Li Shimin has already ruined one crown prince, and Li Zhi is likely to be ruined soon as well. How could he possibly let his eldest grandson study Confucianism?

In fact, Li Shimin did not dislike Confucianism, but Confucianism was quite inadequate in cultivating emperors. Historically, it seems that none of the crown princes taught by Confucianism were well-educated...

For example, Emperor Xuan of Han was too devoted to Confucianism and allowed Confucianism to teach his son, Liu Shi, turning him into a fool who exclusively revered Confucianism, which led to Wang Mang usurping the throne.

Returning to Li Shimin himself, the teachers he hired for his two sons were both renowned Confucian scholars of the time, and were upright, even somewhat straightforward.

But what about the people they train?

One plotted rebellion, the other was cold-hearted.

Therefore, when it came to Li Jue, Li Shimin decided to have him learn from all schools of thought, including Legalism, Confucianism, Taoism, and the military strategist school!

When Xiao Yu heard that Li Shimin wanted his eldest grandson to study the ways of the emperor and the ways of the hegemon, he was so shocked that he could not express it in words.

Li Shimin may have only known how to shout slogans, but Xiao Yu truly understood the principles of imperial rule and hegemonic rule!

These are the teachings of emperors; how could an ordinary imperial grandson be allowed to learn them?

Does His Majesty intend to depose the Crown Prince again?

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is a filial son and has committed no wrongdoing. Please do not depose him without cause!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin merely gave an ambiguous smile.

"I have my own plans for this matter, so there's no need for Minister Xiao to worry about it!"

"Your Majesty... our Great Tang has already experienced the turmoil of deposing the crown prince once, and we simply cannot afford another upheaval..."

Li Shimin felt a surge of anger upon hearing this.

"Xiao Yu, I have already said that I have my own plans, and I don't need your nonsense!"

"His Majesty……"

Xiao Yu was not an ungrateful person. Seeing that His Majesty was already angry, he immediately sighed inwardly.

"well!"

"Your Majesty, I have said all I need to say. Take care of yourself..."

Li Shimin snorted coldly upon hearing this.

"Xiao Yu, do you dare to make a bet with me?"

"bet?"

"What are we betting on?"

"If you teach my eldest grandson for ten days, I guarantee you will change your mind!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu immediately gave a mocking sneer.

"Your Majesty, I acknowledge that your eldest grandson is indeed exceptionally intelligent, but surely not to the point that you would depose the crown prince and install your eldest grandson as heir?"

Li Shimin offered no explanation for Xiao Yu's questioning, only giving him a cold smile.

"Never mind all that, just tell me if you dare to bet with me!"

"Your Majesty, if I insist on my opinion, can Your Majesty guarantee that the Crown Prince will not be deposed?"

"Can!"

Upon hearing Li Shimin's words, Xiao Yu immediately extended his palm, intending to strike a high five with Li Shimin as a pledge. Li Shimin, without hesitation, also extended his palm to strike a high five with him.

"Your Majesty, I will make this bet. I will come to see Your Majesty again in ten days!"

Li Shimin watched Xiao Yu's departing figure, a cold smile involuntarily appearing on his face.

Even Li Jing, a man who doesn't concern himself with anything, couldn't resist the charm of my eldest grandson. I don't believe that you, Xiao Yu, can resist it!

This is Li Shimin's greatest source of confidence. You should know that when he launched the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he wanted to seek Li Jing's support, but Li Jing ignored him and simply stood by and watched, remaining neutral.

However, Li Jing had only known Li Jue for a short time when he completely sided with Li Jue, believing that this boy was the great leader who would revitalize the Tang Dynasty!

When Xiao Yu returned to the Chongwen Hall in the East Palace, his gaze toward Li Jue became more critical. Seeing Li Jue sleeping on the table, he immediately went over and picked him up.

"Zaiyu takes a nap during the day..."

Upon hearing this, Li Jue reflexively continued the conversation.

"Zai Yu was sleeping during the day. Confucius said, 'Rotten wood cannot be carved, nor can a wall of dung be plastered! What is the point of reprimanding Zai Yu?'"

Xiao Yu was surprised to see Li Jue answer so fluently.

This child is amazing! He can recite the Analects of Confucius backwards at such a young age!

Although Xiao Yu liked Li Jue very much, he still hardened his heart and deliberately made things difficult for him when he thought of the bet he made with His Majesty.

"Your Highness, do you know the meaning of this passage?"

"Know!"

"Zai Yu was caught sleeping during the day by Confucius, who said that Zai Yu was like rotten wood that could not be carved, or dung that could not be plastered on a wall..."

"Why is His Highness Prince Yong sleeping during the day?"

Li Jue answered without hesitation upon hearing this.

"I am dung, I am rotten wood!"

"you!"

Xiao Yu roared angrily upon hearing Li Jue's words.

How could you be so self-deprecating!

When Li Jue saw Xiao Yu get angry, he looked at him in confusion, wondering what the old man wanted him to do.

"May I ask you, sir, would you rather I be rotten wood or dung?"

"I……"

"Of course I hope you can succeed!"

Li Jue asked again.

"May I ask, sir, what kind of person do you hope I will become?"

"A pillar of the state, a key figure, or perhaps a pillar supporting the heavens?"

"this……"

"He is naturally destined to be a pillar of society!"

Li Jue sneered upon hearing this.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty is the pillar of our Great Tang Dynasty. How could I, a junior, possibly be worthy to be compared with Your Majesty..."

"you……"

Xiao Yu was so angry upon hearing this that he trembled with rage and immediately threw out another quote from the Analects.

"Those who are clever with words and flattering in appearance are rarely benevolent!"

Li Jue, who had memorized the entire Analects, immediately understood that Xiao Yu was calling him a petty person. However, Li Jue was not to be outdone and immediately countered with a quote from the Analects.

Confucius said, “The superior man seeks the truth within himself; the inferior man seeks it in others.”

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