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

Chapter 14 Liu Jianjun's Plan
Liu Jianjun stepped forward and said something to the guard at the gate, who then let the two of them in.

It seems that his preparations went beyond just scouting locations.

Li Xian had seen other prefectural governor's offices before, but the Bazhou prefectural governor's office in front of him made him somewhat unable to believe that this was the office of a prefectural governor.

Calling this place a mansion would be an exaggeration; it looks more like a slightly larger farmhouse courtyard. Li Xian even saw dried radishes drying in the corner.

Li Xian recognized this thing; he had seen it in Liu Laosan's yard.

Liu Jianjun seemed unfazed, as if nothing in this world could surprise him. When he came in, he was still dragging that cart, and the constant creaking of the wheels was particularly jarring.

Li Xian thought that this place was, after all, the seat of a prefecture, and it was a bit inappropriate for Liu Jianjun to be dragging a creaking cart.

But looking at the dried radishes drying in the corner, I felt that the two things actually looked strangely well-matched.

So Li Xian simply shut his mouth.

Led by the guards, the two arrived at a place that looked like a melon shed. Inside the shed, a farmer was tending to a melon vine, on which grew a winter melon the size of a human head. The farmer looked very careful and meticulous.

Liu Jianjun strode forward casually and made an awkward bow: "Prefect, I've brought this auspicious omen!"

It turns out that this farmer was Li Mingshi, the prefect of Bazhou.

Li Xian glanced at him curiously. The man was about the same age and build as him, but he gave off a sense of strength, unlike a weak scholar.

Then, Li Xian realized what Liu Jianjun had said.

Auspicious omen?

Where did this auspicious omen come from?

At this moment, Li Mingshi's gaze also turned over and landed on Li Xian, his expression somewhat inexplicable.

Li Xian thought to himself that the man must have guessed his identity, so he cupped his hands in greeting and said, "I am Li Xian, and I greet Magistrate Li."

Li Mingshi's expression shifted for a moment before he asked, "Did you grow these auspicious omens?"

Li Xian looked confused, wondering what was going on, when Liu Jianjun walked up to the cart and said, "This is the one that Xian... Li Xian grew. Governor, I've never seen such a big winter melon before!"

As he spoke, Liu Jianjun lifted the burlap lining of the basket on the cart, revealing what was inside.

When Li Xian saw this thing, his eyes widened instantly.

That was a winter melon.

But it's not just a simple winter melon.

Li Xian knew about winter melons. Back when he was in the Eastern Palace, the Imperial Kitchen would often send him winter melon soup made with half a winter melon. But those winter melons were only about the size of a human head, just like the ones Li Mingshi was taking care of now.

But this winter melon in front of me... is absolutely gigantic!

Li Xian swore that if this thing were used to make a winter melon soup, it should be called a winter melon basin!

It's as big as a basin!

If Li Xian was so surprised, Li Mingshi was even more astonished. He rushed to the cart in a state of utter disarray, his eyes wide as he tried to reach out and touch the enormous winter melon. However, he hesitated, worried about wiping away the frost on it, and pulled his hand back as if in a comical manner.

Liu Jianjun, however, said nonchalantly, "Touching it a couple of times won't hurt!"

Li Mingshi was angered by Liu Jianjun's nonchalant attitude and rebuked him, "How can it not matter! This is an auspicious omen. If the frost on it is wiped off, its shelf life will be shortened, and it won't be able to reach Chang'an..."

Looking at the annoyed Li Mingshi, Li Xian thought to himself, it wasn't that he lacked self-control, but rather that Liu Jianjun was too good at provoking people.

But before Li Mingshi could finish speaking, Liu Jianjun interrupted him with a smile: "So, Governor, you agree?"

Li Xian then realized that Liu Jianjun's method of getting him to go to Chang'an was to present auspicious omens. He couldn't help but turn his gaze back to the winter melon, and then his expression began to become excited.

Because Liu Jianjun's method... is theoretically feasible!

First of all, if it is just about presenting auspicious omens, then Li Mingshi, the prefect of Bazhou, doesn't need to worry about any involvement with him. It's perfectly normal for auspicious omens to appear in his prefecture and be presented to the palace; it's simply his duty!
Secondly, there's the auspiciousness itself.

It's a melon, not some rare or exotic object. This is the thing that best embodies the Tang Dynasty's compliance with the will of Heaven!

Emperor Taizong was so moved by a single bundle of rice ears laden with grains that he wept tears of joy and even offered sacrifices to Heaven, proclaiming that the Tang Dynasty was in accordance with the will of Heaven. Not to mention a winter melon as big as a basin!
This is simply an unprecedented auspicious omen!
Liu Jianjun... he really did it!

At this moment, Li Xian looked at the winter melon as if he were looking at his own future. He had made up his mind that even if something happened to him, this melon must not be harmed!
This not only represents his innocence, but also Liu Jianjun's hard work—it's easy to imagine how much effort Liu Jianjun must have put into finding such a juicy story.

Liu Jianjun's words rang out at this moment: "The appearance of auspicious omens in the territory is a testament to your effective governance, Governor. We are simply asking you to submit a memorial to report this matter, and you should not refuse."

Upon hearing Liu Jianjun's words, Li Xian instantly snapped out of his daze.

Yes.

All of this could only succeed if Li Mingshi agreed to report the auspicious signs to the heavens; otherwise, it would just be a melon, not an auspicious omen!

Now, Li Xian was also anxious, and his gaze towards Li Mingshi became somewhat apprehensive.

Li Mingshi's gaze shifted between Liu Jianjun and Li Xian, finally settling on the melon. He nodded, "This matter, I, the Prefect, agree to..."

Before Li Xian could even rejoice, Li Mingshi added, "However, this governor only agrees to present the auspicious omen to His Majesty. I will not get involved in anything else. In fact, my agreement to submit a memorial is only because of your radish."

Li Mingshi was looking at Li Xian when he said this, and Li Xian subconsciously asked, "Radish?"

“Yes, the person who bought the radishes from you a few days ago was my mother.” Li Mingshi’s gaze fell on the dried radishes in the corner, and he murmured, “My mother said that you look like a kind person, and a kind person should not do anything rebellious.”

After saying that, Li Mingshi waved his hand and said, "Alright, go ahead. Keep this winter melon safe. If His Majesty sends any news, this winter melon will be indispensable."

Happiness came so suddenly that Li Xian didn't even have time to react before he hurriedly nodded.

……

After bidding farewell to Li Mingshi, Li Xian walked out of the governor's mansion with a face full of excitement.

He still hasn't calmed down.

The person who bought him radishes that day was actually Li Mingshi's mother.

This truly is a case of cultivating good karma and reaping good results!

But Liu Jianjun shattered Li Xian's illusions with a single sentence: "What others said was just a way of 'taking advantage of the situation to back down.' Do you really think you can bribe a dignified governor with a few carrots?"

Li Xian was very dissatisfied and turned his head away.

But when he turned around, he found Liu Jianjun squatting by the cart, picking up a stone and tapping it on the wheel hub.

Li Xian finally couldn't help but ask, "What are you doing?"

"Make sure this thing is properly sealed, so no one can lose face. I don't want to drag this thing back by myself!"

After saying that, Liu Jianjun stood up and tried to pull the cart, but the cart stopped making a creaking sound.

Li Xian felt a warmth in his heart.

"Liu Jianjun, thank you."

……

(End of this chapter)