Sheng Tang: What is Liu Jianjun going to do today?

Chapter 112 Late May in Chang'an
Li Xian looked completely bewildered.

But Liu Jianjun didn't explain, saying, "I originally thought that Taiping was corrupted by Wu Youji, but it turns out it was her own fault!"

Li Xian said irritably, "What does Taiping have to do with Wu Youji?"

“It’s alright!” Liu Jianjun said decisively, then added, “So… Wu Youji is fine too, and… we can even use him.”

"Use Wu Youji?"

"That's right, Wu Youji is definitely a spy sent by your mother, there's no doubt about that, but how should I put it... you're a good-for-nothing in your mother's eyes, so she only sent someone who is your equal to keep an eye on you!"
"But now, we can use Wu Youji to confuse the public and make your mother completely blind in Chang'an!"
"Even... Wu Youji still holds a portion of military power."

Li Xian's heart skipped a beat.

"Alright, I'm relieved now that this relationship is sorted out. That's all!"

Li Xian didn't understand Liu Jianjun's sudden relaxation, but the two were already bound together. Liu Jianjun's relieved expression meant that the situation was very good.

So he felt relieved.

……

In the following days, Li Xian suddenly felt as if he had figured out something.

Ever since Liu Jianjun decided to take advantage of Wu Youji, the relationship between Wu Youji and Liu Jianjun has improved at a visible speed.

And these two people.

One is the rising star of Chang'an, known as the "Black-Faced Young Master," and the other is a dissolute nobleman from the Wu clan who has been spoiled since childhood.

When these two got together, Li Xian felt there was no more dissolute combination in the world.

Ever since that day of hunting, Wu Youji had been visiting the Prince of Pei's residence every few days. When he arrived, he would first pretend to greet me, and then his next question would always be, "Cousin, where is Brother Liu?"

Then, the two of them left the palace arm in arm.

As for what those two were going to do, Li Xian could guess even with his ass.

Because Liu Jianjun had been teasing him every time they met these past two days: "Xianzi, you're not good enough either. A prince like you, you don't know as many tricks as Lao Wu. When I ask you if you have any fun, it's always about hunting pigs and tigers or cockfighting and dog racing. Lao Wu takes me to listen to Southern opera every day!"

Li Xian was furious.

How could a prince like myself compare to a playboy like Wu Youji?

Even Wang Bo, who occasionally appeared at the Prince of Pei's residence, felt indignant upon seeing this, exclaiming, "Liu Changshi's self-degradation is truly a model for us all!"

Ok?
Something seems wrong.

……

This situation lasted until the end of May.

News gradually began to reach Chang'an.

Li Wei and Li Ming died in the remote and desolate southwestern regions where they had been exiled. The news that reached Chang'an said that they had both died from illness due to the change in environment.

The deaths of the two princes were a major event, and the Empress Dowager solemnly held a funeral for them and posthumously conferred upon them the title of prince.

Not only Li Wei and Li Ming, but also Zhang Da'an, the prime minister he once trusted most, was demoted to the position of prefect of Puzhou after he was demoted, and this year he was demoted to the position of magistrate of Hengzhou, but he died on the way to his new post.

There were also many people who had followed him when he was the crown prince.

Li Xian knew that his mother was beginning to settle scores with those who supported the Li family.

On the same day, Liu Jianjun also declined Wu Youji's invitation and approached Li Xian, his expression serious: "Xianzi, we need to keep a low profile for a while."

Li Xian nodded: "I know, it's to create the image in Luoyang that I'm dull-witted but still have some brains."

"That's not all." Liu Jianjun said solemnly, "Do you know what happened to Li Wei and Li Ming?"

Li Xian shook his head: "I don't know, but I can probably guess."

When I was demoted to Bazhou, my mother arranged for Qiu Shenji to humiliate me. The deaths of Li Wei and Li Ming were probably similar.

"Have you ever thought about why your mother still held such a grand funeral for the two of them?"

Li Xian was puzzled.

“To eliminate future troubles.” Liu Jianjun’s face was solemn: “Because only when the whole world knows that they are dead will no one use their name to rebel again… Even if someone does, it will not be enough to convince others.”

Li Xian suddenly realized and continued looking at Liu Jianjun.

Liu Jianjun continued, "But... you're still alive."

Li Xian was taken aback: "You mean?"

"Not bad, you've become noticeably smarter. Dead people can't be used!"

Liu Jianjun exclaimed in admiration, then continued, "You are still alive. Perhaps someone will rebel in your name. Compared to Li Wei and Li Ming, who were born out of wedlock, your status is more noble and legitimate. If someone rebels in your name, it will be a huge threat to your mother."

"Then...what should I do?"

"Make your presence known, let the whole world know that you're staying obediently in Chang'an."

Li Xian was taken aback and asked, "But...you just said we should keep a low profile lately."

“There’s no conflict. You keep a low profile and let others be high-profile for you. Have you forgotten that we still have Liu Rengui to help us?” Liu Jianjun said with a smile. “I’ll just go over and talk to Lao Liu about the spinning wheel. Aisha has finally figured out a spinning wheel for spinning cotton thread. We should tell him the good news.”

……

Because they wanted Liu Rengui to visit the spinning wheel, the two of them didn't go to Liu Rengui's residence this time, but instead sent a servant to Liu Rengui's residence to invite him to come over.

Liu Rengui arrived very quickly.

Although he now holds the title of prime minister and remains in Chang'an, most of his power has actually been moved to Luoyang with the Empress Dowager. Therefore, he is quite leisurely in his daily life. Upon hearing that the Prince of Pei's mansion had invited him, the old man, accompanied only by two old servants, arrived quietly at the side gate of the Prince of Pei's mansion in a small carriage with a blue canopy.

Li Xian and Liu Jianjun were already waiting at the side gate.

Upon meeting Liu Rengui, Li Xian bowed respectfully and said, "It is my fault for troubling Lord Liu with his presence."

On the contrary, Liu Jianjun was much more familiar with Liu Rengui, and jokingly said, "Master Liu, it's been a long time since we last met, you look even more dignified and solemn!"

Liu Rengui was both amused and exasperated by his nonsensical flattery, and gave him a couple of light taps: "You rascal, you're never serious! Is this how you use the image of a dignified emperor? I think you need to be taught a lesson again."

Despite saying this, there was little blame in his tone; instead, it revealed a hint of doting affection for the younger generation.

That's right, these two people both have the surname Liu, they might have been from the same family eight hundred years ago.

After exchanging pleasantries, they entered the Prince's residence. It wasn't until they reached Liu Jianjun's courtyard that Liu Rengui's expression turned serious. He asked, "Your Highness must have heard about the news coming from various places recently, right?"

Li Xian nodded.

Liu Rengui was somewhat relieved: "Seeing Your Highness's performance, I am relieved. With Chief Secretary Liu's help, such a small matter should not be a concern."

At this point, Liu Rengui chuckled and said, "To be honest, before Your Highness invited me, I was still writing a memorial to Empress Wu impeaching Your Highness!"

Liu Jianjun's eyes lit up: "That's great! Mr. Liu is thinking the same thing as us."

"But... I have another question. Could you, Lord Liu, devise a way to make His Highness Prince Pei make a high-profile appearance, ideally in a way that lets the whole world know that His Highness Prince Pei is staying in Chang'an with peace of mind?"

……

(End of this chapter)