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

Chapter 143 I shall speak! I shall speak of everything!
Yanzhou, Xiaqiu City, the Crown Prince's temporary residence.

Li Chengqian tapped his knuckles on the table, his gaze falling on the secret report that had just been presented.

The numerous squads that had been dispatched, like a net cast out, were finally receiving a response.

One of the teams captured crucial information in a village thirty miles west of Xiaqiu City.

"Your Highness," Chen An, the Imperial Guard in charge of the team, knelt on one knee, his voice extremely low.

"Our subordinates disguised themselves as merchants and rested at Zhangjia'ao. We happened to see a man who looked like a manager scolding a farming family. He was speaking harshly and ordered them not to exchange their stored grain for the refined salt distributed by His Highness."

“I used some copper coins to get the truth out of the scolded farmer.”

"That manager is the second manager of Defeng Grain Store in Xiaqiu City. Defeng Grain Store... is nominally owned by someone surnamed Zhao, but in reality, it is controlled by a manager from a branch of the Cui family in Qinghe."

"The farmer heard with his own ears that the grain store issued a strict order: anyone who dares to exchange salt with the Crown Prince is an enemy of the Cui family and will never be able to buy a single grain of rice or rent an acre of land in Yanzhou in the future."

A cold glint flashed in Li Chengqian's eyes, and his fingers tightened slightly as he gripped the secret report.

Sure enough it was them!
The Cui family of Qinghe!

Previously, Chen Jingyuan's case could be attributed to kinship, but now, this direct manipulation of the market and defiance of the imperial court's disaster relief orders is a blatant provocation!

"Well done, well done, the Cui family!"

Li Chengqian's voice was forced out through clenched teeth, filled with anger.

"Does he really think Shandong is the private property of the Cui family?"

He took a deep breath and suppressed the urge to act immediately.

Anger solves nothing; it only leads you into the other person's trap.

He recalled Li Yichen's "debriefing" and suggestions from the previous night.

"Chen An, you did a great job. You led a team and captured the second manager and the steward!"

"Yes, Your Highness!" Chen An bowed and withdrew.

After a moment of contemplation, the fierce look in Li Chengqian's eyes was gradually replaced by a calm calculation.

He summoned Dou Jing and Wang Cong, and gave them instructions in a low voice for a long time.

The following day, the Governor's Office of Yanzhou received an imperial edict from the Crown Prince, summoning Zheng Xian, Wang Hong, Zhang Yun, the Prefect, and a number of key officials, including the Magistrate of Xiaqiu County, the Registrar, and the Granary Advisor, to immediately go to the Crown Prince's residence to report on the recent disaster relief efforts and the local security situation.

The officials dared not delay, hurriedly straightened their robes, and gathered at the headquarters.

However, they were not led to the main tent for the meeting, but were instead taken to several separate, heavily guarded side tents located far apart from each other.

Each person was alone in a tent, with no one else besides two palace guards standing with their hands on their swords.

At first, everyone was able to remain calm.

Prefect Zheng Xian straightened his back and said to the guards, "His Highness the Crown Prince summoned us, but why are we scattered in different places? This is neither the proper etiquette for receiving guests nor the proper conduct for discussing state affairs. I wish to see His Highness in person and explain the situation!"

The guards stared straight ahead, like clay or wooden sculptures, showing no reaction whatsoever.

Chief Secretary Wang Hong paced back and forth in the tent, his brow furrowed, a sense of unease creeping into his mind.

"What does the Crown Prince mean by this? Is he asking questions separately? Could it be... that something went wrong?"

He carefully reviewed his recent official duties and found no obvious mistakes, which reassured him somewhat.

Sima Zhang Yun was a bit impatient. After waiting for about half an hour without any movement, he couldn't help but raise his voice.

"Who is in charge outside? I am Zhang Yun, the Prefect of Yanzhou! How can you treat your local officials so poorly? I will certainly report this to the court and have you impeached for negligence!"

Outside the tent, all was still silent, save for the sound of the wind rustling the banners.

Zhou Mingyuan, the magistrate of Xiaqiu County, was the least experienced and the most apprehensive.

