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A few days later, Li Jing was successfully promoted to Deputy General, which indirectly proved Li Jian Cheng's capabilities. Although it seemed like a modest advancement, it was a promotion without any notable achievements.
It was clear that this was only temporary; with even a slight contribution in the future, he would be promoted again.
Li Jing's name once again echoed throughout the capital. Regardless of what others thought in their hearts, they had to smile and approach him to pay their respects, addressing him as Li Gong.
As long as the Crown Prince's favor towards him remained unchanged, no one wanted to offend Li Jian Cheng; he was simply too difficult to deal with.
After two or three years of maneuvering, Liu Shu and others had tried every method to counter him, but the result was that every underhanded tactic only made this young man more ruthless. He particularly excelled at surrounding and attacking the sons, grandsons, nephews, and other relatives of his opponents.
If anyone else attempted such tactics, it would naturally be unacceptable to bully the weak with the strong. However, given Li Jian Cheng's age, it was hard to blame him for taking action against his peers, even if it escalated to the Emperor's attention.
In the summer of Ren Shou Year Three, Yang Su and Li Jian Cheng were outside the city welcoming the renowned Wang Tong. This young man was barely of age but possessed profound knowledge and an air reminiscent of ancient sages.
Currently, he had hundreds of disciples and students following him, many of whom were significantly older than he was but treated him with utmost respect.
His visit to the capital was to present the Emperor with the "Taiping Twelve Strategies."
Outside the city, everyone dismounted and waited while Yang Su's servants began setting up tables and preparing wine and tea.
Before long, an ox cart approached, followed by dozens of riders carrying numerous books and bamboo slips. Many were armed with bows and long knives; it was clear they were a group of Confucian scholars who commanded respect through their virtue.
The ox cart came to a slow stop, and a somewhat frail young scholar emerged. The crowd stepped forward to greet him; he spoke neither too fast nor too slow but was exceedingly kind to everyone.
After Li Jian Cheng exchanged greetings, he found a distinguished-looking man among the group of riders and saluted him. This man was Dou Wei, the youngest son of Grand Tutor Dou Chi and also a distant uncle of Li Jian Cheng's mother.
The crowd engaged in a ceremonial drinking and tea tasting before making their grand return to the capital. Yang Su had intended to host a banquet, but Wang Tong felt a pressing urgency and insisted on meeting the Emperor immediately.
After Yang Su conveyed the message, the Emperor summoned Wang Tong. Those of the sixth rank and above were allowed to enter, while Li Jian Cheng, lacking the necessary rank, nonetheless followed in boldly, and no one seemed to notice.
Upon his audience, Wang Tong passionately articulated his ideals: "Those who gain talent will conquer the world; those who implement benevolent governance will bring peace; those who align with the people's hearts will prevail; those who prioritize the public over personal interests will prosper; if the fields are not neglected and the people are not lacking...
Those who center their rule on morality will dominate; those who select the worthy and capable will lead; when virtuous ministers govern, the nation will be rich and strong; when merits and faults are clearly distinguished, and rewards and punishments are strictly enforced, they will unify the realm; those who maintain a lean military and government while remaining vigilant in times of peace will ensure prosperity."
Everyone listened in silence, fully aware that if these ideas could be successfully implemented, they would undoubtedly lead to a prosperous and stable nation. However, such aspirations were far too unrealistic, requiring an exceptionally high moral standard across all levels of society.
Let alone one Wang Tong; even if there were ten Confucius and Mencius figures, it would be impossible within a single lifetime to change people's selfish desires.
Yet Wang Tong's thoughts held merit, particularly regarding the current decline of Confucianism alongside the flourishing of Buddhism and Daoism. He proposed that the Three Teachings should unite, allowing for the strengths of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism to coexist.
It was rare for someone so young to possess such insights. Just as Li Jian Cheng was beginning to admire Wang Tong, however, the courtiers had already begun to criticize him, and Yang Su found it difficult to control the situation.
The aging Emperor did not persist in his admiration for Wang Tong. Perhaps it was too late for him; he lacked both the energy and willpower to implement such policies.
Thus, he merely appointed Wang Tong as the Shu Commandery Registrar Assistant. Wang Tong did not accept this title with gratitude; he politely declined the court position, expressing his desire to return home to teach. The Emperor made no attempt to retain him.
