Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5124 Reluctant
After Cheng Yaojin came out of Taiji Palace, he did not return home, but rode to visit the Duke of Yingguo's mansion...

In the study, Li Ji looked at Cheng Yaojin speechlessly, puzzled, "You are a general in command of troops, and now you have been ordered back to the capital to defend the capital, so you should keep your distance from me. Now that you have returned to the capital, you don't go back home, but come to me first, what do you want to do?"

Cheng Yaojin took a sip of tea, wiped his beard with his hand, and sighed, "I don't want to do anything, I just want Your Majesty to be suspicious of me!"

As long as Your Majesty had any suspicion of him, he would naturally not force him to replace the Left and Right Jinwu Guards, nor would he destroy the tacit understanding between him and Fang Jun. Otherwise, if Your Majesty insisted on letting him lead the army into the imperial city, guard Chengtian Gate, and then transfer the Left and Right Jinwu Guards out of Chang'an, could he still disobey the order again and again?
Li Ji was surprised and asked, "Didn't you always want to return to Chang'an? Now that you are finally back, His Majesty will also entrust you with important tasks. How could you do such a stupid thing?"

"You don't know, Fang Er that bastard is not a human being!"

Cheng Yaojin slammed the table, his anger finally bursting out, and he told the whole story of Hexi...

Li Ji was surprised at first, then laughed: "Is your head full of mud? Have you ever thought that this is a trap set by someone? There is no such thing as taking advantage so easily, especially by an old fox like Duke Song?"

Cheng Yaojin slapped his thigh, regretting deeply: "I was bewildered at the time, and then I did such a wrong thing, and Fang Jun caught me. It's too late to regret now!"

He admitted that he had underestimated Xiao Yu and was deceived by his usual generosity and benevolence. He thought he was a corrupt scholar and a soft persimmon. However, he never thought that how could a man who could thrive in the enemy camp after the fall of his country and become a prime minister after relying on the Tang Dynasty be a pure and upright person?
The old fox was so well disguised that he was careless and fell into the trap driven by profit...

Li Ji shook his head and said, "Erlang sometimes acts recklessly, but he always keeps his word. Since he has reached a tacit understanding with you, as long as you keep your promise, he will not regret it."

Fang Jun is unlikely to go back on his word, but Cheng Yaojin has lost the opportunity to enter the core of power, and someone has a hold on him, so he has to retreat from now on...

As expected, Cheng Yaojin was filled with indignation, and he shouted, "How can I sleep peacefully in the future if that guy holds this evidence? I cannot rely on someone's 'keeping his word' to ensure my career. If that guy gets mad and reveals the secret one day, wouldn't that be troublesome?"

It was just some cotton fields that were seized, and they were not civilian fields. This would certainly not affect his title or status. But it was black material after all. Once it was exposed at a certain point, it would inevitably pose a huge threat to his entry into the core of power.

Although the two had reached a tacit agreement that the cotton fields would be registered under the name of Princess Qinghe, it was only used to fool outsiders. Fang Jun had to leave evidence in order to get Cui Shenji to get the land deeds...

It was as if there was a sword hanging behind his neck, ready to fall and stab him in the back at any moment. How could he bear it?
Li Ji was surprised and asked, "So you come here to nag me, what do you want me to do?"

Cheng Yaojin hesitated for a moment and said, "You have a very good relationship with Fang Er recently. Why don't you step in and mediate between them and ask him to give a guarantee?"

Li Ji raised his eyebrows: "Can you guarantee that he won't use the matter of occupying the cotton fields to attack you in the future?"

"That's right. He has always respected you. As long as he promised you, he won't break his promise."

"Ah!"

Li Ji almost laughed out of anger: "So you are still planning to transfer the left and right Jinwu Guards out of Chang'an and station them in the Imperial City to guard Chengtian Gate?"

Fang Jun's words are always cheap, and since he has reached a tacit agreement with Cheng Yaojin, he will definitely not break his promise. But Cheng Yaojin still wants him to join in as an insurance policy, which obviously means that Cheng Yaojin himself does not intend to keep this tacit agreement, but he is afraid that Fang Jun will expose his handle later, causing his plan to fail...

You have such a big face!
Cheng Yaojin also knew that his request was a bit excessive, and said with a shameless face: "For so many years, I have always followed your lead and obeyed your orders. You said go east and I don't go west. I always stand with you to support you, and I have never made any demands. Now that Your Majesty has ascended the throne, I am a meritorious official of the Zhenguan period but I am outside the central power. Do you know how embarrassing it is for me to be pointed at by people from all walks of life? Now I have a good opportunity but I have to give it up. It's really a pity! Help me this time, and promise to obey your orders in the future, and never frown in the wind and fire!"

He was really unwilling to accept this.

When Emperor Taizong was alive, he seemed not to be competitive, but in fact he had everything he deserved. If he wanted something, he only had to act crazy and make a fuss, and he would probably get it.

However, Emperor Taizong died suddenly, and he chose to watch from the sidelines and did nothing during Li Chengqian's ascension to the throne. He made a series of wrong choices, which led to Li Chengqian being expelled from the core of power and becoming a laughing stock after he had firmly sat on the throne.

Now, he suddenly got the chance to return to the center of power, but Fang Jun got a hold of him, so he had to ask to leave and missed the opportunity...

