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

Chapter 197 Beating Feng Xiaobao in the Street

Li Xian was increasingly unable to understand the situation unfolding in Luoyang.

An Jinzang did not die; he was rescued by the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Li Xian was somewhat surprised. He was standing by when An Jinzang disemboweled himself and was certain that he was truly "disemboweling" him, cutting open his entire abdomen and even letting his intestines spill out. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to intimidate Lai Junchen.

Even so, he was saved by the Imperial Medical Bureau, which shows that their medical skills were no less than Liu Jianjun's.

An Jinzang did not die, so the news of his seppuku was suppressed, and the matter did not spread, so the impact was not significant.

The government and the public continue to race headlong into absurd and nonsensical directions.

Feng Xiaobao was given an important position because of his merits in building the Mingtang and resisting the Turks.

Li Xian was unwilling to call Feng Xiaobao Xue Huaiyi from the bottom of his heart. In Li Xian's view, the surname Xue was an insult to the Xue family.

Not to mention that this Xue family member came from the family of her deceased husband in Taiping.

Take General Xue, who was stationed in the north, who distinguished himself during the reign of Emperor Taizong, and who, during the reign of his father, pacified the Tianshan Mountains with three arrows, ensuring that the nine tribes of Tiele would no longer be a threat to the border, thus establishing the mighty power of the Tang Dynasty. His surname Xue is not worthy to be given by a male favorite.

However, no matter how much Li Xian resisted, Feng Xiaobao is now known as Xue Huaiyi.

As Wu Zetian's male favorite.

When such a petty person gains power, he will naturally become arrogant and domineering, committing all sorts of evil deeds.

Wu Zetian initially arranged for him to be a monk, and as a monk, he would naturally have to live in a temple.

But how could this person stay in a temple?
So he contacted some acquaintances and street thugs, and had them also ordained as monks without his permission.

With such a large group of people gathered together, it was impossible for them to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures. Every day, they rode tall horses and ran rampant through the streets. Pedestrians had to dodge them. If anyone didn't dodge in time, they would not only be beaten bloody, but also get a beating.

What's most infuriating is that they especially can't stand Taoist priests. When Feng Xiaobao sees a Taoist priest, he gets extremely jealous and insists on capturing him, shaving his head, and making him a monk along with him.

In addition to committing numerous atrocities on the streets of Luoyang, he also treated officials in the imperial court in the same way.

An imperial censor, unable to tolerate his constant misdeeds, impeached him repeatedly before Empress Wu Zetian.

However, not only was Feng Xiaobao himself not punished by Wu Zetian, but in a fit of rage, he blocked the censor on the road and beat him half to death.

Wu Zetian's doting on Feng Xiaobao had reached an alarming level.

In Liu Jianjun's words, after Feng Xiaobao won the battle, Wu Zetian felt that there were no external threats, and in Luoyang, everywhere she looked, there was singing and dancing. Naturally, she felt that the Wu Zhou Dynasty was free from external troubles and internal disasters, and was as solid as a rock. So she began to indulge in pleasure.

As it happens, Feng Xiaobao was handsome and had quite a few "achievements," so he naturally caught Wu Zetian's eye.

As Wu Zetian began to indulge in pleasure, she revealed more and more flaws in her character.

Li Xian could probably understand what Liu Jianjun was saying.

However, Li Xian was still somewhat wary of Feng Xiaobao.

This person acts eccentrically and is unreasonable. No one knows when he will mess with them. But Liu Jianjun said that this person is not to be feared. Such a small person is destined to have no vision and will eventually ruin himself.

What's more, a "Little Treasure Buster" is coming soon.

Li Xian didn't understand what Liu Jianjun was saying, but he trusted him.

Time moves on at its own pace.

This day happened to be the spring imperial examination, and Wu Zetian personally presided over the examination in the Luoyang Palace. Tens of thousands of candidates came from the entire city of Luoyang, and the examination lasted for several days.

Liu Jianjun said he had a surprise for Li Xian, and took Li Xian for a stroll on the streets of Luoyang.

Liu Jianjun has always held Wu Zetian in contempt, but he also has his praises for her.

"The only good thing this old woman did was her reform of the imperial examination system. Although your Emperor Taizong boasted that 'all the heroes under heaven are now under my control,' he actually still recruited people from the circles of powerful and wealthy families."

"But your mother, that old woman, is different. She made the imperial examinations, the regular examinations, and created the military examinations. Although to a large extent she wanted to stabilize the situation, in any case, she gave scholars from poor families a way to rise in society."

Li Xian was very dissatisfied with Liu Jianjun's evaluation of Emperor Taizong.

But seeing the current prosperity of the imperial examinations during the Wu Zhou Dynasty, I feel that Liu Jianjun's words make sense.

