209 Chapter 209
◎Imperfect.◎
In Lizheng Hall, the question of whether Li Chengqian should add a few more teachers has been decided, but Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui and others from the previous dynasty have not given up yet.
The prince rarely appears in public, but everyone has witnessed his talents through the hands of the saint. After all, whether it is a waterwheel or glass, cement and other objects, it has proved that the prince is extraordinary.
Perhaps some people suspected that the saint was bluffing for the prince, but this definitely did not include the emperor's trusted ministers.
They had seen secrets such as gunpowder and telescopes. If there really was such a genius around the saint, he would not have left no trace at all.
Therefore, in their view, the fact that the Tang Dynasty had a saint and a prince was a blessing from heaven, and the emperor and his subjects should work together to build a peaceful and prosperous era with peace and prosperity.
However, there is a small flaw. The sage dotes on the prince too much, causing the prince to be somewhat ignorant of rules and etiquette. Now it would be fine if he goes to the court less often. But in the future, if he continues to do so when facing civil and military officials and foreign envoys, he will inevitably be praised or criticized.
Therefore, when it came to the matter of finding a few more teachers to teach the prince well, the important ministers of the Zhenguan Dynasty saw that the emperor had not taken any action, so they could only urge him openly and secretly during the small meetings he held with them.
Li Shimin didn't expect that he had a sudden idea to take people to plant cotton, but before the cotton was harvested, he encountered a trouble.
Naturally, no one understood the prince's education better than Li Shimin. Whenever Li Chengqian was asked about the classics, history, and literature, he had always been able to answer them. As to whether this was Lu Yuanlang's contribution, there was no need to delve into it.
The problem Li Shimin faced was that he could not get the prince to prove his ability. Not to mention that Li Chengqian would most likely not agree. Even if he agreed, Li Shimin would have to worry about whether he would desert the battlefield or simply talk nonsense, which would then have a counterproductive effect.
So far, the only big event Li Chengqian has attended is the New Year's Palace Banquet. He never plays, makes noises, or talks, and looks like he doesn't want to deal with any court officials.
Li Shimin naturally knew that this was not a solution and the prince would eventually need to stand in the court.
But he couldn't force it. Li Chengqian was still troubled by insomnia and nightmares. Sun Simiao had said that if the prince's heart disease was not cured, even he, a genius doctor, could not guarantee that this disease would not affect the prince's lifespan from the inside out.
After thinking for a few days, Li Shimin decided to ask his eldest son. He was not an ignorant child who knew nothing. He must know what the prince would face in the future. So what did he think? What did he plan to do in the future?
"What am I thinking?" Li Chengqian looked confused. "Father, I'm only ten years old. I'll enter politics after I turn twenty. Before that, I don't need to think about anything."
Li Shimin smiled slightly and said, "You are the crown prince, so you can be crowned early so that you can participate in politics earlier. So I plan..." He thought for a moment, "I plan to have you perform the crowning ceremony when you are fifteen."
Li Chengqian tilted his head. Wasn't he sixteen? How could he be a year earlier?
By the way, at that time, Tian Khan was not satisfied with the originally scheduled February, saying that he was afraid of delaying the farming season, so he changed Li Chengqian’s coming-of-age ceremony to October.
Why does he have to consider this and that when it's his turn? Why didn't he think more about it when he asked Li Tai to build a literary museum and live in the Wude Hall?
Li Chengqian rolled his eyes. He was too lazy to complain about Tian Khan's double standards.
"That's still five years away. Let's talk about it after five years." Li Chengqian said casually. In short, he would have to be crowned sooner or later. After that, he could participate in politics with full justification, and then his peaceful days would be over.
The Heavenly Khan's attitude has changed in this life. Once Li Chengqian takes his place in the imperial court, it won't be long before Li Tai can participate in government affairs. Will Li Tai challenge him again? What will the Heavenly Khan's attitude towards Li Tai be then?
Li Shimin corrected him, "It's four and a half years, Cheng Qian. Almost half of this year has passed."
"What exactly do you want to ask?" Li Chengqian asked back, "Father, what's the matter? Can't you just get straight to the point?"
Li Shimin paused and said hesitantly: "I tell you, you wouldn't deliberately..."
Li Chengqian promised: "I won't contradict you."
Li Shimin looked at his serious expression, and he felt relieved. He then told the court officials that they wanted to find a teacher for the prince to learn etiquette.
After hearing this, Li Chengqian propped up his chin and said, "It's pretty good."
Li Shimin was confused and worried: "What do you mean good? Is it good to find a teacher for you?"
Cheng Qian wouldn't be mad, would he? He definitely didn't want to add Mr.
"They think I have shortcomings, that's right. I never intended to be a perfect prince. This is just the right opportunity to make them give up this idea." Li Chengqian said.
Li Shimin sighed: "They are now trying to find a way to correct your imperfections."
Li Chengqian spread his hands and said, "I won't change. Please tell them that if they are not satisfied with me being the crown prince, they can petition to depose me."
"Cheng Qian!" Li Shimin shouted.
