Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5123 Something went wrong
Princess Gaoyang immediately understood that this must be the result of a fight between her husband and Cheng Yaojin, and that the husband even had some leverage over Cheng Yaojin. Cheng Yaojin had no choice but to transfer these cotton fields, which came from illegal sources, to Princess Qinghe. This way, it would be difficult for her husband to hold Princess Qinghe accountable.

But there is something strange about it. Over there, her husband is fighting with Cheng Yaojin, and Cheng Yaojin is at a disadvantage. But here, she is asked to help solve the settlement problem of those cotton fields. Isn't this asking her to hinder her husband?

How could Princess Qinghe do such a stupid thing?

But Princess Gaoyang understood in an instant that perhaps this was the tacit understanding between her husband and Cheng Yaojin. Cheng Yaojin admitted defeat in exchange for her husband not to pursue the matter, and then attributed the matter to the two princesses. If someone dug it up later, there would be nothing they could do to the two princesses...

In this way, there is an exchange of certain interests between Langjun and Cheng Yaojin.

Although Princess Gaoyang has never been involved in any affairs, it is because she has a wise and almost demonic Wu Meiniang at home who can handle every aspect very properly, so she is unwilling to waste her energy on it, but it does not mean that she is not familiar with this.

Growing up in the imperial palace, the most dark and treacherous place in the world, how could I not know anything?

Thinking of the delicate relationship between the young master and His Majesty, I immediately realized that the so-called "exchange of interests" must be related to the mission that Cheng Yaojin took on when he returned to Beijing...

After a moment of hesitation, Princess Gaoyang smiled and said, "Ordinarily, this matter between us sisters is nothing, but after all, my husband is away on business, and I don't know how to ask for your help. Besides, this is a serious matter, so I will write a letter to ask my husband and then give you a reply."

If my guess is correct, then there is no need to write to ask. My husband's letter must be on the way now, and it will contain detailed instructions...

Princess Qinghe smiled and nodded: "That's right, I'm not in a hurry, I'm just waiting for news from my sister... I've been out for a long time today, I'm a little tired, I'll go back home first."

Princess Gaoyang was slightly startled, then she came to her senses and smiled, "Sister, are you worried? If my husband was at home, I wouldn't stay too long, but now he is thousands of miles away, so I'm sure no one will gossip about him, right? I've asked the kitchen to prepare wine and food. We sisters haven't seen each other for a long time, so let's have a drink and chat."

Princess Qinghe was slightly embarrassed when her thoughts were discovered. She blushed and said angrily, "Why doesn't your husband take good care of you? Instead, he makes fun of you?"

Princess Gaoyang was helpless: "It's not that I don't care, the key is that I can control my husband, but I can't control others! He threw himself into my arms willingly, how can I just watch the dog not eat the bone?"

Princess Qinghe smiled and didn't respond.

She knew that Princess Gaoyang's words were meant to be directed at Princess Baling...

But even if Princess Baling came to the door herself, what about Changle and Jinyang?

I couldn't help but secretly shake my head. The two generations of princesses in the Tang Dynasty were notorious because of their own immorality, but it was no wonder that others gossiped about them...

……

Princess Qinghe finally stayed for dinner, and the two sisters had a few drinks and a pleasant conversation during the meal.

Because her mother was of low status and died early, Princess Gaoyang's childhood memories were not happy. Not only did she lose her mother's love, but her living environment was also not optimistic. Even though Empress Changsun was a virtuous and fair empress, she could not take care of everything in the face of such a large harem. A little transparent person like Princess Gaoyang would not be respected by the eunuchs and palace maids just because of her imperial bloodline...

So apart from my sisters and brothers who I interact with often, I am not close to other people.

But after all, they are still sisters and have no hatred against each other. They don’t interact much in normal times and are a little unfamiliar with each other, but when they sit together, let down their guard, they quickly become close.

After seeing Princess Qinghe off, in the evening, someone really delivered a letter from Hexi.

Princess Gaoyang opened the envelope in her study, took out the letter, and read it quickly. The content was basically the same as she had guessed.

The young man had the leverage over Duke Lu, so Duke Lu had no choice but to surrender and promise not to start a war against the Left and Right Jinwu Guards after returning to Beijing. In return, Fang Jun allowed the cotton fields in Hexi to be registered under the name of Princess Qinghe. This was considered a gentleman's agreement between the two parties.

Princess Qinghe came forward to plead, and Princess Gaoyang took into account the sisterhood... both openly and secretly, an explanation was given to all parties, and the matter of Duke Lu's occupation of the cotton fields came to an end.

If anyone were to investigate the matter later, they would directly blame Princess Gaoyang and Princess Qinghe. Regardless of whether the Duke of Yue and the Duke of Lu could afford to offend them, with Your Majesty's love and tolerance for brothers and sisters, there would definitely be no punishment for such behavior...

*****
A few days later, Cheng Yaojin led his army to the Xianyang Bridge and temporarily stationed his military camp on the north side of the bridge. He took a few personal soldiers and rode quickly into Chang'an. The general had returned to the capital to report on his work and was not allowed to return home without permission, so he came to the Chengtian Gate to ask for a meeting as soon as possible.

In the Wude Hall, after the audience, Li Chengqian smiled and asked Cheng Yaojin to take a seat, and said with emotion: "Duke Lu followed Emperor Taizong in the wars and made great contributions. Now, only an old minister like you can return to Chang'an and take charge of Guanzhong, so that I can rest assured and sleep peacefully."

