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

Chapter 123 Optimistic Liu Jianjun
Before Li Xian could answer, Liu Jianjun replied, "Because no matter how this battle is fought, your mother will surely win!"

"Leaving aside other things, just consider the more than twenty years that your mother and your father ruled the country together. They consistently implemented your father's policies for governing the country and treated the people well. Therefore, the people supported her..."

"She has won the hearts and minds of the people."

At this point, Liu Jianjun paused, his eyes filled with a profound meaning: "The common people don't care who sits in the highest position. As long as they can have enough to eat and warm clothes to wear, whoever wants to be emperor can be emperor."

This time, Li Xian did not reprimand Liu Jianjun, but instead remarked with emotion: "The ruler is the boat; the people are the water. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it... Emperor Taizong's words are still ringing in my ears."

Liu Jianjun continued, "So, since your mother is bound to win, then... let this battle end even faster. War... is about taking lives, about the Li Tang dynasty that Emperor Taizong and your father worked so hard to build."

"She may not care about the disaster behind her, but we have to. In the short term, this matter will boost your mother's prestige, but in the long run, it will be more beneficial than harmful to us."

As for how to manage it?
"Isn't Li Jingye using the banner of supporting the Tang Dynasty? Then let's invite the members of the Li clan to lead troops to suppress them, and dismantle their banner from the perspective of law and righteousness, striking right at their Achilles' heel!"

At this point, Liu Jianjun looked at Shangguan Wan'er again and chuckled, "Of course, we'll also take some benefits along the way, so that Wan'er's position with your mother can be more secure."

Shangguan Wan'er clearly understood that Liu Jianjun was trying to deceive her. She rolled her eyes and gave him a pretty look, but Li Xian noticed that the two of them had already put their hands together under the stone table.

Li Xian suddenly felt that he should also pull the embroiderer over and be intimate with her as a form of retaliation.

Then Li Xian asked again, "Then... if Mother Empress lets Li Xiaoyi lead the troops, wouldn't that be returning military power to the Li clan? You said earlier that Mother Empress was obsessed with the Emperor, so would she agree to this?"

"Who says leading troops means gaining military power? Your mother is shrewd. Even if we win a battle, the credit might not go to this old imperial uncle."

Liu Jianjun rolled his eyes, looked at Shangguan Wan'er, and asked, "If nothing unexpected happens, the army the imperial court is using to suppress the Yangzhou rebellion shouldn't be led by Li Xiaoyi alone, right?"

Shangguan Wan'er nodded: "And Wei Yuanzhong."

Liu Jianjun clicked his tongue and said, "No need to think about it, this person is the direct descendant of your mother. Your old imperial uncle is probably just a clay idol, good for decoration, and his main function is to raise the banner of righteousness of the Li clan."

At this point, Liu Jianjun looked at Li Xian again and asked, "Xianzi, have you noticed that the situation is very favorable?"

Li Xian was stunned.

How come the situation seems so much better now?

Liu Jianjun said with a smile, "Now your mother is in the open, while we are in the shadows. As long as we see who your mother favors, we can know who her people are. Your mother is helping us to investigate the 'Wu faction'!"

Li Xian chuckled; Liu Jianjun had always been so optimistic.

But upon closer reflection, it seems there's a certain logic to it being a lucky accident.

As the Empress Dowager's power grew, her core supporters inevitably surfaced, which indeed made the opponents, who were originally hidden in the fog, much clearer.

However, this "clarity" was accompanied by the rapid expansion of his mother's power, which made him feel complicated. He simply couldn't call it "great" as carefree as Liu Jianjun.

He shook his head helplessly: "You're just trying to comfort yourself. Even if we knew who the 'Wu Party' was, they're powerful now, what can we do?"

"It's better to know than not to know!"

Liu Jianjun didn't care at all. Instead, he leaned closer and lowered his voice to Li Xian and Shangguan Wan'er, saying, "Besides, who said that knowing something means we have to confront each other head-on?"

