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

Chapter 84 came so quickly!

……

Liangyi Palace.

Li Shimin put down the secret report in his hand, which was a detailed record of the dialogue in Xiande Hall.

He frowned slightly and tapped his fingers lightly on the imperial desk.

"They were sent back after just one question? And they even specifically told Anxinben to stay?"

Li Shimin muttered to himself, his tone tinged with doubt.

"What's Gao Ming up to?"

Based on his understanding of his son, in the past, he would have been stubborn and insisted on pushing out his preferred candidate.

They might be led by the nose by a few eloquent ministers, appearing to have no independent judgment.

His current nonchalant and ambiguous tone only made him more puzzled.

"Of the four, Cui Dunli is cunning, Dou Jing is upright, Wang Yu is slick, and Li Suli is... mediocre."

Li Shimin mentally evaluated each point.

"Judging from their responses, Cui, Dou, and Wang, some displaying talent, others revealing their sharp edges, are all not easily controlled. Only Li Suli is cautious in his words, blindly obedient to his superiors, and without any sharp edges..."

His gaze swept over Li Suli's reply in the record again—"Frequently seeking instructions, listening to directives, and ensuring the smooth implementation of government orders are all in accordance with the superior's wishes."

"Could it be... that Gao Ming has taken a liking to Li Suli?"

This idea surprised Li Shimin somewhat.

Li Suli was selected by the Ministry of Personnel according to regulations. His abilities were indeed relatively mediocre among the four, and he was not an ideal candidate for expanding the frontier.

In the past, if the Crown Prince had recommended such a person, Li Shimin would have thought that he was bad at judging people, or that he only wanted to appoint mediocre people who were easy to control in order to satisfy his vanity and desire for control, and he would have been disappointed.

But now, after experiencing a series of events such as opening the Eastern Palace, holding court in Xiande Hall, and dealing with the Liu Shi case, Li Shimin no longer dares to view this son with the same old perspective.

Behind every move the crown prince makes, there seems to be a deeper scheme at play.

"Is he showing weakness? Or is he using a strategic retreat as a means of advancement?" Li Shimin pondered.

"Was choosing Li Suli a last resort, or... is there another motive?"

Li Shimin knew that the interest groups represented by these four people either kept their distance from the Crown Prince or harbored antagonistic feelings towards him.

He recalled the Crown Prince's recent displays of deliberation and calculation, and his composure and depth beyond his years.

If the Crown Prince truly has feelings for Li Suli, then what's the deeper meaning behind it...?

Just as Li Shimin was deep in thought, Wang De walked in quietly and presented a memorial with both hands.

"Your Majesty, an urgent report has been received from the Crown Prince's Palace."

Li Shimin raised an eyebrow. They came so fast!

He took the memorial, unfolded it, and saw that it was indeed the Crown Prince's recommendation for the position of Commissioner of Promotion and Demotion in Xizhou.

The memorial was written with respect and clarity.

The Crown Prince first reiterated the importance of developing Xizhou and the necessity of establishing the position of Commissioner of Appointment and Demotion.

He then briefly described the characteristics of the four candidates, using objective language without revealing any obvious praise or criticism.

However, when stating the reasons for the recommendation at the end, the author clearly pointed the finger at Li Suli.

There are two reasons.

Firstly, there is the consideration of his status. Li Suli is a distant relative of the imperial clan. Although the relationship is distant, they are still connected by blood, and his loyalty to the country and the family is evident. Placing him in an important position in Xizhou can not only demonstrate His Majesty's benevolence in cherishing relatives and old friends, but also make the court feel more at ease than entrusting such an important border region to a member of the imperial family.

Secondly, regarding ability and temperament. The Crown Prince did not exaggerate Li Suli's talents; on the contrary, he acknowledged that Li Suli was not particularly ambitious or driven by ambition. However, he then shifted his focus, emphasizing that the Western Regions were newly established and in dire need of reconstruction. The most important thing was not to seek quick success and instant benefits, but rather to prioritize stability. Li Suli was calm and cautious, acted in accordance with rules and regulations, and especially valued orders from above. He would never abuse his power or cause trouble.

