My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 37 Win First, Then Talk
There's no need for that.

Li Xuanba was somewhat astonished as he looked at the group of people who had sworn a solemn oath.

But Liu Xuan was the most shocked at the moment.

He was initially quite pleased with himself for finding good jobs for his disciples, but why did things suddenly turn out this way?
Li Xuanba quickly calmed himself down, bowed to everyone, and then began to speak.

"At present, forced labor is rampant, and exorbitant taxes are levied incessantly. The sage has summoned a million laborers to serve, but local officials are indiscriminately arresting people, and half of them die on the road. Nine out of ten houses in the city are empty, and even women have been conscripted for service, leaving only the elderly and children."

Upon hearing Li Xuanba's words, Liu Xuan felt a wave of dizziness wash over him.

You're trying to rebel, aren't you!
"Although I am young, I have learned many principles from my teachers."

Li Xuanba glanced at Liu Xuan, whose face was pale.

Li Xuanba continued, "I previously approached the officials in the city, hoping they would agree to provide relief to the people, appease the deserters and dead outside the city, reduce the number of thieves, and restore spring planting, but the officials dared not take any action."

“I then approached a prominent local clan, hoping they could take in those poor people as tenants, at least to allow them to survive.”

"But the powerful clans are unwilling to take the risk."

"I thought that perhaps the sage would realize what was happening and stop this behavior, but the news I received was that the sage ordered the extermination of all thieves and the dead within the month!"

"Therefore, I want to do it myself!"

"I want to lead my brothers to do some things in private to help the people in the city who can't afford to eat, and to help the poor people outside the city who have nowhere else to turn."

“My family has some money, and my brothers are also very wealthy. I think this can help a lot of people.”

As Li Xuanba spoke, the surrounding senior brothers remained motionless.

They stared at Li Xuanba in astonishment, hardly believing what they were hearing.

When Li Xuanba first said it was very risky, they thought it meant they were going to do dirty work for the Duke's mansion.

The more prestigious the mansion, the more dirty work there is, requiring daredevils and people who are not afraid of death. Therefore, Zhang Du made a solemn oath, indicating that he was willing to do the dirty work.

But what Li Xuanba is talking about now doesn't seem to be dirty work.

This work is very clean.

The courtyard was quiet. Liu Xuan frowned and fell into deep thought. He was not so afraid now because it was normal for powerful clans and dukes to take in the dead. They would set up farms outside to hide these people, evade taxes, and cultivate their own power.

After Li Xuanba finished explaining his thoughts, he looked at the crowd in front of him.

These people looked at each other in bewilderment, and Zhang Du spoke again.

Zhang Du was the leader among Liu Xuan's disciples. If Liu Xuan hadn't written the letter, Zhang Du might have led the others up the mountain to find an opportunity to rebel and kill the imperial court's lackeys.

"Why do you want to do these things, Third Brother?"

"You're very young, and besides, these things have nothing to do with you."

Li Xuanba's expression was solemn. "According to the principles of the sages, this is the right thing to do, the thing that should be done, regardless of age or status."

Zhang Du and the others were all scholars, so they naturally understood what Li Xuanba was saying.

Zhang Du slowly rose to his feet, then bowed deeply to Li Xuanba, saying, "I am willing to follow you, Third Master, to accomplish this task, even at the cost of my life, I will never back down!"

The other disciples also rose quickly and bowed deeply.

Li Xuanba quickly stepped forward and helped them all up, saying, "Brothers, there's no need for that. There's just one thing..."

Li Xuanba said somewhat embarrassedly, "I don't have as much money as my second brother, so the money I promised to give you might have to be delayed for a few days."

Zhang Du laughed, "Third Master said he would stand up for people like us and help people like us. Why should we care about money? We are also educated and have thought about doing great things, but we just don't have the ability or the courage to do it. Now that you are leading the way, we just need to do it!"

"I will resolve the money issue as soon as possible!"

Everyone chatted and laughed, and the atmosphere suddenly became much more lively.

Liu Xuan sat on it with a helpless expression.

"Cough, cough."

He coughed several times before everyone calmed down and quickly returned to their seats.

Liu Xuan stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming. "Xuanba, you can't do this alone."

