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

Chapter 76 does not contain people he can easily win over.

A moment later, Li Junxian, the Left Guard General, strode into the hall.

He was a confidant of the emperor, in charge of part of the imperial guards, and also responsible for some secret investigations.

"What do you think of Liu Shi's case?" Li Shimin asked directly.

Li Junxian pondered for a moment.

"Your Majesty, I dare not make any rash judgments."

"Yes, I want you to investigate secretly," Li Shimin said in a low voice.

"Don't make a fuss. Focus on investigating who Liu Shi has been associating with recently and whether he has made any enemies. Also, investigate whether someone was behind his impeachment of the Crown Prince."

"Your subject understands." Li Junxian understood immediately.

The emperor wanted him to bypass the three judicial departments and conduct a secret investigation.

"Go ahead," Li Shimin waved his hand.

After Li Junxian left, Li Shimin let out a long sigh.

As an emperor, he could not fully trust anyone, not even his most important judicial officials.

He must have his own eyes and ears.

Meanwhile, news of Liu Shi's murder had spread like wildfire throughout the court and the country.

The atmosphere inside the Censorate was particularly somber.

The tragic death of their colleague instilled a sense of shared sorrow in all the censors.

Many censors immediately drafted memorials demanding severe punishment for the murderers and protection of the safety of officials who speak out.

Some officials who were on good terms with Liu Shi also submitted memorials, using strong language and pointing out that there must be a mastermind behind this matter.

Many others, however, remained on the sidelines, privately discussing the Crown Prince's alleged involvement.

The Eastern Palace, however, remained unexpectedly calm.

After receiving the emperor's edict to "focus on studying and attending to state affairs," Li Chengqian only studied and practiced calligraphy in the Eastern Palace. When meeting with officials, he only discussed classics and government affairs, and never mentioned the Liu Shi case.

This unusual calm greatly disappointed many who were waiting to see what would happen.

Three days later, as scheduled, Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Chu Suiliang and others came to the East Palace again to discuss the selection of the envoy for the development of Xizhou.

The atmosphere inside Xiande Hall was more solemn than usual.

After the officials paid their respects, they took their seats in turn.

Everyone's expression carried a tacit, solemn air.

Li Chengqian sat upright in his seat, his expression calm, even more composed than usual.

He wore a plain-colored everyday outfit today, without a crown.

"I thank you all for coming again," the Crown Prince said, his voice steady.

"The matter of Xizhou concerns the stability of the border and cannot be delayed by other matters. Has the Ministry of Personnel already made a preliminary selection of candidates?"

All eyes turned to Yang Shidao, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

Yang Shidao stood up, took out a roster from his sleeve, and presented it with both hands.

"Your Highness, after preliminary screening by the Ministry of Personnel's Performance Evaluation Department and consultation with the Ministry of Personnel, four individuals have been found to meet Your Highness's criteria. These are their resumes and evaluations; please review them."

A eunuch took the register and presented it to Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian unfolded the roster and examined it carefully.

He knew all four of them.

The first was Cui Dunli, the Sima of Dengzhou, a member of a collateral branch of the Cui family of Qinghe, Shandong. He was known for his competence and was well-versed in the laws and regulations.

However, this person has a complicated background and has had dealings with the Prince of Wei's residence.

The second was Dou Jing, the chief secretary of the Xia Prefecture Governor's Office, who was considered a relative of the imperial family.

He had long served on the frontier and was familiar with military affairs, but he was stubborn and had a strained relationship with many ministers in the court.

The third was Wang Yu, the Sima of Yuanzhou, who came from the Wang clan of Taiyuan and was a distant nephew of Wang Gui.

This man was skilled in planning and had once presided over local canal transport, achieving remarkable political success.

However, he had no connection with me, and it is said that he was quite close to Changsun Wuji.

The fourth was Li Suli, the Sima of the Qin Prefecture Governor's Office, a branch of the Longxi Li clan, and a distant relative of the imperial family.

He served in local government for many years and was known for his integrity, but he lacked decisiveness.

Li Chengqian sighed inwardly.

These four people each have their strengths and weaknesses, but they all have one thing in common—none of them are people he can easily win over.

