Tang Dynasty: Father, if you don't rebel, I will!

"Your Majesty, it is time for His Highness the Crown Prince to be assigned a tutor..."

Wei Zheng's sudden remarks startled Li Shimin, who turned to look at his crown prince.

This was something Li Chengqian hadn't anticipated.

Find a teacher for me?

Li Chengqian was taken aback. In this world, he was not the same age as in the official history. This year, he was already thirteen years old. He could hardly say that he had learned all the basic things, even the Four Books and Five Classics.

But at least, the teachers in the Prince of Qin's mansion were quite knowledgeable.

Not to mention, the current Empress, formerly the Princess Consort of the Prince of Qin's Mansion, was also a remarkable woman who was well-versed in poetry and literature.

The children she taught, whether Li Chengqian or Li Tai, never caused Li Shimin any worry about their studies.

The surrounding ministers' eyes lit up when they heard Wei Zheng's suggestion.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is young, but he possesses great courage and strength. If he is not properly disciplined and guided by Confucianism, he may go astray in the future."

"Your Majesty, we should take what Duke Wei said seriously immediately. As the heir apparent, the Crown Prince's every word and action is related to the future of the country. It would be best to select a great Confucian scholar to teach him."

"Your Majesty, I agree!"

"..."

One by one, the ministers stepped forward. Among them, officials from several powerful families, such as Cui Minshi, all looked anxious, as if they were thinking of the Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

They all urged Li Shimin to quickly establish positions such as Crown Prince and Grand Tutor.

Li Chengqian remained silent, his gaze turning to his father.

Looking for a teacher?

Are these guys trying to put shackles on Li Chengqian?

The concepts of Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher were highly valued in ancient times.

Don't be fooled by the fact that he and his father have already committed the crime of killing their elder relatives. If he were to kill a teacher or something else in the future, the powerful families would surely rise up to impeach him.

Within the Tang Dynasty, there was bound to be a hostile reaction against him, the crown prince, and rumors spread like wildfire.

Li Chengqian saw through it at a glance, so how could Emperor Li Shimin not see it?

He narrowed his eyes almost imperceptibly, and after a brief glance at the aristocratic officials, he finally spoke slowly.

"Then, in your opinion, who is qualified to serve as the Crown Prince's tutor?"

"I recommend Kong Yingda, a Doctor of the Imperial Academy. Mr. Kong comes from the Kong family in Shandong and is a true orthodox Confucian scholar. He is most suitable to lecture Your Highness on the classics, explain the texts, and guide the way of learning."

Some people have put forward recommendations.

But the next moment.

"Your Majesty, I recommend Yu Shinan, the former Secretary of the Crown Prince's Secretariat. Lord Yu comes from a distinguished family, has served two dynasties, is erudite, skilled in calligraphy and literature, and has a strong character, daring to speak frankly and offer advice. With Lord Yu as the Crown Prince's tutor, Your Majesty can rest assured!"

When Changsun Wuji stepped forward to recommend him, Li Chengqian couldn't help but nod inwardly upon hearing his name.

Yu Shinan was a truly capable minister of the Tang Dynasty.

In a sense, Yu Shinan now holds an official position in the Eastern Palace.

However, the Eastern Palace here refers to the Eastern Palace when his father was still the Crown Prince.

Then, one after another, renowned and learned scholars or court officials from different factions were elected.

Li Shimin simply nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Upon seeing this, Wei Zheng suddenly stepped forward again.

"Your Majesty, I recommend someone! He is suitable to be the Crown Prince's tutor!"

Li Shimin's eyes lit up.

He knew perfectly well how Wei Zheng had obediently become Li Er's subordinate, and what had happened between Wei Zheng and his own crown prince. He said that the two must have been like oil and water.

That's not an exaggeration at all.

"Oh? Whom does Minister Wei wish to recommend?"

Wei Zheng took a deep breath: "Your Majesty, I recommend Li Gang, formerly the Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince's Palace!"

"Right now, Mr. Li is still in Chang'an. If His Majesty orders him to tutor the Crown Prince, Mr. Li will certainly not refuse. Moreover, His Majesty should also know that Mr. Li has served as the tutor of two Crown Princes."

Li Chengqian was speechless.

If Li Gang were to be mentioned by his full name, Li Chengqian might not be able to recall who he was.

But if you were to call this person a "Crown Prince Killer," Li Chengqian would immediately recognize the name.

Yang Yong, the crown prince at the end of the Sui Dynasty, was his student and was deposed.

Crown Prince Li Jiancheng of Tang died at the hands of his own father...

However, while he might have been joking in his mind, Li Chengqian showed absolutely no disrespect for the other party.

