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

Chapter 39 I wish to hear the details.

When Du Chuke returned to the Prince of Wei's residence, it was already midnight.

The mansion was brightly lit, but Li Tai had not yet slept and was still pacing anxiously in his study.

Upon seeing Du Chuke enter, his obese body immediately turned around, and his small eyes gleamed with eagerness.

"How is it?" Li Tai's voice was a little hoarse with urgency.

Du Chuke bowed respectfully, his expression calm.

"Your Highness, I have already met with Yu Zhining."

"He agreed?" Li Tai asked hurriedly.

“Yu Zhining neither explicitly agreed nor refused,” Du Chuke said calmly.

"Judging from his expression, I see that he is deeply conflicted. First, he still harbors resentment towards the Crown Prince, vividly recalling the assassination attempt years ago, and remains fearful. Second, as a former official, he has a natural sense of responsibility for the country's foundation, hoping that the Crown Prince can truly repent, yet fearing that a facade might mislead the nation. Third, he is upright and honest, not adept at deception. Even if he goes to the Eastern Palace tomorrow, he will likely use the guise of admonition and seeking verification to actually test the waters, and I fear he will not deliver the decisive blow Your Highness desires."

A hint of disappointment flashed across Li Tai's face, and he slammed his thick palm heavily on the table.

"That old fool! Still so hesitant and indecisive!"

"Your Highness, please calm down," Du Chuke said calmly.

“If Yu Zhining can go, it will be a success. First, his status is special; he was once the Crown Prince's tutor, so his words carry weight. Second, as long as he asks about the past, regardless of his attitude, it will be like rubbing salt into the Crown Prince's wounds, enough to disrupt the peaceful situation that the Eastern Palace has just created. Third, his appearance itself is a declaration to the court and the public that the Crown Prince's past is not forgotten, and doubts still exist.”

Li Tai took a few deep breaths, slowly calmed down, and a calculating glint returned to his small eyes.

"In your opinion, is Yu Zhining's probing enough?"

“Far from enough,” Du Chuke said decisively.

"Yu Zhining is a key player, a pebble used to test the waters. We need to have a backup plan and work together to achieve the best results."

"Speak!" Li Tai sat back on the couch, leaning forward.

Du Chuke lowered his voice and analyzed the situation step by step.

"First, we need to find another candidate immediately. This person must have no public connection with the Prince of Wei's residence, preferably someone with a reputation for integrity but also someone who is eager for quick success and instant benefits, or an official who has a long-standing feud with the Crown Prince. There are such people in the Censorate, the Secretariat, and even the Imperial Academy. Instruct them to launch an attack after or at the same time as Yu Zhining, with words that are sharp and direct, focusing on the Crown Prince's private morality and his association with inappropriate people, without being as subtle as Yu Zhining. We must catch the Crown Prince off guard and force him to lose his composure."

A fierce glint flashed in Li Tai's eyes. "Do you have a specific candidate?"

Du Chuke pondered for a moment.

"The Censor Liu Shi is known for his uprightness and outspokenness, but he is also impatient and eager for fame. He once had a falling out with an official of the Crown Prince's palace over an assessment. He might be worth a try. Also, Liu Xuanyi, the nephew of Liu Ji, the Assistant Compiler, is young and ambitious and likes to discuss current affairs. His family has a past grudge against Hou Junji, which might be a good opportunity to use against him."

"Good! You will handle this personally. Keep it a secret and promise a great reward!" Li Tai ordered.

"Your subject understands." Du Chuke accepted the order and continued, "Secondly, we need to utilize the power of the common people. In Chang'an, where foreign merchants gather, there are many idlers and dissolute men in taverns, inns, and gambling dens. They are well-informed and spread information very quickly. We can send trusted family members with gold and silk to secretly contact the leaders among them and spread rumors."

"What's the rumor?" Li Tai pressed.

"Focus on the Crown Prince's weaknesses," Du Chuke said quickly. "First, say that the Crown Prince's foot ailment has worsened recently, and that he is fickle, often whipping eunuchs in the Eastern Palace. His so-called 'accepting advice' is merely a facade, and his old illness is about to relapse. Second, bring up the Crown Prince's past close ties with the Turks, fabricating details to say that he still wears Turkic clothing, drinks dairy products, and even has secret dealings with surrendered Turkic generals lingering in Chang'an, which is unbecoming of a Chinese heir. The Eastern Palace is now wide open and has become the target of public criticism. The attention of the court and the people is focused on it. Once such rumors are spread, they will be easily believed and difficult to trace back to their source."