He sat on a simple couch, his fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of his official robe, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"A private meeting... Could it be that the Chen Jingyuan case involves Yanzhou? Or... or has something happened at Defeng Grain Store?"

The more he thought about it, the more panicked he became. He couldn't help but stand up, walk to the tent door, and peek out through the crack. He could only see the guard's cold, hard profile and a corner of another tent in the distance.

Time passed slowly, the sun rose higher, and the tent became increasingly stuffy.

No one brought tea or food, nor did anyone come to summon or question them.

This state of complete isolation and information cutoff began to quietly erode everyone's psychological defenses.

Zheng Xian's initial resentment was gradually replaced by unease.

He tried to glean some clues from the guards' faces, but the two young faces remained expressionless.

He sat back down in his original seat.

"What exactly does the Crown Prince want? To arrest someone? Doesn't seem like it. To interrogate someone? There has to be some pretext..."

Wang Hong stopped pacing and sat down, closing his eyes to rest, but his slightly trembling eyelids betrayed his inner turmoil.

"Separate detention prevents collusion... This is the method used when interrogating serious criminals. What exactly does the Crown Prince possess?"

Zhang Yun's shouts turned into low complaints, and finally fell silent.

He stared at the top of the tent, his mind racing through the various matters he had recently handled, especially those related to grain and grain transport, trying to find any possible leverage against him.

Zhou Mingyuan was on the verge of collapse.

His undershirt was soaked with sweat.

He repeatedly recalled his several encounters with the manager of Defeng Grain Store, wondering if he had left any evidence.
Did anyone else see it?
Will the Cui family protect him?
A variety of thoughts gnawed at his reason.

A day later, the curtain was finally lifted.

Dou Jing lifted the curtain and entered Zheng Xian's tent.

Zheng Xian immediately stood up.

"Lord Dou! Where is His Highness the Crown Prince? Such treatment of an official of the court is surely not His Majesty's will!"

Dou Jing's expression remained calm.

"Prefect Zheng, please be at ease. His Highness is currently handling official business. He summoned you all here to verify some information."

He paused briefly to observe Zheng Xian's reaction.

"Recently, Your Highness has been promoting the exchange of salt for grain, but there are rumors that some local wealthy families are coercing farmers to not trade with the court... and even that some grain merchants are secretly manipulating the situation to obstruct disaster relief."

Zheng Xian felt a chill run down his spine, but forced himself to remain calm.

"How can such baseless rumors be believed? They must be slanderous accusations by unscrupulous people!"

Dou Jing remained noncommittal.

"This matter is of great importance, and His Highness has already sent people to investigate it thoroughly. Until the matter is clarified, I would be grateful if Prefect Zheng could wait here for a while. Right and wrong will be judged fairly."

After saying that, he nodded slightly, turned and left.

"Master Dou!" Zheng Xian called out urgently, as the curtain had already fallen.

Dou Jing then entered Wang Hong's and Zhang Yun's tents in turn, saying the same thing.

After listening, Wang Hong's expression changed slightly, and he tentatively asked, "Lord Dou, this matter... I may have heard a little about it, but I don't know if I should speak of it?"

Dou Jing's tone remained unchanged.

"If Chief Secretary Wang has any clues, he can simply state them truthfully when His Highness investigates them."

After saying this, he left without giving Wang Hong a chance to speak further.

Zhang Yun reacted fiercely: "Which murderer spread these rumors! If I find out, I will not let him off lightly!"

Dou Jing only glanced at him indifferently.

"Zhang Sima, please calm down."

Then left.

Finally, Dou Jing stepped into Zhou Mingyuan's tent.

Zhou Mingyuan stood up abruptly, his face ashen, like a frightened bird.

Dou Jing's gaze lingered on his face for a moment before she slowly spoke, repeating her words about the rumors and the investigation.

Zhou Mingyuan felt his heart stop.

Dou Jing's glance made him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

He got it!

The Crown Prince must know!

His legs went weak and he could barely stand.

"Dou...Dou Zhanshi...this humble official..." Zhou Mingyuan stammered incoherently.

Dou Jing seemed not to have heard him, and turned to leave the tent after speaking.

The curtains fell, locking away an even deeper fear within.

“Coercing farmers… to prevent them from trading…” Wang Hong muttered to himself, his face grim.

