When Li Hepu said these words, his expression was normal, making it impossible to guess what he was really thinking. However, Li Jin was clearly not among those who couldn't figure him out.
Li Jin bowed to Li Hepu, speaking with neither humility nor arrogance, "Li Jin pays his respects to Grand Tutor Li."
In his previous life, Li Jin had not only met Li Hepu but had also clashed with him several times over Ying Ziqi. He knew Li Hepu was not as simple as he appeared.
Sure enough.
Li Hepu immediately inquired, "Heir Li, there's no need for such courtesy. This subject heard earlier of Heir Li's exceptional intelligence. I wonder if you are thoroughly familiar with the 'Three Character Classic', 'Thousand Character Classic', 'Analects', 'the Wisdom of the Past'..."
[The Wisdom of the Past (昔时贤文, Xīshí Xián Wén): a collection of proverbs and moral admonitions.]
"Yes."
"Very good." Grand Tutor Li stroked his beard, speaking meaningfully, "Since Heir Li is to attend the study, this subject will first test what you have learned, to understand how to instruct you in the future."
"Grand Tutor Li, please proceed with your questions."
Li Jin replied very calmly, which drew sidelong glances from the various princes. Even Ying Ziqi showed a disapproving expression, believing Li Jin was just being stubborn and refusing to back down. After all, Li Jin was only six years old, saying he had read them was normal, but claiming thorough familiarity was an overstatement.
It might be good for him to suffer a setback. I'll watch for the right moment to help him then.
Ying Ziqi couldn't help but secretly prepare a strategy, waiting for Li Jin to be reprimanded by Li Hepu so he could step in to mediate and make Li Jin remember his favor.
Li Jin will definitely be fine.
Though he had been stood up twice in a row, unlike the other princes who doubted Li Jin was overreaching, Ying Yuan deeply believed that Li Jin would not make baseless claims.
"In that case, this subject will not stand on ceremony, Heir Li. Let's start with the 'the Wisdom of the Past'..."
Li Hepu asked several questions in a row from the 'Wisdom of the Past', while also having Li Jin explain his own views on the matters.
Li Jin was no pushover. Since his rebirth, he had been studying the introductory texts daily to prepare for any eventuality. Fortunately, Li Jin, same as in his previous life, possessed a very strong memory, which allowed him to remember everything so clearly.
Thus, Li Jin immediately began answering Li Hepu's questions, one after another, methodically and logically.
Of course.
Regarding some questions that delved too deeply, Li Jin straightforwardly said he did not know, to avoid arousing Li Hepu's suspicion.
Li Hepu clearly also knew that many of the questions he asked went beyond the scope of the 'Wisdom of the Past', so he was not angered by Li Jin's inability to answer those. Instead, he nodded with satisfaction.
This Heir Apparent is truly remarkable. At such a young age, he can express such understanding. Later, after the lesson, I must speak properly with His Majesty about this.
Indeed, Li Hepu testing Li Jin immediately upon arrival was precisely on Ying Zhengjing's instruction.
Seeing that Li Hepu had asked almost enough questions, Li Jin spoke again, "There are still some areas I couldn't answer. I ask Grand Tutor Li to punish me."
Li Hepu smiled and said, "Heir Li, for one so young to achieve this level is truly rare. The questions this subject asked were somewhat beyond the standard scope to begin with. Your inability to answer them is understandable. Punishment is unnecessary."
"Grand Tutor Li is truly biased."
Ying Zijun muttered sarcastically in a low voice, very dissatisfied that Li Hepu had let Li Jin off so easily.
As a prince, he didn't receive such treatment, so why should a mere heir apparent like Li Jin get it?
"Does the Fifth Prince find this subject unfair?"
Li Hepu's ears were sharp and he immediately turned his focus to Ying Zijun.
Ying Zijun's back stiffened instantly, and he said with an embarrassed laugh, "Grand Tutor, you misheard. I was merely sighing in admiration of Heir Li's intelligence. I truly never imagined that Heir Li, though a year younger than me, knows so much."
Just kidding.
I've already offended Li Jin; if I offend Grand Tutor Li as well, my mother will definitely wring my ears off.
Li Hepu was not taken in by Ying Zijun's act. "Fifth Prince, you would do better to spend this energy reading more books. If you continue to dawdle like this, not to mention Heir Li, even the Seventh Prince will soon catch up to you."
Li Hepu's words were spoken plainly and honestly, but Ying Zijun completely misinterpreted them as having another meaning, thinking Li Hepu was mocking him.
