Chapter 33: I still prefer to cultivate the Dao

Cheng Chuliang's expression froze. It was possible to make him beat Cheng Yaojin, but to beat the General of Heavenly Strategy? That was simply courting death.

Cheng Chuliang was clever and immediately followed his heart:

"I must have misunderstood. How could a Perfected Person hit people at will?

Your Highness, what do you mean by a Perfected Person?"

"Didn't I say it? 'No self'!"

Li Chengqian explained in a flat tone: "The so-called 'no self' means that if the whole world praises you, you are not encouraged, and if the whole world blames you, you are not discouraged. If you can achieve this, you are a Perfected Person.

Reaching this step is merely pushing humanity to its limit; you are still a mortal.

If you want to become a Divine Person, you must continue to cultivate. To what extent? To the point where you have no specific concepts about all things in the world."

Cheng Chuliang shook his head: "I don't understand! Your Highness, just tell me, among the three schools of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, which one is best to cultivate? Which one is easiest?"

"None of them are easy!"

Li Chengqian poured himself a cup of tea and then asked in return:

"If you encounter someone bullying you, what would you do?"

"Beat them up. A mere farm slave dares to bully me? Isn't that courting death?"

"What if Father bullies you?"

"Then I'll let him bully me. A great man knows when to yield and when to stand tall!"

Li Chengqian picked up his teacup and drank it in one gulp: "Confucian scholars would remonstrate directly. Before taking revenge, they would first find a reason to give to you.

People of Buddhism would treat it all as an illusion; the bullying has already passed, and they wouldn't take it to heart.

Daoists are different. No matter who you are, if you bully me today, my mind won't be clear if I don't take revenge, which will affect my immortality."

"Ah? But that's the Emperor! How can you take revenge?"

"Just curse him out! That is the difference between the three schools. Choose what you want to cultivate.

Once you've chosen, go find someone to teach you. A master leads you through the door, but cultivation is up to the individual."

Cheng Chuliang lowered his head to think, and only after a quarter of an hour did he slowly raise his head:

"I think it's better to cultivate the Dao. An eye for an eye is my life's creed.

I will go back now and send people to find Sun Yaowang. He must be a high-level master who has attained the Dao."

After speaking, without waiting for Li Chengqian to react, he hurriedly bowed and left!

"You're just leaving like this? Chengyang is still in the Eastern Palace!"

"Please have the Crown Prince send her back!"

"..."

With nothing to do, Li Chengqian picked up his fishing rod again and walked toward the lake; he couldn't just give up the hobby of two lifetimes.

Just as he was about to cast the line, Wang Qi's voice came from not far away again:

"Your Highness, the Sage requests your presence!"

"Understood!"

Li Chengqian looked at the sky and couldn't help but complain:

"Calling me just after the morning court? Is it because I'm too idle and it bothers you?"

Reluctantly putting down the fishing rod, Li Chengqian slowly walked toward the neighboring Taiji Palace.

A quarter of an hour later, Li Chengqian walked into Ganlu Hall and scanned the surroundings, finding only Fang Xuanling there, a look of suspicion appearing on his face:

"Father, you were looking for me?"

Li Shimin pointed to a low stool nearby and spoke indifferently:

"Sit! I will lead the army in person next spring. Who do you think is suitable to act as regent?"

"Let the Third Brother come back to act as regent!"

"Nonsense!"

Li Shimin scolded: "He is the Anzhou Governor; how could he possibly act as regent?"

"Then your son has no candidates. If it really doesn't work, just give up on leading the army in person."

"Impossible!"

Li Shimin waved his hand: "I am already old. This time, no matter what, I must go to the battlefield again.

Between Qingque and Zhinu, who do you think is more suitable?"

"Why?"

Li Chengqian was full of surprise: "Does Father think the imperial court is too stable and wants to stir it up?

Or are you saying you think Qingque and Zhinu won't use their regency to eliminate dissenters?"

"Then you act as regent!"

Li Chengqian decisively shook his head and refused: "Don't even think about it. It's a thankless job, I won't do it."

He had finally managed to make the court officials think he was useless; if he acted as regent this time, he would inevitably catch the eyes of others again.

It wouldn't take much; as long as one person noticed him and sent someone to monitor him, many things would become impossible to hide.

