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

Chapter 176 Di Renjie's "Passage" Through Chang'an to Distribute Porridge Due to a Shortage of Personnel

Li Xian planned to have Liu Jianjun send Li Xian back again.

However, Liu Jianjun was currently busy trading cotton with those merchants, and Li Xian wasn't sure when he would have time, so he took some time to visit his small courtyard.

When Li Xian arrived, he found Liu Jianjun lying in his shed, holding a letter and looking at it with a delighted expression on his face. In front of him was a bamboo basket filled with the same letters.

Upon seeing Li Xian approach, Liu Jianjun waved to him: "Xianzi, come here, I'll show you something funny!"

Li Xian was puzzled, so he went over and sat down opposite him.

Liu Jianjun did not avoid him, so Li Xian easily saw the other letters in his bamboo basket.

"Turk Kou Dai Prefecture..."

"Wei Fangzhi is of the third rank in the Phoenix Pavilion and Luan Terrace..."

"Guangzhou Governor Wang Guo quells the rebellion of the Liao..."

Li Xian instantly understood that these must all be secret letters sent by Shangguan Wan'er to Liu Jianjun.

Li Xian asked curiously, "What's wrong? Why are you so happy?"

Liu Jianjun didn't say anything, but tossed the letter in his hand to Li Xian. Li Xian took it and opened it:
The Empress Dowager renovated the old White Horse Temple and appointed the monk Huaiyi as its abbot.

Huaiyi, a native of Hu, originally surnamed Feng and named Xiaobao, sold medicine in Luoyang. He was introduced to the Empress Dowager through Princess Qianjin and gained her favor. The Empress Dowager wanted him to have access to the palace, so she ordained him as a monk, naming him Huaiyi. Because of his humble origins, she arranged for him to be related to Xue Shao, the Imperial Son-in-Law, and ordered Shao to treat him as her uncle.

He traveled in and out on imperial horses, attended by more than ten eunuchs. Commoners and officials alike would flee at the sight of him; anyone who approached would be struck on the head until bleeding, then abandoned and left to their fate. Upon seeing a Taoist priest, he would beat him mercilessly, then shave his head and leave.

[The court officials all prostrated themselves before him in obeisance, and Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi treated him with the utmost respect, even holding his reins. Huaiyi, however, treated them as if they were nobody. He gathered many ruffians and youths, ordained them as monks, and committed numerous crimes with impunity, yet no one dared to speak out. The Right Censor-in-Chief, Feng Sixu, repeatedly tried to bring them to justice. Huaiyi encountered Sixu on the road and ordered his followers to beat him, nearly killing him.]①
Li Xian stared at this passage for a while, but didn't find anything wrong with it.
After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Are you laughing...? Your mother is promoting Buddhism and building temples in Luoyang?"

"What does her love for repairing the White Horse Temple and the Black Horse Temple have to do with me?" Liu Jianjun suppressed a laugh.

The meaning was clear: Li Xian was to continue guessing.

Li Xian continued, somewhat annoyed, "So... it was Taiping recommending someone to the Empress Dowager that you found amusing? Although Taiping is mischievous, but..."

"No, although this matter is related to Taiping to some extent, it is not related in this way."

"It's not related to that... So what about Feng Xiaobao being given the name Xue Huaiyi?" Li Xian frowned, puzzled. "It's not uncommon for people to be given a surname or name because of their humble origins. What's so funny about that..."

"Forget it, I can't reason with you." Liu Jianjun laughed again, but finally forced himself to suppress his laughter and said, "You look troubled. Are you here because of Xianzi?"

Looking at Liu Jianjun's overjoyed yet deliberately mysterious expression, Li Xian shook his head helplessly, folded the letter in his hand, and put it back in the bamboo basket.

At this moment, he was preoccupied with Li Xian's affairs and had little interest in pondering the amusing anecdotes about a favored monk by his mother's side.

"It is indeed about Xiandi." Li Xian composed himself and said seriously, "I have already spoken with him, and he has agreed to return to Fangzhou. This matter should be handled as soon as possible. When do you think we can arrange for someone to safely send him back?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Jianjun also stopped his playful smile, sat up straight, scratched his head, and showed a slightly troubled expression: "Sending him back... this matter is probably a bit difficult to handle right now."

"Difficult to handle?" Li Xian frowned. "Why? Are you worried about the safety of the journey? Or about Wu Sansi..."

"No, it's mainly because we're short-staffed." Liu Jianjun shrugged and counted on his fingers, "Look, these are the only people we have left in Chang'an. Su Liangsi has to stay in Chang'an, Xue Da has to do the onboarding training for the cotton mill workers, and I have to manage Xue Ne's business..."