Those who have left their mark on history are not simply mentioned in a few words in the history books.

"What do you think, Your Highness?"

Li Shimin felt that apart from some aristocratic families who had ulterior motives, there were also some candidates who had been mixed in.

Whether it's Yu Shinan, Kong Yingda, or Li Gang, whom Wei Zheng proposed, they are all good candidates.

Immediately, everyone's eyes turned to the Crown Prince.

In every dynasty, the selection of a tutor for the crown prince was always decided by the emperor himself.

When it came to Li Er and his son, Emperor Li Shimin even had to consult his own son's opinion.

Just when everyone was almost certain that this tyrannical crown prince, who was "disregardful of discipline," "willful," and "extremely barbaric," would definitely reject everything and would not agree to put shackles on their heads.

Li Chengqian smiled slightly.

"Father, did you not know that I could only choose one?"

Li Shimin was taken aback, then burst into laughter.

"If the Crown Prince wants to learn, then all of them can be selected. Why would I object?"

Li Tai looked anxious, puzzled as to why his elder brother, the emperor, was not satisfied with just one teacher.

Li Chengqian stepped forward.

"Father, I wish to become a disciple of Mr. Yu, Mr. Kong, and Mr. Li!"

Immediately, the assembled officials began to discuss the matter.

Some were happy, some were puzzled, and some were secretly dissatisfied.

Seeing this, Li Shimin, who was already starving, wasted no time and immediately issued an edict.

"Yu Shinan is appointed Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, Li Gang as Junior Preceptor to the Crown Prince, and Kong Yingda as Junior Guardian to the Crown Prince; the three of them will jointly assist and educate the Crown Prince."

The meeting dispersed.

The court officials and Li Shimin, who were already starving, all headed away.

Li Chengqian, on the other hand, also strolled leisurely towards his Eastern Palace.

"Brother, why did you hire three teachers for yourself? Especially Kong Yingda..."

Li Tai followed beside Li Chengqian, looking puzzled. When Kong Yingda was mentioned, his face was filled with disgust.

"Kong Yingda is the most annoying guy, even Lizhi doesn't like him."

Li Chengqian smiled faintly.

"Listening to them spout those classical Chinese phrases and nitpick over the words in the classics every day is naturally not a pleasant experience, but... who told you that the three of them, including the Crown Prince's tutor, can only be my teachers?"

"Ah? Aren't they your teachers, Your Majesty? How could they be fake?"

Li Chengqian tossed his head back, his eyes filled with anticipation and a smile.

"Teacher? Who is whose teacher is still uncertain!"

Now the Eastern Palace.

But precisely what's lacking are veteran officials like Yu Shinan; as the saying goes, "An elder in the family is a treasure."

During this period, although Xiao Rui and Du He worked very hard in handling the affairs of the Eastern Palace, their lack of ability due to their youth was unavoidable and could not be ignored.

"Alright, Qingque, stop overthinking and hurry up and eat. We still have training to continue this afternoon."

Li Tai, who had been thinking deeply about his elder brother, was suddenly...

Her face immediately fell.

"Huh? Royal brother, do I... do I want to practice too?"

"You don't have to practice, but as for your request to study under Elder Mo, I'll just have to pretend I didn't hear it..."

Not to mention the Crown Prince's side, Li Chengqian and Li Tai, showing no signs of being royal children, wolfed down a whole table of food.

After briefly dealing with some matters concerning the Crown Prince's Palace,

He then left the palace and went to the East Palace Six Guards Army Camp for training.

The events that occurred at today's court assembly have already caused a great uproar in Chang'an.

"His Highness the Crown Prince wishes to abolish agricultural taxes and replace them with commercial taxes."

"His Highness the Crown Prince and His Majesty the Emperor demand special privileges, want to establish some kind of Embroidered Uniform Guard, and arrest imperial relatives."

"His Highness the Crown Prince intends to take control of a prefecture and implement new policies..."

Even among ordinary people in the city, discussions about it began to emerge within a single day.

This caused great anxiety among the senior officials of the Prince of Qin's court.

This also caused Emperor Li Shimin a great deal of trouble.

however.

Li Chengqian, however, was not worried at all about the success or failure of this matter.

The next day.

The day after Li Shimin issued his decree, the three future tutors chosen by Li Chengqian arrived at the Eastern Palace.

"Chengqian greets the three gentlemen."

Li Chengqian bowed respectfully, demonstrating the proper etiquette expected of a disciple.

There is no indication that he is the rebellious madman who killed his own uncle, as the rumors outside claim.