Being at the center of power, you can show magnanimity despite your detached status, but you will get the benefits you deserve.

Being outside the center of power, even if you fight hard, you may not be able to get much benefit. The situation is completely different. All plans will be ineffective. How can you not be anxious?
Li Ji shook his head repeatedly: "Isn't this a clear sign that I am deceiving Erlang with you? You also know that Erlang has always respected me, and we have recently worked together to formulate military reforms. We should trust each other. After all, we have great ambitions. We must not destroy the foundation of cooperation because of such a small matter."

"A small matter?!"

Cheng Yaojin's eyes widened, and he said in dissatisfaction: "You are now the prime minister, the head of all officials, and you hold great power, but you don't care about our old brotherhood, right? I have obeyed you for so many years, do you still have any regard for our old friendship?"

Li Ji frowned and stared at him: "What on earth do you want to do?"

Cheng Yaojin's heart skipped a beat, and he stiffened his neck: "I just want to return to the center of power and participate in the core of the empire!"

Li Ji's eyes were blazing and his face was cold: "As a meritorious official of the Zhenguan period, you already have a high status, and you command a strong army with great power. Why do you insist on replacing the left and right Jinwu guards and stationed in the imperial city to guard Chengtian Gate?"

"Guarding Chengtian Gate means that I can return to the core of power. What's wrong with that?"

"..."

Li Ji stared at Cheng Yaojin without saying a word, his expression serious and heavy.

Cheng Yaojin spread his hands and said with a playful smile: "Forget about not helping me, why bother making so many excuses? I know you are different now, you have been drunk by Fang Er's magic potion, and you dream of completing the reform of the Tang Dynasty's military system and leaving your name in history, and your contribution will be passed down through the ages. You and I have different pursuits, so our past relationship ends here, and we should both be well."

Then he stood up, clasped his fists and bowed: "Goodbye!"

Without waiting for Li Ji's response, he turned around and walked away.

Li Ji did not stand up to see him off, but sat there with a frown on his face, thinking for a long time without moving.

……

After returning to the mansion, Cheng Yaojin ignored the welcoming smiles of the whole family, walked into the study with a gloomy face, kicked a stool hard, and smashed it against the wall. He threw his helmet aside and cursed: "Fang Jun, you little brat, how dare you bully me like this!"

Madam Cui followed him into the study room, and upon seeing the situation, she dismissed all the servants and closed the door. Then she turned to Cheng Yaojin, picked up the kettle and poured him a cup of tea, then bent down to pick up the helmet and put it aside.

Then he asked in a clear voice: "Why did you lose your composure like this, my dear?"

Although she was a second wife, she was born into the Qinghe Cui family and was the daughter of a famous family. She had a high status in the Cheng family. Even Cheng Yaojin had to look up to her and be tolerant of her.

Although Cheng Yaojin had a nickname of "the devil of the world" outside, his family knew that he had a calm personality. His willful behavior outside was mostly disguised. He rarely lost his temper at home...

Seeing his wife being as quiet, self-possessed and gentle as usual, Cheng Yaojin's rage subsided a little. He grabbed the teacup, drank it all in one gulp, and let out a long breath.

"I was just impatient for a moment, please don't blame me, madam."

Cui looked at him and saw that he did not explain, so she did not ask: "The mansion has prepared a banquet to welcome you. Dalang has returned first. I will help you bathe and change clothes, and then we can start the banquet."

Cheng Yaojin shook his head and said, "No hurry, is Erlang at home?"

Cui said gently, "Of course I am."

"Qinghe is here too?"

"Yes."

"Let them come over. I have something to ask you. Um, let Dalang come too."

Cui agreed, hesitated a little, and asked again: "Should we call Sanlang?"

It was obvious that there was something important to discuss, but why was Saburo left out?

Cheng Yaojin hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "No need to call him."

Cui looked at him and turned to leave.

Cheng Yaojin poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and his anger dissipated.

He has six sons, three legitimate sons and three illegitimate sons. However, the third son, Cheng Chubi, who was the least favored and had a dull personality at the beginning, has achieved the most. The reason is that he is good friends with Fang Jun and they have played together since childhood. As Fang Jun has become more successful in recent years, he has not forgotten his former playmate. With his support all the way, Cheng Chubi is now a general of the six rates in the Eastern Palace, leading one rate alone and is deeply trusted by His Majesty.

And because of the unique attributes of the Six Eastern Palace Officers, if nothing unexpected happens, when the Crown Prince ascends the throne in the future, he will be a minister of the palace, a loyal follower of the emperor, and it will be easy for him to get the position of General of the Sixteen Guards, and his title will at least be a founding marquis...

However, his ties with Fang Jun were too deep, which went against the interests of the family.

In this case, it would be a good idea to imitate the way the aristocratic families placed bets in times of chaos, and ensure that there is always a branch of descendants in the winning camp...

Soon, Cheng Chumo, Cheng Chuliang and Princess Qinghe arrived one after another, and Cui also sat beside them.

……

At this time, Cheng Chubi was sitting in the hall waiting for the banquet to start. He saw his two brothers and a sister-in-law were called by his father to talk, but he didn't care. He just sat with his brothers and talked and laughed, not realizing that something had changed in the family...