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

Chapter 180 So, what are the remaining options?
"Your subject obeys the decree! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Li Chengqian felt a great weight lifted from his heart and bowed in response.

"If there is nothing else, you may leave. You and your ministers need to make proper arrangements for Goguryeo's strategy of 'exhausting the enemy'."

Li Shimin waved his hand.

"Your subject takes his leave." Li Chengqian bowed and withdrew from the Liangyi Hall.

Li Shimin's gaze was deep as he watched the Crown Prince's departing figure.

He picked up the memorial about the "surprise attack" and read it carefully again.

His finger traced over words such as "beheading behind enemy lines," "burning supplies," and "creating chaos."

He muttered to himself, "What else does the person behind this know? This method of training soldiers is unheard of..."

A moment later, Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Li Ji, and Gao Shilian were summoned back into the hall.

Their expressions had returned to calm, but the unnatural unease deep in their eyes was difficult to completely conceal.

Li Shimin acted as if nothing had happened.

"Regarding the strategy of exhausting the enemy from Goguryeo, you gentlemen should, in accordance with what we just discussed, draft a detailed plan as soon as possible and implement it secretly."

"Your Majesty, we obey." The four replied in unison.

There was a moment of silence in the hall.

British Duke Li Ji could no longer contain himself. As the military representative, he was particularly concerned about matters that could affect the course of the war.

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince just spoke to us privately. We wonder... what was the matter? Is it related to the war against Goguryeo? If so, we may discuss it together."

Li Shimin raised his eyelids, glanced at Li Ji, and then swept his gaze over Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Gao Shilian, noticing that they remained silent.

But their eyes all held the same searching intent.

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and spoke in a calm tone.

"Oh, it's nothing. The Crown Prince just chatted with me about...family matters."

Household chores?
This answer clearly failed to convince any of the senior officials present.

What kind of "family matter" required the dismissal of these four high-ranking officials, who were at the level of prime ministers, before it could be discussed?

An even stronger sense of rejection, like an icy tide, instantly overwhelmed the four of them.

They stopped asking questions, but the atmosphere inside the hall became noticeably more subtle and somber.

Everyone knew in their hearts that the Crown Prince's actions today, and the Emperor's nonchalant response, foreshadowed a change that was taking place.

They seem to be slowly, yet clearly, being pushed out of the core power and decision-making circles.

At least in certain specific matters.

This perception left these long-serving high-ranking officials with mixed feelings.

Li Shimin seemed oblivious to this subtle shift in atmosphere.

He then began to discuss with everyone practical issues such as how to select merchants, how to allocate salt permits, how to transmit messages, and how to ensure secrecy.

However, throughout the entire discussion, a subtle sense of alienation lingered in the Liangyi Hall, refusing to dissipate.

After settling things down, these people then dealt with some matters concerning the imperial court.

Changsun Wuji returned to his residence.

The study door closed gently behind him.

He did not immediately call for someone to light a lamp, nor did he sit down. Instead, he stood with his hands behind his back by the window, watching the twilight gradually descend on the courtyard.

The scene in the Liangyi Hall was etched into his mind like a brand, replaying itself repeatedly.

When Crown Prince Li Chengqian calmly and without wavering said that he needed to speak to the emperor alone, his tone left no room for doubt.

When His Majesty finally waved for them to leave, his seemingly indifferent yet unyielding attitude was one of utter dissent.

And finally, when His Majesty casually dismissed it as "family matters," the astonishment and discomfort on the faces of the four of them were hard to conceal.

"Household chores..."

Changsun Wuji silently recited these three words in his heart, a faint, cold smile appearing on his lips.

What kind of domestic matter would require dismissing the current Grand Tutor?

This is clearly an excuse.

A clear feeling of being excluded weighed on his mind.

He hadn't experienced this feeling in many years.

Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, Changsun Wuji has always been the core of the core. In matters large and small, Your Majesty has never avoided speaking to him.

Even in the most secretive struggle for the throne within the imperial family, he remained at the center of the maelstrom, participating in the planning.

But today, the Crown Prince, his own nephew, in front of His Majesty, invited him, along with three other of the most powerful ministers, out of the palace.

This is no coincidence.

This is the signal.

Changsun Wuji slowly walked behind the desk and sat down, his fingers unconsciously tapping the smooth rosewood tabletop.

He began to carefully review the changes in the crown prince over the past year.

From his initial irritability, affinity for Turks, and eccentric behavior, to later posing probing questions and secluded himself to study.