"Your Highness, there's no need for such formality. I am here by imperial decree to answer your questions and guide you in your future studies of the classics." Kong Yingda was indeed as Li Tai had said.

He was a rigid, serious old man who rarely smiled and was hard to like.

however.

Seeing the other party's current appearance only deepened the smile in Li Chengqian's eyes. He bowed slightly in thanks.

His gaze then fell upon Yu Shinan, another handsome old man with a long beard.

“Master Yu is very knowledgeable and has served as an official for several years. He has a lot of experience and knowledge. Chengqian will need your guidance in the future.”

Yu Shinan smiled and nodded.

Of the three people present, among those from the Qin Prince's lineage, perhaps only Yu Shinan was the closest to him.

Just as Li Chengqian was about to speak and exchange pleasantries with Li Gang, the oldest person present,

The latter suddenly sighed.

"I really don't understand why the Crown Prince chose me. You know... I was the one who assisted the Crown Prince back then."

Li Gang is now nearly eighty years old, with a weathered face and white hair, a truly venerable old man.

Perhaps it was the death of the two crown princes he had served in succession that dealt him a great blow, because he was noticeably listless when he spoke with Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian smiled slightly: "Does Master Li hate my father and me for killing the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi, and for plotting to seize the throne?"

Li Gang shook his head, his gaze towards Li Chengqian filled with complex emotions.

Even he didn't know how to describe this feeling.

"I have tried to persuade the Crown Prince and the Emperor Emeritus, but such things cannot be accomplished as desired. The change of the throne is beyond my control. Fortunately, His Majesty is a wise and capable ruler. I harbor no hatred towards His Majesty or His Highness."

When Li Gang spoke, his cloudy eyes were full of seriousness.

"I simply don't understand, is there any use whatsoever for the country in my decaying and crippled state?"

As Li Gang spoke, his eyes were filled with disappointment and dejection.

Even Yu Shinan and Kong Yingda, who were standing to the side, couldn't help but feel sympathetic and remain silent.

"I had already resolved to retire to the mountains and find a secluded village to live out my days, but I never expected to hear an imperial decree again... I am ashamed..."

Looking at Li Gang, who suddenly covered his face and wept as he spoke.

Li Chengqian quickly stepped forward to comfort him, and Yu Shinan and Kong Yingda, who were standing nearby, also offered words of comfort.

As Li Chengqian patted the other person's back, he looked at the person in front of him, who would be considered an elderly person even in modern times.

In their previous lives, most eighty-year-olds were already enjoying the company of their grandchildren and the bliss of family life.

However, Li Gang still wanted to serve the country.

Li Chengqian didn't know whether what supported the other party was the yearning for fame and fortune, the obsession with leaving a mark on history, or perhaps, the scholars of this era, already had some kind of faith from the moment they picked up a book.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Li Chengqian took a deep breath and slowly stood up.

Looking at Li Gang, who was still weeping with his face covered, he suddenly spoke.

"Master Li, do you know why I chose you? Just as you said, you are already quite old, and in every respect, the court should not trouble you to serve in the government."

The three of them looked up, all staring at Li Chengqian with puzzlement.

But then Li Chengqian put his hands in his sleeves and slowly straightened his back.

"Father Emperor wanted Wei Zheng; he wanted Wei Zheng to see if he could become a wise and benevolent ruler who would lead the Tang Dynasty into a golden age."

"And I, I have chosen you, Master Li."

Li Chengqian stared into the other person's still tearful eyes, his gaze firm yet carrying a hint of a superior's amusement.

"I also want to show you, Master Li, that I, Li Chengqian, am not Li Jiancheng."

"And my father and I, ruling two dynasties, will become a glorious era that our Chinese descendants will praise for a thousand years."

"I chose you, Master Li, so that you could see for the sake of the world what wrongdoings and good deeds the person sitting in this position has done!"

"And how do we ensure that they become citizens of a prosperous and celestial empire, where the elderly are cared for and the young are supported, so that every citizen of our Great Tang Dynasty can be like a dragon!"

The Eastern Palace's Xiande Hall fell into complete silence.

Everyone stared blankly at Li Chengqian, who seemed to be radiating a powerful sense of oppression.

Li Chengqian stepped forward and gently helped Li Gang up.

“Master Li, I don’t know how to comfort you. You know more about the stories of ancient sages who sought the Great Way and forgot themselves than I do.”

"All I want to say is, General Li, please recover your health and see what I, the Crown Prince who killed his own uncle, can do."

"Can you bring lasting peace to the people of my Great Tang Dynasty?"

"When I ascend the throne, even if history's pen is as firm as iron, I can still say that it was all done in a just and upright manner!"