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

Chapter 57: Everyone thinks they're the Emperor's tutor?
"I am waiting to see His Highness the Crown Prince!"

The officials bowed in unison, their voices echoing in the empty hall.

To Li Chengqian, it sounded like the most beautiful music.

"All of you, rise and take your seats."

Li Chengqian tried his best to maintain a composed demeanor, but the uncontrollable elation in his eyes and the slight upturn of his chin revealed his extreme inner pleasure.

The officials took their seats in order and began to speak.

Some officials, well-versed in the ways of officialdom, began by sincerely praising the Crown Prince's recent "acceptance of advice" and "diligent study." Their words were earnest, and their flattery was subtle and unobtrusive. Li Chengqian listened with pleasure, nodding slightly and occasionally offering a comment, appearing to readily accept advice.

Some pragmatic officials directly put forward their well-thought-out political views.

Some mentioned that the water conservancy system in Guanzhong had been in disrepair for many years and suggested taking advantage of the winter off-season to conscript laborers to dredge it;

Some argue that the current selection of officials places too much emphasis on family background and hope that talent and learning should be given more weight.

Some even cautiously mentioned that while the plan to relocate people from Xizhou was good, the arrangements for receiving them and allocating supplies along the way still needed to be refined...

These suggestions may not all be brilliant, but following Li Yichen's prior advice, Li Chengqian did not rush to express his opinion. Instead, he listened attentively, sometimes asking about the details, and sometimes indicating that he would "carefully consider" the suggestions or "submit them to the relevant officials for discussion."

He handled the situation with composure, and his demeanor actually displayed the air of a humbly accepting advice and a calm and wise crown prince.

This made many officials who had originally come to observe secretly nod in approval, realizing that the Crown Prince's change was not entirely an act.

The atmosphere inside the hall was lively.

Li Chengqian felt as if he had truly touched the core of power, no longer the lame crown prince who was disliked by his father, coveted by his brothers, and despised by his ministers.

Li Yichen entered the palace as usual to accompany his studies.

Upon arriving outside the Left Spring Palace of the Eastern Palace, they were stopped by two cold-faced eunuchs from the Inner Palace.

"Li, the attendant, invites you to come and have a chat."

The leading eunuch spoke in a flat tone.

Li Yichen felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that what was bound to happen had finally arrived.

His face remained impassive, even revealing a perfectly timed hint of surprise and apprehension. He bowed and said, "I wonder what brings you here, Eunuch Liu? I must go and accompany Your Highness..."

"His Highness will have his say, Li, please."

The eunuch interrupted him, turning to the side and gesturing for him to lead the way.

Li Yichen said no more and followed them to a secluded side hall.

Inside the hall sat a middle-aged eunuch with a fair complexion, no beard, and sharp eyes. He was Liu, a capable subordinate of Wang De, the Director of the Palace Attendants, and was known in the palace as Eunuch Liu.

"Your humble servant Li Yichen greets Eunuch Liu." Li Yichen bowed respectfully.

Eunuch Liu raised his eyelids slightly, slowly put down the teacup in his hand, and spoke in a high-pitched voice.

"Li, my companion, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit."

Li Yichen sat down at the lower seat as instructed, his posture respectful.

"I summoned you here for no major reason."

Eunuch Liu's eyes were sharp as he sized up Li Yichen.

"His Majesty is concerned about His Highness the Crown Prince's studies. I am here on imperial orders to inquire, as His Highness's close companion, what are your thoughts on His Highness's recent... um?"

He had already prepared his answer in his mind, and now, with a look of trepidation on his face, he carefully chose his words and replied in a proper and respectful manner: "Your Highness is indeed very intelligent and has been much more diligent lately. He is able to study the classics, histories, philosophical works and literary collections with great care, and when he has any insights, he will discuss them with me. I... I only feel that Your Highness has made rapid progress, which is truly a blessing for the Tang Dynasty."

"Oh? You've become much more diligent?" Eunuch Liu caught the key word and leaned forward slightly.

"Tell me specifically, what does Your Highness read? And what discussions do you have with him?"

