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

Chapter 163 The First Year of Chuigong and the Fall of the Greatest Protector (4K)

“That’s exactly the kind of answer I was afraid of!” Liu Jianjun suddenly said.

"Huh?" Li Xian looked at him, puzzled.

"Wu Youji is your cousin, so what about Wu Sansi? Shouldn't he be your cousin too, according to seniority? Have you thought about how to treat him?"

Liu Jianjun's question surprised Li Xian for a moment.

But he still asked, "Think carefully about why you treat Wu Youji differently. Is it because he is your cousin, or because he is not a bad person at heart, or because he has never done anything bad to you, or perhaps it is a combination of all three."

Li Xian asked curiously, "What does this have to do with anything?"

Liu Jianjun looked at him meaningfully: "Yes, and it's very important, because have you thought about your attitude towards your mother?"

……

The cotton ecological park that Liu Jianjun had mentioned has started construction. After he and Liu Rengui finalized the details, they began construction on Dayi Valley.

Although Liu Rengui was only in charge of the three ministries of personnel, revenue, and rites, and such large-scale water conservancy projects were usually entrusted to the Ministry of Works, the Empress Dowager had clearly entrusted him with all matters concerning Chang'an. Therefore, after Liu Rengui submitted a memorial in the name of drought relief, he quickly obtained approval from the Ministry of Works.

The imperial court approved the funds for digging and repairing irrigation canals and building dams as usual, but the money was clearly not enough to build an entire cotton ecological park.

Liu Jianjun said there was no rush, they should start repairing it first, and the money would come eventually.

On the day the Dayi Valley project broke ground, the recruitment office was packed with people.

The Tang Dynasty implemented a system of taxation, labor service, and taxation. The "rent" was an agricultural tax, which was paid in the form of grain; the "labor" was unpaid labor, which was paid in the form of voluntary labor; and the "tax" was an additional tax, which was paid in the form of silk fabrics.

As a water conservancy project organized by the imperial court, Dayi Valley naturally fits the description of "mediocrity".

Although corvée labor could offset taxes, the usual chores would never have been so lively.

The overcrowding was caused by another rule set by Liu Jianjun:
A clerk stood on a makeshift wooden platform, holding a register and shouting, "Don't push! Line up to register! As instructed by Chief Clerk Liu, although this Dayi Valley water conservancy project is a government-mandated project, the Prince of Pei's mansion will provide additional subsidies! Two meals of dry rice will be provided daily, and meat will be provided once every ten days! In addition, each person will receive an extra ten coins in cash per day!"

These words were like cold water being poured into boiling oil, instantly causing an uproar.

"Ten coins! And meals included?"

"Really? Are you kidding us into working for free?"

“What the Prince of Pei said, could it be false? That’s our Emperor’s own brother!”

"Quick! Register me! My family can provide two strong laborers!"

……

Li Xian, Liu Jianjun, and Liu Rengui stood not far away watching the enthusiastic volunteers.

Liu Rengui looked somewhat worried and said, "Jianjun, isn't this method... a bit too presumptuous? According to the imperial regulations, labor service is a basic duty. Such lavish treatment might set a bad example of extravagance, making it difficult to sustain other projects in the future!"

Li Xian could understand his concerns.

If this set a precedent, and future laborers do not receive such treatment, there is a risk of mutiny.

Liu Jianjun didn't seem to care about the matter, and said with a smile, "Uncle Liu, rules are rules, but people are flexible. There will be a severe drought next year. If these people can earn a bite to eat now and save up a few coins to survive, their families might be able to get through another month."

"The funds provided by the imperial court are limited, but the money and grain come from the public accounts of the Prince's Palace and from my own pocket. I am not greedy or embezzling. The subsidies are for the meritorious officials who have contributed to the construction of water conservancy and the response to natural disasters for our Great Tang Dynasty. What's wrong with that? This is called... well, boosting morale!"
"As for your concern that it might encourage extravagance, I don't agree with that."