Liu Jianjun suddenly changed the subject: "Hey, I have to say there are a lot of people with the surname Xue in our Great Tang. Just now, Xue Huaiyi popped up in Taiping, but these people have absolutely nothing in common."

Li Xian looked at him with annoyance and said, "Isn't there Wang Bo? He just happened to be traveling around on your orders, so he can use the excuse of traveling to send Xiandi back..."

"Wang Bo is no good. I've already sent him out."

Li Xian was taken aback: "Sent out? Where did they go?"

Was Wang Bo sent out again?

Didn't he just finish making arrangements for those merchants?

Liu Jianjun isn't letting him rest even for a day?
“Go north, to the Yanmen area,” Liu Jianjun explained. “Doesn’t Xue Ne need a large quantity of cotton cloth? With our current production capacity, what can we do?”
"I need to have Lao Wang investigate and see if we can set up a branch workshop locally, or near the border, to produce locally. At least we need to get the basic cotton ginning and spinning done, otherwise the long-distance transportation will be too costly and prone to problems."

"It's also so that we'll have a place to stay in the north in the future."

"Of course, there's something even more important for him to do on the way. Have you forgotten what I said about our people going to take up their posts in Jiangnan?"

Li Xian nodded; of course he remembered that.

"Now I can tell you, Di Renjie."

Li Xian's eyes widened instantly.

Di Renjie?
When Liu Jianjun first arrived in Chang'an, Li Xian followed his advice and befriended Di Renjie many times. Although Di Renjie's expertise in administration impressed Li Xian, wasn't he transferred to Ningzhou as the governor?
"What is his connection with Jiangnan?" Li Xian asked curiously.

Since Di Renjie was transferred to Ningzhou, Li Xian had never contacted him again, and had almost forgotten that the man existed.

Liu Jianjun gestured toward the large pile of secret letters and said, "The second one from the bottom says that Guo Han has been ordered to inspect the administration of officials in Longyou. He will pass through Ningzhou. With Di Renjie's talent, he will definitely be promoted by your mother when he returns."

He paused for a moment, then explained, "Your mother must have realized that it's no longer feasible to have a court full of sycophants, so she will try her best to recruit some talented people. That's why I said Di Renjie will definitely be given an important position."

Li Xian nodded and asked, "Then... what does this have to do with his trip to Jiangnan?"

"Because of the Yangzhou rebellion," Liu Jianjun continued to explain. "Although the Yangzhou rebellion has been quelled, this war has ultimately affected countless people, causing countless families to be broken apart and lives lost, so there is an urgent need for recuperation and restoration."

"In addition, the Guanzhong region is currently experiencing a severe drought, and grain prices in both capitals have skyrocketed. Meanwhile, the Jiangnan region is prosperous. Only by borrowing fish and rice from Jiangnan can we alleviate the disaster in Guanzhong. This matter is very important. Your mother will definitely send someone with real talent and ability to handle it. But where in the court are there any people with real talent and ability right now?"
"Of course, the most important point is still Di Renjie's identity."

"Di Renjie's identity?" Li Xian asked, puzzled.

"You yourself said that Di Renjie was just a low-ranking official of the sixth grade before, but now he has become a governor of a region. So in your mother's eyes, Di Renjie is the same as Zhou Xing and Lai Junchen. They are people she promoted from the bottom up and are completely trustworthy. That's why your mother felt at ease entrusting such an important place as Jiangnan to him."

"Of course, what distinguishes Di Renjie from the likes of Zhou Xing and Lai Junchen in your mother's eyes is that he is a person with real talent and learning."

Li Xian suddenly realized.

Then, he fell into melancholy.

Indeed, from this perspective, what Wang Bo is about to do is of paramount importance, even something that cannot be taken lightly.

That Li Xian...

Liu Jianjun continued, "That's why I said we'd have people in Jiangnan soon, and then we'd have him arrange the cotton-to-grain exchange...wait a minute..."

Liu Jianjun suddenly slapped his thigh and said, "I know who went to escort Xianzi!"

Li Xian was taken aback, but quickly realized: "You mean... you want Di Renjie to escort Brother Xian?"

“That’s right! Di Renjie will most likely be appointed as the Inspector of Jiangnan Circuit or the Prefect of a key prefecture. In short, he will inevitably have to travel south to take up his post. And traveling south from Chang’an or Luoyang, he will have every opportunity to pass by Fangzhou along the way…”

Li Xian's eyes lit up instantly: "Let Di Renjie, who is about to take up his post, happen to meet a wealthy young man who needs to return to Fangzhou? Escorting him with the regalia and prestige of a high-ranking official is indeed safer and less conspicuous than sending our own people! No matter how skilled Wu Sansi's spies are, they wouldn't dare to easily check Di Renjie's carriage."

