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

Chapter 31 I have never seen such a shameless person!

"Censor Wei asked me whether I was filial or unfilial, but he was unaware that the *Classic of Filial Piety* also states: 'Therefore, when there is injustice, a son cannot but remonstrate with his father, and a subject cannot but remonstrate with his ruler.' If a father acts unjustly, the son should remonstrate; this is true filial piety. My question the other day was not meant as sarcasm, but rather to seek clarity on the nature of 'righteousness.' If Your Majesty's actions were indeed for the sake of stabilizing the nation and bringing peace to the world, then I should delve deeper into the principles to solidify my learning. Censor Wei, do you think my seeking clarity on righteousness is filial piety or unfilial piety?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Baiyao's tense expression relaxed slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He never expected that the Crown Prince could so skillfully cite classical texts and use the Crown Prince's own words against him.

He glanced furtively at the clerk behind him, and seeing that the clerk was writing fluently, he quickly composed himself and continued to listen attentively.

Wei Siqian's face darkened, clearly not expecting the Crown Prince to turn the question around.

He forced himself to remain calm and launched another offensive, his words becoming increasingly stern.

"Even if Your Highness defends yourself by claiming filial piety, you should know that the Book of Rites says: 'Ritual is nothing but respect.' In the Liangyi Hall, Your Highness spoke directly to the Emperor's face, showing no respect whatsoever as a subject, and even more so, a lack of the composure of a Crown Prince! I ask Your Highness again, how can you speak of filial piety without 'respect'? What difference is there between filial piety that lacks propriety and rebellion?"

At this moment, several officials from the Eastern Palace standing in the back row began to whisper among themselves.

A young attendant couldn't help but whisper to his colleague beside him, "Imperial Censor Wei's words are a bit too harsh..."

But he was stopped by the elder beside him with a look.

All eyes were on the Crown Prince, awaiting the next course of action.

Li Chengqian lowered his gaze slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips, and calmly continued the conversation.

"The censor accused me of being disrespectful, but the Book of Rites also says: 'Arrogance should not be fostered, desires should not be indulged, ambitions should not be excessive, and pleasures should not be extreme.' On that day, I had some doubts and spoke my mind frankly. This was precisely because I was not yet satisfied with my ambitions and wanted to seek clarity. How could I be accused of arrogance and indulgence?"

"Your Majesty is wise and magnanimous, and has always encouraged ministers to speak frankly. Minister Wei Zheng has repeatedly offended Your Majesty, but Your Majesty has not taken offense, but rather used it as a mirror. As the Crown Prince, I emulate the upright ministers and diligently seek their guidance. If this is considered impolite, then I ask the Censor, is Your Majesty's acceptance of frank advice appropriate or not? Is my imitation of Your Majesty's commendable conduct impolite, or is it in accordance with propriety?"

At this point, Li Chengqian was becoming more and more adept at handling the situation, and Wei Siqian's explanation was basically the same as Li Yichen's prediction!
Upon hearing this, Xu Jingzong almost clapped his hands in approval.

He keenly noticed that when the Crown Prince spoke, he slightly adjusted his posture due to his foot ailment; this subtle movement only made his words seem more sincere.

He secretly noted this detail, thinking that he might be able to use it to report to His Majesty in the future on the Crown Prince's diligence in discussing politics while ill.

Wei Siqian's breathing was slightly heavy, and there was a little sweat on his forehead.

He gritted his teeth and focused intently, delivering his most intense interrogation yet, directly addressing the crux of the legal principles.

I can't admit defeat, so I'll prepare for these issues for a few days.

"Even if Your Highness is eloquent and persuasive, you cannot conceal the insinuations in your words that day! The Tang Code clearly states: Anyone who criticizes the emperor in a way that is morally reprehensible shall be beheaded! Although Your Highness did not directly criticize him, you used the past to criticize the present, used the son to criticize the father, and used the subject to doubt the ruler—is this not 'morally reprehensible'? I ask Your Highness: Do you think your words that day violated the law?"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole hall was in an uproar.

