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

Chapter 174 He has me by his side...

The idea struck him as both novel and strangely familiar.

His smile grew even more genuine as he spoke gently to Zhao Xiaoman.

"Xiaoman, it is your good fortune and your good luck to have won the favor of Master of Ceremonies Li and become his disciple."

“Master of Ceremonies Li is a man of great learning. You are fortunate to have the opportunity to study and learn from him. You must cherish this hard-won opportunity, work hard, and not slack off.”

"Only then can you become a useful talent for the country and its people. Do you understand?"

Although Zhao Xiaoman only vaguely understood the words "scholarly and otherworldly" in the Crown Prince's words.

But he understood that the Crown Prince was encouraging him to study hard with his mentor.

He nodded vigorously, his little face tense.

He earnestly assured his teacher, "Yes, Your Highness! I will definitely learn diligently from my mentor and will never dare to be lazy!"

Seeing Zhao Xiaoman's serious expression, Li Chengqian and Li Yichen exchanged a smile.

Back at the Xiande Hall of the Eastern Palace, the excitement on Li Chengqian's face had not completely faded.

He dismissed all the servants, leaving only Li Yichen.

Li Chengqian, limping, paced a few steps in front of the imperial desk.

Unable to contain herself any longer, she turned to look at Li Yichen, who was standing quietly to the side, her voice filled with barely suppressed excitement.

"Sir! This woodblock printing technology is truly a godsend!"

"The students seemed to already see countless cheap books flying into the counties and countryside like snowflakes, with poor scholars each holding a copy of the classics!"

"Eliminating the foundations of powerful families—this method is truly a powerful weapon!"

He walked up to Li Yichen, his gaze intense.

"Sir, in your opinion, now that this technique is complete, what is the next step to implement it in order to achieve the fastest results?"

"Should we immediately petition the Emperor to establish an agency in the court to print and distribute classics, histories, philosophical works, and other historical texts on a large scale throughout the land?"

Li Yichen met his eager gaze, his face showing little emotion. He simply shook his head slightly, his voice calm and steady.

"Your Highness, although this technique is excellent, there is still a key bottleneck that needs to be addressed if we want it to truly benefit the world."

"Oh? What kind of bottleneck is it?" Li Chengqian frowned slightly.

"Paper," Li Yichen uttered a single word.

"Woodblock printing increases efficiency, and the demand for paper will also increase dramatically."

"However, the current papermaking process is complex and time-consuming, which results in the high price of paper."

"Even if the cost of printing books drops significantly, if the price of paper remains high, the final price of the book will still be a heavy burden for ordinary poor or even middle-class families."

"If the imperial court forces a large-scale printing, it will likely waste national funds, and most of the books will still be piled up in warehouses, or can only be sold to wealthy households at high prices, making it difficult for them to truly reach the lower classes."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian felt as if he had been doused with cold water, and his excitement subsided slightly.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded.

“What you say is absolutely right, sir. I was too impatient. I only saw the benefits and not the drawbacks.”

"So, to maximize the effectiveness of this technique, we need to improve papermaking techniques and reduce paper costs?"

“Exactly.” Li Yichen nodded.

"This matter needs to be done step by step and cannot be accomplished overnight."

"The Ministry of Works has now opened up new ideas. Your Highness can guide the artisans to try to find cheaper and more readily available raw materials based on the existing papermaking techniques."

"Or improve the process and increase efficiency. Only when the cost of paper is controlled, and combined with woodblock printing, can we truly achieve affordable books and popularize education."

"This is a natural outcome; forcing it will only create chaos."

Li Chengqian took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

He walked to the window, gazing at the deep night outside, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the window frame.

The gentleman always does this: when he is at his most triumphant and thinks victory is in his grasp, he points out the hidden risks and obstacles so that the man will not be blinded by success.

"Step by step... things will fall into place naturally..."

Li Chengqian repeated the two words in a low voice, and the anxiety in his heart gradually subsided.

He turned around, his face regaining its usual composure.

"The student understands. The student council will instruct Duan Lun to organize capable craftsmen to specialize in researching and improving papermaking techniques."

"The matter of woodblock printing will remain a secret for now, and will be implemented once the paper problem is resolved."

Li Yichen bowed slightly: "Your Highness is wise."

Having solved the subsequent problems of woodblock printing, Li Chengqian suddenly remembered another matter that had been lingering in his mind.

He walked back to his desk and sat down, his expression becoming more solemn.

"Sir, today in the Liangyi Hall, my father... asked about the matter of elixirs for health preservation."

Li Yichen's gaze shifted slightly as he looked up at Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian recounted in detail Li Shimin's seemingly casual but actually probing questions, as well as his own urgent opposition at the time.

Finally, with a hint of confusion and worry, he asked, "Sir, although Father Emperor said it was just a casual question..."

"But judging from his expression, the student seemed... not entirely disbelieving."

