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

Chapter 177 Di Renjie Joins the Team (A Long and Thick Chapter)

Not long after Li Xian and Liu Jianjun returned to the Prince of Pei's residence, a gatekeeper came to report that Di Renjie, the Prefect of Ningzhou, had sent a letter requesting an audience.

Li Xian and Liu Jianjun exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of understanding in each other's eyes.

"Please come in quickly!" Li Xian straightened his robes and stood up.

"It seems Di Renjie has figured out the flavor of that porridge." Liu Jianjun chuckled. "He's here now, saving us the trouble of going looking for him again."

……

A moment later, Di Renjie entered the hall, led by a palace attendant.

His official robes still bore traces of dust, and although his face looked slightly tired, his eyes were bright and his steps were steady.

"Your humble servant Di Renjie greets Your Highness Prince Pei." Di Renjie bowed meticulously.

"No need for such formalities, Lord Di. Please have a seat." Li Xian stepped forward to help him up, his attitude very warm. "When did you return to the capital, Lord Di? Why didn't you inform me beforehand? I could have hosted a banquet to welcome you back."

Because Liu Jianjun had specifically instructed him, Li Xian pretended not to know that Di Renjie had already arrived in Chang'an.

"Your Highness is too kind." Di Renjie sat down as instructed, his expression calm and showing no sign of anything amiss. "I was ordered to return to the capital to report on my duties and only arrived yesterday. Because I was concerned about the disaster in Guanzhong, I went outside the city today to check on the porridge distribution. Therefore, I did not have time to send my visiting card in advance. I hope Your Highness will forgive any abruptness."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the topic naturally turned to the disaster situation.

"Just now outside the city, I saw the soup kitchens distributing soup in an orderly manner. Although the soup was coarse, it was able to continue every day, saving countless lives... Was this done by Your Highness and Chief Secretary Liu?" Di Renjie looked at Liu Jianjun, his eyes filled with inquiry.

Li Xian was somewhat surprised: "How did you know, Lord Di?"

Liu Jianjun did not use the porridge distribution to win over the people; instead, he kept the matter a secret. As a result, the porridge stalls did not bear any signs of the Prince of Pei's residence, and the officials in charge of distributing the porridge were unaware of the owner behind them.

Di Renjie just said "his strength" instead of "his advice," which means that he realized that the porridge was distributed by the Prince of Pei's mansion.

How did he figure it out?

Di Renjie smiled slightly, with a hint of worldly wisdom, and slowly said, "Your Highness, disaster relief may seem simple, but it is actually a complex matter. To be able to continuously raise such a large amount of grain when grain prices are soaring is something that ordinary wealthy households cannot do. That is one point."

"Secondly, the strategy of distributing porridge may seem crude, but it actually embodies the essence of 'broad relief' and 'sustainability'."

"Mixing in bran and beans is something that only those who are deeply aware of the hardships of the people, do not care about personal fame, and are good at calculations can do and dare not do."

“When ordinary government granaries distribute relief, it is often for the sake of political achievements, striving for thick porridge and white rice. When wealthy families give alms, it is often for the sake of good reputation, and they also often seek to make the best porridge. Such a method, which does not care about public opinion and only seeks to save the most lives, cannot be done by anyone but someone with great courage and great compassion.”

At this point, Di Renjie's gaze returned to Liu Jianjun, filled with obvious admiration and respect: "Back when I was in Chang'an, I saw that Chief Secretary Liu was good at business and could amass wealth. What's even more remarkable is that he could put these assets to good use."

"Today I saw that the soup kitchen was well-organized and the grains were mixed in just the right proportions. It was so that the food was not too hard to swallow and would not incite a popular uprising, while maximizing the effectiveness of the grains. Such meticulous planning is beyond the capabilities of ordinary people."

"Thinking back to how His Highness used to work tirelessly for the people's livelihood, even going so far as to visit me three times to seek my advice, I have this guess."

"It seems I guessed correctly."

Upon hearing this, Li Xian was amazed.

Thinking back to what Di Renjie did at the disaster relief site, it all became clear instantly.

In just a few actions, Di Renjie not only saw through the person behind the soup kitchen, but also clearly understood the key role Liu Jianjun played and the deeper considerations behind the strategy of mixing bran and chaff.

This ability to observe, reason, and understand human nature and the ways of the world is truly admirable.

He smiled wryly and said, "Lord Di is truly discerning. My little tricks are completely exposed in your eyes. Indeed, Jianjun was the one who led this matter. I only provided some minor support. However... this method is ultimately crude and may cause controversy. I hope Lord Di will forgive my foolishness."