This aligns perfectly with the need for consolidating the foundation and making steady progress in the early stages of development. Conversely, if those with a fiery temperament or excessive cunning are appointed, there is a risk of being too eager for quick results, which could lead to mistakes and destabilize the already fragile situation on the frontier.

At the end of the memorial, the Crown Prince also stated that this candidate was only a preliminary consideration by the Eastern Palace, and the final decision would be respectfully submitted to His Majesty's judgment.

Li Shimin put down the memorial, leaned back in his chair, and unconsciously tapped his fingers on the armrest.

This memorial is written... very skillfully.

The reasons given were very sufficient, and one could even say they hit the nail on the head.

Especially given that the Crown Prince's palace is currently embroiled in a media storm and the situation in Xizhou is sensitive and complex, employing a member of the imperial clan who may lack ability but is absolutely loyal and obedient can indeed reduce a lot of unnecessary suspicion and resistance.

At least, no one would easily accuse the crown prince of using this to form cliques for personal gain.

"As a member of the imperial family... stability is paramount..." Li Shimin murmured to himself.

From the Crown Prince's perspective, this reasoning is surprisingly sound.

If the Crown Prince strongly recommends someone who is clearly a member of the Eastern Palace's inner circle, or someone with outstanding abilities and ambition, it will only provoke stronger vigilance and backlash from him and his court officials.

"It seems you've really improved. You know how to weigh things, how to avoid suspicion, and how to... use retreat as a means of advancement."

A complex light flashed in Li Shimin's eyes.

I'm relieved that my son is finally starting to think like a crown prince.

But there is also a deeper sense of unease: this transformation is too fast and too thorough, and the force behind it is considerable.

He picked up his vermilion brush and wrote on the memorial: "I have read the Crown Prince's recommendation. The position of Commissioner for Promotion and Demotion of Xizhou is an important one, and the selection of the person must be carefully considered. I hereby order that the court convene tomorrow to discuss this matter. The memorial shall be forwarded to the Secretariat and the Chancellery, and all princes, civil and military officials shall be informed."

He wanted to see what his improved son could say when faced with the ministers' questions at tomorrow's court assembly.

At the same time, he also wanted to see how the various factions in the government would react to this.

……

The news of the Crown Prince recommending Li Suli spread like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, quickly creating ripples within certain circles of power in Chang'an.

Duke Zhao's Mansion, study.

After hearing his eldest son's report, Changsun Wuji's gray eyebrows twitched slightly.

"Li Suli?" He put down his teacup, a playful expression on his face.

"It's quite unexpected that the Crown Prince would recommend him."

"Father, what is the meaning of the Crown Prince's move? Li Suli is mediocre among these four, and is by no means a good choice for the post in Xizhou. Moreover, this person does not seem to be one of the Crown Prince's close associates!"

Changsun Chong asked in confusion.

Changsun Wuji slowly shook his head, his gaze deep.

“If it were a month ago, I might have thought the same thing. But the Crown Prince now… his thinking is not what it used to be. His reasons for recommending Li Suli are clearly stated in his memorial—it’s safe.”

He stood up and paced around the study.

"Steady... Heh, what a fine word 'steady.' The development of Xizhou involves countless tasks, and it is indeed necessary to maintain a stable footing. But what is needed even more is the courage and talent to break through the current predicament! Li Suli's 'steadiness' is almost mediocre; he may be capable of maintaining the status quo, but he is certainly not up to the task of expansion. How could the Crown Prince not know this?"

He stopped in his tracks, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

"Unless, what he wants isn't just an envoy capable of expanding the territory! What he wants is a puppet who can obey him and strictly carry out his or the will of the person behind him! Li Suli has a special status, mediocre abilities, and is easy to control, making him the perfect candidate to serve as a puppet. The Crown Prince is trying to bypass any possible constraints from the court and firmly grasp the affairs of Xizhou in the Eastern Palace! What a cunning scheme!"

Upon hearing this, Changsun Chong gasped, "So, the Crown Prince's ambitions are far from small!"

"Plotting something?" Changsun Wuji sneered.

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(End of this chapter)