“That’s right!” Liu Jianjun snapped his fingers. “The only problem now is to find someone to catch up with Wang Bo as fast as possible, and then have Wang Bo inform Di Renjie. I’ll arrange it!”

After saying that, Liu Jianjun rushed out.

……

Winter arrived quietly in the first year of the Chuigong era. Li Xian no longer inquired about how Liu Jianjun handled the matter, trusting Liu Jianjun's ability to deal with such affairs.

After Liu Jianjun returned from his business, he simply gave Li Xian a reassuring look before burying himself in the cotton ecological park.

The cotton cloth from the cotton ecological park was exchanged for grain by merchants from various places and has been continuously transported to official granaries in Chang'an, as well as several private granaries in the Prince of Pei's mansion and Dayi Valley.

Although the amount of grain that these merchants from all over the Tang Dynasty exchanged was limited each time, the total amount they exchanged was quite considerable.

However, just as the grain was arriving and preparations were underway to open soup kitchens and sell it at a fair price to stabilize grain prices, Liu Jianjun approached Dayi Valley manager and Li Xian, who were in charge of the specific implementation of the matter, separately.

"Wait, don't rush to release the grain." Liu Jianjun stopped the manager who was about to arrange for people to open the granary.

Li Xian and the steward both looked at him with suspicion.

Liu Jianjun rubbed his chin, his eyes sweeping over the grain sacks piled up in the warehouse, and said in a deep voice, "Most of what we got in exchange was high-quality grain, right?"

The steward nodded hurriedly: "Yes, Chief Secretary Liu. They are all top-quality millet and wheat, with plump grains."

"Find a way to allocate at least 30%... no, 50%!" Liu Jianjun made up his mind. "Go to the market and buy as much bran and chaff as possible, as well as those old, low-quality mixed beans and millet. In short, buy whatever is cheap and filling! Then, mix these refined grains with the bran and mixed grains!"

"What?" The steward thought he had misheard and exclaimed in astonishment, "Chief Secretary, this... why is this? The disaster victims are starving and desperately need good food to fill their stomachs. If we mix in bran and chaff, wouldn't that be... wouldn't that be cruel? It might cause public outcry!"

Li Xian frowned slightly, but knowing Liu Jianjun, he knew there must be a deeper meaning behind this move. So he gestured to the manager to calm down and asked, "Jianjun, what are your thoughts?"

Liu Jianjun sighed, his usual jovial expression gone, replaced by an unusual seriousness: "Xianzi, we have a lot of grain, but it's still not enough for the entire Guanzhong region's disaster victims, far from enough."

He grabbed a handful of golden millet, letting the grains slip through his fingers: "If it's all this fine grain, and each person eats a liter a day, how many people can be saved? If we mix in half bran and other grains, it might look unappetizing and taste worse, but the same bushel of grain can produce several times more food! That would save even more lives!"

He looked at Li Xian: "Our goal is to prevent as many people as possible from starving to death, not to provide them with good food. Now is the time to survive, not the time to be picky!"

The steward opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to argue something, but felt that this would damage the reputation of the Prince's Mansion.

Liu Jianjun interrupted him directly, his tone resolute: "That's how it's done! Tell everyone that with grain prices soaring these days, it's already a miracle that we were able to procure this much. Having something to eat is better than starving to death! If anyone criticizes us, let them call me Liu Jianjun heartless and ungrateful! I'll bear the infamy, but the lives saved are worth it!"

Li Xian looked at Liu Jianjun and instantly understood his considerations.

This is not harshness, but a deeper, almost cruel compassion.

Faced with an absolute survival crisis, face and taste are the most insignificant things; the only goal is to ensure that as many lives as possible are continued.

He even considered that mixing in inferior grains could, to some extent, curb potential hoarding and reselling.

After all, who would bother reselling grain mixed with bran when there is high-quality grain available?
"Let's do as Chief Secretary Liu says," Li Xian decided, and said to the steward, "Go and do it immediately. Be quick and discreet. When distributing porridge at the soup kitchen, follow the same rule. It doesn't need to be too thick, but make sure there is a continuous supply every day."

Seeing that the Prince of Pei had also spoken, the steward said no more, bowed, accepted the order, and left.

……

A few days later, outside Chang'an city, along the official road, wisps of smoke rose from the newly set up porridge stalls.