Cui Dunli may have had a past relationship with the King of Wei. Dou Jing is a relative of the Empress Dowager, and his attitude is unclear.

Wang Yu had a close relationship with the Changsun family.

Although Li Suli was a member of the royal family, he always knew how to protect himself.

The Ministry of Personnel's selection of these four individuals was clearly the result of careful consideration, taking into account both their abilities and the balance of power among various factions.

He raised his head and glanced at the assembled officials.

"The Ministry of Personnel has considered these four candidates thoroughly. I have reviewed their resumes, and they are indeed all capable individuals."

He paused, then continued, "However, the position of the Commissioner for the Development and Promotion of Xizhou carries a heavy responsibility, unlike any other. I intend to examine these four candidates in person. What do you all think?"

Everyone was somewhat surprised to hear this.

The Crown Prince proposed to examine the candidates in person, indicating that he wanted to personally oversee the selection process.

Changsun Wuji narrowed his eyes slightly, quickly calculating in his mind.

Was the Crown Prince's move intended to demonstrate his ability to judge character, or did he have ulterior motives?
Now that Changsun Wuji has accepted the Crown Prince's change, he also needs to adjust his own strategy!

Fang Xuanling stroked his beard and pondered, feeling that the Crown Prince's request was reasonable.

It is the Crown Prince's duty to personally examine candidates for important positions.

Chu Suiliang nodded and said, "Your Highness's personal examination is more capable of distinguishing the virtuous and capable. I think it is feasible."

“In that case,” Li Chengqian said, “I ask the Ministry of Personnel to arrange for these four candidates to come to the Eastern Palace in three days. I will personally question them.”

"Your subject obeys the decree," Yang Shidao bowed and replied.

The selection process was temporarily concluded, and then other matters were discussed.

As they walked out of Xiande Hall, Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji walked side by side.

"Fuji, what do you think of the Crown Prince today?" Fang Xuanling asked in a low voice.

Changsun Wuji's gaze was deep, and his voice betrayed no emotion.

"The Crown Prince is making great progress every day, which makes me very happy!"

“Yes,” Fang Xuanling exclaimed.

“So,” Changsun Wuji stopped and looked at Fang Xuanling, “Xuanling, do you think Liu Shi’s death is related to the Crown Prince’s palace?”

Fang Xuanling shook his head.

"The Crown Prince...would not be so unwise."

"Then, who is it?" Changsun Wuji's voice remained calm throughout.

"Who wants to kill two birds with one stone, both get rid of Liu Shi and frame the Crown Prince?"

The two exchanged a glance and both saw the seriousness in each other's eyes.

Just as the two were talking, an interrogation was taking place inside the Ministry of Justice prison.

Minister of Justice Zhang Liang personally oversaw the interrogation of several merchants who had dealings with Liu Shi.

"Speak! What did you say in Pingkang Ward the night before Imperial Censor Liu died?" the Vice Minister of Justice asked sternly.

An obese businessman knelt on the ground, trembling all over.

"Your Excellency is wise! That night, Imperial Censor Liu only inquired about some matters concerning the purchases made for the Crown Prince's palace. I answered all his questions without reservation!"

"What did he ask?" Zhang Liang asked, his voice icy.

"The question...the question is whether the Crown Prince has recently purchased a large number of treasures from the Western Regions, and...and whether he has any special dealings with any foreign merchants," the merchant replied in a trembling voice.

Zhang Liang exchanged a glance with the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review beside him.

Liu Shi continued his investigation of the Eastern Palace as expected.

"And then? Did Imperial Censor Liu mention who he was going to see?" Zhang Liang pressed.

The businessman tried hard to recall.

"Imperial Censor Liu seemed to be in a very good mood that night."

"What's the matter?"

"I don't know! Imperial Censor Liu didn't say, and I dare not ask."

The interrogation lasted for two hours, but the clues obtained were limited.

Liu Shi did meet with these merchants that night, but then left alone and disappeared without a trace.

Meanwhile, Li Junxian's spies obtained an important clue while investigating near Yongxingfang.

(End of this chapter)