Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Li Yuanying raised his head and glanced at the sign “Imperial College” hanging on the door. He didn’t think that it looks special. Since the Crown Prince should be ranked first and the others ranked by seniority, he should be second, so he continues walking next to Li Chengqian.

After entering the Imperial College, Yuanying realized that Li Tai wasn’t with them but was instead with the Emperor. At this exact moment, Li Tai’s chubby figure was standing beside the Emperor as if afraid that others do not yet realize that he is his father’s most beloved son.

This is in line with the personality that Li Tai wants to portray – to be seen always learning. After all, he is known to have such a huge liking to literature that despite Empress Zhangsun being gravely ill, his priority was still to set up a literary hall in his mansion.

Li Yuanying saw the smile on Li Chengqian’s face disappearing gradually and was replaced by his usual gloominess.

Yuanying remembered the ill Empress Zhangsun telling Chengqian to take care of his younger siblings. At that time, he still couldn’t grasp the concept of life and death. So when he overheard this conversation Yuanying asked in eagerness: “What about me, what about me?” Hearing this, Empress Zhangsun laughed, and gently reply: “Then I’ll also entrust Yuanying, the uncle, to take good care of his nephews and nieces.” At that time, he happily agreed.

Looking at things now, he realized Chengqian had tremendous responsibility as the older brother. He has to take care of so many younger siblings. If your younger brother wants to stab you in the back, what do you do with him?

Yuanying nudges Chengqian.

Li Chengqian looked at him with gloomy eyes. He is twenty-one and so is considered an adult. When the Xuanwu Gate incident took place, he was still a young boy but that doesn’t mean he has no recollection of it. To secure the Emperor’s position, it was the norm for brothers to fight against each other to death.

Li Chengqian stared at Yuanying gloomy and Yuanying started to feel a little distressed for this eldest nephew.

Haih... being the Crown prince, he’s not allowed to act like Li Tai, a spoiled brat when facing his father the Emperor. Moreover, people around are all earnestly observing him eagerly waiting to point out his mistakes.

When the Crown Price commits an error, it becomes a huge commotion. Ministers would start writing advises. Just look at the people placed near his eldest nephew in the East Palace – Kong Yingda, Yu Zhining, Zhang Xuansu. Every single one of them are stern old man who likes sprouting advises. Such a terrible thought!

Yuanying thinks that Li Er must be afraid of being scolded himself, so he sends them to the East Palace to shift their attention towards Li Chengqian.

Such a bad father!

Li Yuanying reprimanded Li Er silently in his heart, and whispers to Chengqian: “Scholar Xiao, who is now editing books in Qing Que’s Mansion is very knowledgeable, have you met him?”

Li Chengqian was a little perplexed when Yuanying suddenly mentioned Xiao Deyan: “I’ve met him a few times.” The man is in his 80s and still energetic, it’s a pity that he was sent by the Emperor to assist Li Tai in compiling <<Comprehensive Gazetteer>>.

“Let’s visit him the next time we leave the palace. I’ve always liked him. Since Qing Que calls him teacher, I initially thought that he became his teacher at the Emperor’s insistence. I only found out much later that he was tasked to compile books. Seriously, how come the books that Qing Que is editing is taking such a long time? My book was printed all at once!”

Li Yuanying wasn’t able to poach the talented teacher so he subtly encourages Chengqian to do it. “Chengqian, why don’t you tell the Emperor that you also want to compile books, once he’s done helping Qing Que, let’s invite him over!”

Li Chengqian felt that the boy’s idea was unrealistic so he shook his head to decline.

“What? Me compiling books?”

He’s limited knowledge in this area and admitted that Li Tai is much better at convincing scholars to serve his cause.

Yuanying is aware that the book being compiled is related to geography, which content about topography and customs of various places.

I have to say that Li Tai’s topic is a good one. It’s practical and is easy to incorporate literary intentions. A good book in the making.

Yuanying might not be skilled in other things but using his brain for unconventional ideas is one of his key strengths.

“He’s studying geography, so you should study astronomy. Astronomy looks at changes in seasons and is useful to agriculture. Why don’t you just mention that topics related to agriculture need careful consideration based on local conditions? Let’s invite everyone working on <<Comprehensive Gazetteer>> to join this project.”

Hearing such piercing words from a child, the supervisors all blushed and consciously shut their mouths and arranged themselves accordingly.

Yuanying was still there commanding energetically: “Arrange yourself from short to tall and align with those on your front, back, left and right. Can’t you even do such a simple task? Look only at the back of the person in front of you!”

Around this time, the professors and teaching assistants also reacted. Seeing Kong’s annoyed face they quickly went down to supervise the students according to Yuanying’s method.

Seeing that the professors were no longer just standing around trying to use their glares to organize the students, the boy gave his “trumpet” to one of the professors and strolled back to Kong Yingda’s side.

“Old Kong , your supervisors are not very good at what they do.”

Kong Yingda glared at him.

Isn’t this the first time we’re organizing such a huge congregation? Kong Yingda thought that since our students are people with a heart for learning, they should be able to organize themselves. After all, even reckless soldiers in the army can line up orderly. Therefore, he only informed about the occasion and did not instruct his men about how to organize themselves.

All he needed to do was to be there In-person and instruct his team of professors. They should be able to quickly calm down the crowd. The kid just reacted quicker and impulsively rushed to the front and started yelling orders!

Yuanying wasn’t happy about being glared at by Kong Yingda. After all, he was just being helpful.

“I’m just telling the truth but you wouldn’t listen!”

Since he was not being appreciated, he was going to find other fun things to do. But as soon as he turned around, he was escorted away by the Emperor’s men.

Li Er was anticipating that his brother would cause chaos so he stationed men to keep watch. The veins on his forehead were ready to pop when he got the news that his youngest brother was shouting at the recruits.

This troublemaker, you can’t even lose sight of him for one second.

Seeing his older brother’s stinky face that hinted that he will be grounded, Yuanying settled down. He quietly slipped back to where Li Chengqian and Li Zhi was and asked Li Zhi if the ceremony is beginning.

Li Zhi nodded.

Li Yuanying stopped running and waited with the others.

Popcorn, coming soon to my possession!

As the auspicious time approaches, His Majesty led the group.

The new students were all in good spirits and all look like talented men with potential. More than 2,000 men were arranged according to their field of study – mathematics, law, literature, and so on. Looks like the future of the Tang empire would be filled with talents.

There were also another 6,000 more observing students who came from other countries. Some were here to learn basic knowledge, some for advanced studies, and they were also arranged according to their major.

His Majesty was in a good mood upon seeing this sight.

This was the academy that he wanted.

Occupying a large area and having lots of students!

The bigger the better, the more the merrier!

He wants to cultivate not only talents within his lands but also talents from foreign countries. He wants all talents to be of use to the Tang Dynasty!