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

Chapter 43 I...I can't do it.

Li Chengqian's lips twitched slightly, and he cursed inwardly, "Old fox!"
Liu Shi intends to make this matter completely public, placing it under the scrutiny of the court, so that any subsequent actions he takes will be subject to external scrutiny.

"...Imperial Censor Liu's considerations are thorough, which is excellent."

Li Chengqian practically spat out those words through gritted teeth, maintaining his last shred of dignity.

Liu Shi left.

He walked with ease and light steps, a smug look on his lips.

The air inside the Consultative Hall was still and stagnant.

Li Chengqian sat in the main seat.

He stared in the direction where Liu Shi had disappeared, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger, humiliation, resentment, and a hint of panic that even he himself was unwilling to admit.

Now, however, he has been publicly exposed for embezzlement, reselling, and intercepting relief supplies—each and every one of these accusations points to the chaos in the Eastern Palace's internal affairs and the failure to properly select personnel, and further implies that Li Chengqian is "inconsistent in his words and deeds" and "hypocritical."

This is even harsher than simply calling him incompetent.

Li Baiyao sat on the left, his brows furrowed, his fingers unconsciously rubbing his cuffs, clearly pondering whether there was another force behind Liu Shi's actions.

Xu Jingzong lowered his eyes.

He knew that what happened today was no accident.

Liu Shi did not come alone; it goes without saying who was standing behind him.

The other officials in the hall all lowered their heads and lowered their eyes, even their breathing became soft.

No one dared to speak, no one dared to move.

It was as if the heavy atmosphere would crush him the moment he opened his mouth.

Li Chengqian finally made a move.

He slowly stood up, his steps a little stiff, and the old injury in his ankle seemed to be throbbing again.

He didn't look at anyone, turned around and walked straight towards the back hall.

In the study of the Eastern Palace, candles were just lit.

Li Chengqian sat at his desk with a copy of "Zhenguan Zhengyao" spread out in front of him, but he didn't read a single word.

He stared blankly at the candlelight.

Previously, Li Baiyao and Xu Jingzong took turns serving as his tutor, but neither of them said a word.

"Yichen".

Li Chengqian spoke, his voice filled with sorrow.

"Tell me... was I played for today?"

Li Yichen did not answer immediately.

He slowly walked to the bookshelf, pulled out a volume of "Han Feizi", casually flipped through a couple of pages, and then said indifferently, "Your Highness was not fooled today."

Li Chengqian's imposing manner completely vanished.

“I didn’t deny the purchase, I didn’t explain the purpose, I didn’t throw a tantrum on the spot, and I didn’t even have anyone check the accounts—I just said ‘I’ve noted it down.’ What does that mean? Does it mean I’m admitting defeat? Does it mean I’m being led by the nose?”

Li Yichen closed the book and turned around.

"Your Highness has won today."

"You won?" Li Chengqian sneered. "Liu Shi exposed the corruption within the Eastern Palace in public, and I didn't even dare to offer an explanation. Is that what you call winning?"

“Yes.” Li Yichen nodded, his tone resolute.

"Your Highness won the first game today."

He walked to the opposite side of Li Chengqian, sat down, and looked directly into the crown prince's eyes.

"Liu Shi's strategy today is an open scheme. He has the records from the Ministry of Agriculture, witnesses, and the flow of embezzled funds. The chain of evidence is complete, the timing is precise, and his words are ruthless. He is not here to interrogate you; he is here to force Your Highness to lose your composure."

"If His Highness gets angry on the spot and accuses him of spying on private affairs, or denies it outright, or rushes to defend himself—either way, he will lose."

"Why?" The confusion in Li Chengqian's eyes deepened.

"Because if His Highness loses his composure, it will confirm his 'hypocrisy.' All of Liu Shi's words today boil down to four words: inconsistency between words and deeds. What he wants is not to investigate the accounts, nor to punish corruption, but to make the world believe that the Crown Prince says 'learn from history,' but secretly indulges in extravagance and pleasure. Once this image is established, what will His Majesty think? What will the court officials think? What will the people think?"

