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

Chapter 193 Grand Tutor... The Eastern Palace cannot be without a Grand Tutor.

The report clearly shows that Li Yichen was indeed the last person to meet the Crown Prince alone before the Crown Prince was summoned by His Majesty.

The location was a side hall of the East Palace, and the time was about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

What can be said in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn?
How much influence can it exert?

Li Junxian repeatedly considered this timing.

At that time, the Crown Prince was in a state of rage following a fierce conflict with Zhang Xuansu, the Crown Prince's Left Attendant.

Logically speaking, an ordinary tutor left alone in that situation would most likely be subjected to the prince's wrath or given some trivial words of comfort.

The time it takes for an incense stick to burn might only be enough to say a few words of comfort, or perhaps the crown prince, in his rage, needs someone present to maintain his dignity as heir apparent.

The secret report mentioned that the eunuchs outside the palace vaguely heard the Crown Prince's emotional rebuke and Li Yichen's indistinct response inside the palace. The specific content could not be discerned, but the atmosphere was definitely not peaceful.

When Li Yichen withdrew, he appeared calm and showed no signs of distress.

There is no direct evidence that Li Yichen was able to instill in the Crown Prince the "theory of attacking the heart" that was enough to shake the authority of the emperor and father in the short time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Such shocking remarks, with their underlying logic and profound citations, could not have been formed and conveyed hastily.

A more reasonable explanation is that the Crown Prince's own rebelliousness and long-standing resentment, after being provoked by Zhang Xuansu, brewed and erupted before his audience with the Emperor.

Li Yichen's existence may just be a coincidence, or at most an insignificant listener.

Next is the disaster relief period in Shandong.

The report confirms that the Crown Prince did indeed go out incognito with Li Yichen once, leaving the disaster relief headquarters for about half a day.

However, according to reports from the surrounding surveillance personnel, the Crown Prince and Li Yichen only inspected the less affected rural areas, contacted a few ordinary disaster victims, and inquired about some situations. They did not appear to have any contact with anyone of special status.

The whole process was uneventful, more like a routine action by the Crown Prince to understand the people's conditions.

What truly caught Li Junxian's attention was Li Yichen's performance in handling the local county magistrate's embezzlement case.

His approach was to interrogate Wang Laowu, the key figure in the case, and his eldest son separately.

The report provides a detailed record of the interrogation process.

Li Yichen did not resort to torture, nor did he demonstrate any particularly sophisticated interrogation skills.

It's simply, almost blatant, sowing discord and applying psychological pressure.

Wang Laowu and his eldest son's psychological defenses collapsed one after another, and they finally confessed to part of the facts about exchanging salt for grain, providing crucial clues.

Li Junxian carefully analyzed the process.

This method is not uncommon in criminal cases and can be categorized as a basic means of creating a prisoner's dilemma by exploiting information asymmetry.

The key lies in the interrogator's grasp of the timing and the psychology of the person being interrogated.

Li Yichen did things cleanly and efficiently, demonstrating his observational and logical reasoning abilities, as well as his decisiveness.

But does this prove that he was the "expert" who taught the prince?

Li Junxian thought it was impossible.

This is more like the practical ability demonstrated by a clever and shrewd young official in a specific event.

Among the capable officials in various prefectures and counties of the Tang Dynasty, there were many who were skilled in this art.

Li Yichen's performance in this matter was commendable.

However, it did not exceed the range of abilities that someone of his age and position could possibly possess.

It explains why the Crown Prince took notice of him in subsequent affairs and even entrusted him with some responsibilities, but it cannot be equated with a reclusive master of the "Imperial Tutor" level.

Finally, there was the document classification and filing method that Li Yichen implemented in the Eastern Palace.

This achievement is clearly recorded and has been recognized and promoted by His Majesty.

Li Junxian reviewed the brief outline of document classification that Li Yichen had presented to the Crown Prince.

The memorial was written clearly and concisely.

The correspondence between the Crown Prince's Palace and other officials was categorized according to its source, urgency, and subject matter, and a simple numbering and archiving process was designed.

It also stipulates the processing time limits and storage requirements for different types of documents.

This method has indeed effectively improved the efficiency of document processing in the Crown Prince's Palace, reducing chaos and backlog.

Its core idea is to "categorize and assign each category, and clearly define responsibilities and powers".

Li Junxian had to admit that the method was ingenious and highly practical.

It requires the designer to have a considerable understanding of the operational processes of bureaucratic institutions and to possess strong summarization and organizational skills.

This is something that a mediocre tutor who only knows how to study by rote could not have come up with.

However, he re-examined its nature.

This is still an innovation at the level of "management technology," similar to a craftsman improving tools to increase production efficiency.

It demonstrates the proposer's wisdom in solving practical problems and a certain degree of systematic thinking.

