My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 104 The Emperor's Edict

Li Xuanba realized that he had still underestimated his teacher.

He knew his teacher was highly learned, but he didn't know that his teacher had actually governed a region.

Liu Xuan asked Cao Chi many questions about the mountain stronghold, from their location to personnel deployment, patrols, hunting, and development. He asked in great detail, proving himself to be a man who had done practical work in the prefectures and counties. Li Xuanba sat to the side, listening to their conversation.

Liu Xuan listened and made his judgment at the same time.

For example, he could determine the terrain around the stronghold from the location and layout of the various living areas. Li Xuanba listened in astonishment and actually learned a lot.

After Cao Chi had spoken until his throat was dry and told the teacher everything truthfully, Liu Xuan slowly shared his own thoughts.

“You can’t live together. Even if you live in the same village, you have to divide it into different areas. What you’re doing is a mess. After all this time, you don’t even know how many people are in your own village. How can this be allowed?”

"I'll teach you how to do it."

Liu Xuan sat to the side and began to explain the pros and cons.

Cao Chi picked up his pen and took notes with great care. Not only him, but Li Xuanba was also listening very attentively at this moment.

Liu Xuan started by teaching them how to organize household registrations. He felt that the biggest problem in Qingzao Village was household registration management. The people in charge didn't even know how many people they had under their command, and they couldn't distinguish who was who. They did everything without any order, which would cause big problems. They were even worse than bandits!

At least the bandits knew to assign tasks to everyone, distribute resources fairly, and eat according to their labor.

Liu Xuan must have thought about a lot of things during these days, from solving household registration issues and food and accommodation problems to keeping warm in the cold and the circulation of goods.

Liu Xuan was not the kind of pedantic scholar who was out of touch with reality. The advice he gave was not just empty talk, but something that could be put into practice. Only then did Li Xuanba realize that what his teacher had given him before was just a general outline of administration, but this was the real way to get things done.

Liu Xuan advised them to store more food and not to eat it all at once. He suggested they dry more meat, raise some poultry, and grow some vegetables, as he knew of some that could be eaten in winter. He also had his own opinions on land development.

Although it takes a long time and is quite difficult to reclaim wasteland, we cannot give up on this. Only by truly owning a large area of ​​arable land can we ensure our future livelihood. Wild Buffalo Mountain is connected to many deep forests, and there are several famous mountain ranges. In the past, hundreds of thousands of mountain people could hide there. The mountains can support many people.

He even understood architecture. He advised the villagers not to underestimate the importance of beds when building houses. They should be placed away from the ground so that people could not sleep on the ground. In addition, they should pay attention to the location of the camp and never build it on the side of the mountain just because it is convenient.
This guy is practically a walking encyclopedia. Over the years, Liu Xuan has read so many books that he can offer advice on anything.

Li Xuanba was completely engrossed in listening.

Suddenly, a commotion arose outside. They heard Zhang Du shouting at someone and people running around.

The three people inside were taken aback. Li Xuanba quickly stood up, took out the golden mace from his waist, and looked at his teacher and Cao Chi, saying, "You two wait here for now! I'll go check!"

Li Xuanba strode out of the courtyard, only to see several warriors surrounded by Zhang Du and his men. The two sides were on the verge of fighting.

Li Xuanba frowned and walked a few steps to the people in front of him.

These arrogant knights dismounted and bowed upon seeing Li Xuanba.

Li Xuanba recognized these people; they were retainers under his elder brother, Li Jiancheng.

One of them hurriedly said, "Third Young Master! The young master has sent us to bring you back immediately! We cannot delay!"

Li Xuanba looked at Zhang Du beside him, and Zhang Du said, "These people rode their horses straight through the gate and tried to rush into the courtyard. Our men stopped them and asked them what they wanted, but they wouldn't say anything and just kept trying to rush in. So I led my men to surround them!"

The knight flew into a rage and shouted, "Insolence! We are here on the orders of our lord, do we need to report to you?!"

