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

Chapter 82 Sudden Trouble

Li Xian chuckled for no apparent reason.

His younger brother, who had never even met Liu Jianjun, was thus given the nickname "Egghead".

He sarcastically remarked, "If you knew Li Dan before I was dismissed, don't call him by your strange way of addressing him!"

Liu Jianjun was taken aback for a moment and asked, "What's wrong?"

"His previous name was Li Lun."

"..."

Liu Jianjun looked speechless: "You have such a low threshold for laughter."

Li Xian glared at him.

Liu Jianjun always has a way of annoying people. He is clearly the strangest person in the world, but he still acts like "you guys are really weird".

Li Xian thought for a moment and then asked, "Why Li Dan?"
"According to your logic, the Empress Dowager only wants a puppet emperor, so wouldn't Li Chongzhao be more suitable?"

“He is the eldest son of the younger brother, and has been made the Crown Prince by the Emperor. He is rightfully the rightful heir, and he is still an infant who cannot even speak. Isn’t he more suitable than Li Dan to be this puppet emperor?”

Liu Jianjun gave Li Xian an approving look and said, "Not bad, you've got some brains, but it's not enough."

Li Xian asked impatiently, "Just say it!"

"I ask you, when Li Dan ascended the throne, what was your mother's status?"

This time, Li Xian remained silent.

He understood what Liu Jianjun meant.

When Li Dan ascended the throne, his mother's title was Empress Dowager, but if Li Chongzhao ascended the throne, his mother's title would be Grand Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager's regency is far more legitimate than that of the Grand Empress Dowager.

One word difference makes a world of difference.

Liu Jianjun continued, "Therefore, your current rebellious persona is extremely important! It's even to the point that you can't take it off! Think about it, if you clear your name, what will your identity be?"
"He is Emperor Gaozong's eldest son!"
"This is a status even higher than that of Xianzi! It's no exaggeration to say that if you clear your name today, a large number of voices in the court will support your ascension to the throne tomorrow! Even if Xianzi is still on the throne now!"

"With that man Jing before us, the ministers of your Li Tang dynasty, regardless of anything else, are truly willing to risk their lives to remonstrate, even at the cost of their heads."

Li Xian glared at Liu Jianjun again, clearly annoyed.

However, he also deeply realized the importance of his identity as a traitor.

He was about to speak when he saw Liu Jianjun's expression change drastically.

"what happened?"

Li Xian's heart skipped a beat; he had never seen Liu Jianjun with such an expression before.

"My lord... I have a few questions for you. What are your views on Li Xian's ascension to the throne?"

Li Xianneng clearly sensed the seriousness in Liu Jianjun's words.

He didn't even call Li Xian "Xianzi" anymore.

Li Xian hesitated for a moment, then honestly said, "I...have no opinion..."

This was Li Xian's honest opinion. Although he desperately desired the highest position, he felt it wouldn't be a big deal if Li Xian were to sit on it.

He believed that he and Li Xian were true brothers, and that even if Li Xian were to sit in that position, he would never treat him unfairly.

But Liu Jianjun then asked, "Do you think... Xianzi's feelings for you are the same?"

Li Xian nodded again.

He also believed in Li Xian's feelings for him.

From the moment he returned to the Prince of Pei's residence, and Li Xian specially removed the jade beads from the crown prince's tassels to pay him a visit, he was absolutely certain that Li Xian was still the same Li Xian as before.

"That's bad!"

"What's wrong?" Li Xian asked, puzzled.

Liu Jianjun grabbed Li Xian's arm and asked, "Have you thought about what Xianzi will do after he ascends the throne, since you two are so close?" This time, before Li Xian could answer, Liu Jianjun continued, "He will try to clear your name!"

"He doesn't know our plan, nor does he know how important this identity of treason is to you. If he brings it up, even Empress Wu might go along with it and help you do it!"
"Because you are also a threat to Empress Wu. If she can take the opportunity to get rid of you, she will definitely not hesitate!"

"With him and Empress Wu working together, it's practically a done deal that you'll be exonerated!"

Li Xian was stunned.

What Liu Jianjun analyzed is very likely!

Liu Jianjun urged, "Quickly, find someone to tip off Xianzi. I even suspect that Xianzi summoned you to court tomorrow just to give you this surprise! No wonder when I asked Shangguan Wan'er why Xianzi summoned you to court, she said she didn't know either!"
"This idiot is really... yet you can't bring yourself to hate him!"

Almost as soon as Liu Jianjun finished speaking.

"Boom! Boom! Boom..."

This is the sound of the closing drum at Chengtian Gate.

A curfew has been imposed.

Li Xian glanced at Liu Jianjun blankly.

Liu Jianjun's expression turned grim. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Xianzi, do you know what the most troublesome part of this matter is right now?"

Li Xian was puzzled.

"It's not that Li Xian wanted to exonerate you, nor is it even possible that Empress Wu was just going along with the flow."

"It's about your attitude tomorrow!"

Liu Jianjun said in a hurried tone, "The chances of Empress Wu going along with it and exonerating you are only fifty-fifty, or even that she will advocate for your exoneration at all."

"Because she has already laid out her plans to move the capital to Luoyang, and Li Dan is the current governor of Luozhou, making him a perfect puppet for her. If she were to exonerate you, these plans might need to be rearranged, and she might not agree to it."

"But your attitude tomorrow is crucial!"
"Think about it, if Li Xian offers to help you clear your name, should you agree or not?"

Li Xian subconsciously replied, "Of course I won't agree. Didn't you say that the identity of a traitor is very important to me?"

"If you say that, think about what your mother will think!"

Liu Jianjun stared intently at Li Xian, “We’ve already established your persona with your mother. You’re now a useless prince who’s desperately trying to clear your name. The emperor wants to exonerate you, but you disagree. Is that normal?”
"Your mother will suspect you immediately! Your threat level in her eyes will rise sharply! I even suspect that she will do anything to kill you, this prince who has been biding his time, even if it means sacrificing all his backup plans!"

Li Xian instantly broke out in a cold sweat and stammered, "Then... do you agree?"

Li Xian realized his mistake as soon as he said those words.

If she agrees, and Li Xian agrees, and given that the Empress Dowager is already indecisive, she might actually go along with it and agree.

In this way, even without the identity of a traitor, he would still be in trouble.

"Then...what should we do?"

"Find a third-party force for help! Liu Rengui can come in handy now!" Liu Jianjun grabbed Li Xian's shoulder and said, "In any case, before going to court, find an opportunity to give Liu Rengui a wink!"
"Liu Rengui is a very clever man. He understands with just a glance! Moreover, he is currently the most powerful person among all the civil and military officials. As long as he voices his opposition, this matter will not be settled!"
"The only downside is..."

Li Xian's heart tightened, and he asked, "What are the disadvantages?"

"Xianzi might be in a bit of a predicament. Right now, the only person he can rely on among all the officials is Liu Rengui. If Liu Rengui contradicts him at this critical juncture, he might think that Liu Rengui is also one of your mother's people."

Liu Jianjun sighed softly and said, "But there's nothing we can do about it. We can only ask Xianzi to make do for now."

Li Xian nodded.

But then, Liu Nayan's voice suddenly came from outside Liu Jianjun's courtyard.

"Your Highness! This old minister has something to ask of you!"

Upon hearing Liu Neyan's voice, Liu Jianjun paused, then a strange smile appeared on his lips.

He asked, "My sir, should we take care of this problem while we're at it?"

……

(End of this chapter)