However, the depth of scholarship and strategic nature of the subject matter seem to fall short of the profound wisdom that elucidates the foundation of national credit and the art of strategic maneuvering.

A capable person who is skilled in practice and adept at summarizing and generalizing can also propose such a method.

The image of Li Yichen gradually became clearer in Li Junxian's mind, but also became increasingly contradictory.

He was no longer the completely mediocre and unremarkable study companion.

He demonstrated some outstanding abilities—keen observation, decisive action, and ingenuity in solving practical management problems.

These qualities were enough to make him stand out among the officials in the Eastern Palace and gain the appreciation and appointment of the Crown Prince.

However, all these performances are firmly confined to the category of a "capable official".

He was like a rough gem that the prince had accidentally discovered; after some polishing, his considerable value was revealed.

But jade is ultimately just jade, not the "He Shi Bi" that contains the ultimate truths of heaven and earth.

Li Junxian fell into deeper confusion.

He solved the case in Shandong using the most conventional methods.

His daily words, actions, and social circle all fit the image of a young official who is gradually being given important responsibilities but remains cautious and conscientious.

There was not a trace of arrogance or unfathomable depth.

Is Li Yichen hiding his true nature too well?
Or was it that the direction of the investigation was wrong from the very beginning?

The real "master" might not be among the officials in the Eastern Palace at all, but rather someone who contacts the Crown Prince through some more secretive and unknown means.

Or perhaps, the Crown Prince's recent changes are not primarily due to the teachings of any one person.

Rather, it was his own epiphany and growth after experiencing huge setbacks, combined with some scattered suggestions, that ultimately led to a comprehensive understanding.
Various possibilities intertwined and collided in Li Junxian's mind.

He could not rule out Li Yichen's suspicion, because the Crown Prince did indeed value him highly, and he had indeed shown extraordinary qualities.

However, he could not find any solid evidence to definitively link Li Yichen with the "master" in the emperor's mind.

The existing clues were like a pile of scattered beads, each seemingly special, yet lacking a main thread to string them into a complete necklace. Finally, Li Junxian closed all the files and let out a long sigh of relief.

He realized that continuing the current superficial surveillance of Li Yichen as a person would likely not yield any breakthroughs.

He picked up his pen and, in a draft of a secret memorial to the emperor, truthfully reported the results of his recent investigation.

Li Yichen comes from a respectable family and has a clear upbringing. He was mediocre in the early stages of his time in the Eastern Palace, but has been able to demonstrate his talents in the past year due to the Crown Prince's involvement in practical affairs.

He was indeed exceptionally intelligent in specific matters such as criminal justice and document management, and acted decisively, gradually gaining the trust of the Crown Prince.

However, all the matters investigated were within the scope of his duties and abilities.

No conclusive evidence was found that he had direct contact with or was imparting profound knowledge to any suspected "master".

There is no concrete evidence to suggest that his solitary position before the discourse on the heart in the Liangyi Hall had a decisive influence on the Crown Prince.

He put down his pen, knowing that this report would not completely satisfy the emperor, but it was the most responsible conclusion he could draw based on facts and logic.

He ordered that the level of surveillance on Li Yichen be appropriately reduced to routine monitoring, but the investigation was not terminated; it simply entered a more patient and uncertain period of waiting.

Li Junxian knew that unless that "expert" revealed his true colors himself, it would be impossible.

Or perhaps a more dramatic, inexplicable change occurs around the Crown Prince; otherwise, this lead may very well end here.

Li Junxian's secret memorial was eventually carefully presented to Li Shimin's desk by Wang De.

Li Shimin dismissed all his attendants and, alone by the flickering candlelight, carefully read through the text, word by word.

His brows furrowed at times and relaxed at others.

The report was detailed and objective, almost flawless.

Li Yichen's background, resume, and recent activities were all clearly and systematically explained.

Everything points to one conclusion.

This young man is indeed talented, especially in practical matters and resourcefulness. He is one of the best among the officials in the Eastern Palace, and it is no wonder that the Crown Prince trusts him so much.

However, all the clues came to an abrupt end when they reached the "expert".

In his final report, Li Junxian admitted that no concrete, unconventional contact had been found between Li Yichen and any suspected "master" or similar individuals.

Li Shimin slowly closed the report, leaned back in his wide imperial chair, and let out a barely audible sigh.

There was a hint of relief in that sigh, but more so a lingering sense of loss and a hint of resentment.

He felt as if he had punched empty air; the power he had been preparing to unleash had nowhere to land, and this sense of emptiness made him extremely uncomfortable.

Could it be true, as Li Chunfeng said, that such a person is a fleeting glimpse, beyond human control?

Not reconciled!

Li Shimin swept across the land, controlled his ministers, and believed that there was no one he could not control and nothing he could not understand.