"Why do you say that, Your Highness?" Di Renjie asked solemnly, his tone filled with sincere praise. "Not only am I not laughing at you, but on behalf of the countless starving people in Guanzhong, I thank Your Highness and Chief Secretary Liu for saving our lives!"

As he spoke, he stood up and bowed solemnly to Li Xian and Liu Jianjun.

"This method may seem crude, but it is actually a great good! If it were not for this, countless people would have starved to death before the court could provide further relief."

"Your Highness and the Chief Secretary disregarded public opinion and implemented this pragmatic and benevolent policy. This is true compassion and great responsibility! Although I have also tried my best to provide relief in Ningzhou, I have not dared to implement this extraordinary method due to my official position. I think there are still shortcomings."

Di Renjie's words were full of sincerity, without the slightest hint of hypocrisy or formality.

At this moment, Liu Jianjun, who was standing to the side, asked with some curiosity, "Duke Di could tell that the disaster relief grain came from the Prince of Pei's residence, but are there any other people who could tell?"

Li Xian felt a chill run down his spine.

Liu Jianjun specifically instructed that disaster relief was not the time to seek fame, and that they should be wary of spies in Luoyang, especially Cui Cha, who was still hiding in the shadows and had not yet been exposed.

If Di Renjie could tell that the disaster relief grain came from the Prince of Pei's residence, then what about the others?

If the news leaks to Luoyang and the Empress Dowager finds out, wouldn't all the arrangements that Liu Jianjun and I made in Chang'an be in vain?

Upon hearing this, Di Renjie pondered for a moment, then said frankly, "Your Highness and Chief Secretary need not worry too much."

"The reason I can glean some insight is because I have served as an official in local areas for many years, dealing frequently with money, grain, and criminal matters, which has honed my clumsy skills of observation and calculation."

He explained in detail: "From what I have observed, there are about five soup kitchens outside the city, each with three large pots."

"The porridge is served twice a day, at dawn and dusk. Each pot yields about a hundred bowls each time. Although each bowl of porridge contains bran, its consistency allows us to roughly estimate the proportion of rice consumed. By this calculation, the daily grain consumption is not a small amount. Considering the annual expenditure of the court on disaster relief, I have deduced that someone else must be contributing funds."

“Furthermore,” Di Renjie continued, “the price of grain in both capitals is extremely high now, and there is often a shortage of available grain.”

"The ability to consistently and reliably produce such a large quantity of grain at this moment is something that ordinary wealthy households or merchants could not achieve; it must be the work of someone with both substantial financial resources and special channels."

"And observing their method of distributing porridge, they do not seek empty fame, but only practical results, which is quite different from the usual powerful families who compete to win people's hearts."

"Considering the scale, the methods, and the timing," Di Renjie concluded, "I dare to speculate that the mastermind behind this is none other than the Prince of Pei's mansion and Chief Secretary Liu."

"As for others..."

He shook his head slightly. "Unless one is equally knowledgeable about finances and has some understanding of His Highness and the Chief Secretary, one would likely only admire the righteous act of the benefactor or despise the poor quality of the porridge, and would hardly think of anything deeper."

Even if there are speculations, without evidence, it is difficult to be certain.

"Your Highness only needs to maintain the status quo, remain low-key, and avoid giving others a handle to use against you. There should be no major problems in the short term."

Hearing Di Renjie's reasonable analysis, Li Xian finally felt a little relieved.

He thought to himself: Fortunately, Di Renjie is a friend, not an enemy.

After tasting just a few mouthfuls of porridge, he was able to roughly estimate the amount of money and grain needed for disaster relief. He even deduced who was behind the distribution of the porridge because he knew the imperial court’s policies towards local areas.

Liu Jianjun is right, Di Renjie was a true talent.

"I see. I am truly impressed by Lord Di's meticulous thinking and ingenious calculations."

Li Xian humbly replied, then steered the conversation toward the other party, “Just now, Lord Di said that due to official etiquette, he dared not take such an extraordinary measure. However, Ningzhou is also suffering from a severe drought, and his situation must be even more difficult. I wonder how Lord Di dealt with the situation in Ningzhou? I would like to hear the details, so that I may learn something from it.”

Di Renjie sighed softly and said, "Your Highness has inquired, and I dare not conceal anything. Ningzhou is a poor and barren land. Last year, only 50-60% of the autumn grain was harvested. This spring, there has been little rain, and many wheat seedlings have withered. The situation is indeed critical."

