The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 293

Unexpectedly, the young prince shook his head.

"Now I wish to follow the Grand Tutor and learn the ways of being a ruler. After dusk, I will pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."

Li Shimin became even more excited.

In the past, the Crown Prince would hide behind Empress Zhangsun whenever he did something wrong, but now he actually regards studying as the most important thing. Even he couldn't believe that a person could have such a fundamental change. He nodded in gratitude and said, "I believe you. Go ahead."

Li Chengqian then arrived at the Imperial Academy. After watching the Crown Prince's carriage depart, Li Er returned to his chair and said, "Empress Xuan."

Empress Zhangsun arrived at the Taiji Hall: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Li Er immediately took Empress Zhangsun's hand and said, "Empress, you married me when you were young. You have worked so hard all these years managing the affairs of the inner palace."

Empress Zhangsun said calmly, "What happened today, Your Majesty? Why do you wish to speak with me?"

Li Shimin simply nodded and relayed what the Crown Prince had just said to him to Empress Zhangsun.

The empress immediately beamed with joy, and even the crow's feet that had lingered on her forehead for days vanished in an instant.

"Among all my sons in the past, I was only worried about Chengqian. I was worried that His Majesty had too high expectations of him and that Chengqian was not able to live up to the expectations of the entire court and the hopes of the people. I was also worried that he would go astray and take the wrong path. But now I think that my worries were unnecessary."

Chengqian has indeed lived up to the name Your Majesty gave him. Now that he has corrected his ways, I am relieved.

For a time, the emperor and empress were in harmony, and the whole of Chang'an was praising Xu Tian. Xu Tian's name spread among the sons of noble families and aristocratic clans. Xu Tian's teaching ability was truly first-class.

"This Master Xu is truly a remarkable person. He has students all over the world and has become a great Confucian scholar."

"Not only the sons of the royal family admire Master Xu, but even the officials of the Six Ministries greatly respect him. Anyone with some knowledge calls themselves a student in front of Master Xu. Moreover, even we common people admire Master Xu very much."

"Master Xu, a high-ranking official of the first rank, only charges three copper coins a month after establishing the Hongwen Academy. Even children from ordinary families like ours can study at the Hongwen Academy."

"Master Xu's benevolence towards all under heaven and his open doors to recruit students from all over the world are truly admirable."

The Grand Secretary of the Censorate immediately said in the Golden Palace, "Grand Tutor Xu is now Prince Rui, and is regarded as a role model by students all over the world, while Ye of Hongwen Academy is truly someone that cannot be ignored."

Li Er nodded and said, "I know of Prince Rui's talent. Since that's the case, Hongwen Academy will no longer be a privately run academy. I have decided to nominate Hongwen Academy and officially designate it as a royal academy!"

The Imperial Censor nodded and returned to the ranks of the civil officials.

The plaque of the Royal Academy was sent to Hongwen Academy by the Ministry of Rites. Tang Jian, the Minister of Rites, immediately said, "Master Xu is truly famous throughout the world. Even I, the Minister of Rites, am not as good as you."

Xu Tian naturally knew that it was not advisable to be too high-profile, otherwise, being too famous would attract trouble and lead to his own demise. He immediately said, "I dare not. I am just enjoying a half-day of leisure, living a carefree life like a hermit with plum blossoms and cranes. I am not as hardworking as Lord Tang in the Ministry of Rites, who is busy with national affairs."

Tang Jian's vanity was greatly satisfied, and with a final wave of his hand, he said, "Bring it up."

The two officials from the Ministry of Rites immediately brought over the plaque they were carrying.