My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 86 Absolutely Not
Inside the Li residence, Li Yuan was having tea with Zhao Yuanshu. They both had a headache from drinking too much wine the day before.

Zhao Yuanshu also decided to go back and report. Before leaving, she wanted to ask Li Yuan for a few more things.

As the two were chatting, Steward Liu suddenly came in to report that the Third Young Master was requesting an audience.

Li Yuan laughed and said to Zhao Yuanshu beside him, "My sons all love me very much. They come to visit and greet me all day long, but they don't do that for their mother."

He said something and told Steward Liu to bring the person in.

Li Xuanba was still wearing the same clothes as yesterday, and the golden mace was still hanging at his waist.

His expression was solemn. He was taken aback when he saw Zhao Yuanshu there, and then he paid his respects to the two of them.

Li Yuan nodded with satisfaction, told him to sit down, and then began to boast to Zhao Yuanshu.

"My son is not only skilled in martial arts, but also excels in academics!"

Zhao Yuanshu didn't believe it at all.

Are you guys from a family with a knack for academics? I'd believe you if you said he could fight, but as for academics, ha, you're just bragging.

But he still smiled broadly and nodded, "Talented in both literature and martial arts! Truly extraordinary!"

Li Yuan asked with a smile, "Xuanba, what brings you here?"

Li Xuanba's expression was solemn. He glanced at Zhao Yuanshu, but still said earnestly, "I have something I would like to ask you, Grandfather."

"go ahead."

“When I was in the countryside, some people came to me to complain.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuanshu's eyes twitched, and a hint of joy appeared on her face. A few days ago, when Wang Zanwu took her around, Xingyang was a thriving and prosperous place, and the people were living very well. Isn't this embarrassing for you?
Li Yuan remained calm and unmoved, listening attentively to his son's words.

Li Xuanba asked, "I see that in the countryside, the land allocation system has long been corrupted, with land being allocated in name only and not in reality. The household registers are also in the same state, with some registering land but not others. This has caused the people to bear even greater corvée labor and taxes for no reason, leaving nine out of ten households empty. Yet the officials dare not address this issue. Why is this happening?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuanshu's face turned pale with fright, and he almost jumped up.

"This is inappropriate! This is inappropriate!"

He hurriedly said, "Giving land is a benevolent policy throughout the ages! How could such a situation occur? This is merely the side of the story of unruly villagers. They only want farmland but are unwilling to bear taxes and corvée labor, hence their criticism! This is utterly disrespectful!"

Before Li Yuan could explain, Zhao Yuanshu shut him down.

"This is simply a rumor. You must not believe it, Third Master, nor should you concern yourself with it!"

In front of Zhao Yuanshu, Li Xuanba paused for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Zhao Yuanshu dared not mention the matter again. He didn't even dare to stay any longer. After saying a few more words to Li Yuan, he hurriedly left the Li residence.

The father and son saw the person out the door.

Only after Zhao Yuanshu's carriage disappeared into the distance did Li Yuan say quietly, "See? It's because of people like this that no one dares to interfere."

"follow me."

Li Yuan did not bring Li Xuanba into the house. Instead, his attendants brought horses, and Li Yuan mounted one. Then someone picked up Li Xuanba and placed him in Li Yuan's arms. Li Yuan then took his son and began to wander around the county town.

Li Yuan surveyed the land under his rule, like a lion surveying its territory.

However, this lion hid its sharp claws and teeth, and moved forward with its head down. Although it had the ambition to change the world, it dared not raise its head and roar. All its thoughts could only be kept in its heart.

“I am very pleased that my son knows the hardships of the people.”

"However, this is not something we can change; it's very difficult."

“I spoke with the head of the township in Changwu today, and he told me about it.”

"Oh, you've consulted the village headman. Is this to resolve the land allocation issue in Changwu? Why is that?"

"From childhood, my grandfather always told me not to neglect small acts of kindness, nor to commit small acts of evil. As I grew older, he taught me: 'Wealth and honor cannot corrupt, poverty and hardship cannot sway, and power and force cannot subdue you. This is what makes a great man!'"

“I always remember my grandfather’s teachings, so when I learned of the suffering of the people, I decided to lend a helping hand.”

Upon hearing his son's words, Li Yuan was speechless for a moment.

He remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "If you change the name of one township, the county will be affected. The county's roster will not be changed, nor will taxes and corvée labor be reduced. At that time, the taxes of Changwu will have to be borne by other townships. Saving one township will kill countless people in other townships."