Li Chengqian said calmly, "Calm down, Father. There are still four and a half years left. If you let them get used to an imperfect Crown Prince first, everyone will be happy."
Li Shimin calmed down, drank a glass of water, and said, "I'm afraid they won't get used to it, and will become more and more courageous after such setbacks."
Li Chengqian suddenly sat up straight and looked at him, saying, "Father, aren't you the emperor? Can't you even protect your own prince?"
Li Shimin: “…”
This hat is too big. When did he fail to protect his own prince?
To be fair, Li Shimin actually agreed with the court officials giving advice to him or the prince. He also believed that they should correct their mistakes, or at least let the court officials see that they were seriously correcting them.
If the prince was willing to pretend, Li Shimin would not have bothered so much, but at the same time, he also agreed with his eldest son's words. There is no perfect person in the world. Although he wanted to be an emperor who could not be criticized, he was a human being after all. Naturally, it was impossible for him to be perfect in everything. As long as there was no big problem, some minor details should be ignored sometimes.
But as the emperor, Li Shimin could not say these words. He could not block the door to advice, otherwise he would really close his eyes and ears.
But how should we grasp the right degree?
"I have to think about it." Li Shimin seemed to be thinking about it. "I have to think about it."
Li Chengqian didn't know what he was thinking. His words were just to ask Tian Khan to block the fire for him, but he seemed to have some other ideas.
I hope...it's a good thing.
…
In the next few days, Li Chengqian went to the Eastern Palace several times to take care of his cotton fields. Because the sun was very strong in summer, his face was tanned in just a few days.
That day, when he came back and was eating fruit at Changsun's place, Li Lizhi raised her hand and rubbed his face, then said in surprise: "I thought your face was dirty, but it turns out you are black!"
Li Chengqian didn't care: "What's wrong with being black? Being black is healthy."
"Huh?" Li Lizhi didn't understand the relationship between blackness and health. She looked at her mother in confusion, "Mother, is it because we are too white that we are sick?"
Chang Sun said with a smile: "Don't listen to your elder brother's nonsense, he is just joking with you."
Li Lizhi touched her face and smiled, "That's good. I still like white."
Li Yuxiu also laughed and said, "I like Baibai too. Big brother is so weird."
"Oh, I'm so sad. You all don't like me anymore because I'm black!" Li Chengqian said, covering his chest.
Li Tai watched Li Chengqian playing with his two sisters, so he took the opportunity to move closer to his mother and said with a smile, "Mother, it's too hot, and the fruit is hot too. Can you put it in the ice container to cool it down?"
Chang Sun smiled and shook her head: "It's too cold and it's not good for your stomach. If you want to eat something cold, I'll have someone hang it in the well and chill it for you."
Li Tai pouted and said, "Can't we put it in the well water?"
"No." Changsun still refused.
Li Tai was fat and was most afraid of the heat in summer, but his mother was very strict and refused to let them touch anything cold because it was related to their health. Even his father, who had always spoiled him, would not give in.
This summer has been particularly difficult for Li Tai.
Changsun looked at the fourth son and sighed silently. Although the relationship between the eldest son and the fourth son was quite cold now, Cheng Qian was a man of his word. He fulfilled the plan he had mentioned at the beginning, but Qingque could not bear the hardship and failed to carry it out.
However, this time, Changsun was determined not to allow Li Tai to eat cakes without restraint. Li Shimin remembered what Sun Simiao had said. If the eldest son was not doing well, he would not be able to bear it if the fourth son had problems. Therefore, after his wife spoke, he made up his mind this time.
With the couple's unity, Li Tai's weight loss plan was barely half implemented, but the effect was not so ideal.
Just as Changsun was thinking about how to force Qingque to move more, Li Shimin returned from the previous court.
"It's really hot today." Li Shimin wiped his hands and went to the inner room to change into light clothes.
"Is Cheng Qian out yet?" Li Shimin asked after sitting down.
Chang Sun handed him the tea and replied, "It's been a while since I came back."
Li Chengqian walked over holding his two sisters' hands and said, "It's good to sweat in the summer. Sweating a little is good for your health."
Li Tai sat there, feeling the heat was unbearable despite the ice in the bedroom. Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but complain, "Brother, why do you always say everything is good?"
Li Chengqian smiled and said, "I'm saying this because it's good."
Li Shimin coughed and said, "Cheng Qian, you have to come over and thank me."
"Thank you for what?" Li Chengqian wondered.
"I have convinced them about your teacher's matter. No one will mention it again." Li Shimin said with a smile.
Li Chengqian came over and sat down, raising his eyebrows: "How did you convince me? Father, you have to let me know if there is a trap first, then I can thank you."
Li Shimin smiled and said, "They have quite a few requests. This is simple. I just told them that I want to personally educate the prince. What else can they say?"
The matter of Tian Khan being a teacher had been mentioned before, but Li Chengqian didn't intend to dwell on it. He just stroked his chin and said, "But I don't think it's that simple. Father, please don't keep me in suspense."
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