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

Chapter 15: A blessing in disguise... or a harbinger of misfortune?
He had served His Majesty for so long that he knew all too well the complex feelings and unresolved issues about certain past events hidden beneath the glorious and majestic image of the Heavenly Khan.

That's a forbidden zone, a sore spot, a hidden wound that everyone in the know keeps silent about.

Now, however, his own son, under the guise of "asking for advice," has torn him apart in a bloody way.

"The person behind this is truly despicable."

Fang Xuanling reached the same conclusion as Changsun Wuji, but from a different perspective.

He saw not only the danger to the crown prince, but also the risk of an imbalance in the court.

"A nation whose foundation is shaken is no blessing for the people," he thought worriedly.

It would be good if the Crown Prince could truly use this opportunity to calm down.

But more likely, it will invite His Majesty's ruthless crackdown and closer surveillance.

How will the King of Wei react?
He could almost smell the suffocating tension before the storm.

"I need to look more, look at it a lot more..." he murmured to himself.

As prime minister, he could not side with either side before the situation became clear.

Maintaining balance and keeping the government in operation is of paramount importance.

He needed more information to determine whether this "new wind" in the Eastern Palace was a glimmer of hope or a ghostly flame.

The Duke of Zheng's residence, on his sickbed.

Wei Zheng coughed violently for a while, his withered hands gripping the edge of the bed tightly.

The maid hurriedly offered him warm water, but he weakly pushed it away.

"Your Highness...what books have you been reading lately?"

He asked his son, Wei Shuyu, who was serving him, in a hoarse voice, as he breathed heavily.

Wei Shuyu answered cautiously, "I've heard that he still focuses on the classics and history, and is very diligent."

“Diligence…ha…” Wei Zheng’s face showed a bitter, even somewhat mocking smile. “Is it diligence…or…scheming?”

He barely slept a wink that day after hearing about the turmoil at the Liangyi Hall.

The questions the crown prince asked were like knives stabbing into his heart.

Did Wei Zheng not think about those issues?

I've thought about it! Countless times!

It is against propriety for Your Majesty to take your brother's wife as a concubine!

In his later years, His Majesty became increasingly extravagant and refused to listen to dissenting opinions!

Even Xuanwu Gate... does that conform to "benevolence and filial piety"?
But he wouldn't ask that!
Never will!
The way to offer advice and remonstrance lies in correcting the ruler's mistakes, guiding him towards goodness, and upholding the proper relationship between the ruler and his subjects!
Instead of being like a poisoned dagger, piercing straight into the heart, just to provoke and tear off the mask of civility!
“This is not the way of a subject… nor the way of a son…” His cloudy eyes revealed disappointment and heartache.

"What is the purpose of reading the classics? Is it merely to... gain the advantage of words and to commit acts of moral depravity?"

He felt a deep sense of powerlessness.

The crown prince seems to have embarked on an extreme path, and he can almost foresee the end of this path.

"What will His Majesty think?" He gazed at the deep night outside the window, as if he could see that supreme palace.

His Majesty would not like a rebellious son who has learned to use reason to arm himself.

What His Majesty needs is obedience and reverence, even if there is some dissatisfaction beneath that obedience and reverence, it is better than a crown prince who has learned to think about how to "fight back".

"Is misfortune... a blessing in disguise? Or is blessing... a harbinger of misfortune?"

Wei Zheng murmured Lao Tzu's words, then coughed violently, his heart filled with sorrow.

He felt that the Crown Prince's sudden "love of learning" was probably not a blessing for the Tang Dynasty.

Liangyi Hall, side hall.

Li Shimin dismissed his attendants, leaving only his trusted eunuch Wang De.

"Speak," the emperor said, his voice devoid of emotion.

Wang De lowered his head and spoke in a very low voice.

"Your Majesty, the Eastern Palace remains unchanged. His Highness the Crown Prince rises at dawn every day to recite books and practice calligraphy. He reads and discusses the Spring and Autumn Annals with Du, practices calligraphy with Li, and explores historical records with Li Yichen. He discusses routine matters with the officials of the Eastern Palace."

