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

Chapter 162 What does the Crown Prince have to report?
Li Chengqian stood up excitedly and paced quickly around the hall, seemingly forgetting all the pain in his right ankle.

His mind raced as he repeatedly sorted through the logical chain of Li Yichen's words.

This is a grand, interconnected strategy!

His vision and strategic thinking far surpass any historical texts, philosophical works, or political strategies he has ever encountered!
However, along with the excitement came a heavy pressure.

He stopped and looked at Li Yichen, his eyes filled with seriousness.

"Sir, this plan is ingenious, but... according to you, to truly promote the great development of this productivity, it will not be accomplished overnight. It will probably require... decades, or even the efforts of several generations?"

He thought of changing farm tools, building water conservancy projects, and improving technology, but which of these was not time-consuming and laborious?

Moreover, we must change people's perception of craftsmen.

"Your Highness's concerns are very valid," Li Yichen readily admitted.

"The development of productivity has its own laws. It is often a process of accumulation and gradual progress. It does require a long time, persistent investment, and even more so... absolute political support and stability."

"This is not something that a wise ruler can accomplish in one battle. It requires you to set your mind on it and make it a national policy to be passed down from generation to generation."

“This is what I mean by ‘long’.”

He walked up to Li Chengqian, his gaze earnest and resolute.

"Therefore, Your Highness, now is the perfect time to begin your planning. First, establish a firm foothold in the Ministry of Works and vigorously encourage innovation in various technologies, especially focusing on areas related to people's livelihoods such as agriculture and water conservancy. Reward craftsmen generously and raise their social status, so that the world can see that by following His Highness the Crown Prince, one can also bring glory to one's family and secure a good future for one's wife and children through hard work and ingenuity."

"At the same time, we will use the power of the Crown Prince to collect, organize, and promote effective improvement techniques."

"Even if the grain yield per mu can only be increased by one dou per year, after ten years, the accumulated wealth will be enough to feed hundreds of thousands of people!"

"This is the power of productivity development!"

Li Chengqian exhaled a heavy breath, as if releasing all the confusion and anxiety in his chest.

He returned to his desk and sat down, his eyes now clear and sharp.

"The student understands... completely understands."

He spoke in a low voice, as if making a vow to himself.

"In the past, students only knew how to search for passages in classics and history, and how to compete for power in the court. They did not know that the foundation of the rise and fall of the world lies in these three words: productivity! They did not know that students' ideals should be based on this!"

He raised his head and looked at Li Yichen, his eyes filled with determination and a sense of relief that he had found his direction in life.

"Your teachings today are like a second life. I know that the road ahead is long and full of thorns."

"But now that we have seen the direction clearly, we students will not back down. We are determined to follow this path of promoting productivity! We will start with the Ministry of Works, with rewarding artisans and improving agricultural tools!"

"I will make the artisans of my Great Tang the most respected artisans in the world! I will make the land of my Great Tang produce the most abundant grain in the world!"

Li Yichen was very pleased, knowing that this set of theories was extremely important for someone who was about to become an emperor.

Unlike ordinary people, they don't just know things and that's it.

At most, the angle may differ when viewing the actual object.

But for those who steer the empire, it is the rudder that controls the course.

The next morning, before dawn, officials who had arrived early were already waiting outside the Chengtian Gate of Taiji Palace.

Li Chengqian, dressed in the crown prince's court robes, stood before the officials, his figure appearing exceptionally upright in the faint morning light.

He deliberately ignored the dull pain in his right ankle, his gaze passing over the heavy palace gates to the layers of halls and pavilions, his eyes resolute.

The palace gates opened, and bells and drums sounded in unison.

The officials entered in order.

Inside the palace, Li Shimin sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials from beneath his crown, exuding an imposing aura without anger.

Routine government affairs were reported, discussed, and decided upon one by one, following the same procedures as always.

Li Chengqian stood quietly below the imperial steps, not in a hurry to step forward.

He was waiting for the right moment, a moment that would make his request seem less abrupt, yet still enough to draw everyone's attention.

Finally, when Duan Lun, the Minister of Works, stepped forward to report on the budget and regulations for the repair of official roads in the capital region to be submitted by the Imperial Workshop this year, Li Chengqian knew that his opportunity had arrived.

After Duan Lun finished his performance, he returned to his platoon.

The hall fell silent for a brief moment.

Just as the eunuch was about to announce the next item on the agenda, Li Chengqian made his move.

Holding a jade tablet, he steadily stepped out of the procession, faced the throne, and bowed deeply.

"Father, I have a memorial to present."

Li Shimin's gaze fell on the Crown Prince, with a hint of scrutiny that was barely perceptible.

"What brings you here, Your Highness?"

"What I have reported is related to the Ministry of Works."

Li Chengqian's clear voice echoed in the hall, drawing the attention of all the officials.

"Minister Duan's report on the repair of the official road is beneficial to the country and the people. However, I have been thinking deeply about this recently. Our Great Tang has been established for nearly twenty years, and the world is gradually at peace. However, if we want to achieve long-term stability and a foundation that will last for ten thousand generations, we may not be able to continue with the existing craftsmanship and skills alone."