A clerk standing by the pillar couldn't help but gasp, nearly dropping his brush.

Li Baiyao's expression changed drastically. Just as he was about to speak to help, he saw the Crown Prince slowly sit down in the first seat.

Li Chengqian remained silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled softly. The laughter was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

He calmly met Wei Siqian's piercing gaze and said clearly, word by word, "I have answered the three questions posed by the Censor. Now I also have three questions for the Censor."

The hall fell silent instantly, even the eunuch standing in the corner held his breath. "First, the censor keeps citing the Tang Code, saying I 'criticized the emperor.' However, the Commentary on the Code states: 'If a subject does not speak out against the faults of the emperor, it is to lead the emperor into injustice.' Is what I said 'leading the emperor into injustice,' or 'avoiding the emperor from injustice'? Censor, you are well-versed in the law, please explain it to me."

Wei Siqian opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

He felt cold sweat soaking his official robes.

"Secondly, the censor accused me of 'using the past to criticize the present.' However, Sima Qian wrote the *Records of the Grand Historian*, and Ban Gu compiled the *Book of Han*, both recording the gains and losses of previous dynasties. Could they also be considered 'using the past to criticize the present'? By learning from the past, one can understand the rise and fall of dynasties. When I read history books, I have doubts and seek advice from the emperor—is this not the way for the crown prince to pursue his studies? According to the censor, should Sima Qian and Ban Gu also be punished?"

At this moment, several suppressed exclamations of praise came from among the officials of the Eastern Palace.

An elderly scholar stroked his long beard, nodded slightly, and looked on with satisfaction.

"Third, the censor claims my words are pertinent in both sentiment and reason. But where is the sentiment? Where is the reason? Whom have been harmed? On that day in the Liangyi Hall, facing His Majesty, every word I uttered came from the books of sages and worthies; all I sought was to clarify the truth and answer questions. His Majesty's holy heart made the decisive judgment. Now, the censor has actually ruled on behalf of His Majesty that my words are pertinent—I must ask, is the censor acting on behalf of the emperor? Or... judging His Majesty's will by his own standards?"

The three questions are closely linked, progressing from legal principles to historical lessons, and then from historical lessons to the separation of power between the monarch and his ministers, each step building upon the previous one, each sentence piercing the heart!
Wei Siqian's face turned completely pale, his lips trembled, and he couldn't answer a single word.

His body swayed slightly, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.

Li Chengqian glanced at his embarrassed state, slowly shook his head, and revealed a faint but extremely cold mockery on his face.

“Since childhood, I have studied history and seen honest ministers and remonstrating officials who spoke out for the people or for the country. Even if their words were harsh, their hearts were commendable and their will was admirable! But I have never seen anyone like the censor—who does not investigate the facts, does not examine the true intentions, does not distinguish between loyalty and treachery, but only considers his ability to use profound and persuasive language and his merit in framing the crown prince!”

He paused, his voice like shattering ice, resounding and forceful.

"Having traversed the annals of history, I have never seen such a shameless person!"

He uttered the last sentence almost as a sigh, with an unbelievable contempt.

"How strange!"

The four words were like four resounding slaps to Wei Siqian's face, and they also shook the entire Consultative Hall.

Wei Siqian could no longer hold on. He staggered, his face turning from white to red, then from red to green. He was filled with shame and indignation, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

He abruptly cupped his hands in a salute, and almost hoarsely squeezed out three words: "Your subject... takes his leave!"

He immediately turned around and practically stumbled out of the Consultative Hall, not even caring about his demeanor.

The hall was deathly silent, then whispers gradually began to rise.

Li Baiyao let out a long sigh of relief, only then realizing that his palms were covered in sweat. His eyes were filled with surprise and admiration as he looked at the Crown Prince.

Xu Jingzong maintained his smile, but his heart was in turmoil.

He thought to himself: The Crown Prince's behavior today is completely different from usual; there must be a master guiding him behind the scenes.

Who is this person?

Such methods are truly astounding!

(End of this chapter)