He paused briefly before continuing, "Upon assuming office, my first priority will be to thoroughly investigate the granaries of the prefecture and counties, clarify the amount of grain stored, eliminate long-standing abuses, ensure that all grain in the official granaries is used for relief, and strictly prohibit clerks from embezzling or misappropriating it."

"Secondly, mobilize the people to repair water conservancy projects, dig wells and canals, prioritize drinking water for people and livestock, and also irrigate and replant some drought-resistant crops."

"Thirdly, we advise wealthy households within the territory to sell and store grain at a fixed price, and to set up stabilization warehouses to sell grain at the government's cost price. If any unscrupulous merchants take the opportunity to hoard grain or drive up prices, they shall be severely punished according to the law and there shall be no leniency."

"Fourth, we petition the court to reduce or exempt some of the rent, taxes and corvée labor in Ningzhou this year, so that the people can catch their breath. We also organize women, children and the elderly to collect mountain products and weave reed mats to exchange for money and grain to get through the famine."

"..."

His narration was clear and logical, and his measures were practical, without any empty talk or clichés, which made Li Xian nod frequently.

"Di Gong's measures are appropriate and hit the nail on the head. The people of Ningzhou are very fortunate to have met Di Gong." Li Xian sincerely praised, "Especially the measures of stabilizing the grain reserves and severely punishing unscrupulous merchants. Without Di Gong's courage, it would have been difficult to implement them."

This is not just empty praise from Li Xian. The phrase "severely punish unscrupulous merchants" sounds simple, but in reality, how many of those who can drive up prices at this time do not have the support of local powerful families behind them?

Severely punishing unscrupulous merchants may sound like just four words, but in reality, it's also about going against local powerful figures.

Upon hearing Li Xian's praise, Di Renjie did not show any pride. He simply bowed slightly, his tone calm yet tinged with a hint of gravity: "Your Highness is too kind. These are minor matters, merely the duty of a subject."

"However... Ningzhou is a small and poor place with limited granaries. Even if we exhaust all our resources, the amount of grain we can raise will be nothing more than a drop in the ocean in the face of a prolonged drought."

He changed the subject slightly, his gaze sweeping across the window as if he could penetrate the high walls of the Prince's mansion and see the dire situation in Guanzhong: "Guanzhong is currently suffering from a severe drought, both capitals are in turmoil, grain prices are soaring, and refugees are gradually emerging."

"This is not a disaster affecting only one prefecture or county; it is a crisis that shakes the very foundation of the nation."

"Although Your Highness and Chief Secretary Liu have done their utmost and saved countless lives, Renjie is deeply grateful. However, the power of the Prince's Palace and the merchants will eventually come to an end. If we want to truly quell the famine and stabilize the people's hearts, we must rely on the court to make great efforts to coordinate and quickly transfer grain from the rich lands of Jiangnan, Huainan, and Jiannan to Guanzhong."

Liu Jianjun became interested and chimed in: "Di Gong has hit the nail on the head! With our limited resources, we can help in emergencies, but we can't save people from poverty."

"The millions of people in Guanzhong need to eat. The little grain we manage to save here is just a drop in the ocean. We need the imperial court to send grain from the rice-producing regions!"

He leaned forward and lowered his voice: "Lord Di, to be honest, after all this trouble, besides getting some life-saving grain, we've actually found another way. Maybe...maybe we can even help the court with grain allocation in the future!"

"Oh?"

Di Renjie was indeed intrigued and asked, "When Zian came to Ningzhou, he mentioned this matter to me. I suppose the extra grain in the Prince of Pei's mansion was obtained through this method?"

"However, Zian was hesitant when he came and spoke vaguely, only saying that he wanted Di to come to Chang'an. Liu Changshi, please explain in detail?"

"Judge Di is wise indeed!"

Liu Jianjun offered a compliment and then said, "To be honest, Lord Di, our Prince Pei's Mansion has been trying to grow a new crop around Chang'an called cotton, which is also known as white cotton in ancient books."

"This stuff is easy to grow, doesn't pick and choose the land, and has a decent yield. The key is that we've figured out a... um... new weaving method. The fabric we produce is thick, soft, and has excellent warmth retention, far superior to hemp and ramie, yet it's much cheaper than silk."

"This cotton cloth is extremely popular in Chang'an and even in the surrounding areas, and the demand is huge."

“We used this cotton cloth to trade with merchants from all over the world. What we got in return was not just money and silk, but more importantly, we got them to transport grain directly from various places. In this way, we got the life-saving grain, and the merchants got the scarce cotton cloth. It was a win-win situation.”

