My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 137 The Replacement Plan
"To replace them?"

Li Yuan slowly raised his head.

Yang Xuangan currently serves as the Minister of Rites in the imperial court. In terms of actual power, the Minister of Rites may not seem to be as powerful as the Minister of Personnel, but because the Ministry of Rites is in charge of noble matters such as sacrifices and etiquette, it is known as the head of the six ministries.

After Yang Su's death, the position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat remained vacant. Yang Xuangan, as Minister of Rites, was able to participate in court affairs, which meant he held a very high position and could be compared with the other ministers.

Although Li Yuan came from a distinguished family, he was currently only involved in local affairs and was far from holding real power in the central government. In fact, he was not even qualified for many important local official positions.

When Liu Xuan asked Li Yuan so casually if he wanted to replace Yang Xuangan, Li Yuan felt a sense of absurdity. How could he not want to? But could he really make it happen just by wanting to?

Looking at the bewildered Li Yuan before him, Liu Xuan asked with a smile, "Does Your Excellency not wish to?"

Li Yuan realized that Liu Xuan was a man who loved to boast.

Previously, he approached me saying he wanted to become Sanlang's teacher, and he even mentioned being the literary master of the world. Now he's saying he wants to help me become the head of the Six Ministries. Isn't this pure nonsense?
Li Yuan said in a low voice, "Liu Jun, if you want me to expose Yang Xuangan, then don't say anything."

"Even if Yang Xuangan is truly determined to rebel, I cannot participate in this matter. If the Emperor is informed beforehand, he may not believe it, and if Yang Xuangan does rebel later, the Emperor will not realize the error of the matter and may even punish me for it."

"I do not intend to publicly expose Yang Xuangan."

“I also know what a saint would do.”

"Then what did you mean when you said it was a good opportunity and even mentioned taking over?"

Liu Xuan couldn't help but laugh, stroking his beard. "Sir, have you forgotten how you were promoted to your current position?"

Li Yuan was taken aback, then quickly remembered something.

"you mean"

"Yang Xuangan appears strong, but he is actually cowardly. He wants to do great things, but he cannot make up his mind. He is always wavering and dares not contact powerful allies. Yet, he has a lot of influence in the court."

Li Yuan roughly understood Liu Xuan's meaning: he wanted Liu Xuan to keep undermining Yang Xuan, so that Yang Xuan would continue to move him around and promote him.

But then he felt it wouldn't work. He said, "Xingyang is in a crucial position. Loufan is also strategically important, but it's not as close to the capital as Xingyang. What can I do here? Besides, this man isn't very magnanimous. If this happens repeatedly, what if he targets me?"

"As the governor of a prefecture, you have so much to do."

"Your previous thorough investigation of illegal mines was one such example, wasn't it? I predict that the Sage will not let this go so easily, and may even send people to thoroughly investigate metallurgy within the country. Duke, undertaking such a major undertaking requires grain, money, manpower, and iron."

"As for being resented by him, does the Duke really think Yang Xuangan can achieve great things?"

Li Yuan thought for a moment, then shook his head.

Li Yuan did not have a good impression of Yang Xuangan. When it comes to doing something important, Yang Xuangan knows to keep a low profile and wait until the right time to make his move. Unlike Yang Xuangan, who acts ostentatiously and makes a big fuss about things before even doing anything, making everyone aware of his actions.

In other words, the current sage's mind is all outward, thinking all day about how to expand his territory and how to exploit the world; otherwise, he might not have survived to this day.

Liu Xuan said with a smile, "Since the Duke also thinks he can't accomplish anything great, why be afraid of offending him? Isn't it good to offend him? Those who are slandered by treacherous officials are all loyal and virtuous people."

Upon hearing Liu Xuan's words, Li Yuan suddenly realized what was going on.

He had many things he wanted to discuss with Liu Xuan, but when he looked at Liu Xuan, he noticed Li Xuanba behind him. He cleared his throat and said, "Sanlang, you should go back first. I have important matters to discuss with Liu Jun!"

Li Xuanba turned and walked out of the courtyard. Li Yuan ordered the door to be closed, and they continued their discussion inside.

