Chapter 55: Helping Zhangsun Wuji

Li Chengqian stared fixedly at Zhangsun Chong: "Is Uncle crazy? For the sake of power, he denies the efforts of tens of thousands of people over four years?

The 'Kuodizhi' has five hundred and fifty volumes, and each volume has people specifically going to various places in Great Tang to observe geography, just to avoid errors.

You are also a virtuous person; why don't you persuade Uncle?"

Zhangsun Chong gave a bitter smile: "I dare not disobey Father's orders. I originally thought Your Highness the Crown Prince would agree."

"I can be shameless, and I can harm others to benefit myself, but I cannot sell out the ten thousand people of Great Tang and the descendants of future generations.

If Uncle wants to make Qingque lose the hearts of scholars, he might as well think carefully about how to teach Zhinu.

If it really doesn't work, just dig a pit and let people jump in. Must he destroy the 'Kuodizhi'?"

"The struggle for the heir apparent is a matter where a slight mistake leads to failure. Father has always liked to accomplish the whole task in one move, which is why he resorted to this inferior strategy.

If Your Highness the Crown Prince firmly disagrees, just pretend I never came today."

"Sigh..."

Li Chengqian sighed long: "Can you persuade Uncle? Once this matter is done, who will dare to compile books in the future?

Although I am not virtuous, I do not hope that people of future generations will not believe in any books."

"I cannot persuade him!"

Li Chengqian's brows locked tightly. He knew that since Zhangsun Wuji had made a decision, he would not easily change it.

Not to mention that he was now a Crown Prince without any power; even before, Zhangsun Wuji wouldn't necessarily listen to him.

His refusal was useless; Zhangsun Wuji would find someone else to do it. It was too easy to find errors in five hundred and fifty volumes of books, or too easy to make them have errors.

But if he took action, with Zhangsun Wuji's talent, he would definitely discover some things, and at that time, he would very likely fall into the eyes of others again.

*'Truly a dog thing, without any bottom line at all. Can this matter be done? *

*Qingque is already dead; can't he see that? Still the head of the Lingyan Pavilion meritorious officials; lived so long in vain!'*

Zhangsun Wuji inadvertently broke Li Chengqian's plan; this was something he never expected.

To make the plan proceed smoothly, Li Chengqian could only turn on the 'bluffing' mode:

"Uncle is too impatient. To defeat Qingque, one doesn't necessarily have to start from the 'Kuodizhi'.

One can also start from the 'Lubu'. You must know that the 'Lubu' reform was Qingque's handiwork."

"What do you mean? I ask Your Highness the Crown Prince to speak clearly."

Li Chengqian stood with his back to Zhangsun Chong, hands behind his back, his whole person exuding an aura that the world was in his grasp:

"Cousin Chong, do you know that standing behind Qingque is a large group of aristocratic scholars, or rather, they are all disciples of Confucianism.

These people control books, the formulation of court etiquette, and private soldiers.

Qingque's 'Lubu' reform released books. Although the influence is not great now, if the aristocratic clans knew that 'Lubu' could be used for other places, it would be different."

"For example? The main function of 'Lubu' is to spread, letting the people of the world know where the imperial court has won a battle again."

"What if we find someone in the Literature Pavilion with flawed private morality, and then spread it through 'Lubu'?"

"Or use 'Lubu' to promote a benevolent and filial person? What do you think will happen?"

Zhangsun Chong's eyes brightened, but before long, they turned black again:

"Your Highness the Crown Prince means to let the Prince of Wei himself promote the virtue of the scholars in the Literature Pavilion.

Once this person's reputation is great enough, then create some small matters to let everyone know this person's words do not match their actions?"

"Yes!"

"But in this way, 'Lubu' loses its credibility. Over time, the ten thousand people of the world will not believe in 'Lubu'."

Li Chengqian turned his head, blinked his eyes, and looked innocent:

"What does Qingque's action have to do with the imperial court? Wouldn't it be fine to change the name of 'Lubu'? The name 'Yuanmen Chao' from the Han dynasty is not bad.

The name that can be named is not the eternal name. Ten thousand years ago, the moon didn't even know what it was called."

"His Highness the Prince of Wei might not necessarily fall for it!"