Now, however, he has suffered repeated setbacks at the hands of a cowardly individual.

“Never mind…” he muttered to himself.

"Since there is no trace to be found, forcing it will be futile. Perhaps, as Li Qing said, we can only take a long-term view and wait for things to change."

His gaze inadvertently swept over a corner of the imperial desk, where several final approval documents concerning the funeral arrangements of the late Duke of Zheng, Wei Zheng, were placed.

Another thing suddenly came to mind.

Before Wei Zheng fell seriously ill, he had considered having Wei Zheng concurrently serve as the Crown Prince's tutor.

With Wei Zheng's uprightness, high reputation, and profound insight into the gains and losses of the court, he was the perfect candidate to correct the Crown Prince's character and help him understand the way of being a ruler.

He had even mentally planned how to have a deep conversation with Wei Zheng and entrust him with this heavy responsibility.

But now, with death comes death, and all our plans have become empty talk.

Ultimately, the position of Grand Tutor did not fall to Wei Zheng.

"Grand Tutor...The Crown Prince's Palace cannot be without a Grand Tutor."

Li Shimin's thoughts were drawn back to the practical issues.

Wei Zheng is gone, but the education of the crown prince, especially the balancing and guidance of his increasingly assertive attitude, cannot be stopped.

The appointment of the Crown Prince's tutor, allowing him to legitimately intervene in the affairs of the Eastern Palace as the emperor's teacher, is both a continuation of tradition and a necessary step for the emperor under the current circumstances.

However, this choice gave him an unprecedented headache.

His fingertips traced patterns on the imperial desk, names flashing through his mind before finally settling on three people—Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Wang Gui.

Changsun Wuji?

The image of the emperor's brother-in-law, whose face always wore a gentle smile but whose eyes held deep calculation, flashed through his mind.

Wuji was his right-hand man and Chengqian's maternal uncle. They were very close relatives, so Wuji should be the most reliable person to take the job.

With him in charge of the Eastern Palace, not only could he provide guidance as the Crown Prince's maternal uncle, but he could also more closely bind the power of the Guanlong Group to the Crown Prince, ensuring a smooth transition of power.

However… Li Shimin’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Because of his close relationship with the Crown Prince and his strong desire for power, if he were to be given the title of Grand Tutor, would it encourage the excessive expansion of the Crown Prince's power, or even lead to the situation of the maternal relatives interfering in politics in the future?
The current crown prince is no longer the same ignorant child he once was; he has his own opinions. If the uncle and nephew join forces, their power... he must be wary.

Moreover, while Wuji excelled in political maneuvering and cunning, he seemed to always be a step behind in the refinement of classical texts, historical principles, and the virtues of a monarch.

Fang Xuanling?
Thinking of this person, Li Shimin couldn't help but recall the events of a few years ago.

At that time, he favored Fang Xuanling and personally issued an edict appointing him as the Crown Prince's tutor.

And what happened? Fang Xuanling respectfully accepted the order and went to the Eastern Palace.

Upon hearing the news, Li Chengqian arranged a full retinue and personally went to the East Palace Gate to descend the steps to welcome him, with the utmost solemnity.

Fang Xuanling, standing at the gate of the Eastern Palace, faced with the Crown Prince's personal greeting, resolutely declined the position of Grand Tutor, citing "the honors bestowed upon the Crown Prince are too heavy for me to accept."

In less than a day, the appointment had turned into a farcical affair that left the court somewhat embarrassed.

On the surface, Fang Xuanling appeared to be humble, polite, and well-versed in the proper roles of ruler and subject.

But Li Shimin was well aware that Fang Xuanling was also protecting himself and did not want to get too involved in the affairs of the crown prince too early or too deeply.

Why appoint him again?
Would Fang Xuanling accept it?
Even if he accepts, given his tactful and composed nature, can he truly play a role in disciplining and restraining the Crown Prince, who is now showing his sharpness and even hinting at knowledge beyond the norm?
It is likely that the focus will remain on maintaining harmony and stability, rather than resorting to drastic measures.

Wang Gui?

He was of upright character, learned, and highly respected. He had served as the tutor of Crown Prince Li Chengqian and placed great importance on etiquette and ritual.

Appointing him as Grand Tutor would indeed play a role in shaping the Crown Prince's character and standardizing etiquette.

Moreover, unlike Changsun Wuji, Wang Gui was not involved in complex interest groups, nor was he at the center of a power vortex like Fang Xuanling, so his position was relatively detached.

But... Li Shimin rubbed his temples.

Wang Gui's "method" sometimes bordered on "pedantry," as he could use classical standards to measure and restrain the crown prince.

However, Wang Gui probably couldn't understand the Crown Prince's theories on "trust" and "craftsmanship," which went beyond the scope of classical texts.

(End of this chapter)