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

Chapter 168 I want to have a private talk with this child. (Seeking monthly votes!!!)

Inside the Liangyi Hall, the scent of sandalwood had not yet completely dissipated.

Li Shimin stood with his hands behind his back by the window, his gaze fixed on the deepening twilight outside the palace.

Master Xuan had just taken his leave, and his thin, green-robed figure seemed to still carry a hint of helplessness.

The emperor asked him to refine elixirs, and he finally agreed.

Even though he held the Daoist principle of following nature and was well aware of the dangers of metal and stone, the Emperor's mandate was as majestic as the heavens, and he, an outsider, could not refuse it entirely.

"The matter of alchemy is fraught with peril... However, Your Majesty is in the prime of life and in good health, so it is not unreasonable to use this as a means to explore ways to maintain longevity..."

The words of the True Man Xuanzhen as he finally bowed his head still echoed in my ears.

Li Shimin knew that this was the biggest concession that the renowned Taoist priest could make.

He was not entirely convinced of immortality; imperial achievements, the fate of the nation, and the well-being of its people were what truly mattered to him.

However... as I've reached middle age, I've occasionally felt that my energy isn't what it used to be, and I still harbor a lingering, unspoken longing for that slim chance of prolonging my life.

As soon as this thought arose, another figure involuntarily surfaced in his mind—the "master" who was faintly visible behind the Crown Prince.

This person can teach the crown prince political strategies and can predict the secrets of heaven; his wisdom is almost supernatural.

If he... if he also had some knowledge of Taoist alchemy and health preservation techniques, perhaps he could have a more reliable and insightful understanding?

Li Shimin's eyes were deep, and his fingers unconsciously caressed the jade pendant at his waist.

His agitated state of mind calmed down slightly.

This matter cannot be rushed; we need to find a suitable time to have a proper talk with Gao Ming.

Perhaps we can get some different answers from Gao Ming.

Just then, a series of hurried but deliberately light footsteps came from outside the hall.

Wang De stepped inside and bowed to report.

"Your Majesty, Minister Duan of the Ministry of Works sent someone to report that the son of a craftsman under the Directorate of Works, who is only fifteen years old, has recently solved a long-standing problem in the Bow and Crossbow Bureau, which has increased the cocking speed of the newly made Divine Arm Crossbow by half a breath and made it more labor-saving."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin raised an eyebrow and turned around.

The Ministry of Works... has shown some new vitality since it came under the Crown Prince's control.

He said calmly, "Oh? A fifteen-year-old child can solve a problem that even the master craftsmen of the Archery Institute can't solve? Do you know the details?"

Wang De hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, the messenger was vague about the specific mechanism, only saying that the child observed his father's work and was inspired to replace part of the original structure with an extremely ingenious set of connecting rods and eccentric wheels. Minister Duan has already conducted a preliminary inspection and confirmed its effectiveness, and hereby reports this to Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Connecting rod... eccentric wheel..."

Li Shimin repeated in a low voice, these words were somewhat unfamiliar to him.

However, the words "divine crossbow," "speed of cocking," and "effortless" were clear.

Even the slightest improvement to a military weapon is extremely difficult.

He nodded slightly and said, "I understand. The Crown Prince must have received the news by now?"

"That should be the case. The messenger said that Minister Duan has also sent someone to the Eastern Palace to report this."

Li Shimin asked no further questions and waved for Wang De to leave.

He temporarily suppressed his thoughts about the "master" and the elixir, but the unexpected good news from the Ministry of Works made him reconsider the Crown Prince's recent actions.

Efficiency and tangible results are what truly matter right now.

The Eastern Palace, Xiande Hall.

The candlelight was bright, and Li Chengqian was bent over his desk reviewing documents categorized according to the new laws.

The border town military reports with red labels have been processed, and the several impeachments by censors with yellow labels have also been annotated in red ink. At this moment, he is focusing on the financial and grain audit documents with blue labels.

Since the new law was implemented, efficiency has indeed improved. Cases that used to take until late at night can now be largely processed by dusk.

