My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 101 An Exaggerated Team

Which renowned scholar didn't aspire to govern the world?

Liu Xuan naturally had the opportunity, but he never had it.

He had many ideas about governing the area. After Li Xuanba said that, Liu Xuan suddenly realized that this mountain stronghold was the perfect place to test his many ideas.
Whether it was Li Xuanba, his other disciples, or the deceased, Liu Xuan didn't believe they could come up with any system or method to manage and restrain them.

Shouldn't I do my part to help these ignorant fools?
Li Xuanba hesitated and said, "I'm afraid of implicating Master."

"Heh, of the disciples who have followed me the longest and still keep in touch, there are probably forty-five. Leaving aside the three who have families and can't come, the remaining forty-one all followed you to the den of thieves. What's there to talk about implicating? If any of you are caught, I will be the biggest bandit chief."

Liu Xuan complained a few times. He didn't know why, even though he was telling the most proper principles, his students all wanted to do the things of rebels.

Zhang Du was like this, and so was Li Xuanba.

Sometimes he wondered if there was something wrong with how he was teaching.
But after thinking it over, he realized that what he taught were just some ideas from ancient Confucian scholars, combined with current ideas about emphasizing people's livelihood and practicing benevolent governance. How could that be wrong?

This is clearly not my problem; it's the problem with the disciples I've taken in. They've all been a bunch of rebellious and wicked people.

Upon hearing Liu Xuan's words, Li Xuanba naturally wouldn't refuse anymore and quickly thanked him.

Liu Xuan then stood up and reprimanded him unhappily, "You people only cause me trouble. I'll come back tomorrow to discuss this matter with you."

He raised his head, strode out of the house, his steps light and quick, a smile on his face.

Li Yuanji had vanished, but Li Shimin remained. Upon seeing Liu Xuan emerge, he hurriedly approached him again to inquire about the matter.

Liu Xuan was in a great mood. This time, he didn't rush to answer but answered Li Shimin's question quite seriously before leaving with a smile.

Li Shimin stood there, watching Liu Xuan leave, feeling only surprise in his heart.

He quickly went back into the courtyard.

Just as Li Xuanba was about to practice his hammer technique, he saw his second brother return to the courtyard. Before he could even speak, his second brother pulled him into the study and closed the door again.

Li Xuanba sat down in his previous seat again, while his second brother took the seat of honor.

"Xuanba, there's something you absolutely have to help me with."

"Second brother, please speak."

Li Shimin asked, "Do you remember when Zheng Yuanrui and others from the Zheng family hosted a banquet to entertain young scholars from various places?"

Li Xuanba nodded. "Of course I remember."

“After the Zheng family got into trouble, these people didn’t dare to come out anymore, and the banquet was abandoned. I, your humble brother, took over the banquet!”

"what?"

Li Xuanba was taken aback. "What does Second Brother mean by taking over?"

"Well, I'm hosting this banquet to entertain young scholars from all over, so we can gather together to discuss classical studies, talk about academic matters, and build closer relationships."

Li Xuanba frowned, even more puzzled.

"Why would you do this, brother? Isn't your second brother training with the veterans at the drill ground? Why would you take time out of your schedule to do these things?"

Li Shimin waved his hand, looking helpless.

"Sigh, there are no more thieves. These people are really easy to beat. I only fought them a few times, and the rest of the thieves surrendered. I can't find any bandits even when I go out of the city. At the training ground, they practice every three days. The old soldier's explanations aren't that many. They're all the same things. I understood them after hearing them a few times."

"That's why I want to take over Zheng Yuanrui's business and make more friends with scholars."

"I used to associate with warriors and always thought these scholars were nothing special, so I looked down on them. But after listening to the classics here with Lord Liu, I realized that I was wrong. I originally wanted to sneak into my elder brother's banquet to make friends with some famous scholars, but I am too young and I am afraid that I will be looked down upon by my elder brother's friends."

