about this problem.

He knew that there were indeed court officials in history who supported Li Chengqian, but the Crown Prince's actions ultimately made it impossible for them to support him, or he was suppressed by Li Shimin in advance.

“Your Highness, your greatest ally is not any specific person, but rather ‘etiquette’ and ‘rules’,” Li Yichen said solemnly.

"The Tang Dynasty was founded on the principle of propriety. The primogeniture system is the cornerstone of maintaining the stability of the court. As long as Your Highness does not make any major mistakes, the vast majority of court officials who uphold orthodox values ​​are inclined to support Your Highness. This is Your Highness's core support base."

"For example, important officials like Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji?" A glimmer of hope ignited in Li Chengqian's eyes.

Changsun Wuji was his maternal uncle.

Li Yichen sighed inwardly.

Changsun Wuji did hesitate between Chengqian and Li Tai for a time, but ultimately chose the more obedient Li Zhi.

Fang Xuanling was even more cautious.

He couldn't give the crown prince unrealistic fantasies.

“Your Highness, the hearts of important ministers are not easily judged. Their primary loyalty is to His Majesty, and then to the Tang Dynasty. They support a crown prince who can stabilize the country and who is in accordance with the law.”

Li Yichen chose a more prudent approach.

"Therefore, Your Highness should not win them over by making private connections and promises—that would only make them wary—but by demonstrating the demeanor of a crown prince who is in accordance with propriety, calm and composed, and capable of shouldering great responsibilities. Let them believe that supporting Your Highness is supporting the stability and future of the Tang Dynasty."

“Make them…believe?” Li Chengqian murmured, as if he had grasped something.

“Exactly,” Li Yichen affirmed.

"This is a more macro-level game. Your Highness needs to show the court officials that supporting you carries the least risk and the greatest reward, while supporting the replacement of someone else carries enormous risk and could trigger court infighting and national chaos. When the vast majority of court officials reach this consensus, even Your Majesty will have to carefully consider the matter of deposing and installing someone else."

Li Chengqian felt his eyes light up again!
It turns out it can still be like this!
Instead of desperately begging for the support of a particular minister, one should influence the judgment and inclination of the entire court through one's own actions!

"Then... then what exactly should I do?" Li Chengqian asked anxiously.

“Your Highness’s recent actions are the first step: seclusion for reading and self-cultivation. This is a signal of ‘cooperation,’ demonstrating to the world that you should be content with your lot,” Li Yichen said.

"Next, if the opportunity arises, Your Highness could offer some opinions that are in accordance with etiquette and take into account the overall situation when His Majesty consults on state affairs. Or you could demonstrate benevolence in some trivial matters. For example, if there is a famine, you could take the initiative to request a reduction in the expenses of the Crown Prince's Palace to show that you share the suffering of the people. This is a low-cost move, but the message it conveys is very strong."

“In addition,” Li Yichen added.

"Your Highness must be extra careful in your words and actions when dealing with officials of the Crown Prince's Palace, and even ordinary palace staff, and be lenient with strictness in order to demonstrate benevolence. Over time, the reputation of these people will also reach the court and influence public opinion."

Li Chengqian listened attentively, nodding repeatedly, trying his best to remember every word.

He felt that Li Yichen was like a skilled craftsman, gradually reshaping him, forging him from a piece of stubborn iron into a qualified vessel.

"Then... if Qingque takes the initiative to provoke me, how should I 'repay kindness with kindness'?" Li Chengqian asked again, showing particular interest in this strategy.

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(End of this chapter)