Chapter 149 Making Other Plans

Upon checking the notification, Luo Gan's vision clearly displayed the prompt: "Proceed to Liang Shidu's location."

A-Zhen, who had gone to gather intelligence, had just returned from the Hongwen Pavilion. Luo Gan had just finished talking with Liu Buwen downstairs and was feeling somewhat uncertain, so he let out a sigh of relief upon seeing her return.

Luo Gan asked, "How did it go? What do Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui have to say?"

A-Zhen replied meaningfully, "As for Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, they hold deeply rooted positions in the hearts of scholars. Basically, everyone who takes the imperial examinations or pursues an official career aims for targets like them."

Luo Gan pressed, "A-Zhen, what else did you investigate? This information isn't enough for our next move."

A-Zhen answered, "Fang Xuanling loves eating fish, Du Ruhui prefers chicken, and neither of them cares much for mutton."

Luo Gan remained silent, feeling that the information he had gathered was of no help to him whatsoever.

"What about their social circles? Is there anything noteworthy?"

"The Eighteen Scholars have a fairly harmonious relationship. After all, within the scholarly faction, the external forces are what they still need to resist."

Luo Gan requested, "Tell me in detail. After all, we know far too little about the Eighteen Scholars."

"To put it simply, back when His Majesty was still the Crown Prince, the Tiance Prefecture's Literature Pavilion was dissolved, but most of the people within the Literature Pavilion were willing to follow His Majesty, among whom were the Eighteen Scholars, which is why they are so highly valued. Previously, the former Emperor appointed Yuwen Shiji as the Grand Master of the Crown Prince's Household, Changsun Wuji and Du Ruhui as Left Administrators of the Crown Prince's Household, Gao Shilian and Fang Xuanling as Right Administrators, Yuchi Jingde as Left Guard Commander, Cheng Zhijie as Right Guard Commander, Yu Shinan as Imperial Attendant Secretary, and Chu Liang as Palace Secretary. The former Emperor attached great importance to the role of the scholarly faction in state affairs, but their power was still not large enough."

Luo Gan murmured, "Chu Liang... could it be—?"

A-Zhen confirmed, "Indeed. Chu Suiliang's father is none other than Chu Liang. The families of the gentry naturally continue through the gentry themselves."

Luo Gan felt fortunate that his way of integrating into the Hongwen Pavilion had been so unique, leading him to accidentally make the acquaintance of Chu Suiliang. This gave him someone he could talk to for future confrontations with Fang Xuanling and his associates.

"Earlier you mentioned that the Eighteen Scholars didn't have enough power during the previous emperor's reign?"

A-Zhen took on a mysterious air and began to explain at length.

"Ever since His Majesty ascended the throne, the Hongwen Pavilion was established. His Majesty felt that wasn't enough, so he scoured the entire realm for all kinds of talent, including Yu Shinan, Yao Silian, Ouyang Xun, and others. Nominally, they serve as scholars to compile and repair classics, but in reality, they have become His Majesty's think tank. Their role goes far beyond merely repairing classics and laws."

From the sound of it, Luo Gan now had a fairly clear understanding of the Hongwen Pavilion's status. It was equivalent to a modern-day academy of social sciences, filled with world-renowned scholars who held various honorary titles while actually participating in politics and government affairs. The power they wielded was far beyond what ordinary mortals could compare to.

A-Zhen continued, "What's even more noteworthy is that the appointments to the small Hongwen Pavilion were entirely decided by His Majesty. Recruitment began in September following His Majesty's ascension in August. It feels like this move was really..."

"In a great rush," Luo Gan finished. "There must be a specific purpose behind this, something far more important than anything else."

"Yes. Nowadays, cultural affairs are almost entirely monopolized by the Hongwen Pavilion. Many of the people inside helped His Majesty conquer the realm when he was still the Prince of Qin, and now they are helping to govern the country. No matter how you look at it, they are opponents who cannot be underestimated."

As A-Zhen withdrew, Luo Gan was still pondering how to defeat his enemies and achieve victory. Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were potential adversaries, but defeating them outright was nearly impossible. Figuring out how to navigate around them was the true key to success.

As for Liang Shidu, he was practically a monomaniac. Although Luo Gan repeatedly mentioned going to see him, he had never actually made the trip, as if some mysterious force were preventing him from uncovering the truth there. The news coming from the Tujue tribe was rather murky and confusing. According to the Duke of Song, Tang Jian had returned safely, but he had indeed encountered multiple attacks along the way. Currently, it was uncertain which state was responsible, leaving His Majesty exceptionally vexed. Diplomatic relations were as tense as fire and water. If nothing unexpected happened, a war would likely break out after spring. What position should he occupy by then? Could he use his own methods to advance the progress of the competition?

The Duke of Song remained very calm and unhurried regarding the matter of Liang Shidu. Luo Gan convened an internal meeting to discuss what should be done next.

Luo Gan stated, "Right now, there are two things we need to pay attention to. One is Huang Changjun's aggression. We must safeguard the steady development of the All-Things Shop. What is everyone's progress?"

Liu Buwen reported, "The bookstore is very agreeable, but as for support... Mr. Wubi remains ambiguous and non-committal."

Xiaozhi added, "Master Sima Ge has endured Huang Changjun for a long time. If we do a bit more ideological work, he is very likely to become the backbone of the opposition."

Yanshan said, "I've been to the Sword Immortal Wine shop. It seems that not just the tavern itself, but also several peers utterly detest the behavior of Huang Changjun and that Lord Long on the street. The customers' dissatisfaction has also accumulated deeply. With a single word from us, we can let Huang Changjun know our true strength."

Luo Gan shared, "I've visited some bun shops and straw-sandal stores. Unfortunately, Chu Suiliang, who has the best relations with us—the head of the Hongwen Pavilion—does not openly support us in taking any action. He has other motives."

Everyone was quite curious, and Yanshan was the most perplexed.

Yanshan asked, "The Hongwen Pavilion shouldn't have much business dealings with us. What kind of demands could they possibly have?"

Luo Gan continued, "Some internal disputes among scholars. This investigation hasn't yielded a good result, but there is certainly friction between former dynasty loyalists like Chu Suiliang and the scholarly faction associated with Fang Xuanling—those who helped His Majesty conquer the realm. They want to know whether Fang Xuanling and his faction are truly capable candidates to govern the Great Tang empire."

"However," Luo Gan changed the subject, "we have other objectives in the near future. I want to go to Liang Shidu's territory to verify a previous prophecy."

"Liang Shidu... going there this time is courting danger again. What purpose makes the President feel he must do this?"

Xiaozhi chimed in, "If you ask me... let's not stir up trouble. Last time we went to deliver a letter, we almost lost our lives."

Xiaozhi had been through some storms, and as for Yanshan, he had experienced the ordeal with the Hu tribes and had nearly lost half his life. Who would willingly give up their current comfortable life and hopeful days to choose a dangerous path that might cost them their lives?

"I naturally understand everything you're all saying. It's just that I did take on a commission, and I was told that after completing Liang Shidu's task, there will be another substantial payout."

Luo Gan truly had not expected that everyone around him would oppose going to Liang Shidu's place. However, he completely understood; no normal person would want to go. Only Luo Gan knew that the gold and power he could attain right now were all illusions—visible but unattainable. Winning the competition was the only thing that mattered and was truly real. At this point, to maintain his prestige, Luo Gan used a bounty quest as an excuse to back down, and naturally, no one pursued the topic further.

The Great Tang All-Things Shop was peaceful and calm today. Everyone harbored their own thoughts, each seemingly plotting their own future.