Looking at those young and hopeful faces, he was filled with emotion.

If it weren't for the Empress Dowager's vigorous promotion of the imperial examination system, most of these children from humble backgrounds would probably never have had the chance to even glimpse the grandeur of the imperial court in their entire lives.

As the two were walking, they suddenly heard a commotion ahead, accompanied by the sound of horses' hooves and shouts.

Li Xian looked up and saw a group of powerful servants dressed in monks' robes galloping towards them. The leader was a burly man with a handsome face but a fierce aura.

Feng Xiaobao?
Li Xian was surprised and subconsciously looked at Liu Jianjun.

He thought the surprise Liu Jianjun mentioned was related to Feng Xiaobao.

But seeing the surprise on Liu Jianjun's face, it was clear that this matter had nothing to do with Liu Jianjun.

"I brought you here to pick someone up, but I didn't expect to run into this scoundrel," Liu Jianjun explained in a low voice.

Li Xian was wondering who Liu Jianjun wanted to meet when a group of fast horses galloped over. Li Xian saw that Feng Xiaobao's face was flushed and he was swaying on his horse, obviously having drunk quite a bit.

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way of Buddha!" ​​Feng Xiaobao's henchmen shouted arrogantly, waving their whips at will, scattering the goods of roadside vendors everywhere and eliciting cries from the crowd.

A young scholar carrying a basket of books couldn't dodge in time; the basket was knocked over by the horse's hooves, scattering his carefully prepared books and writing materials all over the ground, which were also mostly stained by the splashed mud. The scholar was both anxious and angry, and looked up to argue, but Feng Xiaobao lashed him on the shoulder with a whip, causing him to cry out in pain and fall to the ground.

"Where did this poor wretch come from, daring to block the Buddha's path? Are you blind?!" Feng Xiaobao cursed, his eyes glazed with drunkenness.

Li Xian frowned, his fists clenching unconsciously.

Wu Zetian opened the imperial examinations with the intention of recruiting heroes from all over the country, but Feng Xiaobao rode his horse at this important time and was still appointed as the Grand Commander of the Xinping Road Army, which Wu Zetian valued highly.

But after thinking about it, Li Xian loosened his clenched fist.

Feng Xiaobao ruined the Wu Zhou dynasty, what does that have to do with Li Xian?
Besides, Feng Xiaobao is currently riding high, and even the Wu brothers, Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi, have to take a detour when they see him. There's really no need for him to step forward at this time.

A small leak will sink a great ship.

Just then, a series of orderly footsteps and an authoritative shout came from the outer edge of the crowd: "Who dares to ride a horse and make noise in this important palace area?!"

A group of well-dressed imperial guards escorted several ministers dressed in purple robes and exuding an air of authority as they emerged from the direction of the palace gates, clearly having just finished a court assembly.

The leader was about sixty years old, with a gaunt face and sharp, eagle-like eyes.

Most importantly, Li Xian knows this person!
Not only do we know each other, but we are extremely familiar with each other!
Su Liangsi!
Isn't he in Chang'an?
How did you end up in Luoyang?
and……

Judging from his official robes, he had already been promoted to prime minister.

Li Xian glanced at Liu Jianjun again, only to see Liu Jianjun smiling, seemingly unsurprised by anything.

"Old Su has been promoted. Today is his first day in Luoyang to take up his post. I was originally planning to call you out to greet him, but I didn't expect to encounter such a good show."

Liu Jianjun explained with a smile, then gestured towards that direction with his chin: "Look, there's going to be a good show."

Li Xian was filled with doubts.

Has Su Liangsi come to Luoyang?
Who is in charge of Chang'an now?
Is the cotton ecological park still kept secret?
But looking at the current situation, Li Xian felt that this was not the time to ask these questions, so he suppressed his doubts and quietly watched how things developed.

Upon seeing this display of force, Feng Xiaobao's henchmen were momentarily stunned and instinctively reined in their horses.

But relying on his drunkenness and the emperor's favor, Feng Xiaobao wouldn't care about anyone.

With a drunken glint in his eyes, he pointed ahead with his riding crop and shouted at Su Liangsi and his group, "Get out of the way! Can't you see the Buddha is going to the palace? A good dog doesn't block the way!"

These words caused not only the officials behind Su Liangsi to change color in shock, but also the surrounding commoners and scholars to gasp in astonishment. This Feng Xiaobao was utterly arrogant! How dare he be so disrespectful to the Prime Minister!

Although the people present did not recognize Su Liangsi, they knew from his official robes that he was a prime minister, and the prime minister held a very prestigious position, known as "the one who is above all officials in terms of etiquette," and even the emperor had to give him sufficient courtesy!

really.

