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

Chapter 55: Di Renjie
Liu Jianjun quickly replied, "That's right. A few days ago, our Prince Pei was transferred to the post of Governor of Yongzhou. Although it's just a nominal position, our Prince Pei still transferred some local government documents to review."

"Then, some problems arose."

"His Highness Prince Pei has long heard of the renowned sage Di's wisdom and decisiveness during his tenure as Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and thus has come here specifically to seek his advice!"

After saying that, Liu Jianjun winked at Li Xian.

Liu Jianjun is the kind of person who doesn't even need to think before he lies.

Moreover, his lie was not only flawless, but he also happened to be good at it.

Before his demotion, he had served as the governor of Yongzhou and had indeed been taught by his father how to handle some government affairs and memorials. Even if he had to make up some questions on the spot, it was nothing serious.

Seeing Di Renjie looking over, Li Xian hurriedly nodded in affirmation of Liu Jianjun's statement.

Di Renjie cupped his hands and repeatedly said he dared not accept such praise: "Prefect Liu is too kind. Although I am dull-witted, I am willing to help His Highness Prince Pei solve his problems!"

Li Xian knew it was time for him to speak, so he pondered for a moment and asked, "Old Master Di, this year there has been a slight crop failure in Guanzhong, and the price of rice in Chang'an is gradually rising. The Grand Canal is the lifeline of the capital, but the Sanmenxia Gorge is dangerous and suffers huge losses, with frequent delays. According to the old records, the reserves in the Ever-Normal Granary seem to be insufficient."

"In your opinion, how can we ensure that the military and civilians in Yongzhou, especially Chang'an, have enough food? Do you have any good strategies for increasing supply, reducing expenditure, and improving the canal transport?"

Di Renjie sat upright, his eyes slightly lowered: "Your Highness is wise. Grain reserves are the foundation of the nation, and especially important in the capital region."

"In my opinion, the first priority should be to thoroughly investigate the actual amount of grain stored in the Ever-Normal Granaries and all charitable granaries, clarify the reasons for the deficit, and severely punish any officials found to have embezzled or falsified the figures, as a warning to others. Only when the granaries are full can the people's hearts be at ease..."

Li Xian thought to himself, "A standard, conventional answer."

But at this point, Di Renjie continued, "That's one point. The second point is about the Grand Canal."

"The danger of the Three Gates is indeed a stubborn problem. We can follow the example of the Sui Dynasty's 'transfer method' and transport goods in sections."

"Large transshipment warehouses were set up in Luoyang, Shanzhou, and Weikou. The cargo ships from Jiangnan would unload in Luoyang and then be transported by flat-bottomed boats or land over the dangerous Sanmen section of the river to Shanzhou, where they would be transferred to ships to go directly to Chang'an."

"Although this measure increases loading and unloading costs, it can significantly reduce the damage from overturning and drowning. In the long run, it is more prudent. The transport commissioner and officials at all levels should be held accountable for their responsibilities and rewards and punishments should be clearly defined."

Li Xian's expression faltered slightly, and he nodded a little.

"Thirdly, we should encourage land reclamation in the vicinity of the capital region and broaden the sources of grain. In addition to relying on grain transported from the southeast, we should not neglect the vicinity of the capital region."

"Your Highness may petition His Majesty to encourage the people of Guanzhong who have no land or little land to reclaim wasteland, especially the silted-up fields along the banks of the Wei River. The government may temporarily exempt them from taxes or provide them with seeds and farming tools. At the same time, the government should strictly investigate the land grabbing by powerful families to ensure the livelihood of ordinary people and ensure that they have surplus grain to sell in the market."

"Fourthly, the strategy for reducing expenditures lies in strictly controlling the government's extravagance and not conscripting extra laborers and rations unless absolutely necessary..."

"Fifth..."

Di Renjie spoke slowly and deliberately, but Li Xian was completely stunned.

Li Xian had asked his father, the emperor, about this question when he was the crown prince, and his father's answer at that time was almost identical to Di Renjie's answer now.

In fact, Di Renjie explained it in even more detail!
Moreover, compared to his father's somewhat idealistic response, all of Di Renjie's suggestions were moderate, balanced, and reliable. It could be said that as long as they were carried out honestly, even if they could not completely solve the problem, they could at least greatly alleviate it.

It's absolutely... amazing!