"Just provoke him a little. How can an older brother be suppressed by a younger brother? Don't you think so!"

Zhangsun Chong opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but couldn't say anything. Finally, he could only spit out four words:

"Insidious villain!"

Li Chengqian's expression changed, his tone becoming cold:

"Cousin Chong, although you are a cousin, you are also a younger brother. Your cousin has always cherished his younger brothers."

Thinking of Li Tai's fate, Zhangsun Chong shuddered and immediately followed his heart:

"This subordinate said I am an insidious villain; I have no disrespect toward Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"A child can be taught!"

Li Chengqian grinned: "Tell Uncle this idea; he will understand what to do.

By the way, tell him that if he takes action against the 'Kuodizhi', don't blame me for helping Qingque. After all, the Wugong Su Clan and the Liangzhou Yin Clan are still standing on my side.

One can be shameless, despicable, and without a bottom line, but one cannot learn from Sima Yi and Lü Meng!

Especially Lü Meng; I always feel Sima Yi took Lü Meng as his teacher."

Zhangsun Chong's mouth twitched. He only now discovered how whimsical Li Chengqian's thoughts were.

"This subordinate understands!"

Li Chengqian was truly afraid that Zhangsun Wuji would be shameless. Doing so would completely destroy his plan, and wanting to protect Li Tai again would require thinking of other ways.

Protecting an imperial prince participating in the struggle for the heir apparent—how could it be so easy?

Not long after Zhangsun Chong left, Wang Qi hurried over:

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Cui Zhiwen and Su Liangsi have arrived and are currently at the De Guan!"

"What De Guan?"

"It's the 'Yi De Fu Ren Guan' (Treating People with Virtue and Axes Pavilion)."

Li Chengqian glared at Wang Qi: "That's called the 'Fu Ren Guan' (Axe Pavilion). No wonder you can't marry a Cui woman; no culture!

Is Cui Zhiwen married? Does he have a daughter?"

"Just sixteen, not married yet. I heard she is betrothed to the Jingzhao Du Clan."

"No wonder the father-in-law recommended him."

Li Chengqian still trusted the people recommended by Su Dan, whether it was Yuwen Ding or some scholars from the original Hongwen Hall.

Arriving at the Axe Pavilion, which was separated from Taiji Palace by a wall, Li Chengqian looked up at the plaque, a look of satisfaction appearing on his face:

"Wang Qi, do you know what 'Hearing the Dao in the morning, one can die in the evening' means? It has the same effect as the Axe Pavilion."

"This humble one does not know!"

"Hearing the way to your house in the morning, and setting off with an axe in the evening."

"Hiss..."

Wang Qi gasped: "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this cannot be said casually. If Libationer Kong hears it, he will come to scold people again."

"Am I afraid of him?"

Saying this, Li Chengqian strode into the Axe Pavilion gate with his long legs, and before long, he saw the two future Prime Ministers.

"Cui Zhiwen of Xuzhou pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Su Liangsi of Wugong pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"No need for formalities! Sit down and talk!"

Li Chengqian looked the two over. Compared to Cui Zhiwen, Su Liangsi looked a bit older.

"Both of you were recommended by my father-in-law; I won't test your virtue and talent.

I now have two places that need your help: one is governing the people and production, and the other is spreading civilization!"

After the two looked at each other quickly, Su Liangsi asked with confusion:

"Is Your Highness the Crown Prince not letting us fight for the throne?"

Li Chengqian shook his head: "No need! That position is destined to be mine. Today's situation is something I specifically created.

I never worry about whether the throne will be mine; you don't need to worry about these either.

These two things today are for you to gain experience, hoping you can stand alone in the future."

"Then was the dissolution of the Hongwen Hall also specifically done by Your Highness the Crown Prince?"

"Yes!"

Li Chengqian's expression was as usual. Lying to him was like a daily routine; his lies could even deceive himself:

"Nowadays, Qingque and Zhinu are fighting. To make them evenly matched, and so that I am no longer noticed by court officials, I had to choose this."

A look of contemplation appeared in Su Liangsi's eyes:

"In this way, His Majesty's eastern expedition is not groundless, and the heavy responsibility of supervising the state is still handed to the Crown Prince?" ===== CHAPTER 56 =====