From his decisiveness in disaster relief in Shandong, to his composure in dealing with rumors, to his ingenious idea of ​​developing bonds for Xizhou, to his continuous technological innovations after taking charge of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

And today, when facing a major military and national event like Goguryeo, he proposed a ruthless and effective strategy of "wearing out the enemy."

This was something he couldn't have come up with on his own.

Changsun Wuji had already determined this point long ago.

His Majesty must be fully aware of this as well.

This person was just too well hidden and his methods were too clever.

He had previously investigated secretly and found that among the officials in the Eastern Palace, Du Zhenglun and Dou Jing, while talented, did not possess such ability to manipulate events and turn the rotten into the miraculous.

Those companions had simple backgrounds and were not worth worrying about.

This person, like a shadow, clung to the crown prince, silently changing everything.

Previously, Changsun Wuji had not paid much attention to it.

In fact, when the crown prince behaved inappropriately, he was the one who took the initiative to distance himself.

The crown prince's affinity for Turkic customs and his imitation of Hu (non-Han) attire was an intolerable betrayal for those who rose to power primarily through the military aristocracy of Guanzhong.

As one of the representatives of the Guanlong Group in the imperial court, he had to make his stance clear.

In his view, the crown prince at that time had almost given up on himself and was not worth his excessive investment.

Moreover, His Majesty is in the prime of his life and in excellent health.

It is not a wise move to tie oneself to the crown prince too early.

Throughout history, how many examples are there of people who chose sides too early and met with a bad end?

His position as Changsun Wuji is due to His Majesty's absolute trust and his unwavering support since His Majesty's time as a prince.

And the key role he played in the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

His foundation lies in His Majesty.

Therefore, he chose to wait and see, and even tacitly approved some of the actions of Prince Wei, Li Tai.

In his view, it was merely a check and balance technique tacitly approved by His Majesty, harmless and even helpful in making the Crown Prince recognize reality.

However, the situation has changed beyond his expectations in the past six months.

The crown prince did not break down under pressure; instead, he grew up at an astonishing pace.

This kind of growth is not just about becoming more composed, but also about a comprehensive improvement in skills, vision, and overall perspective.

That strategy of "exhausting the enemy" was ruthless and vicious, hitting the nail on the head, and could not have been conceived by ordinary Confucian scholars or generals.

The underlying understanding of human nature, interests, and the use of national power is chilling. More importantly, the crown prince's "power" has been secured.

This momentum comes not only from the stability of the Crown Prince's position.

His popularity stemmed from the goodwill he gained during disaster relief efforts and the tangible results he achieved by promoting reforms within the Ministry of Works.

The financial maneuvering displayed during the bond issuance process, and... it seems to have received some degree of tacit approval or even support from His Majesty.

Today in the Liangyi Hall, His Majesty was shocked by the Crown Prince's strategy of "exhausting the enemy," but did not reprimand him. Instead, he adopted it on the spot and entrusted it to them for implementation.

This in itself is a strong signal.

The fact that His Majesty ultimately granted the Crown Prince's request for a private audience further demonstrates His Majesty's attitude.

His Majesty seems... not to be wary of the Crown Prince's growing power?

Instead, they intend to strengthen the Crown Prince's power and...secrets?
This realization made Changsun Wuji feel uneasy.

If His Majesty and the Crown Prince develop a tacit understanding that transcends that of ordinary rulers and ministers, fathers and sons, and even reach a consensus in certain areas.

Then the position of these foreign officials will become delicate.

Today they can be excluded from "domestic affairs," but in the future, will they also be excluded from more and more important decisions?

Changsun Wuji stopped tapping.

He realized that his previous strategy of "sitting back and waiting to see what happens" might need to be adjusted.

The core issue lies in the position of Changsun Wuji and the Guanlong Group behind him in the future power structure.

When Your Majesty is alive, we will naturally follow Your Majesty's lead in everything.

But His Majesty will eventually pass away.

When the new emperor ascends the throne, what will become of these veteran ministers?

If one has a close relationship with the new ruler, one can naturally continue to enjoy glory.

If there was already a rift with the new ruler, or even if he had rejected you... the consequences would be unimaginable.

The Crown Prince's actions today have clearly conveyed a message: Changsun Wuji is not a member of the Crown Prince's inner circle.

At least in the Crown Prince's view, there are some things that he doesn't need to know or be involved in.

This estrangement was sown by Changsun Wuji himself, who actively chose to keep his distance before the Crown Prince's power had been consolidated.

