LFHYB -Chapter 163 It Doesn’t Matter—I Don’t Care

Ignoring the bulging eyes of everyone around them, Li Xuanba continued enthusiastically explaining his “setting.”

“In the past, when the Langya Wang clan migrated south, the Southern Dynasties established an émigré Langya Commandery near Jiankang so the clan could live together. Over time, Jiankang was destroyed by Emperor Wen of Sui, and the Langya Wang clan had long since lost its former glory. Some clansmen went to Guanzhong to serve as officials; others scattered throughout Jiangnan. Wang Yun was one branch among them.”

“Though Wang Yun grew up poor and lived by farming and study, he was well-versed in the Confucian classics and always upheld the teachings of the sages, wishing to enlighten all under Heaven.”

“When the Sui dynasty was still stable, Wang Yun often traveled among the villages, seeking out intelligent children and opening schools for them free of charge, teaching them to reform customs and improve morals.”

“When Yang Guang levied harsh taxes and requisitions, Wang Yun could not bear to watch the people suffer and thus retired into the mountains—until…” Li Xuanba reached out and manually closed his second brother’s hanging jaw. “Until the Tang emperor Li Shimin heard of Wang Yun’s virtuous reputation and summoned him from seclusion. But Wang Yun refused the imperial summons. He went instead to places yet unenlightened, devoting himself wholeheartedly to educating the people of one region after another, turning what were once barbarous lands into flourishing centers of culture.”

Li Shimin clutched his head again. What lunacy is my brother cooking up now?

“The emperor has already been killed, and Zhi Shilang has become an immortal legend. What should be done next to make the people live better?” Li Xuanba’s tone was calm, even smiling. “First, we need to let more people learn to think—to realize that they are not living well.”

“In other words—enlighten the people.” Li Xuanba said it decisively.

Li Shimin muttered, “My brother has gone mad again.”

Li Xuanba shook his head. “I’m not mad. Second Brother, this is also good for you. If talent can only be drawn from aristocratic clans and meritorious nobles, they will look down on imperial authority. Do you remember the imperial examinations I mentioned to you? The more people who read and take the exams, the more boldly you can deal with those nobles who disdain the throne—because if they won’t do the work, plenty of others will.”

Everyone’s expressions turned strange. Third Young Master, aren’t you the one who despises imperial authority the most?

Li Xuanba continued, “Enlightening the people is not only a demand sages place upon themselves, but also their expectation of enlightened rulers. Today’s scholars pursue only their own interests and no longer follow the sages’ teachings. But if someone appears who truly follows those teachings, he will still earn their praise.”

“Wang Bo, you once told me you tried to teach farmers’ children, only to find that because they go hungry and cold from an early age, they seem far duller than the children of scholars. But dullness only means learning more slowly—it doesn’t mean they can’t learn.”

“Most knowledge in this world is controlled by the great clans—even the meritorious nobles are looked down upon by them. True great scholars like my teacher Lord Gao or Lord Yuwen, who are not from aristocratic families, are exceedingly rare. Those great scholars hold lofty status and have long forgotten their responsibility to enlighten the people; they disdain to mingle with villagers.”

“If you ask today’s true great scholars to teach common folk, they would never do it. Wang Bo—but you will. You will devote yourself wholeheartedly.”

Li Xuanba picked up the sword and placed it back into Wang Bo’s hands.

“You will never be able to enter officialdom. Once you do, you’ll be drawn into struggles for power, your past will be dug up, and no matter how well I conceal your identity, it will eventually be exposed.”

“But if you refuse summons and establish academies only among the people, no one will deliberately seek trouble with a carefree recluse like you.”

“A newborn dynasty needs a great scholar who truly cares for the people as its banner—to rally more literati to enlighten the masses.”

“You wish for more people to read. You are probably the only scholar in this world who would devote himself entirely to this cause.”

Li Xuanba patted Wang Bo on the shoulder. “Don’t worry—falsifying genealogies is what my family does best. Besides, the Langya Wang clan has declined for a long time. Once your reputation spreads as a great sage who scorns fame and wealth and seeks only to enlighten the people, the Langya Wang clan will absolutely acknowledge your identity. With an aristocratic clan to vouch for you, you can sleep soundly.”

Li Shimin rolled his eyes speechlessly. A‑Xuan! Stop telling everyone our Longxi Li clan’s aristocratic status is fake!

Li Xuanba went on, “What you must give up is everything you are now as Wang Bo, Zhi Shilang. Wang Bo must disappear forever. Only when no one can find him can he exist forever. Are you confident you can play the role of a great scholar devoted to the common people? The moment your identity is exposed, not only your life, but also the impact of Zhi Shilang’s heroic deed and your dream of enlightening the people will suffer devastating blows. All your efforts will have been in vain.”