"Not to mention that we have specifically stated that this money is an extra subsidy from the Prince of Pei's Mansion, just the fact that ten coins and two meals can buy someone to work for you is that the cheapest thing in the world is for the people of our Great Tang Dynasty."
"Furthermore, look at this efficiency."

“If we forcibly requisition the land, the people will be resentful and will not put in their full effort, which will only delay the project and waste more money. Now, they will work hard for food and wages, which will speed up the project, allow it to be completed sooner, and bring water to combat the drought. Wouldn’t that be better? This is called spending a little money, saving a lot of money, and accomplishing great things!”
"As for the future... Forgive my bluntness, but I am confident that working for His Highness Prince Pei will only bring better and better treatment."

Liu Rengui pondered for a moment, unsure whether he thought Liu Jianjun's words made some sense or was persuaded by Liu Jianjun's confidence.

He nodded and asked, "You just said, risk your life?"

"No, you misheard." Liu Jianjun grinned.

Liu Rengui immediately chuckled and said, "Then let's do it your way."

Li Xian suddenly felt that these two people surnamed Liu were like two foxes, one old and one young, the younger one cunning and the older one treacherous.

……

The project was then fully launched.

Inside Dayi Valley, shouts echoed through the air, picks rose and shovels fell, and dust billowed everywhere.

The route of the irrigation canal was marked with white lime, and the able-bodied men worked hard to dig along the marks; at the river bend where the dam was planned, craftsmen directed the laborers to make wooden cages and transport stones; on the gentle slopes at higher elevations, people also began to level the land and lay the foundation for the future factory buildings.

Liu Jianjun became the busiest person on the construction site.

Although he held no specific official position, it was clear to everyone that this dark-skinned and thin Chief Secretary of the Prince of Pei's residence was the actual person in charge of this project.

Throughout the Dayi Valley construction site, Liu Jianjun's shouts could be heard from time to time.

"Here! We need to leave space here; we'll be installing the drive shaft later!"

"The bearing seat must be extremely sturdy, made of the finest bluestone, and reinforced with glutinous rice paste!"

He then ran to the team digging the irrigation canal and saw several craftsmen fretting over a section of hard rock.

"Use fire to heat it!" Liu Jianjun squatted down to take a look and blurted out, "First, heat the rock with a big fire, then pour cold water on it, and the rock will crack by itself! It will save a lot of effort!"

The entire Dayi Valley project is progressing with unprecedented efficiency.

Every day at the end of the workday, after receiving the ten copper coins still warm from their bodies and eating a hearty meal, the laborers' faces, though tired, were filled with satisfied smiles.

Li Xian overheard them saying in private that Prince Pei and Chief Secretary Liu were truly living bodhisattvas who cared for the suffering and pitied the poor.

He suddenly realized that the ten coins were well worth it.

……

On the first day of the first lunar month, at the Prince of Pei's residence.

Li Xian was sitting in Liu Jianjun's small courtyard chatting with him. While the Dayi Valley project was in full swing, news also came from Luoyang.

The first news to reach the Prince of Pei's residence was that the Empress Dowager had changed the reign title again.

With the rebellion of Xu Jingye quelled, the reign title was changed to Chuigong this year.

Secondly, the method of using copper boxes was improved.

Empress Wu set up a drum and a stone in the court to appeal to the emperor. Anyone who beat the drum or erected the stone would be reported to the censor.

According to the imperial court, the copper box was placed in the imperial court, where the opinions of the officials were still being heard. These officials were literate and came and went all day long, so it was easy for them to slip in letters of complaint.

But what if people from other places wanted to inform on someone but didn't have the travel expenses to get to the capital? Or what if the informant couldn't write? Therefore, in order to hear more suggestions and understand the people's sentiments and the administration, Empress Wu devised this method.