Now, it has borne fruit.

"Guide the Crown Prince..."

Changsun Wuji pondered this option in his mind.

Should we now go and curry favor with the Crown Prince and clearly choose sides?

He immediately dismissed the idea.

First of all, this is a very unwise choice.

His Majesty is still on the throne and in good health.

Openly siding with the Crown Prince at this time would be a challenge to His Majesty's authority and would inevitably backfire.

His Majesty's tolerance for the Crown Prince's growing power stems from considerations of nurturing a successor and maintaining a balance in the court.

But he would never tolerate his subjects eager to switch allegiances while he was still in power.

Secondly, the Crown Prince doesn't seem to need him much anymore.

The Crown Prince has a mysterious "expert" advising him, officials like Dou Jing and Du Zhenglun handling practical matters, and the Ministry of Works, and may even be getting involved in military affairs.

He guessed that the content of the solo duet was likely related to military affairs.

The Crown Prince has demonstrated the ability to handle many important matters independently.

Moreover, their methods are novel and effective, often leading to unexpected victories.

What Changsun Wuji could offer was a deep-rooted network of connections in the imperial court and the support of the Guanlong Group.

As an uncle... but the Crown Prince doesn't seem to have any urgent need for these things at the moment.

In fact, the Crown Prince's "exclusion" move today may itself be a response to the pressure previously exerted on the Guanlong Group.

Or it could be a declaration that Li Chengqian can get things done without you, and even do them better.

So, what are the remaining options?
Continue to maintain distance, or even secretly hinder?
This is even less desirable.

That would only exacerbate the rift with the future monarch.

The Crown Prince has gained momentum and has a wise advisor behind him. His Majesty's attitude is ambiguous, and confronting him at this time is definitely not a good strategy.

Prince Li Tai of Wei is now in his twilight years and can hardly pose any challenge to the Crown Prince.

Changsun Wuji felt a sense of unease.

He found himself in a dilemma.

Actively approaching them might be ill-timed and they might not even be needed.

Maintaining distance or confrontation carries enormous risks, amounting to cutting oneself off from the future.

He needs to find a middle way.

A path that can both extend goodwill to the Crown Prince and ease tensions without appearing overly eager or obsequious, while also maintaining His Majesty's trust.

This requires extremely delicate control.

Perhaps... we could start with some less sensitive matters?
When implementing the strategy of "exhausting the enemy," should the Crown Prince be given more cooperation?

Or, during court discussions, express support for certain suggestions from the Crown Prince that do not fundamentally affect his interests?

Attitudes need to change, but actions should not be too extreme.

He could no longer remain indifferent to the Crown Prince's affairs, or even secretly create obstacles, as he had done before.

He needed to make the Crown Prince feel that he, Changsun Wuji, was not his adversary, or at least, no longer a staunch adversary.

At the same time, he must stay even closer to His Majesty.

His foundation has always been His Majesty's trust.

Only by ensuring that His Majesty's trust remains undiminished can he have the leeway to manage his relationship with the Crown Prince.

And then there's the "mastermind" hiding behind the crown prince...

A fierce glint flashed in Changsun Wuji's eyes.

This person possesses immense power; whether he is friend or foe remains unclear.

If we can find this person or establish some kind of contact with him, we might be able to better grasp the Crown Prince's movements and even influence his decisions.

But this is undoubtedly extremely difficult and risky.

He exhaled a long breath.

The situation has changed.

He could no longer view the crown prince with the same perspective as before.

He must re-examine, reassess, and reposition his relationship with the Crown Prince.

This is not something that can be accomplished overnight; it requires patience, observation, and taking the right action at the right time.

While Changsun Wuji was deep in thought alone in his study, similar mental journeys were unfolding in several other magnificent mansions in Chang'an.

As night deepened, the lights in the study rooms of most mansions in Chang'an remained on until late into the night.

An invisible undercurrent began to subtly shift because of the Crown Prince's seemingly casual "solo audience" in the Liangyi Hall.

The forces that previously either observed, distanced themselves from, or even openly or covertly resisted the Crown Prince were now forced to confront an increasingly powerful and unpredictable heir and were compelled to begin thinking about the situation.

How to find the most suitable position for oneself and the group behind one's company in the new power structure?

The mastermind behind all of this, Crown Prince Li Chengqian, may not have fully realized it at this moment.

Meanwhile, Li Yichen was diligently tutoring Zhao Xiaoman at home.

(End of this chapter)