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

Chapter 60 is at least not a cause for concern.

"Your Highness," Du Chuke bowed, his voice even lower.

"As I have just analyzed, the Crown Prince's response, though seemingly clever, has in fact offended the Emperor. His Majesty is not pleased at this moment, but rather furious! Under such a wrathful demeanor, what is the most important thing?"

Li Tai's eyes narrowed.

"Investigate! Find out who's behind this, the one who's been manipulating the Crown Prince and stirring up trouble!"

“Exactly!” Du Chuke said decisively.

"His Majesty has surely already ordered the use of all available resources to thoroughly investigate the recent movements and backgrounds of all personnel in the Eastern Palace. I predict that within two or three days, those who have been hiding their true colors will be exposed! His Majesty will absolutely not tolerate the existence of such a hidden danger who can manipulate the Crown Prince and influence public opinion!"

Li Tai nodded slowly, but then his brows furrowed again.

"Then those who spread rumors before... especially Liu Shi, he knows a lot of the inside story, if they are found out..."

A fierce look flashed across Du Chuke's face. He made a downward cutting gesture, his voice cold and ruthless.

“Your Highness, those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. Imperial Censor Liu… and those few commoners responsible for spreading the news, cannot be allowed to live any longer. We must completely sever the leads and prevent the fire from spreading to the Prince of Wei’s residence.”

Li Tai remained silent for a moment, a hint of struggle flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by resolve.

He took a deep breath.

"Yes. It must be done cleanly, leaving no evidence. Especially for Liu Shi... give him some face and ensure his family's safety."

"Your Majesty, I understand." Du Chuke bowed his head. "Your Highness, rest assured, I will make proper arrangements. It will be an unexpected situation, and no one will doubt it."

……

The next day, there was a court meeting.

Inside the Taiji Hall, all the officials stood solemnly.

In the censor's procession, a censor surnamed Wang stepped forward first, holding a tablet in his hand, his voice loud but unable to conceal his urgency.

"Your Majesty! I have a memorial to present! Recently, rumors and gossip have been rampant in the streets of Chang'an! There are vicious remarks that slander the Crown Prince and curse the Emperor and his father, as well as absurd stories such as 'a rooster crowing at dawn lays a golden egg,' 'a cat scratching its head and composing a poem,' and 'a greyhound raising its paw to predict good or bad fortune!' Such remarks, whether praise or criticism, confuse the public and fool the people. If this continues, it will surely cause unrest among the people and distort right and wrong, truly a source of disaster that shakes the foundation of the nation! I implore Your Majesty to issue an edict to thoroughly investigate the source of these rumors, severely punish those who spread them, to set the record straight and to bring peace to the world!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several more censors stepped forward to echo his words, their rhetoric vehement, as if the Tang Dynasty would collapse the very next day if a thorough investigation was not carried out immediately.

On the dragon throne, Li Shimin listened expressionlessly, his gaze sweeping over the impassioned censors below and then over the silent senior officials in the front row.

Changsun Wuji lowered his eyelids, as if he were resting, but in his heart he let out a cold snort.

Shake the country's foundation?

If the foundation of the nation can be so easily shaken by a few rumors from the common people, then the Zhenguan era's legacy is far too fragile.

These censors, eager to show off and prone to making unfounded accusations, ultimately lacked a broad perspective.

However, the person behind this must be found and their entire clan wiped out.

Fang Xuanling frowned slightly. He didn't think the foundation of the country was as fragile as paper, but he felt that this matter needed to be handled with extra caution.

The Crown Prince's recent changes, whether due to his own awakening or guidance from others, are generally positive.

By this time, Fang Xuanling had changed his opinion of the person behind him.

If a thorough investigation is launched, regardless of the outcome, it will inevitably put the Crown Prince in the spotlight again, which would not be good for the court.

Military generals like Li Jing and Yuchi Jingde were completely absorbed in their own thoughts, showing no interest in these verbal disputes.

Just as the censors were in an uproar, thinking they had seized the moral high ground, Li Shimin finally spoke, his voice calm and revealing neither joy nor anger.

"These are just idle chatter, nothing to be taken seriously."

