Chapter 69: Uncle, I am so eager to advance

Chapter 69: Uncle, I Yearn So Much to Make Progress

"Of course it's true, why would I lie to you?"

Li Qing smiled gently. Since Li Tai was willing to play along, he felt it was a rather good thing.

As for Li Shimin, he genuinely regarded Brother Li as a brother; after all, Brother Li had also treated him with utmost sincerity, and he himself was a man who deeply valued loyalty and friendship.

Therefore, if he could avoid breaking Old Li's heart in an irreparable way, he would prefer not to do so.

Sustainable wool-shearing was what truly aligned with the scientific outlook on development; otherwise, wouldn't it just be unsustainable overfishing?

"But you, you need to think first about what you're going to do tomorrow when your father finds out that you came to my estate in the middle of the night," Li Qing said, looking at him with leisure and composure.

"This..." Li Tai suddenly found himself in a tight spot. It was true that his father favored him, but this concerned the struggle for the succession... especially since such a tragedy had happened in the previous generation...

At this thought, a weeping expression naturally crept onto his face: "Uncle, save me!"

"You, you never use your brain before doing things to think about the consequences," Li Qing said with a helpless sigh. This little fatty was good at everything, except that sometimes he was far too impatient.

Haste makes waste, after all.

Li Tai took a deep breath and lowered his voice in a sigh: "Uncle, I still hope you can understand me in this matter. I yearn so much to make progress..."

"Wanting to make progress is a good thing. Learning is like sailing against the current; if you do not advance, you fall back." Li Qing sat back down in his chair and said earnestly, "However, you must also consider the practical situation. For the time being, you should put aside the matter of striving for the crown prince's position."

"But Uncle, didn't you..." Li Tai asked with some anxiety.

"Look, impatient again." Li Qing slowly let out a breath. "I will help you with your affairs, but not now, and not here."

"What does Uncle mean?" The round-faced Li Tai was completely baffled; he had entirely failed to grasp the message Li Qing was trying to convey.

Li Qing waved his hand at Shangguan Wan'er. Understanding the gesture, Shangguan Wan'er walked gracefully over to his side.

"Get up..." Li Qing gave Shangguan Wan'er, who had half-sat herself onto his lap, a sharp and resounding smack. "Off you go, stand by my side."

Shangguan Wan'er's face blushed scarlet; she had thought Li Qing was telling her to sit on his lap.

"Do you see her?" Li Qing pointed a finger at Shangguan Wan'er. "Actually, she comes from more than forty years in the future."

"More than forty years later? This..." Li Tai looked at Shangguan Wan'er and couldn't help drawing a sharp breath. Li Qing's claim was simply too earth-shattering, making his first reaction one of disbelief.

"Uncle, please don't make fun of me. How can this possibly be..."

"Believe it or not, that is the fact." Li Qing said with a smiling expression, "According to the original history, you and Gaoming fought fiercely for the imperial throne, resulting in a lose-lose situation for both of you, and in the end, it was that little brat Zhinu who reaped the benefits."

"Zhinu?" Li Tai asked in disbelief. In his eyes, Li Li was still just a snot-nosed kid who wiped his nose on his sleeve and only knew how to cry out for Fourth Brother. How could he possibly grow to the point of contending with him for the throne?

A barking dog doesn't bite, indeed! he lamented inwardly.

"Yes, Zhinu... Sigh, it's rather complicated to explain. This kid made your father's talented lady into his empress, and even after his death, the imperial throne was stolen away by this very talented lady." Li Qing smiled as he spoiled the historical plot for Li Tai.

Hearing this, Li Tai felt his blood surge to his head, and his face began to flush red with anger.

What a prodigal son! A total prodigal son! Such a wretch! He even dared to lay his hands on his father's talented lady—did he want to turn the heavens upside down?

No wonder he had always heard that his father liked to find excuses to beat Zhinu up. In the past, he had thought his father was just beating a child on a rainy day simply because he had nothing better to do. He never dreamed that Zhinu would actually use a broadsword to stab him in the backside, opening such a massive breach.

Serves him right! Beating him to death wouldn't be too many! Li Tai spat inwardly, thinking that if it were him, it wouldn't just be a matter of loving education for Zhinu; at the very least, he would give him a thrashing before every meal.

"Fortunately, your father and I righted the wrongs and executed that talented lady. This Shangguan Wan'er here was the maidservant in charge of the seals by that talented lady's side," Li Qing said with a smile. "Among Zhinu's sons alive at that time, only Li Xian was comparatively capable and virtuous, so your father and I decided to establish him as the emperor."

"Uncle, you mean..." Li Tai was exceptionally clever and instantly comprehended Li Qing's implication.

"Our Great Tang has a total of twenty emperors, with fifteen more rulers yet to come further down the line, taking them all into account. To not mince words with you, among these people there are quite a number of foolish rulers. Rather than letting them continue to ravage the Great Tang, it would be far better to let you, or A-Ke, take their place as emperor." Li Qing reached out to lightly rub his fingernails and smiled as he spoke to Li Tai.

"As for whether to choose A-Ke first, or you first..." At this point, Li Qing deliberately prolonged his tone.

"Choose me! Choose me!" Li Tai shouted excitedly, "Uncle! You must prioritize me!"

"Whether we can choose you depends on your performance." Li Qing crossed his legs and looked at Li Tai with leisurely composure. "Gaoming recently injured his leg. As his fourth younger brother, you can't just do nothing and show no concern, can you?"

"Only right! Only right!" Li Tai nodded hastily. "I will surely set my mind at ease and fulfill the duties proper to a younger brother."

"A child worth teaching indeed." Li Qing laughed and pointed at Li Tai. "Talking to a smart person saves time and effort. This is why I previously told A-Ke and you to study affairs of state diligently.

"In a few days, your father and I are going to take a trip to future generations. First, you must properly mend your relationship with your eldest brother Gaoming, letting him know that your sincerity is genuine. To be honest, Gaoming is quite capable when it comes to handling state affairs. You must study well and strive to surpass him, understand?"

"Understood, understood, Tai understands! Thank you, Uncle, for your guidance!" Li Tai said excitedly.

"Furthermore, after you go back, kick those people out whenever you ought to; they do you no good," Li Qing said earnestly. "The aristocratic clans are like river water; you can use it to irrigate the fields, but when they overflow, they must also be regulated."

"Don't favor using them simply because they are useful. A qualified monarch should know how to maintain balance..."

Seeing Li Tai's expression of wanting to speak yet holding back, Li Qing's face darkened: "Don't try to imitate your father; you can't master his skills."

"Oh, Tai understands," Li Tai replied promptly.

"It's settled then. During this recent period, you and A-Ke must follow Gaoming closely and study under him. Besides, with his leg injured, his mood isn't very good either; the two of you should find ways to cheer him up when you have nothing to do."

"When your father and I return, we will put the two of you through an assessment, and then choose the more outstanding one to become emperor. The one left over will just have to wait a while longer."

Li Qing's tone was leisurely, but heard in Li Tai's ears, it made it impossible for him to remain calm.

"Rest assured, Uncle! When you and Father return, after the assessment, you will definitely choose me as your first priority!"

Li Tai held his head high with utter confidence, giving his pledge to Li Qing.

(End of this chapter)