Volume One, Chapter 17: The Crown Princes Vie for Supremacy—Repaying the Insult in Kind

Upon hearing this, Li Tai’s expression instantly grew awkward, and he stammered, “Brother, please do not jest. What I just said was merely a humble expression, a momentary jest.”

He then shifted his tone, a cold glint sharpening his brows as he retorted, “Since Your Highness understood, why not enlighten His Majesty and the court officials? As the Crown Prince of the Great Tang, it is only fitting that you master the languages of the world. Do not let people think our Crown Prince is ignorant, tarnishing the dignity of the Celestial Empire.”

Though his words seemed complimentary on the surface, they were laced with subtle barbs, carrying a somewhat aggressive edge.

The officials exchanged glances, silently pondering.

Li Chengqian remained calm, not rushing to respond. Instead, he slowly stood, bowed slightly to Emperor Li Shimin, and said, “Your Majesty, since my brothers have failed to interpret, allow me to answer.”

At these words, an eerie silence fell over the hall.

“His Highness the Crown Prince… actually speaks English?”

Someone murmured in disbelief, as though hearing a tale from Arabian Nights.

To them, Li Chengqian was known as a reckless and indulgent playboy, infamous for his frivolity, and had nearly been deposed over a scandal. Recently reinstated, how could he suddenly master such a complex and difficult foreign tongue?

Was he merely putting on a show to secure his position as heir apparent?

For a moment, eyes flickered with anticipation, suspicion, and scorn.

“What does Your Highness mean by this?”

At that moment, Li Tai narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold smile curling his lips. He had his own plans.

Li Chengqian was likely bluffing to save face. If he failed to explain properly, Li Tai could seize the opportunity to strike.

Standing nearby, Li Yuanchang crossed his arms, watching coldly, eager to see Li Chengqian humiliate himself.

Under the watchful gazes, Li Chengqian walked steadily to the center of the hall.

He bowed deeply to Li Shimin, then turned to face Mahmoud and said fluently in British English, “Mr. Mahmoud, is this how England teaches its envoys? To come to the court of the greatest empire and show no respect? Speak plainly, for here, arrogance finds no refuge.”

Mahmoud’s once proud expression froze completely.

His pupils constricted slightly, the smile on his face vanishing as if scattered by the wind.

He stared blankly at Li Chengqian and blurted out, “You… speak English? Impossible!”

Li Chengqian smiled faintly, an air of irony in his indifferent gaze.

“Why not? But let me ask—does England teach language without manners?”

This exchange was like thunder breaking the calm.

Though many did not understand, the English envoy’s expression revealed much.

Mahmoud suppressed his shock but refused to show weakness.

He snorted coldly, ordering his attendants to bring forward the gifts, and declared loudly, “These are the finest treasures of England, demonstrations of our superiority in knowledge and craftsmanship.”

One by one, the gifts were displayed before the hall:

A mechanical doll that drums automatically, a specimen of a strange beast accompanied by anatomical illustrations,

A beautifully crafted model of a celestial globe, and a complete nautical chart marking England’s waters.

Mahmoud’s eyes gleamed proudly.

“Surely these will enlighten your court and show you England’s progress.”

These items were indeed ingenious, especially the mechanical doll and the celestial globe, unfamiliar and novel to many.

Li Shimin’s gaze was sharp as a blade, fixed on Mahmoud but betraying no emotion.

He turned to Li Chengqian calmly, saying, “Crown Prince, translate the envoy’s words for us.”

With all eyes on him again, Li Chengqian bowed to his father and replied calmly, “I obey Your Majesty’s command.”

He approached the gifts, briefly examined them, then turned to face Li Shimin and the gathered officials, translating in a steady tone:

“Envoy Mahmoud says these are England’s most precious treasures, meant to demonstrate their excellence in knowledge and craftsmanship. He claims these treasures will enlighten the Great Tang’s court and allow us to witness England’s progress.”

A hush fell over the hall.

Even those unfamiliar with English sensed the arrogance behind the words.

Many frowned but dared not speak out due to the solemn occasion.

Li Tai sneered softly, whispering, “Hmph, mere trinkets, yet they boast so boldly?”

“This first gift is a mechanical doll that beats a drum, its workmanship intricate and suitable for entertainment,” Li Chengqian said lightly as he lifted the rear cover of the doll, revealing the gears and springs inside. He pointed to one gear and remarked, “Though the design is clever, it is quite crude. The gear arrangement is improper, causing it to jam after running for a while. If driven by water or wind power and aided by finer gear craftsmanship, it might be considered ingenious.”

He glanced deliberately toward Li Tai and Li Yuanchang.

Their faces darkened considerably.

Li Chengqian had stolen the spotlight before Emperor Li Shimin, and naturally, they were displeased.

If the emperor favored Li Chengqian, their ties with the Eastern Palace would be severed.

“The Great Tang already possesses Su Song’s astronomical clock tower, powered by water to simulate celestial movements and calculate the positions of the sun, moon, and stars. Such mechanical toys hardly enter the realm of refined artistry.”

These words shocked the hall.

Officials initially intrigued by the doll now realized that the Tang Dynasty had far more sophisticated machinery.

Several Ministry of Works officials nodded discreetly, convinced that the Crown Prince had not exaggerated.

Mahmoud’s displeasure deepened; what they considered England’s most precious treasures were dismissed so casually by the Tang.

Next, Li Chengqian turned to the second gift: the skeleton of a strange beast and the accompanying anatomical chart.

This was his specialty—only a professional could do justice.

“The annotations here are quite interesting. This part marked as ‘liver’ is clearly the ‘spleen’s’ location. Such errors—how could they come from someone truly learned?”

He picked up the chart, facing Li Shimin and the officials, and said slowly, “The Great Tang already has the Pulse Classic, which details the five viscera and six bowels, with clear internal and external distinctions. How could such crude markings compare?”

“If medicine were practiced according to this chart, even the most basic pathologies would be indistinguishable. In that case, England’s so-called anatomy is but empty talk.”

He went on to find flaws in the compass and other items.

Mahmoud’s face had completely changed.