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

Chapter 167 The Loyalty and Advice of an Old Minister to Li Xian

After a brief scuffle, the three dismissed the people "performing" in the mourning hall.

The mourning hall remains open, with white banners and incense still burning.

Liu Rengui was too lazy to come out, so he sat casually in his coffin, reached into the offering table, took some pastries meant as offerings, put them in his mouth, and said:
"You brat! I was still lying on my couch, not fully awake, when His Highness Prince Pei sent a message saying that you were coming to pay your respects to me so early in the morning. I didn't even have breakfast and am just here putting on this show with you!"
"If the mourning hall hadn't been set up long ago, the whole thing would have been exposed!"

Liu Jianjun looked annoyed: "So if I had only come at noon today, would you have performed a 'rising to heaven on the spot' and a 'receiving auspicious cloud' for me?"

"If you dare to come at noon today, I'll skin you alive!" Liu Rengui laughed heartily, looking very pleased.

But this time, Liu Jianjun didn't laugh. He paused, then asked, "Is it really not working?"

Liu Rengui was taken aback, then nodded: "It's really no use. I've already sent someone to Luoyang to deliver the message. If you come back in two days, you really won't see me again. By the time the angel from Luoyang arrives, even if my body can still hold on, I will have to die."

Li Xian also suddenly fell silent.

Liu Rengui held a high position of power, yet he faked his death, a ridiculous act, not simply to mock Liu Jianjun, but more so for his own benefit.

As for why...

Liu Rengui had explained it to himself.

"Your Highness, this may be the last time this old minister helps you."

"After the copper box was established, the trend of informing became more and more rampant. Now it is not only the common people, but also the censors and officials who report on things they hear, and fabricate charges based on rumors."

"In the past, I arbitrarily changed agricultural practices, which harmed the interests of many people. While I am still alive, I can suppress these people and these matters. But if I were to leave suddenly, the cotton issue would inevitably be exposed by these people."

"Therefore, this old minister must die in a more planned way, at least... while still alive..."

He died before Su Liangsi took over Yongzhou.

"In this way, Su Liangsi can smoothly take over from the old minister and continue to suppress those people and those matters."

Li Xian understood that time.

But Liu Jianjun understood just by looking at the mourning hall that Liu Rengui had built when he was alive.

This time, Liu Jianjun stood up solemnly and bowed deeply to Liu Rengui, who was still sitting in the coffin: "I am ashamed to admit that I am inferior to Lord Liu in wisdom and strategy!"

Liu Rengui suddenly burst into hearty laughter: "You brat, I've finally beaten you this time!"

Li Xian could tell that Liu Rengui's laughter this time was genuine.

But Liu Jianjun kept his head down, looking very uncomfortable.

Li Xian knew that Liu Jianjun was a person who only believed in "profit above all else".

This was puzzling to Li Xian. Although Liu Jianjun was born in Bazhou, were there no loyal and righteous people in Bazhou?
However, if Li Xian tries to remove the concepts of "loyalty and righteousness" from Liu Jianjun's worldview, he can understand Liu Jianjun's actions—for example, he was quite surprised by Liu Rengui's "defection."

Similarly, the shock he experienced today was far greater than the shock he felt on the day Liu Rengui explained things to him.

Because he did not believe in loyalty and righteousness.

But Liu Rengui used his life to demonstrate loyalty and righteousness to him.

Liu Rengui was unaware of all this. He only thought that Liu Jianjun was upset about his situation, so he smiled and comforted him, "Alright, kid, stop putting on this pretentious act. Look at this old man!"

Liu Rengui ostentatiously popped a pastry into his mouth and said, "How many people in this world can eat their own offerings?"

This time, Liu Jianjun managed a weak smile: "Master Liu is so magnanimous, I can't possibly flatter you enough!"

Liu Rengui shifted slightly in the coffin, as if he had been sitting for a while and was feeling uncomfortable. Li Xian hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Lord Liu, would you like to come out?"

"No need. While the mourning hall is quiet now, tell me about the Prince of Luling. Did it go smoothly this time?" Liu Rengui looked at Liu Jianjun.

Liu Jianjun nodded and then recounted to Liu Rengui what he had discussed with Li Xian.

After listening, Liu Rengui remained silent for a long time, only a look of guilt on his face. He said, "If I had spoken up for Your Highness in court back then, Your Highness wouldn't be in this situation..."

Li Xian understood again.

Liu Rengui felt guilty because when Li Xian tried to clear his name of treason, he stood up to oppose him, leading Li Xian to mistakenly believe that he was completely isolated and helpless in the court.

However, Li Xian did not feel any dissatisfaction with Liu Rengui.

This old minister simply wanted to protect the Li Tang imperial family in every way possible.

But given the Empress Dowager's power, it was already quite an achievement that he could do this.

The three chatted for a while longer before Liu Rengui finally showed signs of exhaustion. He waved his hand to shoo the two away, saying, "Alright, I'm relieved to see you now. You and Prince Pei, take Prince Luling to find Su Liangsi. Don't delay me here until I die!"

This time, Liu Jianjun did not hesitate. He stood up decisively and bowed to Liu Rengui one last time: "Master Liu, this junior takes his leave!"