"If you insist on this, go find your elder brother first and ask him to help you. This matter must be kept extremely secret and no one can know about it. I can vouch for your senior brothers; they will not betray you. However, you people lack experience in doing things and need an experienced person to teach you."

“Your brother has many retainers, all of whom are willing to risk their lives for him.”

"You need to get him to help you; that's the only way you'll have a chance."

"do you understand?"

"I understand! I will persuade my elder brother!" Li Xuanba talked with everyone for a long time, then ate a meal together before taking Liu Chounu to his elder brother's place. Even if Liu Xuan hadn't said anything, he would have gone to his elder brother anyway, because his second brother wouldn't allow him to do it. He had clearly planned to do it himself, but when it came to doing it, his second brother objected.

If the eldest brother doesn't agree, nothing can be accomplished.

After Li Xuanba left, the disciples began to discuss the matter animatedly.

"I never expected that Sanlangjun would have such ambitions and such a kind heart at such a young age. No wonder Master said he was very talented. This is probably what the ancient sages were like!"

Everyone had a very high opinion of Li Xuanba.

After all, they were the kind of pitiful people that Li Xuanba wanted to help. They never expected that the son of a high-ranking duke would dare to take such a huge risk to help people like them.

Only Liu Xuan was sullen at this moment. He stared at Zhang Du beside him and asked, "You said earlier that you wanted to become a thief. Is that true?"

Zhang Du pursed his lips and replied, "Master, I'm all alone at home now."

Liu Xuan had many things he wanted to say to him, but at this moment, they all suddenly disappeared.

He sighed deeply and hung his head.

This damned world.

Li Shimin limped into his elder brother's study and then carefully lay down on the floor.

Inside the study, Li Jiancheng was looking at Li Xuanba in front of him with a complicated expression.

Just now, Li Xuanba formally told his eldest brother about his thoughts and hoped to get his help. Li Shimin had already sent people to keep an eye on the eldest brother's residence, and to report to him as soon as the third brother arrived.

Upon learning that the third brother had gone to the eldest brother's residence, Li Shimin, despite his injuries, came there to ensure that the third brother would not hide anything from the eldest brother.

Just now, he heard Li Xuanba tell him his thoughts. Well, he didn't lie to his boss and told him everything he was going to do.

Looking at his solemn-faced elder brother, Li Shimin chuckled.

The third brother is still too naive. Does he really think that his eldest brother is so easy to talk to?
At your age, would your elder brother send you out of the city?

impossible!

"Ok."

Li Jiancheng suddenly spoke.

The smile on Li Shimin's face instantly froze.

Ok? !

"Brother! How could you let him leave the city? He's still so young! He can't even ride a horse!!"

Li Shimin hurriedly called out. He wasn't jealous of his younger brother; he was just afraid something might happen to him.

Li Jiancheng glanced at him and said, "I won't let him do it alone. I have other people here."

"Then why didn't you let me go before?"

"You didn't ask me for help."

"Besides, if I offered to send someone with you, would you be willing? You'd probably pretend to agree, then leave the person I send behind and sneak away yourself."

Li Jiancheng knew his brothers inside and out, leaving Li Shimin speechless.

"Besides, can the Heavenly Emperor's innate divine power be compared to yours?"

Li Shimin rubbed his forehead. "How come I didn't notice?"

Li Jiancheng then looked at Li Xuanba and said, "Sanlang, this matter must be handled very discreetly. It's not something you can manage at your age. I will send people to do it, and you will follow along. Don't act on your own. In this world, it's always good to prepare in advance and have some manpower on hand."

"There's only one thing you must never learn from your second brother: always tell your family before doing anything, and never do it in secret!"

"You must remember that your family is quite capable. No matter what happens, they can protect you. The worst thing is to do things secretly without informing your family, which could lead to an unmanageable situation. Never follow your second brother's example, understand?"

"Ok!"

Li Xuanba nodded heavily.

"Big brother! I want to go too! I'll be obedient and I definitely won't act on my own!"

"Alright, come find me when you can run again. Haven't you always boasted about your martial arts skills? I'll let you have a match with your brother then, so you'll know your shortcomings. Then you'll know whether you can go or not!"

Li Shimin's eyes lit up.

Can we go there after defeating the third brother?
Hahaha!
That's too easy!

Brother, I'm going to show you what true superhuman strength and the makings of a mighty general are all about.
(End of this chapter)