"Sir, you are learned and knowledgeable. Do you know whether this path is truly real or illusory?"

Is there really a foolproof way to prolong life?

The candlelight inside the hall crackled softly.

Li Yichen remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"Your Highness, I have no knowledge of alchemy. However, as far as I know, ancient books and even stories from previous dynasties show that those who pursued elixirs of metal and stone in order to achieve immortality mostly met with disastrous results."

"The so-called elixir of immortality often contains highly poisonous substances. Taking a small amount may cause temporary mental excitement, seemingly with the effect of reversing aging."

"However, when toxins accumulate in the five internal organs, they become increasingly severe over time. Not only do they fail to prolong life, but they also harm one's life, and in severe cases, lead to sudden death. This is not about prolonging life, but rather about hastening one's demise."

He paused, his tone carrying an undeniable certainty.

"I can assert with certainty that there is absolutely no one in the world who can achieve immortality by consuming elixirs of gold and minerals. This path is absolutely unacceptable."

Li Chengqian felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this.

The man's words were so certain that they completely dispelled the last glimmer of hope he had.

He recalled the emperors in history books who underwent drastic personality changes after consuming elixirs, and some even died or lost their kingdoms. He felt a wave of fear and was glad that he had been resolute at the time.

"Then... what about the 'safe, less radical method of health preservation' that Father asked about?" Li Chengqian pressed.

Li Yichen shook his head.

"My knowledge of this subject is indeed limited. I only know that moderation in eating and drinking, regularity in daily life, and proper breathing exercises may strengthen the body and delay aging."

"However, this is not a way to achieve immortality, and it is ultimately difficult to defy the will of Heaven and one's lifespan."

"If His Majesty asks, Your Highness need only tell the truth. You must not speak of vague and unfounded methods in order to please His Majesty. This is neither the way of a subject nor the way of a son."

Li Chengqian nodded heavily, already understanding.

The gentleman's meaning is very clear: the matter of elixirs is extremely harmful and must be resolutely opposed.

As for other health preservation methods, I know very little, so there's no need to exaggerate; just respond truthfully.

He had already grasped the nuances of the situation.

He suddenly remembered his foot ailment and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Speaking of strengthening the body, I have been consistently practicing the methods that you taught your students to move their joints and stretch their muscles recently, but the effect is minimal, and my ankle is still the same."

Li Yichen looked at his right foot. "Your Highness's foot ailment is an old injury, and the meridians are damaged. It cannot be cured in a day."

"The method I have taught you aims to invigorate blood and qi, prevent muscle atrophy, and is the foundation for strengthening the body and nourishing the vital energy."

"To see significant results, perseverance is required; it may take more than a few months or even years. Your Highness must be patient."

Li Chengqian sighed.

"The students understand."

He believed Li Yichen's words without a doubt.

Since the gentleman said it takes time, then we should persevere.

Compared to the past when imperial physicians were helpless and could only prescribe pain-relieving medicine, this was a significant improvement.

The gentleman at least gave him a clear direction and a glimmer of hope.

Having received clear answers to his two major concerns, Li Chengqian felt much more relieved.

He brought his thoughts back to the political situation, a sharp glint appearing on his face.

"After this round of maneuvering, those powerful families are now much more behaving themselves, at least on the surface they no longer dare to be as unscrupulous as before."

"Now is the time for us to seize the opportunity and exert our strength. Students should take this opportunity to further consolidate our power and implement new policies."

Li Yichen nodded again.

"Your Highness is quite right. Safeguarding the Eastern Palace, advancing practical matters, and accumulating strength are the most important tasks at present."

However, a hint of seriousness was faintly visible between Li Yichen's brows.

Li Chengqian noticed an unusual solemnity between Li Yichen's brows, as if he were pondering something extremely important and thorny.

He understood Li Yichen's habits and knew that this silence meant something significant, so he also quieted down and stopped disturbing him.

He simply waited patiently, his fingers unconsciously stroking the warm teacup.

Time flowed slowly in silence.

Li Yichen's thoughts had drifted from the power struggle between the Eastern Palace and the aristocratic families, and the future of woodblock printing, to the more distant and urgent northeast.

A historical juncture that had been weighing on his mind became increasingly clear as time entered November of the sixteenth year of the Zhenguan era.

Goguryeo.

Quan Gaisu Wen.

His memory clearly told him that it was in November of the sixteenth year of the Zhenguan era.

Yeon Gaesomun, the ambitious and powerful minister of Goguryeo, is about to launch a bloody palace coup.

During the military parade, he will brutally kill Goguryeo King Go Geon-mu, with whom he has a deep-seated grudge, and massacre hundreds of his supporters.

Subsequently, he would appoint Gao Jianwu's nephew, Gao Zang, as king, who is known in history as King Baozang.

