My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 145 The great loyal minister! !

Having accepted the gift, Yang Guang also made a gesture in return.

He took Li Yuan's hand and said very seriously, "I originally wanted to take you back with me, but this Loufan place still needs a capable minister like you. You stay here for now, and next year, I will bring you to court!"

Li Yuan bowed and thanked him.

Yang Guang was unwilling to live in such a small place, but now to get to the palace in Taiyuan, he had to walk that same uphill road again, and he might have to go back and forth.

He then ordered everyone to set up a temporary camp outside.

He also had requirements regarding the location of this post.

His residence couldn't be built arbitrarily; it had to be large and luxurious, even if it meant mobilizing a large number of people and emptying warehouses everywhere.

Prefects from various places also arrived one after another.

Yang Guang summoned nearly ten prefects to come and pay homage to him in one go.

Yang Guang's purpose was simple: to show these scoundrels what a truly capable minister is.

When the governor arrived, Yang Guang did not see them, but instead told them to go and see the mines in Loufan.

The prefects knew exactly what Yang Guang was thinking, but dared not scold him. They could only curse the meddlesome Li Yuan in their hearts.

Several days later, Yang Guang finally received these prefects.

But as soon as they met, Yang Guang began to reprimand them.

"Have you all inspected Loufan's mine?!"

"There are so many unlicensed mines that don't pay taxes! After the investigation, the number is more than all the mines in your major prefectures! How many are you hiding there?!"

Hearing Yang Guang's roar, the prefects trembled and dared not answer.

"I'm not just here to visit Loufan! Next, I'm going to inspect the northern lands! I'll investigate along the way! You all get back now! Thoroughly investigate the mining affairs! If these matters aren't settled by the time I arrive, don't blame me for being ruthless!!"

Yang Guang then drove these prefects out again.

When the prefects learned that the Emperor intended to continue his journey and even visit them, they were terrified and fled back overnight. The Emperor said he would investigate, and he certainly would. What a mess Li Yuan has made!

While the governors were in trouble, Yang Guang went to see the local mines with a smile and then went to inspect the area near the Great Wall.

Finally, they returned to the prefectural government office.

Yang Guang was also preparing to continue his journey. This trip to Loufan was just an excuse. His real purpose was to regulate the mines along the way. Yu Shiji said that he only needed to send a minister on orders, but Yang Guang did not trust these ministers!
When they get to their destination, they don't do anything productive; they only embezzle and indulge in pleasure. Only when you personally investigate will those people be afraid and restrain themselves!

Yang Guang has been showering Li Yuan with favor these past few days, taking him everywhere he goes, and all the officials in the prefecture have received rewards.

The two were sitting in the main hall. Yang Guang was about to leave, and before leaving, he naturally had to give this loyal minister some favors.

How to bestow gifts has become a difficult task.

A promotion is definitely out of the question, and he'll have to wait until next year. Yang Guang already has a good job in mind, but Li Yuan has just been promoted, and Loufan has so many things to do, so he can't be transferred in a hurry.

If he couldn't get promoted or ennobled, he could give some money or increase his fief. However, the emperor had always only been used to receiving money and fiefs, not giving money. After thinking it over, Yang Guang came up with a good idea.

"I previously bestowed the title of Marquis upon your son, why did he not come to greet me?"

Yang Guang suddenly spoke up and asked.

Li Yuan hurriedly replied, "This young man is young and ignorant. How could I dare to send him out to meet the Emperor without His Majesty's personal instruction?"

"Haha, he should be invited to come and pay homage."

"I will send someone to invite them immediately!"

Li Yuan dared not delay and hurriedly went downstairs to instruct Steward Liu to bring Li Xuanba over immediately.

Manager Liu rushed off.

When he arrived at Li Xuanba's courtyard, Li Xuanba was reading a book.

"My lord! My lord! It's a matter of utmost importance! His Majesty summons me! Please come with me immediately!"

In the days following the emperor's arrival, Li Yuan's children were prepared to be summoned at any time and didn't even need to change their clothes. Li Xuanba raised his head, put down the book in his hand, and followed Steward Liu out.

