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

Chapter 77 Persuading Liu Rengui (Bonus Chapter, Please Vote)

Amid Liu Rengui's astonished gaze, Li Xian straightened up and met Liu Rengui's gaze with composure.

His voice was steady, without the previous hesitation: "Whether you are wise or foolish, you have not changed. What has changed is the situation, the loyal ministers' painstaking efforts that you were unable to understand in your past ignorance, and... the imminent crisis facing the nation."

Liu Rengui's eyes flickered slightly, but his expression remained calm. He simply said, "Your Highness, please speak frankly."

Li Xian took a deep breath, as if he were condensing his past despondency and present determination into that single breath.

“In the past, when he was the crown prince, he was young and impetuous. He was either indulging in pleasure or bound by his own feelings, which led to him being framed by villains, losing his reputation, and being forced to flee to Bazhou.”

"At that time, I felt as if the sky had fallen and the earth had cracked, and I was filled with indignation. However, after several months in Bazhou, where I endured the hardships and frost, and observed the situation with a detached eye, I realized that my past mistakes were not only due to treacherous officials, but also to my own lack of virtue and ability to judge people, and that I had failed the expectations of old ministers like Lord Liu, who were wholeheartedly dedicated to supporting the country and upholding the legitimacy of the Tang Dynasty!"

His words were sincere, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor in his voice, and he deliberately emphasized the words "the legitimate successor of the Tang Dynasty."

Liu Rengui paused slightly as he stroked his beard, the mockery in his eyes fading and replaced by a deep solemnity.

Li Xian continued, “With the passing of our father and the ascension of the new emperor, it is a time of national mourning. We should be of one mind and work together to overcome this difficult time.”

"However, why is the Empress Dowager in such a hurry to take advantage of His Majesty's mourning period to promote her cronies, adjust important positions, and even... intend to move the government to the Eastern Capital, leaving you, Lord Liu, to guard this empty shell of Chang'an?"

"Lord Liu".

Li Xian leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming increasingly earnest, "You are a veteran of three reigns, with outstanding achievements and a long-standing reputation. The Empress Dowager left you to guard Chang'an, ostensibly out of reliance, but what is the truth? With Lord Liu's discerning eye, how could he not know?"

After Liu Jianjun's analysis, Li Xian already knew the true intention behind Empress Wu's relocation of the capital.

Although Empress Wu was powerful, her foundation was not yet stable, especially in the Guanzhong region. Many meritorious families still aspired to the Tang Dynasty. Liu Rengui, the Minister of Works who stayed in Chang'an, seemed to hold a high position, but in reality, he had been stripped of most of his real power and was more like a banner used to stabilize the old Guanzhong clans.

"Your Highness."

Liu Rengui spoke slowly, his voice hoarse, "Even if what you say is true, I am just an old man, left to guard Chang'an, without soldiers or pay. Even if I have the will, what can I do? The Empress Dowager's power is unmatched now."

His words carried a deep sense of helplessness, and were also a test, which Li Xian understood.

"As Liu Jianjun just said, what you ask of me, Lord Liu, is only to shield the Empress Dowager from your ears!"

Li Xian noticed the brief look of relief in Liu Rengui's eyes.

But almost instantly, the hint of relief in Liu Rengui's eyes vanished, replaced by a piercing gaze that shot directly at Li Xian. "A deposed crown prince who has just been exonerated and has no power base? Your Highness, what gives you the right to speak to me like this?"

Li Xian's heart skipped a beat, but he knew he couldn't back down now.

He glanced at Liu Jianjun beside him, who nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.

“Xian has no foundation.” Li Xian frankly admitted.

"Military power, financial power, and cronies in the court—Xian now possesses nothing. But Xian has two things: first, he is of the imperial bloodline, the legitimate successor of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong! Second,"

He paused, his voice unwavering, "Xian has gained clarity after his trials in Bazhou, and he is determined to fight to the death to revitalize the Li family! Xian is no longer the foolish crown prince who only knew how to fear his mother and was helpless!"

