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

Chapter 65 The Obvious "Intentions".

"First, observe who volunteered. These people are either ambitious and eager for quick success or pawns for various factions. Careful discernment is needed. Second, observe who senior officials such as Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling will recommend. Third, observe who the Prince of Wei will put forward, or who he will obstruct."

Li Chengqian was deeply moved, as if he could already see the scene of people arguing heatedly over this position in the court, while he himself sat high on the fishing platform, watching everything with perfect clarity.

“More importantly,” Li Yichen added, “whoever this person is in the end, as long as he meets the ‘standards’ set by His Highness, and the appointment is made by the court within the rules governing His Highness’s ‘listening to the government,’ then after he takes office, he will naturally carry a hint of being ‘watched by the Crown Prince.’ His Highness can then naturally inquire about the affairs of Xizhou, examine his performance, and apply favors and authority accordingly. This is much more discreet and sophisticated than His Highness directly appointing someone who is clearly an official under the Crown Prince!”

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!" Li Chengqian couldn't help but clap his hands.

"In this way, I can advance or retreat as needed! It not only advances the affairs of Xizhou, but also discerns the movements of the court, and allows me to quietly place my pieces! Yichen, this plan is excellent!"

He paced excitedly in the hall, completely unaware of the pain in his feet.

"I will draft a memorial now! Just as you said, it will only mention the duties and standards, and will not mention the candidates at all!"

Seeing the Crown Prince rekindle his fighting spirit and begin to use the strategies he had taught him to make plans, Li Yichen felt somewhat relieved.

He knew that the road ahead was still fraught with danger. Li Shimin's suspicion, the court officials' gazes, and the Prince of Wei's conspiracy were all like swords hanging over his head.

But at least, the crown prince is growing up, transforming from a rebellious teenager who only vents his anger into a politician who likes to use power and the law.

This was his only glimmer of hope during the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty.

"Your Highness is wise." Li Yichen bowed.

"Furthermore, regarding the aftermath of that 'self-defamation' rumor, especially the earthquake in Bingzhou, if the celestial phenomena are indeed as predicted, Your Highness's reputation will experience an unexpected surge."

Liangyi Palace.

Li Shimin put down the memorial in his hand.

Wang De, who was standing to the side, lowered his head even further and held his breath.

The memorial had just been presented by the Crown Prince; the ink was not yet dry.

The content concerns the resettlement of people from Xizhou to strengthen the border region, with the core being a petition to establish a brand-new official position – the "Xizhou Development and Promotion Commissioner".

The memorial was written in a clear and logical manner, with distinct arguments.

First, he reiterated the importance of Xizhou's strategic position, then discussed the urgency of relocating people to populate the border, followed by pointing out the drawbacks of the current system where each department is responsible for its own affairs and lacks overall coordination, and finally proposed the necessity of establishing this position.

The memorial also detailed the powers and responsibilities of this position: to have the authority to oversee the resettlement of migrants in Xizhou, the reclamation of farmland, the construction of water conservancy projects, the border trade, and even the coordination of some military towns, and to report directly to the emperor.

At the end of the memorial, the requirements for the candidate for this position were also listed: "well-versed in agriculture and water conservancy, knowledgeable about border affairs, honest and capable, unafraid of powerful figures, and competent to handle complex and demanding tasks."

However, it was this seemingly patriotic and impeccable memorial that caused Li Shimin's face to gradually darken.

His gaze swept over the lines of text regarding the requirements for the candidates once more.

"Well-versed in agriculture and water conservancy, knowledgeable about border affairs, honest and capable, and unafraid of powerful figures..."

Li Shimin silently recited the mantra, a cold smile curving his lips.

That sounds so grand and dignified!

This unfilial son, before his wings have even hardened, is already eager to reach for power and install his own people?
He could almost immediately imagine which "old friend of the Crown Prince" or which "talented person" had recently shown him goodwill when Li Chengqian wrote down these requirements.

