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

Chapter 83...is that the end?

Li Chengqian looked at him, his gaze calm and unwavering.

"Minister Li, the others have already stated their opinions. In your opinion, what should be prioritized in the affairs of Xizhou?"

Li Suli took a deep breath and slowly uttered the words she had already carefully considered in her mind.

"Your Highness, I believe that what you all said were wise and insightful, and that you hit the nail on the head. I wholeheartedly agree."

He first praised the three people in front of him to show that he was not competitive and was inclusive.

“However,” he changed his tone slightly, still maintaining a humble demeanor.

"Xizhou is located on the far frontier, and its situation is complex and incomparable to that of the inland prefectures. Although the court's strategy has been set, its implementation is a complex and multifaceted matter, where even a small change can have far-reaching consequences. In my humble opinion, the most important thing is to... strictly adhere to the court's established regulations, understand His Majesty's holy intention to secure the borders and pacify the people, and when encountering any difficulties or uncertainties, to frequently consult with His Majesty, or report to His Majesty for a decision, or... or listen to the instructions of the Crown Prince. It is imperative to ensure that all decrees are implemented in accordance with His Majesty's will and the law, so as to avoid each department acting independently and delaying border security."

His words were delivered in a measured and watertight manner.

The core idea is: strictly follow the instructions of the court and the emperor, and if you encounter something you don't understand, consult the emperor and the crown prince; never make decisions on your own.

While seemingly emphasizing procedures and requests for instructions, it actually shirks all responsibility for its own decision-making, highlighting the word "stability," or rather, the subtext of "inaction."

He did not propose any specific policy strategies of his own, but only emphasized faithfully carrying out orders from above.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Cui Dunli's lips curled almost imperceptibly, and he thought to himself: "He really is a slippery fellow, always talking nonsense."

Dou Jing frowned slightly, feeling that this person was too timid and hesitant, not a suitable candidate for a border official.

Wang Yu remained expressionless, but he understood perfectly. Li Suli's strategy of self-preservation was consistent with his usual style.

However, to everyone's surprise, after hearing Li Suli's unoriginal and even somewhat mediocre answer, Li Chengqian neither showed disappointment nor asked any further questions. Instead, he nodded slightly, and there seemed to be a hint of... barely perceptible easing on his face.

"What Minister Li said is also the way of being prudent."

Li Chengqian's voice was flat, revealing no emotion.

His gaze swept over the four princes again, but instead of pursuing the matter further or initiating any debate as expected, he ended the test abruptly.

"I am already somewhat aware of the talents and knowledge of you all," Li Chengqian said in a calm and clear voice.

"The position of the Xizhou Promotion and Demotion Commissioner is of great importance, and the selection of the person to be appointed must be done with utmost care."

He paused briefly, as if he were carefully considering his words, or perhaps recalling something.

At that moment, Li Yichen's words from yesterday flashed through his mind.

"...Your Highness's strategy for these candidates is extremely simple—assessment and control...without revealing any personal likes or dislikes...the real core issue is not which official has taken the position of promotion and demotion envoy, but whether the national policy of developing Xizhou can succeed..."

In game theory, the strategic choices and ultimate gains of each party became clear to him.

He cannot show a clear preference for either side, as that would expose his bias and put him at a disadvantage in subsequent games.

He needs to maintain a detached and elusive demeanor.

Then, he changed the subject and said something that surprised all four people in the hall.

"Gentlemen, please step down and focus on your duties. As for the matters of Xizhou, I still need to... carefully consider them."

Should we give more consideration to current affairs?

What does it mean?
Cui Dunli, Dou Jing, Wang Yu, and Li Suli all showed varying degrees of astonishment. That's... the end?

They only asked each person one question, without even asking for details or assessing their responses, and then sent them back directly.

Did they even specifically tell them to "focus on their work"?
Doesn't that sound like a subtle way of saying no?
Does this imply that they should no longer have any hope of being appointed as the envoy?
Cui Dunli and Dou Jing, in particular, felt a strong sense of incomprehension and some dissatisfaction.

They believed that their answers, even if not outstanding, were at least practical and demonstrated their abilities.

The Crown Prince's reaction was far too hasty and childish!

Cui Dunli, being a scion of a noble family, couldn't suppress his pride and stepped forward, bowing as he asked, "Your Highness, I... am foolish and do not know whether Your Highness's words... imply that the selection of the appointment envoy has already been considered? Or is there anything inappropriate in what we just said? Please enlighten us, Your Highness."

Although Dou Jing did not speak, her straight back and tightly pursed lips revealed the same question.

Looking at the four people below with their different expressions, Li Chengqian felt an increasingly clear sense of control over the situation.

He followed the "respectful demeanor" taught by Li Yichen, and could not be easily led by the nose by the questions of his subjects.

His face remained expressionless; he merely glanced calmly at Cui Dunli, his tone carrying an undeniable distance.

"Minister Cui, you are overthinking this. The selection of personnel is a matter of national policy, and I need to weigh the overall situation carefully. How can I make a hasty decision? My question just now was merely a preliminary glimpse into your thoughts. As for your current affairs, they are the foundation of your positions. Whether or not you will be entrusted with the responsibility of Xizhou in the future, you should not take them lightly. I will inform my father about this matter. You may all step down for now, perform your duties well, and await news from the court."

His words gently deflected Cui Dunli's probing, neither confirming nor denying, but instead reiterating his current affairs and urging everyone to wait for news, making him appear even more unfathomable.

The four men looked at each other, their doubts deepening. But the Crown Prince had clearly offered them tea and dismissed them. Despite their many questions, they could only suppress their thoughts and bow in unison.

"I'm waiting to retire."

Watching the four figures leave Xiande Hall, Li Chengqian slowly leaned back on the brocade cushion, his fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the desk.

He did not make a decision immediately, but repeatedly weighed the concepts of "game theory" and "trade-offs" that Li Yichen had instilled in him.

Cui Dunli may be talented, but the suspicion that he is associated with the King of Wei is like a thorn in his side. Using him is too risky, and the "hidden costs" may far outweigh the benefits.

Dou Jing is familiar with border affairs and has great courage, but he is stubborn and difficult to manage. If entrusted with important responsibilities, he may become too powerful to be controlled, and the cost of "controlling" him in the future will be high.

Wang Yu is shrewd, capable, and good at planning, but his close relationship with Changsun Wuji makes him a hot potato. Using him would inevitably lead to him being labeled as a "nephew's cronies," undermining the detached image he tries to cultivate. The opportunity cost is losing the support of more neutral factions.

Only Li Suli... may be mediocre in ability and not a pioneering talent, but his status as a distant relative of the imperial clan makes his loyalty relatively reliable. More importantly, he is cautious, even cowardly, and lacks a solid foundation.

Such a person may not be able to create earth-shattering political achievements, but he is also not easy to escape control.

Placing him in the position of the Promotion and Demotion Commissioner, the specific strategies and assessment standards can be secretly formulated and strongly promoted by the Crown Prince.

In order to keep his official position, Li Suli would inevitably follow the Crown Prince's lead.

This aligns perfectly with Li Yichen's strategy of "assessment and control".

Choosing Li Suli may seem like a compromise, but it is actually a strategic retreat to firmly grasp the actual control of Xizhou affairs.

In the trade-offs, what is abandoned is a radical approach that may yield faster results, in exchange for a more stable and easier-to-control execution process.

"Mediocrity... is perhaps exactly what I need right now."

A resolute glint flashed in Li Chengqian's eyes.

What he wanted was not a capable minister who could act on his own and overshadow the emperor, but an executor who could faithfully carry out his will and was easy to control.

(End of this chapter)