Furthermore, it was stipulated that: "Any informer shall not be questioned by his subordinates, but shall be provided with a post horse and the rations of a fifth-rank official, and sent to the imperial court. Even farmers and woodcutters may be summoned, provided with provisions in the guesthouse, and if their words are deemed agreeable, they shall be promoted to official positions without regard to rank; if their words are unsubstantiated, they shall not be questioned."①
This means that if an ordinary citizen wants to inform on someone, they should go to the local local official and tell him that they want to inform on someone. The official is absolutely not allowed to question the informant about who they want to inform on or what kind of information they want to inform on.

Furthermore, the informant must be immediately provided with a fine horse and escorted safely to Luoyang, with the treatment due to a fifth-rank official, so that he can meet Empress Wu and report the accusation in person.

If the informant's report is true and the matter is verified, what should be done? They should be immediately promoted and rewarded! If the investigation reveals that the report is false, they should not be punished, but rather the informant should be safely sent home.

Liu Jianjun scoffed at this: "Anyone in the world can inform on others, and informers are treated exceptionally well. They don't even punish false accusations. It's a sure thing..."

"Tsk tsk, I can only say that your mother is truly a brilliant woman!"

Then, changing the subject, she continued, "I've noticed that your father and mother are truly a perfect couple. They change the era name every few days when they have nothing better to do. Last year alone, they used two era names: Hongdao and Guangzhai. If we add the Sisheng and Wenming era names used when Xianzi and Danzi ascended the throne..."

"Good heavens, four reign titles in one year, are they playing with four different ways of writing the character '茴'?"

Li Xian glared at him helplessly and said, "The name 'Chuigong' comes from the Book of Documents, which says 'Chuigong and the world is governed,' meaning to achieve peace and stability in the world."

Liu Jianjun retorted: "Nonsense, if you ask me, the reign title should remain unchanged for the world to be at peace. Look at the reign title Zhenguan."

Liu Jianjun had already invoked the name of Emperor Taizong, leaving Li Xian speechless.

But as soon as Liu Jianjun finished speaking, his expression suddenly changed, and he murmured, "Chuigong...Chuigong..."

"What's wrong?" Li Xian asked curiously.

"Wait a minute, let me sort this out. The main problem is that things have been too chaotic lately. If we could standardize the reign titles, they wouldn't be so hard to remember. The first year of Chuigong... the first year of Chuigong..."

Liu Jianjun rubbed his temples, then suddenly seemed to remember something and exclaimed, "Old Liu!"

"Liu Rengui?" Li Xian asked in confusion, "What happened to Liu Rengui?"

Liu Jianjun's expression changed: "Old Liu's health isn't what it used to be. He hasn't been to supervise the construction at Dayi Valley for several days. In this freezing weather, the elderly are the most vulnerable..."

Although Liu Jianjun didn't say it explicitly, Li Xian felt a chill run down his spine.

"No...that can't be, can it? Liu Gong didn't return before the New Year..."

"Let's not worry about that for now. In any case, we need to plan ahead! Who did you say was the actual governor of Yongzhou?"

“Su Liangsi…”

"Is he Xianzi's man?" Liu Jianjun asked urgently.

"Yes……"

“We need to win him over, to get as close to him as Lao Liu.” Liu Jianjun looked at Li Xian, his tone leaving no room for argument. “What’s the plan?”

Although Li Xian didn't know why Liu Jianjun was in such a hurry, he thought for a moment and said, "If we really want to win over Su Liangsi, we need to find a way to get Xiandi's token, a handwritten letter or..."

"No! It would be best if he came in person!" Liu Jianjun interrupted directly.

Li Xian was stunned and exclaimed, "But... Brother Xian has been demoted to Fangzhou..."

"Wow!" Liu Jianjun stared intently at Li Xian and said, "Xianzi was just deposed by your mother. In the entire Chang'an and Luoyang, the only people he can trust are you, Taiping, and Danzi. I can barely be considered half of them."

"None of the three of you can move, so only I can go and call him here."

