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

Chapter 119 Liu Jianjun's Second Story

Liu Jianjun thought for a moment and said, "The second story...where should I begin..."

"Let's start from one day when a dashing young man sang a folk song, which went like this: 'One fire, two fires, a boy in scarlet robes sits in the palace...'"

Hearing this, Li Xian rolled his eyes in annoyance.

Liu Jianjun, with a thick skin, acted as if he hadn't seen anything and continued, "Then, this song spread and spread, becoming more and more widespread. Of course, at first, people didn't know what this song meant, just like the phrase 'my later life'."

"But somehow, this folk song reached the ears of a man named Luo Binwang."

"At this time, Luo Binwang and Li Jingye and a few others were plotting a rebellion in a tavern in Yangzhou. Rebellion is a big deal, so these people wanted to find an inside agent in the court."

"Similarly, a rebellion is a huge undertaking, so ordinary inside agents won't do; we need to find someone of high status."

"Luo Binwang was a great talent. Whenever he thought of this folk song, he thought of Pei Yan."

"If you break down this rhyme, the scarlet robe is Pei, one piece of fire, two pieces of fire, isn't that the character Yan? The child sits in the palace, isn't that Zilong? These are Pei Yan's courtesy name!"
"Then he suddenly realized that there was a Pei Yan in the court who wanted to rebel and was making a show of force here!"
"Isn't this just like having a pillow when you're about to fall asleep?"

"But as we said before, rebellion is a big deal, and Luo Binwang and his group are still very vigilant. So even though Pei Yan went to Luo Binwang to interpret the prophecy, our Master Luo still didn't say a word in front of Pei Yan."

"Who knows if this is a test?"
"Well, as for how Pei Yan found Luo Binwang in Yangzhou, a certain person surnamed Wang played a big role in it. Anyway, we don't know what he did, but the final result is that in order to get Luo Binwang to open his mouth, Pei Yan first gave him brocade and then a fine horse, but Luo Binwang remained silent."

"In the end, having no other choice, Pei Yan had to lead Luo Binwang to view his collection of famous paintings, all of which depicted ancient ministers."

Upon seeing Sima Yi, Luo Binwang finally spoke: "This is a true hero."

"Hey, who is Sima Yi? Those two are like a match made in heaven..."

Li Xian glared at Liu Jianjun with annoyance.

He always uses adjectives that are inappropriate in word choice, yet somehow sound quite plausible.

Liu Jianjun continued, "Anyway, in the end, Pei Yan felt a sense of kinship upon hearing it and told Luo Binwang that he also wanted to be that kind of person. So Luo Binwang explained the song to Pei Yan, and Pei Yan thought about it."

"This...this is destiny on my side!"

"So, they happily went back to work together with Li Jingye and his men from the inside."

At this point, Liu Jianjun paused and said, "That Jiang guy mentioned before, didn't he? He said that your mother initially had Pei Yan lead the campaign against the Yangzhou rebels. Pei Yan seemed uninterested in the matter, and I suspect that's related to that legend."

"That's why Pei Yan said those things when your mother asked him to come up with a solution at the court meeting."

Li Xian pondered, "So... Pei Yan really did rebel?"

Liu Jianjun shook his head: "Who knows? He's already in that position. Nobody would believe he doesn't have any thoughts about it, but if you're asking if he actually did anything... I don't think so."

Li Xian was puzzled.

“Pei Yan is the Grand Secretary. Although this position is high and powerful, he has no troops under his command. How can a rebellion be carried out without troops?”
"So I guess he's just thinking about it, waiting and seeing. If Li Jingye makes any breakthrough, he'll make a decision. After all, the rebellion in Yangzhou is in full swing right now, and he thinks your mother won't touch him at this critical juncture."

"But who is your mother?"

"Right now, fighting has broken out in Yangzhou. Just because Pei Yan revealed such a tiny flaw, her first reaction was not to quell the rebellion, but to arrest Pei Yan first."

"So, this shows your mother's personality. The country, the people's livelihood, and the well-being of the people are not as important as that supreme position in her eyes. Your mother... has become obsessed."

Liu Jianjun gave his final summary. Li Xian pursed his lips, his feelings complicated.

Although he had long since given up hope for his mother, seeing her gradually solidify her usurpation of the throne still left him with a bitter taste in his mouth.

"This is also what I need to warn you about. When facing someone like your mother, we cannot show the slightest weakness, otherwise, we will be met with a storm of attacks from your mother!"

Li Xian nodded: "I've got it."

"Yes, I've got it. When you get to Luoyang and face your mother, just stick to this principle."

Li Xian was taken aback: "Go to Luoyang? Me?"

Li Xian was filled with a sense of absurdity.

Liu Jianjun's actions were like taking a stick, symbolically brandishing it a few times, then tossing it to himself and saying, "You've learned how to use a stick. Now go participate in the Battle of Julu and defeat Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu!"

This is too much!

"if not?"

Liu Jianjun rolled his eyes and said, "The problem now is that Li Jingye and his gang are still using your name as a shield. Although your sister-in-law's pregnancy has exposed their farce, in your mother's eyes, your sister-in-law's pregnancy is a coincidence. She is still unsure of your own thoughts, understand?"

Li Xian seemed to understand, but not quite.

Liu Jianjun then asked, "Think about it, your mother is such a cautious person. If she saw that there were actually people in the world who were raising your banner in rebellion and had so many people supporting them, what would she do?"

Li Xian tentatively asked, "Kill me?"

Liu Jianjun rarely showed a speechless expression: "Yes, killing you and announcing it to the world is the simplest way."

"But it's also the most foolish!"
"Have you thought about what would happen if I killed you? You're living in Chang'an like a good baby, a descendant of Emperor Taizong, the legitimate successor of the Li Tang dynasty, and your sister-in-law is even pregnant with a new child of the Li clan. If your mother kills you for no reason, how will the world be able to stop the gossip?"
"Especially since your mother has just determined that you are a useless person, killing a useless person would have such serious consequences. She is a smart woman and knows how to make the right choice."

Li Xian nodded, then asked, "Then...?"

"If I can't kill you, then I'll summon you to Luoyang. I reckon that given your mother's cautious nature, the envoy from Luoyang will arrive in a few days."

"The reason I called you over was twofold: first, to confirm whether the Yangzhou rebellion was truly unrelated to you; and second, to use your name to make the court's suppression of the rebellion go more smoothly."

"So as long as you make sure these two things don't go wrong after you go there, your mother won't touch you."

Li Xian thought for a moment and tentatively said, "Then...can't I just stay peacefully in Chang'an? I can pretend to be sick then..."

Li Xian was genuinely afraid to face his mother.

But before he could finish speaking, Liu Jianjun interrupted him: "Are you out of your mind? Where did that cleverness go?"

"Your mother summoned you at this critical juncture as a test. If you dare not go, Wu Youji will receive a secret letter from Luoyang the next day, ordering him to arrest you!"

Liu Jianjun rolled his eyes in annoyance and said, "Alright, I'll go with you later."

Li Xian was instantly overjoyed: "Then I won't worry anymore!"

……

(End of this chapter)