Di Renjie listened intently, his eyes gleaming with contemplation, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the table: "Bartering avoids the problems of money shortages and inflated grain prices... So, Your Highness and the Chief Secretary's fundraising for disaster relief grain did not rely entirely on the Prince's savings, but rather on this cotton cloth as the foundation to revitalize a trade route?"

"That's exactly what I meant!"

Li Xian picked up the conversation, confirming Di Renjie's conjecture, "This method is also what Jianjun wanted to use."

"Although it has a slightly merchant-like air about it, it is indeed effective in disaster relief and helping people survive."

"However, the scale is still small at present. The grain and fodder exchanged for the soup kitchens in Chang'an is already the best we can do. If we want to benefit more prefectures and counties, and even share the burden of the court, we need to vigorously expand cotton planting, build more workshops, and improve the efficiency of weaving. This involves the transfer of land, manpower, and skills, which is beyond the capacity of the Prince's Palace alone."

Liu Jianjun immediately added: "So when I heard Di Gong say that he might go south to coordinate grain affairs, I thought that this might actually work out!"

"Lord Di, think about it. If the imperial court... or if you, Lord Di, were to take charge of the situation in the south in the future, could you secretly do me a favor and make a connection?"

“We’re working hard to grow cotton and weave cloth in the north, while you’re coordinating in the south to use our high-quality cotton cloth to negotiate a long-term and stable grain exchange deal with the wealthy and powerful families whose granaries are overflowing, or even the government granaries themselves.”

"Isn't this much smoother and more cost-effective than the imperial court directly using copper coins or silk to buy grain at high prices, or even forcibly requisitioning it?"

He drew a picture of a large cake and said, "Jiangnan is prosperous, but the winters are cold and damp, so this cotton cloth is also a good thing for them."

"We're using the North's strengths to compensate for the South's weaknesses, and then exchanging them for the South's strengths to address the North's urgent needs! Once this trade route is stabilized, it will be a continuous supply line of food and provisions!"

Di Renjie frowned slightly after hearing this, clearly weighing the matter.

After a long silence, he slowly exhaled and said, "Your Highness, Chief Secretary Liu, if this plan can truly be implemented, it will not only solve the immediate crisis, but also greatly benefit the national economy and the people's livelihood! Its benefits may last for decades or even centuries!"

"It's not about decades or hundreds of years. I mainly want to solve the immediate problem; I haven't thought that far ahead." Liu Jianjun waved his hand and said, "Does Lord Di mean he agrees?"

Di Renjie pondered for a while, then suddenly looked sharply at Liu Jianjun and said, "It seems that Chief Secretary Liu did not mention the court regulations or the Empress Dowager's decision in his words?"

Li Xian felt a chill run down his spine.

Liu Jianjun also sat up straight, looking at Di Renjie with a half-smile, and said, "Didn't Lord Di just say that Your Highness only needs to maintain the status quo, not make a fuss, and not give others a handle to use against you, and there should be no major problems in the short term?"
"Who is the person that Judge Di is talking about...?"

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became heavy and tense.

Di Renjie's gaze grew increasingly profound. He looked at Liu Jianjun, then slowly turned to Li Xian, but remained silent for a long time.

But then Liu Jianjun suddenly grinned and said, "Lord Di, let's be frank. In this situation, simply providing disaster relief and saving lives is just a stopgap measure. You know the root cause better than we do."

"Your presence already speaks volumes about your stance, doesn't it?"

Di Renjie remained unresponsive to Liu Jianjun's almost confrontational question.

After a long while, Di Renjie suddenly chuckled softly. The chuckle carried a complex meaning, as if it were helplessness or relief. He stroked his beard, his voice low and deep, but without any hint of evasion: "As expected, Chief Secretary Liu is... no ordinary person."

“Indeed, now that I have stepped into the Prince of Pei’s residence today and have had such a deep conversation with you two, there are some things I need to say no longer.”

He turned his gaze to Li Xian, his tone becoming extremely solemn: "Your Highness, I, Di, am a subject of the Tang Dynasty, and my loyalty lies solely with the Tang Dynasty and the legitimate succession of the Li Tang dynasty."

"The court is now filled with evil influences. The empress is in power, she favors cruel officials, persecutes loyal ministers, and separates members of the imperial family. This is neither a blessing for the country nor the wish of the people. I, Di, have witnessed the hardships of the people in Ningzhou and felt the harshness of the government. If this continues, I fear the country will cease to exist."

His words clearly expressed his dissatisfaction with Empress Wu's rule and his support for the legitimacy of the Li Tang dynasty.