Li Xuanba wasn't particularly excited.

Since Liu Xuan analyzed the assassination of the emperor with him, Li Xuanba temporarily gave up the idea. Assassinating the emperor was not easy, especially now that he could not get close to Yang Guang with weapons, nor could he ambush Yang Guang. If he could become a Qianniu bodyguard in the future, perhaps he would still have a chance.

He followed behind Manager Liu, but his mind was constantly on these matters.

After they walked through the corridor, the samurai stopped them and searched them.

After walking for a while, they were stopped again and searched once more.

After being searched several times to ensure there was no threat, they were finally allowed to proceed to the main hall. Manager Liu excitedly instructed Li Xuanba not to forget etiquette, and then stayed aside, as he was not allowed to enter.

"Your subject, Li Xuanba, Marquis of Bocheng, pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Li Xuanba bowed respectfully, even though he was unwilling, he kept his head down and there was nothing wrong with his manners.

Yang Guang sat in the high seat, carefully examining the little baby in front of him.

To be honest, he was somewhat surprised.

Previously, Li Yuan had said in his memorial that his son was very brave, and Zhao Yuanshu also said that the boy was a pure warrior.

But in Yang Guang's eyes, this man was hardly a warrior. He was thin and had a youthful and simple face, unlike someone from Guanzhong. He seemed more like someone from the south.

Li Xuanba also saw this cruel king at this moment.

He didn't look fierce at all; in fact, he seemed kind and gentle, with a warm gaze and a benevolent expression.

Yang Guang looked at Li Yuan in surprise, "Everyone says your third son is very brave, so why is he so thin and weak?"

Li Yuan replied with a smile, "Although he is thin and weak, he still wants to serve the Emperor. It was he who fought bravely and captured the bandit leader, thus breaking into the copper mine!"

Yang Guang initially thought Li Xuanba was a crude and uncouth warrior, but as he looked at him, he grew to like him more and more.

"Li Xuanba, have you ever been to school?"

"I have read some of it."

What books have you read?

Without hesitation, Li Xuanba rattled off the titles of more than a dozen books, including some rather obscure ones. Yang Guang was stunned, but he simply enjoyed interacting with cultured people.

Seeing Li Xuanba arrogantly rattle off so many book titles, he laughed and asked with difficulty, "Can you remember all these books? What's the use of reading them if you don't understand the principles behind them?"

"If one can recite the Three Hundred Poems, yet fail to govern effectively, and cannot conduct proper dialogue when sent on missions, what good are all those poems?"

Li Xuanba answered without hesitation: "The learning of a gentleman enters through the ears, settles in the heart, spreads throughout the body, and manifests in movement and stillness. Whether speaking uprightly or moving gently, everything can serve as a model. This is how one progresses step by step. If it cannot enter the ears, how can it enter the heart? I am young, so I can only enter through the ears first. When I grow up, I can apply it to politics."

Yang Guang clapped his hands, then looked at Li Yuan with displeasure, "You really can't see talent!"

"With a son like this, how can you say he's capable of martial arts?"

"I summoned him with the intention of appointing him as a Qianniu Beishen (a military officer), so that he could stay by my side. I tested him a few times, otherwise, wouldn't it be a waste of talent?"

Li Yuan was somewhat bewildered.
Li Xuanba suddenly raised his head, his eyes brightening, "Your subject is willing to serve as a Qianniu Beishen! To follow Your Majesty!"

"No, with such talent, you should study hard and not waste your time! In the future, I will make you an official even higher than your grandfather! The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat! One of the Nine Ministers!"

As Yang Guang spoke, Li Xuanba lowered his head, and Yang Guang could clearly see some disappointment on the little guy's face.

Yang Guang was genuinely moved.

The members of the Li family are truly loyal subjects!
The father is like this, and so is the son.

He'd rather not be the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat than not have someone by his side!

Yang Guang gestured for Li Xuanba to come closer, then reached out and touched his face, remarking with emotion, "This is one of my own sons."

(End of this chapter)