The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 369

Xu Tian's handling of cases made him famous in the surrounding villages and even among the Turks, Koreans, and Yuezhi. Everyone was looking forward to seeing what this newly appointed magistrate would do.

Jin Yang wrote a letter with great enthusiasm and stuffed it into the bamboo tube.

The gyrfalcon circled once in the air and flew directly to Chang'an.

Li Shimin was in the main hall at this time, discussing matters with his ministers.

After delivering the letter to the main hall, the messenger was taken away to rest.

Li Shimin simply waved his hand and said, "Dismiss the court."

Upon seeing Li Er return to Chang Le Palace, Empress Zhangsun immediately came to greet him.

Could it be another letter from Jinyang? The letters Jinyang has been writing these days are getting more and more interesting.

Although Li Er and his wife knew that Xu Tian was a naive and unambitious person, everything Xu Tian did surprised them and even made them re-evaluate Xu Tian as a person.

Li Shimin sighed and said, "Only Prince Rui could solve this problem, and only he could do it. How many people like Prince Rui are there in our Great Tang Dynasty?"

Empress Zhangsun watched Li Shimin from the side.

Li Shimin immediately said, "The Prince Rui actually thought of breaking open the sewer pipe, and then he found the sheep's carcass. The reason was that the owner of the pancake shop, Ding Daxian, had bloodstains on his clothes."

Furthermore, no one went to the tofu shop to buy tofu in the past two days. Given the freezing weather, it's unlikely that anyone stole the sheep in broad daylight; rather, they used insidious methods.

I truly never imagined such a case existed.

Empress Zhangsun then smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, there are many strange things in this world. In fact, even I did not expect that the sheep would be transported out of the sewer pipe, but then get stuck in the pipe halfway. It is really strange."

Li Shimin laughed heartily, "Prince Rui is the greatest genius and the greatest strategist of our Tang Dynasty. With him guarding the border for me, I can finally rest easy."

Empress Zhangsun reminded the Emperor, which put his mind at ease. However, the civil and military officials in the court were trying to find ways to make Prince Rui make a mistake. After all, Prince Rui held a special position in the Emperor's heart. If they could bring Xu Tian down, then this person could stand firm in the court under Xu Tian's reputation and remain in power for at least ten years.

Li Shimin glanced at Empress Zhangsun and nodded, fully aware of how perilous Xu Tian's situation was.

Empress Zhangsun added, "My Princess Jinyang is with Prince Rui; otherwise, how could I be at ease?"

A young eunuch ran in from the corridor and said, "Your Majesty, a letter from Prince Rui."

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun exchanged a glance: "Send it here immediately."

The eunuch immediately presented the letter. Li Shimin unfolded it and said, "The Prince Rui's Scholar's Pavilion has been built. However, it is close by. In addition to Dongfang Tingyun, there is also a Jiang Fuzi from the north, making a total of three people."

Empress Zhangsun asked from the side, "Is this letter from Your Majesty Prince Rui requesting that we send more teachers to the border regions?" Li Er nodded and said with a smile, "You understand me best, Your Majesty. Prince Rui also said that he wants me to transfer the teachers from Bailu Academy to the north."

The young eunuch looked at Empress Zhangsun, nodded, and had a happy expression on his face.

"That's right. Bailu Academy used to be the most famous in the world, but it's like the setting sun compared to Master Xu's Hongwen Academy."

Although some students from Bailu Academy still passed the imperial examinations in recent years, its decline was irreversible. Coupled with the actions of the former vice-principal, Bailu Academy's reputation was further tarnished. Some excellent teachers were unable to educate and nurture students, instead suffering the scorn of the world.

"With this letter from Prince Rui, the teachers of Bailu Academy can go to the north to realize their ambitions, which is truly a wish fulfilled."