Just as he finished approving a report on losses incurred during the canal transport, Dou Jing's slightly excited voice came from outside the hall: "Your Highness! The Ministry of Works has good news!"

Li Chengqian raised his head and rubbed his right ankle, which felt slightly sore from kneeling for a long time: "Come in and talk."

Dou Jing strode in, a smile she couldn't hide on her face, and bowed, saying, "Congratulations, Your Highness! I just received an urgent report from Minister Duan of the Ministry of Works. An old craftsman surnamed Zhao in the Bow and Arrow Workshop of the Imperial Workshop has a young son named Zhao Xiaoman, who is only fifteen years old. He has figured out a clever method to improve the step-and-strike mechanism of the Divine Arm Crossbow."

"Tests have confirmed that it can indeed increase the speed of winding the drum and is more labor-saving! Minister Duan has personally inspected it and confirmed that it is correct!"

"Oh?" A light suddenly lit up in Li Chengqian's eyes.

"Is this really true? A fifteen-year-old child?"

“Absolutely true! Minister Duan’s letter stated with certainty that this boy is usually quiet and reserved, but he likes to observe his father and the master craftsmen at work, and often draws patterns on the sand that others cannot understand.”

"This time, based on what he had seen in his daily life, he proposed to replace the original, rather laborious and easily damaged linkage structure with a combination of several iron rods of different lengths and several eccentric wheels."

"Good! Good! Good!"

Li Chengqian said "good" three times in a row.

"The rules I established at the Ministry of Works the other day have proven effective! A generous reward will surely attract brave men, especially someone as talented as this!"

He seemed to see his ideas for promoting "productivity" quietly sprouting on this ancient land, and an indescribable sense of accomplishment welled up in his heart.

In his excitement, he immediately thought of someone, and his heart tightened for no reason.

The gentleman has been summoned to the Liangyi Hall by the Emperor for two days... Although it is only to organize documents and establish rules, will the Emperor use this opportunity to keep the gentleman by his side?
Now that the Crown Prince is gaining momentum, and the gentleman is his most trusted assistant... Once this thought arose, it grew like weeds, completely cooling down his excitement.

Instead, a sense of anxiety arose.

He walked to the window, gazing at the deepening night outside the palace walls, his brows furrowing slightly.

After a moment, Dou Jing left the hall, leaving Li Chengqian alone in deep thought.

My father is a great ruler, and his ability to weigh power is superb. It would be unwise for him to forcibly transfer away his capable subordinates at this time.

But... what if Father really takes a liking to your talent, sir?
He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

In any case, I need to see the gentleman as soon as possible.

As if in response to his expectations, a servant's voice suddenly came from outside the hall.

"Your Highness, Master of Ceremonies Li Yichen requests an audience."

Li Chengqian suddenly turned around, his face instantly clearing of gloom and even showing signs of eager joy.

"Hurry up!"

Li Yichen walked steadily into the hall, covered in dust from his journey, but his expression remained calm.

He bowed respectfully and said, "Your subject Li Yichen greets Your Highness. The preliminary work on organizing the documents for the Liangyi Hall has been completed, and I have come to report back."

"Please rise, sir!" Li Chengqian almost rushed forward, offering a helping hand, his eyes fixed intently on him.

"It's good that you're back, sir! How are things going at the Liangyi Palace? Father... has no other instructions?"

He finally couldn't hold back and asked the question he cared about most.

Li Yichen stood up and met the Crown Prince's worried gaze, and understood immediately.

He bowed slightly, his tone steady. "Your Highness, the affairs of the Liangyi Hall have been resolved, and His Majesty has graciously granted my permission to return to my original post in the Eastern Palace. His Majesty only inquired about the new regulations for documents and ordered me to draft the detailed rules, but did not mention anything else."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian finally felt relieved and let out a long sigh of relief, a genuine smile spreading across his face.

"Excellent! I was worried that Father Emperor would find an excuse to keep you here for a few more days!"

His relief was undisguised, and he added enthusiastically, "Sir, you've returned just in time! The Ministry of Works has just sent some very good news!"

