My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 229 Talent
Luoyang.

Inside the study in the courtyard, Li Xuanba was looking down at a letter.

This letter was sent from Gongshan and has just reached Li Xuanba's hands.

Li Xuanba was somewhat surprised. Usually, when the various mountain strongholds contacted him, they would send people to report, and there was very little correspondence.

Upon receiving the letter, Li Xuanba closed the door and hid in the study to read it.

This is a letter written by Zhai Rang. He inquired about Li Xuanba's situation at the beginning, then described the current situation of the mountain stronghold, and then mentioned that he had met a Taoist priest in Gongshan. This Taoist priest had great ambitions and offered him ten strategies for stabilizing the stronghold, which he wanted Li Xuanba to see.

Li Xuanba was increasingly astonished as he read on. He had learned a lot about governance from his teacher, but he hadn't mastered it all and was only a half-baked expert. Nevertheless, he could still see the brilliance of the strategy. The ten strategies covered various aspects such as education, agriculture, diplomacy, military affairs, rewards and punishments, commerce, construction, and the selection of officials, and made arrangements for each matter.

Moreover, they are all interconnected, one after another. This may seem like a way to govern counterfeit goods, but from a broader perspective, this method is sufficient to govern a country!
Are there such extraordinary talents in the mountains and wilderness?
Li Xuanba was increasingly delighted with what he saw, and he could hardly sit still.

San Shi sat to the side, looking at Li Xuanba's smiling face, "Did this letter say something good?"

"Good thing, excellent thing."

Li Xuanba smiled at her, "I need to see my elder brother as soon as possible!"

After arriving in Luoyang, Li Jiancheng was quite busy.

When he was in Loufan, many people came to pay their respects to him. Now that he has arrived in Luoyang, his place is even more bustling with visitors. Every day, many sons of nobles and officials come to pay their respects. Li Jiancheng actively befriends them, goes out with them to banquets, or goes hunting together. His reputation is growing, and many important figures know his name.

When Li Xuanba came to find his elder brother, Li Jiancheng was welcoming a special guest.

The visitor was Liang Jingzhen from the Dali Temple.

This Mr. Liang did not look like a fierce person, nor did he look like someone who worked at the Dali Temple. He had a big belly and a gentle face.

Li Xuanba paid his respects to his elder brother.

Li Jiancheng smiled and said to Liang Jingzhen beside him, "This is my younger brother, Xuanba."

He then had Li Xuanba pay his respects to Liang Jingzhen.

Liang Jingzhen said with a smile, "I have long heard of the name of the Marquis of Bocheng. Meeting you today, I can see that you are indeed magnificent. Given time, you will surely become a fierce general who will bring peace to the country."

Li Jiancheng laughed heartily.

That's right, Li Jiancheng is at it again.

Since he arrived in Luoyang, he has started boasting about Xuanba again. He always mentions my invincible third brother, talking about how he captured the bandit chief alive and how he subdued the wild ox.

Many people already came to visit him, and with Li Jiancheng's boasting, the news spread quickly, and many people knew that the Marquis of Bocheng from the Tang State Duke's family was born with superhuman strength and had subdued a wild ox when he was young.

Of course, Li Jiancheng didn't just boast about his third brother; he would occasionally boast about his second brother as well, saying that his younger brother was intelligent, well-read, and had the demeanor of a kind elder.

Everyone felt that the Li brothers were harmonious, which made them think more highly of Li Jiancheng.

Liang Jingzhen only said a few words before he was about to leave, and Li Jiancheng personally saw him off at the door.

"The matter has been settled."

"All the evidence points to Yang Xuangan. This time, he has no way to escape."

"Once the Emperor returns, Lord Liang will hand over the evidence of his crimes to him. Even if Yang Xuangan doesn't die, he'll be severely punished. Perhaps Father can even contend for the position of Minister of Rites. If Yang Xuangan can do it, why can't Father do it?"

Li Jiancheng was quite excited; since arriving in Luoyang, many things had gone exceptionally smoothly.

His guests increased significantly, including many talented and virtuous men.

Most importantly, Li Jiancheng came into contact with the deep-seated struggles within the imperial court for the first time.

