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

Chapter 130 Sir, do you have a good plan?

Your son will certainly carefully study the fundamental principles of the "four classes of people," and learn the way to oversee the overall situation and uphold discipline, so that he may live up to the Emperor's expectations and the expectations of all the people under Heaven.

Seeing Li Chengqian so readily accept his teachings, his face regaining its radiance, and even showing more composure and determination than before, Li Shimin felt gratified.

It seems that his imperial ways were ultimately able to control and guide this son.

Regardless of whether there is a powerful figure behind him, as long as the general direction is under his control, the prince's growth is controllable and even worthy of encouragement.

The atmosphere inside the hall seemed to have eased considerably as a result.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Shimin brought it up as if casually, his tone as gentle as a father and son chatting.

"Excellent! I have observed that you have been handling court affairs and considering political matters with great skill and have made remarkable progress recently."

"But in the Eastern Palace... what kind of good teachers and helpful friends have you made? Or what kind of outstanding talents are under your command, wholeheartedly assisting you?"

coming!

Li Chengqian felt a chill in his heart, but remained outwardly calm.

As expected, the Emperor was still testing the waters, searching for that possible "master".

He raised his head, his face displaying a perfectly appropriate expression of approval for his subordinate's efforts.

"Your Majesty, I have recently felt deeply ashamed of my past neglect, so I often summon the officials of the Left and Right Spring Palaces of the Crown Prince and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to ask them questions. They often remind me of my duties as the Crown Prince and what I should not do, from which I have benefited greatly."

Then, in a more natural tone, he continued, "As for my study companions, such as Li Baiyao and Xu Jingzong, they often discuss classics and history with me, honing our knowledge. And then there's Li Yichen,"

When he mentioned the name, his tone was completely normal, as if he were referring to an ordinary name.

"He is diligent and down-to-earth, and he puts a lot of effort into accompanying his children in their studies."

"The entire Crown Prince's Palace has indeed been working together with one heart and one mind lately, constantly reminding and assisting me, which has enabled me to make some progress."

This openness and naturalness showed no sign of deliberately protecting or hiding anyone.

Li Shimin's deep gaze lingered on Li Chengqian's face for a moment, but he failed to detect the slightest unnaturalness or flicker of emotion.

The Crown Prince's answer was reasonable and fair, attributing the progress to the efforts of the entire Eastern Palace and the supervision of those well-known and upright officials. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it.

The study companion named Li Yichen was mentioned multiple times in the secret reports. He had a clear background and an unremarkable past, and certainly did not seem like someone capable of stirring up trouble.

'It seems either the Crown Prince has become enlightened himself, or... that master is extremely well-hidden, or perhaps I'm simply overthinking things?'

Li Shimin thought to himself.

He knew that if there really was such a master, and the Crown Prince was determined to protect him, asking further would not yield any results and might even alert the enemy.

So he stopped asking and smiled gently, encouragingly saying, "That's very good."

"The officials of the Crown Prince's Palace are diligent in their duties, and the tutors are attentive in their studies. I am very pleased that you are able to humbly accept advice."

He paused briefly, as if he had thought of something, and his tone became more serious.

"As you grow older, you need more systematic instruction in both your studies and politics. Although there are many officials in the Crown Prince's palace, there is a lack of a master who can oversee the discipline and is highly respected."

Li Chengqian's heart stirred, and he vaguely guessed what it was.

As expected, Li Shimin continued, "I intend to select a good teacher for you, grant him the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and put him in charge of all the teachings in the Eastern Palace to correct any mistakes."

He looked at Li Chengqian and slowly said, "I prefer... Duke Wei Zheng of Zheng to take up this position. What do you think?"

Upon hearing the name "Wei Zheng," a scene from not long ago flashed through Li Chengqian's mind.

At that time, the Emperor had also intended for Liang Guogong Fang Xuanling to serve as the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor. When the news reached the Eastern Palace, he was quite excited.