After leaving the palace, Wang Tong's frail body seemed even more fragile. He turned back to glance at the palace city and sang:
"I think of my country as I travel far from the Capital Region.
Suddenly encountering an emperor, I bow in respect as a commoner."
Thus, with a heart reminiscent of the ancients, he sought to establish the foundation of peace.
Times have changed and circumstances have shifted, yet aspirations remain unfulfilled.
Alas!
When the path is not followed, one can only return eastward with drooping wings.
When the emperor does not persist, one must labor and fly westward.
After singing, he prepared to climb onto the carriage and leave. Many tried to persuade him to stay, and Yang Su once again entered the palace to seek an audience. Eventually, he managed to secure for Wang Tong a monetary reward and the position of tutor to the Crown Prince. It was evident that Yang Jian also believed that perhaps leaving this person for his son would not be a bad idea.
However, Wang Tong still declined with disappointment. Perhaps in his brief twenty years of life experience, he had come to believe that the current emperor was indeed a wise ruler; if he could not succeed, then there was no hope for anyone else.
At that moment, an official stopped Wang Tong and said, "The Left Minister holds you in such high regard; is this how you repay his kindness?"
Li Jian Cheng intervened and said, "If Yang Gong can be disregarded, then the Prince is right. If Yang Gong should not be disregarded, then the Prince is wrong. The matters of right and wrong lie within the Prince himself; why should we interfere?"
Wang Tong glanced at Li Jian Cheng in surprise. The meaning behind those words resonated with him almost perfectly. He had naturally heard of Li Jian Cheng's reputation and poetry, but in his eyes, poetry and song could not save the world, which is why he had been somewhat dismissive of Li Jian Cheng.
"Thank you, Li Langjun."
He turned to Yang Su and said, "Please convey to the minister that with sufficient shelter from wind and rain provided by our ancestors' humble abode, and with modest fields enough for porridge, studying and discussing ideas can bring joy. I hope His Majesty will correct himself to govern the world well; may there be harmony in seasons and abundance in harvests, and thus he will receive many blessings!"
Then he bid farewell to the people of Capital City. Meanwhile, Li Jian Cheng expressed his desire to escort the Prince back home and hoped to learn a little along the way. Wang Tong intended to teach the world after all; naturally, he had no reason to refuse.
As Li Jian Cheng returned to the capital, it was already the end of the year. He felt that this trip had been worthwhile; on his way back home through Wang Tong, he had met many local scholars and distinguished figures, which was exactly what the Li Family lacked.
To conquer the world, one relies on warriors, but to govern it, warriors alone are not enough. Along the way, he had formed close friendships with the sons of gentry from Jiangnan and Shandong. During his years in the capital, he had honed his skills in making friends.
Of course, there were some people he couldn't meet because they held positions in their localities, such as Wang Tong's friend Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, Wang Gui, Du Ruhui, and Chen Shuda.
Indeed, these were all familiar names; the circle of upper-class scholars was quite small. Otherwise, why would Li Jian Cheng feel the need to associate himself with Wang Tong?
Fortunately, after several months of effort, he managed to persuade Wang Tong to write letters of recommendation for him. Li Jian Cheng also attached his own letters to them; if he received a few responses, it would be a gain.
Upon returning to the capital, he heard that Your Majesty had executed Yan Rong, which brought great relief. This man was notorious for his cruelty and took pleasure in whipping his underlings—often to the point of bloodshed.
Moreover, whenever he heard that a subordinate or a commoner's wife or daughter possessed beauty, he would abandon his own wife to indulge in debauchery…
Since that incident years ago, Li Jian Cheng had developed a deep aversion to corporal punishment and lewdness. Yan Rong was gone this time, but he would eventually meet his end at Li Jian Cheng's hands; perhaps it was better for him to die quickly.
Wang Tong taught his students in an organized manner: "The disciples Dou Wei, Jia Qiong, and Yao Yi studied the Book of Rites; Wen Yanbo, Du Ruhui, and Chen Shuda studied the Book of Music; Du Yan, Fang Xuanling, and Wei Zheng studied the Book of Documents; Li Jing, Xue Fangshi, Pei Xi, and Wang Gui studied the Book of Poetry; Uncle Tian studied the Book of Changes; Dong Chang, Qiu Zhang, Xue Shou, and Cheng Yuanbei learned about the Six Classics."
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