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

Chapter 63 Do you think I'm being presumptuous?

He had only seen the benefits brought by Xizhou and was excited about being able to cultivate his own people, but he never expected that such huge risks and costs were hidden behind it!

"I...I understand!"

Li Chengqian was both shocked and excited by the sudden realization.

"Therefore, I cannot focus solely on Xizhou! No matter how important the matter in Xizhou is, I cannot devote all my energy to it! I need to allocate resources to monitor other developments in the court, maintain relationships with other ministers, and even... even Qingque cannot be completely ignored? Because the 'hidden costs' of abandoning these areas are something I cannot afford!"

Li Yichen watched the dramatic change in the Crown Prince's expression.

I know that the teaching objective has been achieved.

He bowed slightly: "Your Highness is wise and insightful, able to draw inferences from one instance to another, and has grasped the essence of the matter. Whether it is the 'degree' of the first type of weighing or the 'choice' of the second type of weighing, the core is to remind Your Highness that resources are limited, and one must be careful in calculation, striving to obtain the greatest overall benefit at the lowest cost, and always be vigilant about the potential value given up behind each choice."

Li Chengqian let out a long sigh of relief, sat back down, and felt as if a brand new window had been opened in his mind. What he saw was no longer a simple black-and-white right and wrong, but a complex world full of various trade-offs, substitutions, costs and benefits.

"Yichen, your 'way of weighing the pros and cons' is truly... truly alarming, and also sobering!"

He exclaimed, "Now I realize that the exercise of power is like that of a merchant with limited funds; one must be meticulous and shrewd in calculation!"

"Your Highness's ability to think this way is a true step forward," Li Yichen said earnestly.

"However, the purpose of my analysis of these matters with Your Highness today is not to teach Your Highness how to decide on specific actions in Xizhou or how to select personnel. Rather, I hope that Your Highness can grasp this method of thinking."

He paused for a moment, then looked at Li Chengqian with a serious expression.

"Faced with the complexities of court affairs, His Majesty's inquiries, and even dealings with the Prince of Wei, Your Highness should use this 'balancing act' on your own."

"Ask more 'why' questions. What additional benefits will this investment bring? Is it nearing its limit? What are the costs of abandoning other options by choosing this strategy? Is it worthwhile?"

"Your Highness may consult with senior officials such as Chancellor Fang and Minister Changsun. They are experienced and insightful in weighing practical matters. However, Your Highness must remember to consult, not rely on. The final decision must stem from Your Highness's own independent thinking and judgment. Only in this way can Your Highness truly remain invincible."

The blush of excitement on Li Chengqian's face had not yet completely faded. He clenched his fist tightly, as if trying to firmly grasp the sense of power that came from his newfound understanding of the "way of weighing things."

He looked at Li Yichen with burning eyes, filled with an eagerness to put his ideas into practice.

"Yichen! Your analysis has enlightened me! This way of weighing things requires even more meticulous calculation than game theory, and it directly addresses the interests of the human heart!"

His voice was slightly high-pitched with excitement.

"Tomorrow, when my uncle and the other dukes and ministers come to the Eastern Palace to discuss matters of the Western Continent, I will definitely make good use of this method and show them what I'm capable of! Let them see that I am no longer the same as before..."

"Your Highness!"

Li Yichen's voice was not loud, and he abruptly interrupted Li Chengqian's excited words.

Li Chengqian was taken aback by the sudden interruption. His excited expression froze, turning into confusion.

"Yichen? What is this...?" Li Yichen's gaze was calm as water as he looked directly at Li Chengqian and slowly shook his head.

“Your Highness, you have misunderstood again. What I just mentioned about weighing the pros and cons of a matter was to make you consider the advantages and disadvantages of the matter itself. However, when dealing with court officials, especially important officials like the Duke of Zhao, the primary thing is not to ‘show off,’ nor to ‘please,’ nor even to ‘befriend’ in the usual sense.”

"Then...why is that?"

Li Chengqian frowned, completely unable to keep up with Li Yichen's leaping train of thought.

"I humbly accept advice, demonstrate my talents, and let them know that I am capable of undertaking great responsibilities, thus gaining their support. What is wrong with that?"

"Completely wrong," Li Yichen said with unwavering certainty.

"Your Highness must always remember that in this 'regent' council' set up by His Majesty, your primary concern is His Majesty's scrutiny, not the judgment of the court officials. What His Majesty wants to see is your magnanimity and decisiveness as the crown prince, not your humility and eagerness to learn as a student. This is the first point."

He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice.

"Secondly, and more importantly, Your Highness, your relationship with the Duke of Zhao, the Duke of Liang, and others is primarily that of ruler and subject. You are the Crown Prince, and they are your subjects, currently important officials in the court. This relationship determines the fundamental principle governing your interactions with them, which is far beyond ordinary courtesy or simple attraction based on talent."

Li Chengqian seemed to have grasped something, but it remained vague.

"I know perfectly well that we are ruler and subjects. But that is precisely why I need their support! Without the backing of important ministers, how can my position as heir apparent be secure?"

"So Your Highness wants to curry favor with them? To demonstrate your value in order to secure their investment?"

A faint, mocking smile curved the corners of Li Yichen's lips.

“Your Highness, you are placing yourself in a position equal to them, or even needing to beg for their mercy. In the game of power, this is a degrading act and a huge strategic mistake.”

Seeing Li Chengqian's bewildered expression, he began his cold and meticulous disassembly.

"I will use game theory and the art of weighing options to analyze your relationship with these top ministers. First of all, you must understand that they are not like Wei Siqian, an imperial censor who needs to impeach the crown prince to gain fame, nor like Lai Ji, a capable official who hopes to be promoted by presenting practical policies. They are Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, people who have already stood at the top of the power pyramid and share the power of the country with Your Majesty."

"The driving force behind their support or opposition is far more complex than whether you are personally wise or studious. Every statement and every choice is the result of an extremely complex weighing of interests. Behind them are powerful families, the deeply entrenched Guanlong Group and Shandong gentry, and the political capital accumulated over decades or even generations. Their primary consideration is the long-term interests of the entire family, and how to preserve or even expand their own power to the greatest extent possible during the transition between old and new power."

Li Chengqian was deeply shaken and subconsciously asked, "Then... what should I do? Should I keep my distance from them? But wouldn't that push them even further towards Qingque?"

"It is not about keeping a respectful distance, but about treating them with the demeanor of a 'ruler'."

Li Yichen's gaze was sharp.

"What is the demeanor of a 'ruler'? It is not arrogance, nor is it aloofness, but rather an inner, unquestionable 'power'. You must make them clearly feel that the boundary between you and them, called 'ruler and subject,' is not to be blurred."

Li Chengqian was even more confused and asked anxiously, "Won't they think I'm being presumptuous?"

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(End of this chapter)