This "Xizhou Development and Promotion Commissioner" wields such great power that it is almost equivalent to a regional military governor. If he were to become a member of the Crown Prince's faction, wouldn't he become too powerful to control in the future?
What angered him even more was the speed at which the memorial was presented!

The Crown Prince was just granted the power to listen to government affairs today, and this memorial has already been placed on his desk!
Is there such an urgent need that even the most basic procedure of consulting with the prime ministers of the Secretariat and Chancellery cannot wait?
He believed that his opinion as the Crown Prince was sufficient to make decisions for the Privy Council.

An anger of being offended and belittled, mixed with disappointment at his son's eagerness to seize power, surged in Li Shimin's chest.

He seemed to see the impatient, rebellious, and lacking-temperamental Li Chengqian again, only this time, he was dressed in a cloak of "diligence and pragmatism".

"Good, very good." Li Shimin practically spat out these words through gritted teeth. "I want to see what kind of 'honest, capable, and fearless of powerful figures' you have under your command, worthy of this position!"

He suddenly picked up his vermilion brush and began to quickly review the memorial.

The brushstrokes are sharp and forceful.

"Granted. The Crown Prince shall consult with the relevant officials of the Ministry of Personnel, the Secretariat, the Chancellery, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Civil Affairs to discuss in detail the selection of officials for promotion and demotion, ensuring fairness and choosing virtuous and capable individuals. After the discussion is completed, the list and evaluations shall be submitted to me."

"Return it to the Crown Prince immediately."

Li Shimin's voice returned to calm.

Wang De bowed in agreement, carefully picked up the memorial, and quickly withdrew.

He clearly sensed that His Majesty was truly enraged.

The anger did not stem from the memorial itself, but from the Crown Prince's "impatience" and his "thoughts" that were not explicitly stated but were obvious.

The news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching the ears of Duke Changsun Wuji of Zhao.

At this moment, Changsun Wuji was reviewing official documents in his study when he heard his trusted family member report in a low voice, and his hand holding the pen froze in mid-air.

"Oh? You've already submitted your memorial so soon? And you're even going to set up an 'Promotion and Demotion Commissioner'?" Changsun Wuji raised his white eyebrows slightly, put down his pen, and revealed a half-smile on his face.

What was His Majesty's reaction?

"His Majesty has approved the request. However, the imperial edict requires the Crown Prince and the relevant officials of the Three Departments and Six Ministries to discuss the candidates in detail, and then submit the list for His Majesty's review after the decision is made."

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji was slightly taken aback, then let out a very soft, cold laugh, which was tinged with understanding and mockery.

"Having just gained a little power, are you already so eager to seize it?"

He muttered to himself, his gaze becoming deep.

"Xizhou...that's a tempting piece of meat, but also a hot potato. This 'Promotion and Demotion Envoy' position is extremely sensitive. Your Highness, are you trying to put your person in this precarious position? Or are you trying to test the reactions of various factions in the court?"

He got up and paced slowly around the study.

Li Chengqian's move was both hasty and risky.

Bypassing the prime minister and submitting a memorial directly is a major taboo in officialdom, making it seem unseemly and lacking in political wisdom.

His Majesty's statement, "to discuss in detail with the relevant officials," was itself a sign of dissatisfaction and a warning.

"Very well." Changsun Wuji stopped in his tracks, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

"I really want to see which 'wise and talented' His Highness will put forward in the Xiande Hall of the Eastern Palace tomorrow, and how he will persuade us old men?"

At the same time, Liang Guogong Fang Xuanling also learned of the news.

Compared to Changsun Wuji's coldness, Fang Xuanling's reaction was more complex.

He stroked his long beard and pondered for a long time.

“The Crown Prince is eager to take on his duties, and his determination is commendable. The appointment of a special envoy to oversee the affairs of Xizhou is indeed necessary and not entirely without merit.”

He muttered to himself.

"However... this procedure has ultimately been overstepped. His Majesty will surely be displeased."

He sighed.

(End of this chapter)