Upon hearing this, Li Xian was filled with excitement.

Although Liu Jianjun had never mentioned sending Li Xian back to Fangzhou before, Li Xian understood that Li Xian's matter was extremely important. Before Di Renjie made his statement, no word should be leaked. Therefore, Li Xian did not urge Liu Jianjun.

But now that Di Renjie has made his statement, it means that Li Xian can go back to Fangzhou with Di Renjie.

"Lord Di...is this true?" Li Xian's voice trembled slightly.

"How dare I speak presumptuously before Your Highness?" Di Renjie said solemnly. "However, I have always believed that everything should be planned before acting. Impulsiveness and indignation will not help but only bring disaster. This is why I inquired about the court's regulations just now. It is not out of cowardice, but because we need to know ourselves and our enemy and weigh the pros and cons."

Liu Jianjun clapped his hands and laughed, "I knew it! Judge Di is a wise man! Then we can speak frankly and openly!"

Di Renjie nodded slightly, his sharp gaze fixed on Liu Jianjun: "The strategy of exchanging northern cotton for southern grain that Chief Secretary Liu just mentioned is indeed ingenious."

"If this move succeeds, firstly, it can solve the immediate crisis and win over the hearts of the people in Guanzhong, which is a testament to Your Highness's benevolence; secondly, it can be used to establish a secret channel to accumulate money, grain, and supplies, which will be the foundation for the future; and thirdly, it can be used to establish connections with many prefectures and powerful families in the south, and secretly identify those who can be relied upon for support, which is a long-term strategy."

"Killing three birds with one stone, I admire you." Di Renjie stood up and bowed solemnly to Li Xian: "I am unworthy, but I am willing to serve Your Highness with utmost loyalty and help you achieve your great cause! However, this matter is extremely dangerous and cannot be accomplished overnight. From now on, we must proceed with extreme caution and prudence, and especially remember that we must not reveal our talents until the time is right!"

"Please rise, Lord Di!" Li Xian quickly helped him up, his heart filled with excitement. "With Lord Di's help, I am like a tiger with wings!"

Liu Jianjun also solemnly replied, "Don't worry, Lord Di, we know what's important. We're accumulating strength, building good relationships, and waiting for the right opportunity!"

Di Renjie nodded, sat down again, and his expression was different from before. He looked more like a strategist who had joined the camp: "In that case, let's follow Chief Secretary Liu's plan and proceed cautiously in private regarding the exchange of northern cotton for southern grain."

"After I go south, I will immediately begin to screen reliable people and establish secret channels. Your Highness and Chief Secretary are in the north, where you must do your utmost to ensure the production and quality of cotton cloth. This is our most important foundation at present."

"I wonder if I, Di, may..."

He changed the subject, his eyes filled with earnestness: "...Would you have the honor of seeing that cotton workshop in person?"

"It's not that I don't trust Your Highness and the Chief Secretary, but this matter is of great importance. I need to personally confirm the stability of its production capacity and quality before I can have the confidence to operate in the south. Furthermore, I may also be able to offer some minor suggestions."

His words were reasonable, expressing both his concern and revealing his cautious nature.

Upon hearing this, Li Xian exchanged a glance with Liu Jianjun, who nodded slightly.

This scene caught Di Renjie's eye, making his gaze towards Liu Jianjun even more intense.

“That’s no problem!” Liu Jianjun readily agreed. “If Lord Di wants to see it, he can do so anytime! The workshop is located in Dayi Valley at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain outside the city. We can set off right now!”

“Dayi Valley…” Di Renjie pondered for a moment, as if searching his memory for this place, “Could it be the valley entrance near Ziwu Valley? It is indeed a secluded place. Very well, then I will trouble you, Chief Secretary, to lead the way.”

……

Before long, a plain-looking carriage carrying the three of them drove out of the Prince of Pei's residence and headed towards Zhongnan Mountain in the south of Chang'an City.

After traveling for nearly an hour, the carriage arrived at Dayi Valley. There were people secretly guarding the entrance of the valley. Upon seeing the Wangfu carriage's markings, they quietly let it pass.

Liu Jianjun jumped off the carriage first and gestured to lead the way: "Lord Di, please! This is the spinning and weaving workshop area, and our core is all here."

Liu Jianjun led Di Renjie directly into the cotton cloth production workshop. The huge water-powered spinning wheel was the first thing that came into view. With the help of water power, dozens of spindles were turned at the same time, and the efficiency was far superior to that of manual hand-cranking.