Li Shimin inquired carefully about the situation of several people. "Li Yichen?" Li Shimin tapped the armrest lightly with his finger.

"Have you investigated his background?"

“Your Majesty, Li Yichen is from a collateral branch of the Li family of Longxi. His family has declined, and none of his fathers held prominent official positions. Three years ago, he was selected as a companion to the Crown Prince after passing an examination. He is usually quiet and reserved, with no bad deeds or special connections.”

"This time... if His Highness the Crown Prince hadn't suddenly changed his mind, this person would have been almost imperceptible."

"Yes, just a study companion."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked in the direction of the East Palace.

"Crown Prince...my good son..."

He muttered to himself, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"In just a few days, it really seems like a complete transformation. But what exactly has changed inside and out?"

Those questions echoed in his mind day and night.

"Emperor Shun avoided harm... Is this questioning why I didn't avoid it back then?" A surge of anger welled up in his heart.

"If I had avoided it, the grass on my grave would be several feet tall by now! And what about Li Chengqian's position as crown prince?"

But he quickly suppressed these emotions.

He is the emperor; he cannot be swayed by emotions.

What he saw was a prince who had suddenly learned to use "reason" as a weapon.

This is much more troublesome than simply fooling around.

“Reading is a good thing,” Li Shimin suddenly said to Wang De, his tone calm.

"Tell the Crown Prince that I am very pleased. Tell him to read it carefully and think about it thoroughly. If there is anything he does not understand... he can come and ask me."

Wang De's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed: "Yes, Your Majesty."

He understood that this was not concern, but a warning and a test.

Your Majesty must see for yourself what "insights" the Crown Prince has gleaned from the reading.

East Palace, side hall.

Under the candlelight, Li Chengqian put down the Book of Han in his hand, rubbed his throbbing temples, and wore a strange excitement on his face.

“Yichen, I was reading the biography of Huo Guang today and suddenly had some thoughts.” He looked at Li Yichen, who was kneeling quietly opposite him.

"Please speak, Your Highness." Li Yichen raised his head slightly.

"Huo Guang held immense power in the court and deposed and installed emperors, but after his death, the Huo family was wiped out."

Li Chengqian's eyes were burning.

"Tell me, why is that? Is it because he doesn't have enough power? Or is it because the new emperor is ungrateful?"

Li Yichen calmly replied, "Because although he held power, he failed to end it well, restrain his clansmen, and properly arrange the transfer of power after his death, causing the new emperor and court officials to fear and retaliate. Excessive power without restraint and without knowing when to retreat is the way to disaster."

Li Chengqian seemed to be thinking about something.

"So... even if one wields immense power, if one doesn't understand how to utilize 'power' or how to maintain a balance in the game, one is still bound to perish?"

"Your Highness is wise." Li Yichen nodded.

"Power is not static; it requires careful consideration of the situation and knowing when to advance and when to retreat. As I said the other day, maintaining stability is not cowardice, but rather a way to build up strength."

Li Chengqian took a deep breath, feeling the pent-up emotions in his chest ease, and a sense of control welled up within him.

He no longer found the words in history books dry and boring; instead, he felt that between the lines were vivid examples of power struggles.

"My father sent someone to tell me today that he praised me for studying hard and said that if I have any questions, I can ask him."

Li Chengqian suddenly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of probing and wariness.

Li Yichen's eyes flickered slightly.

"His Majesty is testing Your Highness. Your Highness should simply express your gratitude, remain firmly in the Eastern Palace, and devote yourself to your studies. Now is definitely not the time to take the initiative to 'ask for advice.' His Majesty wants to see if Your Highness can remain calm."

"I understand." Li Chengqian nodded, a knowing smile appearing on his lips. "I will naturally read it carefully and think it over thoroughly."

(End of this chapter)