Chapter 81: Fooling Li Shimin

After hearing Du Chengfeng’s words, Li Shimin’s thoughts suddenly became clear, as if waking from a long dream. Du Chengfeng’s earnest and heartfelt remarks about scholars had undoubtedly pointed countless bewildered students toward a proper path in life.

“So this is the true purpose behind your establishment of free academies?” Li Shimin asked thoughtfully, as if he had gained new insight.

“Yes, Your Majesty. To enlighten the people on a broad scale so that every subject under heaven might have the chance to read and study. That is my true purpose—my dream,” Du Chengfeng declared, gazing into the distance with passionate conviction, his voice full of determination.

Whether for the sake of the people of Great Tang, his own future ambitions, or perhaps for the continuous prestige he would accrue, Du Chengfeng was resolved to press on with this endeavor.

It was once said by a great figure: the only way out for the impoverished—be it individuals or nations—lies in education.

Du Chengfeng’s soul hailed from the modern age, yet he had thoroughly immersed himself in this era. As someone who possessed the advanced thinking of modern times, Du Chengfeng felt a deep and inescapable sense of duty and obligation.

Moreover, with the system at his disposal, Du Chengfeng felt all the more bound to this responsibility.

To popularize education was to elevate the people’s understanding and character, and the common folk were the very foundation of society—crucial for improving productivity and economic development.

On the surface, Great Tang appeared powerful and prosperous, but this prosperity was limited to the court and the noble families. The vast majority of the people, after years of war, still hovered on the edge of subsistence, with many unable even to meet their basic needs, let alone enjoy any surplus.

Li Shimin realized he needed to reassess this young man before him.

“Du Chengfeng, your vision and ambition greatly impress me. I, too, wish to see what you hope for, though clearly this is not something that can be achieved overnight,” Li Shimin sighed, deeply moved.

Du Chengfeng nodded in agreement, then said with a wry smile, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Besides, isn’t Your Majesty here as well? Surely you wish for Great Tang to flourish and grow strong?”

Du Chengfeng suddenly smiled meaningfully, his expression slightly mischievous.

Li Shimin was briefly taken aback by these words, his expression turning somewhat peculiar. Suddenly, as if he had grasped something, he feigned anger and exclaimed loudly, “Well, Du Chengfeng! I summoned you to the palace to question you, and you have the nerve to order me about!”

Though Li Shimin pretended to be angry, in truth, he was quite pleased. If Du Chengfeng’s goal could be realized, would it not be a deed to be remembered for generations? Moreover, it would gradually undermine the influence of the great families at court—a prospect he could only welcome.

“Ah! Your Majesty is unwilling? Well, in that case, let us pretend I never mentioned it. Allow me to take my leave,” Du Chengfeng shrugged helplessly, bowed, and turned to leave the Hall of Sweet Dew.

Du Chengfeng was sharp-eyed and quick-witted, and as he spoke, he discreetly watched Li Shimin’s eyes. He had already seen through Li Shimin’s little schemes—there was no way he would be so easily outmaneuvered.

Had it been any ordinary minister, they might have been thrown into confusion by Li Shimin’s words. But Du Chengfeng was not just anyone. He was destined for greatness, educated with the advanced ideas of modern times, and in his mind, there was no hierarchy of birth—all were equal.

Even with Li Shimin, Du Chengfeng’s respect stemmed from the emperor’s rare enlightenment in history, nothing more. He well knew that all emperors had their own calculations and means—such was the art of kingship.

“Halt!” Just as Du Chengfeng turned to leave, Li Shimin suddenly shouted, “Do you take my imperial palace for a place where you may come and go as you please?”

“Does Your Majesty have further commands?” Du Chengfeng feigned ignorance.

Li Shimin suddenly stood, flicked his sleeves, strode toward Du Chengfeng with a stern face, and said with a hint of anger, “You have spoken at great length about your so-called new education, yet I have seen nothing concrete. How am I to support you?”

Ah, so Li Shimin had taken his words for empty talk.

As expected of an emperor—he could change his expression as swiftly as a young woman in love.

Du Chengfeng produced from his sleeve the materials he had compiled overnight: primer texts such as the Three Character Classic, the Rules for Disciples, collections of classic fables, and the Mandarin phonetic alphabet and simplified character annotations he had previously shown to the Four Talents.

Given that it was the Tang Dynasty, Du Chengfeng had edited the Three Character Classic to omit history after the Tang. He also removed or revised certain outdated or controversial lines from the Rules for Disciples, aligning the text more closely with his own educational ideals and the social realities of the Tang, retaining only the essential wisdom.

Of course, much of the Rules for Disciples drew on the Confucian themes of filial piety and benevolence, and Du Chengfeng did not wholly reject Confucian thought. On the contrary, its insights into personal cultivation and family order were undeniable—hence its enduring reverence by learned men even in modern times.

Handing all the teaching materials to Li Shimin, Du Chengfeng said, “Your Majesty, these are the primer texts and a new form of script I compiled last night, along with explanations. Perhaps Your Majesty might peruse them before making your decision.”

“As for mathematics, I believe the Prince of Hejian has already presented you with some materials. There are a few other educational schemes I am still working on due to time constraints.”

With both expectation and curiosity, Li Shimin accepted the materials and began reading.

In just a short while, Li Shimin’s eyes shone with a strange light, and his face repeatedly displayed joy and excitement.

The revised Rules for Disciples, though still rooted in Confucian core values, were now more concise and easier to understand. In just over a thousand words, it clearly outlined the codes of conduct one should observe at home and abroad, in behavior and in learning. The prose was natural and unadorned, yet thought-provoking.

The Three Character Classic, in particular, was exemplary in its selection of content—three characters per phrase, catchy and easy to memorize, encompassing literary, historical, philosophical, astronomical, geographical, and ethical elements of traditional culture, with core themes of benevolence, righteousness, integrity, respect, and filial piety.

By memorizing the Three Character Classic, one absorbed general knowledge, traditional studies, history, and the moral principles embedded in its stories.

The folk fables Du Chengfeng had collected, each brief yet concise, all contained profound lessons—perfect as primer texts with significant educational value.

“Excellent! Truly excellent! These three primer texts are concise and incisive—truly rare works for the ages!” Li Shimin’s eyes sparkled; he was both thrilled and elated.