Chapter 65: Li Yuan’s Scathing Rebuke

The moment Li Yuan mentioned Du Chengfeng, Li Shimin's face lit up with a peculiar radiance. In his heart, he had long regarded Du Chengfeng as the lucky star of Great Tang.

“Father Emperor, Du Chengfeng has rendered extraordinary service to our dynasty. He is a peerless genius rarely seen in a thousand years,” he began. “Not only is his calligraphy unrivaled in the world, but his literary talent is exceptional, and his skills in governance and statecraft are astonishing. Recently, he presented two high-yield crops: one is a variety of rice that can produce over ten bushels per acre, and the other is sweet potato, which yields dozens of bushels per acre.”

“He has also solved the locust plague that troubled the people for centuries. To assign such talent to the palace as a chef would be a waste, so I implore you, Father Emperor, to reconsider your command.”

Li Shimin dared not conceal anything and recounted all of Du Chengfeng’s achievements. As the founding emperor of Great Tang, Li Yuan was not unreasonable. Hearing the accounts of this remarkable youth, he abandoned his earlier notion of bringing him into the palace and felt instead a profound shock and delight.

Such an individual should serve Great Tang; how could the allure of mere delicacies bury a talent so useful?

“Shimin, come, let us walk and talk. Tell me in detail about this extraordinary youth,” Li Yuan said with keen interest, beckoning Li Shimin, Li Xiaogong, and Empress Changsun to accompany him out to the garden.

Li Shimin proceeded to elaborate on all of Du Chengfeng's deeds, including explanations of the high-yield rice and sweet potatoes that were still under cultivation.

After listening, Li Yuan suddenly grew angry. He halted mid-step, glaring at Li Shimin, and thundered, “Such an outstanding young genius, and you tell me he has been selling wine all this time? Shimin, what kind of emperor are you? Eh!”

The more Li Yuan scolded, the angrier he became, his facial muscles twitching and his beard fluttering. As though his anger had not yet found release, he pointed a trembling finger at Li Shimin’s head and continued, “Reward for merit, punishment for faults—tell me, how have you acted?”

“A village boy has contributed so much to Great Tang, and you? What have you, an emperor, done?”

“Not a single coin in reward, yet you shamelessly possess his contributions without the slightest blush. I entrusted Great Tang to you so that you could chill the hearts of those who serve?”

Taken aback by his father’s sudden tirade, Li Shimin was stunned; his father had never scolded him like this before. He had always been regarded as the favored son of heaven, adept in both literature and military arts.

Now, with his father’s rebuke, Li Shimin felt deeply wronged. He wanted to defend himself, but on reflection, realized his father’s criticism was not without merit.

He had benefited so much from Du Chengfeng, yet had not rewarded him with a single coin. Du Chengfeng had given him high-yield rice and sweet potatoes, guided him in printing technology, and proposed four strategies to combat locusts.

Yet Li Shimin had simply assumed these were gifts to the emperor, as if Du Chengfeng ought to offer them without expectation. Although he had planned to grant Du Chengfeng a noble title after the rice harvest, even setting aside these crops, Du Chengfeng’s contributions were indelible.

The method for improving printing, proposed by Du Chengfeng and tested by the Imperial Workshop, had succeeded with excellent efficiency. Not only did it vastly improve printing speed, but it also lowered the cost of books. Though a small change, it was a matter of lasting significance, comparable to Cai Lun’s papermaking in the Eastern Han. Yet Li Shimin knew he had neglected this matter.

He had simply thought this was Du Chengfeng’s proper contribution for meeting the emperor.

Moreover, Du Chengfeng’s four strategies against locusts, tested by officials at the royal estate, proved highly effective. With these strategies, Great Tang might never again fear locust plagues.

Based on Elder Yuan’s predictions, Li Shimin was certain Du Chengfeng was a benefactor and lucky star to Great Tang.

And there were also the two medicinal formulas Du Chengfeng had recently gifted without reservation.

But in return, what had Li Shimin done? For this acknowledged benefactor, he had enjoyed the fruits of Du Chengfeng’s labor in silence, never inquiring after him, let alone rewarding him.

Though Du Chengfeng had never asked for anything or demanded a reward, Li Yuan was right—might such neglect not chill the heart of a loyal servant?

In that moment, Li Shimin felt deeply ashamed toward Du Chengfeng. Having only recently ascended the throne, he realized he had become somewhat complacent.

Seeing Li Shimin fall silent for a long while, Li Yuan grew angrier. He ignored Empress Changsun and Li Xiaogong, who stood by watching Li Shimin’s embarrassment, and scolded him again, “What, lost your tongue? Did I say anything wrong? Is your silence a sign of guilt?”

Li Shimin’s face reddened further at these words, and he could only muster an explanation. “Father Emperor, I truly was negligent, and I have disappointed those who have served with merit, as well as your expectations. I will make amends.”

After speaking, Li Shimin sneaked a glance at Li Yuan’s expression and felt that his anger had eased somewhat.

“Hmph!” Li Yuan snorted coldly.

That snort left Li Shimin flustered, and he swallowed the words he had just organized in his mind.

Empress Changsun, sharp-eyed and attentive, saw Li Shimin’s increasing distress and hurried to smooth things over. “Father Emperor, Second Brother has been overwhelmed by affairs of state lately, and his oversight was momentary. I believe he will soon make amends. Please don’t be angry and take care of your health.”

She then shot Li Shimin a glance, urging him to seize the opportunity.

Understanding her hint, Li Shimin spoke a little louder. “Father Emperor, when I first met Du Chengfeng, I saw his talent for governance and promised him a year of study at the Imperial Academy, then the position of Assistant to the Crown Prince.”

“But Du Chengfeng refused without hesitation, saying he disdained gaining fame in such a manner. That’s why I thought to grant him a noble title after the rice harvest.”

Li Yuan sighed deeply after hearing this, his tone filled with disappointment. “Ah, Shimin, you are clever all your life, yet foolish for a moment. Du Chengfeng possesses extraordinary knowledge and ability, and from your account, he is deeply averse to the exclusive dominance of Confucianism.”

“You would send him to the Imperial Academy? What could the Academy teach him? The true principle is to use people where their talents lie. Do you not know what the Assistant to the Crown Prince does?”

“You understand the importance of recognizing and employing talent, yet you assign such an outstanding person to be Assistant to the Crown Prince. Do you not think it is a waste? Do you not see it as squandering talent? Do you think Du Chengfeng would be content with that?”