"As for what I rely on..." Li Xian looked at Liu Jianjun and smiled gently, "Liu Jianjun is my greatest reliance!"

"Xian does not need Liu Gong to immediately raise the banner of rebellion. Liu Gong only needs to let Xian do as he pleases while he is in charge. Xian will continue to indulge in wine and women in Chang'an and do nothing. Liu Gong only needs to confirm this by observing the spying from Luoyang."

"In this way, the Empress Dowager's wariness of Xian will be reduced to the lowest level, and that will be enough."

This time, Liu Rengui didn't look at Li Xian again, but turned his gaze to Liu Jianjun and asked, "Does Your Highness trust Chief Secretary Liu very much?" "He deserves it!" Li Xian replied firmly.

Liu Rengui pondered for a moment, then asked, "Regarding the treason case from years ago, this old minister may be able to clear Your Highness's name..."

"Lord Liu".

This time it was Liu Jianjun who spoke. He looked at Liu Rengui with a smile, cupped his hands and said, "Since you have already made up your mind, why use such methods to test me? His Highness Prince Pei's crimes cannot be cleared, at least not now. In fact, it would be better to keep these crimes!"

Li Xian was stunned.

He found that although he was "smart" enough, he still couldn't quite figure out what Liu Jianjun was thinking when he was with him.

Li Xian could understand that clearing his name of the treason charge was not important, but he couldn't understand how the treason charge could be considered a good thing by Liu Jianjun.

But then, Li Xian saw Liu Rengui suddenly burst into laughter.

Then, turning to look at himself, his gaze softened with a gentle smile: "Your Highness is puzzled?"

Li Xian was a little embarrassed, but still nodded honestly: "I really don't understand... In fact, what I just said was all told to me by Liu Jianjun."

Liu Rengui was not surprised at all and said with a smile, "Your Highness is benevolent, I know that, but if you say that Your Highness has become almost supernaturally intelligent during this period of demotion, I simply cannot believe it."

Li Xian nodded awkwardly again.

"This old minister is caught in the vortex of the court and has only just learned that the Empress Dowager has considered moving the capital. However, this young brother Liu, who lives in the Prince of Pei's residence, is able to see through the secrets of the court. It is no exaggeration to say that he is the Zhuge Liang of our time. Your Highness is comforted to have such a person to assist you!"

Although Li Xian didn't understand what Liu Rengui had figured out in that short moment, he could still sense the closeness in his words.

Then she exclaimed with delight, "Lord Liu...you..."

"Your Highness, please act boldly! When the Empress Dowager relinquishes power, although I may not be able to control everything in Chang'an, I can certainly blind some of these little devils!"

Liu Rengui laughed heartily, then looked at Li Xian and solemnly instructed, "Your Highness, your Chief Secretary Liu is an extraordinary person, far surpassing the likes of Zhang Da'an in the past. In the future, if Your Highness has any concerns, it is advisable to consult Brother Liu!"

Li Xian was overjoyed and hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting: "Xian will follow Lord Liu's teachings!"

Liu Rengui laughed heartily: "Alright, Your Highness, my humble abode is simple, so I won't keep you here. I have some official business to attend to, so Your Highness may go and indulge in your pleasures!"

After saying this, an indescribable emotion appeared on Li Xian's face: "The Li Tang dynasty... has hope!"

……

As Li Xian and Liu Jianjun left the Liu residence, Liu Jianjun breathed a sigh of relief and exclaimed, "Wow! Xianzi! I thought I had to offer this old man a hefty reward, but you managed to win him over with just a few words!"

Just as Li Xian was about to speak, Liu Jianjun sighed again: "To be honest, what I can't understand the most is your concept of loyalty and righteousness. An old man who is almost buried in the ground, just for the sake of so-called loyalty and righteousness, is willing to risk his life to follow you. This is too unbelievable to me."

Li Xian was puzzled: "Isn't loyalty and righteousness the ultimate truth of the ancient sages?"

Liu Jianjun shook his head and suddenly said, "My worthy son, don't let these old ministers down."

……

(End of this chapter)