Chapter 279 - 158: Fifth Reincarnation, The Great Fated Villain

At first, the Grand Tutor could tolerate it.

After all, the Crown Prince, Li Chang’an, was still young. It was normal for him not to enjoy reading and writing.

But while Li Chang’an had merely slept through his lessons at age two, by age three, his behavior had not only failed to improve, it had gotten worse.

He actually jumped onto the Grand Tutor’s neck and yanked his beard!

This act left the Grand Tutor fuming. He declared that in his nearly fifty years of teaching, he had never encountered a student so much like rotten wood that cannot be carved.

He promptly threw down his books, returned to his own residence, and refused to teach Li Chang’an any longer.

Emperor Wu was a bit dumbfounded when he heard the news.

He believed his son was a once-in-a-century genius.

He was certain Li Chang’an would one day inherit the throne of Great Zhou and lead the dynasty to even greater glory.

But why was the boy so mischievous at such a young age, and why did he refuse to study?

Emperor Wu of Zhou was at his wit’s end over the matter. He even summoned Li Chang’an before him and asked, "Chang’an, why are you unwilling to study reading and writing with Lord Su?"

Li Chang’an replied with a straight face, "Father Emperor, I will not study!"

Hearing this, the corner of Emperor Wu of Zhou’s mouth twitched. He took a deep breath, composing himself for a long moment before continuing, "Why not? There must be a reason. You are the Crown Prince of Great Zhou. You are destined to become a supreme sovereign, just like Us, ruling over all creation and protecting Our countless subjects!"

Li Chang’an blinked his large, clear eyes and grinned. "Father Emperor, I don’t like to study, and I don’t like being the Emperor!"

At this answer, the smile on Emperor Wu of Zhou’s face finally vanished completely. His expression darkened. "Then what do you like to do?"

Li Chang’an smiled. "I like cricket fighting, I like being a carpenter, and I like fiddling with door knockers..."

Emperor Wu of Zhou was speechless.

For a long time, he did not know what to say.

Li Chang’an was the son of the Empress and the eldest prince. Furthermore, on the day of his birth, a golden dragon had descended from the heavens over Kyoto... All signs indicated to the world that Li Chang’an was the destined heir of Great Zhou.

For this very reason, Emperor Wu of Zhou had eagerly made him the Crown Prince when he had just turned one year old.

But now, looking at the ignorant and idle expression on Li Chang’an’s face, Emperor Wu of Zhou suddenly felt that his interpretation and understanding of the omen from Heaven might have been somewhat mistaken.

This child was not only unlike his ideal heir...

...he was more like an incompetent and degenerate ruler.

Emperor Wu of Zhou said nothing. He waved his hand, dismissing Li Chang’an. Just as Li Chang’an, led by a eunuch, reached the entrance of the bedchamber, Emperor Wu of Zhou suddenly gestured again for him to stop and asked, "Are you willing to cultivate Immortal Skills?"

’Li Chang’an’s heart skipped a beat.’

But seeing the expression on his father’s face, he suppressed the urge to agree, shook his head, and turned to leave.

Watching his retreating back, Emperor Wu of Zhou felt his heart sink with disappointment.

He sat there for a long time, lost in thought, without saying a word.

...

From then on, Li Chang’an’s standing in Emperor Wu of Zhou’s heart plummeted. The Great Zhou Officials, who had assumed the Crown Prince’s position was unshakeable, were all rather baffled by this.

It wasn’t until the Imperial Family intentionally leaked some information that everyone learned the truth: the Crown Prince not only refused to study, but also refused to cultivate Immortal Skills or the Martial Dao, preferring only trivial pursuits that eroded one’s ambition, like cricket fighting.

His refusal to cultivate Immortal Skills and the Martial Dao could be set aside for the time being.

But being unable to read or write? That was unacceptable!

Among the Twelve Countries of the world, there wasn’t a single emperor or crown prince who was illiterate. If word of this got out, wouldn’t they become a global laughingstock?

The scholars of the Great Zhou Imperial Court were immediately up in arms.

However, because he was still young, they held out hope for Li Chang’an. Thus, a steady stream of scholars submitted petitions, requesting to teach the Crown Prince.

To this, Emperor Wu of Zhou naturally granted every request.

After all, Li Chang’an was, without question, the most suitable heir in terms of both law and bloodline. Unless it was a last resort, Emperor Wu had no desire to rashly depose his Crown Prince.

But when these scholars began teaching Li Chang’an, they were always full of confidence, believing that with their guidance, the Crown Prince would surely see the light and begin to diligently study the books of Saints and sages with them.

If the Crown Prince were to become Emperor in the future, they could use this achievement to ascend to the heavens in a single step, becoming the reigning Grand Tutor and reaching the pinnacle of power for a subject.

But after just a few days of teaching...

...they were driven to endless complaint by Li Chang’an’s antics.

One scholar taught the Four Books and Five Classics, lecturing at length on the wisdom of the Saints.

Li Chang’an would doze off constantly while listening. When the scholar finished and asked him to repeat the lesson, Li Chang’an would immediately twist the Saints’ words into something unrecognizable.

The five virtues of Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, and Integrity, in Li Chang’an’s mouth, became something else entirely. "Benevolence," he explained, was for dealing with weak opponents—you could tear them in two with your bare hands. "Righteousness" was for slightly stronger opponents—a Saint would use dual blades to fight them. "Propriety" was for even stronger opponents—you had to take it seriously and use a long weapon. "Wisdom" was for enemies on the battlefield—you draw your bow and charge forth in a war chariot. "Integrity" was for when you encounter an opponent on high ground—you have to throw them off the wall...

This torrent of "reasoning" came pouring out.

It left the crowd of scholars utterly dumbfounded, their eyes glazed over. Once they came to their senses, they didn’t hesitate for a second before turning and fleeing for their lives.

’This Crown Prince is just too bizarre!’

By the time Li Chang’an was four, he had gone from being a peerless talent marveled at by thousands to a complete laughingstock in the streets. Even the common people knew that the Crown Prince, in whom such high hopes had been placed, was a fool.

Not only could he not recognize all the characters, but he also randomly twisted the words of the Saints.

Finally, at the age of five, Li Chang’an began to face successive impeachments from the officials of the Imperial Court. They proposed that Li Chang’an abdicate in favor of a more worthy candidate and that the Second Prince be named the new Crown Prince of Great Zhou.

...