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

Chapter 95 This is such a trivial matter, I can't be bothered to bother with it.

Li Chengqian's gaze swept over everyone, and his tone turned serious.

"My lords, please remember that what we are doing is not to make things difficult or to engage in factional strife, but to uphold discipline and clarify the law. All our words and actions must be based on public interest and in accordance with propriety and law."

"Inquiries must be incisive, and rebuttals must be reasoned and well-founded. We must let the court and the public see that the Crown Prince's deliberations are not just empty formalities, but genuine efforts to identify and address shortcomings in the court and uphold the seriousness of discipline!"

"We understand!" the four replied in unison.

After the meeting concluded, everyone left the side hall and went to make their own preparations.

Li Chengqian sat alone for a while, a cold smile slowly curving his lips.

He knew the arrow was already nocked.

The following day, at the Xiande Hall of the Eastern Palace.

According to the new system, summaries of some regular court affairs and matters requiring discussion have been sent to the Crown Prince's Palace.

Today's agenda includes the Ministry of Personnel's review of several officials' annual performance evaluations, and the Ministry of War's recommendation regarding the transfer of two military commanders under the Anxi Protectorate.

Li Chengqian sat upright in the hall. Below him, besides the officials of the Eastern Palace, were the officials from the Ministry of Personnel's Examination and Merit Department and the Ministry of War's Military Affairs Department, who had been summoned to answer questions.

The atmosphere was somewhat heavy from the start.

The first topic discussed was the Ministry of Personnel's performance evaluation system.

When the name of a county magistrate in Guanzhong was mentioned, who had received the highest performance evaluation for three consecutive years, Li Chengqian did not simply listen and let it go as usual. Instead, he gestured for Zhao Hongzhi to speak.

Holding the relevant documents, Zhao Hongzhi rose and asked the official in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, "May I ask, what is the basis for this county magistrate's consecutive three years of top-ranking performance evaluations? How much has the population increased during his tenure? Is there a detailed record of the amount of reclaimed land? Are the legal cases handled fairly? Are there any special achievements that can serve as a model?"

According to the Examination and Assessment Ordinance, those who raise their children well and increase their household population are considered to be in the top category; those who are honest, prudent, and fair are considered to be in the middle to upper category.

"The documents he wrote mostly praised agriculture and sericulture, saying that it was quite effective and that he handled matters fairly. There were no specific political achievements or remarkable accomplishments. Why was he continuously rated as the best? Does this conform to the performance evaluation system?"

His series of questions, drawing on classical texts, went straight to the heart of the matter.

The official in charge of the Ministry of Personnel clearly hadn't expected the Crown Prince to ask such detailed questions. He broke out in a light sweat and stammered, trying to brush it off with excuses like "highly regarded" and "recommended by his superiors."

Li Chengqian spoke at the opportune moment, his voice calm yet carrying pressure.

"The imperial court established the system of performance evaluation to promote integrity and punish corruption, and to ensure clear rewards and punishments. If the standards are vague and the evaluation is based solely on public opinion, how can it convince the people? How can it reflect fairness?"

"If this precedent is set, it may discourage officials who are willing to work hard. This performance review should be put on hold for now. Please have the Ministry of Personnel supplement the data with detailed information and list the specific achievements before submitting it."

He didn't directly deny it, but instead made a request.

The supplementary materials were reasonable and justifiable, and the official in charge of personnel could not refute them, so he could only reluctantly accept the order.

When it came to the topic of the Ministry of War, Helan Chushi was the first to raise an objection.

He questioned the Ministry of War's proposal to transfer a military officer.

"According to the report from the Bureau of Military Affairs, this officer was originally stationed in Hexi. He was good at defense but not at offense. Now he has been transferred to a front-line military town in Anxi. In recent years, small groups of cavalry have been harassing the border in this town. We need to take the initiative to attack and eliminate them."

"Is it appropriate to place a general who is good at defending cities in a place where he needs to advance? When considering his transfer, is the Ministry of War based on his past merits in defending cities, or on his ability to launch attacks? Are there any evaluation records of his horsemanship, archery, and field combat exercises?"

The official in charge of the Ministry of War was taken aback by the question. The considerations for transfer often involve many factors, including interpersonal relationships and factional balance, some of which are indeed difficult to explain in detail.

He tried to emphasize that the captain was experienced and loyal.