In the past, he had only associated with the sons of noble families, but now he was able to contact powerful officials like Liang Jingzhen, even to strategize with them, and to directly participate in some major events that could change the world.

The two brothers went back inside.

Only then did Li Xuanba take out the letter from Gongshan.

"Brother, this was sent by Zhai Rang. He said he met a Taoist priest who offered him strategies for governing the mountain stronghold and recommended this man to me."

Li Jiancheng took the letter, but without reading it, he first asked, "What is the Taoist priest's name?"

"His name is Wei Zheng."

"Wei Zheng??" "Does my elder brother know him?"

Li Jiancheng immediately laughed, "I've heard of it, I've heard of it."

Li Jiancheng picked up the letter and began to read it carefully. Li Xuanba sat to the side, staring intently at his elder brother. He felt that his elder brother seemed to know many, many people. He also knew Fang Xuanling from Xihe, the Taoist named Wei Zheng, and Zhai Rang from back then.

How did you know so many people, brother?

Li Jiancheng ignored the young man and focused on the strategies offered by this future wise minister of the Tang Dynasty. The more Li Jiancheng looked, the more satisfied he became. Truly a wise minister to his younger brother! Indeed, not only is he good at giving advice, but he is also very skilled in governing the country. Moreover, he is just like us—a rebellious and righteous man! Excellent!

Li Jiancheng smiled and put down the letter, then looked at Li Xuanba.

You've struck gold!

"This person should be given an important position!"

"Haha, you're really lucky. Zhai Rang, Shan Xiongxin, and now there's Wei Zheng too."

"Tsk, let's see when you bring Qin Shubao to me."

"Qin Shubao?"

"Qin Qiong, Qin Shubao, if anyone comes to seek refuge with you in the future, remember to let me know."

"Here!"

"There are a few more names. I'll give you another list another day. You've done a good job. Maybe even more people will come to you in the future."

Li Xuanba agreed again, but Li Jiancheng suddenly asked, "You should have seen this person's talent, so why did you show it to me?"

“Brother, I feel that such a talented person should not be kept in the stronghold. I want him to come to Luoyang and serve by your side. You often say that besides Second Brother, there is no one else who can advise you. I want him to come and help you.”

Li Jiancheng was taken aback for a moment. “You don’t have many talented people who know how to govern. Zhang Du and others are good, but they are still lacking. If this person were to join your manor, he could help you solve a lot of problems.”

"If you let him work for me, I will never return him to you."

"Have you thought about it?"

Li Xuanba asked in surprise, "I am also under my brother's command. What is the difference between working for me and working for my brother?"

Li Jiancheng laughed, "You... Alright, then let him come to Luoyang. I'll have him work in your manor for now. If there's any need for him, I'll make arrangements accordingly."

"Here!"

Li Jiancheng continued, "Feng Li also sent someone to tell me some things. Things in Hedong are going quite smoothly. Within a year, we must make sure that all the mountain strongholds have a firm foothold in Hedong. You need to train hard. Your strength will soon be put to good use."

"Soon? Is my brother planning to start a rebellion at the end of the year?"

"No, we have to wait for the perfect opportunity, when Yang Guang has gone to the south, to a very far place. Now that the war in the north is over, he will definitely go south again. That will be our chance to raise an army."

The two were talking when a samurai came in and interrupted them.

It was Li Shimin who arrived.

Li Jiancheng let him in, and a moment later, Li Shimin led a slightly older boy into the house, chatting and laughing.

"Brother!"

Li Shimin led his men into the house, then released his hand and bowed to his elder brother. The young man beside him quickly followed suit and bowed to Li Jiancheng.

Li Jiancheng looked at the little boy in front of him. The boy was quite handsome, with pure eyes, thick eyebrows and big eyes. He felt that the boy looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he was.

"Brother, this is Wuji! Wuji from General Changsun's family!"

Li Jiancheng suddenly realized why it looked familiar.

"Wuji is so grown up now. How are your family members doing?"

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji's eyes reddened and tears fell.

Li Jiancheng sighed deeply, gestured for Changsun Wuji to sit beside him, and took his hand. "Please accept my condolences. I already know about Uncle's situation."

(End of this chapter)