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

Chapter 18 Why didn't they dare?

"Your Highness, this opportunity will allow us to gradually and legally infiltrate the nascent forms of financial, military, and personnel power, without drawing attention! All of this is shrouded in the noble cause of 'expanding the country's borders'!"

Li Chengqian felt as if a thunderbolt had exploded in his mind, and his blood seemed to freeze for a moment before boiling again!
He never imagined that a simple proposal to relocate prisoners could be analyzed, expanded, and applied to such an extent!

This goes far beyond the scope of court debates; it is a vast, meticulous, and far-sighted strategic plan!

"Fourth, information control." Li Yichen's voice pulled him back from his shock.

"I request the compilation of 'Records of Customs and Geography in the Western Regions' and 'Records of the Western Regions'. The Crown Prince should take the lead, and officials sent to the border should be ordered to record in detail the local geography, products, customs, and military situation, and send them back regularly. Your Highness, you can keep the border thousands of miles away firmly under your control without leaving the Crown Prince's palace. Information is the most powerful weapon in the game!"

"In the future, whether it is foreign conquest or domestic decision-making, your information will be more accurate and timely than that of any prince, or even some court officials! This is the eye and ears of the 'Crown Prince Project'!"

Li Chengqian gasped sharply, and a thin layer of sweat broke out on his back.

He looked at Li Yichen, as if realizing for the first time how terrifying this study companion was.

Such vision, such strategy, is simply... astonishing!
“Yichen…you…your scheme…” His voice was hoarse, and he could barely speak.

"Your Highness!" Li Yichen stared intently at him.

"Now, do you still think that the King of Wei compiling a book called 'Kuodi Zhi' is nothing? He is merely reaping fame from old documents, while you, if you promote this 'Western Province Development Strategy,' will be truly shaping the future of the empire, accumulating political capital, and cultivating your own loyal forces! Which of these two is more important? Which is superior?"

Li Chengqian's chest heaved violently, and the last trace of doubt in his eyes was completely ignited, turning into a fervent flame.

He slammed his hand heavily on the table, causing the pen and inkstone to jump around: "I understand! I understand completely! This is not a prisoner's exile, this is my ladder to heaven!"

But he immediately forced himself to calm down and pondered, "However... such a grand plan requires a huge amount of money, food and manpower. Will Father and the court officials agree? Will they think I am ambitious and fond of grandiose projects?"

Li Yichen had anticipated this question and answered it calmly.

"Therefore, we need not strive for perfection in the initial stage. Your Highness, in tomorrow's court session, after seconding the proposal to relocate the prisoners, you only need to propose a few practical and feasible measures, such as 'encouraging sons from good families to go with them,' 'selecting civil officials to assist in education,' and 'granting land and reducing taxes to appease the people.' This is a pilot project, requiring little investment, yielding quick results, and facing minimal resistance. After three to five years, when Xizhou has achieved some success, Your Highness can gradually add follow-up measures, and it will be a natural progression."

"This is a 'phased game,' accumulating small victories into a big one."

He concluded, his tone regaining its composure: "Your Highness, governing a country is like playing chess; one cannot focus solely on the gains or losses of a single piece or location. One must have a holistic view and a long-term strategy. This 'Western State Crown Prince Project' is the first and most effective move in your plan. It counters the King of Wei's cultural offensive, aligns with His Majesty's border strategy, and subtly strengthens your own power. Killing three birds with one stone is the way to ascend to the throne."

Li Chengqian's chest heaved violently, his eyes gleaming with an almost fanatical excitement.

The "Xizhou Crown Prince Project" blueprint that Li Yichen described to him was like a key that suddenly opened the heavy door in his heart leading to the core of power.

He seemed to have already seen how, through this seemingly insignificant proposal of prisoner relocation, he could gradually extend his tentacles of financial, military, and personnel power, and under the guise of serving the country, solidly build his own power base.

