Chapter 13: Our Qingque Resembles Father Too Much [New Book—Please Support]

“What?!”

Li Tai was completely stunned upon hearing Li Chengqian’s words.

What’s going on here?

When did he ever say he wanted to debate Master Kong?

“No, Master Kong, I didn’t...”

Li Tai stood up, intending to explain to Kong Yingda.

But Li Chengqian gave him a sly look and said, “Ah, Qingque, don’t hide it anymore. Mother already told me—you prepared an essay and want Master Kong to critique it!”

“Oh?”

Kong Yingda raised his eyebrows, immediately intrigued. “What profound arguments does Prince Wei have?”

“I, I, I...”

Li Tai stammered, unable to say a word for a long while.

Li Chengqian then grabbed the essay from his desk and read aloud loudly, “On the Crown Prince: Since the times of Emperor Qin Shi and Emperor Wu of Han, the establishment of a crown prince has often led to unrest in the realm...”

Good heavens!

Li Chengqian was halfway through reading when he was struck by his little brother's talent.

Although he knew the chubby boy was gifted in his studies, he never imagined him to be this exceptional.

In this essay, “On the Crown Prince,” Li Tai began by criticizing the necessity of appointing a crown prince, citing historical examples and classical references, all argued with great clarity and logic.

Li Chengqian couldn’t help but feel like the fool here.

Honestly, in his past life studying Tang history, he always thought the historical accounts of Li Tai were exaggerated. Even after inheriting the memories of eight-year-old Li Chengqian and learning that Li Tai could recite ancient poems at four and write essays at five, it still seemed a bit far-fetched.

Now, seeing Li Tai’s writing firsthand, he finally understood why Emperor Li Er doted on him so much.

This was truly the prodigy of the Li family.

Unfortunately, apart from his strong academic talent, Li Tai was a mess in every other aspect.

Especially the phrase “killing one’s son to pass the throne to a younger brother,” which directly revealed a flaw in his character.

...

“I have heard that if an emperor has seven ministers who dare to speak honestly, even if the emperor is unjust, the kingdom will not be lost. Yet today, the ministers of the Great Tang, though aware of the emperor’s mistakes, do not dare to speak out justly. Is this not allowing the state to perish?”

As Li Chengqian read this passage, Kong Yingda’s face flushed deeply.

The meaning was clear: “I have heard that as long as the emperor has seven upright ministers, even if he is unrighteous, the realm remains secure. Yet now, the ministers of the Tang, knowing the emperor errs, dare not advise him earnestly. Is this not watching the downfall of the state?”

See how sharp this little brother’s words are—if the crown prince is not established, the kingdom will fall!

You ministers all claim to be loyal, so why don’t you advise Emperor Li Er to appoint a crown prince? And yet you lecture us on grand principles!

Tsk tsk tsk...

After finishing reading Li Tai’s essay, Li Chengqian truly wanted to give him a thumbs-up and say, “My dear brother, I have wronged you.”

Hahaha!

How can you be so adorable?

I was just worrying there was no one to help me push for reinstating the crown prince!

Isn’t this like someone bringing me a pillow just as I’m about to fall asleep?

Delightful!

However, Li Chengqian knew very well that Li Tai wrote this essay hoping Kong Yingda would persuade Emperor Li Shimin to reinstate him as crown prince.

And Confucianism values reputation above all else.

If Kong Yingda heard such an article and did not act accordingly, how could he teach and guide others in the future?

But Li Tai forgot one thing: Confucianism does cherish reputation but also advocates the Doctrine of the Mean.

Given Kong Yingda’s temperament, if he wasn’t given a strong push, he wouldn’t dare to step forward boldly.

After all, Emperor Li Er had only recently deposed the crown prince. Asking Kong Yingda to boldly intervene would be tantamount to sending him to his death.

Sure enough, after hearing Li Tai’s essay, Kong Yingda’s expression changed repeatedly. At last, he awkwardly stroked his beard and muttered, “Not bad,” then said no more.

“Sigh...”

Seeing that Kong Yingda did not do as expected by rushing to help plead with Emperor Li Er to reinstate the crown prince, Li Tai sighed dejectedly and quietly sat back down.

Li Chengqian glanced at him, shaking his head with a slight smile, then prepared to show him what a decisive strike truly meant.

“Master Kong!”

Li Chengqian suddenly called out.

Kong Yingda furrowed his brow, thinking, What trick does this boy want to pull now?

He had witnessed Li Chengqian egging Li Tai on before but had not intervened. After all, royal children were different—they were born with a fighting spirit.

As long as it didn’t affect him, they could fight as much as they wanted.

But now, Li Chengqian’s sudden call made Kong Yingda feel a bad premonition.

“What is it?”

Kong Yingda asked with a stern face.

Li Chengqian smiled lightly and said, “Master Kong earlier told us the story of ‘Chu talent utilized by Jin,’ about Duke Gong of Chu.

I, Chengqian, have also read some stories about Duke Gong of Chu, including one about ‘Duke Gong of Chu appointing a crown prince.’ Could Master Kong please tell us more about it?”

“What?”

Kong Yingda’s pupils suddenly constricted. He thought, Are you brothers ganging up on me?

The story of Duke Gong of Chu appointing a crown prince is essentially about a minister advising Duke Gong to do so. Taken together with Li Tai’s essay “On the Crown Prince,” it amounted to one clear message:

We are teaching you how to act, Master!

Sure enough, Kong Yingda realized what was happening and was so furious he puffed his beard and glared, “This lesson cannot continue! I must report to His Majesty! Report to His Majesty!”

Without waiting for the other princes to react, he stormed out of the classroom in anger to see Emperor Li Er.

“Brother, what are you doing...?”

Li Tai looked at Li Chengqian in shock, wondering if he had suddenly changed his mind and become so fierce.

Li Chengqian smiled and asked, “What, Qingque, don’t want to hear the story of Duke Gong of Chu appointing a crown prince?”

“Uh...”

Li Tai twitched at the corner of his mouth, unsure how to respond.

Just then, Li You came over and asked, “What story about Duke Gong appointing a crown prince? How did you make Master Kong storm off in anger?”

“Heh, isn’t it good that he left angry? That way you won’t get beaten, right?” Li Chengqian teased.

“Yeah!”

Li You slapped his thigh, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

Li Tai pouted, thinking only someone of his intellect would come up with that.

But why would Li Chengqian help him? What was his real purpose?

While Li Tai was still puzzled, Li Ke approached with a worried look and said, “Brother, aren’t you afraid Father will blame you for making Master Kong leave in anger?”

“He is a teacher but fails to set an example. How can we blame ourselves?”

Li Chengqian shrugged, then looked at Li Tai. “What do you think, Qingque?”

“Well...”

Li Tai hesitated, still unsure how to respond.

At that moment, Li Chengqian put his arm around Li Tai’s small shoulder and said with feeling, “Our Qingque is becoming more and more like Father—not only knowing how to learn from history but also recognizing loyal and honest ministers!”

“Bro—Brother, please don’t tease Qingque...”

For the first time, Li Tai felt close to Li Chengqian, though he felt a bit awkward.

Yet hearing Li Chengqian praise him as resembling Emperor Li Shimin made him very happy.

He silently guessed that Li Chengqian really didn’t want to be crown prince; otherwise, how could he be helping him?

After all, they were beloved brothers from the same mother.

“Sigh, it was I who wronged you, Brother.”

The chubby boy sighed silently.