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

Chapter 146 Farewell to Luoyang
"Yes, knowing one's place and understanding when to advance and retreat is good. Only by clearly distinguishing between rewards and punishments can one demonstrate this to the world."

"Prince Li Xian of Pei, for his ability to remain calm and upright amidst the turmoil, is hereby granted the first residence in Jishanfang, Luoyang, and is permitted to reside permanently in Luoyang so that I may teach him at any time. In addition, I bestow upon him one hundred bolts of Shu brocade and a jade belt as a token of my appreciation."

Empress Wu's calm voice rang out from ahead, and Li Xian was taken aback: she had granted him a residence in Luoyang.
What does this mean?

"I hope that you will be like you are today, upholding the principles of a loyal minister and forever maintaining your sincerity."

This time, Li Xian didn't have time to think and replied, "Your subject... humbly beseeches Your Majesty! Your Majesty's grace in protecting me and your kindness in instructing me will never be forgotten! I will be vigilant day and night, faithfully uphold my duties as a subject, and never dare to fail Your Majesty's expectations again!"

Yes, for routine adherence to rules, just respond with routine answers.

The praise of Li Xian was just a minor incident during the morning court session, which continued as usual.

Li Xian, however, felt drowsy.

This court, which should have been a place for discussing important matters concerning people's livelihood, was filled with flattering voices. Amidst the courtiers' compliments, Empress Wu seemed to have become an omnipotent deity.

Looking around, Li Xian realized that he didn't recognize many people, and none of the familiar old ministers from the past were there.

Standing at the head of the civil officials, in the former position of Pei Yan, was none other than Wu Chengsi, the newly appointed prime minister.

Li Xian recalled Liu Jianjun's words: "A court composed of these shrimp soldiers and crab generals will no longer pose a threat to her rule."

Indeed, how could such a court pose any threat to Empress Wu's rule?

The morning court session quickly ended amidst a chorus of praise and eulogy. Li Xian felt a pang of sadness. The reports from the civil and military officials throughout the session could almost all be summed up in Liu Jianjun's words: "The Empress Dowager is incredibly powerful."

……

"That's perfectly normal. What do a bunch of prime ministers, promoted from fifth-rank officials, know besides flattery?" Liu Jianjun said matter-of-factly. "Hey, if you calculate it that way, these people didn't even have as high a rank as me before they became prime ministers, right?"

Back at the State Guest House, Li Xian recounted the events that had transpired in the court to Liu Jianjun.

Li Xian glared at him irritably and said, "You still haven't told me why the Empress Dowager bestowed a residence upon me in Luoyang!"

"Why else? To show that she is fair in rewarding and punishing."

"The suppression of the Yangzhou rebellion was successful, so of course a reward should be given. But who should be rewarded?"

"Reward Wei Yuanzhong, the one who contributed the most ideas in this battle?"
"That's definitely not going to work. Your mother has just dealt with Pei Yan and Cheng Wuting, and she would never want to raise a second Pei Yan or Cheng Wuting."

"Give that royal uncle of yours a reward?"
"That won't do either. He's the most respected person in your Li family. If you reward him, wouldn't that be like telling the whole world that your Li family has stood up and can win battles? That would be giving the world another vague belief."

"So after thinking it over, the only one I can reward is you, my son who 'upheld the proper etiquette of a subject' throughout the entire Yangzhou rebellion."

"Since you didn't go to the front lines to fight, rewarding you won't make the world think that this suppression of the rebellion has anything to do with the Li family. Moreover, she also used the title of rewarding those who uphold the proper etiquette of a subject, which clearly tells the world that as long as they listen to her, they can get a reward."

"Tsk tsk, that 'those who obey me prosper, those who defy me perish' vibe is practically oozing out..."

"As for the promise that you can stay in Luoyang permanently, just take it as a polite remark. She's probably hoping you'll go back to Chang'an soon so she won't have to put on this show of maternal love and filial piety with you."