On the first day of the porridge distribution, Li Xian was naturally present, but he was dressed in ordinary clothes and mingled with Liu Jianjun in the crowd.

In Liu Jianjun's words, "When you wear a royal robe, all you see is singing and dancing. This has nothing to do with flattery or bootlicking, but because your very status creates an invisible, thick barrier between you and these people..."

The long line moved slowly, with the disaster victims holding bowls, mostly silent, occasionally letting out a slight cough due to the rough texture of the porridge, but it was quickly covered by the sound of swallowing.

More often, there were whispers of gratitude: "As long as we have something to eat..." "Thank God, thank the government..."

Li Xian felt very uncomfortable.

Because he had eaten a dish called fried chicken made by Liu Jianjun when he left home this morning.

But just then, a procession, not grand but exuding majesty, came from the other end of the official road.

Several knights led the way, protecting a blue-canopied carriage. Although the carriage was not luxurious, its decor and the guards' spirit indicated that the people inside were no ordinary people.

The ceremonial guard slowly came to a stop near the soup kitchen.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged official with a thin face, dressed in a blue official robe, stepped out.

He didn't rush forward, but first looked around at the scene in front of the soup kitchen. His gaze lingered for a moment on the bowls of soup in the hands of the disaster victims and the few large pots. His brows furrowed slightly, as if he was deep in thought.

Li Xian saw the man's profile from afar and exclaimed in surprise, "Di Renjie? He's here? But we didn't receive any prior notice."

Liu Jianjun narrowed his eyes and clicked his tongue: "Old Wang is quick on his feet...tsk tsk, he deliberately didn't tell us, so of course we didn't receive the news. That old bastard probably figured something out and was thinking of sneaking over to test you. Luckily we caught him!"

Li Xian was puzzled, but Liu Jianjun did not explain. He simply looked leisurely in the direction of Di Renjie.

Seeing this, Li Xian stopped asking questions and, imitating Liu Jianjun, looked in Di Renjie's direction.

Di Renjie did not reveal his identity, but simply walked slowly toward the soup kitchen.

His attendants were about to step forward to clear the way, but he stopped them by raising his hand.

He walked to a large pot, looked at the grayish-yellow porridge boiling inside, and then looked at the grain bags piled up next to it, which contained special disaster relief grain mixed with bran and beans.

Di Renjie reached out, grabbed a small handful of grain from the bag, rubbed it between his fingertips, and then sniffed it.

The clerk in charge of the soup kitchen noticed the strange behavior of this distinguished official and became uneasy. He quickly stepped forward, bowed, and asked, "May I ask who this magistrate is?"

Di Renjie did not answer directly, but pointed to the porridge in the pot and calmly asked, "Has this porridge always looked like this?"

The clerk couldn't figure out where the other party came from, but seeing their demeanor, he dared not be negligent and honestly replied, "Reporting to Your Excellency, this has always been the case. It was ordered from above that food is in short supply and that it is already difficult to raise this much. The priority is to ensure that the disaster victims can temporarily fill their stomachs and survive."

He pondered for a moment, then didn't ask any further questions about the porridge. Instead, he casually inquired, "How much porridge are distributed each day? Has it been done without interruption?"

The clerk hurriedly replied, "Your Excellency, it is served twice a day, at Chenshi (7-9 AM) and Shenshi (3-5 PM), without interruption. Each large pot can produce more than a hundred bowls. Although I dare not say that it can feed everyone to their hearts' content, it can at least keep them alive."

"Hmm." Di Renjie nodded slightly, then pointed to several shed-like structures that were vaguely visible in the distance. "Are those also government-run soup kitchens?"

"Yes, they were all set up by the Yongzhou government and...some kind-hearted families, and the regulations are mostly the same," the clerk replied cautiously.

In reality, these low-level officials were unaware that these soup kitchens originated from the Prince of Pei's residence. When their superiors asked, they could only answer honestly.

But Di Renjie nodded, turned and left the crowd, returning to the large cauldron.

This time, he actually picked up an empty bowl that was lying around and scooped out half a bowl of porridge. Then, under the astonished gazes of everyone around him, he drank the porridge.

He frowned, as if he was pondering something.

A fleeting, almost imperceptible hint of approval crossed his face in a short while.

Then, he said gently to the clerk, "This arrangement is very good. In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. Survival is the top priority. You have all worked hard."

Li Xian was puzzled.

But Liu Jianjun suddenly patted him on the shoulder and said, "Alright, let's go back to the Prince's Mansion. The matter of arranging for Xianzi to return to Fangzhou is settled."

……

(End of this chapter)