My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 198 Great Hatred
Liu Xuan was pulled aside by Li Yuan, and the two spoke in hushed tones.

Li Yuan glanced at Li Xuanba, "Xuanba, you can go back to your courtyard and wait, or you can go and take care of your personal matters."

Li Xuanba agreed and turned to leave. Li Yuan then sent someone to summon Li Shimin.

A moment later, Li Yuan, Liu Xuan, Li Jiancheng, and Li Shimin sat in the study. After instructing the servants to prevent others from approaching, Li Yuan took out the edict and had them examine it, hoping to find something from it.

This was the first time Li Shimin had participated in such a negotiation, and he seemed much happier than Li Yuan, who had been promoted.

Li Jiancheng sat to the side, looked at his younger brother, and his eyes were full of complicated emotions.

Li Yuan said, "Things are going much more smoothly than we thought. We thought it would take another two years, but unexpectedly, the Emperor promoted me directly and even asked me to supervise the delivery of grain. This is clearly to help me accumulate some merit. Lord Liu, what should we do next? The Emperor has given us very little time, so we must prepare as soon as possible."

Liu Xuan stroked his beard. "Other matters must be put aside for now. This war is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Duke. The Emperor is so eager to promote the Duke, probably because of the war. The Duke knows the situation of officials in various places."

"The Hu people are weak, but the war drags on. The matter of provisions is of utmost importance. Duke, you need not concern yourself with other matters, nor do you need to visit the other ministers. Focus all your attention on this war. As long as you can share the Emperor's burdens and let the Emperor see your talents, you need not worry about being dismissed after the war ends."

Li Jiancheng slowly said, "The reason why the Emperor is so eager for Father to return is clearly because of this war."

“Grandpa, you don’t need to worry about the situation at home. You can set off first. I will take good care of the family and bring them back to the capital.”

Li Shimin was eager to try, and Li Yuan looked at him, "What do you have to say?"

Li Shimin hurriedly said, "Father, why don't you take more people with you? Since you're in such a hurry to achieve merit, the locals are not trustworthy. You need more people to help you, at least someone to help you with the supervision and calculations along the way. I'm willing to go with you!"

Li Yuan pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "I can take people with me, but you can't go yet."

"You're still needed at home."

Li Shimin originally wanted to argue back, but upon hearing this, he was immediately speechless.

"Second brother, I'm not unaware of what those thieves were doing. You need to clean up this mess, understand?"

Li Yuan asked the question.

Li Shimin was taken aback for a moment, then bowed his head and agreed, while Liu Xuan, standing to the side, quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Li Yuan immediately made a decision: putting aside everything else, he would rush to the capital as quickly as possible and then go to the front lines. He was determined to gain enough merit in this war, at least to let the emperor know his abilities and thus gain the emperor's trust and favor.

Just as the group was plotting something big, Li Xuanba had just returned to his courtyard.

He knew he would be moving again.

This worried Li Xuanba. His affairs in Loufan had only just begun. If he left now, would everything be ruined? Could Dade Farm still be saved?
Before leaving, you still need to be prepared.

Before Li Xuanba could go to see Zhang Du and the others, Madam Dou arrived first.

When Madam Dou arrived, Li Xuanba was preparing to head to Dade Farm.

"Mother!"

Li Xuanba bowed in greeting. Madam Dou entered the courtyard, glanced at the many pieces of equipment there, said nothing, and gestured for Li Xuanba to follow her into the study.

The two entered the study one after the other. Madam Dou sat in the seat of honor, and seeing the mountain of books around her, a smile finally appeared on her face.

"With your current talent and learning, you should not embarrass your teacher if you go to the Imperial Academy."

Madam Dou said with a smile.

Clearly, she knew about the imperial edict.

Li Xuanba hesitated for a moment, but still said truthfully, "Mother, I don't really want to go."

"Don't want to go? Where else would you go if not the Imperial Academy? Chenghou Mountain?" Li Xuanba was stunned for a moment, then looked at Madam Dou in surprise, "Mother...you..."

