hsntnovel Chapter 2716 Student Assistance
Chapter 2716 Student Assistance
A tea table had already been set up nearby, and Wang De began to brew tea himself.
"Tenth Brother, are you planning something big this year?"
While fishing, Li Shimin asked casually.
"Big moves? No, what big moves could our son possibly make?"
Li Shen did not answer.
But a thought struck him: Could it be that his father had noticed something?
"Really not?" Li Shimin looked ahead, his tone somewhat doubtful.
"Really not, why do you say that, Father?"
Li Shen spoke very seriously.
"I just suddenly felt the wind was about to blow. Tenth Prince, the Tang Dynasty is now peaceful and prosperous, and the people are living in peace and contentment. This is a great prosperity that has not come easily."
Your elder brother is about to ascend the throne. At this time of change between old and new monarchs, the most taboo thing is turmoil.
I don't want any accidents to happen, you know that?
Even if you want to cause trouble, you have to wait until your elder brother has stabilized his position.
Li Shimin spoke calmly, turning his head to look at Li Shen.
"Father, don't worry, I understand. I have always been law-abiding and dutiful, and I will not do anything wrong."
Li Shen replied that his father had said this to him several times, which showed how much he worried about him.
"If you truly adhered to your duties, I wouldn't have reminded you repeatedly." Li Shimin didn't even bother to glance at Li Shen.
If this son isn't disciplined, he could turn Chang'an upside down.
"Father, is someone talking about me behind my back?" Li Shen wanted to subtly inquire whether someone was speaking ill of him behind his back.
Li Shimin couldn't help but sneer twice after hearing this:
"Hehe, when is there a day when no one impeaches you? The censors have long treated impeaching you as their daily business."
At least one impeachment memorial is submitted every day; the entire Taiji Hall cannot contain all the impeachment memorials against you.
Today, countless students from impoverished families in our Great Tang Dynasty cannot even afford paper, yet so much paper and ink have been wasted in the process of impeaching you.
If these impeachment memorials were given to those students, I wonder how many useful talents they could cultivate for our Great Tang Dynasty.
Tell me, are you guilty or not?
"How can you blame me for this? It's not like I asked them to impeach me. If anyone's to blame, it's those censors. Why are they always watching me all the time?"
Li Shen was almost furious. How could he be blamed for this? Was there no justice in the world?
"If it's not your fault, who is? If you were usually well-behaved and not so reckless, why would they impeach you? Why don't they impeach someone else?"
Li Shimin immediately retorted.
"That's because these people are jealous of me, because I'm richer and more comfortable than them, and they hate the rich."
These intellectuals don't know how to make money, so they suppress commerce; they can't stand seeing others succeed, and they always find some high-sounding excuses.
Li Shen was equally defiant, stubbornly defending himself.
"Hmph, are you the only rich person in the Tang Dynasty? There are so many rich people in the Tang Dynasty, why don't they impeach others? Isn't it because you act eccentrically and don't know how to restrain yourself?"
Li Shimin snorted coldly and shouted.
"If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext. Anyway, I've done nothing wrong, and I have nothing to fear. If I'm upright, I have nothing to fear; if I'm crooked, I have nothing to fear."
No, it's because if your feet are straight, you don't need to worry about crooked shoes.
Li Shen looked righteous; he wasn't afraid of being impeached, after all, he wasn't some great villain.
Over the years, he has never oppressed the people, and he has rarely conscripted laborers; he has always paid them wages.
"Your Majesty, please have a cup of tea to warm yourself up."
Seeing the tense atmosphere between the father and son, Wang De quickly brought a teacup to Li Shimin.
He was worried that the father and son would fight, which had become a common occurrence over the years.
Li Shimin took the teacup, glared at Li Shen, and then said nothing more.
Li Shen thought for a moment and then spoke up:
"Since Father says that the memorial impeaching my son was a waste of paper, let's donate some paper and ink to those poor students."
"Stone." Li Shen called out.
“This servant is here.” Stone hurried over.
"Remember to go back and tell Wang Hongfu to prepare 100,000 sets of writing brushes and ink, 100,000 books on the imperial examinations, and 500,000 sheets of paper the size of a ten-foot scroll."
He was sent to schools in various prefectures and counties to distribute to the students who were complaining of poverty.
Remember, this is for poor students. If it's sent to the wrong person, Wang Hongfu will be held accountable with his head.
"Yes, I've got it." Shi Tou quickly bowed.
Li Shen suddenly added:
"Oh, and tell Wang Hongfu that this distribution is in His Highness the Crown Prince's name, saying that His Highness cares deeply for the people."
Knowing the hardships faced by the common people in pursuing education, starting from this day forward, any student who excels academically and passes the examinations, upon verification by the Imperial Instructor, will have their education funded by the Prince Ji's Palace for three years.
If he passes the next exam, he will be allowed to study for another three years, until he fails the exam again.
Li Shen's words were firm and resolute, which softened Li Shimin's expression considerably. When it came to charity, Li Shen was never ambiguous.
He didn't know how many levels the imperial examinations in the Tang Dynasty were divided into, but he knew that one had to pass the exams from the lower levels.
It's impossible for anyone to directly participate in the imperial examinations simply by studying; if that were the case, how many people would come each year? Wouldn't Chang'an be in chaos?
The three-year agreement is also for the group of people taking the postgraduate entrance exam. It's impossible for you to take the exam an unlimited number of times. How long would it take you to finish taking the exam?
Li Shen had seen it in TV dramas in his previous life; many people failed the exam after more than ten years. How could Li Shen possibly support them for more than ten years?
If they never pass the exam, will Li Shen still have to support them for the rest of their lives?
"Hmm, what you're doing is not bad. It's a good thing to have the ability to do things for the people. This way, the people below will have more recognition of my Li family."
"But you don't need to use a fancy name; you represent the Li family just the same outside."
Li Shimin nodded in approval.
"Thank you for your praise, Father. Using my elder brother's name is also to enhance his prestige."
Li Shen said modestly, but in his heart he was disdainful, thinking that if he were to donate, it would be another troublesome matter.
When those students pass the exams, they'll all consider themselves his students. What would he need so many students for? He's not that old scoundrel Changsun Wuji.
In the name of the Crown Prince, they will be the Emperor's disciples in the future, and no one will implicate him.
Political struggles have always been a cruel reality; the law merely serves to restrain the common people.
In the upper echelons of society, all it takes is a pretext to ruin your family.
Just like Liu Ji, who was falsely accused by Chu Suiliang and almost died, there was no thorough investigation at all; it was all just a matter of his father's word.
"Alright, since you insist on doing so, then so be it." Li Shimin gave Li Shen a meaningful look; how could he not know the purpose behind Li Shen's actions?
But this is nothing to him; it's a good thing, proving that Li Shen is sensible and has self-awareness.
"Thank you for your kindness, Father." Li Shen thanked him, and the two understood each other without saying a word.