My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 179 Excellent Disciple
When Li Jiancheng saw Liu Zhuo off, he was extremely respectful, bowing and scraping.

He had heard about the "Two Lius" from his retainers.

They said that although Liu Xuan and Liu Zhuo were exceptionally talented, they looked down on others and were arrogant and conceited.

Li Jiancheng now understands why those two were so arrogant and conceited!

No wonder they look down on other Confucian scholars!

Li Jiancheng roughly understood that these two Lius, one leaning towards literature and the other towards science, were both top in their respective fields, far ahead of other Confucian scholars. Li Jiancheng didn't know much about Liu Xuan's situation, but judging from Liu Zhuo's situation, he was at least hundreds of years ahead of other Confucian scholars!

Liu Zhuo walked out with a smile. He had talked with Li Jiancheng for a long time. Liu Zhuo was surprised to find that this young master knew quite a lot. In some aspects, he could even inspire him. Originally, he just wanted to swindle some money and enjoy his old age. But he didn't expect that at his age, he would find a gem. If he was taught well, he might be able to inherit his mantle in the future.

Li Jiancheng suddenly remembered something and asked, "Teacher, there's something I want to ask you."

"You said."

“I have many guests around me now, including many heroes. However, lately they have been causing trouble and acting on their own initiative. If I drive them away, I am afraid it will ruin my reputation and no one will dare to come to me again. I wonder if you have anything to teach me, teacher?”

Liu Zhuo knew more than just the principles of nature; upon hearing Li Jiancheng's question, he shook his head repeatedly.

"You simply don't understand the principles of managing subordinates. Has the Duke never taught you any of them?"

"This old man is always busy."

"Throughout history, those who aspire to great things have always had capable followers. However, it's not enough to simply gather them together; one must also know how to manage them. There is no fixed method; one can only treat different people with different attitudes."

"If there are people who act on their own initiative and cause trouble for you, reprimand them more to establish your prestige. Don't be afraid of losing people's hearts, but you must know how to handle it. If they don't listen, just give them money and drive them away. It's not about having more people around you, but about having people who are beneficial to you."

Liu Zhuo, speaking from experience, shared a lot with Li Jiancheng, who listened attentively.

Dade Farm.

As the snow and wind arrived, the place became quiet.

People lacked food and clothing, and in such weather, they dared not go out, especially in these border areas where the climate was exceptionally cold. Whenever it started to snow, everyone would stay indoors to protect themselves from the cold, hoping that spring would come soon.

Winter symbolizes the end of all things. Even wealthy families find it difficult to withstand the cold winter, and many people do not survive it.

When Li Shimin led his many knights to Dade Farm, it was quiet and deserted. Even Li Xuanba dared not go out.

A warrior came out of the door and quickly led Li Shimin into the small courtyard.

Unlike the silence outside, the courtyard was quite lively. Before even entering, Li Shimin heard a commotion coming from inside. He pushed open the door, and a sudden gust of wind and snow rushed into the room. Li Shimin quickly closed the door again.

Many warriors in the room looked at him. Li Xuanba, sitting in the superior position, was also somewhat surprised to see his second brother suddenly arrive.

"Brother!"

He hurriedly bowed in greeting.

Li Shimin looked at the people in front of him. In the past, most of the people around his younger brother were Liu Xuan's disciples. Although Li Shimin had not met them many times, he had a very good memory and could not forget people he had met once. However, half of the people sitting in this room were unfamiliar faces. Li Shimin had never seen them before.

"Sanlang, your place is really more lively than the East Courtyard."

"So that's why you always go to the farm, there are so many heroes there!"

Li Shimin greeted these people with a smile.

Li Xuanba looked at them and said, "You should all go back first, and we can discuss the rest of the matters tomorrow."

"Shh."

Everyone immediately stood up and bowed.

"Here!!"

After bowing, they left one by one in an orderly fashion.

Li Shimin stood there, stunned.

This way of getting along is really too strange. The people in the room are too well-behaved. They get up together, bow together, and even line up to leave one by one.

This doesn't seem like a retainer; it seems more like a subject of Li Xuanba!
Even those around the eldest brother had never seen such a display.

Li Xuanba quickly pulled Li Shimin down to sit, his face beaming with joy. "I was just about to go find my brother, but I didn't expect him to arrive first." "Master gave me several books on military strategy, and I know my brother loves them most."

"Let's not talk about military strategy yet!"

Li Shimin stared at his younger brother with a stern face and asked, "Are you aware that the local militia guarding the pass captured a group of thieves?"

"Ok?"

"They said they escaped from Mayi."

"I don't know."

"Oh, so you probably don't know about their story about coming to seek refuge in Qingzao Village of Chenghou Mountain, do you?"

Li Xuanba was taken aback and didn't dare to reply.

Li Shimin snorted coldly, "What kind of fool would look down on others like this? Using the same name repeatedly. When I arrived in Loufan, there was Qingzao Village. If I were transferred to the capital, would there be another village near the capital? Are you afraid that others won't notice?"

Li Xuanba lowered his head. "Brother, actually..."

"I know that the thieves from Qingzao Village are related to you. I suppose they received your funding to help you take in those dead. I also know what you're thinking. You want those thieves to help you take in those homeless people and find a way to keep them alive, right?"

"Actually, making friends with thieves isn't a big deal. My grandfather knows some chivalrous heroes, and I know some too. I even harbor a few wanted criminals. It's not a big deal. But how can we make such a big fuss and let everyone know about it?"

Li Shimin complained a few times, then sighed deeply.

"My life is so hard. You did the deed, but I'm the one who has to take the blame. My brother just arrived and gave me a severe scolding, telling me to resolve this as soon as possible."

"Sanlang, how could you be so foolish? How many people are watching my family right now?"

Li Shimin used the same words that Li Jiancheng had used to refute him to criticize Li Xuanba. Li Xuanba did not refute him, but simply nodded, "I know I was wrong."

This behavior is exactly the same as Li Shimin's earlier.

After reprimanding him, Li Shimin gave him some pointers and shared his experience in colluding with thieves.

Only after confirming that Li Xuanba had memorized the matter did Li Shimin move on from it.

"Alright, before it causes any major chaos, send someone to resolve this matter as soon as possible. If you want someone to help settle the deceased, do it secretly, don't make a big fuss about it."

Li Shimin glanced around and lowered his voice, "Sanlang, how familiar are you with those people in the mountain stronghold?"

"Very familiar. Extremely well-acquainted."

"How about I borrow some people from you?"

"Borrow someone? Brother, do you need anyone else?"

"Oh dear, I also have a lot of things to do and I'm short-handed. Can you lend me some people who are strong, trustworthy, and capable? Of course, I won't lend them to you for nothing; I can pay you based on the number of people."

Li Xuanba suddenly raised his head. "Brother, I can lend it to you; you don't need to give me any money."

Li Shimin laughed, "Truly, you are my good friend."

"But my brother must grant me another request."

Li Shimin's smile vanished instantly. Why was this kid starting to haggle too? He'd learned all that bad things from that fourth prince!

"Tell me what the conditions are."

"I only hope that my brother can teach them some combat skills, the easiest and most basic ones. I have heard that there is a lot of similar knowledge in Yingyang Mansion. My brother is very talented and must have already mastered it. I don't ask for much. As long as they can learn some basics, that will be enough."

Li Shimin became increasingly suspicious.

He initially thought that his younger brother had simply become acquainted with bandits in the mountains and was using them to settle the deceased.

But the way those people treated his younger brother and their strange request made Li Shimin think of even more things.

He hesitated for a long time before saying, "Okay, I can agree to that."

(End of this chapter)