Helan Chushi remained unmoved, his tone cold and hard.

"The deployment of border commanders is of utmost importance to border security. How can it be judged solely by experience and loyalty?"

"Without concrete evidence of matching ability, this transfer order may be unwise. In my opinion, it should be postponed. I request the Ministry of War to reconsider or recommend a more suitable candidate, along with clear reasons why the candidate is competent."

Li Chengqian sat upright above, listening quietly to the questions from his subordinates, occasionally nodding slightly at key points to show his support.

Throughout the entire process, he didn't utter a single word tinged with personal emotion; all his questions revolved around "systems," "procedures," and "competence." However, the invisible pressure made the two department heads feel extremely uneasy.

They represent not only themselves, but also the Ministry of Personnel and even the prime ministers behind them.

The Crown Prince's sudden seriousness disrupted their usual rhythm.

At almost the same time, several memorials from the Crown Prince's Office were also sent to the Secretariat and the Chancellery.

These memorials, submitted in the name of officials under the Crown Prince's court, presented well-reasoned objections to several personnel appointments and policy adjustments that were in the process of being finalized.

The issues targeted were none other than those concerning the ministers who had most vehemently opposed the Crown Prince in court yesterday!
The news spread like wildfire throughout the imperial court.

The Crown Prince's retaliatory actions instantly caused a huge shock throughout the court and the public in Chang'an!
"Have you heard? The Crown Prince summoned several officials from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel to the Eastern Palace today and gave them a thorough interrogation!"

"More than that! The Crown Prince submitted several objections, directly blocking the appointment of Cui Zhongcheng's nephew as a county magistrate, as well as the proposed amendments to the canal transport regulations pushed by a vice minister under Fang Xiang!"

"My God! Has His Highness the Crown Prince gone mad? Making enemies on all sides like this!"

“I don’t think he’s crazy. Look at his moves, every strike hits the joints, targeting things that the other party is in the wrong but can’t say openly.”

"And everything is done according to the rules, using the power of deliberation and consultation, so you can't find any major mistakes!"

"This retaliation... came too quickly! And its scope was too wide! The Ministry of War, the Ministry of Personnel, and even the Censorate were dragged into it! In all the dynasties, which crown prince, after suffering such humiliation, could retaliate so swiftly and accurately?"

Officials at the lower and middle levels were discussing the matter extensively, with most believing that the crown prince had been driven to desperation, lost control of his behavior, and was courting his own destruction.

However, some astute individuals with keen senses saw something different in this.

"Brilliant!" An old vice minister working at the Court of State Ceremonial stroked his beard and whispered to his friend beside him.

"The Crown Prince's actions may seem reckless, but in fact he is well-versed in the ways of political maneuvering."

"He did not get bogged down in the conflict in the western region, but instead lured the war directly into the enemy's heartland. This move served two purposes: to establish his authority and to draw a line, telling everyone that the Crown Prince was not someone who could be easily manipulated."

“More importantly,” the friend added.

"His choice of targets was too scattered, making it impossible for Li Ji, Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling and others to join forces to fight back."

"If they unite against the Crown Prince for the sake of a nephew's official position or a policy change that has nothing to do with the overall situation, what would that make them in His Majesty's eyes? Wouldn't that confirm their factionalism and disregard for the emperor and father?"

At the Duke of England's residence, Li Ji listened to the report from his subordinates in the Ministry of War, his face calm and composed, his fingers lightly tapping the table.

After the subordinate finished reporting, he stood respectfully with his hands at his sides, not daring to utter a sound.

After a long silence, Li Ji let out a soft snort, his tone carrying a hint of disdain typical of a seasoned veteran.

"Hmph, change it according to the Crown Prince's wishes. I can't be bothered with such a trivial matter."

He dismissed his subordinates, pondered alone, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"Let's see what fault this young lad will find next?"

"I'll let this go this time, but if there's a next time... Hmph, don't blame me for not giving the Crown Prince any face!"

At the Duke of Zhao's residence, after listening to his advisor's account, Changsun Wuji remained calm and composed, merely offering a faint smile as if everything was within his expectations.

"Since His Highness the Crown Prince has such an interest, let's proceed according to the Crown Prince's wishes."

His tone was calm, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

After his staff left, he picked up his teacup, his eyes darkening.

"Such precision and shrewdness. It seems that the one behind it all made the move."

(End of this chapter)