Chapter 254
**Chapter 252: The Old Man's Assessment**
Yang Xuanji followed the direction pointed out by the young servant and casually glanced into the palace grounds.
In the early morning light, a cold breeze swept through the entrance of the second palace gate. In front of the red palace door stood a small figure, the Eighth Prince, Li Chengtai.
Wrapped in a thick gray-golden velvet cloak, his small, delicate face was pale, with a little nose reddened by the chill. His big, dark eyes blinked rapidly, and his small hands were tucked inside the cloak, looking like a little tiger standing bravely against the wind.
Upon seeing Yang Xuanji, Li Chengtai's eyes lit up. He hurried over, bowing respectfully, “Good morning, sir.”
His voice was still soft and childish.
Knowing that Yang Xuanji was to enter the palace today, Li Chengtai had risen early, donned a brand-new outfit, and waited at the palace gate with great sincerity.
Yang Xuanji stroked his beard, his keen eyes assessing the child before him.
He had heard that the Consort Chen had only recently returned to the palace. The two princes under her care had been raised in Donghua Mountain, leading to much speculation that the sons of Consort Chen lacked proper etiquette.
But today, as Yang Xuanji observed, Li Chengtai was courteous and sincere in his demeanor.
He understood the rules well.
A hint of satisfaction flickered in Yang Xuanji's heart.
“You know your manners, but I value talent even more when it comes to taking on a disciple,” Yang Xuanji said sternly. “If you lack talent, even if the Emperor issues a decree, I will not be swayed.”
Li Chengtai flashed a charming smile. “Please, sir, guide me.”
Yang Xuanji stroked his white beard and set off toward the Guangwen Pavilion.
...
The Guangwen Pavilion was quiet, with eunuchs moving ancient texts stored within. Yang Xuanji led Li Chengtai to an empty loft.
The palace attendants waiting on Li Chengtai remained outside.
Inside the loft, the windows were bright and clean, and warm Bi Luo Chun tea was served. Li Chengtai knelt properly by the desk.
Yang Xuanji stroked his beard, his voice deep and resonant. “You’re still young, so I won’t trouble you with overly complex questions.”
Li Chengtai sat up straight. “Please, sir, guide me.”
Yang Xuanji didn’t make it difficult for him at first, starting with some simple introductory questions. Li Chengtai had a good memory and answered them one by one. Though not perfect, Yang Xuanji was somewhat satisfied.
Yang Xuanji then raised the difficulty, citing classical texts and asking questions based on ancient literature. Some Li Chengtai could answer; others he hadn’t yet read, so Yang Xuanji noted them down on rice paper to review later.
Studying wasn’t just about rote memorization; Yang Xuanji also assessed Li Chengtai’s ability to analyze problems, understand classical texts, and his memory skills.
Time passed quietly, the Bi Luo Chun tea on the table gradually cooling, and the sky outside the loft brightening.
Yang Xuanji’s expression grew more satisfied, and his gaze toward Li Chengtai turned appreciative. This child was clever and adept at drawing inferences from one instance to another—a promising prospect.
He decided he wanted to take this child as his disciple!
Considering Li Chengtai’s royal status and the possibility of him inheriting the throne, Yang Xuanji decided to ask him about governance.
Stroking his beard, Yang Xuanji said slowly, “The Donglin Kingdom is a small vassal state of our Qing Kingdom, paying tribute every year. Now that Nanchu is rising, if Donglin were to ally with Nanchu, our Qing Kingdom would face war again. Little Prince, how do you think we can prevent Donglin from entertaining thoughts of cooperation with Nanchu?”
To the northwest of the Qing Kingdom lies the Yue Kingdom. To the south is Nanchu, and to the east is Donglin.
Li Chengtai unfolded a map of the Qing Kingdom, glancing at the eastern corner where Donglin was located. After a moment of thought, he said, “I’ve heard my father say that Donglin lacks food and has to buy grain from our Qing Kingdom every year. Using grain to keep Donglin in check should work, right?”
