A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

"But we shouldn't be too hasty; we should proceed slowly and gradually."

"The most important thing right now is to enlighten the people. As long as we can enlighten the people, the powerful families will be naturally eliminated."

"Throughout the competition, it is also a process in which people continuously improve their moral character. When the granaries are full, people know etiquette; when they are well-fed and clothed, they know honor and shame."

"This process is enough to prevent the worst-case scenario from happening."

After hearing Wei Zu's words, color began to return to Li Shimin's pale face.

"When I was studying in Yanzhou, I heard a saying: 'Survival of the fittest.'"

"Isn't letting the common people naturally weed out powerful families a form of natural selection, where only the fittest survive?"

"To eliminate them in accordance with the will of Heaven is like an overwhelming trend; what human power can defy the will of Heaven?"

Li Shimin had a sudden realization: all they needed to do was continuously cultivate the lowest levels of society, and once their basic needs for food and drink were met, they would develop even greater ambitions.

When this class of people grows in power, they have countless reserves of strength, which is incomparable to that of aristocratic families.

"good."

Wei Zu nodded in satisfaction. He was afraid that Li Shimin would be like Yang Guang, acting impulsively for the sake of achievements without regard for the consequences, wanting to accomplish in one generation what would have taken ten generations. The final result would surely be the collapse of the newly established Tang Dynasty.

"As is customary, let's continue with the positions of Grand Minister of Education and Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. What do you think?"

Li Shimin inquired.

To invite someone to serve as one of the Four Dukes and the most prestigious official position of Imperial Academy Chancellor requires consultation with the person in question, which would be unimaginable for anyone else.

However, if the person in question is the heir apparent of the Prince of Yan, a direct descendant of the Prince of Zhongwu, then whether it is the person involved, Li Shimin, the eunuchs around him, or even the people of the world, they will all feel that this is a matter of course.

"I will obey Your Majesty's orders."

Wei Zu said reservedly that his official position was not important. As long as he was here, the entire Wei family's power in Luoyang would naturally gather around him.

All of this is perfectly reasonable and beyond question.

"Then it's settled. We'll announce it at tomorrow's morning court session."

"It's getting late, sir. You should go back and rest now. See you at the morning court tomorrow."

Li Shimin breathed a sigh of relief. His Tang Empire was about to get back on track, waiting for him to lead it step by step to prosperity.

Watching Wei Zu's departing figure, Li Shimin couldn't help but sigh. Conversing with this heir of the Wei family was like basking in a spring breeze; it seemed that all the good qualities in the world could not be overstated in him.

"The Wei family are indeed extraordinary people."

"Chengqian and Qingque are both young. If we could stay by their side and teach them by example, then..."

"Please wait, sir."

Thinking of this, Li Shimin quickly took a few steps to stop Wei Zu, who was about to leave.

"Is there anything else, Your Majesty?"

Wei Zu asked in confusion.

"I have a request that I cannot make, and I hope you will forgive me."

Li Shimin said solemnly, "Someone, go and summon the Crown Prince and Qingque."

Wei Zu remained expressionless, but he had already guessed Li Shimin's thoughts.

He wanted his two sons to become his disciples, but as far as he knew, even the eldest, Li Chengqian, was only nine years old.

In ordinary families, a nine-year-old might already be able to help with household chores, but in royal and aristocratic families, a nine-year-old is still just a child.

Not to mention Li Tai, who is a year younger than Li Chengqian.

So you wanted to become his disciple so early on?

Wei Zu was already thinking about how to refuse appropriately.

Not long after, Li Chengqian and Li Tai were brought over.

On their way here, they had already been instructed by the eunuch Zhang Qian that they were about to meet the most revered person in the world.

Even if they are crown princes, of royal blood, they are far inferior.

What excited them even more was the purpose of summoning them: to have them become disciples of the Prince of Yan.

I've always heard that the Yan King's lineage consists of the most learned people in the world, knowledgeable in astronomy, geography, and all the schools of thought.

Those who were trained by them became outstanding talents in various fields, and many of them held high positions.

More importantly, many historically renowned emperors were from the same generation or previous generations of the Prince of Yan.

Especially Li Chengqian, who had just been appointed as the crown prince, had been being taught by Empress Zhangsun these past two days to become a wise ruler in the future.

Even young Li Tai was excited. If he could become a disciple of the Prince of Yan's heir, he might have a chance to ascend the throne in the future.

Why should the throne belong to Li Chengqian just because he was born a year earlier?

He believed himself to be far more capable than Li Chengqian, and he wanted to become emperor as well.

Besides, wasn't his father also not the eldest son of the legitimate wife? Yet he still ascended the throne.

This current opportunity is the key to bringing him one step closer to the throne.

A glint flashed in Li Tai's eyes. Even before he entered the palace today, some people had already predicted that this would happen, and he had been waiting for it.

That gentleman was indeed a diviner; his prediction hit the mark!

It can only be said that royal children are precocious, especially the princes who were influenced by Li Shimin's Xuanwu Gate succession system. One prince, who was instigated by outsiders and influenced twice by the Xuanwu Gate succession system, was even more precocious.

It's normal for a child who grows up during a crucial stage in their development of their worldview and values ​​to have some distorted thinking, given that they were twice influenced by the Xuanwu Gate succession system.

After discussing some state affairs with Li Shimin, one light footstep and two heavy footsteps were heard outside the hall.

Wei Zu turned his head and saw the eunuch Zhang Qian walking in with two little radish-like children.

The one in front bears a resemblance to Li Shimin in his features. He has a youthful face, wears a python robe, and exudes a heroic spirit. However, this heroic spirit also reveals a sense of decline, making him appear extremely contradictory.

The other little radish-head, unlike Li Shimin, was a chubby little radish-head. When he saw Li Shimin looking over, he quickly squeezed out a funny smile, his eyes narrowed into slits, making him look silly.

After a brief look, Wei Zu withdrew his gaze. He had already recognized which one was Li Chengqian and which one was Li Tai. It was easy to confirm, as everyone knew that Li Tai was a chubby boy.

"Sir, these are my sons Chengqian and Qingque. Chengqian and Qingque, this is Mr. Wei Zu, the heir apparent of the Prince of Yan."

Li Shimin introduced the two sides with a smile. Wei Zu nodded slightly to Li Chenggan and Li Tai, and cupped his hands slightly, saying, "Greetings, Your Highnesses."

Li Chengqian and Li Tai quickly returned the greeting, "Greetings, sir."

"I have long admired your esteemed reputation and unparalleled virtue. With a mind as vast as the ocean and a heart devoted to the nation, your knowledge spans ancient and modern times, and your integrity is awe-inspiring to scholars. I, a humble junior, have long admired your noble character and wish to follow in your footsteps. I earnestly request to become your disciple and receive your guidance to enlighten my mind."

Li Tai recited the passage that person had taught him word for word, expecting praise from Li Shimin and Wei Zu's delight in accepting him as a disciple. However, to his surprise, he was met with Wei Zu's silent smile and Li Shimin's livid face.