As Li Xian and Liu Rengui walked out of the Liu residence, mournful music began to play behind them again.

This time, Li Xian sensed something different.

It is true mourning music.

The carriage traveled all the way to the Prince of Pei's residence. It wasn't until it came to a stop at the side gate of the residence that Liu Jianjun seemed to suddenly come back to his senses. He took a deep breath, rubbed his face vigorously, and forcibly suppressed those complicated emotions. His eyes became sharp and focused again.

"How is His Highness the Prince of Luling?" he asked the servant who came to greet him, jumping down from the carriage.

"Reporting to the Chief Secretary, His Highness the Prince of Luling has awakened, but... he is still somewhat frightened, unwilling to leave his room, and barely eating," the eunuch reported in a low voice.

Liu Jianjun and Li Xian exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.

Li Xian's condition was worse than they had imagined.

"I'll go see him," Li Xian said, and started to walk towards the inner courtyard.

"Wait, Xianzi." Liu Jianjun called out to him, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "Later... cooperate with me."

The two had known each other for a long time. With just one sentence from Liu Jianjun, Li Xian understood what Liu Jianjun was going to do. He hesitated for a moment, then, remembering Li Xian's weak appearance, he couldn't help but advise, "Don't go too far."

“I know what I’m doing. Time is of the essence, and we have to take drastic measures.” Liu Jianjun nodded.

The two walked quickly toward the room where Li Xian was temporarily staying.

Li Xian paused for a moment, then pushed open the door.

Hearing the door open, Li Xian looked up in surprise, and his expression calmed down a little when he saw Li Xian and Liu Jianjun.

Ignoring Li Xian's fear, Liu Jianjun closed the door behind him, walked to the bedside, and without any hesitation, spoke directly, his voice calm yet undeniably authoritative: "Xianzi, look me in the eyes."

Li Xian's body trembled.

Liu Jianjun's stern voice seemed to remind him of something bad, and he subconsciously wanted to dodge. But then he thought of Li Xian and looked to Li Xian for help. Li Xian gave him an encouraging look, and only then did he timidly look at Liu Jianjun.

“I know what you’re afraid of,” Liu Jianjun said bluntly. “You’re afraid of those wicked servants, you’re afraid of Wu Sansi, and you’re even more afraid of that woman in the Luoyang Palace, your mother.”

Upon hearing the word "mother," Li Xian shuddered violently, his face turning deathly pale.

"Do you think you'll be safe once you escape to Chang'an? Do you think you can rest easy with your brother protecting you?" Liu Jianjun's voice suddenly turned cold. "Let me tell you, dream on!"

Li Xian wanted to say something, but Liu Jianjun stopped him with a look.

Liu Jianjun took a step closer, staring into Li Xian's eyes: "Liu Rengui, in order to give your brother and you a chance to live, is waiting to die in his own mourning hall! He wants to use his own 'death' to shut everyone up and buy time for your brother!"

"And you, Li Xian, the former emperor of the Tang Dynasty, are now like a terrified rabbit, cowering here and trembling! Do you have any respect for Liu Gong's sacrifice? Do you have any respect for your brother who risked everything to get you out of Fangzhou?"

"Everyone around you is doing their best to rebel against your mother, even Princess Taiping!"

Upon hearing the word "peace," Li Xian's expression clearly changed, and he shifted his body slightly.

Liu Jianjun continued without pausing, "When Taiping heard about our affairs, she was willing to tell us that she was on our side! Only you, you cowered in a ball! You're not even as good as Taiping! No wonder Taiping doesn't even want to call you brother!"

Liu Jianjun did not use the concept of national righteousness to pressure Li Xian, but it seemed to have an effect.

Li Xian tried to argue: "I... I'm close to Taiping, that's why she calls me by my real name."

"Ha! Good relationship? When Taiping, a young woman, was charging into battle, you hid behind her like a coward. Is this what you call a good relationship?" Liu Jianjun's words were like a whip, lashing at Li Xian's heart.

"Look at your brother. He was even forced to hang himself by Qiu Shenji, but he still dares to stand up against your mother. And you? You're not dead, are you? You can't even handle this?"

Li Xian's tears welled up instantly, not from grievance, but from immense shame and pain.

"Raise your head!" Liu Jianjun didn't stop, and continued to shout sternly, "Tears are the most useless thing! You have two choices now: First, continue to hide and wait for the day when the Empress Dowager's people find you and drag all of us down with you, including the entire Prince Pei's Mansion and the thousands of people in Dayi Valley!"

Li Xian shook his head in horror.

"second,"

Liu Jianjun's tone softened slightly, but remained firm: "Cheer up, stand up like a man! Come with us to see someone."

"Only if you step forward can we gain his support, and only then can we gain a foothold in Chang'an and truly have any hope of survival! This path is difficult, and we might even die faster, but at least we'll die with our heads held high, instead of cowardly waiting to die like we are now!"

He reached out, not to help, but with a forceful gesture, hovering his hand in front of Li Xian: "Choose. Will you continue to be a frightened bird, or will you gamble everything and fight for a way out?"

……

(End of this chapter)