Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Li Shimin was stunned for a moment, and then a strange look appeared on his face.

A dissolute young man who indulges in sensual pleasures would be crazy to marry a world-famous scholar.

"Du He, why do you want to ask Master Kong about this?"

Li Shimin rubbed his headache temple, and looked with a tired face at his elegant son-in-law who was holding a memorial and was filled with indignation.

He was exhausted after just reviewing memorials for half a day.

There are not many talented people among these second-generation young men. He feels tired when he thinks about the future team of the new emperor.

Especially his son-in-law, who performed the worst.

"Your Majesty, I impeach the Crown Prince's Right Assistant, Kong Yingda, for looking for trouble, suppressing the Crown Prince, being unworthy of his position, and endangering the court!

Du He's expression was serious and his tone was loud and clear.

These words were like a huge rock, hitting Li Shimin's heart, shaking it loudly.

"what?"

Li Shimin's face was full of shock.

Kong Yingda was the 32nd generation grandson of Confucius and one of the 18 scholars in the Qin Palace. He was not only knowledgeable but also loyal to the court.

Nowadays, everyone in the court knows that Kong Yingda is humble to others and strict with himself.

Since he went to the East Palace to teach the prince, he has advised the prince many times, which has prevented the rebellious prince from doing more extreme things.

Kong Yingda, the prince's teacher, was deeply trusted and recognized by Li Shimin, who rewarded him with a large amount of gold and silver.

Such a great scholar with both virtue and talent has now been impeached by Du He as a traitor.

"Du He, stop messing around. I appointed you as the Imperial Counselor because I want you to give me objective advice!"

"I know that you were often criticized by Master Kong when you were studying at the Imperial Academy. Now that you have the power to impeach, are you trying to take this opportunity to retaliate?"

Li Shimin waved his hands with a look of displeasure on his face.

Every word he said revealed his distrust of Du He.

Kong Yingda served as the chief academic officer of the Imperial College, teaching a group of children of important court officials. Because he could not tolerate any injustice, he often scolded and punished those unlearned troublemakers such as Du He, Fang Yiai, and Cheng Chumo.

In addition, Du He had a long history of evil deeds, so Li Shimin immediately suspected that he was taking revenge on Kong Yingda.

It is said that a dog will always eat shit. It seems that he is too optimistic about Du He's change.

Du He shook his head: "Your Majesty, I am not kidding."

Immediately afterwards, Du He told Li Shimin exactly what he had seen and heard during his visit to the Eastern Palace.

"Your Majesty, Kong Yingda's teachings on the Crown Prince's behavior are no longer normal exhortations, but unwarranted harsh criticism and suppression."

"The prince was suppressed even though he did the right thing. If this continues for a long time, the prince will be confused and not know what to do correctly."

"Therefore, I believe that someone like Kong Yingda can no longer continue to serve as the prince's teacher."

After hearing Du He's words, Li Shimin fell silent.

The reason why he sent a group of ministers to teach the prince was to encourage the prince to be like him and to be open-minded and accept advice.

But what Du He said was very reasonable. These strict teachers were obviously not suitable to teach the prince.

Is my way of education really wrong?

Li Shimin fell into self-doubt.

After a cup of tea, Li Shimin raised his head, squinted at Du He, and then spoke slowly.

"Du He, the prince is rebellious. If we don't send a strict teacher to teach him, how can we correct his wrong behavior?"

This is a torture.

Since Du He impeached Kong Yingda for being unsuitable to be the prince's teacher, Li Shimin wanted to hear his thoughts.

Whether it was just nonsense or not, you will know from Du He's next answer.

Du He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, have you noticed that the prince became more rebellious after being taught by strict teachers such as Yu Zhining, Kong Yingda, and Zhang Xuansu?"

"To teach the prince, blindly criticizing his education is counterproductive and will only make him more rebellious."

"I think we should think from the perspective of the prince and make him agree with what we say so that he can listen to it."

Impressive.

I didn't expect that Du He, one of the four evils of Chang'an, could say such a thing.

At this moment, Li Shimin seemed to see the figure of Wei Zheng in Du He.

Li Shimin smiled and said, "I admit that what you said is reasonable, but I cannot just listen to your one-sided words."

Although Du He has changed a lot, the impression of a dandy boy has been deeply rooted in his mind.

Therefore, Du He had very little trust in him.

Immediately afterwards, Li Shimin spoke loudly towards the direction of the gate.

"Invite the Crown Prince's Right Assistant and Imperial College Priest Kong Yingda to Ganlu Palace."

"Respect."

The personal eunuch answered from outside the door, then hurried down to make arrangements.

Half an hour later.

Kong Yingda, with a head full of white hair, staggered to the Ganlu Palace.

"I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Kong Yingda's face was solemn and he bowed respectfully to Li Shimin.

He glanced at Du He beside him, his face full of disgust and disdain.

Duke of Lai Du Ruhui was such a wise man, but he never expected that his descendants would be so despicable.

I'm afraid that within three generations, the Duke of Lai's Mansion will fall into decline.

Li Shimin looked at this virtuous minister who had worked hard and made great contributions, and who was still helping him teach the prince at the age of seventy. He was embarrassed and didn't know how to start for a moment.

After hesitating for a long time, Li Shimin spoke in a calm voice.

"Master Kong, the Imperial Counselor Du He impeached you, saying that your method of teaching the Crown Prince is wrong and that you are not suitable to be the Crown Prince's teacher."

Li Shimin did not say the exact words that Du He used to impeach him, and his tone was relatively gentle.

After hearing what Li Shimin said, Kong Yingda touched his ears in disbelief, thinking he had heard it wrong.

Du He impeached him?

A second-generation dandy with many shortcomings impeached a world-renowned scholar?

What a joke!

Kong Yingda stared at Du He and said, "Du He, what's wrong with my teaching method?"

If His Majesty says that his teaching method is wrong, Kong Yingda can still accept it humbly. But what kind of lazy person are you, Du He? You don't even take a piss and look at yourself.

He is the least qualified person to say this.

Du He said calmly, "Today you scolded the Crown Prince in the East Palace, and I heard it all outside the palace."

"The prince has already changed his bad habits, and you are scolding him again, your words are full of sarcasm."

Du He raised his voice and asked coldly, "Kong You Shuzi, don't you want the crown prince to change his bad habits and become a better person?"

These words made Kong Yingda furious.

Kong Yingda pointed at Du He's nose, puffed his beard and glared at him, and shouted harshly.

"Du He, you are an arrogant, extravagant, ignorant person, stop slandering me and making false accusations!"

"Do you know why I scolded the prince?"

Kong Yingda decided that no matter what, he would give Du He a good beating today.

He is becoming more and more lawless. How dare a scum of the Tang Dynasty slander him.

If Your Majesty believed Du He's slander, wouldn't he be ruined in his later years?

Du He nodded: "Of course I know that Master Kong condemned the prince and drove the Turks out of the East Palace."

"Nonsense!" Kong Yingda shouted, then he bowed to Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty, I advise the Crown Prince because he did not properly settle the exiled Turks, leaving them to wander the streets of Chang'an."

"Call him when he is needed, and dismiss him when he is not. Is this what a crown prince should do?"

"Your Majesty, do you think I am wrong to reprimand the prince?"

Kong Yingda's words were well-reasoned and powerful.

"That's right." Li Shimin nodded, agreeing with Kong Yingda's approach.

It turns out that we can’t just believe Du He’s one-sided statement.