The spun cotton yarn is then sent to the looms on the side. The weavers use both their hands and feet to move the shuttles quickly, and thick, soft cotton cloth gradually takes shape.

Liu Jianjun explained each step to Di Renjie in great detail, from cotton picking and processing to the principles and efficiency of spinning and weaving, and then to the advantages of the finished fabric.

He specially picked up a piece of cotton cloth that had just come off the loom and handed it to Di Renjie: "Di Renjie, feel it. This texture and this thickness are excellent for keeping clothes and quilts warm in winter. The price is only one or two tenths of the same silk, and even cheaper and more durable than many linen cloths."

Di Renjie carefully stroked the cotton cloth in his hand, his eyes filled with increasing admiration: "Exquisite craftsmanship, beneficial to the country and the people! If this can be promoted, it will truly be a blessing for the people. However... there is one thing I don't understand."

Di Renjie's eyes showed confusion when he came in, but he didn't say anything until he saw the finished cotton cloth.

"Please speak, Judge Di."

“Just now, I saw those looms…it seemed that no one was turning the spindles, and even the shuttles were spinning on their own without any effort…how is this possible?”

Di Renjie pointed to the spinning and weaving machines that were operating efficiently but showed no obvious human intervention, his face filled with astonishment.

He was not an inept bureaucrat; he knew exactly what such efficiency meant.

Li Xian glanced at the spinning machines and immediately understood. The spinning wheels were driven by water-powered windmills, which were installed on the irrigation canal dug next to Dayi Valley. Therefore, the water-powered spinning wheels could not be seen from inside the workshop, hence Di Renjie's question.

Liu Jianjun explained with a smile, "Di Gong's observation is extremely meticulous. This is not due to human power, but rather the power of water."

He pointed to several square holes high up on one side of the workshop wall, from which several thick wooden drive shafts extended, connecting to the machines inside the workshop, which were now rotating at a constant speed under some external force.

"The workshop is built on the banks of a stream in the valley, following the contours of the mountain. We build a dam upstream to store water and dig ditches to guide the water flow to impact the huge waterwheel. The waterwheel turns and then transmits the power to each spinning wheel and loom through this set of interconnected pivots and drive shafts. In this way, the power of one water can be equivalent to the work of a hundred people."

Liu Jianjun added, with a hint of pride in his tone: "This is what you call a water-powered spinning wheel and a water-powered loom! The power for all eight of our workshops comes from those large waterwheels. Otherwise, how could we supply such a large output by hand-cranking and foot-operated machines?"

Di Renjie looked in the direction Li Xian pointed, his expression of amazement deepening: "So that's how it is! Skillfully using the power of nature to replace human intervention!"

"Your Highness and Chief Secretary have actually created such an ingenious object, turning a trickle of water into an endless source of power... The benefits of this object are not limited to weaving. If we extend its application to rice milling, iron forging, papermaking... the efficiency of all crafts in the world can be doubled! This is truly a groundbreaking achievement that will benefit future generations!"

The more he learned, the more he realized that the secrets and power hidden in the Prince of Pei's mansion were far more astonishing than he had imagined.

This is not merely a disaster relief and life-saving measure; it also contains enormous energy for transforming productivity.

"You flatter me, Lord Di. These are just some clever tricks. Right now, we should focus on solving the immediate problem," Li Xian said modestly, bringing the conversation back on track.

Liu Jianjun also laughed and said, "Di Gong, now that we've seen the workshop, shall I take you to see other places? We've planned this entire valley into a cotton ecological park."

"Ecological park?" Di Renjie was puzzled by this novel term.

"Uh... it means self-contained and cyclical."

As Liu Jianjun led Di Renjie outside, he introduced, "Master Di, you see, along the two banks of the stream at the bottom of the valley, there are eight large workshops, each with its own division of labor."

"Over there are the craftsmen's dormitories, canteen, and rest areas. Further on, we've also set up livestock areas and experimental fields to raise some livestock and grow some vegetables, trying our best to make the people in the garden self-sufficient and improve their lives."

Di Renjie looked around and saw that the entire valley was well-planned, with production, living, planting and breeding areas arranged in a neat and orderly manner. Thousands of people were busy in it, but the order was good and the scene was full of vitality, which was like a different world from the famine outside.

He exclaimed again, "A world of its own, a cycle of life and death... Chief Secretary Liu is truly a genius in governing the world! Your Highness is extremely fortunate to have such a capable assistant!"

The three of them chatted as they strolled around, with Di Renjie observing very carefully and asking questions about details from time to time.

……

"Finally, this is our accounting area." Liu Jianjun led Di Renjie to a warehouse.