Imperial Censor Wang was stunned, seemingly unable to believe his ears. He hurriedly said, "Your Majesty! This is no ordinary gossip; it concerns the Crown Prince's reputation..."

"The reputation of a crown prince is not determined by what people say, but by his actions and his heart."

Li Shimin interrupted him, his tone still calm, yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"I will make a fair judgment."

His gaze swept across the entire room. Several censors blushed and paled in turns, wanting to argue further, but seeing that none of the high-ranking officials in the front row spoke up in support, they knew that the situation was hopeless and could only retreat back to their ranks in frustration.

The subsequent court discussions shifted to routine administrative matters such as canal transport and border garrison military equipment.

……

Liangyi Palace.

The wafting incense could not dispel the somber atmosphere within the hall.

Li Shimin changed out of his heavy court robes and into a casual robe, sitting behind his desk.

Below, several key ministers, including Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Li Jing, Gao Shilian, and Chu Suiliang, sat in order.

They first discussed several important military and political matters, and everyone spoke freely, and a conclusion was quickly reached.

After these matters were discussed and settled, a brief silence fell over the hall.

Li Shimin picked up his teacup, gently stirred the floating tea leaves, and spoke as if casually.

"Recently, there have been many rumors about the Crown Prince's Palace. What do you, my esteemed ministers, think about them? I have already made my stance clear in court. You may discuss them privately without hesitation."

The ministers exchanged glances.

Gao Shilian nodded slightly and spoke first, his tone gentle.

"Rumors stop with the wise. Your Majesty's decision to ignore them is the best course of action. Excessive attention would only embolden them."

Li Shimin turned his gaze to Changsun Wuji.

What does the auxiliary machine think?

Changsun Wuji pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Your Majesty is wise. The rumors circulating in the marketplace are indeed nothing to worry about. We have all witnessed His Highness the Crown Prince's recent progress, which is due to Your Majesty's teachings and His Highness's self-reflection."

He paused slightly at this point, as if unintentionally glossing over it, and continued, "As long as Your Highness is surrounded by upright gentlemen who uphold the duties of a subject and wholeheartedly assist you, and not... those with ulterior motives, then a few rumors will naturally pass by like floating clouds and will not cause any harm."

His tone was calm, his words were cautious, and he even expressed his approval of the Crown Prince's progress.

However, the terms "upright gentleman" and "those with ulterior motives" carried different weights in the ears of those in the hall.

Fang Xuanling lowered his eyes, understanding dawning on him.

Changsun Wuji concealed his dissatisfaction with the person behind the Crown Prince under the guise of high-sounding words.

He didn't point it out directly, but he had already hinted at the "hidden danger".

Changsun Wuji was ultimately extremely wary of any factor that might slip out of his control, especially one that could affect the crown prince and thus the balance of power in the court.

Li Shimin remained expressionless, lightly tapping the table with his fingers, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, before turning his gaze to Fang Xuanling.

What are Xuanling's views?

Fang Xuanling raised his head, his expression calm.

"Your Majesty and your colleagues agree that the rumors should be ignored. As for His Highness the Crown Prince's progress, it is indeed gratifying. Young people are bound to make mistakes, but what is important is that they can admit their mistakes and correct them, and that they are willing to learn. It is also a good thing that His Highness has people around him to assist him and guide him toward goodness and learning. If His Highness can be brought back to the right path, it will be a merit for the country and the people."

His words were more direct than those of Changsun Wuji, and even hinted at exonerating the "person behind the scenes".

The core idea is clear: it doesn't matter if a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice, it's a good cat.

As long as the Crown Prince improves, it doesn't matter who's by his side; at least they're not a threat.

This is an attempt to dispel any potential murderous intent that His Majesty and Changsun Wuji might harbor towards that person.

He understood Li Shimin; at this moment, His Majesty must have harbored murderous intent towards the person behind the scenes.

The fact that His Majesty does not support the censors' advice at this time shows that, in His Majesty's mind, the Crown Prince's progress and the stability of the nation's foundation are still the top priorities.

Li Shimin's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, as if he wanted to sneer, but he held back.

At this moment, Chu Suiliang spoke.

(End of this chapter)