He was well aware of the connection between Defeng Grain Store and the Cui family.

Is the Crown Prince investigating this because of the Cui family?

That local official...

Zhang Yun scratched her head in frustration.

"Someone must be up to no good!"

A chill ran through him; the Crown Prince wouldn't speak without reason.

Zhou Mingyuan slumped to the ground, filled with despair by Dou Jing's gaze and indifference as she left. He screamed at the tent flap, "I'll talk! I know! I want to see Grand Tutor Dou! I want to see His Highness!"

The guard glanced at him coldly to the side, then turned back and ignored him.

Why are you ignoring me?

Zhou Mingyuan was stunned.

Could it be... that someone has already confessed?

So my information is worthless?
Despair welled up in his eyes.

Zheng Xian paced back and forth in the tent, when he heard Zhou Mingyuan's shouts faintly coming from afar, and his heart sank.

Zhou Mingyuan is such a spineless coward, he definitely can't handle it!

If he confesses...

Wang Hong suddenly opened his eyes, which were bloodshot.

Can't wait any longer!

He straightened his clothes, walked to the tent entrance and said to the guard, "Please inform Grand Tutor Dou or Chancellor Wang that I, Wang Hong, have an important report on local grain affairs."

The guard glanced at him but didn't move.

Wang Hongxin sank.

Not even being allowed to confess voluntarily?

No one could sleep that night.

The next day, still no one paid any attention; only cold food was delivered.

Silence became the cruelest punishment.

Zheng Xian sat listlessly, his official robes wrinkled, his eyes vacant.

He was thinking about his family, his future, and the Crown Prince's decisiveness in killing Chen Jingyuan... Perhaps, by proactively revealing that his relationship with the Cui family was limited to official business, he might still have a glimmer of hope.
Wang Hong's beard seemed to have turned much whiter.

He carefully considered his wording, trying to find a way to absolve himself of responsibility while providing information in exchange for leniency.

Zhang Yun's throat was hoarse, and her eyes were red like a trapped beast.

Zhou Mingyuan huddled in the corner, his eyes unfocused, muttering to himself.

In the afternoon, an official from the Eastern Palace came and routinely asked if water needed to be added, ignoring the anxious, desperate, and probing looks on everyone's faces, and left after asking the question.

Hope rises and is shattered, tormenting us repeatedly.

Li Chengqian sat in the main tent, listening to Dou Jing and Wang Cong report on the situation in each tent.

"Zheng Xian was initially tough, but now he is showing signs of weakness and has tried to talk to the guards several times."

“Wang Hong was the most composed, but he once offered to report important information and became anxious after being refused.”

"Zhang Yun was hot-tempered, but outwardly fierce, inwardly weak."

"Zhou Mingyuan had already broken down and cried out for mercy several times."

Li Chengqian's lips curled into a cold, stern smile.

The "Prisoner's Dilemma" strategy taught by the teacher is indeed ingenious!

If these people are directly imprisoned and tortured, they will inevitably rely on their powerful backers.

Now, being placed under house arrest and isolated, they are tormented by suspicion and fear, making their psychological defenses more vulnerable to collapse.

In particular, officials of lower rank who are deeply involved and know they are in danger of being caught may be tempted by wishful thinking to speak up first in order to be "lenient."

"The time has come."

Li Chengqian stood up.

"Order that Zheng Xian, Wang Hong, Zhang Yun, and Zhou Mingyuan be brought to the council tent."

"I want to ask them myself, who really rules the heavens of Yanzhou!"

He knew that the outcome of this psychological battle was already decided.

Zheng Xian was "invited" into the council tent by two guards from the Eastern Palace.

Li Chengqian sat in the main seat.

Dou Jing and Wang Cong sat on either side, like clay sculptures, while the heavy curtains behind Zheng Xian fell, isolating them from the outside world.

Zheng Xian took a deep breath, suppressed his unease, and paid his respects according to the proper etiquette.

"Your subject, Zheng Xian, Prefect of Yanzhou, pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince."

He deliberately slowed his speech to maintain the dignity of a high-ranking official.

Li Chengqian's gaze fell calmly on him, his voice revealing no emotion.