Di Renjie was taken aback, then hurriedly said, "Since this is a key warehouse location, it is inconvenient for me to visit..."

“No, Lord Di, you really should take a look.” Liu Jianjun smiled and looked at Di Renjie, his tone meaningful: “What’s recorded here isn’t just about money transactions…”

Li Xian was stunned.

Then he realized something.

He looked at Liu Jianjun, who simply nodded in response.

Di Renjie suddenly realized, and chuckled, "In that case, I, Di, will presume to take the liberty!"

Liu Jianjun pushed open the warehouse door with a smile, and a scent mixed with the fragrance of ink, paper, and a faint smell of cotton wafted out.

Unlike the hustle and bustle of the workshops outside, this place is quiet and orderly.

The warehouse was spacious, with rows of tall shelves neatly stacked with bundles of newly woven cotton cloth. In the corner, there were several desks where a dozen accountants were engrossed in using abacuses, checking accounts, and recording documents. When they saw Liu Jianjun and Li Xian enter, they all stood up and bowed.

"No need for formalities, you're busy."

Liu Jianjun waved his hand casually, but his gaze seemed to sweep across the crowd unintentionally, finally landing on an accountant behind a separate desk on the inner side.

The man was facing away from the door, intently checking a thick ledger, seemingly unaware of anyone's arrival.

Liu Jianjun led Di Renjie and Li Xian around the warehouse as if casually, explaining the cotton cloth inventory management, the inbound and outbound procedures, and the transaction records with other caravans.

Di Renjie nodded repeatedly, expressing his appreciation for these meticulous management methods.

However, Liu Jianjun's tone of voice seemed to rise slightly, just enough for most people in the warehouse to hear, including the accountant who had his back to them.

"...Especially the transaction records with the large merchant caravans from Jianghuai and Jiannan, we must check them carefully. The grain they bring is a life-saving commodity, and we can't shortchange them on the cotton cloth we provide..." As Liu Jianjun spoke, his feet naturally moved to the vicinity of the independent accountant.

Just then, perhaps he was engrossed in listening, or perhaps he was already planning to get up to get something, the accountant who had his back to them suddenly turned around.

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

He met Di Renjie briefly.

Eyes facing each other.

Di Renjie's composed admiration froze instantly, his pupils contracted sharply, as if he had seen something that could never possibly be here. He even subconsciously took a half step back, his Adam's apple bobbing, and a title that was about to burst out was forcibly choked back, turning into a very low but extremely horrified gasp: "...It's...it's you?!"

He recognized it.

Despite the other party's simple attire and altered appearance, his eyebrows and features clearly identified him as the deposed emperor, Li Xian, the Prince of Luling, who should be under strict supervision in Fangzhou!

Li Xian was also taken aback, but he didn't recognize Di Renjie, or rather, he didn't remember this "little guy" in front of him. He looked at Li Xian with a question in his eyes: "Brother Wang?"

Liu Jianjun and Li Xian were both there. Even if Li Xian was stupid, he knew that anyone brought in by these two was trustworthy, so he was not panicked.

Li Xian did not respond, but gave Li Xian a reassuring look.

After the initial shock, Di Renjie quickly pieced together many clues in his mind.

Why did Wang Bo specifically instruct him to come to Chang'an? If it was merely to surrender, they could have communicated through secret letters, and the secret letters they left together could even have become leverage against each other.

Why did Liu Jianjun bring him to visit the cotton mill? Why did this huge cotton ecological park appear in Chang'an City without any news from the central government or local authorities?

And why did Liu Jianjun have that meaningful expression at the door?

The reason for all of this is because Li Xian is here!
Without a doubt, local officials, or rather, Liu Rengui, a veteran of three dynasties, and Su Liangsi, the current Prefect of Yongzhou, all played a significant role in the successful establishment of the cotton ecological park.

Di Renjie could understand why Liu Rengui helped Li Xian, after all, Liu Rengui was a prudent person and loyal to the Li Tang dynasty. However, Di Renjie had always thought that Su Liangsi was acting on Liu Rengui's orders. Now it seems that the real reason was that Prince Luling, Li Xian, had helped him.

Li Xian even brought Li Xian out of Fangzhou!
In that brief moment, Di Renjie understood why Liu Jianjun had brought him into the warehouse.

Li Xian certainly couldn't stay in Chang'an for long; he needed to be sent back.

And the person chosen to send him back... was himself.

