Chapter 37: Persuading Li Shimin

"Not to mention housing. Things in the East Market are expensive, while those in the West Market are cheaper. Father, this is value. It is the law of supply and demand. If you buy much and sell little, the price will be high. If you buy little and sell much, the price will be low. Rarity makes things precious." Li Shen offered Li Shimin a brief introduction to primary business principles, which were common knowledge in his previous life.

"But as an imperial prince, engaging in the lowly path of a merchant brings disgrace to the dignity of the royal family," Li Shimin replied.

"Father, do you also believe in the hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants?" Li Shen countered.

"The hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants has been the standard since ancient times. Merchants have always been of base status," Li Shimin answered.

"Stone, go outside and keep watch," Li Shen said, turning his head.

Seeing Li Shen act this way, Li Shimin knew he had something important to say that he did not want leaked. He glanced at Wang De, who immediately understood and signaled for the accompanying maids and eunuchs to leave. Li An also stepped out to the doorway.

Li Shimin said to Li Shen, "Speak. No one will know."

"Father, the ancient classification of the four classes—scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—originally referred to soldiers, farmers, craftsmen, and merchants. There were no 'literati' involved; it was a classification created solely to facilitate national governance. There was no distinction of high or low rank. Later, when Confucianism became dominant, scholars elevated their own status by redefining 'scholars' as Confucian intellectuals entering officialdom. Our Li family is the imperial line; this entire world belongs to us. All these people are our subjects. In the eyes of an emperor, there should be no distinction of high or low. Whoever contributes to the eternal foundation of our Tang Dynasty is a noble person in our eyes.

"Scholars have mythologized Confucianism to elevate their own status. Confucius's teachings were merely meant to educate people on how to behave. But now, scholars have turned these teachings into tools for power and wealth. The aristocratic clans dominate the imperial court because they control the supply of education. If education is rare, it is valuable. So, let us make it invaluable. Let all the common people in the world be educated. Confucianism rejects other schools of thought just as religions reject other religions."

"Father, we as royalty don't actually need to study that profound Confucianism. Understanding the principles of how to conduct oneself and manage affairs is enough. If the common people have not read books, does that mean they do not understand filial piety or etiquette?" Li Shen stopped there. In truth, his own knowledge was limited, gathered from internet media in his past life, supplemented by the dozen years of schooling he had received. Anything more profound was beyond him.

Li Shimin fell into deep thought. He understood the basics of what Li Shen said, but he too had been raised on Confucian education, and every dynasty had followed this path, creating a inertia of thought. He had not expected Li Shen to understand it so thoroughly. Indeed, they were the royal family. The Great Tang was their house, and the people were their own. To an emperor, all are simply subjects.

Consort Wei looked at Li Shen with concern. She did not understand why her usually low-profile son would say such things today. He was offending the entire class of scholars.

"Alas, if only your eldest brother had your way of thinking. Recently, the censors have been impeaching the Crown Prince, and he has indeed been acting foolishly, indulging in wine and women. I have arranged for high-ranking officials to instruct him, but the results have been minimal. He spends his days in the Crown Prince's residence causing trouble. If he had your insights, I would not be so worried." Li Shimin was thinking of Li Chengqian. History had not changed even though Empress Zhangsun had survived. Li Chengqian had changed nonetheless. Li Shimin favored the Prince of Wei, and now the Prince of Wei was surrounded by officials from aristocratic families, gradually creating a rivalry with Li Chengqian. Although the veteran ministers still supported Li Chengqian, they kept their distance to avoid suspicion and the Emperor's distrust.

"Father, at his current age, your expectations for my elder brother are too high. He is at a young, impetuous age—a rebellious period. Do not push him too hard," Li Shen explained, referring to Li Chengqian's rebellious phase. After all, he was only seventeen.

"Hmph. He is the Crown Prince. If I do not have high expectations, how will he inherit my empire in the future?" Li Shimin snorted.

"Father, I heard that my elder brother once had a tutor named Li Gang," Li Shen asked.

"Li Gang was a great Confucian scholar of the previous dynasty. I had him instruct the Crown Prince to show the importance I place on him," Li Shimin replied.

"Father, are you sure it was out of importance? Think about whom he has taught before and what their fates were," Li Shen asked playfully.

Li Shimin thought about it and felt a jolt of alarm. The Sui Crown Prince Yang Yong was later deposed. The Crown Prince Li Jiancheng also went astray, listened to slander, and was killed by Li Shimin. It was an ominous pattern. Now it was the current Crown Prince. Although Li Gang had passed away, the current Crown Prince was also going astray.

"Father, my elder brother is actually very good. He acts this way because you are too good to our fourth brother. You have been training my elder brother for over a decade. He began listening to state affairs at eight and was supervising the country by fourteen. He handled government matters with great order, but you still felt it was not enough. You kept trying to temper him, and that is how his confidence was worn away. After all, he is only seventeen, and he has not experienced life and death or the slaughter of the battlefield like you did. Father, you are only in your middle years, and my brother is but a youth. Do not be so anxious."

"Hmph, it is easy to say. I arranged for so many great scholars and high-ranking officials to teach the Crown Prince. Is that not because I want him to be a sage ruler? How can you say I do not value him?" Li Shimin said angrily.

"Father, my elder brother is destined to be an emperor. Confucius was hailed as a sage, but he was never an emperor. The high-ranking officials in the court all have their own agendas; who among them is not acting for their own interests? If they teach him, will my brother become a great scholar or a high official? Only an emperor understands the way of the emperor. Throughout history, which sage ruler had a father who was not a sage ruler? You constantly teach him to imitate others, but tell me, which sage ruler was ever cultivated by a group of scholars? The way of the emperor is passed down through word of mouth and by example." In his previous life, Li Shen had always felt that the education of the Crown Prince was flawed. Asking people who had never been emperors to teach someone how to be an emperor was a joke.

Li Shimin began to reflect on Li Shen's words. The Crown Prince was currently surrounded by various capable people, but he was hypocritical. Li Shimin knew that the Crown Prince's indulgence in pleasure was a protest against his favoritism toward Li Tai. Yet, if the Crown Prince did not endure hardship, how could he deal with the civil and military officials, all of whom were old foxes?

"Alas, what you say has some merit. But if Gaoming is to be emperor in the future and lacks a resilient mind, how can he withstand the pressure? Being an emperor is not easy," Li Shimin sighed.

"Father, my elder brother is a 'second-generation' royal; his position is the easiest to hold, provided you set the foundation for the Great Tang. If he follows your path, that will suffice. The hardest to hold are the generations that follow. As long as you build the Great Tang well, with a strong military and people who are well-fed and clothed, even if someone wants to rebel, the people will not follow them. If we can ensure the people are educated, rewarded for their labor, provided with medical care, supported in their old age, and have a place to live, then our Great Tang will be peaceful and prosperous, and the Li family dynasty will surely last for a hundred generations." Li Shen's knowledge was limited, so he was forced to bring up the national policies of his previous life.

"Educated, rewarded for labor, medical care for the sick, support for the elderly, and secure housing—good, well said. If this is achieved, the people will never rebel against the Li Tang dynasty. Li Shen, I did not expect you to have such insights at such a young age. In your opinion, how should we guide the Crown Prince onto the right path?" Li Shimin was excited; he had not expected such brilliant ideas from Li Shen.