Cheng Yaojin had a rough face, but he was a delicate person. Hearing this, he was terrified and said, "I am trusted by Emperor Taizong and have achieved a small contribution. How dare I be praised by Your Majesty? Now the country is strong and the people are in the court. All the civil and military officials are talented. I am old and weak. I am willing to be a guard dog and swear to be loyal to you until death."

He was extremely humble and didn't dare to show off in the slightest.

But he actually feels very benefited in his heart. To this day, all the meritorious officials of the Zhenguan period have long since died away, and only a few are left. However, each of them is powerful and can be regarded as the cornerstone of the country. How can they be compared with those young officials in the court?
Li Chengqian hesitated for a moment and said, "Duke Lu, there is no need to underestimate yourself. The situation in Guanzhong may seem calm now, but there are still undercurrents. I still need Duke Lu to help me stabilize the situation."

Cheng Yaojin patted his chest loudly: "Your Majesty has ordered, this old minister will do it even at the cost of his life!"

Li Chengqian nodded and said bluntly, "The Left and Right Jinwu Guards were formed by the Grand Commandant. They are powerful and have strict military discipline. Therefore, I plan to transfer them out of the capital and place them in Bashang and Meixian respectively to suppress the entire Guanzhong and protect the capital."

Cheng Yaojin asked: "If so, the military strength in Chang'an City is empty, and the left and right leading guards alone may not be able to deal with all emergencies."

He understood Li Chengqian's concerns. The Left and Right Jinwu Guards were too powerful, and they were reorganized by Fang Jun. All of them were Fang Jun's people. No matter how much Li Chengqian trusted Fang Jun, he could not allow these two armies to control the defense of Chang'an city.

Fang Jun is loyal, but his subordinates may not be loyal...

However, the Left and Right Leading Guards had performed poorly in the previous mutiny and were unable to take on the responsibility of defending the city of Chang'an.

It's not necessary to force the left and right leading guards to take on the important task just to eliminate the hidden dangers, right?
The most important thing is that he has reached a tacit understanding with Fang Jun that he will not target the Left and Right Jinwu Guards after returning to Beijing...

Li Chengqian had anticipated this, "So I plan to have Duke Lu lead a group of elite soldiers of the Left Guard to station in the military camp in the imperial city to protect the safety of Chengtian Gate, and the houses in the rest of the city will be handed over to the Left and Right Guards. What do you think, Duke Lu?"

The imperial city is directly opposite Chengtian Gate. The stationing of the Zuo Wuwei in the imperial city is equivalent to handing over the safety of Chengtian Gate to Cheng Yaojin. This trust is undoubtedly great.

But does that stop there?

Cheng Yaojin hesitated.

He didn't think that the emperor trusted him more than Fang Jun, and that the emperor transferred Fang Jun's left and right Jinwu guards out of Chang'an and transferred him into the city to guard the imperial city. Was it really just to eliminate the threat posed by Fang Jun?
Is there any temptation in this?
Cheng Yaojin hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty trusts me, and I will obey your orders. But now the war in the Western Region is imminent, and the Gar tribe may not be honest. In addition, those aristocratic families are now submissive, but they are all patient and waiting for an opportunity... If the war in the Western Region goes badly, it will inevitably cause turmoil in the domestic situation. At this time, transferring the left and right Jinwu Guards and disrupting the defense of Chang'an may give the enemy an opportunity to take advantage."

Li Chengqian frowned, feeling something was not right.

This statement sounds reasonable, but is this what you, Cheng Yaojin, should consider? You have been complaining about being alienated from the central government and being upset about the declining power in the army. Now that I have given you a chance to replace Fang Jun, shouldn't you be overjoyed and take advantage of the opportunity?

Why does it sound like an evasion?

After a brief pause, Li Chengqian asked, "Duke Lu, do you think you can't replace the functions of the Left and Right Jinwu Guards and ensure the safety of Chang'an?"

When Cheng Yaojin heard this, he realized that his refusal was too obvious and had aroused the emperor's suspicion.

But how could he dare to break the tacit understanding between him and Fang Jun?

He now promised His Majesty that if nothing unexpected happened, the news would be spread from the Taiji Palace within half an hour, and within two days, all kinds of "evidence" would be sent to the Censorate and the Dali Temple, and then the impeachment memorials would fly onto the desk in front of him like snowflakes...

Although he had been in Hexi for a long time, he knew what had happened to the Censorate. Now everyone from top to bottom was very restless and was trying hard to avenge their previous humiliation. He did not want to become the target of the Censorate's crazy biting.

He felt very aggrieved, and he greeted Fang Jun's ancestors for eighteen generations, but he still had to pretend to be considering the overall situation and sacrificing his own interests. He said generously: "It's not that I am self-deprecating, but the safety of your majesty is more important than anything else. I dare not slack off in the slightest."

Li Chengqian was silent for a moment, then smiled and said with relief: "Duke Lu cares about the country, which comforts me. You must be exhausted from the journey back to Beijing from Hexi. You should go back home to recuperate and enjoy your family life. We can discuss this matter later."

"Here."

Cheng Yaojin breathed a sigh of relief. If His Majesty continued to insist on him taking over the defense of the Left and Right Jinwu Guards, he didn't know how to refuse...

Li Chengqian looked at Cheng Yaojin's back as he walked out, frowning in thought.

Logically speaking, Cheng Yaojin had long wanted to return to the capital. Now that his wish had been fulfilled and he was promised the important task of defending the capital, he should have gladly accepted it.

But why did he evade and refuse?

After a while, he said to the outside of the door: "Summon Li Junxian and come to see me as soon as possible."

(End of this chapter)