Li Yichen's face revealed an undisguised smugness, as if he finally had the opportunity to show off his achievements in front of others.

His tone became a little lighter.

"I dare not conceal this from Your Highness, but I have noticed that Your Highness sometimes... well, you are occasionally impatient. So I have dared to suggest that Your Highness read more of the 'Essentials of Governance in the Zhenguan Era.' This book contains dialogues between Your Majesty and the ministers, all of which are profound sayings on governing the country and ensuring its stability. I believe that if Your Highness can study this book in depth, you will surely be able to understand Your Majesty's holy heart and comprehend the way of being a ruler."

He paused, and seeing that Eunuch Liu was listening attentively, he became even more eloquent.

"Your Highness has indeed heeded my advice! These days, you've often been engrossed in reading, and when you come across a particularly insightful passage, you even analyze it with me. For example, the other day, when you read about His Majesty and Chancellor Fang discussing 'listening to both sides leads to enlightenment, while believing only one side leads to darkness,' Your Highness was deeply moved and said that you had indeed been biased in the past and would definitely broaden your channels for advice in the future. And when you read the chapter on Wei Zheng Gong's frank remonstrance, Your Highness also said that honest advice, though unpleasant to hear, is the best medicine..."

Li Yichen spoke with great enthusiasm, vividly describing how he patiently guided the prince, how the prince readily accepted his advice, and how the two learned from each other through teaching.

He tried his best to portray himself as a "meritorious official" who seized the opportunity, worked hard to influence the crown prince, and achieved initial success. He implied in his words that he, Li Yichen, deserved great credit for the crown prince's recent "wise" performance.

"Oh? In that case, Your Highness the Crown Prince's recent changes are largely due to your efforts, Li."

Eunuch Liu squinted, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

"This humble official dares not take credit!" Li Yichen quickly waved his hand, but his expression clearly stated that it was the truth.

"It is all thanks to Your Highness's exceptional wisdom and willingness to accept honest advice. I have merely fulfilled my duty as a tutor and done my utmost."

The image of a young study companion who thinks he has some talent, is eager to show off, is a little clever but can't keep his abilities to himself has probably been successfully established.

This is exactly the persona he wanted.

When the original owner came to the Crown Prince's side as a companion three years ago, he also had lofty ambitions. However, after three years of being neglected and marginalized, his will was extinguished!
He was already feeling unappreciated and depressed. Now that he has gained the Crown Prince's "trust," it is understandable that he would become complacent and take credit for himself.

Eunuch Liu then subtly inquired about details of the Crown Prince's daily words and deeds, as well as his interactions with other attendants and officials. Li Yichen answered fluently, stating the facts as they were and embellishing them as they were, always maintaining the demeanor of a meritorious official.

The interrogation lasted for nearly an hour before Liu, the eunuch, waved for him to leave.

Similar investigations were also being conducted among other officials in the Eastern Palace.

The results were largely the same.

Many mid- to low-ranking officials, when faced with inquiries from the Inner Palace Attendants Bureau, more or less revealed similar sentiments.

The crown prince had become "obedient," and it just so happened that he had made some suggestions that were adopted.

This sense of participation and being valued made them, while being cautious, also unable to help but reveal their admiration for the Crown Prince's "wisdom" and a vague sense of pride in their own "achievements".

Liangyi Palace.

"Your Majesty, the investigation of the Eastern Palace is complete. Everyone says the same thing: His Highness the Crown Prince has been diligently studying and accepting advice recently. Many officials have said that they have offered suggestions to His Highness, and most of them have been adopted. Therefore... therefore, His Highness's words and actions recently have shown great wisdom."

Wang De's voice was steady and devoid of any personal emotion.

Li Shimin flipped through the records one by one, his face terribly gloomy.

"All of them have made contributions? All of them are virtuous ministers?" Li Shimin sneered.

"So, the Crown Prince's change of heart wasn't due to his own awakening, but rather because all his officials in the Eastern Palace were actually hidden dragons and phoenixes?"

He slammed a record onto the table. "Absurd!"

A flash of murderous intent crossed his eyes.

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(End of this chapter)