"Xuanba, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have told you those things back then."

Madam Dou looked somewhat sad. She asked Li Xuanba to sit closer, then gently rubbed his head, her eyes full of affection.

“Your grandfather has many things to do and is busy all day long, so he can’t take care of you all.”

“Whenever something happens, he assumes it was the second son who did it and doesn’t send anyone to investigate.”

"You are my child, I know exactly what you're thinking and what you're doing."

Li Xuanba fell silent, but Madam Dou suddenly said, "I don't ask you to avenge me, I only hope you grow up healthy, that's all I wish for. Don't do any more dangerous things, go to the Imperial Academy and study hard."

Hearing his mother's words, Li Xuanba's mind went blank for a moment, and many memories suddenly surfaced in his mind.

When he was young, he often saw his mother secretly bowing to a memorial tablet with tears in her eyes. When he asked her about it, his mother just told him to bow with her, saying that this was his elder and that his family property had been taken away by evil people.

At that time, Li Xuanba had no idea who this was. He just kept wiping away his mother's tears and said that he would definitely avenge her when he grew up.

As Li Xuanba grew a little older, he naturally learned who his mother was worshipping: his maternal uncle, Emperor Wu of Zhou, Yuwen Yong.

Li Xuanba instantly understood why his mother had said that.

Does she feel that she is plotting a rebellion because of a promise she made when she was young?
But I had almost forgotten that promise.
A deep sense of guilt suddenly welled up in Li Xuanba's heart, and his eyes reddened. "Mother."

"Don't cry."

"Thank God you recovered, that's enough. I have no other desires. I know my children all have great ambitions, and I will do everything in my power to help you do whatever you want."

Upon hearing this, Li Xuanba instantly understood why his mother always gave him so much money and food so he could buy property and start businesses. It turned out that she was the one who first supported his endeavors.
Madam Dou continued, “You are still too young. There’s no need to rush things. The Imperial Academy is a very good place. There are many sons of noble families there, and many capable people gather there. There are also many people who will be hostile to you. You can learn a lot there, things beyond books. Don’t hesitate, go with peace of mind.”

"As for what you've done here, don't worry that it will be ruined because of your departure."

“Your grandfather is not being transferred laterally, but promoted. As long as your grandfather does not lose power, there is no need to worry about those businesses. As for your subordinates, I think you can make proper arrangements for them.”

"There's only one thing I need to tell you."

Madam Dou said earnestly, "The worst thing you can do is hesitate. If you want to do something, then do it with all your might. If you don't want to do something, then give up completely. Never waver or hesitate."

“Here!!!”

Madam Dou then took Li Xuanba's hand and said, "You must go with your grandfather this time. We will arrive later, and I will send a few more people with you. They will be of great help to you."

Having given these instructions, Madam Dou did not hesitate and stood up directly. "Alright, I still need to see your elder brother. You go outside the city to take care of your own business. Remember, if you need to use people, use them boldly and without hesitation. Don't think about leaving any checks and balances, as that will only ruin things."

"Here!"

Madam Dou led everyone away, leaving Li Xuanba with mixed feelings.

Mother already knew what I was doing, and so did my second brother. Did Grandpa and my eldest brother also know something, but just didn't say anything? Could outsiders have found out about this too? Could enemies use this to attack Grandpa?

Li Xuanba perked up, realizing he needed to be even more cautious from now on, and absolutely could not reveal any secrets before accumulating sufficient strength.

Liu Chounu prepared horses, and Li Xuanba quickly led him away from the mansion.

As Madam Dou walked along the road, a smile graced her face. She was very proud of her three sons and one daughter, and she was certain that their future achievements would not be inferior to those of their father.

The blood feud of their uncle will one day be settled by their sons, making those shameless usurpers pay the price they deserve.
P.S.: This is a tribute to a friend's book, "Zhu Yuanzhang Travels Through Time to Become Li Zicheng." Readers who are interested can check it out.

(End of this chapter)