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

Chapter 104 News from Luoyang

Li Xian was puzzled.

"Hasn't Taiping already moved to Luoyang with the Empress Dowager? Wu Youji is staying in Chang'an, so how could he contact Taiping?"

"Huh? Taiping went along too?" Liu Jianjun asked in astonishment.

"Of course, the Empress Dowager dotes on Princess Taiping the most, and as the most prominent princess in the Tang Dynasty, Princess Taiping needs to frequently participate in court affairs in Luoyang, so she will naturally accompany the Empress Dowager to the capital."

"That's good...that's good..."

Liu Jianjun murmured for a while, then suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "That's not right! Why is Wu Youji still in Chang'an?"

Li Xian was stunned again.

What is the relationship between Wu Youji and Taiping?
Before Li Xian could ask a question, Liu Jianjun suddenly slapped his forehead and realized, "Ghost! Your mother either doesn't trust Liu Rengui or she doesn't trust you, so she left Wu Youji behind as a spy!"

"And... there's a greater chance they don't trust you!"

Li Xian couldn't understand why he wasn't more confident in his own chances.

But then Liu Jianjun continued, “I understand now. Your mother promoted Wu Youji to Right Guard General so that he would have troops under his command to prevent you, the prince, from causing trouble, and also to keep an eye on you!”

"To put it bluntly, it's the same tactic as before, where they put Liu Neyan in the Prince of Pei's mansion. Although they don't value you much anymore, they still won't hesitate to casually drop a pawn to restrict you!"
"That old woman, she's got a lot of tricks up her sleeve!"

Li Xian remained silent.

What is Liu Jianjun saying?
Each time, he felt as if he had become a little smarter, but each time, he felt that there was a huge gap between him, Liu Jianjun, and his mother.

So Li Xian asked directly, "Then... what should I do?"

"It has nothing to do with you. Just go and make an appointment with Liu Rengui when my cotton cloth is ready... By the way, be a little discreet."

Li Xian understood then.

……

Liu Jianjun threw himself into his cotton cloth business, and when he emerged, a secret letter arrived from Luoyang.

Shangguan Wan'er's.

The secret letter was meant for Li Xian, but Li Xian knew exactly what the couple was thinking, so he called Liu Jianjun over.

Respectfully submitted.

On the fifteenth of February, the Empress Dowager issued an edict from her palace. His Highness received the investiture at the southern suburbs the following morning. After the ceremony, he was escorted by the Imperial Guards to a side hall of the Xuanzheng Hall, where he was imprisoned behind heavy doors. The imperial throne in the Zichen Hall hung empty, with only a pale purple gauze curtain visible behind it. The Empress Dowager's voice emanated from behind the curtain, and the assembled officials bowed in obeisance, effectively establishing her regency.

[The official narrative claimed that "His Majesty is emaciated from grief and unable to attend to state affairs," but within the palace, everyone saw His Highness eating and reciting scriptures as usual. The Empress Dowager had already taken control of the imperial seal and approvals. The court and the public in Luoyang were terrified, except for frequent visits to the palace by members of the Wu clan at night.]

[The situation is critical. I humbly request Your Highness and Lord Liu to devise a plan as soon as possible. Wan'er should continue to remain hidden and wait for an opportunity to relay the message. If I receive Your Highness's order, I will gladly die for it.]

"Tsk tsk, Danzi is a smart man!" Liu Jianjun exclaimed after reading the letter.

Li Xian was puzzled.

Compared to Li Xian, who made some trouble after ascending the throne, Li Dan was immediately imprisoned in a side hall by his mother after taking the throne. Where was his cleverness?
"Danzi knew he couldn't fight against your mother, so he simply didn't fight back. He went into the side hall and put on a submissive look, which would minimize the chances of your mother harming him."

Liu Jianjun smiled and said, "Your mother is also a shameless person. The reason she came up with was that Danzi's father died and he was very sad and unable to govern for the time being, so the Empress Dowager was needed to take over."

"So, your grandfather died, and she's the only one in the world who's completely unaffected?"

Li Xian glared at Liu Jianjun with displeasure. "Alright, your mother's side has started making moves, let's hurry up too. Have you made arrangements with Liu Rengui?"

Li Xian nodded and asked, "Is the cotton cloth ready?"

"A mere bolt of cloth, how could it possibly stump me?"

……

The following day, Li Xian and Liu Jianjun arrived at Liu Rengui's residence.

Liu Jianjun actually managed to get the cotton cloth out.

Li Xian examined the cotton cloth and found that it had not been dyed, so it was still its original white color and looked exceptionally clean. However, compared to the lightweight silk cloth, the same piece of cotton cloth was much heavier, weighing about seven or eight pounds, and it was a whole bundle when held in his arms.

The surface of cotton cloth is not as smooth as silk, but rather fuzzy, and not as rough as linen either; rather, it resembles animal fur.

Even their warmth retention is not much different.

The moment Li Xian saw this thing, he realized its amazing nature: if clothes were made from such cloth, how strong would the effect of keeping warm be?

……

Li Xian and Liu Jianjun arrived at Liu Rengui's residence. The gatekeeper, who had obviously known they were coming, bowed and invited them into the residence.

The servant had originally intended to carry the bundle of cotton cloth for Liu Jianjun, but Liu Jianjun shook his head, and the servant politely withdrew.

Upon entering the mansion, Liu Rengui did not receive them in the main hall, but rather in the same antique-style study as before. It seemed that this place was reserved for him to receive guests.

The old man, dressed in a casual dark-colored robe, was reviewing some documents at his desk. Upon seeing Li Xian and his companion enter, he immediately put down his pen, stood up, and greeted them with a smile: "Your Highness Prince Pei, Brother Liu!"

"Lord Liu," Li Xian greeted with a bow.

Liu Jianjun chuckled and placed the bundle of cotton cloth aside, then took the opportunity to say with a smile, "Master Liu! You haven't forgotten my name and official title again, have you?"

Liu Rengui wasn't annoyed. He returned Li Xian's greeting with a bow, then looked at Liu Jianjun with a smile: "Haha! You rascal! You've come here to cause trouble for me, haven't you?"

Then, his gaze fell on the bundle of cotton cloth, and he asked with some surprise, "What... is this?"

"It's been so long, we should at least give you some reassurance, shouldn't we?"

Liu Jianjun chuckled as he untied the strips of cloth binding him, unfolding a portion of the entire bolt of cotton fabric. The white cloth stood out starkly in the dimly lit study, its thick texture and unique pattern making it particularly eye-catching.

Liu Rengui curiously leaned closer, gently stroking the fabric to feel its texture, and asked, "What is this woven from? I don't think I've ever seen this kind of fabric before. It's neither silk nor hemp nor wool."

"Woven from this material."

As if by magic, Liu Jianjun pulled out a small wad of fluffy, white cotton from his pocket and handed it to Liu Rengui.

Liu Rengui took the cotton, carefully twisted and kneaded it, and then looked at the cotton cloth in comparison. His surprise deepened: "This is... Rosemary? Rosemary flowers can actually be woven into cloth? I only know that foreign merchants use it as an ornamental object or to fill pillows and mattresses. I have never heard of it being used to spin thread and weave cloth!"

"Nothing is impossible for a willing heart."

Liu Jianjun quipped, then asked, "What does Master Liu think of this?"

“This thing…is indeed a marvel. Although its texture is slightly rougher than fine silk, it is far superior to hemp. It is thick, warm, absorbent, and breathable.” Liu Rengui slowly sat back down and said, “Young Brother Liu, please tell me about your reassuring pill.”

……

(End of this chapter)