At that moment, Li Xian felt a certain respect for this vigorous old man with a long beard, and cupped his hands to ask, "With years of natural disasters and man-made calamities, the number of refugees in Yongzhou has been increasing. They mostly gather outside Chang'an and on the main roads of prefectures and counties. They have no permanent property and are easily kidnapped by bandits, or spread diseases..."

"...Is there a plan to pacify the people and quell the troubles?"

This time, Di Renjie pondered for only a moment before replying, "The problem of displaced people lies primarily in distinguishing them. Some are fleeing disasters, some are evading taxes and corvée labor, and others are idle and unregistered wanderers..."

……

It was noon when they left Di Renjie's house.

Di Renjie escorted the two to the courtyard gate, at which point Liu Jianjun turned to Di Renjie with a smile and said, "No need to see us off, Mr. Di. His Highness Prince Pei and I will be leaving now!" As he spoke, he bent down and pinched Di Jinghui's cheek, saying with a fierce expression, "Little guy! Listen to your grandpa, understand?"

Di Jinghui frowned and shrank back half a step, hiding behind Di Renjie, as if he was a little afraid of Liu Jianjun.

Di Renjie chuckled and patted Di Jinghui on the back of the head, then bowed deeply and said, "In that case, I won't see you off any further. Your Highness Prince Pei, Chief Secretary Liu, please!"

Li Xian and Liu Jianjun returned the greeting, and then left the Di family courtyard without looking back.

……

On the way back, Liu Jianjun asked, "How was it? What about Di Renjie's answer just now?"

Li Xian thought for a moment and replied frankly, "A moderate and peaceful approach is the best strategy."

"That's fine!" Liu Jianjun said, looking relieved.

Li Xian asked curiously, "Didn't we agree to come over and exchange information? Why did you make me ask some questions?"

"That's enough. Your current status is that of a prince. It would be strange if you were really eager to curry favor with him!" Liu Jianjun said confidently. "Moreover, I deliberately limited your questions to matters of people's livelihood and government affairs, so that I can create an image of you as someone who cares about people's livelihood and well-being."

After saying that, Liu Jianjun exaggeratedly said, "Just think about it, a prince, for a few issues concerning people's livelihood, went through all the trouble to come to the outskirts of Chang'an to ask a nobody, a low-ranking official of the sixth grade, for advice. How considerate he must be of the people's plight!"

Li Xian glared at him irritably.

Liu Jianjun added, "Alright, we can rest assured about things here for now. From now on, we can just come every ten days to try and improve our relationship. It's not good to do it too frequently."

Li Xian nodded: "I'll follow your arrangements. So where do we go now? Back to the Prince's Mansion?"

"Why go back? It's so late. Let's go to a brothel and grab something to eat while we're at it!"

Liu Jianjun casually put his arm around Li Xian's shoulder, and Li Xian then realized that the boy had grown quite a bit taller, so this time he didn't need to raise his arm to do the action.

Li Xian teased, "Didn't you just say you wanted to cultivate an image of caring about people's livelihoods? Now you're visiting brothels?"

"The image of caring about people's livelihood is for Di Renjie's benefit. Our main task now is to create the image of a spoiled brat in front of your mother, so that she thinks you are just a good-for-nothing second-generation rich kid. Only in this way can we save our lives!"

Li Xian remained silent because he felt that Liu Jianjun's desire to visit brothels didn't seem like an act.

Regardless, Li Xian still followed Liu Jianjun to Pingkangfang.

Upon arriving at Pingkangfang, Liu Jianjun felt right at home.

As the two moved through the crowd, scantily clad brothel owners approached Liu Jianjun and flirted with him. Their words and actions were extremely bold, and Liu Jianjun accepted them all. In just a few hundred steps, his hands had caressed dozens of plump buttocks.

Incredible!

Just then, a madam who looked somewhat familiar to Li Xian walked over enthusiastically and greeted Liu Jianjun: "Young Master Liu! A new lady from the capital has arrived today to perform a dance. This old lady has been eagerly awaiting your presence!"

As she spoke, the madam familiarly took Liu Jianjun's arm and whispered, "It's your type~"

She then looked at Li Xian in surprise: "Eh? Young Master Li! It's been quite a while! Forgive my poor eyesight, I didn't recognize you just now!"

Li Xian remembered; this person was the madam of Yuchunlou.

Liu Jianjun patted the madam's chest, grinning lewdly, "So many madams invited me today, but you're the only one who recognized me, brother. Come on! Let's go to your place!"

……

　①As everyone knows: This can be roughly understood as the top courtesan.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)