"We can avoid them, or... hehe, find an opportunity to trip them up, like that Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi, they're obviously no good, we'll get them when we get the chance!"

Li Xian smiled and shook his head, but his witty remarks also dispelled much of the gloom that had arisen in his heart due to his trip to Luoyang.

At this moment, Li Xian saw Shangguan Wan'er gently squeeze Liu Jianjun's hand, then look at him and say seriously, "What Young Master Liu said may have been a joke, but it is true. Knowing yourself and your enemy is never a bad thing. Although the Empress Dowager is powerful now, she is not a monolithic entity."

“Wu Chengsi, Wu Sansi and others are eager to seize credit and consolidate their favor, which will inevitably lead to conflicts with some of the more prudent senior officials in the court. Although Pei Yan has fallen, his disciples and former associates may not be convinced. These are all gaps that can be exploited.”

Liu Jianjun nodded at this moment: "Wan'er has been in Luoyang for a long time, so we can listen to her advice on this matter."

Shangguan Wan'er continued, her tone becoming solemn: "Your Highness, the most important thing for us when we enter Luoyang is to be respectful, filial, and fraternal, and not to concern ourselves with politics."

"In particular, we must show our deep hatred for the Yangzhou rebellion, draw a clear line with Li Jingye and others, and leave everything to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's decision."

"As long as Your Highness does not give others a handle to use against you, the Empress Dowager's primary focus right now is on suppressing the rebellion and cleaning up the court, so she will not put too much pressure on Your Highness."

Li Xian took a deep breath and nodded solemnly: "I understand, thank you for your guidance, Miss Wan'er."

Liu Jianjun also dropped his joking expression, patted Li Xian on the shoulder, and comforted him, "Don't worry, although it's a bit frustrating to have you listen to your mother, have you forgotten what we talked about before?"

Li Xian was taken aback. He didn't feel resentful about listening to his mother. After all, he had lived like this for the first half of his life, and now he was just continuing to pretend.

But Liu Jianjun clearly still thought Li Xian harbored resentment, and winked as he said, "Although we can't directly confront your mother, aren't there still people like Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi in Luoyang?"
"Don't forget, we're playboys, especially now that your sister-in-law is pregnant, we have an extra bonus of dominance!"

"Think about it, you are a playboy who is only thinking about spending your maternity leave with your sister-in-law. You are already full of resentment when you are suddenly summoned to Luoyang. At this time, Wu Chengsi and the others still dare to provoke you. Even if you break their legs, your mother will understand you!"

"If we suffer any injustice at your mother's hands, we'll just go and cause them trouble. We're not afraid of making a huge fuss!"

Li Xian was instantly dumbfounded; Liu Jianjun was indeed the type who refused to suffer a loss.

“I don’t feel wronged at all, you don’t need to worry,” Li Xian explained with a smile.

Liu Jianjun was relieved, and then stared intently at Li Xian.

Li Xian was taken aback: "What's wrong?"

"Now that we've discussed things, go back and keep your sister-in-law company!" Liu Jianjun put his arm around Shangguan Wan'er's waist, speaking with a straight face.

Li Xian glared at him angrily, then stood up and prepared to leave.

"I'll arrange things with the cotton in the next couple of days. Once things in Luoyang are settled, we'll pull off a big heist!" Liu Jianjun's voice came from behind.

Li Xian nodded and walked out of Liu Jianjun's courtyard.

Just then, a servant suddenly trotted over, holding a pair of scissors in his hand. Li Xian looked at him and thought he seemed familiar.

The servant said solicitously, "My lord, Chief Secretary Liu doesn't allow anyone from the household to disturb his courtyard, so I just ran to the storeroom to get some scissors."

Then, holding up the scissors with a fawning smile, he said, "Brand new, works just as well."

Li Xian suddenly stared at the servant for a long time.

He began to understand how Liu Jianjun felt when facing him.

……

(End of this chapter)