Wang Bo asked in return, “Since Third Young Master knows that if my identity is exposed, everything I’m doing now will be wasted—why take the risk?”

Li Xuanba replied, “Because my heart is indignant—you did nothing wrong, so why should this world force you to your death? And because of greed—having Yang Guang publicly executed by the people isn’t enough. I can use you to do even more.”

Wang Bo said, “If Third Young Master, you… lose?”

Li Xuanba smiled. “Then I lose. So what if I lose?”

He spread his arms wide, as if to embrace Heaven and Earth.

“I can see very far ahead. History is long, and the future is long. What we’re doing now is important—and also not important.”

“Right now there’s no one like you, Wang Bo. In the future, there will be Huang Chao, Fang La, Li Zicheng, Hong Xiuquan… and even those truly capable of changing the world will appear at the far end of my sight, smiling and nodding at me.”

He withdrew his arm and held up his little finger.

“Our existence in the long river of history amounts to just this much.”

“If we succeed, perhaps the future will be a little better; if we fail, we’re merely retracing old paths—it won’t make the future any worse.”

Li Xuanba put down his hand. “That’s why my schemes have never been about success, nor about the future. I act only because of the unrest in my heart right now, because I want to do it. Wang Bo, I know that you, in this moment, will follow my suggestion.”

Wang Bo asked, “Why?”

Li Xuanba smiled. “Because you are married. Don’t claim that marriage is merely to fulfill the last wish of your life. I’m married too, and I know what I was thinking at the time of my wedding.”

Even if one has prepared for death, even if one feels at peace, at the moment of marriage—with Yuwen Zhu in the ceremonial hall—Li Xuanba could not help but imagine the future he would share with her.

It is often joked on the internet in later times that when people hold the hand of someone they love, they imagine their silver wedding, their golden wedding, envisioning themselves as an elderly couple walking hand in hand under the sun.

No one, when marrying their beloved, can avoid imagining a beautiful future.

This does not mean that they become cowardly at the thought of death. On the contrary, the willingness to imagine a beautiful future yet still face death generously is what makes it tragic and heroic.

But why should it be tragic?

Shouldn’t Yang Guang die? Shouldn’t the people chop off his head?

Yes!

Just because it’s a screwed-up world that makes one feel heroic while doing the right thing, must it always be tragic?

Since childhood, Li Xuanba had tried to save Gao Yong and Yuwen Bi when he could, and even Yang Zhao when possible. Even though some fates are unchangeable, whenever injustice rose in his heart, he never stood by idly.

Even knowing that his second cousin was heading to certain death, Li Xuanba had offered him advice—though the cousin refused it.

Li Xuanba said, “Then what about you, Wang Bo? You’ve completed one dream. Are you willing now to become another person, hide under the wings of a noble family, and pursue your next dream?”

Before Wang Bo could reply, Li Xuanba turned to Sun Xuanya. “General Sun, if you also want to be a teacher, I will send someone to teach you. In the future, when you travel hand in hand with Wang Bo, you can even open an academy specifically to teach young women how to read and write. Even though women rarely hold office, the act of learning will still give them the skills to survive and stand on their own.”

Sun Xuanya smiled. “My husband taught me to read and write. I think I’m quite clever. Won’t this trouble you, Third Lord?”

Li Xuanba said, “Not at all. I will let you make a name for yourself again. History and the people of the world will not only remember ‘Sun Xuanya,’ but will also remember your new name.”

Sun Xuanya nudged Wang Bo with her elbow. “Hurry and agree. Don’t look for trouble if you can avoid it! How hard is it to pretend to be someone else? I’ll give you a demonstration of a proper young lady right now!”

Wang Bo gritted his teeth in pain, thinking, A proper young lady? Are you blind?

Li Xuanba clasped his hands. “Then it’s settled. I’ll send someone to take you away immediately. Wei Xuancheng must not discover that you’re still alive. You must stay hidden for at least three years. After that, I guarantee no one will recognize either of you.”

All those skincare routines weren’t in vain, he thought. Daily glycerin and essential oil treatments, avoiding hard labor and the sun, plus a bit of voice and posture training… Back when I was a co-owner of an online store, I’ve even helped influencers sell products before.

Wang Bo: “Wait, I still—”

Li Xuanba said, “Yan Zhen, this is for you. Confident you can handle it?”

Yan Zhen sighed. “My lord has been arranging this for years. I don’t know exactly who you plan to hide, but it doesn’t matter—preparations have been made for so long. I can manage it.”

