Chapter 35: Master Chen Yan gives an online lecture, and Li Chengqian is convinced

"Risk Resistance Ability?"

Li Chengqian furrowed his brow, muttering to himself.

Although he had never heard Chen Yan's words before, he could easily understand their meaning.

It merely meant that the people had no ability to resist risk.

However, what he couldn't figure out was why raising pigs and eating pork had anything to do with risk resistance ability?

Shouldn't raising pigs be a good thing that benefits the country and the people?

The Crown Princess shared the same doubt.

In her view, her husband clearly made sense; according to the Marquis of Weinan, raising pigs was a very simple matter, and just giving them some food would make them gain weight.

Why wouldn't it work?

Li Chengqian stood up and solemnly bowed to Chen Yan.

"Zi Anxiong, I don't understand. Clearly, as long as we raise pigs, we can let all the people of the Tang Dynasty eat meat. If this continues, the people of the Tang Dynasty will surely all become strong and healthy. Why do you say it won't work?"

"Moreover, why would raising pigs be linked to the people's risk resistance ability?"

A crown prince bowing to a county marquis—if word got out, no one would believe it.

Yet Li Chengqian did just that, and he did it sincerely.

Evidently, he really wanted to know the answer to the question.

Chen Yan let out a soft sigh, "Cheng Qian, do you still remember what I said last night?"

Speaking of last night's matter, Li Chengqian pondered for a moment and replied, "Zi Anxiong meant helping me make money, and......"

Not knowing what he had thought of, his face suddenly showed a hint of guilt, and he dared not look at the Crown Princess.

Chen Yan's mouth twitched, and he helplessly explained, "It's me who will help you!!"

Li Chengqian stared, feeling somewhat moved.

Before he could speak, Chen Yan said, "Right, I said I would help you."

"But..." he looked at Li Chengqian's eyes and said seriously, "But I am always a subject, while you are the ruler!!"

"As a ruler, you cannot, upon encountering a problem, think only of seeking solutions from your subjects. If you only know how to seek answers from your subjects, you will become increasingly dependent on them, unable to do without them."

"Conversely, the power and influence of the subjects you trust will keep growing, possibly reaching a point where you can no longer control them."

"If the subject you trust is a loyal subject, then perhaps there would be no problem."

"But what if he turns out to be a treacherous subject?"

Li Chengqian stood there, speechless for a moment.

After a while, he hesitantly said, "But... how could Zi Anxiong be a treacherous subject?"

From the time he met Chen Yan until now, he dared not say how well he understood Chen Yan.

Yet he also knew that the other person was certainly not a great villain.

Rather, he was a person of considerable talent, always full of creative ideas, and kind-hearted at heart.

How could such a person become a treacherous subject if he entered officialdom?

Moreover, which treacherous subject in the world does not aspire to higher office, greater pay, and more power?

Who would, like Chen Yan, refuse to become an official no matter what, and instead take up the lowest position as a merchant?

Chen Yan was left speechless by Li Chengqian.

The Crown Princess couldn't help but rub her forehead and whispered, "Husband, the Marquis of Weinan was speaking metaphorically; he didn't say that the Marquis himself was a treacherous subject."

Indoors, the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.

Li Chengqian's face turned red at a visible speed, and his toes inside his boots curled tightly against the ground.

At that moment, he wished he could find a lake to jump into right then and there and just die.

It was damn awkward.

"Pfft!"

Behind him, a low chuckle suddenly came.

Chen Yan turned around and saw Qing'er holding back laughter, her face red, with an expression that wanted to laugh but didn't dare.

"Young master, Crown Prince, uh... sorry, I, I'll leave right away."

Qing'er realized she had made a mistake, quickly apologized, and then hurriedly left the main hall.

Chen Yan gave a dry cough and chuckled embarrassedly, "Sorry, Cheng Qian, Qing'er doesn't know better; please don't hold it against her."

"Enough, Zi Anxiong, let's drop it!" Li Chengqian had no spare mind to blame Qing'er.

He now only hopes this topic will be put to rest and not be continued.

Otherwise, he really couldn't bear it.

Chen Yan nodded.

He actually understood that Li Chengqian had merely been at a loss for how to answer his question for a moment, and likely spoke those words out of confusion.

It does not mean that Li Chengqian is truly stupid and unable to grasp his meaning.

"Zi Anxiong, perhaps you're right, but shouldn't governing a country require ruler and subject to be of one heart?"

"Is there anything wrong with seeking the help of one's subjects when encountering a problem?"

Li Chengqian asked, puzzled.

"Seeking the help of one's subjects when encountering a problem is certainly not wrong." Chen Yan explained slowly, "Even saying that in governing a country, subjects are indispensable!"

"Throughout history, many emperors have wished to have a good subject."

"For example, upon meeting Jiang Taigong, the Zhou king immediately took him as a teacher; Liu Bei visited the thatched cottage three times to invite Zhuge Liang out of retirement; King Zhao of Yan built the Golden Terrace to attract talents; and even your ancestor heavily relied on Wei Zheng, to the point that he could not bear to kill him even when Wei Zheng pointed at his nose and scolded him."

"These all show the importance of subjects."

At this point, Chen Yan paused, then said, "However, you've mixed up one thing,"

"'What is it?' Li Chengqian asked hurriedly."

"Having been taught by a wise teacher since childhood, the Crown Prince obviously understood the allusions Chen Yan raised."

"Moreover, Chen Yan even gave a living example."

"Throughout the court, who doesn't know that Li Shimin is often scolded by Wei Zheng?"

"This caused Li Shimin to be extremely cautious in everything he did, fearing any mistake would result in a furious tirade from Wei Zheng the next day."

"Li Chengqian had seen several times Li Shimin so angry he was near death, looking as if he wanted to tear Wei Zheng apart on the spot, then put him back together, and tear him apart again."

"However, after Li Shimin calmed down, he would silently sigh, then correct his faults, and the next day act as if nothing had happened, continuing to address Wei Zheng as 'Lord Wei'."

"Li Chengqian witnessed all of this."

"Chen Yan didn't beat around the bush and replied, 'Cheng Qian, as a ruler, when facing a problem, the first thing you should do is to think it through and seek a solution yourself.'"

"'Then summon the ministers, throw the problem to them, let them come up with ideas, and finally compare their ideas with yours, or combine them, to arrive at a better solution.'"

"'For example, you don't understand why raising pigs, clearly a good thing, cannot yet be promoted, nor why raising pigs is linked to the people's risk resistance ability.'"

"'What you should do first is to think it through, think about the answer to the problem!'"

"'Not to come ask me first!'"

"Li Chengqian fell silent for a moment, countless thoughts flashing through his mind—shock, realization, regret, admiration."

"Finally, he bowed deeply to Chen Yan."

"'Zi An, I have been taught!'"

"\"... \""