Li Xian hesitated, "But... Fangzhou is a thousand miles away. With your riding skills, even at full speed, it will take eight to ten days. And if it's a round trip..."

Li Xian did not doubt Liu Jianjun's ability to bring Li Xian along; he was just a little worried.

The journey from Chang'an to Fangzhou, though not as treacherous as the one from Chang'an to Bazhou, still required crossing the formidable Qinling Mountains. While Liu Jianjun's horsemanship was exceptional among ordinary people, the round trip was two thousand li, and if something were to happen...

"Old Liu is dying, so Su Liangsi is of utmost importance!"

Liu Jianjun interrupted Li Xian, staring at him intently, and said quickly, "Old Liu's position is Left Minister, a crucial one. If he falls, your mother will definitely take back his power, and his authority over the three ministries of Personnel, Revenue, and Rites will naturally change and return to Luoyang."

"Now that your mother holds great power, she no longer needs a highly respected person like Liu Rengui to govern Chang'an. Therefore, the newly appointed Left Minister will most likely not come to Chang'an to guard it, but will remain in Luoyang as her henchman."

"The top leader of Chang'an naturally became Su Liangsi, the Prefect of Yongzhou... Of course, the main reason is that you, the Prefect of Yongzhou, have no real power."

"But no matter what, if Su Liangsi can't continue to cover for us like Liu Rengui did, our situation will be very dangerous. So, Su Liangsi must be one of us, understand?"

Liu Jianjun explained it very clearly, and Li Xian understood.

"This was my mistake. I should have considered earlier that Lao Liu is eighty-four years old, so I should have made contact with Su Liangsi's side while Xianzi was still in Chang'an." Liu Jianjun's eyes were filled with apology.

Li Xian thought for a moment and comforted him, "Back then, before Xiandi was deposed, it wasn't good for you to win over the emperor and his officials... Besides, now that Xiandi has been deposed, he harbors resentment and is more likely to help us, so there's no need to feel sorry for yourself. Everything is preordained."

Liu Jianjun looked at Li Xian with some surprise and said, "I didn't expect you to have some political acumen, Xianzi?"

Li Xian glared at him irritably: "After all, I've been around you for so long, being influenced by you."

"Alright, I'll be going now!" Liu Jianjun immediately stood up.

Li Xian was taken aback: "So urgent? What do you need? A warrant, travel expenses, or guards?"

"No, none of them!" Liu Jianjun waved his hand, speaking very quickly. "Too many people will only cause trouble."

"Give me your 'Jinghong' (a type of ancient Chinese sword), and I'll ride two horses, day and night! Also, give me a handwritten letter to Xianzi with your seal... Never mind, just sign and stamp it, leave the content blank, I'll fill it in on the way. Also, prepare enough dry food and water!"

"Okay! I'll take care of it right away!" Li Xian turned to leave.

"and many more!"

Liu Jianjun called out to him, his expression extremely serious: "Xianzi, after I leave, Chang'an will be in your hands."

"Two things. First, the Dayi Valley project must not be stopped; in fact, it should be accelerated! This is our foundation and our shield. You must keep a close eye on it. If the funds and provisions are insufficient, draw from my allowance in the Prince's mansion first."

Li Xian nodded.

"Second..." Liu Jianjun pursed his lips, his expression somewhat sad: "I don't know if Lao Liu's health can hold out until I come back. Please keep a close eye on Lao Liu's condition. If... if I don't make it back, please say goodbye to him for me."

Li Xian remained silent.

Although Liu Jianjun and Liu Rengui did not have much contact, perhaps because they both had the same surname, Liu Jianjun treated Liu Rengui like a junior would treat an elder, while Liu Rengui treated Liu Jianjun with the same doting attitude as a junior.

These two are a true example of a grandmother-granddaughter relationship without any blood ties.

“I’ve got it.” Li Xian nodded solemnly.

……

(End of this chapter)