Yang Xuanji nodded slightly. “Using grain as leverage is indeed a good idea. But our Qing Kingdom doesn’t always have bountiful harvests; sometimes, natural disasters lead to a sharp decline in grain production, leaving no surplus to sell to Donglin.”
Li Chengtai scratched his head. “Donglin is small; we could just conquer it... but wait, Yue and Nanchu might take advantage of that.”
After racking his brain, Li Chengtai looked at the map again, his eyes suddenly brightening. “I have an idea! Sir, look here—Donglin is low-lying, and there’s a river, the Mingyuan River, that the people rely on for drinking and irrigation. The upstream of the Mingyuan River is within our Qing Kingdom.”
Li Chengtai pointed to the Mingyuan River on the map, sliding his small finger along it. “If we build a few dams upstream, we can control the water. If Donglin behaves, we’ll release water for them; if they don’t, we’ll flood them.”
Yang Xuanji was left speechless.
He never expected a child could come up with such a ruthless plan. Angered, he puffed out his cheeks and glared, “The people of Donglin are innocent! If we open the floodgates, wouldn’t that lead to disaster?”
Li Chengtai spread his palms. “It’s the only way for our Qing Kingdom to be secure.”
Yang Xuanji scolded, “A gentleman should win people over with virtue, not resort to violence!”
Li Chengtai pouted, his small face scrunching up in displeasure. “Father said that the interests of the Qing Kingdom come first, and we can’t let others sleep soundly beside us. If Donglin has treasonous thoughts, we must strike hard.”
Yang Xuanji was furious, his beard bristling. “Such cruel methods are unbecoming of a wise ruler!”
Li Chengtai muttered, “Only with strength can we have a say; if they don’t comply, we fight.”
This was a lesson taught to him by Shen Wei, and Li Chengtai had kept it in mind.
The two of them argued back and forth. Li Chengtai furrowed his little brows, thinking this old man was a bit too old-fashioned.
Their disagreement ended on a sour note, and Yang Xuanji swept out of the Guangwen Pavilion. He didn’t leave the palace immediately but instead headed to Chang'an Palace to pay his respects to the Emperor.
Not one to back down, Li Chengtai hurried after him.
...
...
In Chang'an Palace, the hall was quiet, the incense from the bronze burner wafting gently.
Li Yuanjing rubbed his temples, flipping through the memorials sent from the border, a throbbing pain at his temples.
Prince Heng had fled to Nanchu and had become the new emperor there. Nanchu and Donglin were conspiring to harass the borders of the Qing Kingdom.
The war between the Qing Kingdom and the Yue Kingdom had just ceased, with a peace treaty signed for a hundred years. The soldiers of the Qing Kingdom hadn’t even caught their breath before facing the threat of new conflict.
Li Yuanjing was troubled, contemplating which generals to dispatch south to guard Mingyue Pass and prevent the Nanchu army from advancing.
“Your Majesty, Yang Xuanji and the Eighth Prince request an audience,” Eunuch Deshun announced as he entered the hall.
Li Yuanjing was somewhat surprised, recalling that today was the day Yang Xuanji was assessing Li Chengtai.
He allowed the two to enter.
Li Yuanjing’s gaze swept over them. The white-haired Yang Xuanji had a flushed face, while the small, youthful Li Chengtai wore an expression of clear grievance.
What had happened between this old man and this child?
Yang Xuanji inquired after the Emperor’s well-being and then recounted the argument he had with Li Chengtai in detail.
Li Yuanjing nearly dropped his teacup in shock.
Furrowing his handsome brows, he beckoned his son over. Li Yuanjing spread out a map of the Qing Kingdom and asked Li Chengtai, “Point out where we should build the dam.”
Li Chengtai sat in his father’s lap, glancing at the detailed map. His small finger poked at the southeastern corner where the Mingyuan River and several other rivers were located. “Here! The terrain is narrow, with deep gorges and no villages nearby. It’s the most suitable place for building dams and regulating water flow.”
“Donglin is by the sea, and the seawater is salty; they rely on the Mingyuan River for drinking and irrigation. Father, if we control the river, we’ll have Donglin’s lifeline in our hands.”
Li Yuanjing fell into deep thought.
This was indeed a feasible strategy.
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