My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 82 My Son's Greatest Contribution
"Third Brother, you would never guess what a great thing I did today!"

Li Yuanji sat down next to Li Xuanba with great interest and started shouting loudly.

Li Xuanba was quite surprised when he learned that Li Yuanji had taken some food from his house and gone out to distribute it to the poor.

"My brother can actually do good deeds now?"

Li Yuanji proudly raised his head, "I've wanted to do good deeds for a long time, but Shimin wouldn't allow it, so it's been delayed until today."

"Haha, why blame it on Second Brother?"

Li Xuanba patted his younger brother's head and said gently, "Do not do evil because it is small, and do not neglect good because it is small. Only virtue and wisdom can win people's respect. You already know the principles of doing good deeds, which is very good. Help others more, and they will respect you."

"I see!"

Just as the two brothers were chatting, several more warriors from the household came in, bringing the 'second gift' that Liu Xuan had mentioned earlier.

The item was quite heavy, and the warriors each carried it, placing several bundles aside. The leader said, "The patriarch said that this item can only be used indoors, and it's best not to take it out."

Li Xuanba probably had a guess in his mind.

Sure enough, Li Xuanba opened several packages, inside which were complete sets of armor.

This is a set of bright armor, made entirely of iron plates. The metal breastplate in front is polished to a gleaming shine. Before Li Xuanba could even speak, Li Yuanji exclaimed in surprise. He rushed forward impatiently and began to examine the breastplate, unable to look away.

Li Xuanba thanked the warriors and then got back to working with his younger brother.

Liu Chounu stood not far away, looking at the armor, and chuckled softly, as if he had just remembered something.

"Old man! How do you wear this?"

"I will put on the armor for my lord!"

Liu Chounu rolled up his sleeves, and Li Yuanji stood aside, hopping around. Liu Chounu was quite professional, dressing Li Xuanba layer by layer. This set of armor didn't fit him very well. The leg skirt of the Mingguang Armor was already long, and Li Xuanba was small, so the leg skirt touched the ground directly.

Despite the mismatched attire, Li Yuanji thought it was incredibly impressive.

Li Xuanba donned his armor, seemingly transforming into a truly invincible general. He imitated the mannerisms of those generals, raising his head and walking with an air of 'dominance'.

This was Li Xuanba's first time trying on armor. The armor was heavier than he had imagined, and because it didn't fit properly, walking was even more difficult. Now, remembering his teacher's requirement to run a hundred miles while wearing three layers of armor, Li Xuanba suddenly felt less confident. Could he really do it?
The courtyard was unusually lively that day.

The two babies huddled together, jumping and frolicking about.

Duan Niang brought some more delicious food, and the two of them were even happier. Laughter filled the courtyard. Liu Chounu sat happily to the side. For some reason, he, a man without a wife or children, felt a strange sense of enjoying his old age and the happiness of his children and grandchildren.

Zhao Yuanshu waited for two more days, but he still did not receive any news from Li Mi and the others.

He didn't learn much from Wang Zanwu and others.

However, the lack of news is, in a way, good news.

The plan was proposed by Li Mi, and he carried out the deed himself. As long as the important matter was not leaked, Zhao Yuanshu would have his own explanation no matter what.

Now Zhao Yuanshu was no longer in the mood to supervise agriculture and sericulture, and he planned to go back early.

Having attended Li Yuan's banquet today, I must hurry back. After all, besides the Duke of Chu, the Emperor is also waiting for my news, and I need to prepare a statement for him as well.

Later that evening, Li Yuan's men finally arrived. Steward Liu came in person to take Zhao Yuanshu to their residence for a banquet.

Meanwhile, at the Li residence, Li Yuan had also made preparations, sending Li Jiancheng to fetch Li Xuanba and even making sure he was dressed nicely.

Because he was growing rapidly recently, Duan Niang made several new clothes for Li Xuanba.

Li Xuanba was dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, looking quite capable and exuding the air of a Guanzhong martial artist. He also hung the golden mace on his waist, which gleamed brightly and matched his clothes quite well.

When Li Xuanba arrived at the main hall, Li Jiancheng was instructing everyone to prepare for the banquet.

Li Yuan liked to let his son do things personally, entrusting many matters to Li Jiancheng himself and not allowing Liu Zhangshi and others to assist him, all in order to train his successor.

Seeing his elder brother busy, Li Xuanba stood a little further away, not wanting to disturb him. Soon, Li Yuan came out and had the two of them follow him to greet Zhao Yuanshu.