"What, are you ordering me to be taken back, brother?"

"You look down on something as trivial as reporting it?"

Li Xuanba, with a stern face, asked angrily.

These knights looked down on Zhang Du and his group, but they didn't dare to be too rude to Li Xuanba. The leader simply said loudly, "Third Master, please don't be offended. I am here on your orders! This matter cannot be delayed! Please return immediately!!" Zhang Du and his group blushed, and they made no attempt to hide their disdain for these knights.

Li Jiancheng had gathered many friends, retainers, and guests around him, most of whom came from distinguished backgrounds. Many of them were from Guanzhong and had a rather hostile attitude towards people from Guandong. In fact, these retainers were relatively good. Some of Li Jiancheng's friends, like Wei Ting, were truly arrogant and disregarded these outsiders.

Li Xuanba waved his sleeve, "Outside the training ground, as the younger brother, he doesn't need to knock on the door when he sends someone; I will obey!"

"Within the training grounds, I, as the commander, have no personal feelings. You are nothing but commoners, yet you dare to force your way into the military gate!! Don't you know the severity of military law?!"

"Men! Seize him!"

Zhang Du and the others had been waiting for this. They were not afraid at all and rushed forward. The warriors' faces changed drastically, and they were pinned to the ground in a moment. The leader looked at Li Xuanba in disbelief and shouted, "What is Third Young Master doing? Does he want to turn against his own brother?"

"Within this training ground, he shall be called the Commander!"

Li Xuanba looked at Zhang Du and said, "According to military law, forcibly entering the training ground is punishable by death. However, out of consideration for my brother's reputation, I spared their lives, but they should be flogged! Twenty strokes!"

"Here!"

"Call a few more men and come back to the city with me!"

"Here!"

The warriors couldn't believe Li Xuanba was really going to hit them. They shouted defiantly, but were still dragged away. Li Xuanba turned and went into the courtyard, explaining to his teacher that he wanted to go back. Liu Xuan had also heard the commotion outside and looked somewhat worried, but didn't say anything.

Li Xuanba led his men and left in a hurry.

Liu Xuan remained where he was, listening to the screams of the warriors under Li Jiancheng's command, and sighed again.

This young master is good in every way, except that he treats his younger brother too much like a child. He always treats his brother like a child. Since Li Xuanba is now acting on his father's orders, he should be treated like an adult. His subordinates are the same way, and they don't treat Li Xuanba like an adult at all.

Hopefully, the young master will discover this. His younger brothers are not ordinary people. It's alright now, but if things continue like this, it will surely ruin their friendship when they grow up.

Although Li Xuanba had learned to ride a horse, he couldn't gallop at full speed. Liu Chounu carried him as they raced towards their home.

As Liu Chounu spurred his horse forward, he explained, "I didn't have time to stop him just now."

"It's alright. This matter is due to your lax management. Today you only treated me this way, but if you treat others like this in the future, wouldn't that ruin your important plans? When I see you, I will explain the consequences to you."

Liu Chounu didn't say anything more.

When they rushed into the city and arrived at their own mansion, the place was bustling with activity.

Many people were already waiting for them. Upon seeing Li Xuanba arrive, one of them hurriedly turned around and ran into the mansion. A moment later, Li Jiancheng came out. He was stunned to see that the person beside Li Xuanba was not one he had sent, but he didn't ask any questions. He pulled Li Xuanba and walked inside.

"The Emperor's decree has arrived!"

"Go change your clothes right now!"

"The sage has issued an edict to you!"

"Ok??"

Li Xuanba was stunned. "The Emperor has issued an edict for me?"

Li Jiancheng didn't give Li Xuanba a chance to ask any questions. He pulled him into the courtyard, urged him to change his clothes, and then led him towards the main hall. On the way, Li Jiancheng didn't forget to remind him, "When you see the angel later, be very careful. Don't say anything nonsense. Don't ask anything about the edict. Just bow and express your gratitude. Be sincere."

(End of this chapter)