"The sharpness or dullness of agricultural tools is related to the basic needs of the people. The quality or crudeness of machinery is related to the strength or weakness of the military and the nation. The success or failure of water conservancy is even more related to the abundance or scarcity of the nation. The Ministry of Works is responsible for the lifeline of the country, and its responsibilities are of great importance, concerning the very foundation of the nation."

He paused, feeling scrutinizing gazes from all directions, including the deep eyes of important officials such as Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling.

He raised his voice.

"As the Crown Prince, I have always longed to share your burdens and serve the nation. Therefore, I earnestly request Your Majesty,"

He bowed again, his tone full of confidence.

"Your Majesty, I shall have full control over the Ministry of Works! I am willing to personally oversee the affairs of the Ministry of Works, so that the craftsmanship of our Great Tang Dynasty may far surpass that of any previous dynasty, and the granaries of our Great Tang Dynasty may be even more abundant!"

When these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was shocked.

A low murmur spread among the officials.

It is not unprecedented for a crown prince to request specific jurisdiction over a particular department.

However, "full control" over the Ministry of Works means that the personnel, finances, and approval and execution of various projects of the Ministry of Works and all its subordinate agencies, such as the Directorate of Works, the Directorate of Imperial Household, and the Directorate of Military Equipment, will be directly managed by the Crown Prince.

Officials such as the Minister of Works and the Vice Minister were responsible to the Crown Prince.

This essentially stripped the entire empire's engineering construction and technological manufacturing system from the emperor's direct control and handed it over to the crown prince.

Li Shimin frowned almost imperceptibly.

He leaned forward slightly, not responding immediately, his gaze fixed intently on his son below the steps.

“Crown Prince,” Li Shimin spoke slowly, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"I am very pleased that you have this intention. The Ministry of Works has many complex affairs that involve the national economy and people's livelihood, and it is indeed necessary to have someone with a spirit of enterprise in charge."

"However, comprehensive control... is no small matter. The Ministry of Works has a wide range of departments, from the construction of palaces and the manufacture of ritual objects to the management of various crafts, the repair of mountains and rivers, and even the forging of military equipment and the management of land reclamation and water conservancy. There are countless things to do, and if one thing is done, the whole thing will be affected."

"As the crown prince, you already have a heavy workload with studies, overseeing the country, and etiquette. If you were to take on the Ministry of Works as well, I fear you would not have the energy."

Li Chengqian sensed his father's hesitation and refusal.

He was prepared and was not discouraged. Instead, he raised his head and met Li Shimin's gaze. "Your Majesty is wise. Your son is well aware of the great responsibility of the Ministry of Works. Precisely because of its importance, your son is willing to personally take charge to solidify the foundation of our Great Tang. Your son does not intend to act arbitrarily. All major decisions will be reported to Your Majesty for Your Majesty's judgment. As for my energy, your son is young and can be tempered. I dare not complain of hardship."

He then changed the subject and offered his carefully considered bargaining chip.

"Moreover, since I have requested this appointment, I am confident that I can relieve Father Emperor of a recent worry. If Father Emperor grants my request, I am willing to provide an additional 100,000 shi of refined salt to the Imperial Treasury and the Ministry of Revenue within three months."

He deliberately emphasized the word "refined salt".

In an instant, the hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

All eyes were on Li Chengqian, filled with disbelief.

Even Changsun Wuji, who had been keeping his eyes down and silent, suddenly raised his head, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

Fang Xuanling's hand, which was stroking his beard, stopped in mid-air.

Li Shimin's fingers, which were tapping on the armrest, suddenly stopped.

He sat up slightly more subtly, a bright glint flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly masked by deeper contemplation.

100,000 shi of refined salt!
This is not coarse salt, nor is it bitter mineral salt, but rather the unique snowflake salt of the Eastern Palace!

Its value far exceeds that of an equivalent amount of grain.

Although the national treasury is not empty, its expenditures are tight. Money and silk are needed everywhere, from foreign military campaigns to rewarding meritorious officials and providing disaster relief.

This 100,000 shi of refined salt is undoubtedly a huge fortune, capable of relieving many urgent needs.

Li Shimin was tempted.

With huge profits right in front of him, he couldn't help but be tempted.

But he was, after all, the emperor who ushered in the Zhenguan era of prosperity, and he knew the importance of checks and balances on power.

The Ministry of Works, though seemingly less central than the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the Ministry of War, had an extremely wide jurisdiction.

Li Shimin quickly calculated the powers and responsibilities of the Ministry of Works in his mind.

The Ministry of Works consisted of four departments: the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Forestry, and the Ministry of Water Resources.

The Ministry of Works was in charge of all matters related to construction and development, including city and civil engineering, construction procedures, the maintenance of the capital, the procurement of materials, and the management of artisans.

The Tuntian Division was in charge of all the military and civilian lands in the country, as well as the lands owned by civil and military officials in the capital and other government offices.