Li Yuan couldn't help but laugh at Li Xuanba's attire today.

Good lad, he even carries a golden mace!

As Zhao Yuanshu alighted from the carriage, Li Yuan greeted her with a smile. Zhao Yuanshu was naturally very polite, and the two chatted and laughed. Li Yuan then had his two sons pay their respects to Zhao Yuanshu. This time, the treatment she received was completely different from the last time.

Li Yuan led Zhao Yuanshu to the main hall where guests were being received and a banquet was being held, while his two sons sat on the other side.

As various kinds of meat were served, musicians played music.

The scene was quite lively.

After chatting with Li Yuan for a few moments, Zhao Yuanshu asked, "Has the Duke taken care of the matter of those thieves?"

“I have already found out the details, and I submitted a memorial to the court yesterday to inform them of these matters.”

"The captured thieves and stolen goods will soon be sent over as well. Then, we'll see what the sage decides."

"I think the Zheng family is in big trouble this time. The Sage will never forgive them!"

Upon hearing Li Yuan's words, Zhao Yuanshu smiled and shook her head, "That's not necessarily true."

He straightened his expression and said, "The sage has always been kind and benevolent!"

"The Zheng family is, after all, a powerful clan. As long as they can reflect on their mistakes in time, the Sage will certainly not kill them indiscriminately. Of course, the chief culprit will not escape punishment."

Li Yuan nodded with a smile.

The two chatted for a long time before Li Yuan cleared his throat and pointed to Li Xuanba not far away, "Come here!"

Li Xuanba quickly got up and walked over to the two of them.

Li Yuan said with a smile, "This is my third son, and it was he who captured the bandit leader."

Zhao Yuanshu sized up the young man in front of her. He looked rather frail and lacked any heroic air. He even had a golden mace hanging from his waist, which made Zhao Yuanshu both amused and exasperated. Everyone else carried a ceremonial sword, so why was he carrying a hammer? He truly lived up to his reputation as a military nobleman.

Although that's what he thought in his heart, he kept praising her out loud.

"Truly valiant! A tiger cub from a military family!"

Li Yuan suddenly asked, "Lord Zhao, do you think my son is qualified to serve as a Qianniu Beishen?"

"what??"

Zhao Yuanshu was taken aback. He looked at Li Yuan in disbelief, "Duke, your third son, this year?"

"She's almost ten years old."

Zhao Yuanshu gave a wry smile. "It will definitely be possible in the future. I remember that the Duke took on this position when he was just over twenty years old, right? Third Young Master will definitely be able to do it too."

Li Yuan nodded. "He is indeed still young. However, if Lord Zhao could put in a good word for him before the Emperor, and he were to serve by the Emperor's side in the future, that would be a truly joyous occasion. I have always been a person who repays kindness."

Zhao Yuanshu pursed her lips. This guy's ambition is too strong, isn't it?
How old is your child? He's just a little boy. You want him to serve in the palace as soon as possible?
What do you take the palace for? A private school for teaching children?
Li Xuanba was quite surprised at this moment. Of course he knew what the Thousand Ox Bodyguard was. Was his grandfather being a little too hasty?

Li Jiancheng sat on the other side, remaining calm and composed.

He had discussed this matter with Li Yuan. When Li Yuan asked him to bring Li Xuanba over, Li Jiancheng was puzzled and did not understand his intention. Li Yuan then said that he wanted Zhao Yuanshu to mention him in front of the emperor, since he was the one who made the greatest contribution by capturing the bandit leader alive. He asked Zhao Yuanshu to mention him and see if he could be appointed as a Qianniu Beishen.

Li Jiancheng was very puzzled. How could the Imperial Guard possibly want a child? It was simply impossible. Besides, even if someone did want one, would they send Sanlang over? The situation in the world was chaotic. It would be like sending a hostage. Moreover, it would seem too opportunistic for Zhao Yuanshu to say such a thing to the Emperor.

But that was exactly the effect Li Yuan wanted. To completely reassure the emperor, he not only needed to deliver the merits, but also needed to make him understand that his people had no other intentions than to become officials and make money. He was so eager to do so that he was even willing to send his son to the emperor's side, and he had no ulterior motives whatsoever!
Li Yuan was also certain that the Sage would not appoint Li Xuanba as a Qianniu Beishen (a type of imperial guard), as Li Xuanba's age would not meet the requirements. Even if he was younger, he would have to be at least fifteen years old, an age where he could participate in corvée labor.

Therefore, the father and son reached a consensus and decided to say it that way.

(End of this chapter)