“If you change the name of Guancheng, the roster of that prefecture still cannot be changed; it will be taken over by other cities.” “If you change the name of the entire Xingyang, ha, the Emperor will send a new governor in a few days.”

"The root of this matter is not in the local area, but in the temple, in the sages."

“The sage doesn’t care how well the land distribution is implemented; he only needs more money, grain, and people. Whether it’s real or virtual, he doesn’t care, as long as what he ultimately receives is real.”

"You can't work this from the bottom up; you can only work it from the top down."

"Can you understand what I'm saying?"

Li Yuan lowered his head and asked.

Li Yuan always treated the other children like babies, and he never dared to say anything to them that he shouldn't have.

Li Xuanba already understood. He suddenly raised his head and looked at his father sideways.

"Grandpa, I understand. Do we have a chance to do it?"

“Of course, when you grow up,” Li Yuan was about to answer when suddenly he realized something was wrong. Xuan Ba’s words had a hidden meaning.

He suddenly looked down at his son, only to see a strange solemnity in his son's eyes.

Li Yuan's eyes widened. "Xuanba, you..."

"Grandpa, don't worry, I won't say anything out of line while I'm out here."

Li Yuan was now certain; this kid was clearly asking him if he harbored any ambitions of rebellion!
In Li Yuan's eyes, his second, third, and fourth sons were always little kids who didn't understand anything. They were the little ones who would cry and shout at night to sleep between him and his wife. Even though they had fought and bled, Li Yuan thought it was just children playing around.

After all, it's all about gang fights; which noble youth in Guanzhong didn't grow up like that?

When Li Yuan was seven or eight years old, he followed his three older brothers and started killing people outside.

Interestingly, when Li Yuan was young, his family also had four boys and one girl, just like Li Yuan is today.

Li Yuan was the fourth son and grew up being beaten by his older brothers.

Unfortunately, none of his three elder brothers lived long lives. The youngest was born weak and sickly and died young. The eldest brother also died of illness, and the second brother did not live long either, passing away before his children grew up. Now, only the fourth brother, Li, remains.

Therefore, when Li Yuan discovered that his third son was born weak and sickly like his third brother, he lamented the cruel twist of fate and sought out renowned doctors, not wanting to lose another son.

At this moment, Li Yuan was stunned to hear such a question from his son. His young son had suddenly grown up, which was hard for him to accept.

He stood there stunned for a long time, not knowing how to answer his youngest son.

He pursed his lips. "You're still young, why would you think that?"

“Whenever my grandfather gets drunk, he talks about the Taoist priest he met back then, and he can’t forget him, hence this question.”

Li Yuan was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat. It seemed he would have to be more careful when drinking in the future.

"Please don't ask such questions again."

Li Yuan did not deny it. Li Xuanba already knew the answer. He nodded and then looked into the distance. "Father, if that's the case, then we should do this even more."

"Oh? Why?"

"This move will offend many people, but it won't offend good people."

“Those who are truly talented and virtuous in the world are aware of the great harm that evil policies have caused. Only a villain like Zhao Yuanshu would turn a deaf ear and desperately defend them. If you want to do great things, Your Majesty, you need talented and virtuous people who can take the world as their responsibility, not a bunch of sycophantic, immoral and incompetent villains.”

“At present, everyone is afraid of the sage’s power. They know it’s wrong, but they dare not speak out. If you can take the lead in the world, then if there is any turmoil in the future, people with talent and ambition will naturally step forward to help you. This is what the ancients meant by ‘those who follow the Way receive much help, while those who stray from the Way receive little help.’”

Li Yuan couldn't help but laugh when he heard this.

The little guy in his arms started giving him advice, and he asked with a test in mind, "You advise me to be the first in the world, but do you know what will happen to the first person to step forward?"

Li Xuanba replied earnestly, "I have never met the Sage, but I have heard people talk about him. They all say that the Sage does not listen to advice, and if anyone talks about his mistakes or criticizes his behavior, he will be dismissed from his post at best, and executed at worst."

"Being the first in the world, this is probably the result."

"Then why are you advising me to be the first in the world? Isn't that just suicide?"

"The form of remonstrance matters. Sages abhor direct remonstrance to superiors, but they do not abhor mutual impeachment among officials. I believe that if the correct method of remonstrance is adopted, there is a possibility of success."

(End of this chapter)