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

Chapter 150 Liu Jianjun's Arrangements
Liu Jianjun gave out the instructions one by one.

Li Xian thought these ideas were all quite good, but Wang Bo frowned and asked doubtfully, "Liu Changshi... these plans may solve the immediate problem, but they are not a long-term solution..."

"Indeed, if we want to make money continuously from cotton, we can't rely on this kind of small-scale resale. But for now, we only need to use this kind of small-scale resale to solve our immediate problem and get through this year's drought in Guanzhong."

"It won't be long before one of our people takes up a post in Jiangnan, and then all these problems will be easily solved."

Li Xian was stunned.

Does Jiangnan still have its own people?
This time, Wang Bo did not question it. He had an almost blind admiration for Liu Jianjun's behind-the-scenes arrangements, and decisively said, "Alright, these matters will be left to me to handle."

Next, Liu Jianjun finalized the cotton procurement and sales model with everyone. After the cotton matters were almost discussed, Xue Zhongzhang interjected and asked, "Liu Changshi, forgive my ignorance, but... what's my business in this?"

Throughout the entire process, Liu Jianjun was almost entirely focused on assigning tasks to Wang Bo or using Prince Li Xian's status to his advantage, without ever mentioning Xue Zhongzhang.

Liu Jianjun laughed and said, "Old Xue, don't worry. We just finished talking about sales and distribution channels. Your responsibilities are different from Old Wang's; you're in charge of production."

"Production?" Xue Zhongzhang asked, puzzled.

Li Xian also looked puzzled.

Xue Zhongzhang was clearly a military general. Although he was somewhat cultured, he was only good at commanding troops on the battlefield. Asking him to engage in cotton production was no different from asking Zhang Fei to embroider.
“Well, turning cotton into cotton cloth requires a large number of craftsmen. I plan to have you lead these craftsmen…” Liu Jianjun paused, then said, “When necessary, these craftsmen must be both workers and soldiers.”

Xue Zhongzhang instantly understood and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "As you command, Chief Historian!"

"Well, we can talk about these things later. You go back with Lao Wang first. I have something to say to Xianzi."

Wang Bo and Xue Zhongzhang did not show any dissatisfaction. They knew that Liu Jianjun and Li Xian's relationship was different from their own, so they immediately clasped their hands and left.

Once only Li Xian and Liu Jianjun remained in the courtyard, Li Xian asked, "Is there anything else?"

Liu Jianjun's expression turned serious. He said, "Yesterday I heard from the servants in the Prince's mansion that the Li clan came looking for you?"

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

Li Xian was not surprised that Liu Jianjun knew about this, as the chief secretary of the Prince's mansion was in charge of all matters within the mansion.

Liu Jianjun said, "Unless absolutely necessary, it's best to avoid contacting members of the Li clan during this period, especially those who come to us on their own initiative."

Liu Jianjun paused, seemingly hesitating over his words: "Well, I know they are all your people, but at this critical juncture..."

"I believe you."

Li Xian suddenly interrupted Liu Jianjun.

"Ok?"

"You don't need to explain to me, nor do you need to care too much about my relationship with the imperial family. Since Emperor Taizong, the Li Tang imperial family has been scattered throughout the prefectures and counties of the country. We haven't seen each other for years or decades. My relationship with them is not as deep as that of ordinary people in the imperial family."

"To be honest, it's just that we're connected by blood."

Liu Jianjun instantly looked relieved, reverting to his usual carefree demeanor: "Then I'm relieved! I thought your royal family was like those powerful local clans!"

“You know, there’s a powerful clan in our area where the person who draws the short lot even dares to go against the government!” Li Xian shook his head with a smile: “That’s perfectly normal. Most powerful clans occupy one place and multiply for generations, so their cohesion is naturally strong. But my Longxi Li clan… no, my imperial Li clan is far less united than local clans. Every generation of princes is enfeoffed in various places after they come of age, so they rarely get to see each other. Apart from their own siblings, how much deep affection do they have?”

Liu Jianjun nodded, then asked with a curious look, "I heard that those who came to the Prince's Mansion were all sons of the Great Ancestor, so they must all be from your grandfather's generation?"

Looking at Liu Jianjun's expression, Li Xian knew that he was curious about royal secrets again.

In Liu Jianjun's own words, it's called "Bagua" (八卦).

He said irritably, "There's nothing to be ashamed of about Emperor Gaozu's affairs... After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, Emperor Gaozu had many more children. These children were all of the same generation as Emperor Taizong, but they were extremely young, some even younger than their father..."

"The ones who came to the Prince's Mansion this time were the fourteenth and eleventh Prince Uncles, who were the fourteenth and eleventh sons of Emperor Gaozu."

Liu Jianjun clicked his tongue twice, seemingly about to say something outrageous again. Li Xian glared at him, and he changed his mind, asking, "Hey, how do these so-called uncles compare to you?"

Li Xian was puzzled.

"Is it based on seniority or something else between you two? They shouldn't be able to force you or directly transfer you, right?"

"When a clan holds a general meeting, the order of seniority is usually determined by seniority, but in ordinary times, the order of seniority is determined by official rank or title."

"Official position?" Liu Jianjun's mouth dropped open.

“Well, for example, Li Xiaoyi, who led the troops to suppress the Yangzhou rebellion, was a cousin of my great-grandfather, but his title was only Duke of Wu. When he saw me, he had to first address me as Prince of Pei. However, after that, I had to return the courtesy due to a junior.” Although these were common sense, Li Xian still patiently explained them because Liu Jianjun seemed to be very unfamiliar with these things.

"But it's different when it comes to the fourteenth and eleventh grand-uncles. For example, the fourteenth grand-uncle is the Prince Huo, and like me, he is a prince of the first rank. But he has a higher seniority in the clan, so I have to take the initiative to pay my respects when I see him."

"It's just that I almost never see them on a regular basis. When we do meet, it's almost always at clan gatherings. The honorary title of Prince Pei doesn't really carry much weight in the face of patriarchal laws and etiquette."

After saying that, Li Xian asked again, "Why would you think of asking about these etiquette-related questions? Have you changed your ways?"

Liu Jianjun didn't answer, but suddenly seemed to remember something and asked, "Then what's the name of Xianzi's Prince of Luling, which has two characters..."

"Yes, he was demoted to a prince."

"What's the difference between a prince and a duke?" Liu Jianjun asked again.

"Leaving aside status, rank, etiquette, and other such matters, the most important thing is that the title of Prince is hereditary. For example, if I grow old without any unexpected events, I can inherit the title of Prince. However, when the eldest son of a Prince inherits the title, he is usually demoted to Duke."

This time, Liu Jianjun finally realized the truth.

Li Xian then asked curiously, "Are you very wary of the Fourteenth Prince's Uncle and the Eleventh Prince's Uncle?"

Liu Jianjun waved his hand: "More than just be vigilant, we have to avoid them like the plague!"

"Why?"

"They've come to you to start a rebellion! We need to find a way to avoid them in a legitimate way!"

……

(End of this chapter)