"It's just right. The Zheng family has suffered a misfortune, and the banquet has been canceled. I thought, why don't I take the lead and gather some scholars here to discuss the classics and make friends? My father has someone like Liu Gong to help him. Even if I can't find someone as talented as Liu Gong, I can at least find a few useful ones, right? Besides, Liu Gong once said that to study the classics, you need to make more friends. It's not enough to just have knowledge; you need everyone to praise you in order to become a master." Li Xuanba smiled bitterly.

His second brother has always been like this, acting on a whim.

He does whatever comes to mind, and most of the time he succeeds, which makes him quite a prodigy.

"If Second Brother wants to do it, then he can. What can I do to help him?"

"Ahem, well then, this evening will be the first banquet. You don't need to do anything, just come with me, meet everyone, and talk to them about the classics. How about that?"

Li Shimin looked at his younger brother expectantly.

In fact, this banquet was convened by Li Shimin in the name of his younger brother, simply because his brother was more famous. This was not only because of the rumors about Sanlangbing and Funiu Mountain, but mainly because Li Xuanba had attended the banquet twice before, which had broadened the horizons of the young scholars and made them aware of his talent.

Li Shimin claimed to be a group of young scholars, but in reality, they were all just a bunch of young kids who hadn't even reached adulthood. The real young scholars all went to Li Jiancheng's banquets; who would bother with Li Shimin?
These people are still in school, so they are quite willing to spend more time with 'academic geniuses' like Li Xuanba, ask him for help with their studies, and resolve their doubts.

Li Xuanba had no choice but to agree.

Li Shimin was overjoyed. He told his younger brother not to tell anyone about it and said he would send someone to pick him up later. Then he skipped away happily.

After seeing his elder brother off, Li Xuanba began training again.

After practicing for a long time, Li Xuanba was drenched in sweat when he finally stopped to rest, and Sanshi wiped his sweat for him.

Li Xuanba was exhausted, but he was still in a good mood.

There are still many hidden dangers in the future, but at least things are going smoothly right now.

Some of the people from Qingzao Village have returned to Yeniu Mountain and are building camps and stockpiling supplies under their orders. Later, they may also build fortifications at several important crossroads to strengthen their defenses.

Zhang Du and the others were becoming increasingly skilled in their work, showing signs of becoming seasoned officials. Li Xuanba only needed to give them instructions, and they were able to do a good job.

Speaking of which, the army under Li Xuanba was quite luxurious. Of the nearly one hundred local soldiers, more than thirty were literate, and not just literate, but had studied the classics with Liu Xuan. They were true elite talents. To exaggerate a bit, if Li Xuanba were to occupy a county now, these men under his command could immediately take up various official positions in the county and govern the place in his place.

At the farm, they would also teach the other militiamen, teach them to read and write, and teach them principles. Although their fighting skills were questionable, they were truly capable in other tasks.

The reason why Qingzao Village was able to organize so quickly and grow so large, unlike ordinary bandits, is because it had the addition of highly skilled people who knew the classics. They were capable of management and were not ordinary thieves.

Thinking about these things, Li Xuanba felt much better. He then looked at Sanshi beside him and asked curiously, "What did Mother say to you yesterday?"

San Shi was taken aback, his face suddenly flushed red, and he stammered, "He didn't say anything, he just told me to take good care of my husband."

Li Xuanba nodded and said with a smile, "I see."

After resting for a while, Li Xuanba went back to reading. Although this kind of life was boring, Li Xuanba was engrossed in it and enjoyed it immensely.

Soon it was evening, and Li Shimin's attendant arrived as promised to take Li Xuanba to his second brother's scholar's banquet.

Li Xuanba changed his clothes, took his golden mace, and followed his attendant into the carriage. Liu Chounu followed on horseback, and they went to the banquet together.

The place where Li Shimin held the banquet was his own orchard.

The orchard wasn't just trees; there was also a pavilion. When the weather was hot, Grandpa would bring some friends there to eat, drink, and have fun.

When Li Xuanba arrived, the guests had not yet come. Li Shimin smiled and led him out of the carriage, took his hand, and walked into the orchard.

"Xuanba, later you can help me assess the quality of those people. If you find anyone with decent talent, let me know."

"I'm of great use!"

(End of this chapter)