He then told Li Yichen the whole story, in vivid detail, about how Zhao Xiaoman, the son of a craftsman, improved the divine crossbow.

Li Yichen listened quietly, and when he heard "connecting rod", "eccentric wheel" and "increases winding speed and saves effort", a very subtle ripple flashed in his calm eyes.

This description... sounds very similar to some mechanical linkage principles that only matured in the Song Dynasty, especially in the improvement of crossbows.

Although he couldn't imagine the specific structure out of thin air, the core idea was the same—using simple rods and eccentric wheels to change the direction and magnitude of force, thereby achieving the effect of saving effort or increasing speed.

“Your Highness, the method this boy has offered does indeed sound ingenious.”

Li Yichen said, "If it can be proven effective, it will be a real help to military and national weapons. It seems that Your Highness's policy of encouraging craftsmen to innovate has already begun to show results."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian clapped his hands and laughed.

"I am greatly pleased! I have ordered Dou Jing to immediately draft a document to promote his father, Zhao Tiezhu, to the position of Assistant Director of the Imperial Workshops, with the rank of Lower Eighth Grade! He will be awarded one hundred bolts of silk and fifty strings of cash!"

"His son, Zhao Xiaoman, though young, has made invaluable contributions. He is hereby granted permission to study at the Imperial Workshop with his father and to receive the highest salary and rations among artisans! He will be assessed and appointed to a position upon reaching adulthood!"

In the Tang Dynasty, the artisan system included not only management officials but also artisans themselves, who were generally divided into several ranks, such as the head craftsman (Du Liao), craftsmen, workers, apprentices, and so on.

The head craftsman is a skilled craftsman who can independently train apprentices, and his treatment is far better than that of ordinary laborers.

The Crown Prince's actions were undoubtedly an exceptional reward, especially since he directly promoted his father from an ordinary craftsman to a supervisor, elevating him to the ranks of officials—a meteoric rise indeed.

Li Yichen nodded: "Your Highness is fair in rewards and punishments and keeps his promises. All the craftsmen in the world will be willing to do their utmost to achieve this."

“But…” Li Chengqian sighed with a hint of regret.

"The student wanted to meet the father and son in person to commend them, but he has several important documents to approve immediately and is afraid he cannot leave today."

He looked at Li Yichen with earnest eyes.

"Now that you have returned to the palace, could you please go to the Bow and Arrow Department of the Imperial Workshop on my behalf to announce the rewards and to encourage Zhao Xiaoman? I would also like to hear what you have seen with your own eyes and what this boy is really like."

"Your subject obeys." Li Yichen did not refuse.

He also developed a strong interest in this child who was able to grasp certain mechanical principles centuries ahead of time.

The next morning.

The Bow and Arrow Institute of the Imperial Workshop was located in the southeast corner of the Imperial City, adjacent to the Imperial Household Department.

The sounds of hammering, polishing, and the chatter of craftsmen mingled together in several key workshops within the courtyard, exuding a vibrant energy distinct from the scholarly atmosphere of the area.

The atmosphere was even more lively in a workshop specializing in the assembly of crossbows.

The craftsmen gathered around a modified crossbow, pointing and discussing it with expressions of amazement and excitement.

In the center of the crowd stood a dark-skinned, sturdy middle-aged man dressed in a worn brown jacket; this was Zhao Tiezhu.

At this moment, he was rubbing his large hands, which were covered with calluses and burn scars, and was so excited that he was somewhat at a loss for words.

Beside him stood a thin, youthful-looking boy with his head down and his hands tightly gripping the hem of his clothes, seemingly very uneasy about the attention he was receiving. This was Zhao Xiaoman.

When Li Yichen, accompanied by officials from the Eastern Palace and a senior official from the Ministry of Works, stepped into the workshop, the noise instantly subsided.

The craftsmen stepped back and bowed, making way for them.

"This is Lord Li Yichen, the Master of Ceremonies of the Eastern Palace, who has come to announce the rewards on the orders of His Highness the Crown Prince!"

