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

Chapter 72 The Unspeakable Existence?

His tone gradually took on a chill.

"Especially that poem, 'I fear not being crushed to pieces,' though it's said to be a cat play, reveals his ambition and talent. Yet, searching around the Crown Prince, no one possesses such poetic talent, nor such a state of mind! This person is like a ghost, displaying his abilities while concealing his form. I... am unable to eat or sleep in peace."

Wei Zheng coughed violently for a while, and after his breathing calmed down, he slowly said, "When I went to the Eastern Palace while I was ill, I spoke frankly about the possibility that there were villains around the Crown Prince who were misleading him and doing ostentatious things, thus putting himself in danger. In my opinion, the Crown Prince's actions at that time were indeed foolish, like a child carrying a treasure in the market."

He changed the subject.

"However... after the 'Cat Poem' was circulated, the old minister's mentality also changed."

Li Shimin's gaze sharpened: "Oh?"

“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is no ordinary student. He has deep-seated inner conflicts and an extreme temperament. Many of his previous tutors, including this old minister, have taught him the ways of sages and the rules of etiquette, but Your Majesty knows how effective they were.”

Wei Zheng's voice was weak, but his reasoning was clear.

"The recent changes in the Crown Prince, though drastic in their methods and outrageous in their actions, seem to be at their core to... someone is taking advantage of the situation to guide his thinking and regulate his behavior in a way that he can accept."

He looked at Li Shimin, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his cloudy eyes.

Confucius said, "In education, there should be no discrimination; teaching should be tailored to individual aptitude." If, in the face of such an unruly and rebellious crown prince, one can abandon conventional wisdom and find a new path, enabling him to spontaneously pursue learning, discern right from wrong, and ultimately govern the country with composure... this person is not only not a villain, but truly... a man of great talent!

"A great talent?" Li Shimin frowned.

"Xuancheng, do you know what I fear? What I fear is not his talent, but his heart! I fear that with his 'great talent,' he will teach Gaoming to become a puppet who only obeys his orders!"

His voice suddenly rose, filled with the emperor's worry and fear.

"The events of the past dynasties are still vivid in my mind! At the end of the Han Dynasty, powerful ministers like Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao were all highly capable, yet they treated the emperor like a plaything, using him to command the other lords! During the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, the dynasties rose and fell frequently. Many emperors, when they first ascended the throne, were full of vigor and ambition, but ultimately became puppets in the hands of powerful ministers, their lives and deaths not in their own hands! For example, Emperor Xianwen of Northern Wei, Tuoba Hong, attempted to seize power but was poisoned. Emperor Gao Yin of Northern Qi, who reigned for less than a year, was deposed and killed by Prince Gao Yan of Changshan! These lessons are steeped in blood and tears! How can I sit idly by and watch Gao Ming repeat the same mistakes?"

Wei Zheng listened to Li Shimin's indignant words, but his face showed no fear. Instead, he revealed a look that was almost one of pity.

He knew perfectly well what was troubling His Majesty.

“Your Majesty’s worries are understood by this old minister,” he said slowly.

"However, Your Majesty, please consider this carefully. If this person truly intended to manipulate the Crown Prince and usurp the throne, his methods would have been more covert and catered to the Crown Prince's vices, making him increasingly dependent and muddle-headed, thus making him easier to control. Rather than guiding the Crown Prince to learn the art of weighing options, participate in practical affairs of state, and even... dare to confront Your Majesty directly and ask probing questions."

He took a breath and continued his analysis.

"What this person taught, whether it was manipulating public opinion or the art of weighing power, were all upright strategies, the foundation of imperial tactics. His purpose seemed to be to teach the Crown Prince... how to truly be a heir apparent, rather than a puppet who obeys orders without question. And that 'cat poem'... Your Majesty, the one who could compose the line 'to leave behind a pure reputation in the world,' in this old minister's opinion, is by no means a treacherous, cunning, or power-hungry person."

Li Shimin remained silent.

Wei Zheng's words were like a needle, piercing a part of his fear.

He must have thought about these things too.
The Crown Prince's progress is real. Although his ways of thinking and his coping strategies make him uneasy, if used properly, they will indeed benefit the country and the people.

The integrity revealed in that poem also secretly alarmed him.

