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

Chapter 76 Shielding Heavenly Hearing
After watching Liu Jianjun make the children sing several times, Li Xian placed the copper coins in their hands one by one, patted their heads, and then happily walked back.

Li Xian asked curiously, "What is the purpose of teaching them to sing folk songs?"

"Never mind that, let the arrows fly a little longer." Liu Jianjun said mysteriously, then added, "Alright, we've done most of what needed to be done. How's the arrangement for finding Liu Rengui going? It has to be finalized before Xianzi's mourning period!"

"We can go visit tomorrow."

"Okay, then tomorrow!"

……

the next day.

Liu Jianjun arrived at Li Xian's door early.

Li Xian followed Liu Jianjun out the door, and seeing that there were no servants carrying gifts behind him, he asked, "Are we just going to go empty-handed?"

“We went there to prove ourselves worthy of investment, not to engage in bribery or give gifts.” Liu Jianjun paused, then said, “Giving gifts implies that you need something from him, but we went there to form an alliance with him. If we adopt a humble attitude, people will look down on us.”

Then he turned to the doorman and shouted, "A foreign merchant will be coming to deliver a Kunlun slave later. Take over his duties and wait for me to come back and make arrangements!"

Li Xian felt that Liu Jianjun's words made sense.

After leaving the Prince's Mansion, the two did not wear a palanquin, but walked towards Liu Rengui's private residence. Liu Jianjun even bought two steamed buns along the way to have as breakfast.

When Li Xian and his companion arrived at the Liu residence, they simply identified themselves, and the doorman respectfully ushered them inside.

Liu Rengui's private residence is not very large, of course, compared to Furong Garden.

Officials in the Tang Dynasty had to strictly adhere to regulations regarding their residences. Officials of the third rank and above could not have more than five rooms and nine bays in their main hall, and three rooms and five bays in their gatehouse. Although Liu Rengui had been promoted to the second rank of Left Vice Minister, and theoretically could have built the largest house, his residence was still the old one he had when he served as Grand Censor, and it was only a little over two acres in size.

This clearly demonstrates his respectful, frugal, and self-disciplined character.

The doorman led the two to a gatehouse and then whispered into the house, "Sir, His Highness Prince Pei has come to visit!"

A moment later, Li Xian saw a slender figure emerge from the house, approach him, and respectfully bow with hands clasped: "Your Highness Prince Pei has arrived. This old minister has failed to greet you properly!"

Although Li Xian did not have much interaction with Liu Rengui, he still remembered this old minister and hurriedly returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "I am sorry for my unannounced visit, Lord Liu."

Li Xian adopted a very humble attitude and gave the old minister plenty of face in his words.

Liu Rengui straightened up, his face thin and his eyes revealing a calmness born of experience. He stepped aside to make way and gestured for him to enter: "Your Highness is too kind to this old minister. Please come inside for tea."

Li Xian nodded and stepped inside.

Liu Jianjun naturally followed behind and entered the hall together.

Just like the exterior of the mansion, the hall was simply furnished yet exuded elegance and order.

Clean mats were laid on the ground, and a low black lacquered couch was placed in the center. There were several guest seats on both sides. The screen was plain, with only a calligraphy and painting hanging on it. Wisps of smoke rose from the bronze incense burner in the corner, spreading a faint sandalwood fragrance.

Liu Rengui invited Li Xian to sit in the host's seat, while he himself sat in the host's seat.

Liu Jianjun then found a seat at the lower end of the table, naturally knelt down, and subtly surveyed his surroundings.

Liu Rengui's gaze lingered on Liu Jianjun for a moment before he asked, "Your Highness Prince Pei, what brings you to my humble abode...?"

Li Xian glanced at Liu Jianjun.

Liu Rengui noticed Li Xian's actions, so he cupped his hands and asked Liu Jianjun, "And this young man is...?"

Li Xian hurriedly introduced, "Lord Liu, this is Liu Jianjun, the newly appointed Chief Secretary of the Prince of Pei's Palace."

