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

Chapter 87 Public-spiritedness... What a public-spiritedness...

Li Chengqian stood in the eye of the storm, and Chu Suiliang's support was like a fire that suddenly appeared in winter, giving him a brief moment of warmth and hope.

But then, the even stronger wave of opposition and the silence of the majority completely extinguished that warmth, leaving only a deeper chill.

He looked at the ministers arguing heatedly, their faces showing excitement, indifference, or calculation.

The frustration and anger in his heart pounded wildly in his chest.

He is the crown prince, the heir apparent, and the future emperor!
Why do these people, these officials, dare to disregard his wishes so blatantly and attack his recommendations so brazenly?

A violent thought surged uncontrollably into my mind.

I too am a ruler! You oppress me so today; one day… if I ascend the throne, I will…

His gaze involuntarily swept over Changsun Wuji's impassive face and over Fang Xuanling's wise and profound eyes.

A chilling sense of powerlessness instantly extinguished the newly ignited flames of violence.

Changsun Wuji, a meritorious official of the state and the elder brother of the Empress Dowager, wielded considerable power.

Fang Xuanling was the head of the court officials and enjoyed the deep trust of his father, the emperor. His students and old friends were all over the court and the country.

And then there's Li Ji, a pillar of the military...

Are these people someone he can deal with right now? Are they people he can retaliate against right now?

No.

This realization, like a dull knife, repeatedly cut at his dignity.

He had the title of crown prince, but lacked the real power and prestige to control these important officials.

His will proved so fragile in the face of the true power structure.

The argument continued, and the Taiji Hall resembled a marketplace.

Finally, all the noise subsided, and all eyes once again focused on the supreme throne.

Li Shimin sat upright from beginning to end, like a mountain.

His face remained expressionless, unmoved by the heated argument, and unsurprised by Chu Suiliang's unexpected actions.

His deep gaze slowly swept over the two sides arguing, over the pale-faced, tightly pursed-lipped Crown Prince, and over the composed, resolute-looking Chu Suiliang.

When the hall was completely quiet, so quiet you could hear a pin drop, the emperor slowly spoke, his voice steady yet carrying the authority to end all debate.

"What you gentlemen have said,"

He first looked at Li Ji, Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Cui Renshi, among others.

"All of this was done with the public good and for the sake of the country, which greatly pleases me."

This statement affirmed the position of the opponents.

Li Chengqian's heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand.

“The Crown Prince recommended him, and Minister Chu strongly advocated for him,” he said, turning his gaze to Li Chengqian and Chu Suiliang.

"This was a well-thought-out plan, made for the stability of Xizhou, and his intentions are commendable."

It's like a balance, a soothing gesture, but by no means an endorsement.

The decision was made immediately.

"The selection of the Xizhou Promotion and Demotion Commissioner is of great importance. Since there is such a disagreement in the court, the appointment of Li Suli will be temporarily put on hold."

"Set aside".

Those two words, like icicles, pierced Li Chengqian's heart.

His proposal was effectively rejected.

The emperor saved his face by not directly refuting him, but leaving it aside was the clearest failure.

"Order the Ministry of Personnel to work with the Secretariat and the Chancellery," Li Shimin continued, his voice leaving no room for argument.

"Regarding the concerns of you gentlemen today, let us reconsider and recommend virtuous and capable individuals. The selected people must possess both the virtue of prudence and the talent of management, and be knowledgeable about border affairs and military matters. After the decision is made, we will report back to you."

"Your Majesty, we obey!" The Minister of Personnel and others immediately stepped forward, bowed, and accepted the order.

"Retreat."

Li Shimin said no more, got up, and left the Taiji Hall surrounded by eunuchs.

As soon as the emperor left, the heavy atmosphere in the hall seemed to dissipate instantly. Officials began to talk in hushed tones, straightened their robes, and gradually left the court.

Li Chengqian stood rooted to the spot, as if he were nailed there.

The sounds of the court's closing bells and drums became distant and indistinct in his ears.

The pent-up frustration in my chest remained stagnant, blocking all my senses.

He watched the figures filing out, watched Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling walk past him in hushed tones, watched Li Ji stride away expressionlessly, and watched Cui Renshi join several censors, his face devoid of smiles, yet his steps were light.

He was like someone isolated from the power arena, watching people walk and talk freely within it, while he himself was kept out by an invisible barrier, unable to integrate or have any influence whatsoever.

"Your Highness..."

The eunuch beside him had to step forward and cautiously whisper a reminder.

Li Chengqian suddenly came to his senses and took a deep breath.

He forced himself to lift his leaden legs and take a step.

A familiar stinging pain shot through his right foot, but he was completely unaware of it.

He walked silently, limping, along the empty palace road.

The morning sunlight stretched his shadow long and thin, casting a distorted shadow on the cold stone slab, a shadow that was lonely and stiff.

The road back to the East Palace was long and silent.

He kept his lips tightly closed and didn't say a word.

The anger and humiliation in my heart did not dissipate, but instead settled and fermented in silence. However, another clearer and colder realization—a sense of powerlessness—like spreading moss, covered the raging anger.

He recalled Li Yichen's words—"This isn't defiance, it's strategy."

"Your Highness should let him make the choices, instead of you passively bearing all the consequences."

But today, he feels like he's the one who passively bears all the consequences.

The emperor chose to "set aside" the matter and to comply with the seemingly "fair" court opinion.

He, Li Chengqian, recommended by the Crown Prince, was insignificant in the face of so-called national interests and court discipline.

This realization stung him more than any direct rebuke.

However, amidst this extreme pain and powerlessness, something seems to be slowly shattering and then slowly reforming.

He no longer dwelled solely on his personal anger and grievances.

Some colder, more hard questions began to swirl in his mind.

Why was Li Ji so insistent on prioritizing military interests?
What exactly are these benefits?
What is its connection with Xizhou?
What exactly was Changsun Wuji trying to balance? And with whom was he trying to balance things?
Why did Fang Xuanling's pursuit of efficiency fail to work on Li Suli?
Where do those officials who dare to speak out get their courage?

Is it merely because of the duties of the censor?

Was Chu Suiliang's impassioned speech genuine support, or did he have ulterior motives?
These questions, like undercurrents in a dark abyss, surged within him.

They were heavy, yet they carried an unprecedented power of clarity, pushing him from a self-pitying crown prince into a participant who had to begin examining the true face of power.

Upon returning to the Xiande Hall of the Eastern Palace, he dismissed all his attendants and palace servants.

The heavy palace doors slowly closed, isolating the outside world.

In the empty hall, only he remained, along with the omnipresent, suffocating silence.

He slammed his fist into the vermilion pillar supporting the palace beside him.

"Boom!"

A deep, resounding thud echoed through the hall.

A sharp pain shot through the back of my hand, and my knuckles became red and swollen.

But he couldn't feel any pain.

Only the pent-up frustration in my chest, with nowhere to go and no way to dissipate, lingered there.

He stared at the faint mark on the pillar, then squeezed out a few cold words through gritted teeth.

"Public-mindedness...what a fine public-mindedness..."

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(End of this chapter)