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

Chapter 51 attempts to pull him back into the cage he desperately wants to escape.

The excitement on Li Chengqian's face had vanished without a trace, replaced by a gradually accumulating disappointment and a hint of impatience.

He originally thought that Wei Zheng had come to support him and approve of his "progressive" move, but he never expected that this famous and outspoken minister would completely deny it and advise him to go back to where he was!

How is this any different from the old arguments of Zhang Xuansu and Yu Zhining?

Even more conservative and... cowardly!

"Does the Duke of Zheng mean that I should continue to stay at home, as before, allowing others to slander and attack me, while I can only swallow my anger?"

A subtle chill crept into Li Chengqian's voice.

Wei Zheng slowly shook his head, his breathing somewhat uneven.

"It is not about swallowing one's anger, but rather... using stillness to control movement, and softness to overcome hardness. Your Highness, as the Tao Te Ching says, 'Know the male, but keep to the female, and be the valley of the world.' The position of Crown Prince is under the world's watchful eye. It is better to remain still than to act rashly, and better to remain hidden than to show off. His Majesty is discerning and insightful. How could His Majesty not know Your Highness's wisdom or folly? Your Highness only needs to fulfill your duties as a son and cultivate the virtues of a Crown Prince, and His Majesty will naturally... know what is going on. Why... do such a ostentatious thing, giving others a handle to use against you, and trapping yourself... under a precarious wall?"

He paused for a moment, as if he had made a great decision. He lowered his voice, but each word was clear and carried a heavy warning.

"This old minister... fears that Your Highness may be misled by... petty people who are eager for quick success and instant benefits. They may seem to be plotting for Your Highness, but in reality... they are putting Your Highness in a precarious position. Their recent actions, though seemingly ambitious, are like a child carrying a great treasure in the marketplace, only attracting covetous eyes! Your Highness... must be careful, must... be on guard!"

These words almost explicitly imply that there are treacherous and wicked people around Li Chengqian, and that his current strategy is completely wrong.

Li Chengqian's face darkened completely.

Wei Zheng's words completely negated his recent excitement, struggles, and the little confidence and determination he had just gained under Li Yichen's guidance!

Not only did they deny it, but they also accused him of being "misled by villains," "acting ostentatiously," and "putting himself in danger"!

How could he accept this?

The atmosphere inside the hall became extremely oppressive.

Li Baiyao looked worried, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Xu Jingzong looked down at his nose, his nose focused on his heart, like an old monk in deep meditation.

The officials in the back row dared not utter a sound.

Li Yichen, who had been silently observing from the shadows, listened to Wei Zheng's earnest and well-intentioned advice, which was full of classical allusions. His heart was also filled with turmoil, but he did not agree with it. Instead, he felt a deep sense of helplessness and sigh.

Was Wei Zheng wrong?

From the perspective of a traditional Confucian scholar-official, from the perspective of maintaining absolute imperial power and established order, and even from the perspective of his lifelong belief in the "primogeniture system" in order to seek political stability, his words can be described as golden advice, full of mature wisdom in governing the country.

He truly cared for the Crown Prince and for the foundation of the Tang Dynasty.

He was not opposing Crown Prince Li Chengqian as a person, but any "non-standard" behavior that might disrupt the existing balance and cause turmoil.

What he wanted the crown prince to be was a standardized, impeccable, and quietly waiting-to-be-inherited heir.

However, Li Yichen knew that this standardized template for a "wise prince" was completely ineffective, and even toxic, for Li Chengqian.

The prince before me is not a law-abiding person; he is a problem student whose heart is full of trauma, who desperately craves recognition, and who has become rebellious due to long-term repression.

Allowing him to continue "secluded reading" and "reflecting on his mistakes behind closed doors" would only exacerbate his pain and rebelliousness, ultimately pushing him back onto his original historical trajectory—abandoning himself and heading towards destruction. Wei Zheng's strategy was to "block" and "suppress," hoping to exchange absolute moral standards and passive avoidance for safety.

But this requires the crown prince to have extremely strong inner strength and unparalleled patience, which Li Chengqian lacked.

Li Yichen knew that Li Chengqian's position as crown prince was easier to maintain compared to other crown princes in previous dynasties, mainly because he could ascend the throne smoothly as long as he didn't cause trouble.

"Teaching according to aptitude..." Li Yichen silently recited these four words in his heart. This was the true essence of the wisdom of our ancestors.

Li Chengqian cannot be treated in the same way that a standard crown prince, who is gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and modest, should be.

Wei Zheng's reasoning was correct, but he applied it to the wrong person, and the effect was likely to be counterproductive.

Li Yichen couldn't help but recall what happened to Wei Zheng shortly after his death in the original historical timeline.

Why did Li Shimin knock down Wei Zheng's tombstone?

While the emperor was certainly angered to discover that Wei Zheng had sent copies of his remonstrances to the historians, the deeper reason was perhaps that the emperor's pent-up resentment and dissatisfaction with Wei Zheng's approach of pursuing absolute morality, directly attacking the emperor's heart, and showing no mercy finally erupted.

Emperors are human too; they need emotional value and a way out.

Wei Zheng's reasoning was always correct, but he overlooked the complexity of human nature and the delicate balance of power.

His methods sometimes not only fail to solve the problem, but also create new problems.

At this moment, Wei Zheng's advice to the crown prince seems to be repeating the same mistakes.

He used absolutely correct reasoning to demand things of a crown prince who was in a deep inner struggle, which only aroused deeper rebellion in the prince.

As expected, after a long silence, Li Chengqian raised his head. The initial enthusiasm in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a distant indifference. His voice was calm, but it carried a clear sense of resistance.

"Duke Zheng's words of wisdom are truly invaluable. I have learned much from them. However, my decision to establish this hall was made after careful consideration, not on a whim or because I was misled. My father advocates accepting advice, and as the crown prince, I follow suit. Even if there are any mistakes, it is out of a desire to share my father's burdens and fulfill my responsibility to the people. If I were to shrink back for fear of trouble, would that be the way of a son or a subject? I appreciate your good intentions, Duke. However, I have my own plans regarding this matter."

These words clearly indicated a rejection of Wei Zheng's proposal.

Upon hearing this, Wei Zheng's eyes flashed with deep disappointment and worry. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to persuade him again, but this triggered an even more violent coughing fit. He coughed so hard that his whole body trembled, and his face turned from yellow to gray. He was unable to speak for a moment.

Wei Shuyu anxiously patted his back, looked up at the Crown Prince, and his eyes held a hint of pleading.

Seeing Wei Zheng's pained expression, Li Chengqian's heart softened, and his tone became gentler.

"Your health is very poor, and I will carefully consider what you said today. You should return to your residence and rest well. I will send a royal physician to your residence to treat you later."

This was already a signal to send the guests off.

With his son's help, Wei Zheng struggled to his feet. He took one last look at Li Chengqian, his eyes filled with complex emotions: worry, disappointment, and a sense of helplessness.

He said nothing more in the end, but bowed deeply and tremblingly, and then, supported by Wei Shuyu, slowly left the Consultative Hall, panting with each step.

His arrival filled Li Chengqian with immense joy and excitement.
When he left, he left behind only a room full of silence and the crown prince's immense sense of loss and lingering restlessness.

The light from that "human mirror" did not illuminate the way forward; instead, it was like a heavy shackle, trying to pull him back into the cage he was desperately trying to break free from.

(End of this chapter)