Li Chengqian remained silent. "But Your Highness has not lost your composure today," Li Yichen's voice suddenly rose.

"His Highness suppressed his anger, neither denying nor defending himself, only saying 'I've noted it down' and that he would 'check the accounts.' With just one sentence, he regained the initiative."

Liu Shi thought His Highness would panic, get angry, and panic. But His Highness remained calm. He left triumphantly, thinking victory was in his grasp. But he didn't know that his biggest failure today was failing to make His Highness lose control.

Li Chengqian's eyes gradually brightened.

"So...I really won today?"

“We won,” Li Yichen nodded. “And we won beautifully.”

"Your Highness knows why Liu Shi dared to come. It's because he has someone backing him up. Is it the Prince of Wei? Or some old foxes from the Censorate who want to take this opportunity to stir up trouble? Whoever it is, they are betting that Your Highness will lose your temper. They are betting that Your Highness is still the same impulsive, violent, and easily provoked Li Chengqian."

"But they made the wrong bet."

"Your Highness's performance today will make those people reassess him. They will wonder: Has the Crown Prince changed? Is someone behind him instructing him? Is the Eastern Palace no longer the pushover it once was?"

"This doubt is the crack. This crack is the opportunity."

Li Chengqian was breathing rapidly, his chest heaving.

He was ignited by Li Yichen's words.

"So what's next? What should I do?"

"Immediately summon the heads of the Imperial Kitchen and the Imperial Household Bureau to investigate the accounts. The more detailed and transparent the investigation, the better. Arrest Wang Shun and Wang Da if they should be arrested, and interrogate them if they should be interrogated. If there are problems with the accounts, admit it; if there are no problems, clarify them. But it must be quick, it must be ruthless, and it must be made clear to everyone that the Eastern Palace is not a place for corruption." Li Yichen said coldly.

The excitement on Li Chengqian's face suddenly froze.

He was silent for a moment, his voice low.

“Wang Shun… has been with me for seven years. Wang Da was transferred from the Imperial Palace when I was twelve. They… are not outsiders.”

Li Chengqian raised his head, a hint of struggle in his eyes.

"I know they may have made a mistake. But if I really hand them over... I... I can't do it."

His voice grew softer and softer, almost as if he were talking to himself.

A sense of relief welled up in Li Yichen's heart.

After all, in this arena of power, ruthlessness is the norm.

But Li Chengqian hesitated.

He couldn't bear it.

At the very least, this crown prince is not a cold-blooded and ruthless person.

He still has feelings and principles.

"Your Highness." Li Yichen's tone softened somewhat, but remained sharp.

"Loyalty is precious, but corruption is deadly."

"Why?" Li Chengqian asked, puzzled.

"Because corruption is not a matter for one person alone. If we tolerate them embezzling a bushel of rice today, someone will dare to embezzle a whole granary of grain tomorrow. If we protect them once today, someone will dare to turn the Eastern Palace into a private treasury tomorrow."

"Corruption is like an ant hole, which can cause a dam to collapse over a thousand miles. If Your Highness protects your own people today because of personal feelings, there will be no place for the Crown Prince to stand tomorrow. His Majesty will suspect you, the court officials will laugh at you, and the people will curse you—how can you govern the country if you can't even control your own people?"

Li Chengqian's face turned pale, and his fingers gripped his sleeves tightly.

"But...they've followed me for so many years..."

"Therefore, Your Highness must act swiftly and decisively." Li Yichen's voice was icy.

"It's not to kill them, it's to save the Crown Prince and His Highness himself."

He paused, then his tone suddenly changed.

"But Your Highness can save their lives."

Li Chengqian suddenly looked up.

"After the investigation is completed, Your Highness may personally submit a memorial to His Majesty, stating that although the two men have embezzled, the amount is limited and they are first-time offenders. Considering their years of service, Your Highness should be treated leniently. Exile, caning, or removal from office are all acceptable, but the death penalty can be waived."

(End of this chapter)