Quan Gaisuwen then styled himself "Molizhi," a position that combined military and political power, effectively making him a regent and thoroughly autocratic in governing the country.

This was not merely an internal conflict within Goguryeo.

The ascension of Yeon Gaesomun to the throne signified a complete shift in Goguryeo's foreign policy.

He would abandon the cautious and submissive attitude towards the Tang Dynasty during Gao Jianwu's time and instead implement a tough expansionist strategy.

The first to suffer was Silla, a neighboring state of Goguryeo and a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty.

Yeon Gaesomun did not hesitate to send troops to attack Silla, blocking Silla's tribute route to the Tang Dynasty, attempting to annex Silla's territory and further strengthen Goguryeo.

At the same time, he would send envoys north to contact the Xueyantuo Khanate, which was rising in the northern desert, with the intention of forming a north-south check and balance to jointly resist the hegemonic position of the Tang Dynasty.

This series of events will surely cause a great uproar in the Tang Dynasty court.

Li Yichen knew perfectly well that in the original historical trajectory, Li Shimin was furious when he learned that Yeon Gaesomun had murdered the king, usurped power, and attacked Silla.

Many ministers also advocated for an immediate military campaign.

However, Li Shimin did not launch a large-scale military campaign immediately.

He adopted a relatively restrained attitude, first sending envoys to question him and attempting to exert pressure through diplomatic means.

Although he later considered and prepared for a personal campaign, the outbreak of a large-scale war did not occur until several years later in the nineteenth year of the Zhenguan era.

Why not send troops immediately?
History might attribute it to strategic considerations, the timing not being right, or the need for time to prepare.

However, Li Yichen combined his recent understanding of the Tang Dynasty's finances, military system, and internal political structure.

I have a more realistic and sharper deduction in my mind.

Money and provisions, or rather, the massive logistical support required for large-scale, long-distance, and transoceanic operations, were likely the most critical factor hindering Li Shimin's decision-making at the time.

In the sixteenth year of the Zhenguan era, although the Tang Dynasty had recovered considerably from the chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty, the national treasury was far from full.

The development of Xizhou is still in its investment phase, and the various local water conservancy projects, disaster relief, official salaries, and the maintenance of the massive military system are all money-devouring behemoths.

Without absolute certainty and sufficient preparation, launching a war to destroy the strategically important Goguryeo kingdom would have posed a financial risk that Li Shimin could not afford at the time.

However, the situation is different now.

Li Yichen's thoughts returned to reality.

The Western Regions Development Bonds, spearheaded by the Crown Prince, were successfully issued, and the Imperial Court also issued its own bonds.

Its success undoubtedly greatly boosted the court's financial confidence and ability to mobilize resources.

Li Shimin now possesses 500,000 strings of cash, more than he had at the same time in history.

Will this money change Li Shimin's choice?

Li Yichen was almost certain that it would happen.

Goguryeo was always a thorn in Li Shimin's side that he had to remove.

The shadow of Emperor Yang of Sui's three campaigns against Goguryeo, which exhausted the country's strength and ultimately led to his death and the destruction of the kingdom, served as both a warning and a stimulus for the ambitious and talented Li Shimin.

Deep in his heart, he always had a strong desire to reintegrate this land, which had been somewhat detached from China since the end of the Han Dynasty, into the Chinese territory.

Quan Gaisuwen's rebellious behavior provided him with the perfect excuse to send troops.

Now that the financial constraints seem to have loosened somewhat, can this powerful ruler still hold back?
Once Li Shimin decided to launch a campaign against Goguryeo, the next crucial question became:

What should be done with the crown prince?

History's answer is:

When Li Shimin personally led the expedition against Goguryeo, he ordered his crown prince Li Zhi to remain in Dingzhou to oversee the state.

However, Li Zhi was young at the time, had a weak personality, and lacked his own political base and prestige.

Li Shimin left him in Dingzhou, while taking away a large number of core ministers and capable generals, such as Changsun Wuji and Cen Wenben.

This created a delicate balance and check, ensuring the safety of the rear.

But the Li Chengqian before me is completely different.

After more than half a year of trials and tribulations, especially in a series of events such as disaster relief in Shandong, the implementation of bonds, and dealing with the backlash from powerful families, Li Chengqian has demonstrated increasingly mature political skills.

He also accumulated a certain prestige within the Eastern Palace and among some court officials and scholars from humble backgrounds.

He was no longer the unruly prince who only knew how to throw tantrums and act recklessly.

Rather, he is a crown prince who has begun to understand how to use power and has his own initial policy proposals and stakeholders.

More importantly, he has himself by his side...

Although he remained hidden behind the scenes, Li Shimin was no mediocre ruler, and it was impossible for him to be completely unaware of the sudden rise in the "power" of the Eastern Palace.

If Li Shimin were to personally lead the campaign, leaving such a crown prince alone in Chang'an, the center of power...

(End of this chapter)