The head of the Ministry of Works announced loudly.

Zhao Tiezhu trembled and pulled his son to kneel down.

Li Yichen stepped forward and offered a gesture of support, saying, "Supervisor Zhao, there's no need for such formalities. His Highness the Crown Prince was delighted to hear of your and your son's great achievements and specially ordered me to come and commend you."

"Supervisor...Supervisor Assistant?" Zhao Tiezhu was stunned; he thought he had misheard.

The surrounding craftsmen also let out a low murmur.

Li Yichen smiled slightly and unfolded the imperial edict in his hand.

"His Highness the Crown Prince decrees: Craftsman Zhao Tiezhu is honest and diligent, and has taught his son well. His son, Xiaoman, is intelligent and ingenious, and has improved the crossbow mechanism, which is of great benefit to the country. Therefore, Zhao Tiezhu is specially promoted to Assistant Director of the Imperial Workshops, with the rank of the lower eighth grade, and is granted 100 bolts of silk and 50 strings of cash."

"Zhao Xiaoman is hereby granted special permission to enter the Imperial Workshop to learn the craft and enjoy the highest rank among artisans, as a sign of great honor. It is hoped that you and your father will continue your efforts and live up to expectations."

After the decree was read, the workshop fell silent, then erupted in even louder exclamations of amazement and envy.

Supervisor!

That's an official position with a rank!

Although it was only a lower-ranking eighth-grade position, for the Zhao family, who had been craftsmen for generations and had a low social status, it was nothing short of a meteoric rise!
From then on, they were no longer considered mere craftsmen, but held official positions, and their descendants even had a slim hope of participating in the imperial examinations.

Zhao Tiezhu was already in tears. He pulled the still bewildered Zhao Xiaoman to his knees with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly towards the direction of the East Palace, his voice choked with emotion.

"This humble one... Zhao Tiezhu thanks Your Highness for your divine grace!"

He was so excited that he was incoherent and could only express his joy and gratitude with the simplest form of bowing.

The surrounding craftsmen looked on with fervor, having witnessed firsthand how His Highness the Crown Prince kept his word and generously rewarded his meritorious officials!

In the past, when craftsmen improved their skills, the credit was often taken by their superiors. It was rare to receive even a few words of praise. Never before had such a direct and generous reward been seen.

A strong desire to delve deeper and make a difference burned brightly in everyone's heart.

Li Yichen had the silk and copper coins bestowed as rewards brought up, and the tangible wealth was enough to dazzle everyone.

He offered a few words of encouragement to everyone, which were nothing more than "His Highness values ​​practical learning and rewards merit. I hope that you will all devote yourselves to your skills and emulate the Zhao family father and son."

Once things had calmed down a bit, Li Yichen's gaze fell on Zhao Xiaoman, who had been keeping her head down and seemed somewhat uneasy.

"So you are Zhao Xiaoman?" Li Yichen's voice softened slightly.

Zhao Xiaoman timidly raised her head, glanced quickly at Li Yichen, then immediately lowered it again, and whispered, "Yes...it's me."

"Don't be afraid."

Li Yichen took a few steps closer.

"His Highness the Crown Prince greatly admires you. Could you tell me how you came up with the idea to improve that mechanism? And how you came up with the method of using a connecting rod and an eccentric wheel?"

Zhao Xiaoman seemed even more nervous, her hands gripping the hem of her clothes tightly, her lips moving slightly, but she couldn't utter a complete sentence.

Zhao Tiezhu was extremely anxious and quickly answered for his son.

"In reply to Lord Li, this kid has always been quiet since he was a child. He just loves watching us work and he'll scribble on the ground when he has nothing to do."

"The other day he watched me assemble this crossbow, and he kept complaining that the pedal was hard to use and broke easily. He squatted there watching for several days, and then he said to me, 'Could we try connecting it with a few iron rods, like... like the windlass frame on a well platform, in a different way...'"

Li Yichen nodded, without urging them, and said to Zhao Tiezhu and the head of the Ministry of Works, "I would like to have a few words with this child alone."

(End of this chapter)