Chapter 31: Audience with Li Shimin

After rewriting a new piece of calligraphy for Chu Suiliang, Du Chengfeng hurriedly followed him to the Hall of Sweet Dew.

“Your Majesty, Du Chengfeng is waiting outside the hall,” reminded a nearby eunuch.

“Let him in,” said Li Shimin. For some inexplicable reason, he actually felt a trace of delight and anticipation within himself.

Du Chengfeng strode into the Hall of Sweet Dew with composure, casting a brief glance at the place where Li Shimin worked and slept. Suppressing his curiosity and the urge to look around, he cupped his hands respectfully toward Li Shimin and greeted him with calm poise: “A humble villager from the countryside, Du Chengfeng, pays his respects to Your Majesty.”

“How dare you! A country bumpkin meeting the emperor and yet you do not kneel? Have you grown so bold?” Before Li Shimin could speak, the eunuch to his side presumptuously scolded Du Chengfeng.

As the saying goes, sometimes the emperor is calm while the eunuchs hurry. Li Shimin had summoned him, yet this eunuch—who was just an attendant—dared to put on airs before the emperor himself. Was this meant to intimidate him, or…? What gave such a minor eunuch the nerve to flaunt his authority so brazenly?

Du Chengfeng’s brows furrowed at the words, displeasure evident on his face. A sudden, inexplicable rage burned within him. He shot a chilling glare at the offending eunuch, his expression utterly indifferent, and his eyes radiated an almost tangible menace.

The eunuch trembled under Du Chengfeng’s murderous gaze, a chill running down his spine. He shrank his neck and dared not utter another word. He was seized by the uncanny sense that if he spoke one more sentence, Du Chengfeng might very well kill him—a terrifying youth indeed.

Li Shimin and Chu Suiliang, standing nearby, were both startled by Du Chengfeng’s gaze. Having fought through countless battles, Li Shimin prided himself on his experience, yet even he had never encountered eyes so fearsome. Just what sort of monster was this Du Chengfeng, whose glare carried such real and deadly intent that even an emperor could feel unnerved?

As for Chu Suiliang, he was already drenched in cold sweat. As a scholar who had never set foot on a battlefield, he had never witnessed such a chilling scene; the air itself seemed to grow cold and oppressive.

Yet when the three of them had visited Du Chengfeng’s residence to seek his advice on calligraphy, he had been easygoing, eloquent, and generous in sharing his knowledge.

But in a single instant, Du Chengfeng seemed to transform into someone entirely different, like a war god fresh from the carnage of the battlefield.

A troubling thought gnawed at Li Shimin: this Du Chengfeng was far from simple, and the intelligence from the Imperial Bureau of Cavalry had proved utterly useless. The very air seemed frozen as Du Chengfeng continued to glare at the motormouthed eunuch in silence, and the atmosphere grew increasingly awkward.

“Step back and receive twenty strokes as punishment!” Li Shimin snapped coldly at the eunuch.

Ah, the mark of an emperor—quick-witted and decisive. This order conveniently gave the eunuch an excuse to withdraw, Du Chengfeng thought inwardly.

The chastised eunuch could do nothing but bow his head and withdraw quietly to accept his punishment.

“Someone, bring a seat!” Li Shimin commanded without a change in expression, as if the earlier incident had never occurred.

Two eunuchs brought over a peculiar piece of furniture—not quite a chair, not quite a divan—and placed it behind Du Chengfeng. He sat down as if nothing had happened, and thanked the emperor: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Chu Suiliang remained standing nervously beside Du Chengfeng, anxious and ill at ease. He wanted dearly to leave, but without the imperial command, a minor official like himself dared not withdraw.

Once Du Chengfeng was seated, Li Shimin’s expression shifted, and he got straight to the point. “Du Chengfeng, I have read your ‘Man Jiang Hong’ and see that you are a man of lofty ambition. Yet you gave up the opportunity to enter officialdom by declining the top prize at the Chang’an Poetry Gathering. Why is that?”

“Your Majesty, my participation in the poetry gathering was merely on a whim, not for the sake of any reward or recommendation. I have no interest in using such means to attain fame and rank,” Du Chengfeng replied coolly.

Li Shimin found this explanation acceptable; he had already sensed Du Chengfeng’s pride when Li Xiaogong had brought the rice seeds. Even so, he felt a pang of regret. Setting aside the eunuch’s recent insolence, Li Shimin remained deeply intrigued by Du Chengfeng.

“Du Chengfeng, I greatly admire your learning, your calligraphy, and your aspirations. With such talent, should you not serve the court and the people? Would that not honor the intentions of the teachers who imparted your knowledge?” Li Shimin tried to reason with him, hoping to appeal to a higher sense of duty. In his view, Du Chengfeng was still a mere sixteen-year-old youth; surely his resolve could not be so unshakable.

But Li Shimin could never have imagined that within Du Chengfeng’s mind dwelled a soul forged by countless trials in the modern world, a temperament and strength of will far exceeding the norm.

Du Chengfeng offered a faint, inscrutable smile and replied with perfect composure: “Your Majesty, there are many ways to serve the court and the people; one need not become an official to do so. How can Your Majesty be certain that one cannot serve the realm and its people from among the common folk? In fact, many who hold office do little but gorge themselves and idle away their days.”

“This…” Li Shimin wanted to argue, but found himself at a loss for words.

Du Chengfeng continued, “Your Majesty, haste makes waste. Today is the first time you have met me; you know little of my character or conduct. Is it not rash and arbitrary to urge me so quickly into officialdom?”

“Very well, I have been somewhat impatient,” Li Shimin admitted, his expression softening. He changed the subject. “Du Chengfeng, I am curious about the views you expressed at your residence to Master Yu: this new idea of equality and fraternity for all, without the hierarchy of men over women or masters over servants. Could you explain this to me?”

“Your Majesty, every person is born the same; no one is innately superior to another. Only circumstances differ, leading to different fates. Thus, discrimination is unjustified. Equality is the foundation of a harmonious society—without it, conflict arises, and grows ever more severe, bringing disorder to the realm. Everything should be people-centered; only by adhering to this principle can society develop steadily.”

“As for the notion of male superiority, it is sheer nonsense. This idea arose from a misinterpretation of Confucius’ teachings. In truth, his meaning has long been misunderstood and distorted, turning into an oppositional relationship. Is there anyone in the world who was not born from a woman’s ten months of labor? How can those who give life be deemed inferior?” Du Chengfeng replied unflinchingly.

For the first time, Li Shimin heard such novel and bold yet profoundly philosophical views. Du Chengfeng’s words rang like a clarion bell, deeply thought-provoking.