Li Xuanba returned to the courtyard, still thinking about what his teacher had just said.

After the new prefect arrived, he indeed sent men to attack Qingzao Village, but fortunately, they failed to capture it. However, although they repelled the enemy, the government discovered their strength. Prefect Yang Qing did not seem to be an incompetent person, and it was likely that they would have to deal with him in the future.

As for what they had just said about replacing Yang Xuangan, Li Xuanba wasn't very interested.

Li Xuanba sat in the study, reading a book and waiting for his teacher to return.

San Shi sat beside him. It wasn't just Li Xuanba who was starting to recover; San Shi had also changed drastically in these days. He was no longer the skinny man he once was; his cheeks had gained some flesh, and his complexion had become much cleaner. Of course, he had also developed a tacit understanding with Li Xuanba.

As soon as Li Xuanba put down his book, she took out the paper and placed it in front of him. As soon as Li Xuanba reached out his hand, she put the pen aside.

She couldn't read, but she memorized the location of Li Xuanba's books. Whenever Li Xuanba wanted to read a book, she could take it out of the bookshelf.

She especially loved watching Li Xuanba write. Li Xuanba was handsome and frail, and when he picked up a pen to write, he had the air of a refined scholar. But once he left the study and picked up those stone weights or the like, that feeling would instantly shatter.

Li Xuanba buried himself in writing for a long time before Liu Chounu's voice came from outside the door.

Liu Xuan is back.

Liu Xuan still had some excitement on his face. It seemed that he had a good chat with Li Yuan. Li Xuanba knew that his teacher had always felt that he had wasted half his life and had always wanted to do something. It seemed that he had found his goal.

Liu Xuan went into the study, chased away San Shi, and closed the door.

He had just conspired with Li Yuan on many treasonous things, and now he was about to conspire with Li Xuanba on other treasonous things.

"That Zhai Rang has already gone up the mountain. He's a very good person."

“He has served as an official, knows how to govern, and can command troops. Most importantly, he is of good character, tolerant, generous, and righteous. He is not an ambitious person. With him and Zhang Sengyuan and others looking after the village, I think we don’t need to worry for the time being.”

“This Zhai Rang had quite a few friends. After defeating the enemy, he sent people everywhere to invite his friends to join him.”

Li Xuanba nodded, "At the time, I also thought this person was good and didn't want him to go astray, so I sent Zhang Du to tell him to go to Qingzao Village."

"Let me tell you about the situation in the village."

Liu Xuan cleared his throat and began to speak in a low voice about his many arrangements for the village. Liu Xuan did not regard the village as a den of bandits; he regarded Qingzao Village as a marquisate where he could govern at will. He established many systems there, clearly defining the division of labor among the people and ensuring their cooperation. He also planned out construction, hunting, development, and other matters.

It makes many things more standardized.

Liu Xuan said, "Although I have governed local areas and built new cities in the past, this is the first time I have governed a mountain stronghold. The methods I left for them may not all be effective, but it should be feasible to help the stronghold survive this winter."

Li Xuanba didn't know much about this, so he just listened with his head down. When Liu Xuan finished speaking, he asked, "Master, Qingzao Village has repelled the local militia in such a grand manner. Yang Qing shouldn't just stand by and do nothing. What will happen in the future?"

Liu Xuan shook his head. "This is all we can do right now. Every extra day we live is worth it. The situation in the world won't stay like this forever. Even if Yang Qing launches a major offensive, it will take time. For now, let's focus on what we have to do and not worry too much about what will happen in the future."

Li Xuanba agreed.

Liu Xuan stretched his body, then looked at Li Xuanba, "Xuanba, I have more important things to do in the future, so I may not be able to come to class as frequently as before. When Zhang Xutuo left, he left behind a set of horse fighting techniques. I will explain them to you one by one now. You must remember them carefully and you can start practicing."

"Here!"

"However, this courtyard is still a bit too small. How about this, I'll talk to your grandfather and suggest that you do what you used to do in Xingyang, and have people guard your large farm in Loufan. What do you think?"

"it is good!"

(End of this chapter)