Wang Bo was surprised. “Years ago? If… if I hadn’t killed Yang Guang? Or if I had killed him but refused to go with you? Wouldn’t all your efforts have been for nothing?”

Li Xuanba spread his hands. “Doesn’t matter. I don’t care.”

Wang Bo: “…” Though it seemed ungrateful to grumble at the one saving his life, he couldn’t help but think the Third Lord might be slightly insane.

Li Xuanba urged, “Don’t waste time. Leave quickly. My second brother and I must return to Longyou to contend for the realm. You must study diligently these next few years—no going out. Yan Qi, these past years you’ve worked hard; teach Wang Bo well.”

Yan Zhen smiled. “What Wang Bo? Isn’t it Wang Yun of the Wang clan of Langya? As your trusted aide, my future wealth and rank are guaranteed. This task is far more interesting than mundane duties; I don’t feel it’s hard work.”

Li Xuanba said, “No, I mean while you’re teaching ‘Wang Yun,’ I will also assign you other tasks. That will be hard work.”

Yan Zhen’s smile cracked. My lord, you really still know how to boss people around!

Li Xuanba flicked his sleeve. “Go quickly, farewell.”

Wang Bo exhaled deeply as the cheerful Sun Xuanya poked him with a finger, bowing to Li Xuanba and Li Shimin in farewell before pulling him into the carriage.

Li Shimin squatted on the ground, expressionless, watching Wang Bo and Sun Xuanya leave.

Li Xuanba lightly kicked his second brother. “What’s the matter? Don’t want to part with your sword?”

Li Shimin snapped, “You hang a sword over my head and then ask if I’ll miss it?”

Li Xuanba said, “The sword can’t harm you anyway, and it will enhance your reputation. Do you still care whether the last emperor of the Tang falls into the hands of the people? What’s the difference between dying at the hands of ambitious fools and dying at the hands of ordinary people? Both are shameful.”

Li Shimin squatted, muttering curses. “Xuanba, is your mind a little off? Luckily, I’m your brother and can indulge your madness. Anyone else would have beaten you to death!”

Li Xuanba said with righteous solemnity, “I’ve suffered from illness since childhood and endured the torment of disease for so many years. And you expect me to stay cheerful, healthy, and sane? Second brother, what nonsense are you talking? Haven’t you always known I’m sick?”

Li Shimin broke down: “Are you torturing me because you’re sick?”

Li Xuanba said arrogantly, “Yeah, who made you my twin older brother, dragging me along since childhood?”

Li Shimin: “…”

I give up. Truly, I’m utterly defeated!

Huh? My brother’s ancestors are also my ancestors? What?! Am I not even allowed to curse my own ancestors?!

Li Shimin wobbled to his feet, stretched his arms and legs, and gave Li Xuanba a hard knock on the head: “Fine, it’s not a big deal. It’s not as bad as when, at five or six, you constantly whispered in my ear, ‘The Sui dynasty will fall, our family will become emperors of the Tang, and Tang will fall three hundred years later.’”

After calming down, Li Shimin realized that, actually, he didn’t feel much agitation in his heart.

After all, his brother had always been stirring up waves of chaos in his mind since childhood. Rescuing a rebel who had beheaded the emperor was really not a big deal.

Li Xuanba nodded and switched to inner thoughts: [Yes, it’s not as big as ‘the imperial treasury burned to splendid ash, the streets of the capital stepped over the bones of ministers’ when the Tang fell.]

Li Shimin, expressionless: “Your mental connection with your brother is broken. I can hear nothing.”

Li Xuanba: [The imperial treasury burned to splendid ash, the streets of the capital stepped over the bones of ministers!]

Li Shimin: “I can’t hear you.”

Li Xuanba: [The imperial treasury burned to splendid ash, the streets of the capital stepped over the bones of ministers! The imperial treasury burned to splendid ash, the streets of the capital stepped over the bones of ministers!]

Li Shimin: “I said I can’t hear you, I can’t hear you. Alright, we should go back. This time we only brought Qin Shubao; Xue Bopao and Wei Xuancheng must be worried. Are you really not going to tell Wei Xuancheng? I don’t think he would leak it.”

Li Xuanba: “Wei Xuancheng’s role as Wang Bo’s former strategist will soon be exposed. My hiding in Wang Bo’s army will also be revealed. The fact that he confronts me so sincerely only shows we knew nothing of Wang Bo’s affairs.”

Li Xuanba: [The imperial treasury burned to…]

Li Shimin: [Shut up!!!!]

Li Xuanba, satisfied, swung himself onto his horse.