"I... do not completely deny this person."

Li Shimin's voice was weary.

"If he were willing to step into the open and assist the Crown Prince with righteousness, I would even grant him the position of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, allowing him to rightfully teach the heir! But why does he hide in the shadows? Why is he so secretive? His origins and his purpose are shrouded in mystery! This is what worries me the most! How can I be at ease when someone with no roots and no trace of his past possesses such abilities?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Zheng also fell into deep thought.

This is indeed the most crucial issue.

"Your Majesty... you have absolutely no leads in the investigation of this person?" "Absolutely no leads."

Li Shimin shook his head, a hint of defeat flashing across his face.

"Within the Eastern Palace and around it, I have ordered people to investigate in secret all those who might have come into contact with the Crown Prince. Background, resume, past words and deeds, social network... none of them match. This person seems to have appeared out of thin air, or perhaps... he has been hiding around the Crown Prince in a way that I cannot understand at all."

He looked at Wei Zheng with intense gaze.

“Xuancheng, you have always been good at recognizing people. Have you ever thought of anyone else in the court or outside the country who has such talent, such methods, and can hide their tracks so well?”

Wei Zheng closed his eyes and mentally reviewed all the great talents of his time.

Fang Xuanling was skilled in strategizing for the country, Du Ruhui was good at making decisions, Changsun Wuji was adept at political maneuvering, Chu Suiliang was upright and outspoken, and Kong Yingda, Yan Shigu, and others were well-versed in the classics... None of them could completely match the style of this mysterious figure by the Crown Prince's side.

This person's methods are so novel and his thinking so unique, it seems to come from another system.

He finally shook his head slowly, a bitter smile on his face.

“Your Majesty, this old minister…cannot think of any other wise and talented person in the world who could meet Your Majesty’s requirements…and do so so without leaving a trace. Unless…they are not known to the court or the public.”

This conclusion made the atmosphere in the room even more somber.

Is he someone not known to the government or the public?

Who could it be?
hermit?

Remnants of the previous dynasty?

Even... an unspeakable existence?

Li Shimin felt a wave of powerlessness.

He controlled a vast empire, yet he couldn't control even a shadow beside his son.

"Should we just let this person continue to influence the Crown Prince from the shadows?"

Li Shimin's voice carried a hint of resentment.

Wei Zheng pondered for a long time before speaking again. His voice was weak, but it carried his usual composure.

“Your Majesty, since this person is hiding and not coming out, a forced search may alert him and force the Crown Prince to form a closer bond with him, which would be undesirable. This old minister believes that the best course of action at present is to… remain calm and wait for the right moment to act, and go with the flow.”

How to go with the flow?

"Your Majesty may continue to grant the Crown Prince more authority and responsibility, especially in practical matters concerning the people's hardships and the stability of the border defenses," Wei Zheng said slowly.

"Let him participate more in court discussions and handle specific government affairs. On the one hand, this will allow us to train the Crown Prince, observe whether his character is truly composed, and whether his learning is being applied to the right path. On the other hand..."

He paused, his eyes deep.

"Since this person intends to instruct the Crown Prince, he will inevitably demonstrate his views through the Crown Prince's governance. The more deeply the Crown Prince is involved in government affairs, the more traces of this person's influence will be left. Your Majesty only needs to observe with a detached eye and carefully examine the changes in the Crown Prince's thinking and methods in handling government affairs, and you may be able to glimpse this person's intentions and even his ultimate goal."

"If his intentions are not pure and he leads the Crown Prince to bring disaster to the country and its people, then his true colors will surely be revealed, and Your Majesty can stop him in time and eliminate the hidden danger. If, as this old minister suspects, he is indeed using extraordinary methods to teach the Crown Prince, then the Crown Prince's continued progress will be beneficial to the Tang Dynasty. At that time, Your Majesty may be able to ease your doubts, or even... wait for him to reveal himself."

"Your Majesty, I am willing to believe in the character of someone who can utter the words, 'I fear not being crushed to pieces, but only wish to leave behind a pure reputation.' Give the Crown Prince some time, and you will also give this person... some time. Perhaps, the day the truth comes out will be the day Your Majesty's doubts are completely dispelled."

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(End of this chapter)