Li Xian thought for a moment and said, "There's no need to explain it to me so clearly. I... can understand it a little better now."

Liu Jianjun rolled his eyes: "Fine, next time I'll leave you completely confused."

"So... what should we do now?" Li Xian asked.

"Return to Chang'an."

Li Xian asked, puzzled, "Didn't we say we were going to drain the Empress Dowager's coffers in Luoyang?" "You're completely confused."

Li Xian: "..."

"Alright, alright, stop looking at me like I'm some lonely, resentful woman. What does your mother have to offer these days? You yourself said that the court is full of sycophants. What use would it be for us to dig up these useless people?"

At this point, Liu Jianjun paused, then said, "So... strictly speaking, we were a step too late. I was originally thinking of gathering some people over before your mother eliminated her rivals, but your mother was too fast, and we missed the opportunity."

"Of course, we can't say we lost. After all, she eliminated a capable person, which is like clipping her own wings. We just didn't gain any advantage."

Li Xian was taken aback, then a wave of guilt washed over him: "Liu Jianjun...did I delay things by taking Taiping and the others out to fool around earlier...?"

"No, stop it!"

Liu Jianjun rolled his eyes: "They only played for two days. What can you do in two days? You can't even get used to raising a dog, let alone win someone over. Essentially, it's your mother who acted too quickly. Just don't overthink it."

Li Xian felt a little more at ease.

"Besides, we didn't come away empty-handed," Liu Jianjun suddenly said mysteriously.

"Ok?"

"Do you really think Wang Bo went out every day just to compose poems and have fun? Didn't I tell you before that he should try to help Luo Binwang? He didn't succeed in helping Luo Binwang, but he did something else for us along the way."

Li Xian wanted to press further, but Liu Jianjun just shrugged and said, "It's all very unclear. Why don't we wait until we get back to Chang'an to find out!"

Li Xian suddenly thought that he should apologize to Liu Jianjun and ask him to tell him everything in the future.
But seeing Liu Jianjun's arrogant demeanor, Li Xian decided to ignore him.

……

Li Xian came to Luoyang to answer the summons, and naturally he had to inform Empress Wu of his return to Chang'an. He did not do this personally, but wrote a letter and sent it to the palace through an official of the Imperial Guest House, saying, "I have been away from Chang'an for a long time, and the affairs of the Prince's Palace are piling up. I am afraid that staying in the Eastern Capital for too long will only waste my provisions and fail to live up to the Emperor's grace. I beg to return to my residence."

The reasons were high-sounding, and the attitude was humble enough.

The memorial requesting resignation was submitted, and a reply came from the palace in less than half a day.

It was not an official imperial edict, but rather a verbal message delivered by a middle-aged female official: "Prince Pei's filial piety is commendable, and his considerations are thorough. His former residence in Chang'an certainly needs someone to manage it. Since you wish to return, I grant your request. I hope you will remember the words spoken in court, remain obedient and dutiful, and not disappoint my expectations."

It went too smoothly.

"See? I told you it was nothing."

Liu Jianjun strolled over unnoticed, a blade of grass he'd picked from somewhere dangling from his mouth. "Your parents are busy consolidating their victory; they don't have time to keep an eye on you every day. Now that you've established your 'loyal and filial son' persona, they'd love for you to get lost and stop hanging around in front of them, so they don't get annoyed and have to figure out how to play the role of a loving mother and filial son."

Li Xian chuckled to himself, feeling relieved yet also a strange sense of loss.

Although he had no expectations of this mother, Li Xian still felt somewhat saddened when it actually happened.

Prepare the carriages and horses, and set off immediately.

Sitting in the carriage, Li Xian saw Liu Jianjun waving at the two guards at the State Guest House: "Brother! If you're reincarnated in your next life, tell me which building you'll be in!"

Li Xian saw the guard at the gate give an awkward smile.

……

(End of this chapter)