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

Chapter 90 He preferred to believe it was true.

"Who is it?" Li Shimin's gaze narrowed slightly.

“The Prefect of Dengzhou is Cui Dunli,” Li Tai said clearly.

"This man is from a collateral branch of the Cui family of Qinghe. He has a long family tradition of learning and is well-versed in the laws and regulations. He has served as an assistant clerk in various prefectures and counties and has achieved remarkable results in all of them. He is especially skilled in financial and criminal matters and has been rated as the best in the Ministry of Personnel's annual performance evaluations."

"During his tenure in Dengzhou, he supervised and encouraged agriculture and sericulture, and promoted water conservancy, earning a good reputation for his administration. What is even more remarkable is that Cui Sima had traveled to Longyou and Hexi on official business, and thus had an understanding of the situation in the border areas and the situation of Han and non-Han people living together."

“He is a man of outstanding talent and maturity. If he were to take up a post in Xizhou, he would surely be able to perform his duties diligently and handle matters prudently.”

He paused, and seeing his father remain silent, he uttered the most crucial words.

"Your subject recommends this person without any selfish motives! It is only because I believe that his talent and virtue are sufficient to undertake this task. If he can be employed, he can not only contribute to the stability of the western border of the country, but also... he can also help my brother overcome the current difficulties."

"After all, if the envoys are capable and the development of Xizhou goes smoothly, the credit will naturally go to my elder brother."

"Your subject... Your subject only hopes to share your elder brother's burdens and do your bit to alleviate Father's worries about this matter. It would also allow outsiders to see that we, the brothers of the imperial family, can be so harmonious and supportive of each other. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

After saying this, Li Tai lowered his head deeply, his heart pounding in his chest.

He tried his best to make his demeanor appear pure and sincere, hiding all his calculations under the guise of "brotherly affection" and "recommending virtuous people for the country."

Looking at his son who was bowing respectfully below, Li Shimin was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

He first instinctively felt a slight doubt.

He was not entirely unaware of the relationship between Qingque and Gaoming.

It's rather unusual that Qingque is now actively recommending talented individuals to help the Crown Prince.

But then, Li Tai’s heartfelt words, especially the last sentence, “so that outsiders can see that we, the brothers of the imperial family, can be so harmonious and helpful to each other,” deeply moved him.

The Xuanwu Gate Incident was a pain and shadow that he could never let go of throughout his life.

Deep down, he desperately wanted his sons to be kind and respectful to each other, so as to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

If Qingque's actions were truly motivated by public interest and out of love for his elder brother, then that would undoubtedly be the scenario he would most like to see.

Moreover, he also had some impression of Cui Dunli, whom Li Tai recommended.

The Ministry of Personnel's assessment was indeed excellent; his ability and qualifications were more than sufficient for the position.

Compared to Li Suli, who was recommended by the Crown Prince and was clearly mediocre, Cui Dunli was obviously more in line with the requirement of "possessing both prudent virtue and business acumen".

Could it be... that Qingque has truly grown up, learned to consider the bigger picture, and understood how to uphold the authority of her elder brother, the Crown Prince?
This thought filled Li Shimin with a rare warmth and hope.

If this is true, it would be a blessing for the Tang Dynasty and for the Li family.

He preferred to believe it was true.

"Qingque," Li Shimin's voice softened considerably, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible excitement.

"I am very pleased that you have this thought. I am truly pleased. When brothers are of one mind, their strength can break metal. If you can really think and act in this way, I will be very gratified, and your mother's spirit in heaven will also be pleased."

Li Tai was overjoyed, knowing that his father had been persuaded, but he still suppressed his excitement and maintained a respectful demeanor.

"Your Majesty, I am merely fulfilling my duty and do not deserve such praise."

After pondering for a moment, Li Shimin finally made a decision.

"Good! I have noted down your recommendation of Cui Dunli. This man is indeed talented and worthy of consideration. I hereby issue an edict to the Secretariat to deliberate on his case."

"Your son thanks Your Majesty for your trust!"

Li Tai quickly kowtowed, feeling a great weight lifted from his heart.