Thinking he could receive guidance from this powerful minister who enjoyed the emperor's deep trust, he specially ordered people to clean the palace road and prepare ceremonial guards, intending to personally welcome him at the gate of the East Palace.

Unexpectedly, upon arriving at the gate of the Eastern Palace, Fang Xuanling firmly declined the offer, citing the reasons that "I am of shallow virtue and talent and fear that I am not up to this important task. Moreover, Your Majesty relies on me and I am busy with state affairs, so it is really difficult for me to spare the time." He did not even enter the gate of the Eastern Palace and went straight back to his residence.

That undisguised alienation and rejection was like a bucket of cold water, making him clearly feel for the first time his awkward and worrying position in the eyes of some important officials.

They suffered a significant blow.

At this moment, the emperor once again proposed appointing a tutor to the crown prince, this time choosing Wei Zheng, who was known for his uprightness.

Would Wei Zheng accept it?

Will he embarrass himself like Fang Xuanling did?

These thoughts flashed through his mind, but Li Chengqian showed no emotion on his face. He simply lowered his head respectfully, his tone calm and revealing no emotion.

"Duke Wei is a pillar of the state, upright and loyal. It is my honor to have him as my teacher."

"Everything... is up to Father Emperor's arrangement."

He kept himself in a very humble position, completely obeyed his father's arrangements, and showed no resentment towards the past, nor did he show excessive expectations for the future.

Seeing his son's "sensible" demeanor, Li Shimin felt even more gratified.

He nodded: "Very well, in that case, I will discuss this matter with Wei Zheng later. When you return, make good preparations. Wei Zheng is a strict and upright man, so you must humbly accept his teachings and not be negligent."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Li Chengqian bowed again.

"Go, take good care of yourself. You'll need to keep an eye on the follow-up matters regarding the Xizhou bonds."

"Yes, I will retire."

Li Chengqian bowed and steadily withdrew from the Liangyi Hall.

The palace doors slowly closed behind him, isolating him from the world inside and outside.

Only after walking far from the Liangyi Hall and onto the palace road, with the early summer breeze caressing his face, did Li Chengqian slowly and deeply take a breath.

The back of his inner shirt was slightly damp with cold sweat.

Every encounter with his father was like walking on the edge of a cliff, especially when he harbored a great secret.

He needs to guard this secret for a very long time, until he can completely seize power...

He knew that the probing about the "master" was not over, and his father's doubts were only temporarily suppressed.

The upcoming arrival of Wei Zheng presents both an opportunity and a tremendous challenge.

Will this outspoken and outspoken minister become an aid on his path to becoming crown prince, or another obstacle?
He must handle this carefully.

At the same time, the flame in his heart that surpassed that of his father burned even more fiercely.

The vision that his father painted for him using the concept of "four classes of people" was certainly grand, but what Li Yichen opened up for him was a more real world, one that required even more courage.

He is about to embark on a path different from that of the Zhenguan era.

Inside the Liangyi Hall, Li Shimin sat alone on the imperial couch, his fingers still unconsciously tapping the armrest.

Li Chengqian's performance was flawless. His rational handling of the bond issuance, his sincere explanation of the reasons for his "heart ailment," his candid answer to the question about "good teachers and helpful friends," and his obedience to the appointment of the Crown Prince's tutor... there was nothing to criticize.

But the more perfect it was, the more his doubts clung to him like underwater weeds.

"The Emperor Gaozu appeared to me in a dream..." he murmured to himself, a barely perceptible sneer appearing on his lips.

He didn't believe it at all.

He knew his father, Emperor Li Yuan, all too well. So, who was it?
Who could have brought about such a transformative change in Li Chengqian in such a short period of time?

Who could teach him those unheard-of money-making techniques and gambling strategies?
Who could make him start thinking about those weighty questions about the foundations of the empire that even he, the emperor, found so difficult?