Liu Jianjun immediately stood up and gave Liu Rengui a proper bow: "Your humble servant Liu Jianjun greets Minister Liu."

Li Xian thought to himself, Liu Jianjun is indeed able to integrate into Chang'an quickly; at least his bow is already quite proper.

Liu Rengui's gaze swept over Liu Jianjun again, with a hint of scrutiny that was barely perceptible, and he said in a calm tone, "So it's Chief Secretary Liu. No need for formalities, please sit down."

Liu Jianjun didn't sit down, but spoke directly: "Actually, the reason I accompanied His Highness Prince Pei on this visit is to form an alliance with you, Lord Liu!" "Oh?"

Liu Rengui's expression seemed unsurprised, but rather he looked at Liu Jianjun with a hint of mockery and asked, "Forgive my ignorance, but I am the Minister of the Empire, serving the current Sage, yet I do not know what alliance I am to form with Your Highness, or with whom I am to oppose? I am ignorant, so please enlighten me, Chief Secretary Liu."

Then, looking at Li Xian, he asked with a hint of accusation, "Does Your Highness Prince Pei harbor rebellious intentions?"

Li Xian's heart tightened.

But then Liu Jianjun’s voice rang out: “Lord Liu is joking. You should know best who you are opposing. Otherwise, where did you get the position of Minister of Works?”

This time, Liu Rengui's gaze fell on Liu Jianjun with a bit more weight.

He asked, "Just now, His Highness Prince Pei said your name is..."

"Liu Jianjun, not yet of age, and without a courtesy name." Liu Jianjun cupped his hands again, his expression showing no displeasure at Liu Rengui's failure to remember his name.

"A young talent," Liu Rengui exclaimed, then resumed his placid expression and asked, "And then?"

"Then, the administration was moved to the eastern capital, leaving Liu Gong to guard Chang'an."

Almost as soon as Liu Jianjun finished speaking, a sharp glint flashed in Liu Rengui's eyes, as if he had instantly transformed from a lean and gentle old man into a sharp-tongued politician.

After a long pause, he closed his eyes slightly and said, "Tell me what you need me to do for this alliance."

"I'm sure Lord Liu has heard about Prince Pei's dissolute behavior these past few days..."

"I've never heard of it," Liu Rengui interrupted bluntly.

"...It's alright." Liu Jianjun paused, then continued, "What we request of Lord Liu can be summed up in four words: shield the ears of Heaven!"

"sky?"

Liu Jianjun shrugged: "No different from the heavens."

"Tell me more details," Liu Rengui asked.

"While we need Lord Liu to guard Chang'an, let Heaven see that His Highness Prince Pei is still that idle prince who just loafs around and waits to die."

This time, Liu Rengui turned his gaze to Li Xian: "So, the Prince of Pei is no longer the idle prince you described, just loafing around and waiting to die?"

Although these words were still addressed to Liu Jianjun, anyone could understand that they were actually a question to Li Xian.

There was even a hint of mockery on his face that made Li Xian feel guilty.

Li Xian pursed his lips.

He now realized that when he was demoted to Bazhou, he not only hurt the old ministers who followed him, but also those who secretly supported the Li family.

A feeling of guilt welled up inside me.

Looking at Liu Jianjun, who had learned etiquette from him, he suddenly wondered if these old ministers had ever schemed for the Li family and for themselves, just like Liu Jianjun.
But when he himself was implicated in a treason, he broke their hearts.

Just as Liu Jianjun was about to speak, Li Xian looked at him and interrupted him: "Liu Jianjun, I'll do it this time."

His expression was solemn.

Liu Jianjun and Li Xian exchanged a glance. Seemingly sensing the seriousness in Li Xian's eyes, Liu Jianjun suddenly smiled and said, "Then you do it."

Then he plopped back down.

Li Xian stood up and bowed deeply to Liu Rengui.

"Master Liu, whether wise or foolish, has not changed at all."

……

(End of this chapter)