“Your Highness, Chief Secretary Liu…” He gave a bitter smile, his face full of helplessness, as if he had been “stuck on a pirate ship”: “You… are truly audacious…”

Liu Jianjun shrugged and smiled, "If we weren't bolder, this cotton ecological park wouldn't even exist."

At this point, Liu Jianjun's expression became more serious. He said, "I know that Lord Di is cautious, but some things... cannot be solved by being overly cautious. Lord Di also said before that during this drought in Guanzhong, you dared not take this extraordinary measure in Ningzhou because of your official position. And what was the result?"
"Although the situation of the people in Ningzhou has improved, it is probably still not as good as that of the people in Chang'an."
"The same applies to this matter. If we don't take a risky move, why would Su Liangsi fully cooperate with Prince Pei? To put it bluntly, even if Su Liangsi agrees to assist Prince Pei, how can we use this leverage to control him if Prince Luling doesn't step in?"

"The same applies to Judge Di."

Li Xian felt that Liu Jianjun's words were too harsh and sharp.

But he didn't say anything; he trusted Liu Jianjun.

Di Renjie's expression changed for a long time before he nodded emphatically: "What Chief Secretary Liu said makes sense. I was being a bit old-fashioned. Your Highness and Chief Secretary Liu brought me here, probably to escort Prince Luling back to Fangzhou, right?"

Liu Jianjun grinned: "I can't hide it from Judge Di; I've dragged you into this mess."

Di Renjie shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Now that I've come this far, seen people I shouldn't have seen, and heard things I shouldn't have heard, I'm already involved. I have no choice but to wade into this mess."

Then, his expression turned serious, and he solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I, Di, accept this task! I will do my utmost to escort His Highness the Prince of Luling back to Fangzhou safely."

Hearing this, Li Xian finally breathed a sigh of relief and cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you for your help, Lord Di! I am deeply grateful."

"It's my duty." Di Renjie returned the greeting, his expression having returned to its usual calm and wise demeanor, but deep in his eyes, there was an immense worry.

……

Di Renjie left with Li Xian.

He had come to Chang'an on Wang Bo's instructions on his way to take up his post as the Governor of Jiangnan. Once this matter was settled, he would naturally continue on his way to his new post.

Li Xian and Liu Jianjun watched his carriage depart from outside the gates of Chang'an. Only when the convoy disappeared at the end of the official road and the dust it had raised slowly settled did Li Xian's heart finally settle down, just like that dust.

“Jianjun, just now…were your words to Di Gong too direct, or even…sharp? Although I don’t know him well, I can see that he is a man of great wisdom. If I were to harbor resentment because of this, wouldn’t that be counterproductive?”

Liu Jianjun did not answer immediately. He continued to gaze in the direction Di Renjie had left, his eyes filled with a profound depth that Li Xian could not fathom, as if they could penetrate everything.

After a long while, he turned around, his usual relaxed smile fading considerably.

“My lord,” he began, his voice steady, “what kind of person do you think Di Renjie was?”

Li Xian was taken aback, pondered for a moment, and tentatively asked, "Exceptional ability, keen insight."

"good."

Liu Jianjun nodded and said, "Di Renjie is an extremely intelligent and extremely confident person."

"His intelligence lies in his ability to see the essence amidst chaos, and his confidence lies in his firm belief in his own judgment and choices. Dealing with such a person, roundabout probing and verbal persuasion are of limited effectiveness and may even lead him to look down on us, thinking that we are either dishonest or incompetent."

"So you chose to go straight to the point, even at the cost of provoking me with words?" Li Xian seemed to understand.

"More or less, but the most important thing is his personality."

Liu Jianjun's eyes took on a sharpness that Li Xian couldn't understand. "He's cautious, even excessively so. Sometimes, if you don't push him, he won't even dare to take that final step."

"This is this person's strength, but it is also this person's weakness."

Li Xian was puzzled.

"Forget it, you don't need to know these things. Someone will teach him a lesson in the future, but right now, the only person who can push him is me."

Liu Jianjun shrugged, grinned at Li Xian, and said with an unprecedentedly relaxed expression: "It's alright. He's one of us now. If I'm not around in the future, you can listen to his advice if anything happens."

Li Xian was taken aback. He didn't pay attention to the excessive trust Liu Jianjun showed in Di Renjie, but asked nervously, "Why aren't you here?"

"Didn't I say 'if'? Do you expect me to eat and sleep with you every day like your sister-in-law?"

Liu Jianjun rolled his eyes and walked into the city: "Let's go, let's go back and change things up. I'm sick of hot pot after Xianzi's been here all this time!"

Li Xian quickly caught up with him.

……

(End of this chapter)