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

Chapter 101 Cooperation?

Li Yichen's eyes were burning.

"That's the key! We need to show them that Your Highness's repayment ability is genuinely guaranteed, not just empty words!"

He pointed to the pool of white refined salt on the table: "This salt is the 'anchor' for our first bond!"

Li Chengqian's mind raced, and Li Yichen's previous teachings on "anchoring" echoed in his mind—an anchor secures a ship, and an anchor stabilizes credit.

He felt as if he had grasped the edge of that thin veil, and a thought flashed through his mind like lightning!

"Yichen, do you mean...we issue bonds and announce to the public that the Eastern Palace is raising funds and provisions for the development of Xizhou?"

"And for all those who purchase bonds, the guarantee of repayment of their principal and interest is not a vague promise from the Crown Prince, but rather the supply of this batch of Snowflake Salt produced by the Eastern Palace."

The more he spoke, the clearer his thoughts became, and his eyes shone with an alarming brightness.

"In this way, when they lend money to me, they are not only looking at my future as the Crown Prince, but also at the huge profit margin and scarcity of the Snowflake Salt itself!"

"This salt is the anchor that holds their confidence in place! And the bonds are the boat that carries my credit!"

Looking at Li Chengqian, whose face was flushed with excitement, Li Yichen finally felt a genuine sense of relief and ease.

Although the expression is still a bit rough, the core logic has been fully grasped.

This guidance was not in vain.

"Your Highness is wise and can draw inferences from one instance to another; this is exactly the point!" Li Yichen affirmed without reservation, and then went on to elaborate further.

"To be precise, we do not directly link His Highness's credibility to salt."

"Your Highness's credibility is the fundamental premise for this bond ship to set sail - because they believe in your status as the Crown Prince and believe that the name of the Eastern Palace will not fall easily, which is why they are willing to board the ship."

"And this refined salt is the ballast anchor of the ship, making them believe that no matter how big the sea is, as long as the anchor is still there, the ship will not easily capsize, and their principal and interest will be guaranteed!"

He paused, giving Li Chengqian time to process the information, before outlining an even grander blueprint.

"Your Highness, consider what will happen once this bond is successfully issued and redeemed on schedule?"

"The world will see that His Highness the Crown Prince always keeps his word and repays what he borrows! The reputation of the Eastern Palace will no longer be an empty 'potential,' but a proven and reliable reputation!"

"At that time, His Highness's credibility will be unprecedentedly enhanced."

"People will realize that supporting the Crown Prince is not only in accordance with propriety, but also offers considerable benefits!"

“By then,” Li Yichen’s voice carried a seductive power.

"You will have your own independent and powerful credit appeal."

"The courtiers will also change their view of you, because they will know that you possess another powerful force besides the imperial authority—the power of trust!"

"This power, though invisible and intangible, is enough to leverage the resources of the entire empire. Your position as Crown Prince will become even more secure and unshakeable because of this solid credibility!"

Li Chengqian was utterly awestruck by this grand plan.

He seemed to see a golden road unfolding before him, a new path completely different from the power struggles and intrigues of the past.

This path does not rely on conspiracies, assassinations, or mutinies, but on a more advanced, civilized, yet also more powerful set of rules for the game of power.

He paced back and forth in the hall, his limping gait brimming with power, muttering to himself, "Credit...bonds...anchoring...good! What a powerful force of credit! This is the power I should wield! Unstained by blood, yet stronger than a thousand armies!"

This is simply a miraculous way to turn lead into gold!
Once successful, why would Li Chengqian need to be mindful of his father's feelings or fear Li Tai's empty reputation?

However, he suddenly turned around, his eyes still brimming with excitement, but now mixed with deep resentment and doubt.

"Yichen! But what about the candidate for the Xizhou Promotion and Removal Commissioner? Are we really going to give up?"

Xizhou was the starting point of his planned "Crown Prince Project," the foundation for cultivating his loyal followers and accumulating strength. Now, before that foundation is even established, his rivals are already planting a thorn in his side.

How could he possibly accept this?

How can I feel at ease?
Li Yichen looked at the mixture of longing and anxiety on Li Chengqian's face and understood.

“Your Highness,” Li Yichen’s voice was calm and steady, as if he did not sense the Crown Prince’s anxiety.

"You've fallen into the same old trap again. Who the Xizhou Promotion and Demotion Commissioner is is irrelevant."

"Not important?" Li Chengqian frowned slightly.

"That's a crucial position for me in managing Xizhou!"

Li Yichen's gaze was sharp.

"The development of Xizhou and the stabilization of the border are all thanks to Your Highness, who initiated and strongly advocated for this cause."

Li Chengqian was taken aback, and subconsciously followed this line of thought.

Yes, if the development of Xizhou is successful, no matter who is in charge of the specific implementation, he, the crown prince, will be the one to make the greatest contribution!

Li Yichen abruptly changed the subject, his tone turning icy.

"If Cui Dunli, relying on his recommendation by the Prince of Wei and the approval of His Majesty, becomes arrogant and disregards the orders of the Crown Prince, even outwardly complying while secretly obstructing, attempting to attribute all the achievements of Xizhou to the Prince of Wei..."

"Your Highness, don't you think this is actually a golden opportunity, a perfect chance for you to establish your authority in the court and demonstrate your abilities?"

"If he behaves himself, Your Highness will reap the benefits. If he acts recklessly, he will be courting death!"

Li Chengqian felt a chill rise up, which was then replaced by a burning excitement.

He could almost see Cui Dunli trembling before him, Li Tai panicking, and his father's shocked yet resigned gaze!

It turns out that even the opponent's pieces can become stepping stones for establishing one's authority!
“Moreover, Your Highness,” Li Yichen’s voice pulled him back from his reverie.

"Once the Crown Prince successfully raises the huge sums of money and grain needed to develop the Western Regions, he will take on the responsibility himself."

"Your Highness, when the time comes, who will truly hold the reins of the development of Xizhou?"

Li Chengqian blurted out, "Of course it is me!"

"Exactly!" Li Yichen affirmed emphatically.

"Whoever controls the money and provisions controls the lifeline! The position of the Promotion and Demotion Commissioner is certainly important, but without the financial support of the Crown Prince, what can Cui Dunli accomplish in Xizhou? He'll be unable to move an inch!"

"At that time, will his appointment as the envoy listen to you or to the Prince of Wei? If he is smart, he will have no choice but to obediently submit to the Crown Prince and rely on Your Highness's whims!"

"Otherwise, he would have a hard time even establishing himself in Xizhou!"

"By then, the importance of that position will have greatly diminished. It will no longer be the nail that the King of Wei used to drive into Xizhou, but rather it may become a pivot for Your Highness to firmly control Xizhou, and even to influence and divide the King of Wei's power!"

Li Chengqian understood completely!

He felt as if the shackles in his heart had been shattered in an instant, and a sense of liberation and joy flowed through his entire body.

He no longer dwelled on the gains and losses of that position itself, but saw a broader space for maneuver and an opportunity to establish his authority.

“So, Your Highness,” Li Yichen concluded calmly.

"Your Highness should not only refrain from obstructing Cui Dunli's appointment, but should instead... maintain the attitude of the beginning of cooperation."

"cooperate?"

(End of this chapter)