He pressed his advantage and said a few more words.

"Father, my elder brother, the Crown Prince, has been working hard on state affairs lately, and it has been very tiring."

"Although I am outside the palace, I often think of you. Please ask Father to convey my wish that you take good care of yourself. If... if you do not mind, I am willing to visit the Eastern Palace often to seek your advice. Although I am not very talented, I may be able to help you with trivial matters and share your burdens." These words touched Li Shimin's heart.

He was overjoyed and said repeatedly, "Good! Good! I will certainly convey your message. With you brothers being so kind, what do I have to worry about! You may leave now and continue compiling your 'Kuodi Zhi' (Records of the Land). I have my own plans for this matter."

"My son, please retire."

Li Tai forced back the smile that was about to spill from his lips and respectfully withdrew from the Liangyi Hall.

As soon as he stepped out of the palace gates and walked along the long palace corridor, the respect on Li Tai's face instantly transformed into barely suppressed pride and excitement.

He could almost see Cui Dunli ascend to the position of Xizhou's Inspector, and see the wealth and power of Xizhou flowing into his Weiwang Mansion through this line.

Inside the Liangyi Hall, Li Shimin was alone, savoring his conversation with Li Tai, a long-unseen, contented smile on his face.

He immediately summoned a secretary from the Secretariat and orally conveyed his decree, appointing Cui Dunli, the Prefect of Dengzhou recommended by the Prince of Wei, as the Commissioner for Promotion and Demotion of Xizhou. He then instructed the Secretariat, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Chancellery to hold a joint meeting to deliberate on the matter and submit a proper report as soon as possible.

He even gave a special instruction.

"Inform the ministers of the Central Secretariat that the King of Wei's recommendation is out of public interest and to recommend worthy men for the country. You must carefully consider this when you discuss the matter."

The emperor's decree was quickly conveyed to the Secretariat, and immediately caused a great uproar in the Chang'an court, like a boulder thrown into a still lake.

"Did the King of Wei recommend Cui Dunli?"

"Your Majesty actually handed over the person recommended by the Prince of Wei to the Secretariat for deliberation and punishment?"

"And they even specifically emphasized that the King of Wei acted out of public interest and recommended virtuous men for the sake of the country?"

A series of surprised and uncertain gazes were cast toward the direction of the Prince of Wei's residence, and also toward the silent Eastern Palace.

The perceptive courtiers immediately sensed something unusual about it.

The Crown Prince recommended Li Suli, but the court rejected the recommendation, and His Majesty put it aside.

In the blink of an eye, the King of Wei recommended Cui Dunli, whose talent was clearly superior, and surprisingly, the Emperor approved and it was officially included in the agenda!
The implications of this are truly intriguing.

Has His Majesty become so disappointed in the Crown Prince?

They began to support the King of Wei, intentionally or unintentionally, and even allowed him to intervene in personnel matters in the border regions that should have been led by the Crown Prince.

Or is it that the King of Wei and the forces behind him have become impatient and have begun to openly challenge for the position of crown prince?

"The foundation of the nation is crumbling..."

Some seasoned and prudent officials sighed privately.

"It seems that Prince Jian of Wei is favored by the Emperor, and the struggle for the throne is likely to become even more intense."

Many others are observing from the shadows, calculating the future direction of events.

The previously subsided debate over the succession has been reignited by this incident, and is now more public and intense than ever before.

Rumors about Prince Wei, Li Tai, possibly replacing Crown Prince Li Chengqian were rampant throughout the court and among the public.

The Eastern Palace, Xiande Hall.

Li Chengqian had locked himself in the palace for nearly two hours.

He tried to calmly analyze the situation using Professor Li Yichen's game theory approach, attempting to break free from the boundless sense of powerlessness and plan his so-called "backup plan."

However, when the eunuch tremblingly entered and reported to him that the Prince of Wei had recommended Cui Dunli and that His Majesty had approved the matter, handing him over to the Secretariat for deliberation, all his efforts and self-comfort collapsed in an instant.

"what?"

　Please give me a reward!!! Please give me monthly tickets!!! Please recommend me!!!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)