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

Does Chapter 113 reveal the inside story?

After listening to this analysis, Wang Yu felt enlightened and clapped his hands in admiration.

"Lord Cui's foresight and strategic thinking are beyond our reach! In this way, we can not only ascertain the Crown Prince's true strength and weaknesses, but also exert influence and bind the court. It is indeed a win-win situation!"

Lu Chengqing had no further objections and added, "In that case, all my departments will agree on a unified message and coordinate our actions."

"The amount of bonds to be purchased must be carefully considered. It should demonstrate the strength and sincerity of our family so that the Crown Prince cannot ignore it, but it should not be too concentrated, so as not to arouse His Majesty's suspicion."

“Not bad.” Cui Renshi nodded.

"The Cui family of Qinghe, the Wang family of Taiyuan, the Lu family of Fanyang, the Zheng family of Xingyang, and the Li family of Zhaojun, these five surnames and seven families should be of the same blood."

"Tomorrow I will write a letter to discuss the specific share with the people in charge of each family in Chang'an."

"Furthermore, we must intensify our investigation into the origin of that snowflake salt, and be sure to find out the source of its production method or the person who devised the plan behind it!"

A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

“There must be an extraordinary person by the Crown Prince’s side. This person may be a major threat to our family in the future, or he may be someone we can recruit.”

"Have all the people in the Eastern Palace thoroughly investigate any suspicious persons."

The plan was finalized, but the shock and fear in the hearts of the three elders, who represented the most powerful clans of the time, caused by the sudden change in the Crown Prince, did not dissipate, but instead deepened.

But having weathered many storms, they had long since become accustomed to hiding their emotions and instead began to calmly strategize.

They are preparing to throw themselves into this new round of power struggle initiated by the Crown Prince, which may sweep across the entire court and even the whole country.

As night deepened, the candlelight in the study of the Duke of Yun's mansion went out, and everything seemed to return to calm.

But a powerful, invisible force has already begun to operate quietly.

The ancient behemoth of the aristocratic family, having sensed the change in wind direction, is cautiously and firmly adjusting its course.

We are preparing to sail into the turbulent waves, full of unknowns and risks, stirred up by Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

The strategy devised by Wang Yu, Cui Renshi, and Lu Chengqing in the study of the Duke of Yun's mansion quickly spread to the entire elite circle of Chang'an.

It started the following day.

It wasn't just the top clans like the Five Surnames and Seven Families; even the Guanzhong clans, the Jiangnan aristocracy, and the newly rich who rose through military merit began to express their support for the Crown Prince's bond issuance through various channels, whether openly or covertly, and inquired about the specific subscription terms.

The reasons given on the surface are plausible and respectable.

To share the nation's burdens and support His Highness the Crown Prince's new policies that benefit the country and its people.

But behind the scenes, almost all the instructions were directed at the same goal—reconnaissance.

Investigate the Crown Prince's true intentions and trace the origin of Snowflake Salt.

More importantly, we need to find out who this "extraordinary person" might be behind the Crown Prince, offering his salt and bond policies.

This undercurrent inevitably flowed into the Eastern Palace.

The officials in the Eastern Palace were originally filled by sons of meritorious officials and members of collateral branches of aristocratic families.

They were either talented individuals whom their families were cultivating in hopes of securing a place by the emperor's side in the future, or they were spies sent to observe the political climate and establish connections.

On ordinary days, these people each perform their duties. Although there are factions and close relationships, they generally maintain a superficial peace.

Now, clear and urgent instructions from their respective families have suddenly made the atmosphere in the Eastern Palace delicate and tense.

Conversations between people often begin with official business, but inadvertently veer towards discussions about salt administration and bonds.

A seemingly casual remark.

"Your Highness's recent actions have been truly unexpected."

It might be hiding a cautious probing.

A scrutinizing glance directed at a colleague seems to be assessing whether the other person possesses the potential for "strategic planning."

Everyone seems like a hidden master, yet no one quite seems like it. A clerk in the Imperial Household Department?
His quiet and reserved nature might be a sign of profound wisdom disguised as foolishness?

A certain assistant in the Imperial Kitchen?

Managing food and beverages would provide more opportunities to interact with merchants from outside the region, perhaps allowing one to find a way to produce salt.

Even the prince's closest attendants and tutors were scrutinized under a magnifying glass. Every word they uttered during their conversations with the prince was recorded and analyzed by those with ulterior motives.

For a moment, an eerie atmosphere filled the Eastern Palace.

Colleagues who used to go out for drinks now speak more cautiously, and their smiles conceal a subtle scrutiny.

The goal was clearly to find the "person behind it all," but their actions made everyone seem suspicious to each other.

Amidst these undercurrents, Li Yichen, as usual, ended his day of accompanying his studies at the East Palace and calmly returned home.

Li Yichen strode towards the main room.

Inside the house, the father, Li Quanzheng, was talking to someone.

Seated in the main seat was a middle-aged man of about forty years old, dressed in a round-necked robe and wearing a black turban. He had a thin face and his eyes held the scrutinizing gaze typical of scions of noble families, making him difficult to approach.

This person was a steward of the main Li family. According to seniority, Li Yichen should address him as his uncle, and his name was Li Shenyan.

"Father." Li Yichen bowed to Li Quan first.

Li Quan hurriedly introduced, "Yi Chen, Clan Brother Shen Yan is now in charge of some clan affairs at the main family. It's rare for him to come here, so please pay your respects properly."

Li Yichen turned to Li Shenyan and bowed respectfully, saying, "Yichen greets Uncle. I was unaware of your arrival today and was unable to greet you properly. Please forgive me."

Li Shenyan nodded slightly, accepting Li Yichen's greeting. He glanced at Li Yichen, his tone calm yet distant.

"No need for formalities. Please have a seat."

Li Yichen sat down at the lower seat as instructed, his posture respectful, his head slightly bowed, as if listening to instructions.

Li Shenyan did not immediately get to the point, but instead picked up his teacup and gently stirred the foam.

“Yichen, you’ve been in the Eastern Palace for three years now, haven’t you? Back then, the clan went to great lengths to get you this position as a study companion.”

"As you know, although our Longxi Li family has many branches and leaves, the chances of having our children placed in such an important place as the Eastern Palace are not many."

"The family has high hopes for you."

His words were slow but weighty, emphasizing the "favor" the main family bestowed upon the collateral branches and the obligations they should fulfill.

Li Yichen immediately showed gratitude on his face and spoke sincerely.

"Yes, Yichen has always kept it in mind and dares not forget the kindness of the family in nurturing him. If it weren't for the help of the family, Yichen would never have had the opportunity he has today."

His heart, however, remained cold.

In the original owner's memories, his branch had spent a lot of time and effort to secure this position, almost emptying their coffers, before barely managing to get the opportunity amidst fierce competition from numerous collateral branches.

When it reached the master's mouth, it became a one-sided gift.

"Yes, that's good to remember."

Li Shenyan put down his teacup, his gaze seemingly casually falling on Li Yichen's face.

"Recently, the matter of the Crown Prince has been hotly debated both inside and outside the court. Especially that Snowflake Salt, and that... bond? I heard that even the Emperor has been alarmed."

"You are in the Eastern Palace, in a position of great power and influence. Do you know the inside story?"

"Where did this salt come from? And who suggested the bond policy?"

He asked directly, his eyes fixed on Li Yichen, not missing any subtle changes in his face.

(End of this chapter)