Chapter 484 The Plan to Cultivate a纨绔 (Playboy) (Part 1)
In the first month of the sixth year of the Wude era, Crown Prince Li Jiancheng used a political strategy of inducing surrender to assist in the military offensive and relentlessly pursued Liu Heita's army, eventually defeating them and returning in triumph.
Sunlight pierced through the thin mist, and officials walked hand in hand out of the palace. Li Jiancheng greeted the ministers in the court with a gentle smile, and finally his gaze fell on his second brother Li Shimin and Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui who were with him.
The three appeared to be traveling together, but the atmosphere between them was subtle and quite different from their previous harmonious relationship.
Just then, Li Yuanji approached with a smile, "Big Brother."
Li Jiancheng nodded, then slightly raised his chin, looked in Li Shimin's direction, and asked, "Second brother, have you had a conflict with your subordinates?"
Li Yuanji followed his gaze and laughed gleefully, "That's right, Fang and Du are openly expressing their dissatisfaction with him!"
Li Jiancheng stroked the jade pendant bestowed upon him by his father, the emperor, at his waist. It was slightly cool to the touch. He pressed on, "Why?"
"I didn't find out anything." Li Yuanji curled his lip. "I only heard that he seems to be dissatisfied with some of Li Shimin's decisions, but with his temperament, how could he possibly listen to advice?"
At this point, Li Yuanji's sarcasm deepened, "I told you long ago, Li Shimin's temperament would eventually cause him to lose the hearts of the people."
Li Jiancheng seemed to be deep in thought. Fang Xuanling's schemes and Du Ruhui's decisiveness—if they could be put to his own use… “Tell me,” he lowered his voice, his gaze falling on the ivy climbing the palace wall in the distance, “is it possible for us to bring them over?”
Li Yuanji suddenly looked up, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Brother is right! Since Fang and Du are dissatisfied, then we should take this opportunity..." He rubbed his hands together, his smile widening, "As long as we give them enough incentives, why worry about them not turning against us?"
Li Jiancheng gazed at the drifting clouds, his Adam's apple bobbing. He had just earned military merit, and if he could bring the two of them over... it was time to shift the winds of power in the court.
To outsiders, the three men, who appeared to be fraught with conflict, were indeed deeply at odds, primarily because Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were targeting Li Shimin.
"It might rain today, Xuanling and Keming, why don't you go back and bring in some laundry?"
Li Shimin stood in front of the Qin Prince's Mansion, reluctant to go in.
Faced with his clumsy excuse, Fang Xuanling smiled slightly: "It's alright, I have no shortage of a change of clothes."
Du Ruhui was even more ruthless, saying directly, "I can choose not to change my clothes."
Li Shimin's lips twitched. He had no choice but to walk in with heavy steps, having no other option.
For the first time, he felt that going home was so painful. He really didn't want to listen to Chengqian's "spoiled brat development plan"!
With a long face, the King of Qin, unable to refuse, could only slowly walk into the study in the front courtyard under the threat of his two ministers.
At this moment, the reporter, Li Chengqian, and the observers named by Chengqian, Changsun Wugou, Changsun Wuji, and Li Tai, were all in place and waiting for the three of them.
"Father, Master Fang, Master Du, please sit down."
Li Chengqian gestured to the three of them like a little adult. Compared to Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui's composure, Li Shimin let out a long breath before sitting down in the main seat.
Li Chengqian directed Xiao Li Tai to stand in front holding up the paper, and Li Tai enthusiastically cooperated, finding it extremely fun.
"Regarding the training plan for the Prince of Qin"—these were the words on the first page of the paper that Li Tai was sitting on.
"Chengqian's handwriting is so beautiful—" Li Shimin habitually boasted, "Chengqian has only just started practicing calligraphy..."
The urge to share abruptly ceased when Li Shimin turned to face Fang Xuanling's stern expression. He turned back, gazing at his beloved son, pretending nothing had happened.
“This is what happened,” Li Chengqian said, walking confidently in front of everyone with his hands behind his back. “Last November, my father hired two tutors for me so that I could receive a better education. They were tutors Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui.”
"First of all, Father is a good father, and Teacher is a good teacher, but..."
Li Shimin's lips, which had just turned up in a smile, instantly tightened in tension as Chengqian continued, "But I feel that our goals and directions are not aligned."
Li Chengqian looked at Li Shimin, his eyes full of trust and sincerity: "Father, you said that there is nothing that we, father and son, cannot talk about. So, let's have an open and honest conversation today."
"Okay." Li Shimin nodded vigorously. His son trusted him so much, so of course he had to cooperate.
Li Chengqian walked to Li Tai's side, pulled out the first piece of paper, and the second piece of paper had six big characters written on it: "The Plan to Cultivate a纨绔 (Wán kù, a spoiled brat)". The sight of this made the others' vision go black.
Li Shimin gasped. Only then did he realize that his precious son seemed to be serious.
"First, we need to make one thing clear: I don't need to be worthy of the title of Prince of Qin. It is because I am who I am that I have this title."
Li Chengqian confidently surveyed the crowd, “In other words, Li Chengqian is the Crown Prince of Qin, and the Crown Prince of Qin can only be Li Chengqian.”
The innate nobility and powerful confidence in his eyes were dazzling, which pleased Fang Xuanling and others, but at the same time made them look at Li Shimin with disappointment. The Prince of Qin has ruined the crown prince!
Li Shimin was both proud and aggrieved; this was his son! Do you understand? This was his son!
“Now that things are clear, what we need to consider is not how to cultivate the Prince of Qin’s heir, but how to cultivate me.” Li Chengqian raised his head slightly. “So, based on my personal wishes, I want to be the number one playboy in the Tang Dynasty.”
Seeing the various expressions on everyone's faces, some silent and some complicated, Li Chengqian said confidently, "Don't make that face. Do you think being a playboy is so easy?"
"To be a playboy, you first need an outstanding family background, enough wealth to squander, and a legitimate job that allows you to do nothing! Think about it, don't I meet these prerequisites perfectly? I have half the advantage without even having to work hard, doesn't that just prove that I'm suited to be a playboy?"
His confident and assertive manner reminded everyone of Li Shimin when he was shameless, so much so that everyone looked at him immediately after hearing his words.
Li Shimin: "..."
It sounds somewhat reasonable, yet also like sophistry, which is indeed typical of his occasional behavior, but it's definitely not something he taught him! One can only say that Chengqian is too clever; he's self-taught!
"Brother, my hand is a little sore."
Little Fatty Li Tai couldn't help but chime in.
"Then put it down." Li Chengqian took the paper from his hand, and did not forget to urge him to study, "Qingque, you need to start training. Being the younger brother of a playboy requires a lot of strict discipline."
"Okay." Li Tai nodded seriously, being extremely obedient.
Everyone who saw this scene was speechless. Changsun Wuji couldn't help but exchange a glance with his sister. Chengqian was so good at persuading his younger brother to be ambitious, but why didn't he want to do anything himself?
“Chengqian,” Changsun Wuji couldn’t help but speak up, “the conditions you just mentioned are indeed very generous, but there are many other paths that would suit you. Why do you want to be a playboy? Did someone say something to you?”
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