Wei Zheng is about to become the Crown Prince, perhaps... we can use his keen eyes to see some clues.
The news that the Crown Prince's bonds sold out in a single day, amounting to 150,000 strings of cash, was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, its ripples spreading far and wide.

In the days that followed, although the bustling crowds in front of the government offices in the East and West Markets of Chang'an were no longer as numerous as before, discussions about bonds became even more intense.

The price of that thin piece of paper stamped with a red seal has quietly risen in the market, exceeding its face value by more than 30%, yet it remains extremely difficult to obtain.

Wealthy merchants, powerful officials, and even astute foreign merchants all inquired extensively, eagerly awaiting whether the Crown Prince would once again open the floodgates.

The fervent expectations of the people clashed with the undercurrents within the imperial city.

Following the small-scale political discussion at the Liangyi Hall, a special team for the "determination of bond regulations," personally led by Fang Xuanling and composed of capable officials from the three provinces, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the Imperial Household Department, has been quietly put into operation.

The lights in the duty room were on until late at night, and documents were piled up like mountains.

These capable officials, accustomed to traditional expenditure items such as land tax, grain transport, and silk, attempted to dismantle this "financial behemoth" released by the Crown Prince and bring it under the control framework familiar to the court.

However, it was discovered that its structure and features were incompatible with the old system.

Every step of the deduction was accompanied by fierce debate and a deep sense of powerlessness.

Although Li Shimin did not personally inquire further, Wang De would "conveniently" come over every two or three days to check on the progress. The pressure behind his calm tone made Fang Xuanling's brows furrow deeper and deeper.

Meanwhile, inside the Xiande Hall of the Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian's focus did not remain on the empty fame and wealth brought by the bonds.

After being granted permission to participate in the specifics of the development of Xizhou, he devoted most of his energy to it.

However, unlike his previous focus on the establishment of military government, the benefits of trade, and the selection of officials, this time his attention was almost obsessively focused on the "relocation of people" itself.

The piles of documents on the desk were no longer just grand strategic plans, but more often trivial documents submitted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs regarding the household registration of migrants, land allocation, food and fodder supply along the way, and settlement expenses.

He summoned Cui Dunli and the officials of the Crown Prince's Palace more frequently, and the questions he asked became more detailed and even harsh.

"Dou Jing, I ask you again, how is medical care guaranteed if people fall ill during the migration? How are the elderly, weak, women, and children who are slow to walk and fall behind taken care of? Are there any clear regulations?"

Li Chengqian pointed to the resettlement proposal submitted by Dou Jing, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable, calm power.

Dou Jing, still looking travel-worn, was pressed by the Crown Prince for details, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Having spent so long in the borderlands, he was used to a grand and unrestrained style; he had never been so meticulous about the trivial matters along the way.

He could only bite the bullet and answer, "Your Highness, according to custom, each team is equipped with a physician, and medicines are supplied by the prefectures and counties along the way. Those who fall behind... will be urged on by the escorting soldiers. If they are truly unable to walk, they may stay in the local area temporarily..."

"The old practice?"

Li Chengqian interrupted him, his gaze as calm as still water, yet it sent a chill down Dou Jing's spine.

"Is the old practice to let them fend for themselves? If they are temporarily kept in the area, what will their place of origin be? Where will their land come from? Will they become vagrants? This is not resettlement, it is abandonment!"

He turned to Cui Dunli, who stood respectfully to the side with his hands at his sides.

"Minister Cui, the resettlement allowance allocated by the Ministry of Revenue is distributed according to the number of people in the household. However, if there are only elderly and weak people in the family who are unable to cultivate the land, can this money help them get through the initial hardships of their arrival? When land is allocated, how can we ensure fairness, considering the distance of water sources and the fertility of the land?"

"Will the local officials use this as an excuse to extort money, causing the relocated people to incur debts before they even receive land?"