Su Liangsi had originally seen Li Xian and Liu Jianjun and was about to walk over, but now he was in no hurry. His face darkened, his hair and beard stood on end, and he shouted sternly, "Who are you, you madman, daring to disrespect the imperial court and disrupt the prime minister's procession?! Guards, seize them!"

"Here!"

The guards around Su Liangsi were all battle-hardened elites, and upon receiving the order, they pounced on him like wolves and tigers.

Feng Xiaobao's gang of lowly thugs, good at bullying ordinary people, were no match for these elite imperial guards. They were quickly subdued and brought to the ground, groaning in pain.

Before Feng Xiaobao could react, he was dragged off his horse by two burly guards and thrown heavily to the ground.

"You...you dare to touch me?! I am the Duke of Liang! I am the abbot of Baima Temple! His Majesty will not let you get away with this!" Feng Xiaobao was both shocked and furious, struggling to get up.

Su Liangsi was not afraid at all. He strode forward and looked down at him: "The national treasures are not to be defiled by a mere brat! I will speak for His Majesty! Today, I will teach you a lesson on behalf of His Majesty, you arrogant scoundrel who knows no respect and has no manners!"

Having said that, Su Liangsi personally rolled up his sleeves and shouted to his men, "Hold him down!"

Then, under the gaze of countless shocked eyes, the over-sixty-year-old prime minister raised his hand and slapped Feng Xiaobao's handsome face, which was distorted with fear, repeatedly!
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

The crisp sound of a slap echoed through the street, interspersed with Su Liangsi's angry shouts: "This slap is to slap you for your disrespect!"

"This palm strike is to punish you for disrupting the natural order!"

"This slap is to punish you for disgracing the imperial court!"

"..."

Feng Xiaobao was stunned by the beating, his face was bruised and swollen, blood was spilling from the corner of his mouth, and his monk's hat had fallen off, revealing his bald head. He looked utterly pathetic.

Since he came to power, when has he ever suffered such a humiliation?
At first, he stubbornly cursed and yelled, but later all that was left were painful wails and pleas for mercy.

The surrounding common people and scholars were stunned, and then burst into uncontrollable cheers!
Li Xian also felt very pleased.

But then, he looked at Liu Jianjun with some concern and asked, "Won't something happen if Old Su beats Feng Xiaobao like that..."

Su Liangsi is, after all, one of our own people. Wouldn't it be bad if something happened to him?
Liu Jianjun smiled and shook his head: "It's alright, don't worry. Someone like Feng Xiaobao is nothing in front of a true pillar of the country like Lao Su. Although your mother is absurd, she is currently in need of someone like Lao Su to govern the country, and she will definitely not let personal matters interfere with public affairs."

"This is her rationality."

While the two were talking, Feng Xiaobao had already been beaten to the ground, limp and lifeless, like a dead dog.

Su Liangsi straightened his robes, snorted coldly, and didn't even bother to look at the person on the ground again. He said to his men, "Throw this madman aside, don't defile the palace grounds!"

Then, as if he had done something insignificant, he turned around, looked calmly in the direction of Li Xian and Liu Jianjun, his serious expression softened, and even a faint smile appeared on his face as he slowly walked over.

"This old minister, Su Liangsi, pays his respects to Your Highness Prince Pei." Su Liangsi stepped forward and bowed calmly to Li Xian, his manners impeccable yet neither servile nor arrogant.

Li Xian quickly stepped forward and offered a gesture of support: "Prime Minister Su, there's no need for such formalities. It's been many years since we last met, and Prime Minister Su's demeanor is even more impressive than before. Today... you've truly broadened my horizons."

Su Liangsi straightened up, stroked his beard, glanced at Liu Jianjun who was grinning beside him, and finally looked back at Li Xian. He said calmly, "Your Highness flatters me. It was just punishing an arrogant fool who didn't know his place and maintaining the dignity of the court. It was just my duty and not worth mentioning."

Liu Jianjun chimed in, teasing, "Old Su, not bad! You've only just arrived in Luoyang and you've already given Feng Xiaobao such a hard time. Aren't you afraid that bald monk will go to the palace and report you for wrongdoing?"

Upon hearing this, Su Liangsi gave a disdainful sneer: "Complain? Let him do it! His Majesty is wise; how could he disregard the laws of the court and chill the hearts of scholars across the land because of the lament of a mere sycophantic minister?"

He raised his voice considerably, clearly addressing the onlookers.

He paused, then said to Li Xian, "This is not the place to talk. I think this sycophant is also dissatisfied and will definitely go to Your Majesty to complain."

"If Your Highness and Chief Secretary Liu have no urgent business at the moment, why don't you come with this old minister to the official residence over there, sit for a while, have a cup of coarse tea, and chat... while we await news from the palace? What do you say?"