After hearing this, Li Tai finally revealed a satisfied, sinister smile.

"Brilliant! This plan is brilliant! It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. Let that cripple taste the power of this subtle knife! Go and make the arrangements immediately; the gold and silver are at your disposal!"

"Yes!" Du Chuke bowed. "I will take care of it immediately. But... if Your Majesty hears of such rumors, will you investigate?"

Li Tai sneered and waved his fat hand.

“Father is busy with countless affairs of state, how could he care about gossip in the marketplace? Even if he heard about it, at most he would order the officials to investigate. Those idle men are as slippery as eels, how could they possibly find out the truth? Even if they did find out a little, what could they do? Would Father really make a big fuss over a few rumors, only to confirm the outside world's suspicions about the Crown Prince? This is an open scheme, and Father can only swallow this bitter pill!” Du Chuke nodded in agreement, also feeling that this plan was ruthless.

Rumors can kill, invisibly and without a trace, yet they are enough to erode the Crown Prince's newly established reputation and plant even deeper thorns in His Majesty's heart.

Du Chuke left the study and departed in a hurry.

Li Tai sat alone in his study, the candlelight illuminating his ever-changing face.

He seemed to already see how chaotic the Eastern Palace would become, and how the Crown Prince's "virtuous reputation" would crumble little by little under these attacks, both overt and covert.

“Li Chengqian…” he murmured the name, his voice filled with deep-seated hatred.

"Let's see if you can still laugh this time!"

The next morning, just after dawn, before daybreak and before the gates of Chang'an City were opened, the Eastern Palace's Consultative Hall was already brightly lit.

Li Chengqian sat upright behind the table at the head of the table. Although his right ankle still ached, he deliberately straightened his back.

In addition to the usual books on classics and history, there was also a stack of blank memorials and a red ink pen on the desk.

Li Baiyao, the Right Vice-Minister of the Crown Prince, and Xu Jingzong, his study companion, sat on the left and right sides, respectively.

Li Yichen remained seated in the back row of officials, his position towards the back, his figure partially hidden in the shadow of a pillar. Several scribes had prepared paper and ink and stood respectfully to one side.

The hall was filled with the fragrance of incense, the atmosphere solemn and tense, as if awaiting an unknown storm.

At the beginning of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the faint sound of drums signaling the opening of the palace gates could be heard.

Soon after, a guard announced from outside the hall: "Your Highness, Liu Heng, a Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate, requests an audience."

Liu Heng?

Li Chengqian paused for a moment upon hearing the name.

This was once a prominent name; the son-in-law of the emperor's grandfather, who was also a powerful regional official in his time.

However, after his father ascended the throne, this man seemed to disappear into thin air. He was first dismissed from his post as Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices due to an incident, and although he was later reinstated as a Gentleman Attendant, this position was already an honorary post with no real power during the Zhenguan era. He had long been a marginal figure in the court, ignored by everyone.

Why has this long-forgotten, disillusioned old minister come today?
Li Chengqian glanced subconsciously in Li Yichen's direction, and seeing that the latter still had his eyes down, he composed himself and called out, "Please, Young Master Liu, come in."

A moment later, an elderly official, nearly sixty years old, wearing an old purple official robe and with a slightly hunched posture, slowly walked into the hall under the guidance of his attendants.

His steps were somewhat slow, and his face bore the marks of a life well-lived and a sense of long-standing marginalization and loneliness.

He walked into the hall, bowed deeply according to etiquette, his voice somewhat hoarse, yet he maintained his final dignity.

"This old minister, Liu Heng, pays his respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Liu Shaoqing is a veteran official of two dynasties, so there is no need for formalities. Please sit down."

Li Chengqian raised his hand to indicate the seats that had been set up to the side.

Liu Heng did not sit down immediately. Instead, he straightened his posture, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall before finally settling on Li Chengqian. He said in a loud voice, "This old minister has come here today not to offer advice, nor to discuss politics. It is only because I have heard that Your Highness has established this hall to broaden the channels for expression that I have suddenly recalled some old matters and feel moved. I have come to speak with Your Highness about them. If Your Highness finds this old minister rambling, you may dismiss me at any time."

Li Chengqian's doubts deepened, but he remained outwardly calm.

"Please speak freely, Mr. Liu. I am eager to hear the details."

(End of this chapter)