“Prefect Zheng, I have summoned you here to hear more about the grain reserves in the official granaries of Yanzhou and the progress of local wealthy families’ assistance in disaster relief.”

Zheng Xian's heart tightened.

He straightened up slightly, carefully considering his words.

"Your Highness, the grain stored in the official granaries has been inventoried according to regulations, and the amount matches the accounts. However, the reserves were already meager, as they were previously used to supply military needs. As for the local wealthy households..."

He paused, then quickly glanced at the Crown Prince's expression.

"There may be concerns that Your Highness's strategy of exchanging salt for grain... cannot be sustained."

His words were a probe, as he wanted to see how much the Crown Prince knew about the resistance from the aristocratic families, and what his attitude was.

After listening, Li Chengqian showed no expression on his face, neither anger nor disappointment.

He remained silent for a moment, then slowly began to speak.

"Since Prefect Zheng doesn't want to say, or... can't say what I want to hear, I won't ask anymore."

Zheng Xian was startled and suddenly looked up.

"Your Highness! Minister..."

Li Chengqian didn't give him a chance to explain, raising his hand to interrupt him in a cold tone.

"Go ahead. I'll talk to you after I've thoroughly investigated the matter."

After saying that, he waved to the guards beside him.

Two armored soldiers immediately stepped forward and grabbed Zheng Xian from the left and right.

Zheng Xian was completely dumbfounded.

He had anticipated the Crown Prince's wrath, questioning, and even coercion, but he never expected such a nonchalant surrender.

A huge panic gripped him.

"Your Highness! I am an official appointed by the court! You cannot treat me like this! I must submit a memorial to the throne..."

He struggled, trying to resist this invisible pressure with the laws of the court and his official position.

The guard tightened his grip, dragging him away without any room for argument.

Zheng Xian's voice was blocked by the curtain, leaving only a faint trailing sound.

Immediately afterwards, Chief Secretary Wang Hong was brought in.

He had no idea what Zheng Xian had just experienced; he only saw that the atmosphere in the tent was tense and the Crown Prince's expression was inscrutable.

Wang Hong was more cautious than Zheng Xian, bowing and standing respectfully with his head bowed.

Li Chengqian asked the same few questions as always, his tone as indifferent as if he were asking about the weather today.

Wang Hong quickly calculated in his mind and answered even more smoothly than Zheng Xian, shifting the blame to "the public's wait-and-see attitude" and "the difficulty of transferring the goods," attempting to get away with it.

However, Li Chengqian's reaction was exactly the same as his reaction to Zheng Xianshi.

Wang Hong opened his mouth, wanting to make amends, but saw that the Crown Prince had already lowered his gaze.

The guards stepped forward and "invited" him out.

Even after being taken back to the side tent, Wang Hong's mind was still buzzing. What exactly did the Crown Prince mean by this?
Sima Zhang Yun was more impatient. After entering the tent, he bowed loudly and answered questions with the straightforwardness of a military officer, but the core of his answer was still to shirk responsibility and complain.

Li Chengqian's handling of the matter remained unchanged.

When Zhang Yun was carried out, her face was full of astonishment and resentment, but she couldn't utter a single complete sentence.

The last one was Zhou Mingyuan, the magistrate of Xiaqiu County.

He was practically carried into the main tent by someone.

Two consecutive days of fear and torment had already pushed his fragile nerves to their limit.

He fell to his knees with a thud, his body trembling like a leaf in the autumn wind.

Li Chengqian began his questioning in that cold, steady tone, asking the same questions as the previous three.

As Zhou Mingyuan listened to that emotionless voice, the taut string in his mind snapped with a "bang".

"Your Highness! Your Highness, spare me! I'll tell you everything! I'll tell you everything!"

Zhou Mingyuan suddenly slammed his head against the ground, making a thud, and tears streamed down his face.

"It's the Cui family! It's Defeng Grain Store! They forced me... to prevent the people from exchanging salt! They also... they secretly hoarded grain and manipulated grain prices!"

"I have...I have the secret messages they used to pass the word!"

"And... once, when they delivered the 'hardship allowance' ledger, I was afraid I would be silenced later, so I secretly made a copy and hid it at home! Your Highness, please understand! I was forced into it!"

(End of this chapter)