Chapter 66: Li Shimin’s Shame (With heartfelt thanks to all the readers for your continued support and votes)

Li Yuan’s rapid-fire questions struck Li Shimin with the force of thunder, like a heavy blow to the head. Li Shimin truly had not considered things so deeply at the time.

He had simply assumed it was best to send Du Chengfeng to the Imperial Academy to gain some polish, then place him by the Crown Prince’s side as a tutor, thus providing him with the surest path to an illustrious official career.

But as his father had pointed out, he had never paused to consider how Du Chengfeng might feel about all this.

Du Chengfeng was opposed to the exclusive supremacy of Confucianism, while the Imperial Academy was packed with diehard Confucian scholars—stubborn old men who could see no farther than the rim of their own wells.

Fortunately, Du Chengfeng was not present at this moment; otherwise, he would surely have scoffed: “You’ve only just realized this? Sending me to the Imperial Academy—have you lost your mind? And as for being a Palace Attendant to the Crown Prince, do you really think I’d care for such a thing?”

“Now do you understand where you went wrong?” As Li Shimin was still regretting his misjudgment, Li Yuan’s earnest voice rang out once more.

Li Shimin nodded repeatedly and replied, “Father Emperor, I truly know my fault now.”

He took a steadying breath and continued, “Father, Du Chengfeng is a man of great talent, with a heart for the world and the people, and lofty ambitions. I will certainly value him highly.”

“However, he has twice refused to enter officialdom, and he is proud by nature. I have not yet decided how best to reward him. Father, what do you think of first granting him the title of County Lord? Once the rice harvest is in, we could consider further honors—would that be acceptable?”

Having finished, Li Shimin looked at Li Yuan, bending slightly at the waist, his eyes full of anticipation, hoping for his approval.

Seeing Li Shimin’s sincere contrition, Li Yuan could not bear to chastise him further. After all, he was the reigning emperor, and too much reproach would damage his dignity.

“This will have to do for now, but remember, you must act with genuine sincerity,” Li Yuan instructed.

“Yes, Father,” Li Shimin answered joyfully.

“By the way, I hear you seized a calligraphy scroll Du Chengfeng wrote for Chu Suiliang, as well as the original drafts of the poems he composed at the Chang’an Poetry Gathering. You’ve squirreled them away, haven’t you? Bring them here—I want to see this Du Chengfeng’s talent for myself.”

Just as Li Shimin was feeling relieved that the day’s troubles seemed over, Li Yuan threw out this request.

“Ah!” Li Shimin deflated like a punctured ball. What was this now? If his father took Du Chengfeng’s manuscripts and calligraphy, knowing his father’s temperament and fondness, they likely would never be returned.

To say that Du Chengfeng’s calligraphy was the finest in the realm was no exaggeration. Would he have to set aside his pride and go begging Du Chengfeng for another piece?

Alas, since his father had spoken, Li Shimin could not refuse. He could only answer with a mournful face, “Very well, Father. I’ll bring them to you myself.”

Throughout the exchange, Li Xiaogong had watched the Emperor being scolded by the Retired Emperor, feeling acutely awkward.

Fortunately, he was family, a royal himself; had outsiders witnessed the Emperor’s embarrassment today, the imperial dignity would have been sorely compromised.

With matters finally settling down and the Retired Emperor’s expression returning to normal, Li Xiaogong dared to speak: “Your Majesties, I have another matter concerning Du Chengfeng—one of great importance.”

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin’s expression shifted, but he was not overly surprised; by now, he was used to it. Li Yuan, on the other hand, looked on with keen interest. “Speak quickly, my good subject.”

Li Xiaogong produced several sheets of rice paper from his robe—these contained the Arabic numerals, calculation methods, and bookkeeping techniques Du Chengfeng had taught him the previous day. He respectfully presented them to Li Yuan and said with some excitement, “Your Majesties, here are the new numerals, methods of calculation, and bookkeeping systems Du Chengfeng introduced to me yesterday.”

“I have personally tested them. Using these numerals and methods instead of our traditional ones increases efficiency by at least tenfold, and they are simple and easy to grasp.”

“According to Du Chengfeng, once you’ve memorized the multiplication table he invented, even a child using these methods would surpass the Imperial Academy’s mathematics masters by several times.”

Li Shimin, though accustomed to Du Chengfeng’s astonishing innovations, could not help but feel a surge of awe at this brief introduction. He thought, If this is true, this invention alone would make the boy a match for the greatest scholars of our time.

Li Yuan eagerly accepted the rice paper, exclaiming, “Xiaogong, come and explain to me how these numbers work.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Li Xiaogong respectfully obliged, pointing to the numerals on the paper. “These are numerals zero through ten, corresponding to our Tang numbers from zero to ten, but they are far more intuitive and simple. There is also a dot, which Du Chengfeng calls a decimal point, used for numbers less than one.”

“On another sheet are the calculation formulas and the four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Using these methods and formulas, arithmetic becomes remarkably swift and easy.”

After explaining the Arabic numerals and calculation methods, Li Xiaogong carefully described the bookkeeping systems and sample reports he had learned from Du Chengfeng.

Both Li Shimin and Li Yuan were men of sharp intellect, and after Li Xiaogong’s explanations, they were deeply astounded.

Although mathematics was not a central discipline in the Tang dynasty, it was nonetheless essential. The significance of these innovations was immediately clear to both.

Thus, they fully understood that Du Chengfeng’s new numerals, multiplication table, and unique bookkeeping methods constituted a groundbreaking academic achievement. In the face of this system, even the greatest mathematical masters of the Tang dynasty were as children.

Li Yuan’s breath quickened, his eyes shining with excitement.

Even though he had not yet fully grasped all the details, he knew that this new numeric system and multiplication table must be swiftly introduced to the Imperial Academy.

With this realization, Li Yuan cast a reproachful glance at Li Shimin once more.

“Shimin, do you see? This is the genius you’ve repeatedly neglected. He constantly seeks to offer his talents and knowledge for the good of the realm, while you have shown him no recognition at all. I feel sorry for him on your behalf!”

Li Yuan’s scolding was unrelenting. Cold sweat beaded on Li Shimin’s brow. Never in his life had he been chastised by his father as much as he had today, and there was not a word he could say in protest. Even Empress Zhangsun, usually his staunchest supporter, dared not plead for him now, standing silently at the Retired Emperor’s side.

Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, it was a beautiful spring day filled with birdsong and fragrance, yet Li Yuan no longer had any heart to enjoy it.

He was now deeply concerned that, should the imperial family continue to overlook Du Chengfeng, the Tang dynasty would lose a peerless talent.

It was precisely because Du Chengfeng had shown such brilliance in every respect that Li Yuan had felt such profound disappointment in Li Shimin at the outset.

“Enough. I am tired. You may all withdraw; I wish to be alone for a while. Shimin, go home and reflect on yourself,” Li Yuan said, shaking his shoulders in exasperation.

“Yes, Father. Your son takes his leave,” Li Shimin replied carefully.

“Your Majesty, I also take my leave,” Li Xiaogong said with a bow.