The direction he was pointing was a row of corridors near the palace gate, which were used by officials for temporary rest.

Seeing Su Liangsi so calm and composed, Li Xian's last trace of worry vanished, and he immediately nodded: "Very good. I was just about to hear what Prime Minister Su had to say about the recent situation in Chang'an."

Meanwhile, Feng Xiaobao's henchmen finally dared to step forward and hurriedly helped their master, who was limp as a rag doll.

Feng Xiaobao was both ashamed and furious. Pointing in Su Liangsi's direction, he roared with a sob in his voice, "Su Liangsi! You just wait! I... I will definitely report to His Majesty and have your entire family executed!"

He had clearly recognized Su Liangsi's identity from the surrounding chatter. He shoved away the lackeys who were helping him, and without caring about appearances, he scrambled and limped toward the palace gate.

Li Xian and Liu Jianjun exchanged a glance.

"Let's go, find a place, and wait to see how the show goes." Liu Jianjun chuckled.

The officials accompanying Su Liangsi clearly realized that Su Liangsi was going to have a small gathering with Li Xian, so they bowed to Su Liangsi and said, "Since Prime Minister Su has distinguished guests, we will take our leave first and not disturb Prime Minister Su and His Highness Prince Pei's conversation."

Su Liangsi calmly returned the greeting: "My colleagues, please take your leave. I will take full responsibility for today's events. You need not worry about me."

"What are you saying, Lord Su? Such a madman deserves to be taught a lesson!" the officials hurriedly said, then bowed respectfully in Li Xian's direction before dispersing.

The remaining three said nothing more and calmly walked towards the official residence and duty room next to the palace gate. Su Liangsi even had the leisure to introduce to Li Xian: "Your Highness, although the corridor here is simple, the tea is acceptable and the view is good. We can observe the situation quietly."

The room was indeed simply furnished, with only a table and a few chairs, but it was bright and clean.

The servant quickly served three cups of steaming hot tea, then quietly withdrew and closed the door.

The aroma of tea wafted through the room, creating a world apart from the faint hustle and bustle of the city outside.

Su Liangsi then explained in detail: "Your Highness, rest assured, everything is fine in Chang'an. Wang Bo is becoming more and more experienced in managing affairs, and the cotton industry is under control and has even expanded in scale. The reason Your Majesty summoned this old minister to Luoyang this time is because Luoyang has many things to do, and the canal transport and the administration both require capable people. With reliable people in Chang'an, Your Highness's foundation is secure."

Li Xian felt a great weight lifted from his heart and raised his glass in thanks: "Thank you for your help, Prime Minister Su."

Then, out of curiosity, he asked, "I wonder who the reliable person that Prime Minister Su mentioned is..."

Although the position of Prefect of Yongzhou was only the second-in-command of Yongzhou, the actual head of Yongzhou, Li Xian, held only a nominal position, so it was roughly equivalent to the Prefect of Yongzhou.

Although Chang'an's status is not as high as before, it is still one of the "two capitals". Therefore, the position of Chief Administrator of Yongzhou is not something that ordinary people can do. They need to have experience and qualifications - to put it bluntly, they need to be old enough.

Who would fit the bill?

Su Liangsi put down his teacup, stroked his beard, and smiled, "It is indeed Liu Neyan from Your Highness's residence."

Li Xian's mouth dropped open instantly.

Liu Nayan? That upright, even somewhat pedantic old man?
He subconsciously looked at Liu Jianjun, only to see Liu Jianjun raise his eyebrows and explain, "Although that old man Liu is pedantic, at least his resume is quite impressive. Wasn't Old Su the Sima of the Zhou Prince's Mansion back then? Are you, the Prince of Pei, any less capable?"
"What's more, Old Su was also involved in this matter."

Li Xian suddenly realized.

Then I felt a surge of excitement.

If Liu Neyan were in charge of Chang'an, then there would be no cause for concern, since Liu Neyan is one of our own.

With his biggest doubts dispelled, Li Xian felt much more relaxed.

The three of them then stopped discussing business and instead chatted casually over tea, just like old friends having a small get-together.

Su Liangsi talked about the changes in local customs and traditions in Chang'an, while Liu Jianjun cracked jokes and told interesting stories from the streets, creating a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere in the duty room.

Time flies by.

As the sun set outside the window, casting a long, thin shadow of the teapot on the table, and still no news arrived from the palace, Su Liangsi rose with a smile: "It seems His Majesty has ignored that sycophantic minister. In that case, this old minister is relieved."

"It's getting late, and this old minister still needs to return to his residence to deal with some backlogged documents, so... I'll take my leave now?"

……

(End of this chapter)