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" He couldn't help but clap his hands again, his voice trembling slightly with excitement. "Yichen, if this plan succeeds, why should I fear Qingque's empty reputation anymore! This is the real foundation!"

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to temporarily detach himself from the exciting view and staring intently at Li Yichen.

"Tomorrow at the grand court assembly, I will follow your plan and first present those few safe strategies to test the reactions of Father Emperor and the court officials!"

Li Yichen's expression did not relax in the slightest; instead, it became even more solemn. "Your Highness, the matter of Xizhou is certainly important at tomorrow's grand court assembly, but I am concerned about another matter, which may be even more dangerous and urgent."

Li Chengqian was taken aback, and the excitement on his face subsided slightly: "What is it?"

"Does Your Highness still remember the dialogue between you and His Majesty in the Liangyi Hall the other day?"

Li Yichen's voice was low, yet each word was clear, carrying a cold, penetrating power.

Li Chengqian's expression changed slightly. The emperor's furious face and the almost stagnant air from that day instantly returned to his mind, and he subconsciously tensed up.

"Of course I remember... My father's wrath still haunts me. It was only thanks to your plan that I was able to escape unscathed. This matter... is it not over yet?"

"The past?" A faint, almost cold smile appeared on Li Yichen's lips.

“Your Highness, matters of the imperial family, especially those involving the Xuanwu Gate and the very foundation of His Majesty’s authority, are never easily forgotten. Your words that day were like a boulder thrown into a deep pool; the ripples on the surface may have subsided temporarily, but the undercurrents beneath will only become more turbulent.”

His gaze was sharp as a knife as he stared directly at Li Chengqian: "I have been thinking about this recently. Tomorrow is the grand court session, with all the officials gathered. It will be the perfect opportunity for someone to bring up old matters and make a fuss about them."

Li Chengqian frowned: "What will they do?"

“What will they do?” Li Yichen repeated, his tone icy. “They will twist Your Highness’s ‘inquiry’ that day into ‘rebellion,’ ‘immorality,’ and ‘filial impiety’! They will disregard the fact that Your Highness asked the question using the words of a sage, focusing only on the fact that you touched upon His Majesty’s past and launch a massive attack! They will say that the Crown Prince harbors resentment, questions his father, and is unfit to be the heir apparent! Some may even secretly act as the vanguard, either to curry favor with the Prince of Wei or to cater to His Majesty’s unspoken thoughts, demanding that Your Highness be severely punished to uphold the established order!”

Li Chengqian gasped, his face gradually turning pale, his fingers unconsciously clenching his robes: "They...they dare? I'm asking for your guidance!"

"Why don't they dare?" Li Yichen asked in return.

“Your Highness, in the arena of power, the right to interpret words never lies with the speaker, but with the victors and the majority. Any one of your words from that day, taken out of context, could be interpreted as treason. Once someone raises an objection and public opinion becomes overwhelming, even if His Majesty has other considerations, the pressure from public opinion in the court may force him to punish you more severely!”

"At that time, let alone the 'Crown Prince Project,' even your position as the Crown Prince will likely be in jeopardy!"

Li Chengqian felt a chill creep up his spine and spread instantly to his limbs and bones.

He realized that his previous excitement had been somewhat naive, overlooking the greatest potential risk.

His throat was dry, and he asked urgently, "Then... then what should I do? What if someone really makes trouble..."

“If anyone makes trouble,” Li Yichen interrupted him, his voice suddenly becoming extremely firm, carrying an undeniable force.

"Your Highness, please remember two things: First, never show weakness! Second, never admit your mistakes! You must not show the slightest intention to back down!"

He leaned forward, his gaze pressing down on Li Chengqian as if it were a physical object.

"Your Highness, what you need to do is not to defend yourself, not to clarify, but to—fight back!"

"We must respond to their attacks with a stronger and more assertive stance! We must fundamentally deny them the right to judge this matter!"

(End of this chapter)