"Grand Tutor is right. I will certainly strive to improve in the future."
Hearing Li Hepu compare him to Ying Yuan, Ying Zijun was furious. If not for his study companions desperately signaling him from the side, Ying Zijun would have long since been unable to resist rushing up to curse Li Hepu.
Li Hepu, if you ever have a weakness fall into my hands one day, see how I deal with you.
"Everyone, take your seats. We will continue from yesterday..."
Li Hepu had no desire to say more to Ying Zijun. He picked up the book and began teaching.
Seeing this, the other princes also quieted down, sitting upright and listening attentively.
Li Hepu's teaching method differed from those outside tutors who focused on rote memorization. He emphasized discussion more, and whenever a point of controversy arose, he would have the princes express their own views.
After going through this process.
Li Jin discovered that although Ying Yuan had started learning later, when encountering problems, he could deduce other things from one instance. Once, he even refuted Ying Zijun to the point where the latter couldn't say a word in response.
"The Seventh Prince speaks well, surpassing the Fifth Prince in this regard. However, you must not become arrogant."
"Yes, Grand Tutor Li."
Ying Yuan nodded.
Ying Zijun said discontentedly, "Grand Tutor Li, I disagree. You just said that general of the Jinyuan Kingdom had violated military regulations. What problem did the Emperor of Jinyuan have with executing him? The fault lay with the general from the start, he deserved to die for his actions."
The story Li Hepu was discussing with the princes was about a general from a previous dynasty. This general was a good leader who worked for the country and its people, but unfortunately encountered a foolish and incompetent ruler. The Emperor planned to abandon a city's populace and ordered the general to withdraw his troops. The general disobeyed the imperial decree and, relying solely on his ten thousand soldiers and the assistance of the city's other residents, managed to repel the enemy forces.
After learning the city was held, the Emperor completely ignored the general's merit in resisting the enemy, instead solely pursuing his responsibility for disobedience. Disregarding the pleas of the entire city's population, the Emperor had the disobedient general executed within the city as a warning to others.
Li Jin signaled Ying Yuan to keep calm and looked at Ying Zijun, saying, "Fifth Prince, that Jinyuan general was indeed at fault, but his crime did not warrant death. Moreover, everything he did was to save the people. If you simply behead him, what would the people think?"
Ying Zijun replied dismissively, "Why should I care what they think? Could it be they would rebel?"
"They did indeed rebel, and even overthrew the Emperor of Jinyuan's military authority," Li Hepu replied with a cold face. "Fifth Prince, water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it."
[水能载舟，亦能覆舟 (shuǐ néng zài zhōu, yì néng fù zhōu): lit. Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it; fig. The populace can support a ruler's power, but they can also overthrow it.]
"Uh... This... Grand Tutor, why didn't you explain this clearly earlier?"
"If this subject explained everything, what would be left to discuss?"
"..."
Ying Zijun was stumped.
"Fifth Prince, you will copy the 'Wisdom of the Past' fifty times today and submit it to this subject tomorrow morning."
"Grand Tutor Li..."
"If the Fifth Prince finds this subject's assignment of copying the 'Wisdom of the Past' inappropriate, you are welcome to speak with His Majesty about it." Li Hepu could clearly see Ying Zijun's desperate struggle and directly brought up Ying Zhengjing.
Hearing Li Hepu mention Ying Zhengjing, Ying Zijun immediately backed down.
"Since the Fifth Prince has no objections, that is all for today."
"Thank you for your instruction, Grand Tutor Li."
Seeing that Li Hepu was leaving, the princes hurriedly bowed in respect.
"Li Jin, let's go eat." Ying Yuan had been waiting for Li Jin to arrive on an empty stomach. Now that Li Hepu's lesson was finally over, he naturally wanted to pull Li Jin along to find something to eat.
Ying Zijun, who had already built up a bellyful of anger, couldn't stand to see Ying Yuan having a better time than him. He said furiously, "Ying Yuan, stop right there!"
Ying Yuan couldn't be bothered with him and continued walking with Li Jin as if he hadn't heard.
"Did you hear me? I told you to stop!"
Ying Zijun rushed over and blocked Li Jin and Ying Yuan's path.
"Fifth Prince, don't be impulsive!" Lan Mingzhou, one of Ying Zijun's study companion, was scared to death and immediately ran over to stop him.
"Get lost!" Ying Zijun was red-eyed with anger, glaring venomously at Ying Yuan. "You little bastard, if you don't kneel down and kowtow to me today, I will never let you off."
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