The Yubu Si was in charge of planting in the streets and alleys of the capital, as well as the management of mountains, lakes, gardens, grass, trees, firewood, and supplies for hunting and gathering.

The Water Department is in charge of the administration of rivers, canals, and ponds throughout the land, guiding the flow of waterways, weirs, and canals, and overseeing all benefits related to boats and irrigation.

In addition, there was a directly subordinate Directorate of Works, which was in charge of the administration of civil engineering and construction for the country, and oversaw the Left, Right, Central, and other departments, responsible for the specific construction of palaces, mausoleums, government offices, and city walls.

The Shaofujian (少府监) was in charge of supplying all kinds of crafts and skills, and oversaw the five departments of Zhongshang (中尚), Zuoshang (左尚), Youshang (右尚), Zhiran (织染), and Zhangye (掌冶). It was responsible for manufacturing the clothing, utensils, ceremonial regalia, and other items needed by the palace.

The Military Equipment Bureau was in charge of manufacturing armor and crossbows, and ensuring their timely delivery to the armory.

Even important mines, metallurgical plants, and mints in various regions were mostly within the scope of the Ministry of Works' business guidance.

This is indeed a complex and crucial system.

Entrusting such comprehensive jurisdiction to the Crown Prince means that the Crown Prince will directly control a large amount of engineering resources, craftsmen, a portion of the income from military farms, the benefits of mountains, rivers, forests and lakes, and even a part of the military equipment manufacturing process.

The Crown Prince's power will be able to quickly infiltrate these powerful departments, and its energy and influence will expand dramatically.

Li Shimin's gaze fell on Li Chengqian once again.

What he saw in his son's eyes was an unwavering determination and a well-hidden, determined spirit.

He was hesitating.

On one hand, there was the enormous temptation of profit and a glimmer of hope for his son's growth; on the other hand, there was concern about the imbalance of power and vigilance against the uncertainty of the future.

The courtiers in the hall held their breath, awaiting the emperor's decision.

Many people were in turmoil.

What is the Crown Prince's intention in doing this?

Just for the sake of getting things done?
Or is it an opportunity to cultivate a private faction and consolidate the position of heir apparent?
Was the promise of 100,000 shi of refined salt just an empty promise, or was there some real basis for it?

If it is the latter, then the Crown Prince's methods are quite astonishing.

After a long silence, Li Shimin's deep voice rang out again, breaking the silence in the hall.

"Your Highness, are you aware of the immense importance of the Ministry of Works? It's not that I don't trust you, it's just..."

Li Chengqian immediately responded, his tone earnest yet carrying an undeniable pragmatism.

“Your Majesty understands your concerns. The Ministry of Works deals with public affairs, and I would never dare to neglect public duties for personal reasons. I request to take charge of the Ministry of Works only to get things done, not to seize power.”

"If Your Majesty grants your permission, I will strictly abide by all the regulations of the Ministry of Works. If Your Majesty has any urgent matters that require the Ministry of Works to handle, or if there are other arrangements for certain projects, everything will still be carried out according to Your Majesty's will. The Ministry of Works will give priority to these matters, and I will certainly do my utmost to assist you and ensure that nothing goes wrong!"

These words not only expressed the emperor's stance but also gave him a way out, implying that even if he relinquished jurisdiction, he could still retain the ultimate right to intervene and command specific projects.

Li Shimin's eyes flickered as he weighed the options repeatedly in his mind.

The crown prince's offer was too tempting, and he was also very humble.

A comprehensive control, but retaining the emperor's final veto and intervention power, seems like an acceptable compromise.

They could obtain the 100,000 shi of refined salt to alleviate the financial pressure, and also use this opportunity to observe the Crown Prince's abilities and true intentions.

Let's see if he can really manage the affairs of the Ministry of Works better, and whether it is really for the purpose of "strengthening the foundation of the country" as he says.

Perhaps this is also a test for the crown prince.

While there are risks involved, the potential rewards could also be enormous.

Moreover, given Li Shimin's prestige and control over the court, even if the Crown Prince did make any unusual moves in the Ministry of Works, he was confident that he could take back power at any time.

Having thought this through, Li Shimin had already made up his mind.

His face betrayed no emotion, he simply nodded slowly, his voice steady and powerful, echoing throughout the hall.

"Since the Crown Prince is so determined and willing to share my burdens, I grant your request!"

His gaze swept over Duan Lun, the Minister of Works, and others.

"From this day forward, all affairs of the Ministry of Works and its subordinate agencies shall be under the full control of the Crown Prince. All ministers of the Ministry of Works shall diligently assist the Crown Prince and shall not make any mistakes. All major decisions shall still be reported to me."

"Your son thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"

Li Chengqian suppressed his excitement and bowed deeply.

He knew he had succeeded in the first step.

"Your Majesty, we obey!" Duan Lun led the Ministry of Works officials out to receive the decree, their expressions varying—some surprised, some doubtful, and some cautious.

No one in the court objected, and following the Crown Prince didn't seem like a bad idea, given his current high prestige.

As the bell rang to signal the end of the court session, the officials left one by one with mixed feelings.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire imperial city.

(End of this chapter)