Li Shimin looked helpless. He had known Li Chengqian wouldn't agree easily, so he stopped trying to persuade him and instead signaled to Fang Xuanling with his eyes.

Fang Xuanling coughed lightly and then slowly spoke:

"Your Highness, Chu Suiliang only went to investigate the grain situation; he will return after His Majesty sets out on the campaign.

As long as Your Highness acts as regent, there will be a reason to rearrange Chu Suiliang's position."

Li Chengqian lowered his head, his eyes dark and unclear. He wasn't worried about whether Chu Suiliang would return to Chang'an.

In the current situation, neither Li Tai nor Li Zhi would let him return. He was thinking about the meaning behind Fang Xuanling's words.

"Duke of Liang, you joke. How could I casually arrange the position of Doctor Chu?

Let someone else take the regent position; I am willing but lack the ability."

The corners of Fang Xuanling's mouth rose slightly, and he turned to bow to Li Shimin:

"Your Majesty, Scholar Chu is already old and was bedridden yesterday. I propose that Doctor Chu return to the capital early.

As for the grain, we should send someone else."

Li Shimin glanced at Li Chengqian and spoke indifferently:

"It is indeed inappropriate to send him out of the capital at this time. Tomorrow, send someone to invite Chu..."

"Wait!"

Li Chengqian interrupted Li Shimin: "I agree to act as regent. As the Crown Prince of Great Tang, I have the responsibility and obligation to contribute to Great Tang.

Please rest assured, Father. With me here, this Great Tang will not fall into chaos. Even if Father fights for ten years, this Great Tang will not fall into chaos."

A flash of amusement passed through Li Shimin's eyes:

"Is that so? This wasn't Father forcing you!"

"It wasn't!"

Li Chengqian shook his head quickly: "Father has always been kind; how could he force his own son?

Your son has looked up to Father as a model since childhood and has always been learning from Father how to be a good father and a good older brother.

The Fifth Brother made such a big mistake last time; as his older brother, I have an unshirkable duty. Starting tomorrow, the Fifth Brother will be handed over to me for guidance; I will surely be able to make him a talent."

'He really doesn't take any losses!'

Li Shimin shook his head secretly. Anyway, the matter with Li You was already in the past; as long as he wasn't let out of Chang'an, it would be fine.

"Fine! From now on, he can go back and forth between the Eastern Palace and Taiji Palace. You must guide him well.

There are less than five months until next spring. You have rested enough; it's about time you looked at the memorials!"

"Let's talk about that after Father sets out on the campaign. I hope Father can keep this secret for now."

"I can!"

Li Chengqian slowly stood up, his eyes fixed on Fang Xuanling:

"Duke of Liang, returning kindness with enmity is not the way of a gentleman."

"Your subject does not understand Your Highness's words!"

"Playing dumb, are we?"

Li Chengqian gritted his teeth and said: "Fine! You are a senior, and I have always respected the old and loved the young, so I won't hold it against you this time."

After saying this, Li Chengqian walked out of the hall. Just as he stepped outside, a voice reached the ears of Li Shimin and Fang Xuanling:

"Duke Fang, next time learn from the Duke of Wei, otherwise let the whole world treat you like Sima Yi."

Hearing this, Li Shimin and Fang Xuanling looked at each other:

"Xuanling, do you think Yaoshi has been claiming illness and not coming out because of Sima Yi?"

"Perhaps! What the Sima clan did is enough for all emperors and subjects to remember forever.

Not just the past and present, but even thousands of years from now, I fear it will not be forgotten."

Li Shimin sighed softly: "It is still that I did not do well enough, which is why Yaoshi harbors doubts."

"This has nothing to do with Your Majesty, nor with Yaoshi. Human nature is just like this."

"Enough! Let Yaoshi be."

Speaking of this, Li Shimin paused, his tone becoming gentle:

"As for the Crown Prince, we should still play dumb. This kid can even do something like falsifying the genealogy; he really might turn you into Sima Yi.

He has no virtue and doesn't touch upon benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, or trust at all. Don't push him too hard."

"Your subject understands!"

"Let's look at the memorials first. Whatever he wants to do, there should be moves in the next few days." ===== CHAPTER 34 =====