Cui Dunli was inwardly groaning.

The Crown Prince seems to have changed recently, showing far more concern for the suffering of the displaced people than for the grand significance of the policy itself.

These questions are all incisive, pointing directly to the darkest and most corrupt and injustice-prone aspects of the migration process.

He could only bow and say, "Your Highness is so considerate. We will certainly refine the regulations and strengthen supervision to ensure that the imperial favor is not embezzled by clerks and that the people suffer."

"It's not 'must,' it's 'immediately'!"

Li Chengqian emphasized his words.

"I need to see specific terms, clear division of responsibilities, and effective means of supervision. The development of Xizhou is a great achievement for generations to come. If the foundation is not solid, the relocated people will complain. Even with a thousand good plans, it will be like building a tower on sand."

"Wait here and draft the detailed rules again. I want to see them in three days."

Cui Dunli and Dou Jing exchanged a glance, both seeing immense pressure and a hint of helplessness in each other's eyes.

This Crown Prince is becoming increasingly deep and unpredictable, and his focus is ever-changing, yet he always gets straight to the point, leaving even seasoned officials feeling exhausted.

Silence returned to the hall.

Li Chengqian leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples.

Only he himself knows where this transformation came from.

Li Yichen's words, "Let there be fewer tragedies of people freezing to death," were etched into his heart like a brand.

He no longer viewed the migrants merely as numbers and labor to fill the frontier, but saw them as vibrant lives struggling to survive.

He vaguely felt that if he could do better in this matter and give these people at the bottom of society a little more hope for survival, it might be a small step in putting his vague ideal into practice.

Just as the relocation of people from Xizhou was progressing with difficulty under the pressure of the Crown Prince, an urgent document from Shandong Province, delivered over 600 li (approximately 300 kilometers), broke the surface tranquility of Chang'an like a thunderclap and was rushed into the Liangyi Hall.

"Your Majesty, in the provinces of Cao, Pu, and Qi, locusts have emerged and spread rapidly, darkening the sky and devouring crops. The people are terrified, and this could lead to a major disaster!"

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs held an urgent report in his hand, his voice heavy.

Li Shimin took the heavy urgent document, quickly glanced through it, and his face instantly turned ashen.

Since the Zhenguan era, despite the government's efforts to govern diligently, natural disasters have been frequent, with floods, droughts, locust plagues, and epidemics never far away.

Every major disaster is a severe test of national strength, governance, and even the prestige of the emperor.

The locust plague is particularly severe, spreading rapidly and causing immense destruction. If not handled properly, it could lead to widespread displacement of people, rampant banditry, and, in fact, threaten the very foundation of the nation.

"Issue the decree," Li Shimin's voice carried a hint of suppressed anger.

"Order all prefectures in Shandong Province to immediately organize officials and civilians to eradicate the locusts without delay! Furthermore, order the Ministry of Revenue to immediately allocate funds and grain to prepare for relief efforts. Summon the prime ministers of the three provinces, the heads of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works, to the Liangyi Hall for an immediate meeting!"

At almost the same time, the Crown Prince also learned of the locust plague in Shandong.

Li Chengqian gripped the thin letter, his fingers tightening slightly.

His first thought was not about how to discuss politics in the court, but about how many farmers would face despair behind the news report that "crops have been completely devoured".
Will the tragic situation of "selling wives and children" repeat itself?

He dismissed his attendants, leaving Li Yichen alone in the side hall.

The flickering candlelight inside the hall illuminated the solemn faces of the two men.

"You are already aware of the locust plague in Shandong."

Li Chengqian got straight to the point, speaking urgently.

"The imperial court will surely order the killing and relief efforts, but in the face of such natural disasters, the old methods are often ineffective, wasting money and grain, and the people's suffering remains. I, the student... am truly uneasy."

He looked at Li Yichen with hope in his eyes.

"Does the gentleman have a good plan?"

(End of this chapter)